Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Chapter 137 Luchuan Crisis

Jin Lian suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to interject?"

The four campaigns launched during the Zhengtong era cost an astonishing amount of money and grain.

In the sixth year of the Zhengtong reign, 150,000 troops were mobilized from Huguang, Sichuan, Guizhou and other places.

The number of laborers transporting grain and provisions was countless.

According to old records from the Ministry of Revenue, that military campaign cost more than two million taels of silver and more than one million shi of grain.

"Although the number of troops was slightly smaller in the thirteenth year of the Zhengtong reign, it still cost more than one million taels of silver."

The four trips combined cost at least four to five million taels of silver.

This money is enough to pay the soldiers of the Nine Border Garrisons' salaries for three years.

Shi Heng's face turned somewhat ugly, but he still argued, "Minister Jin, that's all in the past."

The imperial court is now reorganizing the garrisons and has recovered a considerable amount of money and grain.

"Wouldn't this money and supplies be perfect for fighting a war?"

Jin Lian shook his head: "Marquis Wuqing, the money and grain recovered from the reorganization of the garrisons are meant to fill the gaps, not to fight wars."

The two towns of Gansu and Datong had been in arrears with their wages for many years. The money and grain recovered were only enough to cover the back pay for one or two years.

The reconstruction of the Beijing Garrison also requires money, the Military Academy also requires money, and money is needed everywhere.

Where would we find the spare money to wage war?

Shi Heng was somewhat embarrassed by what he had been told, and looked at his colleagues in the Five Military Commands.

Commander-in-Chief Zhang Zhe pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that we must be wary of the situation in Luchuan, but we need not rush to advance our troops."

The Mu family has been operating in Yunnan for decades and has deep roots. As long as the Duke of Qian is given enough support, they should be able to stabilize the situation.

Left Army Commander Chen Mao nodded in agreement: "Commander Zhang is absolutely right."

I have also heard that the land of Luchuan is rife with miasma, and large armies often fall ill before even engaging in battle.

During the Zhengtong era, many soldiers died from illness during several campaigns.

"If you are not absolutely certain, you should not act rashly."

Shi Heng said urgently, "Governor Chen, you can't say that."

Siji was a fickle and capricious man; four campaigns during the Zhengtong era failed to capture him.

Now that he has made another move, what will the local chieftains think if the court does not send troops?

Will they think the imperial court is weak and easily bullied?

Minister of Personnel Cao Yi spoke up: "Marquis Wuqing, do you know why the chieftains of Mubang and Burma have so often engaged in feuds and killings?"

Shi Heng was taken aback: "This—please enlighten me, Minister Cao."

Cao Yidao said: "Mubang, Myanmar and other places were originally subordinate to Luchuan."

When the Si clan was at its peak, it annexed various tribes, thus incurring many grudges.

Later, the Si clan declined, and various tribes rose up again, killing each other in a fight that was the result of years of accumulated grievances.

However, these chieftains were quite subservient to the imperial court.

During the Zhengtong era, Mubang sent troops to assist in several campaigns against the enemy.

In his report, Mu Bin stated that there were unusual movements in Mubang.

This is merely a feud with Burma, not directed against the imperial court.

Chen Xun chimed in, "What Minister Cao said is quite right."

The chieftains of Mubang, Myanmar, Mengyang and other places had submitted to the emperor since the Hongwu era and had paid tribute to him for generations.

"As long as the imperial court handles the situation properly, they will not easily betray us."

Yang Hong finally spoke: "Your Majesty, I have served in Xuanfu for many years."

They knew that the most difficult part of border affairs was not fighting.

It's not that they can't help but want to hit when they shouldn't.

I personally witnessed the Oirat Mongols growing stronger day by day while I was in Xuanfu.

If the imperial court had used the troops and funds allocated to Luchuan in the north at that time, it would have been better.

Why did the Tumu Crisis occur?

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became heavy.

Shi Pu sighed, "General Yang's words are thought-provoking."

The Tumu Crisis was indeed caused by Wang Zhen's abuse of power.

However, the fact that the imperial court had been waging war in the southwest for years, leaving the north vulnerable, was also an important reason.

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Hu Dan: "Your Majesty, I believe that the main approach to the matter of Luchuan should be defense, with appeasement as a secondary measure."

Although Sijifa had the intention to rebel again, his strength was far inferior to that of his father.

As long as Yunnan's border defenses remain secure, he would never dare to act rashly.

The imperial court could take this opportunity to appease the chieftains of places like Mong Bang and Myanmar.

Their division and disintegration prevented them from uniting.

Zhu Qiyu nodded and looked at Yu Qian: "Young Master Yu, what do you think?"

Yu Qian said, "I agree with Minister Hu's words."

The most urgent task is not to send troops to quell the rebellion, but to strengthen the defenses of the Yunnan border.

If given enough support, the Duke of Qian would be able to handle the Luchuan Incident.

Your subject suggests that Mu Bin be ordered to strengthen the border defenses, fortify the city walls, and acquire firearms.

The imperial court allocated a batch of military supplies to replenish the troops stationed in Yunnan.

In addition, Xu Mubin could act expediently and mobilize nearby chieftains' troops for self-defense in case of emergency.

At the same time, people were sent to places such as Mubang and Burma to convey the imperial court's good intentions, appease the local chieftains, and prevent them from being misled by Luchuan.

As long as Yunnan's border defenses remain secure, Si Jifa will have no opportunity to exploit the situation.

If he dares to attack, Mu Bin is more than capable of handling it.

If he is merely bluffing, the imperial court's military intervention would be a waste of money.

After listening, Zhu Qiyu looked at the others and asked, "Do any of you have any further insights?"

Yu Shiyue said, "I second the Junior Guardian's proposal."

There is one thing to be mindful of: Duke Mu Bin of Qian is old and ailing. What will happen to Yunnan if something were to happen to him?

Zhu Qiyu's heart stirred, recalling the line in Mu Bin's memorial: "I am old and ill, and I fear I am unable to personally lead the expedition."

He pondered for a moment and said, "Minister Yu is asking, how old is Mu Bin's son, Mu Lin, now?"

Yu Qian replied, "Your Majesty, Mu Lin is twenty-one years old this year."

He gained experience in the military from a young age, and was quite capable.

If anything happens to Mu Bin, Mu Lin may succeed him as Commander-in-Chief.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Then let's do it that way."

Seeing everyone agreeing with Yu Qian's suggestion, Shi Heng felt increasingly resentful.

He stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Your Majesty, I have one more thing to say!"

Zhu Qiyu looked at him and said, "Speak."

Shi Heng said, "It is not that I am unaware of the importance of the northern border."

However, I believe that the matter of Luchuan is related to the prestige of the court.

Siji Fa, that scoundrel, has received the emperor's favor for generations, yet he has repeatedly rebelled.

Four expeditions during the Zhengtong era failed to capture him.

Now that he has made another unusual move, how will the local chieftains view it if the imperial court does not send troops?

Will they think the imperial court is weak and easily bullied?

Furthermore, Mengyang is located right next to the Jinsha River.

If Siji establishes a foothold there, it will be even more difficult to deal with in the future.

It's better to eliminate a tiger early than to raise it into a future threat.

Zhu Qiyu looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Marquis Wuqing, I have a question for you."

Shi Heng said, "Your Majesty, please ask."

Zhu Qiyu: "You said we should eliminate any thoughts of scheming as soon as possible."

Then tell me how many troops, how much food and supplies, and how long it will take?

Shi Heng was taken aback, then said, "I estimate that with 50,000 troops, we will surely capture Sijifa within a year."

Zhu Qiyu continued to ask, "Where will the 50,000 troops come from?"

Transferred from Beijing Military Region?

You must know how many people are in the Beijing Garrison right now, right?

Moreover, most of these people were new recruits from last year.

"They've only been training for a year, can they even fight?"

Shi Heng opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.

Zhu Qiyu continued, "If we're talking about transferring troops from the border towns, which of Xuanfu, Datong, or Liaodong has sufficient manpower?"

The border towns suffered heavy losses in last year's battle and have yet to recover.

What if we send troops from the border towns again and the Oirat Mongols attack?

What about provisions and pay?

An army of 50,000 men would require at least one million taels of silver in provisions and pay for a year's campaign.

Where did this money come from?

Can the Ministry of Revenue come up with one million taels right now?

Shi Heng lowered his head and remained silent.

Zhu Qiyu's tone softened somewhat: "Marquis Wuqing, I know you want to fight a war."

You are a military general; how can you earn merit if you don't fight?

How can one bestow titles and privileges upon one's wife and children?

But war is not child's play; it cannot be fought on a whim.

Shi Heng raised his head: "Your Majesty, I—"

Zhu Qiyu waved his hand: "You don't need to explain. I know you are doing this for the sake of the Ming Dynasty."

Luchuan is a place with many mountains and miasma.

Even if I send a large army and win, what then?

He might escape to a more distant place and then wait for another opportunity to return.

The problem in Luchuan does not lie with Sijifa alone.

The fundamental problem lies in those mountains, in the hearts of those chieftains.

They had lived there for generations, and the imperial court's influence could not penetrate their territory; their hearts were always with their own little corner of the land.

Therefore, I do not intend to attack Luchuan again.

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