Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 248 My Wife is Pregnant
On the eighth day of the ninth month of the eleventh year of the Jiajing reign (1542), the Ming army advanced towards Thang Long. Mo Dengyong deployed his troops south of the Red River to prevent the Ming army from crossing. Mao Bowen ordered a feigned attack by the navy, while simultaneously sending elite cavalry to flank the enemy from the rear. Mo's army, attacked from both sides, suffered a crushing defeat, with thousands drowning. The Ming army, taking advantage of their victory, crossed the river and besieged Thang Long.

On the tenth day of the ninth month of the eleventh year of the Jiajing reign, Nguyen Van Loc, a close confidant of the Mo family, attempted to open the city gates to surrender, but was prevented from doing so and failed. However, the morale of the Mo army had already been lost.

On September 12th of the eleventh year of the Jiajing reign (1542), seeing that all was lost, Mo Dengyong bound himself and led more than forty of his sons and brothers to the military headquarters to plead guilty. Mao Bowen accepted his surrender and sent him to the capital in a cage.

Annam was pacified.

On the fifteenth day of the tenth month of the eleventh year of the Jiajing reign, the Emperor was overjoyed upon hearing the news of the victory. He ordered the establishment of the "Jiaozhi Provincial Administration Commission" and commanded the Ministry of Works to cast a gold seal inscribed "Jiajing Pingnan" to be bestowed upon the generals. He also ordered an auspicious day to be chosen to announce the victory at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and to present the captives to the Emperor.

In December of the eleventh year of the Jiajing reign, an imperial edict was issued to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. After deliberation by the Ministry of Rites, Zhu Di's temple name was elevated to "Chengzu". The ceremony of presenting captives was performed. Mo Dengyong knelt before the palace gate to await punishment. The emperor, mindful of his repentance, pardoned him and ordered his death.

In the first month of the twelfth year of the Jiajing reign, the Emperor ascended the Fengtian Hall to receive the congratulations of all officials, promulgated the "Peaceful Southern Edict" throughout the land, and set up an altar in the southern suburbs where he personally offered sacrifices to demonstrate his military achievements. Mao Bowen was promoted to Minister of War, Zhang Jing and Zhang Yue were each promoted to Vice Commander-in-Chief, and the remaining generals and officers were rewarded according to their merits.

……

Dongjiang Rice Alley.

Seaside Residence.

Under the flower trellis in the backyard, Zhu Yuying leaned against the soft couch, her delicate hand gently stroking her lower abdomen, a hint of joy between her brows.

After seeing off an elderly man with white hair and beard in the front yard, Haiyue returned to the back yard, gently grasped his wife's wrist, and said with barely concealed excitement, "Mr. Xue just took her pulse, and it was indeed a smooth, pearly pulse that responded to the touch—my wife, we're going to have a baby in our family!"

Zhu Yuying's cheeks flushed, her eyes smiling, and she said softly, "I have indeed felt tired these past few days, and I thought it was just spring fatigue..."

"Ha ha!"

Haiyue was overjoyed. Thanks to his hard work and perseverance, he had finally achieved great success. But remembering the famous doctor's advice, she said seriously, "Mr. Xue said that although the lady's pulse is good, it is also thin and weak, indicating a slight deficiency of liver blood. He has prescribed a formula to strengthen the fetus."

"this!"

Zhu Yuying became anxious: "Will the child be alright?"

"It doesn't matter!"

Haiyue knew that he was resolute and wouldn't mince words, so she said directly, "My wife has been worrying too much about the war in the south lately. Mr. Xue's prescription is the safest. I've added calming Poria cocos and Albizia julibrissin bark, and added Angelica sinensis to nourish the blood. I'll personally decoct it for you. You can rest assured and take care of yourself!"

Once the matter was out in the open, it didn't seem like a big deal. Zhu Yuying looked slightly dazed upon hearing this and said with a bitter smile, "I never expected that the Ming army of our Great Ming would be so swift and decisive, that old thief Mo would actually abandon the city and surrender. It's a pity that if he had resisted stubbornly, my brother could have avenged his great grudge!"

Zhu Yuying no longer had any attachment to Annam, but the death of Le Vi Ning remained a thorn in her side. She had been hoping for news of Mo Dengyong's execution, but instead received the news of Mo Dengyong's surrender.

Now that the former King of Annam has been brought to the capital, and after the ceremony of presenting him as a prisoner, he has been settled in a house. This old traitor seems to be enjoying his old age in peace, which she is indeed unwilling to accept.

Haiyue's hatred for Mo Dengyong was not that deep, and she hoped that he would be executed. However, since Mo Dengyong had already opened the city gates and surrendered, if the Ming army insisted on killing him, it would make the Celestial Empire appear to have broken its promise to the barbarian state. Moreover, Mo's followers were still entrenched in northern Vietnam. If they were forced to fight to the death, it would be difficult for Jiaozhi to be peaceful in the future.

The imperial court eventually escorted him to the capital and placed him under house arrest. This move immediately proved effective—when the Mo family's former subordinates saw that their lord's life was spared, they all surrendered. The remaining troops in northern Jiaozhi were pacified without bloodshed.

However, the remnants of the Lê dynasty were still filled with resentment and repeatedly submitted memorials on the grounds of "punishing the rebels." Some even went so far as to propose "restoring the country" out of ignorance.

This was very irresponsible. The Ming court took note of it and then implemented the policy of enfeoffing chieftains. In the blink of an eye, various families were vying to divide up the power.

What was once considered noble principles and lofty ideals could not ultimately prevail over the struggle for practical benefits.

Everything unfolded exactly as predicted in the "Nine Strategies for Pacifying the Borders".

"There are plenty of discerning people in the court, but who else, besides you, would dare to argue with reason when Grand Secretary Zhang's authority is as imposing as a mountain?"

Thinking of this, the melancholy between Zhu Yuying's brows disappeared. She gently stroked her husband's palm with her slender fingers, her eyes filled with admiration: "The traitor Mo has been rampant for half his life. If it weren't for your strategic planning, sir, how could he have fallen from the throne of Annam to become a prisoner? Now he is confined to a villa in the capital. I imagine it is even more heartbreaking for him than if he were to be struck by sword and axe!"

"Not bad!"

Haiyue laughed heartily, accepting the praise without any modesty. He then leaned close to his wife's ear and whispered, "Tomorrow, I'll send someone to find out exactly what that old scoundrel is up to. I'll tell you about his emaciated appearance and his sleepless nights! Hearing such happy things during this time of pregnancy is better than any doctor's best medicine!"

Zhu Yuying laughed and buried herself in his arms: "Is my heart really that petty?"

"Not small! Not small! Everyone feels the same way!"

Haiyue teased, "His Majesty was overjoyed to hear that Yang Yongxiu was having a hard time in Yunnan. This joy of seeing one's enemy in distress is a sentiment shared throughout history!"

The couple enjoyed their sweet moments for a while, then Zhu Yuying suddenly stopped smiling and straightened up: "The other day when I went to the palace to visit my family, I overheard people in Ciren Palace whispering that Grand Secretary Zhang was about to retire and that Grand Secretary Yan had a chance to take his place as Grand Secretary!"

Haiyue raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "These words have actually reached the inner palace?" "Indeed."

Zhu Yuying said, "Everyone says that this great victory was entirely due to Grand Secretary Yan's strategic planning. If it weren't for his strong opposition to the idea of ​​advancing rashly and his dispatch of capable ministers to oversee the supply of provisions in Jiangnan, let alone recovering Jiaozhi, the soldiers would probably be buried in a foreign land!"

The insightful views in "Nine Strategies for Pacifying the Borders" are there for all to see, and Yan Song would not try to steal the credit. However, his strong advocacy of this strategy by the Grand Secretary at the time did change the political climate of the court to some extent. In addition, the literati deliberately ignored the contributions of Lu Bing, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, in this regard, which highlighted the achievements of the leader of the Qingliu faction.

Political trends are always sensitive. During Zhang Cong's heyday, such discussions were not only not allowed to circulate openly, but even whispered in private were met with silence. Now, however, they dare to speak freely even in the Empress Dowager's palace.

Everyone thought that Zhang Cong's time to step down was not far off.

However, Haiyue shook her head slightly and asked directly, "What is Empress Jiang's opinion?"

Zhu Yuying also sensed something and replied, "Mother didn't say anything, but she told me again how, when she and His Majesty first arrived in the capital and had no relatives or friends, it was Grand Secretary Zhang, the late Grand Secretary Gui, and several other officials who stepped forward to help them..."

Haiyue understood: "Empress Jiang is a sentimental person. In her heart, Grand Secretary Zhang has always been her first benefactor."

Zhu Yuying also confirmed: "So as long as Mother is here, Grand Secretary Zhang's position as Grand Secretary is as secure as Mount Tai?"

"No!"

Haiyue shook her head slightly: "Grand Secretary Zhang's career as Grand Secretary is nearing its end. He has devoted himself to this cause all these years, and has finally exhausted his energy. Even if the Empress Dowager and His Majesty want to use him, I'm afraid his own body won't be able to hold on..."

In this world, Yan Song's rise to power made him a formidable opponent to Zhang Cong within the cabinet, posing a far greater threat than Xia Yan in history.

Even so, Zhang Cong's contribution to the Great Rites Controversy was so deeply rooted that even the ungrateful Zhu Houcong remembered this timely kindness, not to mention the sentimental Empress Dowager Jiang.

Yan Song wanted to overthrow Zhang Cong and become the Grand Secretary, but he couldn't.

Just as Gui E was not defeated by anyone, he resigned voluntarily because his body could not support him. Zhang Cong will soon follow suit.

At the grand court assembly on New Year's Day, Haiyue caught a glimpse of the Grand Secretary from afar. He was already deeply wrinkled, showing signs of old age, and his steps were somewhat unsteady.

A 59-year-old man was implementing all aspects of the new policies. He spent more time in the yamen every day than Haiyue, a young scholar. Even an iron body couldn't withstand it, let alone Zhang Cong, who lived a very frugal and simple life.

In history, Zhang Cong retired in just over a year, and it was only after repeated petitions that Jiajing finally reluctantly let this old minister go.

Therefore, while political skills and abilities are one aspect, lifespan and health are sometimes more important. If Yan Song hadn't lived so long, he wouldn't have been able to control the government for nearly twenty years.

Zhu Yuying was unaware of their original lifespans, but she trusted her husband's judgment and was indeed somewhat regretful: "Wouldn't it have been better for you, my lord, if Uncle Yan had become the Grand Secretary?"

In contrast to Zhang Cong's dislike of Hai Yue, Yan Song addressed him as his uncle, and Yan Shifan was his closest friend who visited their home most frequently.

Before the New Year, when Zhu Yuying visited the Yan family, Madam Ouyang even took her hand and asked her to keep an eye out for a suitable lady of marriageable age in the capital who could be a good match for Yan Shifan.

Zhu Yuying thought it over and over again, but dared not harm anyone. However, given the close relationship between the two families, she naturally hoped that Yan Song would rise to power.

Haiyue smiled slightly: "I also hope that Uncle Yan will take over and continue Grand Secretary Zhang's new policies, rather than letting them end with his death. But you should not get involved in this turmoil."

Zhu Yuying nodded, then asked, "What about inside the palace?"

Haiyue's motto remains the same: "Listen more, talk less."

Zhu Yuying indeed kept this in mind. Whether before or after marriage, she had no intention of taking advantage of the situation. She was not a true relative of the emperor. She had to keep this in mind in order to maintain a good mother-daughter relationship with Empress Dowager Jiang.

After finishing their business, the two admired the flowers in the courtyard and returned to the inner quarters.

In the days that followed, with the help of the renowned doctor's prescription for a safe pregnancy, Zhu Yuying's blood and qi were restored and her pregnancy was stabilized. In addition, her mother, Zhu Lin, who was busy expanding the Yinglue Society, rushed to the capital after hearing the news to take care of her daughter-in-law. Haiyue felt more at ease and kept an eye on the movements of the first batch of Yixin Society members who were sent to different places.

As the first batch of Hanlin scholars sent to other regions, many of them volunteered to join the Three Departments of Jiaozhi, becoming the first batch of Ming Dynasty officials after the recovery of their homeland.

However, given that these young officials ultimately lacked experience and that the responsibilities they bore in Jiaozhi were too severe, it would be premature for them to be sent directly to their posts. Therefore, the court arranged for them to be sent to important prefectures and counties in the interior, or even directly to the Three Departments.

For example, Xu Jie was appointed as the Left Councilor of the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission, and Su Zhigao was appointed as the Magistrate of Jiading County, Suzhou Prefecture.

Whether by coincidence or by some twist of fate, Hai Rui was appointed magistrate of Chun'an County, Hangzhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province.

(End of this chapter)