Huangming

Chapter 314 Imperial Ancestral Temple and Shrine of Loyalty, Memorials of Impeachment

Seeing the emperor's smiling face, Wei Chao knew that the young emperor was in a good mood, so he quickly bowed and stepped forward, his tone full of perfectly timed compliments:
"Your Majesty, the reason why generals like Mao Wenlong and Zu Dashou were able to achieve such extraordinary feats is ultimately due to Your Majesty's brilliant talent in employing people."

Your Majesty, think about it. Whether it was Mao Wenlong guarding Liaoyang, or Zu Dashou and Zhao Shuaijiao in Liaodong, they were all minor officials before. If Your Majesty had not had the insight to recognize their talents and promoted them beyond the usual ranks, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, how could we have achieved the victory at Hetu Ala today?
This truly proves the saying, "A strong general has no weak soldiers." Your Majesty's wisdom had already destined this great victory!

Wang Tiqian followed closely behind, a smile plastered on his face: "Eunuch Wei is absolutely right! His Majesty is wise and mighty, and the barbarians crumble at the mere sight of his imperial might. This is indeed a sign of the prosperity of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

Wei Zhongxian chimed in, his voice booming: "I just heard in the victory report that during the siege, wind and thunder blew, and even Nurhaci's false statue burned itself. This is clearly a blessing from heaven, a sign of Your Majesty's benevolence, and a special assistance to our Great Ming in quelling the rebellious barbarians!"

These compliments were pleasing to the ear, but Zhu Youxiao's smile faded somewhat.

He gently waved his hand, placed the report back on the table, and his tone calmed down:

"I appreciate your good intentions. But this victory was ultimately won by the soldiers who fought on the front lines. Mao Wenlong and Zu Dashou fought valiantly to capture the city. I will remember their contributions and will never treat them unfairly."

He looked up and gazed out the window, his eyes sweeping over the palace walls, as if he could see fields and villages a thousand miles away:
"However, a single victory cannot solve everything."

The smiles on Wei Chao and the others froze, wondering why His Majesty had suddenly changed the subject.

Zhu Youxiao picked up a memorial from the table; the cover prominently displayed the words "Report on Drought by the Governor of Shaanxi":

"Look, this is a report from Shaanxi. It hasn't rained for three months, and the wheat in the fields has withered and died. People have already started to flee the famine. And in Henan and Shandong, there are either locust plagues or floods. Natural disasters are happening one after another, and people are having a hard time."

With the arrival of the Great Ice Age, coupled with the corruption of officials at the end of the dynasty, the lives of ordinary people were filled with misery.

"A victory in Liaodong can boost morale and make the implementation of new policies smoother, but what the people want is to have enough to eat and wear, and a stable life. These cannot be obtained by a single great victory."

Wei Zhongxian's eyes darted around, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty is wise and knows the suffering of the people. Now that we have won a great victory in Liaodong, if the national treasury can confiscate some wealth from the rebels and then implement new policies to reduce taxes, the people's lives will surely improve."

"Ah."

Zhu Youxiao nodded.

"So this victory is more like a beginning. With this momentum, we can improve the administration, develop water conservancy, and restore agriculture and sericulture. Step by step, we can eventually enable the people to live a good life."

He looked at the three men from Wei Chao and said solemnly, "When you serve in the palace, remember not to just say nice things. Think more about the difficulties below, and keep an eye on the local officials for me. Don't let them exploit the people under the guise of the new policies. If I find out who is outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Your servants obey!"

The three of them bowed and responded immediately, no longer daring to show the slightest disrespect on their faces.

They then realized that although the young emperor was happy to hear good news, he was never blinded by victory. What he always cared about was this vast land and the people living within it.

Zhu Youxiao was somewhat satisfied with the reaction of the three chief eunuchs.

As his henchmen, Zhu Youxiao needed to let them know what role he, as the emperor, needed them to play.

Constant reminders and tapping are essential.

Also.

Now that we have seen the good news, the matter of bestowing rewards should be put on the agenda.

If the new policies are to be implemented with the momentum of this great victory, then the scale of the operation must be large enough to demonstrate the emperor's favor and intimidate the court and the public.

After reporting the victory, Zhu Youxiao instructed Wei Chao: "Issue an edict to summon Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, Grand Secretary Sun Ruyou, Minister of Rites Sun Shenxing, and Vice Minister of War Yuan Ke to the Qianqing Palace for an audience immediately. I have important matters to discuss with you."

"The slaves obey the orders!"

Wei Chao bowed and accepted the order, then turned and hurried away, afraid of being late.

After Wei Chao left, Zhu Youxiao turned his gaze to Wei Zhongxian and Wang Tiqian, who were standing to the side, and spoke in a calm tone:

"These next few days, the palace and the surrounding areas will likely be bustling with activity. With the news of the great victory in Liaodong spreading, some will inevitably be overjoyed, while others will inevitably harbor ulterior motives."

"You people of the Eastern Depot and Western Depot, be vigilant! Keep a close eye on everything, whether it's the imperial family, nobles, or the civil officials. Report any unusual activity or attempts to create trouble immediately. We must not allow any chaos to occur."

Upon hearing this, a glint of shrewdness flashed in the eyes of both Wei Zhongxian and Wang Tiqian.

His Majesty's words are tantamount to giving them the power to act as they see fit.

Right now, we're at the height of the storm. If we can catch a few typical cases of "having ulterior motives," we can not only demonstrate the power of the secret police, but also win His Majesty's favor. Why not?
"This servant obeys! I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

The two responded in unison, bowed, took a few steps back, and slowly withdrew from the East Warm Pavilion, leaving the space to the shrewd and resourceful young emperor.

The warm pavilion returned to quiet, but Zhu Youxiao did not have a moment's rest.

He got up and walked to the long table on the other side, where a stack of selected memorials was already piled up.

These documents were submitted through three procedures: drafting by the Cabinet, approval by the Directorate of Ceremonial, and preliminary review by the Grand Council. If any party deemed the matter of great importance, it would be presented to the Emperor.

This not only prevented him from being misled by his subordinates, but also greatly reduced his workload in reviewing documents.

At this moment, in a small house in the Qianqing Palace, Lu Xiang-sheng and Ni Yuan-lu were engrossed in official documents.

Lu Xiang-sheng, dressed in an official robe, frowned as he checked the accounts of the border town's military pay, his pen constantly marking the pages.

Ni Yuanlu was sorting out reports on the disaster situation in various places, occasionally glancing up to whisper a few words to Lu Xiangsheng, both of them focused on their work.

This place was originally the duty room of the Qianqing Palace, which Zhu Youxiao transformed into a place similar to the "Grand Council", specifically responsible for assisting him in handling urgent political affairs.

Lu and Ni were both promising new officials personally selected by him. One was skilled in practical matters, and the other was good at literature. They complemented each other perfectly.

Presumably, spending some time in the Grand Council before being released to govern in local areas would be helpful.

Time flies.

Zhu Youxiao reviewed the memorials for about half an hour, and most of the memorials on the table had been cleared away. Only then did Wei Chao, covered in sweat, lift the curtain and enter, saying repeatedly, "Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary and all the other officials are waiting outside the hall."

Zhu Youxiao put down his vermilion brush, dipped his fingertip in water, rubbed his temples, and nodded, saying, "Now that they're here, let them in."

"Yes!"

Wei Chao cleared his throat, turned around, and loudly proclaimed "Yes, sir!" towards the outside of the hall.
"Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, Grand Secretary Sun Ruyou, Minister of Rites Sun Shenxing, and Vice Minister of War Yuan Keli are hereby summoned to an audience!"

Before the words were finished, the four of them had already climbed the steps and entered.

Fang Congzhe, who was at the head of the group, had white hair and beard, wore a scarlet official robe, and walked with a steady gait.

Sun Ruyou and Sun Shenxing followed closely behind, both with solemn expressions.

Yuan Keli was dressed in the official robes of a Vice Minister of War, with a jade belt around his waist, and his brows showed the fortitude of a military general.

The four men walked to the foot of the steps and bowed deeply to Zhu Youxiao on the throne. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, and their voices were clear and resounding: "Your Majesty, we pay our respects and wish you eternal peace and well-being!"

"I am well. My beloved ministers, please rise and take your seats."

Zhu Youxiao raised his hand to signal, and after the eunuchs brought over brocade stools and the four people thanked him and sat down, he slowly spoke, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and asked:
"You all must already know about the great victory in Liaodong and the news that Mao Wenlong and Zu Dashou captured Hetu Ala, right?"

Fang Congzhe bowed first and replied, "Your Majesty, we have already heard the news. Now, both inside and outside the capital, the people are spreading the word and are all overjoyed by Your Majesty's divine might and the soldiers' bravery."

This news of victory, delivered by express courier, and shouted by messengers along the streets, had already spread throughout the streets and alleys of Beijing. These high-ranking officials in the central government naturally already knew about it, and had even exchanged opinions several times on the way there.

"it is good."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, and without further ado, went straight to the point:
"In this great victory, our soldiers shed their blood on the battlefield and deserve to be richly rewarded."

"and……"

The emperor changed the subject, his gaze becoming serious.

"Such exhilarating news of victory should not be known only to me. Our ancestors should also know of the bravery of our Great Ming Dynasty and that the rebels in Liaodong have suffered a heavy blow!"

Sun Ruyou, quick-witted, immediately understood the emperor's deeper meaning upon hearing this, and tentatively asked, "Does Your Majesty mean to present the captives to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to comfort the spirit of the late emperor?"

Presenting captives at the Imperial Ancestral Temple was one of the highest-level celebrations in the Ming Dynasty. It was usually held after suppressing major border troubles or rebellions, when captives and spoils of war were offered to the spirits of the ancestors, demonstrating both military achievements and filial piety.

Since the Battle of Sarhu, Liaodong had suffered repeated defeats, and the Imperial Ancestral Temple had not held such a grand event for a long time.

A hint of approval flashed in Zhu Youxiao's eyes, and he nodded, saying, "Exactly. Hetu Ala is the false capital of the Jiannu. This time, burning its palaces, beheading its members, and seizing its treasures is a good opportunity to demonstrate the power of our Great Ming Dynasty and boost the morale of our army and people."

"My intention is that once Mao Wenlong and his troops return to the capital in triumph, we shall choose an auspicious day to present the captured prisoners at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, to comfort the spirits of our ancestors since the founding emperor, and to let the world see that the mighty warriors of our Great Ming are capable of pacifying the border bandits!"

His words were both a declaration and a test.

The scale, procedures, and even the generousness of the rewards bestowed upon the prisoners of war at the grand ceremony all influenced the political climate in the court.

He wanted to use this grand ceremony not only to demonstrate his victory, but also to send a signal to all forces that were obstructing the new policies.

The nation is now at its peak, and the trend of reform is irreversible.

Fang Congzhe and Sun Shenxing exchanged a glance, both seeing understanding in each other's eyes. As the Minister of Rites, in charge of sacrificial rites, Sun Shenxing immediately rose and said, "Your Majesty is wise. Presenting captives at the Imperial Ancestral Temple is in accordance with the rites. It can both comfort the late Emperor and inspire the soldiers and civilians. Your Ministry of Rites will certainly do its best to prepare and will not dare to make the slightest mistake."

Yuan Keli also rose and echoed, "I second that. The soldiers risked their lives in Liaodong and deserve to be treated with the highest honors. Only in this way can the soldiers on the frontier know that Your Majesty has not forgotten their merits, and they will be even more courageous in fighting the enemy in the future!"
"it is good."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and turned his gaze to Sun Ruyou and Sun Shenxing.

"The matter of presenting the captives at the Imperial Ancestral Temple shall be entrusted to the two Ministers Sun. They must be carried out in a grand and proper manner to demonstrate the majesty of our Great Ming."

The two men rose and accepted the order: "Your subjects obey the decree."

After discussing this matter, Zhu Youxiao changed the subject again:

"In addition to this, I have another matter to discuss with you all. I intend to establish a 'Hall of Loyal Martyrs' in the capital, where the memorial tablets of those soldiers who fought bravely on the battlefield and sacrificed their lives for the country will be enshrined, and sacrifices will be offered in all four seasons, for all eternity."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said, word by word, "Those who are able to enter the Shrine of Loyal Martyrs will have their families supported by the imperial court and exempted from taxes and corvée labor for thirty years. If there are any orphans, the government will fund their upbringing until they reach adulthood."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall instantly became quiet.

Fang Congzhe stroked his beard and, after a moment's thought, understood the emperor's intention.

Such generous treatment of the families of fallen soldiers is simply to inspire the soldiers on the front lines to fight bravely against the enemy.

A generous reward will surely attract brave men; now, with the added honor of posthumous honor and family protection, the soldiers will be even more willing to fight to the death.

Yuan Keli saw things on a deeper level.

He ate and drank with the soldiers for a long time and knew the hardships of the border troops.

Many fought valiantly, only to die with their families destroyed and their wives and children left destitute.

Your Majesty's establishment of the Shrine of Loyal Martyrs is not only to honor the dead, but also to comfort the living.

This is winning people's hearts.

Yuan Keli immediately stood up, clasped his hands, and said loudly, "Your Majesty's move is truly a great act of kindness that benefits the country and its people! The soldiers are sacrificing their lives and shedding their blood, all they seek is posthumous fame and the safety of their families and country."

The establishment of a shrine to the martyrs will not only comfort the spirits of the fallen heroes but also bring peace of mind to the living. The soldiers on the frontier will surely be grateful for His Majesty's benevolence and strive to be the best. This is a sound strategy for stabilizing morale and strengthening the nation!

Seeing that Yuan Keli had expressed his support, and feeling that although the matter would cost some money and supplies, it would win over the army and not harm the court, Fang Congzhe nodded in agreement.

“Minister Yuan is absolutely right. Your Majesty is benevolent and compassionate towards your soldiers. The implementation of this system will surely inspire the entire army. I also agree with it.”

Sun Ruyou and Sun Shenxing also expressed their agreement.

Establishing a shrine to martyrs is in line with the Confucian principles of loyalty and righteousness, and it also demonstrates the emperor's favor. It is both reasonable and ethical.

Zhu Youxiao felt somewhat reassured as he saw everyone agreeing.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

After a great victory, it is not only necessary to reward the merits, but also to establish rules.

Presenting captives at the Imperial Ancestral Temple was a way to display power, while the Shrine of Loyal Martyrs was a way to consolidate the foundation.

Let those ordinary soldiers know that the court will not forget their sacrifices and the emperor will not betray their loyalty.

Only in this way can the morale of the troops be united, and only then can there be a more solid backing when new policies are implemented.

"In that case, this matter shall be handled jointly by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War. The Ministry of Rites shall be responsible for selecting a site to build the shrine and drafting the sacrificial rites; the Ministry of War shall be responsible for verifying the list of soldiers who died in battle in Liaodong, ensuring that no brave soldier is missed, and reporting it as soon as possible."

"I will obey your orders!"

Sun Shenxing and Yuan Keli responded in unison.

After giving all the instructions, Fang Congzhe and the others took their leave to prepare for the presentation of the captives at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

In the following days, almost all the civil and military officials in the capital were busy preparing for this grand ceremony.

The Ministry of Rites was busy drafting the rituals, the Imperial Observatory was selecting an auspicious day, and civil and military officials were working overtime to write congratulatory memorials.

These were nothing more than eulogies and praises, which the Grand Secretary would read aloud when the prisoners were presented, to demonstrate the Emperor's boundless grace and military prowess.

To most people, this was just a perfectly normal celebration; the procedures were already well-known, and there was no way anything would go wrong.

However, three days later...

As impeachment memorials flooded into the Qianqing Palace like snowflakes, Zhu Youxiao frowned deeply as he looked at the pile of memorials on his desk.

These memorials were all directed at one person.

Happy birthday!
These impeachment memorials read:
"...Zu Dashou launched a surprise attack on Hetu Ala, and although he achieved some minor success, he became arrogant and reckless, even taking Abahai, the concubine of the enemy chieftain Nurhaci, as his concubine and engaging in illicit affairs..."

"...Even worse, the enemy chieftain's female relative, Abahai, escaped amidst the chaos of battle. It is likely that Zu Dashou secretly released her, and he must be in cahoots with the Jurchens..."

"...Judging from his behavior, he is arrogant and domineering, showing no regard for the law. If he is not severely punished, it may embolden the border generals and shake the foundation of the nation..."

Every word was filled with menacing accusations.

In particular, the charges of "privately taking enemy concubines" and "secretly colluding with the Jurchens" were extremely harsh and severe, almost nailing Zu Dashou to the pillar of shame.

Zhu Youxiao picked up the top book and saw that it was signed by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

This man has always been associated with the corrupt officials and never inquired about military affairs. Yet now he has jumped out to impeach a border general with outstanding military achievements. His intentions are obvious.

"Ah."

He sneered, threw the memorial back onto the table, and tapped his fingertips lightly on the armrest of the dragon throne.

Before he could even capitalize on his resounding victory to implement new policies, these people were already getting restless.

Zu Dashou was a general he had personally promoted. This favor and military achievements were the most resounding rebuttal to those ministers who mocked him for "nepotism and arbitrary changes to the military system."

The fire at Hetu Ala not only destroyed the foundations of the Jurchens, but also silenced those who questioned them.

But there are always people who can't stand to see such an inspiring victory.

Now, under the pretext of presenting captives at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, they are using despicable tricks such as "privately taking in enemy concubines" and "releasing enemy chieftains" to impeach meritorious officials, revealing their true intentions.

Privately taking Abahai as a concubine?
Let the enemy chieftain go?

Zhu Youxiao knew, of course, that these things were not unfounded.

In his secret memorial, Zu Dashou had already confessed that after conquering Hetu Ala, he had indeed captured Abahai, but then deliberately let her escape in order to plant a hidden pawn next to Nurhaci.

Upon seeing the secret report, he knew the matter was perilous.

While Zu Dashou's plan could harass the enemy, it also gave his rivals in the imperial court an opportunity to exploit.

Looking at the righteous and stern accusations in the memorial, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

In order to make long-term plans, Zu Dashou ultimately gave his political enemies an excuse to attack him.

But he couldn't retreat.

He was all too aware of the deeper implications behind these impeachments.

The court officials pointed their swords at Zu Dashou, but in reality, they were testing his bottom line and challenging his determination to implement the new policies.

They didn't hate Zu Dashou for "privately taking enemy concubines," but rather for winning the battle, proving the emperor's decision was correct, and becoming a strong supporter of the new policies.

If, at this moment, Zu Dashou is to be severely punished in order to quell the controversy, then he is bowing down to all his opponents.

At that time, not only will the border generals be disheartened, but no one will dare to risk their lives for the imperial court anymore.

His painstakingly implemented new policies, such as clearing land, adjusting military pay, and promoting agriculture and sericulture, will be seen as easy to deceive by these people, who will surely obstruct and sabotage them even more fiercely.

"You want to use Zu Dashou as a scapegoat to cripple my arm?"

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Youxiao's eyes.

That's far too naive.

Zu Dashou was a sharp blade he had personally forged, and even if that blade was stained with some controversial bloodstains, it was none of anyone else's place to point fingers.

He would like to take a look.

Just how many people dare to step forward and challenge him?
(End of this chapter)