Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

"Please speak now!" Xing'an's voice echoed in the hall.

Yu Qian stepped forward first: "Your subject, Yu Qian, Minister of War, has a memorial to present."

"With the nation facing this crisis, all departments urgently need to appoint capable officials. I propose several candidates, and hope Your Highness will grant your approval."

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Whom did Minister Yu recommend?"

Yu Qian unfolded the memorial: "Minister of Justice Jin Lian."

In the thirteenth year of the Zhengtong reign, Minister Jin was ordered to go to Fujian to quell the rebellion of Deng Maoqi.

Now that the rebellion has been quelled, I request Your Highness to send an urgent messenger, traveling eight hundred li, to order your immediate return to the capital.

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion within the hall.

Jin Lian's name carries considerable weight in the court.

This man was not only proficient in criminal law, but also possessed a talent that drew the attention of the entire court: financial management.

During the Zhengtong era, the three expeditions to Luchuan were costly, leaving the national treasury nearly empty. It was only through Jin Lian's efforts to raise funds and supplies that the treasury was able to barely survive.

His methods of reforming the tax system and recovering overdue taxes in Fujian during this pacification campaign have been heard of in the imperial court.

Yu Qian continued, "Your Highness, Minister Jin is not only familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of Justice, but also adept at financial management and fundraising."

The capital's defenses now require a large amount of money and supplies, and it is precisely at this critical juncture that manpower is needed.

Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Yang Shan suddenly stepped forward: "I object! Fujian has just been pacified and needs capable ministers to govern it. If we transfer him away now, and further unrest occurs, whose fault will it be?"

Wang Zhi, the Minister of Personnel, immediately retorted: "Censor Yang is mistaken! Now that the unrest in Fujian has been quelled, the Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner will handle the aftermath."

The capital is now in grave danger and urgently needs someone capable of overseeing the overall situation and procuring funds and provisions for the army.

Among all the civil and military officials, who can rival Minister Jin in financial management skills?

Zhu Qiyu observed the debate with a cold eye.

He knew perfectly well that Yang Shan's opposition to Jin Lian's return to the court was not out of any public interest.

If Jin Lian were to return to the capital to take charge of the Ministry of Justice and manage finances, his upright character and decisive methods would surely lead to a serious overhaul of the finances.

Those officials who resell government supplies will probably be skinned alive.

However, Zhu Qiyu had already decided to have Jin Lian return to the capital immediately.

The term "accumulating wealth" may have a negative connotation in peaceful times, but in this life-or-death situation, it is a true skill that can save lives.

Beijing needed to support an army of 200,000, repair its defenses, and manufacture weapons. Every single one of these required a fortune in silver.

Zhu Qiyu interrupted the debate below: "By urgent order, Minister Jin is to return to the capital immediately after receiving the decree and take charge of the wartime funding and supplies."

Yang Shan's face turned ashen, but he could only retreat back into the ranks.

Yu Qian continued to report: "Minister of Works Shi Pu is currently in Henan supervising the Yellow River. I request that he be transferred back to the capital to oversee the defense and repair of the capital."

This time, it was Shen Yi, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who stepped forward: "Your Highness, Minister Shi's management of the river is a matter of great importance concerning the lives of millions of people."

The Yellow River's autumn floods are approaching. If we were to divert troops now, and the dikes were to breach, the Central Plains would be devastated, and the consequences would be unimaginable!

Zhao Rong, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, echoed, "Vice Minister Shen is absolutely right. Moreover, the current officials in the Ministry of Works are perfectly capable of handling the repairs in the capital. It is not necessary to insist on Minister Shi."

Zhu Qiyu looked at Yu Qian. Zhao Rong was telling the truth; the Ministry of Works indeed had enough manpower to repair the city wall.

Yu Qian said in a deep voice: "The major renovation of the Beijing city wall in the fifth year of the Zhengtong reign was overseen by Minister Shi, which shortened the construction period by 30% and saved 20% on labor and materials."

The city wall is now in many places damaged, and only Minister Shi can repair it quickly.

Shen Yi tried to argue further: "But the Yellow River..."

Yu Qian interrupted sharply: "Which is more important, the Yellow River or the capital? What use is the Yellow River if the capital is not defended?"

Your Majesty, I have inquired and found that Minister Shi's river management project is nearing completion. His deputy can oversee it; recalling him to the capital will not interfere with either task.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Approved."

Right now, we're short on money and time. If there's someone capable of drastically reducing the time required, there's no reason not to use them.

Yu Qian continued, "The capital is in turmoil and needs a strict and upright person to oversee it. I recommend Yu Shiyue, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

This time, it was Jiang Yuan, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who stood up to object: "Your Highness, I have heard that Yu Shiyue has already sent his wife and children to Nanjing!"

"At a time of crisis for the capital, instead of focusing on defending it, this official of the court prioritized sending his family away. How can such behavior be entrusted with any important task?"

Upon hearing this, all eyes in the hall turned to Yu Shiyue.

Yu Shiyue stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "What Vice Minister Jiang said is true. I did send my wife and children south three days ago."

The courtiers were in uproar, and many of those present secretly sent their families to the south.

But Yu Shiyue is the first person to dare to state this so directly.

Yu Shiyue raised his head: "I know this is wrong, but I have no regrets. My wife has been ill for a long time and my youngest son is only seven years old."

"Since I am determined to live and die with the capital, I should plan for the future of my family. If this action harms the morale of the army, I am willing to accept punishment."

These candid remarks left many officials who were prepared to criticize them speechless.

Zhang Peng, the Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, persisted: "You are just spouting clever words and sophistry! As an official appointed by the court, you should set an example for the military and the people."

"Today, a million soldiers and civilians in the capital have not yet retreated. You should first send your families to safety. If everyone follows suit, the morale of the army will surely collapse!"

Minister of Rites Hu Ying slowly spoke: "Imperial Censor Zhang, this old minister has something to say. In the past, during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song, Fan Zhongyan guarded the border and also settled his family in the rear."

He said, "If soldiers have worries about their rear, they will lack the will to fight to the death."

Now that Yu Shiyue has sent his family away, he can focus wholeheartedly on defending the city to the death. This is not out of fear of death, but out of a resolute determination to fight to the death.

As soon as Hu Ying said this, the opposition immediately subsided.

Zhu Qiyu's gaze swept over the officials in the hall. He saw that although Yang Shan, Jiang Yuan, and others looked indignant, they did not say anything more.

He knew in his heart that this attack on Yu Shiyue was ostensibly an impeachment for "avoiding trouble in the face of difficulties."

In reality, certain forces in the court were testing his authority as regent.

This is also a way to suppress Yu Qian, the newly appointed Minister of War.

This was exactly the effect Zhu Qiyu wanted, and he immediately said, "Yu Shiyue, it was indeed inappropriate for you to send your family members south."

However, Minister Hu's words make sense; extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

Here's what we'll do: promote you to Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, while still managing the affairs of the Court of Judicial Review.

I hope you will atone for your crimes and live up to my expectations.

Yu Shiyue bowed deeply: "Your Highness, I thank you for your grace!"

Zhu Qiyu then said, "However, now that you have sent your family away, you should have no more worries. From today onwards, you will move to the Dali Temple office and serve day and night until the siege of the capital is lifted."

This both gave Yu Shiyue a way out and silenced the gossip. Since you say you're single-minded, then live and work in the government office.

Yu Shiyue answered without hesitation: "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Yu Qian continued to report on personnel arrangements: "Fourth, I recommend Chen Yi, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, to concurrently serve as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, assisting in the management of finances and provisions..."

Next came the recommendations from the generals in charge of the troops, and the other ministers had almost no objections to these.

After all, military promotions require real combat achievements and fighting on the front lines.

After Yu Qian finished his recommendation, Zhu Qiyu suddenly spoke up: "Minister Yu, you said yesterday that Esen had already left Xuanfu for Datong. According to the schedule, he should still be on his way, right?"

Yu Qian replied, "Xuanfu is about two hundred li from Datong. Even if the Oirat cavalry travels lightly and quickly, it will take them two days."

Zhu Qiyu nodded, his gaze sweeping over the officials in the hall: "You have all heard it, Esen has taken the Emperor hostage and is heading towards Datong."

After Datong comes Zijing Pass, and after Zijing Pass comes Beijing.

"Minister Yu, how is the defense of Datong?"

Yu Qian replied, "Datong City is well-fortified and has thick walls. General Liu An is a veteran general with 20,000 elite troops under his command and enough grain to last for three months."

Moreover, Datong is surrounded by numerous passes, and even with an army of 100,000, it would take Esen a month or more to conquer it.