Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

On the first day of the ninth lunar month, there were still five days until Zhu Qiyu officially ascended the throne.

The eunuch Xing'an stood to the side of the throne and announced loudly, "His Highness has arrived!"

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Amidst cheers and shouts, Zhu Qiyu slowly walked into the hall.

His gaze swept over the assembled officials below, and he keenly sensed that the atmosphere in the court was somewhat unusual today.

Many officials lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact with him.

Zhu Qiyu understood; the incident in Tongzhou had indeed had a deterrent effect.

Xing'an stepped forward: "I have something to report!"

After a brief silence, Shen Yi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, stepped forward first: "Your subject, Shen Yi, the Left Vice Minister, reports to Your Highness that the grain transport to Tongzhou is progressing smoothly."

Since the river was dredged, 1.2 million shi of grain have been transported to the capital, and the capital now has 2.3 million shi of grain in storage, enough to last for four months.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "Very good. Have the rewards for transporting the grain been distributed?"

"Your Highness, all items have been distributed according to the standards."

"That's good. By the way, what's the current grain price in the capital?"

Shen Yi was prepared: "Your Highness, I have followed Your Highness's decree and set up twelve official grain shops in various parts of the capital to sell grain at fair prices."

The price of rice has now fallen from three taels of silver per shi (a unit of dry measure) to eight qian (another unit of dry measure), close to the level before the Emperor went on his campaign.

A low murmur arose in the hall.

Only when grain prices fall can people's hearts be at ease, which is the foundation for defending the city.

Zhu Qiyu pressed further: "Only grain? What about the prices of other commodities?"

Shen Yi looked troubled: "This... Your Highness, please understand. Since the news from Tumu Fortress arrived, most of the merchants and wealthy households in the city have already sailed south."

Currently, the supply of goods such as cloth, salt, iron, and medicinal materials in the capital is insufficient, and prices remain high.

Taking cotton cloth as an example, the price of each bolt has risen to one and a half taels, double the price before the incident.

Zhu Qiyu cursed inwardly, "These scoundrels are all driven by profit. They flee south with their money when things turn sour."

Those who didn't flee did so to stay and sell goods at high prices, showing absolutely no sense of national responsibility.

At the same time, he secretly thought to himself: once this ordeal is over, the state-run department store should be put on the agenda.

At least essential goods and services related to people's livelihoods should not be entirely controlled by merchants.

The Ming Dynasty also established "Ever-Normal Granaries" to stabilize grain prices.

However, this is usually only opened during times of famine or war, and is limited to food supplies.

If we establish state-owned enterprises like we did when the country was founded, it will not only stabilize prices but also increase revenue for the national treasury.

But this needs to be planned carefully, after all, cutting off someone's money is like killing their parents, and even a cornered dog will jump over the wall.

Zhu Qiyu thought for a moment and then said, "Order the Imperial Medical Academy to take inventory of the pharmacy, compile a list of non-essential medicines, and hand them over to the Ministry of Revenue for sale at a fair price."

Shen Yi bowed and accepted the order: "Your subject obeys!"

Zhu Qiyu looked at his ministers and asked, "Do any of you have anything else to say?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

A young eunuch rushed in and knelt down: "Your Highness, General Liu An of Datong has arrived in the capital and is currently awaiting imperial orders outside the Meridian Gate. He requests an audience with Your Highness!"

"What?"

"Has Liu An returned to the capital?"

The hall erupted in uproar.

Zhu Qiyu's pupils contracted slightly, and his face instantly darkened.

Liu An, the general of Datong, was the border general who disobeyed his orders and went out of the city to offer gold and gifts to Esen.

Instead of guarding Datong, he abandoned his post and returned to Beijing.

How many men did he bring?

"He only brought twenty personal guards, saying he was going back to the capital to report on the military situation and to apologize to His Highness."

Zhu Qiyu snorted coldly: "Hmph, he does know to apologize. Let him come over, I want to hear what military intelligence he needs to report in person."

"It is hereby announced that General Liu An of Datong has come to the palace to pay his respects!"

The sound traveled out layer by layer, from the Wenhua Hall to the Meridian Gate.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Zhu Qiyu sat back on his throne, his eyes flashing with cold light.

Liu An is incredibly audacious.

A few days ago, he disobeyed the imperial decree and went out of the city to offer gold and gifts without permission, which was a serious offense.

Now they dare to abandon their posts and leave Datong at the critical moment when Esen's army is pressing in.

If the Oirat Mongols were to attack the city at this time, Datong would be leaderless, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

About fifteen minutes later, a military general in full armor strode into the hall. It was Liu An, the general of Datong.

His armor was covered in dust, indicating that he had come at a great speed.

Liu An walked into the hall, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your subject, Liu An, General of Datong, pays respects to Your Highness!"

Zhu Qiyu did not tell him to stand up, but instead coldly sized him up: "General Liu, how is the battle at Datong?"

Liu An looked up and said, "Your Highness, Esen's army left Datong a few days ago and headed east towards Zijing Pass."

There is currently no fighting in Datong, which is why I dared to return to the capital to report this.

Zhu Qiyu raised an eyebrow: "Oh? You left first? You dare to leave Datong?"

If this is a ploy by Esen to lure you away, and he then launches a surprise attack after you leave, who will be in charge of the defense of Datong?

Liu An quickly replied, "I have already arranged for Guo Deng to temporarily assume the position of General. Guo Deng has long been stationed in Datong and is familiar with its defenses; he will certainly be able to handle the task."

Zhu Qiyu's voice suddenly rose: "Liu An, I ask you, what did you do a few days ago when Esen took the Emperor to the walls of Datong?"

Liu An's expression changed: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Zhu Qiyu shouted sternly, "Speak!"

Liu An lowered his head: "Your Majesty, I am deeply saddened to see you trapped in the enemy camp. Therefore, I have brought gold, silver, and silk out of the city to present to Esen, hoping that he will treat Your Majesty well..."

Zhu Qiyu slammed his hand on the armrest: "What was my decree? If the Oirats kidnap the Emperor and bring him to the city walls, the city gates must not be opened, and no valuables must be sent! Have you taken my words as a joke?!"

Cold sweat beaded on Liu An's forehead: "Your Highness, please calm your anger! Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I am only acting out of loyalty, concerned for Your Majesty's safety..."

Zhu Qiyu stood up and walked to Liu An, looking down at the kneeling general: "Liu An, tell me, where did all that gold, silver, and silk you offered come from?"

Liu An was stunned and speechless.

Zhu Qiyu turned to his ministers and said, "You may not know, but General Liu presented Esen with two hundred taels of gold, ten thousand taels of silver, and five hundred bolts of silk."

"I must ask you, where did you, a general, get so much money?"

The officials in the hall looked at each other, and many of them suddenly realized what was happening.

It was an open secret that border generals were receiving salaries without working and withholding military funds, but usually no one dared to investigate further.

Liu An's face turned deathly pale: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

Zhu Qiyu walked back to the throne: "Liu An, you first disobeyed the imperial decree and privately gave gold to the enemy, which is aiding the enemy."

Now you have abandoned your post and neglected this important border town. Do you know what your crime should be?

Liu An finally realized the seriousness of the situation and kowtowed repeatedly, pleading, "Your Highness, spare my life! Your Highness, spare my life!"

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! I am willing to atone for my crime by serving a meritorious service, returning to Datong to defend the city, and I will certainly not allow Esen to set foot inside!"

Zhu Qiyu shook his head: "You still want to go back to Datong? Guards!"

Four burly generals entered in response.

"Liu An, the General of Datong, has disobeyed military orders and abandoned his post. He is hereby stripped of all official positions and titles, imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, and handed over to the Three Judicial Offices for joint trial!"

Two burly generals stepped forward, one on each side, and pinned Liu An down, removing his armor.

"Your Highness! I'm innocent! I'm innocent! I brought back His Majesty's edict, yes, I have His Majesty's edict!"

Yang Shan immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, please wait. General Liu says there is an imperial edict from the Emperor."

Zhu Qiyu shouted, "Since he dares to abandon his post, he might not be afraid to falsely convey an imperial edict. Who can prove the authenticity of the edict?"

Moreover, I have already dispatched an envoy to Esen's army.

Even if the emperor has an imperial decree, it should be conveyed by an envoy.

Why should a border general like him leave his post to report?

Wang Zhi stepped forward and shouted, "Your Highness is wise. The Great Ming Code clearly states that border generals and commanders may not leave their posts without an imperial edict."

Liu An, relying on his noble title, became arrogant and reckless, leaving his post without permission and disregarding the laws of the land.

According to the law, he should be stripped of his official rank and title, and his case should be jointly tried by the three judicial departments.

At the same time, all the officials in the hall bowed in unison: "Your Highness is wise."