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

"Okay, okay!"

Emperor Chongzhen was delighted and said "good" three times. He then helped Sun Chengzong up and said, "Sir, I have a few suggestions regarding the defense of the Ji-Liao border. Do you think they are appropriate?"

As he spoke, Chongzhen pulled Sun Chengzong in front of the map.

Sun Chengzong hadn't expected the Emperor to personally offer him advice, so he quickly and humbly replied, "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Chongzhen said, "In my opinion, if we want to rebuild the Liaodong defense line, we must first eliminate the three major problems."

Sun Chengzong hurriedly asked, "What three drawbacks?"

Emperor Chongzhen said: "The first problem is the dispersion of power. The Liaodong military commissioner, governor, general, and supervisor have overlapping responsibilities and shirk their duties when problems arise. The second problem is the lack of funds. The nominal allocation of four million taels of silver has been reduced by layers of deductions, and less than half of it has reached the soldiers. The third problem is the dispersal of the people. The people of Liaodong have been displaced, some have joined the Jurchens, and others have become bandits. No one is willing to defend our land."

Sun Chengzong nodded, as this coincided with his own thoughts.

Sun Chengzong then asked, "What does Your Majesty think is the best way to address these three problems?"

Emperor Chongzhen answered fluently: "First, establish the Liaodong Military Governor's Office to oversee military affairs, land administration, finances, and diplomacy outside the Great Wall. The court will only inquire about the results and will not interfere. Second, establish a special treasury for Liaodong military funds, jointly managed by the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Military Governor's Office. Censors will be dispatched quarterly to audit the accounts, and those who embezzle military funds will be executed. Third, implement the law that Liaodong people should guard Liaodong's land. Liaodong people who return to their hometowns to cultivate the land will be exempt from taxes for three years, and their sons who join the army will be granted twenty mu of land."

Sun Chengzong nodded in agreement, finding that the emperor's ideas still coincided with his own.

The Emperor had clearly come prepared, but Sun Chengzong still felt a little awkward because it was as if their roles had been reversed. In the past, it was the Emperor who asked them for advice, but now it was him asking the Emperor for advice.

Emperor Chongzhen didn't seem to care about this.

"but……"

Emperor Chongzhen changed the subject, tracing the thin line on the map extending northeast from Shanhaiguan, and said, "In my opinion, the problem in Liaodong is not external, but internal; the trouble is not the lack of troops, but the chaos in the government."

Upon hearing this, Sun Chengzong's eyes widened in disbelief. He could hardly believe that these words would come from the Emperor's mouth.

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at the astonished Sun Chengzong and continued, "Since the Battle of Sarhu, fourteen years have passed. Our Great Ming has not been without victories, as evidenced by Ningyuan and Ningjin. However, with each minor victory, factional strife erupts in the court. Censors impeach generals for their arrogance, eunuchs demand the power of military supervision, and the Ministry of Revenue withholds rations to fund other purposes. With such internal and external attacks, even with good strategies, how can we sustain this?"

Sun Chengzong nodded heavily, clearly these words had struck a chord with him.

Emperor Chongzhen said, "Therefore, I have appointed you as the Governor-General of Jiliao, not in name only. I will give you four things."

"First, I grant you absolute command authority. All civil and military officials, whether in or out of office, may use your authority as they see fit. The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War shall report to the Ministry of Revenue, which may use any available funds and provisions. Officials of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works who violate military regulations may be arrested and questioned."

"Secondly, I will give you the new army system. You don't need to use the old garrison troops; you can recruit young and strong men from Liaodong and organize them like Qi Jiguang's 'Qi Family Army'."

"Third, I will grant you the benefits of trade. We will open up maritime trade at Tianjin, Dengzhou, and Dongjiang, allowing you to exchange Liaodong ginseng and sable fur for grain and gunpowder. Of the profits, 30% will go to the national treasury, and 70% will be retained as Liaodong military supplies."

"Fourth, we will grant you the convenience of peace with the barbarians. You can decide on marriage alliances, trade rewards, and tributes as you see fit, effectively utilizing the Mongols to restrain the Later Jin."

Upon hearing these four points, Sun Chengzong was speechless with astonishment.

That's incredibly bold!

He had absolute command over Liaodong, including the right to appoint personnel and manage finances. The new army system, modeled after the "Qi Family Army," was tantamount to allowing him to rebuild a private army.

Furthermore, the benefits of trade and peace with foreign powers are almost entirely equivalent to the right to divide up territory and establish fiefdoms.

"With such great power entrusted to one person, does Your Majesty truly trust this old minister? Aren't you afraid that this old minister might... become the second An Lushan?" Sun Chengzong asked with trepidation, finally voicing the question that had been weighing on his mind.

"risk?"

Emperor Chongzhen chuckled softly and said, "Sir, what do you think is the greatest danger in this world?"

Sun Chengzong shook his head slightly: "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Chongzhen slowly said, "It is not the powerful ministers who hold military power, nor the border generals who have become too powerful, but the fact that even though our country is on the verge of collapse and foreign tribes are invading, we are still arguing over trivial matters, fighting amongst ourselves, and turning against each other. This is the real danger of national subjugation."

Sun Chengzong was taken aback, then slowly knelt down and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty has entrusted me with such a great responsibility, this old minister will certainly do his utmost to live up to Your Majesty's grace!"

In fact, most of what Chongzhen said to Sun Chengzong was what Zhu Ziming had said when he recommended Sun Chengzong to Chongzhen at the bookstore, only Chongzhen had put it in his own words.

After saying this, Sun Chengzong's eyes were red and tears were streaming down his face.

"This is the imperial edict from the Liaodong Commander-in-Chief. I have not set a time limit." Zhu Youjian looked directly into the old minister's eyes, his emotions beginning to surge: "Whether it's ten years or twenty years, I will not set that limit, but I only want one thing..."

He pointed to the area on the map that he had circled and marked "occupied by the Manchus": "Turn it back to the colors of the Ming Dynasty."

Sun Chengzong's hand trembled as he received the imperial edict.

It wasn't fear, but a long-lost, almost tragic, surge of emotion.

He recalled the first time he left the pass during the Tianqi era. It was a snowy night like this, and he was full of passion. But that passion slowly cooled down amidst factional strife, constraints, and suspicion.

"This old minister..."

Sun Chengzong's voice was hoarse. "I am sixty-five years old this year. I don't know how many more years I have to live, but I swear to Your Majesty that I will leave my last breath on the land of Liaodong."

"No!"

Emperor Chongzhen shook his head: "I want you to come back alive and tell me what the celestial maiden flowers on both banks look like when the Liao River thaws."

"Your Majesty, I will remember this well! I thank you!"

Sun Chengzong was at a loss for words to express his gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him, and could only kowtow deeply.

Afterwards, the emperor and his minister had a detailed discussion on issues such as the selection of generals, provisions, firearms, and soldiers. The two became more and more congenial as they talked, and discussed strategic issues in Liaodong until late at night.

The emperor and his ministers had a very pleasant conversation, reminiscent of the Longzhong Dialogue.

Sun Chengzong never expected that the newly enthroned emperor would have such strategic vision. What he wanted to say, the emperor said; what he didn't say, the emperor also said.

Emperor Chongzhen did not leave the Sun residence until the following day.

At the entrance of the Sun residence, Sun Chengzong led his family to bid farewell to the Emperor. Only after the Emperor's carriage was out of sight did Sun Chengzong and his family get up.

His son, Sun Quan, asked, "Father, the Emperor talked to you all night. How was it?"

Sun Chengzong withdrew his gaze from the direction Chongzhen had left and said slowly, "Your Majesty's mercy is profound and gentle, like that of a father and son in a family. Seeing Your Majesty's anxious face and the earnest expectations placed upon this old minister, I am moved to tears."

"The new emperor's every word and deed, every bow and stern gesture, embodies the virtues of Yao and Shun; he is truly a great sage."