Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 328 The way of heaven is easy to reincarnate, who will be spared by heaven?

Having observed the autumn harvest and finalized plans for next spring, the Emperor's journey was no longer delayed.

The caravan of four-wheeled carriages resembled a long, blue dragon, bidding farewell to the fertile plains of the Central Plains and rolling northward along the smooth highway.

This journey home was indeed much faster than the grand and leisurely trip south a few months ago.

There were no more officials and gentry kneeling and bowing to greet and send off the people along the way, and no more elaborate displays of praise and auspiciousness by local people.

The wheels rolled and the horses' hooves pounded as they traveled day and night, for Zhu Youjian's heart was still filled with too many important matters that urgently needed to be addressed.

The framework of the Transportation Bureau had just been established when the war situation in Liaodong reached a critical juncture, leaving him no room for complacency.

As Zhu Youjian traveled north, though his body was in the carriage, his mind had already wandered to all corners of the world.

At each post station, a flurry of reports would be gathered before the Emperor through the secret channels of Andu Prefecture.

The largest number of these came from the three "General Offices of the Transportation Bureau": Cui Erjin, Ni Yuanlu, and Huang Daozhou.

In their reports, all three men presented both good and bad news.

The good news is that, with the emperor's decree and the protection of the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) of Andu Prefecture, the selection and construction of major hubs and transit stations have been carried out swiftly and efficiently.

The design for the bronze signboard bearing the inscription "Dragon Horse Carrying the Map" has been finalized and is currently being supervised by the Imperial Household Department. It will soon be distributed to various regions.

Wherever he went, the people, hearing that it was established by the imperial court and that it could send letters, transport goods, and exchange money, eagerly awaited his arrival.

The initial outline of this "Imperial Transportation Bureau of the Ming Dynasty" was already vaguely taking shape across the vast territory.

However, the worry is the same thing—there is no one available.

Along the way, the emperor's blade was swift and ruthless.

From the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner's Office to the Lianghuai Salt Transport Office, and then to the officials, gentry, and powerful families throughout Jiangnan, countless heads rolled to the ground.

The uprooting of those deeply entrenched families who had held local power for generations cleared the way for the implementation of the new policies, but it also created a huge power vacuum in the localities for a time.

In his memorial, Cui Erjin wrote: "I was ordered to oversee the transportation hubs of Shandong and Henan, but wherever I went, nine out of ten houses were deserted. This does not refer to the people's livelihood, but to the officials. Many of the original stewards and clerks were involved in corruption related to the grain transport system, and they have either been killed or imprisoned. Within the government offices, there is not a single person who can write or calculate. Even if I had three heads and six arms, I would still find it difficult to implement Your Majesty's grand plan. I earnestly request Your Majesty to quickly dispatch manpower to relieve this urgent crisis."

The reports from Ni Yuanlu and Huang Daozhou were largely the same.

What they need to establish are convenience stations throughout various prefectures and counties, requiring a large number of station chiefs who are at least literate and of good character.

Nowadays, those educated people in the local area either have intricate connections with the purged gentry group and dare not step forward, or they are too proud to engage in such mundane affairs that compete with merchants for profit.

Along the way, the crowds were endless, which seemed enjoyable, but the aftereffects of the journey became apparent.

Zhu Youjian frowned as he looked at these reports.

He handed the report to Bi Ziyan beside him and said coldly, "Minister Bi, take a look. My three chief officials are all complaining to me. I gave them imperial swords and money and provisions, but they can't find anyone to do the work."

Bi Ziyan took the report, read it quickly, and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

Bi Ziyan bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, this matter... this matter was indeed due to my oversight. I originally thought that transferring several hundred reserve officials from various regions would be sufficient to handle the situation."

To everyone's surprise, the scale of this "Transportation Bureau" far exceeded expectations, and the hundreds of people they had invested were like a drop in the ocean.

And the scholars in various places… alas, they are mostly self-important and disdain such mundane affairs, leading to a predicament where key positions in various places are lacking capable personnel.”

"Hmph!" Zhu Youjian snorted heavily and slammed the report in his hand onto the table.

"I already ordered you to prepare manpower, and it's still not enough? Very well!" He laughed angrily, his eyes as cold as ice. "What a bunch of idiots who have read the classics but turned out to be useless! When the nation needs people, what do they do? They all carry the banner of 'serving the people,' but they are actually engaging in the despicable act of 'it's none of their business'! What kind of attitude is that? I think it's rotten to the core!"

With a furrowed brow, Zhu Youjian's anger flared: "I refuse to believe that without this bunch of pretentious pedants, the affairs of my Great Ming Dynasty cannot be accomplished!"

Upon hearing this, Bi Ziyan dared not utter a sound.

The emperor continued in his icy voice, "Bi Ziyan, heed my decree!"

"First! Immediately issue my decree to hastily select those skilled in writing and mathematics from all ministries, government offices, and even the newly trained Beijing Garrison and Shenji Battalion, regardless of their official rank or grade, and send them to their posts in various places immediately! I want the world to see that my Great Ming Dynasty has never lacked loyal and capable ministers!"

"Second! Issue another order to all local governments, and also to the Huangming Andu Prefecture to cooperate in the investigation! Record the names of all the scholars who received the imperial summons but made excuses to shirk their duties and acted insincerely! In particular, those who are well-known in the local literati but led the way in refusing and stirring up controversy, you must investigate them thoroughly!"

"Three!" Zhu Youjian's voice grew increasingly chilling. "Send the names of these people to the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites for archiving! From now on, whenever the court holds imperial examinations or holds other appointments, those on the list will not be accepted!"
Never! Never! Use!
"Select a few of the most vocal troublemakers and give them prominent publicity in the next issue of the *Da Ming Weekly*! I want all the scholars in the land to see clearly what it means to 'share the fate of the nation' and what it means to 'sever ties with one's sovereign and father'!"

"I...obey the order!"

Bi Ziyan was already in a state of shock, knowing that the emperor was truly enraged.

This is not simply about recruiting talent; it is about using the most ruthless means to completely shatter the deep-rooted sense of superiority and arrogance of those scholars!
With this imperial edict, the entire scholarly community of the Ming Dynasty is likely to be thrown into turmoil!
Although he felt this move was too drastic and might provoke a backlash from the scholars, he dared not offer any further advice when he saw the emperor's cold and resolute eyes. He could only suppress his fear and kowtow heavily to accept the order.

……

The convoy continued northward in the late autumn wind.

Finally, one evening in early October, the majestic and imposing city wall of the capital came into view in the distance.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a golden halo over the gray city walls.

The surface of the moat shimmered, just as it always had.

The sky over the capital was high and blue, seemingly unchanged by the emperor's southward journey and return.

However, as Zhu Youjian's imperial carriage slowly entered the Forbidden City, which symbolized supreme imperial power, he could clearly sense that everything was different.

This palace is no longer the cage filled with constraints and surveillance.

This is Zhu Youjian's own Forbidden City, a place where only he is loyal!
Every guard and eunuch here has undergone thorough screening and purging by the Andu Prefecture.

The air was filled with a reassuring scent of control.

He had just changed out of his travel-worn clothes in the Qianqing Palace when Wang Chengen strode in carrying a black lacquered and gold-painted box, his expression solemn.

"Your Majesty, a military report from Liaodong."

Zhu Youjian took the box, opened the copper clasp, and took out a thick document.

The seal was intact, bearing Sun Chengzong's wax seal. Every fifteen days, Liaodong was required to submit a military report detailing all movements of Liaodong and the Jurchens.

Military reports have been continuous for the past few months.

Through these military reports, Zhu Youjian, like a patient chess player, was quietly setting up a trap for the Jurchens in the distant south.

He slowly unfolded the report in his hand, and the familiar ink, carrying the scent of frontier winds and frost, came into view.

The first part of the report was a summary of the internal situation of the Jurchens over the past two months.

Between the lines, there is a tense atmosphere of impending storm.

After only a few glances, Zhu Youjian's breathing became heavy.

"This Huang Taiji, this so-called 'Great Qing' hastily cobbled together, has truly reached the end of its rope, and is forced to fight to the death with my Great Ming!" he thought to himself.

It was just as he expected.

After forging an alliance with Ligdan Khan, they joined forces with overwhelming force and wiped out the Khorchin tribe overnight, which had secretly sided with the Jurchens and repeatedly acted as their accomplices.

This battle, with its rivers of blood, shocked the entire southern steppe. Those Mongol tribes that had previously wavered, after witnessing the mighty Ming army and the Chahar cavalry, severed their ties with the Later Jin and instead submitted to Ligdan Khan.

This pincer attack from the north and south was like a red-hot iron clamp, branding the Later Jin's waist and abdomen.

Its ruthlessness was unparalleled. It not only completely severed Huang Taiji's arm in his attempt to outflank the enemy from the west, but also made the Jurchens in Shengjing City truly feel the death threat from the western front, which could almost cut them in half.

Huang Taiji was shocked and furious, but he had no choice but to send more troops to defend the city and dare not make the slightest move.

Meanwhile, Mao Wenlong in the east, after receiving military pay and a large amount of weaponry from the emperor's private treasury, upgraded the Dongjiang Town under his command.

The soldiers on Pi Island were no longer ragged beggars, but well-trained, well-fed, and highly motivated.

Mao Wenlong abandoned his previous petty skirmishes and frequently organized elite troops to penetrate deep into the Jurchen territory, harassing villages, burning grain and fodder, and causing unrest in the Jurchen rear.

As for North Korea, Zhu Youjian's methods were even more direct and domineering!

He not only sent a huge amount of iron, gunpowder, and fine armor and swords, but also signed a "defense alliance"!
Unlike previous clandestine operations, this alliance was made public by Zhu Youjian in the most forceful manner.

The edict was unequivocal and made no attempt to conceal its true intentions; it was tantamount to issuing the most severe warning to Huang Taiji in front of the entire world.
If you dare to invade even an inch of Korean territory again, you will be mortal enemies with the Great Ming Dynasty! At that time, the Heavenly Army will advance from Liaodong and Shandong by land and sea, crush your stronghold, and exterminate your nation and your people! Do not say you were not warned!

This imperial edict was like a thunderclap from a clear sky!
Zhu Youjian wanted to use this method to tell Huang Taiji and the whole world: Korea was under his protection! Anyone who wanted to touch Korea had to consider whether they had the ability to withstand the two-pronged attack from the Ming Empire and whether they were prepared for the destruction of their capital!

Li Zong was overjoyed to receive such a life-saving, iron-fisted alliance and immediately swore an oath of allegiance with the Ming envoy.

He knew that this was no longer empty reassurance, but a determination made by the Ming emperor to firmly drive Korea into the Jurchens' weak spot.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Li Zong immediately ordered a nationwide mobilization to fortify the cities along the Yalu River, drill troops day and night, and prepare for battle.

The entire Korean peninsula had become a trap, just waiting for the Jurchens to step in, so that both old and new grudges could be settled!
Surrounded on three sides, Huang Taiji was horrified to discover that he was trapped on that barren land.

To the west lies Ligdan Khan, who, having received funding from the Ming Dynasty, is sharpening his sword; to the east is Mao Wenlong, elusive and more aggressive than ever before; and to the south lies Korea, poised to strike from behind at any moment.

He felt it was unwise to attack anyone; he had already missed the best opportunity to concentrate all his strength and go all in to completely eliminate any of his key threats!
The external difficulties further exacerbated its internal contradictions.

In his latest battle report, Sun Chengzong used extensive and detailed descriptions to depict a terrifying picture of the impending collapse of the Jurchen people.

Zhu Youjian's gaze fell on those familiar names.

“Amin.” In the report, Sun Chengzong’s handwriting was steady and powerful. “This man is the nephew of Nurhaci, the former chieftain of the slaves. He is extremely greedy and cruel, and harbors treacherous intentions. He is also extremely disloyal.”

According to a secret report from our spies infiltrating his camp, this man has repeatedly and openly clamored during the Eight Banners' meetings, claiming that Huang Taiji fears the might of our Great Ming Dynasty and dares not raise an army, and is truly not a wise ruler.

He even boasted that if Huang Taiji did not immediately lead an attack on Korea, plundering its money, grain, and people, he would personally lead the Bordered Blue Banner troops south to conquer its capital. He even drunkenly declared that he would establish himself as king in Korea, claiming the title of Zongdaozu! His words completely disregarded Huang Taiji, who had already ascended the throne.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Youjian chuckled and said, "What a cunning Amin! His wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious. He completely disregards Huang Taiji."

He continued to look down.

"Mangultai. This man is Nurhaci's eldest son. His violent and arrogant nature is even worse than that of Amin. Last month, Huang Taiji had a quarrel with him over the uneven distribution of grain and fodder."

Mangultai, in full view of everyone, flew into a rage, drawing his sword and pointing it directly at Huang Taiji's chest! This was the infamous incident of 'drawing a sword before the emperor.' Fortunately, Grand Prince Daishan and others intervened, preventing a bloodbath."

"Draw your sword before the Emperor?" Zhu Youjian's pupils contracted sharply.

In a regime that has already established a "national title," a prince dared to draw his sword against the so-called Khan in the court!

In the eyes of his brothers and uncles, Huang Taiji's title of "Emperor of the Great Qing" was utterly worthless!
The report continued: "Although Grand Prince Daishan is relatively mild-mannered, he represents the most conservative old aristocratic force in our Great Ming Dynasty, apart from the surrendered officials and traitors."

They have always outwardly complied with but inwardly resisted Huang Taiji's various Sinicization reforms in recent years, such as establishing the Six Ministries modeled after the Ming Dynasty and recruiting Han officials like Fan Wencheng to participate in confidential matters. Huang Taiji's decrees, once issued from Shengjing, were often obstructed in every way, citing "contrary to ancestral rules," making them difficult to implement.

Zhu Youjian sneered inwardly.

For a time, these so-called "ancestral rules" and "old precedents" were like invisible shackles that made it hard for the Ming emperor to breathe.

He went to great lengths and used drastic measures to barely break free of some of the restraints.

Unexpectedly, fortunes have turned around, and now Huang Taiji is also bound by his proud ancestral system of "joint discussion of the Eight Banners," finding himself in a dilemma.

What goes around comes around; no one escapes the wrath of Heaven!
Seeing your greatest enemy fall into a similar quagmire, struggling in anger yet powerless, is truly... utterly ridiculous!
He could almost see Huang Taiji's furious rage and utter helplessness in the palace in Shengjing.

Amin wants to split the country, Mangultai wants to kill the king, and Daishan wants to hinder them.

The core ruling class of the Jurchens was practically a living "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"!
At the end of this section, Sun Chengzong made a concluding judgment:

"...In conclusion, I believe that the power struggle within the Jurchens has reached a fever pitch. Although Huang Taiji, under extreme circumstances, attempted to unite the Eight Banners nobility under the pretext of 'jointly resisting foreign enemies,' he also sought to emulate the system of our Great Ming Dynasty and implement a policy of centralized power and absolute imperial authority."

However, this move directly infringed upon the fundamental interests of Amin, Mangultai, and other Beile who held military power. Now, famine was rampant, and the tragedy of cannibalism was frequently occurring in Jianzhou.

Under such immense pressure, the first thought of the princes was how to preserve their subordinates' strength and reserve the limited provisions for their own bannermen. They completely disregarded Huang Taiji's unified military orders. I dare to assert that this newly established pseudo-Qing dynasty is actually on the verge of collapse, and its signs of defeat are already evident!

Upon seeing this, Zhu Youjian slowly closed the report.

He stood up and walked to the platform in front of the Qianqing Palace.

The late autumn breeze carried a hint of coolness, fluttering his bright yellow dragon robe.

Zhu Youjian raised his head and looked at the setting sun slowly sinking into the western mountains.

The setting sun dyed the clouds on the horizon a magnificent yet poignant crimson.

He squinted, as if he could see through the layers of palace walls and reach the distant Liaodong.

Sun Chengzong's military report confirmed all his guesses and brought his sense of urgency to its peak.

This is the fundamental reason why he was so eager to urge Qin Liangyu, Zhang Weixian and others to put those new recruits into actual combat as soon as possible and to form combat effectiveness as soon as possible!

It wasn't that Zhu Youjian couldn't wait to expand the territory and establish his career.

But...

Instead, it was Huang Taiji, far away in Shengjing, and the pack of hungry wolves behind him who couldn't wait any longer!

What would a beast driven to the brink of destruction, on the verge of internal collapse, do in order to survive and divert attention from its internal conflicts?
They only know one thing—to fight to the death!
It will use its last bit of strength to launch the most frantic and reckless attack in the direction it thinks is the fattest!
Zhu Youjian's gaze slowly shifted from the setting sun in the west to the northeast.

In his mind, the huge map of the Ming Dynasty appeared clearly.

Every point, every line, became a dead end for Huang Taiji.

Pi Island to the east and Korea to the south have become one under his "alliance of offense and defense". Behind him, the navy of Dengzhou and Laizhou in Shandong is watching him with covetous eyes. If Huang Taiji dares to touch it, he will be attacked from both sides and his home base will be lost.

The Mongol tribes in the west may seem loosely organized, but Ligdan Khan of Chahar is being fattened up with money and titles, and is just waiting for an opportunity to pounce on the flank of the Later Jin.

Huang Taiji was trapped in the inescapable net he had laid, and was at a loss for what to do.

Zhu Youjian considered all the possibilities, and finally his gaze, sharp as a sword, was fixed on a point on the map—Shanhaiguan!

He knew that for Huang Taiji at this point, fighting anywhere would mean fighting on two fronts, which would lead to certain death.

The only way to survive is no longer the petty plundering and looting.

His only chance of survival was to stake the fate of the nation, gather the full strength of the Eight Banners, and with overwhelming force, blast open the Liaodong defense line guarded by Sun Chengzong!

If we can decisively defeat the main force of the Guan Ning cavalry in one battle, severing the Ming Dynasty's reach into Liaodong, then the Mongols to the west and Korea to the south will instantly become insignificant threats. Victory will revitalize the entire situation, opening up vast possibilities; defeat will lead to utter ruin, national collapse, and the extermination of the entire nation!

This was the only dead end and the only way out that Huang Taiji could and had to take!
(End of this chapter)