Chapter Thirteen: The Platform Summons the Battle Guard (Part Two)
Beijing, inside the imperial palace, on the platform behind the Jianji Hall, Lu Xiangsheng had just finished answering Emperor Chongzhen’s questions about the strategy for defending against the Eastern barbarians.
After listening to Lu Xiangsheng’s report, Emperor Chongzhen showed a troubled expression and forced a bitter smile as he said, “Your Majesty’s loyal intentions to strategize for the nation are clear, minister, but unfortunately, Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting are currently dedicating all their efforts to suppressing the rebel bandits. A decisive battle is anticipated that could bring complete victory. This is not the time to divert their forces to aid us. As for your suggestion to recruit militia from the populace, the problem lies in their lack of training, making it difficult to confront the barbarian cavalry. Moreover, securing provisions and funds is also a serious challenge at present.”
Lu Xiangsheng remained kneeling with his head bowed and spoke resolutely, “Even if Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting’s troops cannot be detached to come to the capital for now, your humble servant is willing to lead the royalist reinforcements from the routes of Guanning, Xuan, Da, and Shanxi to engage the Eastern barbarians in battle. This will surely instill fear in the barbarians’ hearts, preventing them from wantonly ravaging our imperial lands.”
Hearing this, Chongzhen’s expression grew heavier. After a long silence, he stared expressionlessly at the black official’s hat atop Lu Xiangsheng’s head, as if pondering some difficult decision.
Lu Xiangsheng kept his head lowered, kneeling quietly. When the emperor remained silent for a long time, he continued, “At this moment, the nation is in peril and the ruler’s worries weigh heavily. How dare your humble servant not pour out his blood and loyalty to repay Your Majesty’s immense grace? However, the troops from Xuan, Da, and Shanxi have only just arrived in Changping, and their military funds and grain supplies must be provided for promptly.”
Chongzhen snapped out of his reverie and replied calmly, “If you are willing to take up this responsibility, enduring hardship and fatigue, traveling a thousand miles to aid the throne and share my burdens, I shall immediately order Yang Sichang and the Ministry of Revenue officials to find a way to provide the necessary funds and supplies.”
“Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for this immense grace!” Lu Xiangsheng bowed deeply to express his gratitude once more.
The emperor then asked further questions concerning the royalist forces stationed at Changping and the defenses of the Xuan, Da, and Shanxi garrisons. Yet inwardly, he remained deeply hesitant about the strategy for war against the barbarians.
On one hand, Chongzhen knew Lu Xiangsheng’s loyalty was unquestionable, and his firm advocacy for battle with the Eastern barbarians was not without reason. But on the other, he was gripped by fear—if war was rashly provoked and ended in defeat, the precious, battle-ready frontier troops would be nearly wiped out, and the great Ming dynasty’s stability would become even harder to maintain.
After a moment of contemplation, Chongzhen finally said, “In past years, you have devoted yourself to suppressing the bandit rebels, repeatedly reporting successes. But the strength of the Eastern barbarians is far beyond that of the bandits. You must exercise great caution.”
“Military affairs indeed require utmost caution,” Lu Xiangsheng replied. “But in my humble opinion, among the bandits, there are forces like Gao Yingxiang and Li Zicheng, who possess ironclad cavalry and well-organized units. Their ranks include many fierce warriors and commanders, rivaling even Tang Zhi’an and Shi. Yet many courtiers conceal their strength, and the court has not fully grasped their true power. Now, anyone who exaggerates the barbarian cavalry’s might before Your Majesty is merely seeking grounds to negotiate peace.”
Emperor Chongzhen nodded silently for a moment. After a long pause, he said, “Our newly assembled royalist army is exhausted from the long journey and will need time to recover. The barbarian cavalry’s strength is at its peak, their edge keen. You must therefore avoid clashing recklessly with their cavalry. Prudence is paramount; under no circumstances should you engage the barbarians in a reckless battle.”
Hearing the emperor say, “under no circumstances should you engage the barbarians in a reckless battle,” Lu Xiangsheng was taken aback, as if a bucket of icy water had been suddenly poured over his head on a scorching summer day, stirring a complex storm of emotions within him.
Just as he was about to plead his case earnestly again, Emperor Chongzhen abruptly spoke in a cold tone, “After days of travel and the long journey to the capital, you must be weary. Return and rest. As for the strategy against the barbarians, discuss carefully with Yang Sichang, Gao Qiqian, and others to determine the best course of action.”
Since the emperor had spoken thus, no matter how frustrated and indignant Lu Xiangsheng felt, he dared not say more and could only bow deeply and take his leave with resignation.
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After leaving the platform behind Jianji Hall, Lu Xiangsheng had just reached outside the Right Shun Gate when a young eunuch hurriedly caught up with him, informing him that the emperor had provided food and wine at the Left Shun Gate. Lu followed the eunuch eastward toward the Left Shun Gate.
In the imperial court, the emperor’s gift of food and wine to ministers was a customary form of reward, usually consisting of only four dishes that were not meant to be eaten properly. The wine was not to be seriously drunk but often poured onto the ground, and ministers had to bow to thank the emperor both before and after the meal.
Yet in the feudal era, such imperial grants were regarded as special favor and supreme honor, rarely bestowed even once in a lifetime by officials in the capital, no matter how high their rank.
Lu Xiangsheng was moved to tears, bowing repeatedly toward the emperor’s northern residence, shouting “Long live the emperor!” in his heart also sensing the emperor’s growing inclination toward war.
Having just finished the emperor’s gifted meal, the emperor sent the head eunuch Wang Cheng’en from the Directorate of Ceremonies to inquire about a mysterious omen Lu had noticed: a sun surrounded by clouds, shaped like a bow with the back of the bow facing upward. What did this signify?
Like many renowned ancient military commanders, Lu Xiangsheng was not only skilled in military tactics but also attentive to divination and meteorological signs, and he was quite superstitious.
Looking up at the sky for a while, he recalled reading in either the Han dynasty’s “Classic of Stars” or the Tang dynasty’s “Classic of Qi Observation” that such a celestial phenomenon indicated that treacherous ministers dominated the court, deceiving the sovereign.
Thinking this, Lu Xiangsheng sighed silently but dared not reveal the true meaning. Instead, he said to Wang Cheng’en, “Please, Wang Gonggong, convey respectfully to His Majesty that this omen portends certain victory over the enemy.”
Wang Cheng’en said nothing further and turned to return to the inner palace to report to the emperor.
Fearing further questions, Lu Xiangsheng did not leave immediately but waited near the Left Shun Gate for about one meal’s time. Sure enough, Wang Cheng’en soon came out again to convey the emperor’s decree: “Though Heaven shows a sign of victory, you must still exercise utmost caution. Regarding military affairs, Lu Xiangsheng must promptly discuss details thoroughly with Yang Sichang and Gao Qiqian.”
After kneeling to accept the imperial edict and express thanks, Lu Xiangsheng left the Left Shun Gate, his mood deeply heavy. Though his resolve to fight remained firm, his expectations for the future felt uncertain.
He then returned to the court to find Minister of War and Grand Secretary Yang Sichang. Together, they went to Yang’s office, where Military Supervisor Gao Qiqian was also waiting. The three men began discussing that afternoon’s order to deliberate on the strategy for defending against the Eastern barbarians.
They tentatively agreed to meet after lunch on the city tower at Anding Gate, the eastern gate of the northern wall of Beijing’s inner city, to discuss the plan.
Although it was inappropriate to discuss such state secrets freely even in the cabinet office, Lu Xiangsheng discerned from their brief talk that both Yang Sichang and Gao Qiqian shared the same fearful sentiment about fighting the Eastern barbarians.
The entire morning, the attitudes of Emperor Chongzhen, Grand Secretary Yang Sichang, and Military Supervisor Gao Qiqian toward the war against the barbarians left Lu Xiangsheng restless, as if layers of dark clouds pressed heavily upon his chest.