Chapter Eleven: The Emperor Summons Lu Xiangsheng
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As Zhang Cheng’s mind wandered in restless thoughts, a cavalry unit was galloping along the official road from Changping to Deshengmen in Beijing, numbering about a hundred riders.
Beneath them all were splendid horses bred beyond the borders, sometimes urged to full gallop, other times reined in to a slow pace, allowing the sweat-drenched beasts a moment’s respite.
The clatter of hooves striking the frost-bitten earth—“clop… clop…”—resounded sharply through the darkened countryside, as if a fierce storm were pounding down. The sound frequently stirred bursts of barking from dogs in the villages along the route, echoing back and forth.
The anxious villagers guarding their hamlets huddled in shadowed corners, eyes wide with suspicion as they peered toward the road, fearing a sudden night raid by the invaders. Only when the thunderous rhythm of hooves faded into the distance did their hearts begin to settle.
Among the riders, one stood out at the center—a man around forty, fair-skinned and lean, mounted on a deep purple steed. This was Lu Xiangsheng, Governor-General of Xuanda, astride his cherished horse, Wumingji.
After a day’s exhausting toil, Lu Xiangsheng had been preparing for rest when a gate guard arrived to report that an official sent by the Minister of War, Elder Yang, had come seeking an audience.
He immediately summoned the visitor and learned that Minister Yang Sichang was urging him to hasten to the capital overnight, for His Majesty the Emperor wished to meet him alone on the platform early the next morning.
Upon receiving this news, Lu Xiangsheng’s spirits soared, dispelling the weariness that had clouded him in recent days. He believed the Emperor’s urgent summons signaled a decisive battle against the invaders, and that he would be consulted on defense strategies. Hastily, he instructed his servant Gu Xian: “Quick, help me change my clothes.”
Then, with urgency, he ordered: “Prepare the horses at once!”
Once all was ready, he set out with Gu Xian and about a hundred guards, braving the cold night wind to ride to Beijing.
As they galloped toward Deshengmen to the north of the capital, Lu Xiangsheng’s mind was already mapping out how to engage the invaders fiercely and how to respond to the Emperor’s questioning on the platform come dawn.
Passing the ruins of the Yuan capital, known as “Jimen Smoke Trees,” he faintly heard the mournful wails from a distant hut. The sound stirred memories of his recently deceased father, and a wave of sorrow swept over him, tears involuntarily streaming down his face.
Arriving at Deshengmen, he called for the guards to open the gate, then led his party straight to his residence within the city. By then, it was the dead of night.
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At Governor-General Lu Xiangsheng’s residence in Xuanda, a group had gathered—mostly his official friends from the capital. Knowing he would arrive that night, they convened to await him, eager to share their thoughts and recent public sentiment in the city before he met the Emperor. They hoped Lu Xiangsheng would resolutely advocate for war before the Emperor, denouncing Minister Yang Sichang and the eunuch Gao Qiqian’s vile schemes to seek peace through treacherous negotiations.
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On a night in early October of the eleventh year of the Chongzhen reign, at the third watch, Lu Xiangsheng had just ridden into Beijing and was exchanging greetings in the hall of his city residence with some officials.
Naturally, those assembled so late around Lu Xiangsheng were staunch advocates of fighting the invaders to the death.
Once Lu Xiangsheng was seated, his friend Yang Tinglin, an imperial censor from Qingjiang in Jiangnan, spoke passionately: “Noble Elder, forgive my frankness. Now that your Excellency carries the hopes of the realm’s people, if you do not fiercely oppose these peace overtures to the invaders, how will the capital’s citizens see you? And how will future generations judge your legacy? I earnestly implore you not to betray the hearts of the loyal and righteous throughout the empire!”
“Gentlemen, please rest assured,” Lu Xiangsheng replied, moved by Yang’s words. Rising, he clasped his fists and spoke with a choked voice: “Though I bear ill fortune, I have come to the capital to serve the throne. If I may die on the battlefield, wrapped in my horse’s hide, it will be my greatest wish. I will never cling to life or fear death, nor fail to fight for His Majesty and the people’s expectations. I would be forever despised if I did!”
The gathering continued to discuss the invasion and defense strategies, as well as the current political situation in the capital. Everyone knew Lu Xiangsheng had been tirelessly traveling for days and had to meet the Emperor early the next morning. They also feared lingering too long might draw attention from the Eastern Depot’s spies, who, though diminished, still operated. After a while, they all took their leave.
Afterward, Lu’s servant Gu Xian hastened to help him to bed. Before resting, Lu Xiangsheng instructed him specifically to wake him before the fifth watch.
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After breakfast, Lu Xiangsheng began dressing. Even when meeting the Emperor, he wore mourning clothes underneath—a white hemp gauze cap beneath the formal second-rank civil official robe, topped with a gauze hat.
No sooner had he finished dressing than Minister of War Yang Sichang arrived. The two exchanged polite greetings before mounting horses to ride toward the imperial city.
On the way, Lu Xiangsheng cautiously asked, “Now that the Eastern barbarians are at our gates, rumors in the streets say the court remains undecided on peace or war. What is His Majesty’s intention?”
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“The Emperor summons you to the platform precisely to hear your wise counsel,” Yang Sichang replied vaguely.
Still unsatisfied, Lu Xiangsheng pressed on, “As a chief counselor favored by the throne, what is your own view, Elder?”
Yang Sichang hesitated briefly before answering evasively, “I too favor war.”
“That is excellent!” Lu Xiangsheng said, pleased.
Yang continued, “However, the enemy’s strength is formidable; we must remain cautious. There is no certainty of victory even in battle.”
“Provided the court and all loyal subjects unite to inspire the troops, and all forces rally to defend the throne, the enemy will falter and be driven back,” Lu Xiangsheng declared loudly.
Seeing no response, he added, “In my view, only by fighting to the death can we repay the Emperor’s grace!”
Yang said nothing further. The two rode in silence until dismounting near the Right Chang’an Gate beside Chengtian Gate, then entered the imperial city on foot.
Yang accompanied Lu Xiangsheng to the court, where they waited for a eunuch attendant to summon the Emperor. Yang did not mention the invasion again, and Lu found it inappropriate to bring it up himself. They passed the time discussing recent court affairs.
After about the time of a meal, a young eunuch emerged to read the Emperor’s decree: “Summon Lu Xiangsheng immediately to the platform.”
Receiving the order, Lu Xiangsheng hastily bid farewell to Yang Sichang and followed the eunuch into the palace.