MLMD -Chapter 445 Yang Sichang Leaves the Capital

The news that the Mongolian Khorchin tribe was willing to submit to the Ming Dynasty struck the capital like a thunderclap, catching the ministers—who had been arguing heatedly over how to suppress the bandits—completely off guard.

“Yue Yang, can you not be so ruthless? We haven’t even dealt with the domestic bandits yet, and you’re already incorporating the Khorchin into the Ming. How are we supposed to keep up with all this? Must you be so high-profile?” For a while, the heated debates among the court officials shifted from the domestic bandit situation to the matter of the Khorchin tribe submitting to the Ming.

In truth, it was only natural that the ministers paid attention. What matters most to a country? Without a doubt, expanding territory ranks at the top. Nothing is more important than that. The Mongols had fought the Ming for centuries. To put it bluntly, the Ming Dynasty was established on the remnants of the Mongol Yuan Empire. Ming history could almost be described as a chronicle of conflict with the Mongols—their battles were brutal, and the enmity was profound. Now, to have a Mongolian tribe willing to submit was unprecedented in the two centuries since the founding of the Ming. Just this alone was enough to excite young Zhu so much that his blood pressure seemed ready to spike toward 200.

Excited, Emperor Chongzhen immediately summoned several members of the Grand Secretariat to discuss the matter of the Khorchin’s submission. Present were Grand Secretary Yang Sichang, Deputy Secretaries Zhou Tingru and Xue Guoguan, Minister of Rites Lin Yuji, Minister of Revenue Li Daiwen, Minister of Works Liu Zunxian, and Left Censor-in-Chief Zhong Yan, among others.

Looking at the group of ministers, Chongzhen could not hide his joy. “Gentlemen, the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery has not only recaptured Shenyang, greatly enhancing the prestige of the Ming, but has also intimidated the Mongol tribes. Recently, the Khorchin tribe of the Mongols approached Yue Yang, requesting submission to the Ming. I believe this is a rare opportunity granted by our ancestors’ protection and Heaven itself—a perfect moment to spread the might of the Ming across the world. What say you, gentlemen?”

Zhou Tingru was the first to step forward respectfully: “Your Majesty is wise. This truly is a gift from Heaven. Since the time of our founding ancestor, the Ming has displayed its power to the world. As the saying goes, ‘The sea accepts all rivers and thus is great.’ Now that the Khorchin tribe has felt the majesty of our empire and voluntarily submits, it is only proper that the Ming welcomes them and integrates them into our realm.”

As Zhou spoke, he glanced subtly at the emperor’s face. Seeing Chongzhen’s obvious delight, Zhou felt quietly pleased with himself and then returned to his seat.

After Zhou finished, the others nodded in agreement. Despite the flaws in Ming governance, one thing could be acknowledged: in foreign affairs, the Ming was relatively enlightened, far from the extreme self-obsession of the later Qing.

“Your Majesty, I concur with Minister Zhou,” said Xue Guoguan. “The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery’s elimination of the pseudo-Qing regime has indeed increased the Ming’s prestige. I have also heard of the Khorchin tribe. In the past, they were staunch allies of the pseudo-Qing, with many of their women married to prominent Manchu nobles such as Huang Taiji and Dorgon. Now, under the might of our armies, they submit to the Ming. I believe this is the perfect opportunity to bring them under our banner. In doing so, the Ming gains both new territory and a demonstration of its authority to other Mongol tribes—two gains with one action. Why not seize it?”

“Hmm… reasonable indeed!” The ministers nodded repeatedly. Expanding territory had always been one of the greatest accomplishments. Any land added to the Ming under their oversight would ensure their names in future history.

Naturally, where there is agreement, there is also dissent. As Xue finished speaking, someone interjected: “Your Majesty, expanding territory is commendable, but what conditions are being requested?” The speaker was none other than Yang Sichang.

Chongzhen replied calmly, “Of course, there are conditions. Yue Yang’s letter states that the Khorchin leader, Zaisang, requests that the Ming grant him the title of prince of the Khorchin tribe with hereditary succession, that the Khorchin maintain a personal military force, and thirdly, that trade relations be opened.”

The ministers fell silent, pondering, while Yang Sichang remarked lightly, “Your Majesty, I hear that Yue Yang is Zaisang’s son-in-law. Matters like this should be negotiated directly by the court. Furthermore, Ming precedent forbids the granting of princely titles to non-blood relatives. Many meritorious officials, who served the state with towering accomplishments, were never made princes. By what merit does Zaisang demand a princely title, let alone hereditary succession?”

Many in the hall shot Yang Sichang a sharp glance. Every one of them had been seasoned in court politics, and they immediately understood the subtext: he was subtly undermining Yue Yang.

“‘Yue Yang is Zaisang’s son-in-law’? ‘The Ming does not grant princely titles to non-blood relatives’? Essentially, he’s opposing the Khorchin’s submission outright.”

Several ministers shook their heads privately. Yang Sichang was truly willing to go to any lengths to block Yue Yang’s entry into the court, even inventing such a pretext. Yet as flawed as the argument was, it had a certain effect on the emperor. Any rational ruler would immediately worry that a powerful son-in-law beyond the Great Wall might pose a threat.

This was exactly Chongzhen’s first thought upon hearing it. However, he quickly dismissed it—not out of blind trust in Yue Yang, but because he clearly understood one thing: if his convenient son-in-law were truly interested in the throne, he could have already forced Chongzhen from power. Furthermore, before leaving the capital, Yue Yang had explicitly told the emperor that once the Ming’s internal crises were resolved, he would either take his family abroad or rule beyond the northern frontier. He would not remain within the Ming. This was advantageous for both the Zhu family and Yue Yang.

With this in mind, Chongzhen allowed himself a faint, cold smile. He asked, “Minister Yang, then you imply that the Khorchin submission is inadvisable?”

Yang Sichang shook his head. “I dare not decide this matter on my own, Your Majesty. It must rely on your enlightened judgment.”

Chongzhen could no longer suppress his anger. “You are Grand Secretary! Even this matter requires my ruling? Why are you here at all?” Though annoyed, he inhaled deeply and said calmly, “Minister Yang, very well. Then I shall exercise sole authority. But the conflict in Sichuan drags on without resolution. I have decided to send you to Sichuan to join Hong Chengchou in suppressing the rebel Zhang Xianzhong. Do not disappoint me.”

“What?”

At Chongzhen’s words, everyone froze in shock, staring at Yang Sichang. Was their ruler crazy? Sending the Grand Secretary personally to Sichuan to quell a rebellion was effectively a form of exile. Some ambitious ministers immediately sensed an opportunity to succeed him.

Yang Sichang himself was stunned, lips trembling: “Your Majesty… do you mean for me to—”

“Yes. The Sichuan conflict has dragged on for two years. I believe, given your virtues and talents, that if you personally supervise the campaign, Zhang Xianzhong can be eliminated swiftly.” Chongzhen’s words sounded icy and merciless.

In that instant, Yang Sichang knew he had been abandoned by the emperor. He could foresee the consequences if he failed to crush Zhang Xianzhong swiftly.

Yet Yang Sichang was a seasoned Grand Secretary. After a moment of daze, he forced himself to bow and said bitterly, “I… obey your order!”

Chongzhen’s cold voice followed: “Minister Yang, then prepare to depart this morning. I hope to hear of your swift success!”

Suppressing his sorrow, Yang Sichang knelt and kowtowed thrice, choking back tears: “Your Majesty… I shall depart immediately!”

As the ministers watched Yang Sichang leave, his solitary and slightly pitiful figure stirred a shared sense of sympathy. They knew that the emperor’s patience with him had reached its limit—today’s explosion was final. Yang Sichang would likely never return to the court.

Chongzhen did not glance back at him, but calmly addressed the remaining ministers: “Now, let us discuss who should be sent beyond the frontier to negotiate the Khorchin submission…”

Of course, the news of Yang Sichang being dispatched to Sichuan could not escape Yue Yang. But Yue Yang was no longer in Shenyang; he was speeding back to Shandong, for joyous news had arrived—Princess Kunxing was pregnant!

May 26 – Jinan, Shandong, within the governor’s mansion

Yue Yang sat dazed, stroking the belly of the delighted Zhu Meichu, whose face twitched with happiness. “How did this happen so suddenly?”

Pregnant women are naturally sensitive. Seeing Yue Yang’s expression, Zhu Meichu asked worriedly, “Husband, am I… not pleasing you?”

“Pleasing… of course I’m pleased!” Yue Yang grinned hastily. Yet he did not realize that his smile was worse than a grimace.

Damn it—Princess Kunxing was only thirteen, barely in first year of secondary school, and now pregnant. If the future police learned, he’d probably get executed on the spot.

Her body was undeveloped. What if she suffered complications in childbirth? Thinking of this, Yue Yang felt his head grow heavy.