The Ming Dynasty: A bookstore sells the history of the Ming Dynasty, leaving Emperor Chongzhen bewil

"Your subject Yuan Chonghuan kowtows to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

A man who was not tall, but had a resolute face and graying hair and beard knelt before Emperor Chongzhen. He was Yuan Chonghuan, the famous general who once dominated the country and was renowned throughout the court for his resistance against the Jin dynasty.

At this moment, Emperor Chongzhen was somewhat dazed, and his feelings towards Yuan Chonghuan were extremely complex.

If Emperor Chongzhen had not read the History of Ming, he would have been very happy, because Yuan Chonghuan was a rare and valiant general.

In the Battle of Ningyuan, almost everyone gave up, except for Yuan Chonghuan. He wrote a letter in his own blood, bowed to all his soldiers, and, while eating grass, encouraged them, saying, "If we can unite as one and defend to the death, I would gladly serve as cattle and sheep to repay your kindness!"

It was with this ruthless spirit that Yuan Chonghuan achieved the Ningyuan victory, which shocked the court and the public.

Seven months after the Ningyuan victory, Nurhaci, the Khan of the Later Jin who had spent half his life fighting, passed away suddenly. There are many theories about the cause of his death. Some say he was injured by a cannonball, others say he died of illness, and of course, it is also possible that he died of resentment.

But whether they died of illness, were beaten to death, or died in misery, it was all closely related to Yuan Chonghuan.

Later, in the Battle of Ningjin, he defeated the formidable Huang Taiji, the successor of Khan Nurhaci.

It can be said that Yuan Chonghuan was one of the few generals who was able to achieve successive victories on the main battlefield during the Ming Dynasty's fight against the Later Jin. Therefore, after eliminating Wei Zhongxian, Chongzhen was eager to reinstate Yuan Chonghuan, hoping to rely on him to recover Liaodong and stabilize the northern border defense.

But at this moment, Chongzhen hesitated.

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?"

Seeing that Chongzhen was lost in thought, Wang Chengen, who was standing to the side, gently reminded him, and Chongzhen came back to his senses.

"Please rise, my dear subject."

Instead of immediately expressing his gratitude and rising, Yuan Chonghuan bowed again, saying, "Your Majesty, I, Yuan Chonghuan, first refused the imperial order, and then arrived late, failing to live up to Your Majesty's grace. My crime deserves death!"

Yuan Chonghuan was not a man without political wisdom. He came from a family that had passed the imperial examinations and served three emperors. He was well-versed in the ways of officialdom. His strategy of retreating to advance, if it had been before Emperor Chongzhen had read the History of Ming, would certainly have won him his favor.

At this moment, Chongzhen's reaction was surprisingly calm: "It's alright, get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Yuan Chonghuan then thanked the emperor and stood up.

Emperor Chongzhen summoned Yuan Chonghuan to the Jianji Hall, along with several important officials of the court, including the four regents Li Biao, Qian Longxi, Zhou Daodeng, and Liu Hongxun.

Therefore, this was not just a summons, but also a meeting.

Emperor Chongzhen cut to the chase, asking, "Minister Yuan, you surely know why I have reinstated you. The Manchus have occupied our Liaodong region and are eyeing the Ming Dynasty covetously. May I ask, Minister Yuan, how should we defeat them and govern Liaodong?"

Yuan Chonghuan, clearly prepared, immediately replied: "In my opinion, to support an army, one must also support the people. The primary task is to ensure the well-being of the soldiers and civilians of Liaodong. Use the soldiers of Liaodong to defend the land of Liaodong; use the land of Liaodong to support the people of Liaodong; and use the people of Liaodong to aid the soldiers of Liaodong! The way to govern Liaodong and use military force is still to prioritize defense, use offense as a surprise tactic, and use peace as a secondary tactic. To defeat the enemy and govern Liaodong, one must employ all three tactics."

Emperor Chongzhen nodded: "Please explain further how to use all three methods."

Yuan Chonghuan continued eloquently: "The Manchus are using peace negotiations to deal with us. I believe that we should use their own methods against them. Our Great Ming should also use peace negotiations to deal with the enemy. The war of words is a feint, while the war of swords and spears is the real battle. We should buy time, accumulate strength, and focus on defense as the main strategy, with offense as a supplement. By using these three methods, we can recover all of Liaodong and relieve Your Majesty's worries!"

Yuan Chonghuan spoke eloquently, and the ministers all nodded in agreement.

After Wei Zhongxian was eliminated, many officials petitioned to reinstate Yuan Chonghuan to deal with the Later Jin. Now it seems that Yuan Chonghuan has indeed lived up to expectations.

At this point, Emperor Chongzhen asked again, "May I ask you, my dear minister, when will the task of recovering Liaodong be accomplished?"

Yuan Chonghuan pondered for a moment, then solemnly replied, "If Your Majesty grants me the authority, the Eastern Barbarians can be pacified and the entire Liaodong Peninsula can be recovered within five years."

"Five years?"

"The entire Liaodong Peninsula can be recovered in five years?!"

These words caused an uproar in the hall. The ministers present were shocked but also very excited.

Since the Wanli era, the Later Jin has been a constant threat to the Ming Dynasty, and this threat has intensified in recent years, seriously impacting the security of the Ming Dynasty's northern border. Recovering Liaodong can be considered the top priority in restoring border defenses.

It would be an incredible stroke of luck to be able to recover Liaodong in five years.

"Master Yuan is truly an extraordinary man, with courage and spirit!" Li Biao was the first to stand up and praise him.

"Your Majesty, if Commander Yuan can recover Liaodong within five years and relieve the world from its dire straits, the revival of the Ming Dynasty will be just around the corner!" Other ministers echoed.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations!"

However, compared to the excited courtiers, Chongzhen's expression grew increasingly solemn.

In fact, Yuan Chonghuan's words not only failed to relieve Chongzhen's worries, but also made him tremble, and he almost dropped the teacup he was holding.

really.

Just as it is in the History of Ming.

He had some doubts about the bookstore and the History of Ming, but at that moment, he was completely convinced that they were all true.

Because Yuan Chonghuan's performance was almost identical to what is recorded in the History of Ming.

Emperor Chongzhen put down his teacup, his expression complex, and asked again, "Is it truly possible to recover the entire Liaodong region in five years?"

Yuan Chonghuan nodded solemnly and replied with unwavering conviction: "Military orders are absolute, and I do not speak lightly; if I am not reinstated within five years, I will be held accountable!"

Yuan Chonghuan thought for a moment, then changed the subject: "However..."

Chongzhen said, "What is it? If there is anything difficult, just speak frankly."

"May everything go smoothly for the next five years!" Yuan Chonghuan added as a final remark.

Following Yuan Chonghuan's words, Emperor Chongzhen asked, "Then, according to Minister Yuan, what would constitute a situation where everything goes smoothly?"

Yuan Chonghuan replied, "Within five years, the Ministry of Revenue will transfer military funds, the Ministry of Works will provide weapons, the Ministry of Personnel will employ personnel, and the Ministry of War will mobilize troops and select generals. Only when all matters, both domestic and foreign, are coordinated can we achieve success."

"Furthermore, once you cross the border, you are thousands of miles away. I believe that border generals and court officials often disregard the overall situation of success or failure, and instead focus on minor flaws in their words and actions, using their words to confuse the monarch. This can also cause the Manchu barbarians to leave the country."

As soon as he finished speaking, all the court officials nodded, but Emperor Chongzhen remained unmoved.

An army marches on its stomach, and military generals in the field are indeed afraid of the slander of civil officials; Yue Fei is the best example of this.

Therefore, Yuan Chonghuan's demand to recover Liaodong in five years was not unreasonable. However, Chongzhen knew that even if he showed all his sincerity and fully supported Yuan Chonghuan, he would still face defeat in the end.

What should I do?

To use or not to use?

For a moment, Emperor Chongzhen was at a loss as to what to do.

"Let me think about this some more. I'm getting tired. You may all leave."

Yuan Chonghuan was stunned, and so were the assembled officials.

The entire court was invigorated by Yuan Chonghuan's words, yet the Emperor appeared dejected. Why? Had Yuan Chonghuan said something wrong? Or did the Emperor have some other concerns?

They were completely baffled, but since the Emperor had spoken, they had no choice but to withdraw...

……

Along the long palace path.

Emperor Chongzhen walked ahead alone, followed by Wang Chengen.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at Wansui Mountain. In a casual glance, Chongzhen saw a locust tree as thick as a bowl, which made him pause in his tracks.

He paused for a moment, then walked towards the somewhat crooked locust tree...