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

Originally, a geomantic map referred to a feng shui map. In ancient times, people marked the direction and undulation of mountains, the distribution of water sources, and the locations of "acupoints," "auspicious sites," "inauspicious sites," and "inauspicious positions" on the map in order to find good feng shui.

Later, geomantic maps were also widely used in administrative maps, military border defense maps, water conservancy project maps, city maps, etc.

The most famous of them all is the "Complete Map of the World".

This map was completed in the 36th year of the Wanli reign by the Italian Matteo Ricci and the Ming Dynasty official Li Zhizao. Based on the Western world map at the time, it shifted the meridian 170 degrees to the left, changing the map layout that placed Europe in the center and placing the Ming Dynasty at the center of the world. This move pioneered the model of drawing world maps in China.

Sun Chengzong was also fortunate enough to observe it.

But now, the map in Chongzhen's hands is many times more detailed than the "Complete Map of the World".

The map contains everything from mountains and rivers to lakes, and the details are so detailed it's almost unbelievable. As an old general who had measured every pass of the Great Wall on foot, looking at this map was like seeing the entire Ming Dynasty's nine border defense lines condensed into one screen, with mountains and cities like a game of chess.

Having fought on the battlefield for many years, he certainly knew the importance of maps. As Sun Tzu's Art of War says, "Terrain is an aid to the army. To assess the enemy and achieve victory, and to calculate the dangers and distances, is the way of the superior general."

Having such a detailed map would be a tremendous help in military operations.

This is similar to opening an exploration map in a game. Although it's not quite that extreme, it's enough to give you an advantage.

"Your Majesty, where did you get this geomantic map? Is it accurate?"

Sun Chengzong examined the map carefully and found that although the terrain was detailed, it was written entirely in simplified Chinese characters and the place names were different, so he raised a question.

This map was naturally obtained by Emperor Chongzhen from Zhu Ziming's bookstore.

To say he took it isn't quite accurate; to be precise, he traded it for a painting he brought with him.

However, Emperor Chongzhen would naturally not tell Sun Chengzong these things.

"You don't need to know where it comes from, but I can assure you that while the place names may be inaccurate, the main mountains and rivers are correct. You can verify the specifics later."

"I understand, but... I'm afraid I won't have the chance to verify it!"

Sun Chengzong still refers to himself as a commoner, after all, he has resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown, and now he is just an ordinary commoner.

Emperor Chongzhen smiled and asked, "How are you? Are you settling in comfortably at home?"

Sun Chengzong replied, "Thanks to His Majesty's great fortune, I am quite content at home, enjoying the company of my grandchildren every day."

Emperor Chongzhen nodded and said, "Just now I heard your grandson reciting a poem: 'In my drunken stupor, I pick up my sword by lamplight; in my dreams, I hear the bugles echoing through the camps!' Sir, have you ever dreamt of returning to the Jiliao defense line to fulfill your unfinished work?"

Sun Chengzong replied, "It was just teaching the children to read, and we happened to come across this poem by Master Xin."

Emperor Chongzhen said, "Now that the eunuch faction has been eliminated, would you be willing to return to the court, to command the troops in Ji and Liao, and to shoulder the heavy responsibility of recovering our lost territories?"

Sun Chengzong frowned, not answering directly, but instead saying, "Hasn't Your Majesty already appointed Yuan Chonghuan as the commander-in-chief of Ji and Liao? Why then must Your Majesty personally come to my door to request this again?"

Emperor Chongzhen thought for a moment and replied, "To be honest, when I summoned Yuan Chonghuan, he told me that if I were given the opportunity, the Eastern Barbarians could be pacified and the entire Liaodong Peninsula could be recovered within five years. Do you think this is credible?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Chengzong seemed to be deep in thought.

The plan to recover Liaodong in five years was indeed an exciting one, but only those who had actually served on the Jiliao front knew how difficult it was to recover the entire Liaodong region. He had served as the commander-in-chief for three years, fulfilling his duties and working tirelessly, but all he managed to build was a single defensive line.

Recovering Liaodong in five years—how easy is that?

What surprised him even more was that the young emperor didn't take the tempting pie in the sky that Yuan Chonghuan was painting.

Emperor Chongzhen said, "Yuan Chonghuan has the talent of a general but not the talent of a commander. The late emperor relied on you, sir, to ensure the temporary stability of Liaodong. I wish to follow the example of the late emperor, appoint you to guard Liaodong, and relieve the country from its predicament."

Sun Chengzong remained silent upon hearing this.

He was initially trusted by the late emperor and appointed Minister of War and Grand Secretary of the Dongge Pavilion. Because he did not trust others, he requested to be the commander-in-chief outside Shanhaiguan. The late emperor was delighted upon reading the memorial and immediately ordered him to be the commander-in-chief of Jiliao. From the second to the fifth year of the Tianqi reign, he gradually advanced from Shanhaiguan, recovered a large area of ​​western Liaoning, and rebuilt many fortresses such as Dalinghe and Xiaolinghe, extending the defense line from Shanhaiguan to the Jinzhou area, greatly increasing the depth of operations.

During his four years outside the Great Wall, he recovered nine major cities and forty-five forts, trained 110,000 soldiers, expanded the territory by four hundred li, opened up five thousand hectares of farmland, and generated an annual income of 150,000. He "defended the area outside the Great Wall to protect the area inside the Great Wall" and built the famous "Ningjin Defense Line". It can be said that he saved the day from collapse and saved the day from disaster.

however……

Because of the factional strife, he was repeatedly attacked by factions such as Qi, Chu, and Zhe, as well as the eunuch faction. Fortunately, the late emperor still trusted him.

Sun Chengzong was physically and mentally exhausted and requested to resign several times, but the late emperor still instructed him in his reply: "Cheer up, lead your officers and soldiers, and strive to restore the country to comfort my heart. Do not shirk your responsibilities lightly."

Until the Battle of Liuhe, Ma Shilong mistakenly believed the words of the surrendered Liu Boqiang and sent Lu Zhijia and Li Chengxian to attack Yaozhou. As a result, the two generals were defeated and killed at Liuhe, and more than 400 people were lost. Immediately, the officials in the court submitted memorials to impeach Ma Shilong and Sun Chengzong.

Under pressure, Sun Chengzong repeatedly petitioned to return home, and finally received approval in the winter of the fifth year of the Tianqi reign.

However, the late emperor still favored him greatly, granting him the titles of Grand Master of the Palace and Grand Master of the Palace, approving one of his sons to serve as a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, sending officials to escort him back to Gaoyang, and bestowing upon him one hundred taels of silver, four layers of colored satin, a crimson silk robe with a python design, and a silk robe with a python design.

Three years have passed since then.

When Emperor Chongzhen personally visited him, Sun Chengzong had already guessed Chongzhen's intentions.

However, there was still one question that he couldn't figure out: if he wanted to reinstate him, why did he have to condescend to visit him?

A single imperial edict would suffice; how could he dare to disobey?

The emperor's personal visit made him feel somewhat flattered.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at Sun Chengzong and solemnly said again, "Now the Manchu barbarians are frequently knocking on our gates, and the entire court has no one to rely on but you, sir. Are you willing to share my burdens and help me drive out the barbarians and revive the Ming Dynasty?"

Sun Chengzong suddenly raised his head and looked at Chongzhen.

The two, who were of similar height, were now facing each other at close range.

It was only this time that Sun Chengzong noticed that Chongzhen's young face was filled with determination, not the kind of determination that was superficial, but a determination that emanated from his very bones, no, it should be said that it was firmness.

When Chongzhen was still Prince Xin, he had met Sun Chengzong. Sun Chengzong was a good young man, but he was still a bit naive. At this moment, however, Sun Chengzong was so determined that he was moved by Sun Chengzong’s determination. This determination was not only about the revival of the Ming Dynasty, but also about the determination to employ him.

This time, Sun Chengzong bowed deeply: "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's favor; I would gladly die for you!"