Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 539 Arrival in Yizhou
Although the emperor temporarily suppressed Yuan Keli's request to go north to inspect Liao, he did not allow Yuan Keli to stay in the capital for too long. When the Beijing Ministry of War received urgent reports for three consecutive days that the important city of Shenyang was under siege but had not yet fallen, the emperor allowed Yuan Keli to set off north.

With the collusion of the Imperial Household Department and the full coordination of the Cabinet, the process of appointing and removing Yuan Keli as the Zhenjiang Military Preparations Commissioner was so fast that it was astonishing.

In just half a day, the bureaucratic machinery of the Ming Dynasty's central government completed a series of official establishment and empowerment procedures, including "the censor requested the establishment of a military governor of Zhenjiang", "the emperor approved it with his imperial seal", "the senior officials jointly recommended it", "the cabinet voted to approve it", and "the emperor approved it with his imperial seal and awarded the imperial edict, seal, and official uniform".

Hidden beneath this expedited routine was a secret, unconventional process. This secret, unconventional process consisted of a single step: the emperor personally presented Yuan Keli with an imperial edict appointing him as guardian of Korea, along with a sword, the imperial sword, which symbolized the power to execute without authorization. Furthermore, the emperor also gave Yuan Keli a scroll explicitly deposing King Yi Hyun of Joseon and appointing Crown Prince Yi Seol as regent.

That afternoon, after receiving two imperial edicts and an imperial decree, Yuan Keli thanked the emperor and bid farewell to him. He then left the capital quickly under the protection of the elite Jinyiwei and rushed towards Tongzhou.

Yuan Keli and his entourage changed horses at every post station, traveling almost day and night, averaging 200 li a day. They covered the 600 li distance from the capital to Shanhaiguan in just three days. Afterwards, Yuan Keli and his entourage continued northward along the Liaoxi Corridor, visiting various Liaoxi cities along the way. Only when they entered the Liaohai Dongning Circuit did they slow down their pace.

Because they had informed the itinerary early, as soon as Yuan Keli and his party arrived at the Yizhouwei Post Station, the postmaster who had been waiting for a long time came out to greet them with a group of postmen.

"Your humble servant pays his respects to Yuan Bingxian!" Yuan Keli, who was guarded in the center, rode almost side by side with Lu Wenzhao, and neither of them wore official uniforms. However, the sharp-eyed postmaster immediately recognized Yuan Keli with his civil servant temperament, and subconsciously mistook Lu Wenzhao for his close follower.

"No need to kneel," Yuan Keli said, with no intention of dismounting. "Just arrange for the soldiers to stay." Yuan Keli turned around and looked at the military officer leading the team. "General Gao Qian, you wait for us at the post station."

"Yes." General Gao Qian grabbed the reins and bowed in response.

"Mr. Yuan Bingxian, don't you want to come into the post station and rest for a while? The food and drinks are ready." The postmaster straightened his knees, which had just been bent, and first made a long bow to Yuan Keli, then waved his hand behind him.

Upon receiving the signal, dozens of postmen immediately ran over to lead the horses for the cavalrymen.

Yuan Keli shook his head and asked, "Is Inspector Yang Lian currently in Yizhou City?"

"He should be here," the postmaster replied with a bow, "it was he who told me to prepare to meet you here early."

"Okay." Yuan Keli looked at Lu Wenzhao. "Shall we go to the government office now?"

"Everything is up to you." Lu Wenzhao certainly would not act like the emperor's personal guard in front of this high-ranking official who was about to become the "King of Korea".

"Where is the Guangning Dao Yamen?" Yuan Keli asked the postmaster.

"Let me take you there," the postmaster winked at a younger postman beside him. The postman immediately understood and turned around to take over the postmaster's job.

"Then I'll have to trouble you to lead the way." Yuan Keli did not refuse.

"Please come this way!" The postmaster trotted off.

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The distance between Yizhou Post Station and the Liaohai Dongning Circuit Yamen was not far. Under the guidance of the postmaster, Yuan Keli and several of his personal followers, the Jinyiwei, quickly stopped at the yamen gate.

"Tang Yicheng, who are these people?" Although the guards on duty at the Liaohai Dongning Road Office were replaced by Zu Dashou's personal soldiers after Yang Lian's arrival, these personal soldiers had stayed in Yizhou for a while and got to know the Yicheng who often visited them.

"Captain Jiang," Tang Yicheng replied, bowing as Yuan Keli dismounted from his horse. "This gentleman is Yuan Bingxian, the newly appointed governor of Zhenjiang. He wishes to see Envoy Yang." Because the Imperial Inspector was also an imperial emissary, "holding a special authority and commanding the four directions," the common people and other officials would also address the respected Inspector as "Envoy."

Captain Jiang was taken aback at first, then he saluted Yuan Keli. "Your Excellency, Military Officer Yuan, Lord Yang is not in the yamen right now."

"He's not at the government office?" Yuan Keli held onto the saddle. "Then where did he go?"

"I don't know either," Captain Jiang said with a wry smile, shaking his head. "He never even bothers to say hello to me when he leaves the yamen. If you're anxious, you can go to Marshal Li's camp and ask."

"Marshal Li has also come to Yizhou?" Yuan Keli looked puzzled.

The headquarters of the Guangning General, who was responsible for defending against the Western Tartars, was usually set up in the Guangning Central Guard. Unless there was a military intelligence alert, he would not easily move his camp.

"In response to Yuan Bingxian's words, the silver for the captives has always been delivered at Tuanshan Fort. Every time this time comes, he always brings a battalion of cavalry to Yizhouwei to maintain order." These are the things Captain Jiang heard recently.

Yuan Keli nodded at first, then froze. "Is Marshal Li's main camp located in Tuanshan Fort?" Tuanshan Fort was located between Jinzhou Guard and Yizhou Guard, surrounded by numerous forts including Dading Fort, Kaizhou Tunbao, and Damao Fort, making it considered the hinterland. Yuan Keli had just passed by there and hadn't seen a camp large enough to accommodate a battalion of cavalry.

"Tuanshan Fort is only the place where the money is delivered," said Tang Yicheng, "Marshal Li's camp is not there."

"Then where is his camp?" Yuan Keli stepped on the stirrup to mount his horse, and Tang looked down at the postmaster.

"It's just to the west of the city. Go out from the west gate and walk a little further and you can see it." said Tang Yicheng.

"Is it far?" Yuan Keli asked again.

"Hmm," the postmaster thought for a moment and decided to just tell him the distance. "It's only four or five miles away. If you want to go now, I'll show you the way." Then, Tang, the postmaster, said to the guard at the gate, "Please lend me a horse."

"Okay." Captain Jiang turned around and shouted, "Bring a horse!"

"No need, just go back to the post station. The barracks are easy to find, we can just go there by ourselves." Yuan Keli waved the reins and spurred his horse, leaving without looking back.

"Do you need more horses?" Captain Jiang asked Tang Yicheng as he watched Yuan Keli and his group walking away.

Tang Yicheng smiled. "What do you think?"

"It probably isn't necessary." Captain Jiang smiled and waved away the soldier who was leading the horse over.

"Goodbye." Tang Yicheng bowed and turned away. "Don't worry." Captain Jiang held Tang Yicheng back.

"Captain Jiang, do you have any other instructions?" Tang Yicheng turned around.

"I'm just asking," Captain Jiang let go of Tang Yicheng. "What's going on in Shenyang? Any latest news?"

In addition to being sent to the Ministry of War in Beijing, battle reports also had to be disseminated throughout Liao so that the defenders of each city could be informed of the latest situation on the front line as soon as possible, enabling them to make appropriate judgments.

"Not yet. But don't worry, for us, no news is good news." Tang Yichen said with a smile.

While battle reports were not secret, the speed at which the same information reached different locations varied. The Bingbu Tangbao, delivered to Beijing, was expedited by changing horses and traveling day and night, with no one allowed to read it until it reached the Ministry of War. Meanwhile, reports sent to various locations, except for urgent reports requiring a quick response, were routinely sent by ordinary post. This type of post didn't even require horses; communication relied entirely on foot, making it only slightly faster than the normal marching speed of infantry.

Therefore, at this moment, the military report confirming that the bandits had withdrawn was almost rushing across Shanhaiguan, and the routine report to Yizhou had just passed Yaozhou Post.

"I hope so." Captain Jiang sighed.

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The barracks were indeed easy to find. Soon after Yuan Keli and his party left the city along the main road, they saw the large wooden fence surrounding Li Guangrong's temporary residence.

The garrison was highly alert, and before Yuan Keli and his party could even get close, they were spotted by scouts manning the watchtower. The scouts waved a simple flag signal to the camp, and soon a group of cavalrymen surrounded them from both sides. Because Yuan Keli and his party had come from the direction of the Acropolis, the surrounding cavalrymen did not draw their weapons, indicating obvious hostility.

"Who are you?" The leading cavalrymen always slowed down their horses and slowly approached when the two sides were about thirty steps apart. "Why are you approaching the camp?!"

"I am Yuan Keli, the new military councilor of Zhenjiang. I'm looking for Inspector Yang Lian. I wonder if Inspector Yang is in your camp?" Yuan Keli gently pulled the reins of his horse and replied from a distance.

"Zhenjiang Military Commissioner?" The captain was clearly not the type to be approached in advance. "Is there a vacancy for such an official in Liaodong?" The two teams drew closer.

"The Zhenjiang Military Prefectural Army is newly established by the imperial court. The imperial seals and decrees are all in this bag!" Yuan Keli patted the saddlebag beside his horse's butt. The bag contained only the imperial seals and decrees for the Zhenjiang Military Prefectural Army's participation in government affairs. The imperial seals for the Korean tutelage, the decree deposing the king, and the imperial sword bestowed upon the Korean tutelage were all kept safe by the accompanying Jinyiwei.

"Could you please show me the pass or the postal token from the Imperial Chariot Office?" The team leader gradually let down his guard and his tone became more humble, but he still maintained basic caution.

"Of course." Yuan Keli held the official documents and the imperial post station token in his arms. He had originally intended to use them to arrange for the post station to accommodate the cavalry led by General Gao Qian, but Postmaster Tang had invited the group in without even checking them. So Yuan Keli didn't take them out.

"So it really is Yuan Bingxian. Please forgive my disrespect." The team leader only looked at the pass and bowed solemnly.

"No need to be so polite." Yuan Keli nodded and asked, "Is Inspector Yang in the camp?"

"Envoy Yang and Commander Li are both in the camp," the captain returned the pass and the imperial carriage post to Yuan Keli. "Please follow me, Yuan Bingxian." If it were anyone else, the captain would have inquired about their purpose and reported it to them. However, the rank of military governor was second only to the governor, governor, and prefect, and there were only a few of them in Liao. Naturally, it wouldn't be his turn to interrogate them. If it was the newly appointed Guangning governor, who had replaced Wan Youfu, the captain could have even gone directly to the camp to fetch Li Guangrong, the military commander.

"Thank you." Yuan Keli put away the documents and post tokens, drove his horse and followed.

After a while, Yuan Keli and Lu Wenzhao, led by the team leader, arrived in front of Li Guangrong's central army tent. The other Jinyiwei stayed elsewhere, guarding the horses carrying important items.

After arriving at the central army tent, the team leader did not continue to wait. He simply said something to the guards on duty and returned to his original position to continue his duty. After understanding the situation, the guards on duty did not question Yuan Keli, nor did they let him in directly. Instead, they saluted and turned to report.

The curtains were drawn in the central army tent. Inside, besides Li Guangrong, the Guangning General responsible for defending against the Western Tartars, and Yang Lian, the Liaodong Inspector General who also oversaw Guangning's pacification and military training, there was also a young man who appeared to be in his early thirties. This was Wang Shizhong, who had recently been officially promoted from a titled guerrilla commander to a full-fledged one. His other name was Hada Nara Kebaku.

The guardsman drew aside the curtain and tried to whisper to Li Guangrong as quietly as possible. But he was fully clothed, and every step he took was a 300-pound impact, making a lot of noise. The moment he entered, the three people sitting in the tent immediately stopped talking.

"What are you doing? Didn't I tell you not to come in?" Li Guangrong turned his head and stopped the guards in their tracks with just a look.

"General," the guard replied with his head lowered, "I'm not daring to disturb you, but there's a man outside the tent claiming to be the new military commander of Zhenjiang. I can't just leave him out in the cold."

Li Guangrong's eyes flickered. He ignored the guard and looked at Yang Lian instead.

Yang Lian stood up immediately. "Let's talk about this later. Let's go out and greet them."

"Okay." Li Guangrong responded and waved his hand to dismiss his personal soldiers.

Wang Shizhong didn't say anything, but just followed silently.

Yang Lian took the lead, followed by two generals, and soon they came in front of Yuan Keli and Lu Wenzhao.

This was Yuan Keli's first formal encounter with the three men who came to greet him, but all three were wearing official uniforms. This made it easy for Yuan Keli to distinguish Yang Lian from Li Guangrong. As for the young man following behind them, Yuan Keli subconsciously assumed he was an ordinary battalion commander.

"I'm Yuan Keli, the new military councilor of Zhenjiang. Nice to meet you." Yuan Keli raised his hands from a distance.

"I'm Lu Wenzhao, your humble servant. Nice to meet you." Lu Wenzhao also bowed. However, he only gave his name and did not immediately reveal his identity.

"I am a student of Yang Lian. I have long admired the great name of Master Jie Huan." Yang Lian was a Jinshi (Jinshi) in the Dingwei year of the Wanli reign (35th year of the reign of Emperor Wanli). He discussed academic issues and statecraft with Gu Xiancheng, Gao Panlong, and others, and was considered a student of both. Although Yuan Keli had been out of office for many years and had never shown obvious Donglin leanings in his political stance, he was a Jinshi in the 17th year of the Wanli reign (1644-1768), the same year as Gao Panlong, and therefore could be considered a teacher of Yang Lian.

"I am Li Guangrong. I have long admired you." Li Guangrong was of a high rank, but at this moment he did not hesitate and followed Yang Lian's lead in bowing.

"I am Wang Shizhong. I have long admired you." With Li Guangrong saying this, it was even less likely that Wang Shizhong would be arrogant.

(End of this chapter)