Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

(I'm a bit busy today. I won't finish writing Chapter 3 by 6 PM, so I'll post it later.)

Zhu Qiyu's voice turned cold: "If we lose this battle, will my Great Ming Dynasty still exist? How is this any different from the Jingnan Campaign?!"

Wang Zhi was taken aback and did not speak again.

Zhu Qiyu continued, "In the Battle of Tumu Fortress, 200,000 troops were wiped out."

Duke of Yingguo Zhang Fu, Duke of Chengguo Zhu Yong, Marquis of Taining Chen Ying...

Countless hereditary nobles died on the battlefield.

Did their titles secure their rule?

No!

It was Shi Heng, Fan Guang, and Sun Tang—generals you consider 'inexperienced' and 'of humble origins'—who led the remnants of their defeated army to defend Beijing.

Rules are made by people.

When the Taizu Emperor established the rules, the Ming Dynasty had just been founded.

The Jingnan Campaign was only accomplished when Emperor Taizong changed the rules.

Now I have defended Beijing and repelled the Oirat Mongols.

"Can't we adapt to the times and establish new rules?"

Yu Qian finally spoke: "Your Majesty, Minister Wang's concerns are also for the sake of the court's laws and regulations."

However, I believe that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

Shi Heng's achievements certainly deserve a great reward.

However, hereditary succession is a matter of national character.

"Could we first grant him the title of marquis, and if he subsequently achieves further merit or his descendants become successful, then we can discuss the matter of hereditary succession?"

Previously, Yu Qian was the most important person in the court, and the law was paramount.

The fact that they are now able to make these concessions is because Zhu Qiyu's performance during this period has given him hope.

There's just one point he hasn't completely changed.

That is the present Ming Dynasty, and Zhu Qiyu is the emperor!

Zhu Qiyu looked at Hu Ying: "Minister Hu, you are in charge of the Ministry of Rites and are well-versed in etiquette and law."

"If I insist on bestowing such a title upon Shi Heng, how strong would the opposition be in the court?"

Hu Ying stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, according to the system, the conferment of titles must be reviewed by the court, discussed by the ministries, and verified by the censors."

If there is any dispute, Your Majesty may convene a court debate with your ministers…

Zhu Qiyu waved his hand: "Alright!"

"Minister Yu, tomorrow you will, in your capacity as Minister of War, submit a memorial requesting the bestowal of titles and rewards upon the generals, and then everyone will submit their proposals in court."

Yu Qian gave Zhu Qiyu a deep look, and finally bowed: "Your subject obeys the decree."

The so-called "court recommendation" was Zhu Qiyu's way of giving everyone a dignified experience.

If those ministers want to maintain appearances, then everyone is fine.

Otherwise, Zhu Qiyu would have no choice but to humiliate them.

In any case, the rewards he receives will not change; this is a crucial step for him to win over and control the capital.

At worst, he can issue an imperial edict.

An imperial edict issued directly by the emperor, bypassing the steps of deliberation by the Six Ministries, drafting by the Grand Secretariat, and review by the Six Offices, is called a "central edict."

In the recent period of intense warfare, many of Zhu Qiyu's orders were carried out in this manner.

Those ministers also turned a blind eye.

Now that the war has stabilized, they will definitely object if we continue like this.

Zhu Qiyu didn't want to strain his relationship with them too much right now.

So the necessary procedures still need to be followed.

If they really dare to have objections tomorrow.

Go and tell those meritorious generals who carry swords.

The next day, Zuoshun Gate.

Zhu Qiyu also specially summoned a group of military generals who had fought in the city defense battle.

Apart from Shi Heng, who was still outside the pass pursuing Esen with Yang Hong and Guo Deng, everyone else had arrived.

Even Fan Guang was helped to the scene.

A month ago, Zhu Qiyu presided over his first court assembly here as regent.

On the same day, an unprecedented bloodshed occurred here.

From that day on, Zhu Qiyu always summoned his ministers to discuss matters in the Wenhua Hall or other side halls.

Today, the court officials have chosen this place again, and all of them have strange expressions on their faces.

After the officials paid their respects, Yu Qian stepped forward first: "Your subject, Yu Qian, Minister of War, has a memorial to present."

Since the Oirat invasion in August, besieging the capital, the soldiers fought bravely for more than a month and finally repelled the powerful enemy.

The war is now over, and those who have rendered meritorious service should be rewarded.

Your subject, together with the Five Military Commands, drafted the "List of Merits for Defending the City".

"Your Majesty, please review the merits and rewards, so as to encourage the soldiers and reassure the army."

Xing'an descended the imperial steps, took the memorial, and presented it to the emperor.

This was Zhu Qiyu's revised version. He didn't open it, but said directly, "Read it."

"As you command."

Xing'an unfolded the memorial and read it aloud.

After reading everything aloud, Zhu Qiyu looked around at the crowd and asked, "What do you all think?"

A brief silence.

Then, Chen Yi stepped forward: "Your subject, Chen Yi, Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, respectfully submits this report."

It is only natural and right for Your Majesty to reward those who have rendered meritorious service.

However, upon reviewing this list of titles and honors, I find several instances that may violate ancestral rules, and I dare not remain silent.

Zhu Qiyu said expressionlessly, "Speak."

Chen Yi said, "Firstly, for Shi Heng, Fan Guang, Sun Tang and others, being granted the title of Earl is already a great favor, and it is absolutely unacceptable for it to be passed down through generations."

According to the ancestral rules of our dynasty, no one may be granted a hereditary title without merit for founding the country or pacifying the rebellion and establishing the dynasty.

Shi Heng was meritorious in defending the city, but can his merit be compared with that of the King of Zhongshan and the King of Kaiping in expanding their territories?

Can he be compared to the Prince of Hejian and the Prince of Dongping who quelled rebellions?

If this precedent is set, anyone who achieves even the slightest merit will seek to inherit the title, leading to the abuse of national titles and the laxity of the law!

Secondly, Yue Qian was promoted to Minister of Rites.

Yue Qian's mission to the Oirat Mongols was merely to relay messages; what merit did he achieve?

Thirdly, the rewards given to the eunuchs Xing'an and Cheng Jing were listed in the same memorials as those of the court officials.

It is the duty of palace officials to serve; Your Majesty may bestow rewards upon them privately.

Why announce it publicly in the imperial court, only to disrupt the established order?

Among the civil officials, many nodded secretly.

The military officers, on the other hand, all had ashen faces.

The achievements of Shi Heng and others were reduced to mere trifles in the mouths of these civil officials.

Zhu Qiyu sighed inwardly, these ministers were indeed very eloquent.

He immediately grouped Shi Heng and others together with Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, and others.

In comparison, the contributions of Shi Heng and others seem rather insignificant.

Zhu Qiyu waited until he finished speaking before slowly asking, "Has Minister Chen finished speaking?"

"I have said all I have to say. I hope Your Majesty will consider it carefully."

"Alright." Zhu Qiyu stood up and walked down the steps.

He did not walk towards Chen Yi, but instead walked onto the imperial road between the ranks of civil officials and military officers:

"Minister Chen said that Shi Heng's achievements were not comparable to those of founding the country and pacifying the rebellion."

Then I ask you, what if Shi Hengde had not lured the enemy outside Shengmen to annihilate them?

If Fan Guang hadn't launched a night raid to burn the enemy's supplies...

If it weren't for Sun Tang's bloody battle and martyrdom at Zhangyi Gate...

Without the soldiers in the palace fighting to the death to defend the city...

Are you all still able to stand here and hold a court assembly today?

Do you, Chen Yi, still have the chance to talk to me about ancestral rules and regulations here?

Founding a nation and quelling rebellions are meritorious achievements, but defending the country is not.

They had to wait until the country changed hands and the nation collapsed.

Only those who survived can go on to quell the rebellion; that would be a great achievement.

"Minister Chen, I don't understand your reasoning."

Chen Yi's face turned pale, but he still insisted: "Your Majesty, this is the ancestral rule, and I am not speaking recklessly."

If everyone breaks the rules, then the rules will cease to be rules, and the law will cease to be law...

Zhu Qiyu loudly interrupted Chen Yi: "Emperor Taizu Gaozu's ancestral precept: No title shall be conferred except for meritorious service to the state and military achievements!"

Was Shi Heng protecting the nation?

Was it a military achievement?

"My conferment of this title upon him today is precisely in accordance with the instructions of the founding emperor!"

As he spoke, Zhu Qiyu turned and pointed to the ranks of military officers:

Look at these people!

General Fan's arrow wound in his chest had not yet healed.

Shi Heng's armor had seven arrow marks, and the armor was still stored in the Ministry of War's warehouse.

Should I have it carried up so that you gentlemen can see what military merit truly is?!

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

All the military officers looked at Zhu Qiyu with excitement on their faces.

Zhu Qiyu walked back to the imperial steps, looking down at Chen Yi:

"Minister Chen, you say that Yue Qian's merits are not enough for promotion."

Then let me ask you, in August when the Oirat besieged the pass, which of the civil and military officials dared to go to the enemy camp?

Who was it that spoke so humbly and assertively in the Esen Dao camp?

Who brought back the Emperor's letter?

You all know the contents of this handwritten letter, right?

"If Yue Qian hadn't risked his life to bring back this letter, I would probably be sitting here today without proper authority!"

Zhu Qiyu did not explicitly state this, but many civil officials lowered their heads.

The so-called handwritten letter from Zhu Qizhen that Yue Qian brought back.

The timing and coincidence of the events were too perfect.

Anyone with eyes can see there's something fishy going on.

By bringing him up now, Zhu Qiyu was essentially binding Yue Qian's contributions to the legitimacy of the throne.

Anyone who questions Yue Qian is questioning the legitimacy of the emperor's ascension to the throne.

Zhu Qiyu continued, "As for the rewards and honors bestowed upon the eunuchs, Xing'an and Chengjing have been serving me for over a month."

They keep me company when I stay up all night, and they follow me when I go to the city.

When you killed Ma Shun and Jin Ying here, Xing An stood in front of me.

Shouldn't such a person be rewarded?

When Zhu Qiyu mentioned the matter of killing Ma Shun, all the ministers' expressions changed drastically.

The military officers, in particular, were filled with fervor when they heard Zhu Qiyu mention the chaotic battle that had taken place here.

Upon seeing this, Chen Yi immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"