Chapter Nine: A Nocturnal Discourse Between Sovereign and Subject in the East Warm Chamber (Part I)

Within the city of Changping stands a three-story watchtower, which serves as the headquarters for Governor-General Lu Xiangsheng. As the tallest structure in Changping, it offers a commanding view of the surroundings, making it an ideal vantage point for directing military operations during wartime. Since the Emperor has commanded Lu to oversee all imperial relief forces, and as troops from across the realm are slated to converge here, the tower provides the perfect location for him to observe the formations of various armies and coordinate their movements.

Inside the main hall on the first floor, a massive desk occupies the center of the room. Governor-General Lu Xiangsheng sits firmly in his seat, his expression solemn. To his left, the three regional commanders—Yang Guozhu of Xuanfu, Hu Dawei of Shanxi, and Wang Pu of Datong—are seated in order of rank. To his right sit his trusted advisors from his personal幕府 (military secretariat). Chen An, a guerrilla general from Lu’s own elite "Governor’s Standard" battalion, stands by his side, holding the Shangfang Sword—the imperial blade granted by the Emperor.

"The three of you must strictly discipline your troops," Lu says from his seat. "Do not allow morale to falter or military order to collapse."

The commanders respond in unison. Lu continues, "The infantry will arrive in three days; ensure the camps are prepared. Furthermore, do not neglect scouts, lest the Eastern Tartar cavalry harass our foot soldiers."

Yang Guozhu stands and replies, "Rest assured, Governor-General. We will strengthen our patrols and leave the Tartars no opportunity." Hu Dawei and Wang Pu also rise, echoing his assurance.

Lu nods. "Aside from the scouts, allow the troops of each command to rest, recover their strength, and prepare to engage the enemy in blood." The commanders rise again to accept the order, expressing gratitude for his concern for the soldiers.

One of Lu’s trusted advisors, anticipating an imperial summons, asks, "Governor-General, if Grand Secretary Yang or the Emperor asks for your opinion on whether to negotiate or fight the Eastern Tartars, how shall you respond?"

Lu’s face darkens. He rises, gripping the hilt of his sword, and declares, "I, Lu, have received immense imperial grace. I long to sacrifice this body for the country to repay that debt. As the Tartars violate our borders, we can only speak of war; how could we ever speak of peace?"

After discussing further logistics for troop rest, combat preparations, and the designation of camp sites for incoming reinforcements, the commanders and advisors depart.

***

By the hour of the Dog (7:00 PM to 9:00 PM), a curfew is in effect in Beijing. Guards are stationed at major street intersections to inspect passersby, who cannot proceed without a token. Outside every house, dim red or white paper lanterns sway in the night breeze, flickering as if reflecting the suffering currently endured by the capital of the Great Ming.

Beneath the swaying lights, martial law notices posted on walls add to the suffocating tension of a city preparing for siege. Occasionally, a night watchman appears, clutching a small red lantern and rhythmically striking a wooden clapper or a gong. Their trembling figures vanish into the darkness, the sound of their instruments fading like a funeral knell, hinting at the crumbling state of the Ming dynasty.

Since the second year of the Chongzhen reign, the Tartars have breached the border walls and invaded the imperial heartland multiple times. This is the third time they have pressed directly against Beijing, moving as if through an empty land. Each time, they penetrate deeper, looting vast wealth and people before strutting away. How much more can the once-mighty Ming and the prosperous capital endure?

The Tartar general Dorgon has breached the wall at Qingshankou in Jizhou, while the general Yoto has broken through at Wall Ridge in Miyun. Their combined force of 100,000 has converged at Tongzhou, forty miles east of Beijing. Following these breaches, the Ming Governor-General of Jizhou and Liaoning, Wu Aheng, and General Lu Zongwen were killed in action, while the supervising eunuch, Zheng Xizhao, fled his post. The Qing forces now ravage both banks of the Grand Canal at Tongzhou, leaving smoke and ruin in their wake.

With the enemy gathered at Tongzhou, the threat to the capital is dire. The eastern gates, Dongzhimen and Chaoyangmen, are the most critical points, their walls illuminated by dense rows of lanterns, with watch-fires stretching far into the distance. Over 100,000 refugees have fled into Beijing, but with no official shelter, they huddle in alleys and corners, regardless of age or gender, sharing warmth to survive the freezing nights. Even so, many perish from hunger and cold each day.

***

On the evening of the third day of the tenth month in the eleventh year of the Chongzhen reign, the Emperor summons the eunuch Gao Qiqian, supervisor of the relief forces, and now the Minister of War and Grand Secretary, Yang Sichang, to the Wenhua Hall.

Built in 1420, the Wenhua Hall sits to the east of the Meridian Gate. Initially the residence for the Crown Prince, it was later repurposed by the Jiajing Emperor as a secondary palace for the sovereign, where the famous Classics Lectures are held.

In the East Warm Chamber, the monarch and his minister—the two men deciding the fate of the Ming—confer on matters of state secrecy. The Chongzhen Emperor, looking haggard, reclines on a dragon-carved chair and asks softly, "Will Lu Xiangsheng arrive tonight?"

Yang Sichang stands with his hands clasped, his expression as still as stagnant water. "Governor-General Lu reached Changping at midday with the relief forces from Xuanfu, Datong, and Shanxi. He will surely reach the capital tonight."

The Emperor nods, his weariness showing. Years of toil have taken a heavy toll on his health. He falls silent, lost in thought. Yang remains standing, not daring to speak unless prompted.

"How have the capital battalions been deployed?" the Emperor suddenly asks.

Yang carefully organizes his words before replying, "The capital forces were originally divided into three parts: one to guard the city, one to defend the areas outside Dongzhimen and Chaoyangmen. A third was stationed outside Deshengmen as a reserve for Changping. Now that the relief forces have arrived and Changping is secure, that detachment has been moved to reinforce the defense outside Chaoyangmen."