Huangming

Chapter 232 The Rectification of the Magistrate's Office, the Three Guards of Tianjin

In the winter of the second year of the Yongle reign, Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) issued an edict to establish Tianjin Garrison at the site of the "Emperor's Crossing of the Ferry" and ordered the Ministry of Works to oversee the construction of the Tianjin city walls.

The initial city wall was made of rammed earth and had a unique shape—short from north to south and long from east to west, like a horizontal sword guarding the shore of the Bohai Sea.

After nearly a century of weathering, in the fourth year of the Hongzhi reign, the imperial court allocated funds to rebuild the garrison city.

The city wall was not only raised and thickened, but also covered with blue bricks and stone blocks, and the four city gate towers were also rebuilt.

On the day of completion, the craftsmen hung gilded plaques in front of each city gate, inscribed with the four characters "Zhen Dong" (镇东), "Ding Nan" (定南), "An Xi" (安西), and "Gong Bei" (拱北), respectively, to demonstrate the majesty of the imperial court and to awe all directions.

At this moment, in the shadow cast by the "Zhendong" plaque, Chen Qiyu, the assistant circuit intendant of Tianjin, stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes piercing as he stared intently at the end of the official road.

The summer wind whipped up his official robes, but it couldn't dispel the stern look between his brows.

Three steps behind him, three figures stood like iron towers.

Xu Xianchun, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, held his embroidered spring knife; Qian Shijin, the Assistant Magistrate of Tianjin Coastal Defense, rubbed his hands together like flies; and Huang Yuntai, the Tianjin Pay Commissioner, stood with his hands behind his back.

The three men had different expressions, but they all held their breath and waited for the arrival of the Beijing garrison's iron cavalry.

"Sir, we've been waiting for an hour, and there's not a trace of the Beijing garrison. Are they going to wait until tomorrow to arrive?"

Xu Xianchun paced anxiously, the scabbard of his embroidered spring knife occasionally striking the bluestone slab, making a crisp sound.

He looked up at the sky; the sun was already setting in the west, and the shadow cast by the Zhen Dong plaque on the city tower was getting longer and longer.

This deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was seething with anger.

When he was in the capital, he could show his face in front of Wei Zhongxian every day, and occasionally pass on a message or a message. That was what you call being powerful and influential.

Now that he has been exiled to Tianjin, far from the center of power, he feels that his influence has plummeted.

Just like the summer sun, it's about to set.

Xu Xianchun couldn't help but touch the ivory token at his waist again; the cold touch made him even more irritable.

If he couldn't constantly flatter Wei Zhongxian, how could he possibly climb the ranks?

In a few days, those shrewd colleagues will probably have already taken his place!
"It should arrive today, let's wait a little longer."

Chen Qiyu's voice was calm as still water, but his eyes flickered uncertainly.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the end of the official road.

This time, Chen Qiyu was ordered to inspect Tianjin. With the strong assistance of Xu Xianchun, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he thoroughly investigated the three guards of Tianjin with swift and decisive measures.

As the investigation deepened, shocking evidence surfaced, causing even Chen Qiyu to gasp in horror.

The three Tianjin garrisons (Tianjin Garrison, Left Garrison, and Right Garrison) had a nominal strength of 5,600 men, but the actual number of soldiers was less than 2,000.

Those vacant salaries and pay had long been embezzled by officers at all levels.

What is even more infuriating is that the grain transport troops, who were supposed to protect the region and its people, colluded with local merchants to steal and sell grain from the imperial court, secretly forming a black market force called the Tianjin Grain Transport Gang.

Zhang Erxin, the commander of Tianjin Garrison, was even more dissolute, indulging in wine and women all day long.

The training ground was abandoned, overgrown with weeds reaching three feet high, and rusted weapons were scattered among it, making it look as desolate as a mass grave.

Most appallingly, 70% of the military farmland was privately seized by officers, and the military households who had guarded the border for generations were reduced to slaves of the powerful and wealthy, living a life worse than that of pigs and dogs under the whip.

When Chen Qiyu proposed to reorganize the military, the hereditary officers of the three guards immediately formed an alliance and obstructed him at every turn, both openly and secretly.

These deeply entrenched interest groups, like an impenetrable spider web, have completely enveloped Tianjin.

Faced with this situation, Chen Qiyu had no choice but to postpone his actions.

There was nothing we could do; we had no troops at our disposal and dared not make any rash moves.

"They've arrived! The Beijing garrison troops have come!"

Huang Yuntai, the Tianjin tax official, suddenly shouted and pointed to the end of the official road.

Dust billowed in the distance, rolling in like dark clouds pressing down.

As the sound of hooves drew closer, an elite force suddenly appeared.

The soldiers were clad in gleaming iron armor, which shone with a cold, sharp light in the winter sun.

They were all broad-shouldered and burly, their steps perfectly synchronized, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

The three leading generals were even more imposing: Zhao Shuaijiao, the assistant general of the Shenji Battalion; Zu Dashou, the assistant general of the Shenshu Battalion; and Huang Degong, the assistant general of the Shenwu Battalion.

Upon seeing this, Chen Qiyu immediately straightened his clothes and hurried to greet them, bowing and saying, "The three generals have rushed to our aid overnight, and I have been waiting here for a long time!"

When Zhao Shuaijiao and his entourage saw the governor personally welcoming them, they quickly dismounted.

The three men knelt on one knee, clasped their hands in salute, and said, "This humble general greets Your Excellency!"

Although the three adjutants were all of higher rank than himself, Chen Qiyu accepted their greetings with composure.

The imperial sword hanging at his waist hummed softly in its sheath, as if reminding everyone that the person standing here was an imperial envoy on behalf of Heaven.

Chen Qiyu personally stepped forward and helped the three adjutants to their feet one by one.

He looked intently at Zhao Shuaijiao and asked in a deep voice, "I wonder how many elite troops the three generals have brought this time?"

Zhao Shuaijiao clasped his hands and reported, "Reporting to the Governor, each of us has led two thousand elite soldiers from our respective camps, totaling six thousand men."

He paused, then explained, "Originally, the three battalions had a total of nine thousand soldiers, but the capital region is a crucial area that cannot be left undefended, so three thousand soldiers were left to garrison and train troops."

A glint flashed in Chen Qiyu's eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly: "Six thousand Tiger Warriors? That's enough!"

He immediately said solemnly, "The situation is urgent. To avoid any leaks, I ask the three generals to bear with the fatigue of travel. The most urgent task is to take down those corrupt officials in the Three Guards of Tianjin!"

He lowered his voice and said, "According to reliable sources, the hereditary officers of the three guards are currently discussing matters at the Commandery Office. If they become aware of the approaching Beijing garrison, they will surely flee back to their respective garrisons to mobilize troops for resistance. At that time, the fighting will not only increase casualties but also disturb the people."

Chen Qiyu took out a secret letter from his sleeve, which detailed the crimes and movements of the three guard officers.

"These parasites have been entrenched in Tianjin for many years, deeply rooted. Today, we must strike them decisively to eliminate this threat forever!"

"Please give your instructions, Your Excellency!"

Zhao Shuaijiao, Zu Dashou, and Huang Degong responded in unison.

Chen Qiyu's eyes were sharp as he made his deployment in a deep voice:

"General Zhao, lead your elite troops into the city to quell the chaos. General Zu, immediately take over the military camps under the jurisdiction of the Three Guards. General Huang, you must block all wharves and key roads on the Haihe River and not let a single person escape!"

After saying that, he raised his hand and waved it, and more than ten Imperial Guards stepped forward quickly.

These agents were all sharp-eyed and knew the inside story of Tianjin like the back of their hand.

"If any of you generals have any questions, please feel free to ask them."

Chen Qiyu pointed at these Imperial Guards and said, "They know the ins and outs of the Three Guards of Tianjin better than the local rats."

"I will obey your orders!"

Chen Qiyu nodded slightly, his hand resting on the hilt of the Shangfang sword.

"Time waits for no one, act now!"

At Chen Qiyu's command, the six thousand elite soldiers of the Beijing Garrison split into three iron streams as if guided by their own limbs.

Zhao Shuaijiao personally led three hundred iron cavalrymen to follow Chen Qiyu into the city, their hooves thundering across the bluestone streets.

They swiftly took control of the four gates, heavily armored soldiers guarded all the key roads, and iron chains stretched across the city, completely surrounding Tianjin.

Before the city gate guards could react, they were forced back to the corner by the gleaming swords and spears, and could only watch helplessly as the banners of the Beijing garrison were planted on the city tower.

The iron hooves shattered the silence of the long street as Chen Qiyu led the elite troops of the Beijing Garrison straight towards the Commander's Office like a whirlwind.

The clanging of armor was deafening, and the people along the way quickly shut their doors, peering through the windows at the menacing army.

Inside the main hall of the Commander's Office, however, a completely different scene unfolded.

Zhang Erxin, the commander of Tianjin Garrison, slammed his wine cup down on the table, the splashed wine staining the map red.

"Everyone!"

He glanced around at the officers present, his voice hoarse: "That Chen Qiyu clearly intends to kill us! If we sit here and wait to die, I'm afraid we'll lose our heads!"

Left Guard Commander Mei Yingwen stroked his beard and sneered, "Commander Zhang, are you drunk? Chen Qiyu holds the Imperial Sword; to touch him would be treason!"

"Brother Mei, you are mistaken."

The Right Guard Vice Commander interjected sinisterly, "Those lunatics from the White Lotus Sect are stirring up trouble outside the city. If they happen to learn of the Imperial Envoy's whereabouts, it's not impossible, as long as Chen Qiyu is dead."

Just as everyone was discussing in secret, a series of hurried footsteps and the sound of armor clashing suddenly came from outside the hall.

A flag officer stumbled into the hall, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, and his voice trembled as he knelt on one knee:
"Commander! Something terrible has happened! Military Commander Chen has arrived at the yamen with a large force!"

"With troops?" Zhang Erxin paused, her brows furrowing. "He only has a hundred or so Imperial Guard followers. Where did he get any troops?"

"Commander, you are wise!"

The flag officer swallowed hard, his throat bobbing. "Those soldiers are all clad in iron armor, carrying long spears and powerful crossbows. Judging from their attire, they are clearly the elite of the Beijing Garrison!"

"Jingying?!"

Zhang Erxin suddenly stood up, causing the rosewood official's hat chair to crash to the ground.

His face turned deathly pale instantly, and his voice suddenly rose: "When did the Beijing garrison arrive in Tianjin? Why was no one notified?!"

The faint sound of orderly ranks could be heard outside the window, and the vibration of iron boots hitting the ground caused ripples to appear in the teacups on the table.

Zhang Erxin then realized with a start that they were already trapped!
"Everyone!"

He drew his sword abruptly, its blade gleaming coldly in the candlelight: "Rather than sit and wait to die, let's fight to the death! Quickly gather your personal guards; I want to see what kind of show Chen Qiyu is up to!"

Before the words were even finished, the heavy mansion gate was smashed open.

Sunlight pierced the dimly lit hall like a sharp sword, illuminating Zhang Erxin's face, which was contorted with shock and anger.

"Trying to mobilize troops? Too late!"

Chen Qiyu's shout was like a thunderclap, and the Shangfang sword at his waist was drawn three inches from its sheath with a clang, the cold light making the faces of all the officers in the room turn pale.

His hawk-like gaze swept over the crowd, and every officer being stared at unconsciously shrank back.

"His Majesty entrusted Tianjin with this vital strategic location, yet you have turned it into a den of iniquity! The theft and sale of grain transported from the Grand Canal, the enslavement of military households, the neglect of the drill grounds—each and every one of these acts is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!!"

He pointed his spear and roared, "Zhang Erxin, Commander of Tianjin Garrison! Mei Yingwen, Left Garrison Commander! Ni Guangjian, Right Garrison Commander! Han Chengkui, Assistant Prefect! Zhou Yingru, Jiang Guangchun, and Wang Guozhen, Assistant Commissioners! You parasites have devoured the national treasury and harmed the people. Today is the day you will be brought to justice! Guards! Seize all these corrupt officials!"

"Wait a minute!"

Zhang Erxin suddenly sprang to his feet, drawing his sword with a clang: "I am a third-rank commander of the imperial court, how dare you!"

"With such conclusive evidence, how dare you act so arrogantly?"

Chen Qiyu interrupted with a cold laugh, tossing a stack of documents from his robes, the papers scattering across the ground like snowflakes: "These confessions and ledgers are enough to send you to the guillotine ten times over! Lieutenant General Zhao, why aren't you making your move?"

"The general is here!"

Zhao Shuaijiao's towering figure emerged in response, followed by his personal guards who pounced on him like wolves and tigers.

Some officers had barely touched the hilt of their swords when iron spears were pressed against their throats; others tried to escape but were knocked to the ground by shields.

In the blink of an eye, these officers who used to act arrogantly were all forced to kneel on the blue brick floor, the sound of their armor hitting the ground echoing everywhere.

Zhang Erxin was still struggling when two strongmen from the Beijing Garrison tied her arms behind her back and locked her wrists with steel shackles.

He looked up, about to shout curses, but saw that the Shangfang sword in Chen Qiyu's hand was fully drawn, its blade reflecting his distorted face.

"Put them in jail and keep them under strict guard!"

Chen Qiyu shouted sternly, then turned to Xu Xianchun: "Xu Qianli, I want these parasites to confess their crimes word for word!"

Xu Xianchun's lips curled into a sinister smile, the gold thread on the hilt of his embroidered spring knife gleaming coldly in the sunlight: "Rest assured, Magistrate, once they're in the hands of the Northern Garrison, even the toughest men will have to talk. What they should and shouldn't say, I'll make sure they spill everything!"

The Jinyiwei vice commander's sinister gaze swept over the group of pale-faced officers, like a butcher eyeing lambs to the slaughter.

After lying low in Tianjin for many days, I was finally able to resume my old profession.

For him, torture and forced confessions were not only a duty, but also an unspeakable pleasure.

With the clanking of shackles, the group of officers who used to lord it over others were dragged by the guards to the gloomy dungeon.

At the same time, the sound of horses' hooves could be heard outside the city.

Zu Dashou's Shenshu Battalion cavalry has taken control of the various garrison camps, while Huang Degong's Shenwu Battalion has completely surrounded the Haihe Wharf.

Within two hours, the nine gates of Tianjin were locked, the canal transport came to a standstill, and this vital strategic location was now under the control of the Beijing garrison like an iron barrel.

As dusk fell, the last remaining garrison soldiers who had resisted also laid down their weapons.

The swift and decisive operation to rectify Tianjin has now come to a close.

With the situation in Tianjin stabilized, Chen Qiyu immediately took his seat in the main hall of the government office to conduct official business. His piercing gaze swept over the officials below, and he issued a command in a deep voice:
"Immediately draft a public notice to reassure the people, and have one hundred copies made and posted at city gates, markets, and other important locations. The notice must state three points: First, all officers and soldiers of the garrisons should remain at their posts and continue their drills and duties as usual; second, shops and workshops should continue to operate as before, and the common people should not be alarmed; third, apart from the ringleaders, those who have dealings with the garrison officers will not be prosecuted for the time being. However, if anyone takes advantage of the chaos to cause trouble, whether it is robbing people of their property or inciting unrest, this official will use the imperial sword to execute them first and report later!"

He turned to his advisor and instructed, "The notice should be written in plain language so that even those who are not literate can understand it. At the end, affix the official seal of the governor's office and draw a red circle around it; the people trust this the most."

After the clerk left to carry out his orders, Chen Qiyu's sharp gaze fell on Qian Shijin: "Qian Tongzhi, you have half an hour to summon all the subordinate officials, including the magistrates of the three guards, the clerks, and the granary magistrates. Remember, not one should be left out."

Qian Shijin's back was immediately covered in cold sweat.

He understood that this magistrate wanted to strike while the iron was hot and completely take control of the Tianjin Wei administrative system before the clerks could react.

"I'll do it right away!"

Qian Shijin bowed and left, while outside the hall, the Beijing garrison soldiers with knives had already blocked all the exits.

This swift and decisive crackdown will clearly not give anyone a chance to tip off.

Half an hour later, officials of all ranks from the three Tianjin guards gathered nervously in the main hall of the government office.

Chen Qiyu sat upright in the main hall, his gaze sweeping over everyone like a blade, the imperial sword in his hand casting a chilling shadow on the table.

“Among you, some have embezzled military pay, some have seized military land, and some have colluded with the canal gangs for various crimes, all of which have been recorded.”

"Today I present you with two paths: if you cooperate and atone for your crimes, I will forgive you; if you stubbornly resist..."

Chen Qiyu suddenly drew his sword, a cold light flashed, and the blade embedded itself deeply into the table. His chilling voice immediately followed.

"Let it be as stated in this case!"

"Please have mercy, Your Excellency!"

The people below immediately knelt down, their official hats rolling all over the ground.

An elderly warehouse magistrate kowtowed, his forehead turning blue; a young clerk trembled, his back soaked with cold sweat.

On their way here, these officials witnessed the Embroidered Uniform Guard dragging the commander of the Three Guards out of the yamen like a dead dog.

Xu Xianchun's blood-stained embroidered spring knife, and the shrill screams coming from the direction of Tianjin Prison, had already shattered their last shred of hope.

The once domineering magistrate was now limp as a rag doll. Recalling the pitiful state of Zhang Erxin as she was dragged away, he thought, if even these usually imposing superiors were like this, what room did these 'small fry' have to struggle?

"We are willing to fight to the death!"

"This humble official is willing to offer all his family fortune to atone for his sins!"

The cries of agony rose and fell, and some people even wet their pants in fear.

"very good!"

Chen Qiyu nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

He immediately raised his hand, pointing directly at the Tianjin Wei Registrar in his seventh-rank blue robe, his voice as cold and stern as iron:

"I hereby order you to immediately gather the Yellow Register of the military households of this guard, as well as all documents and records of the past three years concerning troop training, land reclamation, warehousing, and canal transport. Remember, not a single page can be missing!"

The clerk in charge of the case trembled and hurriedly prostrated himself, saying, "I will do it right away! I will make sure all the files are organized and prepared for Your Excellency's review!"

Chen Qiyu turned his gaze and pointed to the Tianjin Wei Prefect standing to the side: "You are responsible for bringing here all official documents from the three Tianjin Wei prefectures—including military intelligence reports, dispatches from the Ministry of War, transfers from prefectures and counties, as well as all backlogged cases in the city!"

With each item he mentioned, he would tap his finger on the table, as if striking the hearts of these officials.

With each order issued, Chen Qiyu gradually gained more control over Tianjin.

The officials below the hall were silent as if trembling with fear, and could only hear the sound of their own heartbeats intertwined with the orders of the Censor.

Chen Qiyu knew that to completely control Tianjin, he had to thoroughly understand every inch of the land and every document there.

But more importantly—winning the hearts and minds of the people.

How can we win the hearts and minds of the local people?

The most direct and quickest method was taught to him by the Ming emperor when he met with him.

To redress wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice in the local area, to publicly try criminals in front of the people, and then to execute them!
People's hearts cannot be won over with empty words.

But they can be gathered together through killing.

If you uphold justice for the people, they will remember your kindness.

And when you do this kind of thing a lot, people's hearts will be won over.

At that time, even if there are still people in the area with ulterior motives, they won't be able to cause any trouble.

This is the art of slaying dragons; this is the power that wins the support of the people.

(End of this chapter)