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

Emperor Chongzhen was not surprised by the impeachment of Mao Wenlong, as this was not the first time.

Since Mao Wenlong was stationed in Dongjiang, there has been considerable controversy within the court. Because of his isolated location overseas, Mao Wenlong has enjoyed considerable autonomy. His army organization and the reporting of his military pay often bypassed the court's regular procedures, which aroused dissatisfaction among officials. Many courtiers believed that he was arrogant and lawless, and that he was engaging in fraudulent activities and misappropriating funds, making it difficult to effectively restrain the Later Jin. Therefore, they advocated for the relocation of the garrison.

But what Chongzhen didn't expect was that this person was Yuan Chonghuan.

But upon closer reflection, it's not surprising.

Because the feud between Yuan Chonghuan and Mao Wenlong had a long history.

In the third year of the Tianqi reign, Yuan Chonghuan, who was then stationed in Liaodong, sent people to discuss relocating the town with Mao Wenlong. However, all the people he sent were executed by Mao Wenlong, which caused a rift between Yuan and Mao.

Later, during the Dingmao Campaign, the relationship between Mao Wenlong and Yuan Chonghuan deteriorated further. Mao Wenlong blamed the defeat in the Dingmao Campaign on Yuan Chonghuan's peace talks with the Later Jin and firmly opposed negotiating with the Later Jin. Yuan Chonghuan, on the other hand, accused Mao Wenlong of "misleading the world and causing suffering on the border" and of exaggerating the merits of the Tieshan Campaign.

Therefore, Yuan and Mao were fraught with contradictions, both in terms of their ideologies and in reality.

Furthermore, as Minister of War, Yuan Chonghuan does indeed have the authority to impeach Mao Wenlong.

"Mao Wenlong has been stationed in Dongjiang for eight years. He initially captured Pi Island with only two hundred men, but now he commands tens of thousands of troops and spends millions of taels of silver annually. However, an investigation of his military achievements reveals that most of them are fabricated. The defeat at Tieshan resulted in the loss of countless soldiers, yet he covered up the defeat as a victory! This is the first instance of his deceiving the emperor."

"Dongjiang is isolated overseas, and Wenlong monopolizes the region. Whenever a merchant ship passes through, he takes a cut of its goods; he also demands bribes from Korean tribute envoys. Furthermore, he privately sets up tax checkpoints to monopolize the ginseng and sable trade, pocketing huge sums of money every year. He uses the imperial army to conduct business, which is the second reason."

"The military's provisions and rations are not subject to audit. Every year, hundreds of thousands of silver coins are paid, but they are not used to supply the soldiers. They only receive three and a half dou of rice per month. They embezzle military rations and misappropriate military funds for personal gain. This is the third offense."

"Eight years after the founding of Dongjiang Town, we have failed to recover an inch of land. We have sat idly by, watching and appeasing our enemy. This is the fourth point."

"Therefore, I respectfully request Your Majesty to verify the troop numbers in Dongjiang and to transfer General Mao Wenlong of Pi Island to Gaizhou!"

Yuan Chonghuan spoke with conviction and logic, expressing the thoughts of many civil officials present. He truly lived up to his reputation as a military general with a civil official background.

Therefore, other civil officials also stood up and echoed their sentiments.

"General Yuan's words are reasonable; I second that opinion!"

"Indeed, Commander Yuan has guarded Liaodong for many years. I trust Commander Yuan, and I second that opinion!"

"I second that opinion!"

For a time, the entire hall was filled with voices seconding the impeachment of Mao Wenlong, and not a single person stood up to speak for him. It was clear that the public opinion in the court was now very unfavorable to Mao Wenlong.

On the throne, Emperor Chongzhen remained calm and composed.

If one hadn't read the History of Ming and hadn't been to a bookstore, Emperor Chongzhen would have really dealt with Mao Wenlong. Historically, Mao Wenlong was tricked into going to Shuangdao Island near Pidao by Yuan Chonghuan under the pretext of a military review after Yuan Chonghuan took command of the Jiliao region. Then, Yuan Chonghuan suddenly launched an attack, listing twelve crimes and executing Mao Wenlong with the imperial sword.

However, this original historical trajectory has now changed.

Emperor Chongzhen remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was filled with astonishment.

Now it seems that his elder brother, Emperor Tianqi, though seemingly incompetent, was so accurate in his use of people—no, it should be said that he was precise—that he had to admit his worth.

First, there was Sun Chengzong, which needs no further explanation.

Next was Mao Wenlong. In the first year of the Tianqi reign, Mao Wenlong led a small force to launch a surprise attack on Zhenjiang and achieved the "Great Victory of Zhenjiang". He then retreated to Pi Island in Korea. Subsequently, Tianqi approved Mao Wenlong to establish Dongjiang Town on Pi Island and appointed him as the general, giving him full authority to resist the Jin dynasty along the coast.

Mao Wenlong's fighting style and unruly personality often triggered impeachments from court officials, who accused him of wasting funds without achieving anything and deceiving the emperor to claim credit. However, Emperor Tianqi always adopted a tolerant attitude and even suppressed the officials who impeached Mao Wenlong.

Despite the financial difficulties of the Tianqi Dynasty, and the fact that Mao Wenlong was often questioned by his ministers for exaggerating his military achievements and embezzling rations, the Tianqi Dynasty continued to provide Dongjiang Town with rations, gunpowder, ships and other support.

They were even granted the imperial sword, which gave them the power to "execute first and report later".

It was precisely because of Emperor Tianqi's trust that Mao Wenlong was able to build a solid maritime defense line.

Emperor Chongzhen asked himself honestly, if he were the emperor, Mao Wenlong would not have been able to build this sea defense line, let alone even open up Dongjiang Town.

But this time, the timeline has changed.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at Yuan Chonghuan and said, "General Yuan, do you remember what you told me?"

This seemingly random question caught Yuan Chonghuan off guard.

Emperor Chongzhen was pleased with Yuan Chonghuan's reaction and said, "Once you leave the country, you are separated by thousands of miles. Border generals and court officials often disregard the overall situation of success or failure, focusing instead on minor flaws in words and deeds, using their words to confuse the emperor. Even the Manchu barbarians can be separated from you. Did you say this to me?"

Emperor Chongzhen practically copied what Yuan Chonghuan had said a while ago.

A moment of astonishment flashed across Yuan Chonghuan's face, which then turned serious. He quickly realized the meaning behind the Emperor's reiteration of his words. He just hadn't expected that the Emperor was actually on Mao Wenlong's side.

Why did I say I didn't expect it? It's because Mao Wenlong had a very bad reputation in the imperial court.

From the beginning of the Tianqi reign, memorials impeaching Mao Wenlong came in an endless stream, but the Tianqi Emperor insisted on protecting Mao Wenlong. As the saying goes, a new emperor brings a new court, and now that a new dynasty has arrived, the emperor still intends to protect Mao Wenlong.

Yuan Chonghuan inwardly knew something was wrong, but he still forced a smile and replied, "That's right, it was I who said it."

There were so many people present when he said that; there's no way he could deny it.

Emperor Chongzhen nodded and said, "Mao Wenlong is isolated overseas, guarding Dongjiang thousands of miles away. Are you now disregarding the overall situation and focusing on minor flaws in his words and actions, using your words to confuse the emperor? Can't the Manchus be used to sow discord among us?"

Yuan Chonghuan, being Yuan Chonghuan, remained calm and composed, replying, "I did not, I did not, what I said is the truth!"

However, at this point, no one continued to stand up and agree with him.

At this point, every one of these veteran officials could see that Governor Yuan had already fallen into a disadvantageous position.

His words back then became a sharp knife piercing himself.

Emperor Chongzhen continued, "If someone impeaches you after you leave the country, just as you impeached Mao Wenlong, tell me, will I listen or not?"

"..."

Yuan Chonghuan was completely rendered speechless this time.

Listen, it's the face of the one who was just promoted to Minister of War and Governor-General of Jiliao, full of pride and self-satisfaction.

If you don't listen, you're slapping yourself in the face now that Mao Wenlong is involved.

Before impeaching Mao Wenlong, he never imagined that the emperor's few words would put him in such a dilemma.

Yuan Chonghuan looked blankly at Chongzhen, realizing that he could no longer clearly see the emperor's face...