Chapter 44: The Ming Army’s Discontent with Pay—Full Pay Is Essential for Victory

The official, silently mocked by everyone, showed no sign of anger at the situation. He merely chuckled softly twice, raised his teacup, and drank alone, letting the matter pass without further comment.

His position here was not due to exceptional talent or learning, but because he represented the interests of a powerful noble family. As the overt agent, he did not need to be particularly clever—simply not foolish was enough. If one truly had extraordinary ability, who would bother serving as an official in the capital? Was the saying about a clan’s prestige requiring them to remain in their native province just empty words?

No one dwelled on this minor episode. After a few teasing remarks, an official stepped forward with a serious tone.

“Although we have temporarily eased the immediate crisis,” he began, “I still harbor deep concerns…”

He paused, and the room fell silent once more.

Grand Secretary Shi Fenglai stroked his beard and said calmly, “Speak freely. We have gathered here to pool our wisdom and overcome these difficulties together.”

The official continued, “What if the emperor suddenly harbors doubts and ceases his external tours? What then shall we do?”

Shi Fenglai smiled faintly. “Previously, the emperor acted with ruthless and unyielding resolve. Now that we understand his concerns, we may continue to use the Liaodong situation to our advantage.”

“However, I fear that from then on, life will not be as easy for everyone as it has been. We must prepare ourselves in advance.”

“Moreover… when it comes to dealing with that scoundrel Yuan Chonghuan, we must also offer him some incentives.”

The others nodded thoughtfully, finding this strategy feasible.

The official who spoke gave a slight nod. “In that case, our only remaining concern is the emperor’s faction within the court after his tour.”

“Those eunuchs, Chen Xinjia, Zhang Weixian, and their ilk must be thoroughly purged.”

Huang Liji waved his hand dismissively. “Do not worry. Even if the capital’s military camp is purged tomorrow, the training of troops cannot be accomplished overnight.”

“As long as the emperor is absent, these people will ultimately serve no great purpose.”

The words lifted a heavy burden from everyone’s hearts.

Victory was within their grasp.

Some officials were so excited they even hummed quietly to themselves.

...

Elsewhere, at the palace courier station—

Mao Wenlong spent most of the day putting his analysis of the Liaodong situation into concise, effective writing.

These thoughts had long existed in his mind, so the task was not particularly difficult.

At the same time, Mao Wenlong was extremely anxious about his upcoming audience.

Though the new emperor’s summons proved that his report had earned trust, the gravity of the matter was immense. Had the emperor been even a mediocre ruler, Mao Wenlong doubted he would have been summoned.

But this emperor was a young and capable sovereign, one who could lead the Ming toward rebirth.

This made Mao Wenlong, who had weathered many storms in his life, even more nervous than when he first took up arms in battle.

Fortunately, this intense anxiety did not torment him for long.

As night fell, he finally awaited the eunuch from the palace.

After the customary formalities, the white-haired Mao Wenlong was led to a side chamber in the Qianqing Palace.

Upon entering, he stole a glance inside.

There, a young man radiating overwhelming majesty sat expressionless at a desk, holding what appeared to be a map.

Mao Wenlong dared not look longer, quickly gathering his composure and kneeling deeply.

“I, your humble servant Mao Wenlong, pay respects to Your Majesty!”

He deliberately omitted any additional titles, using only the humble “your servant.”

Having spoken, he remained silently kneeling, prepared for what was to come.

When the emperor bade him rise, Mao Wenlong would present his memorial and share his insights on current affairs.

Though somewhat unorthodox, Mao Wenlong knew the emperor would not mind.

Most importantly, the fact that the emperor had reached this point meant he was undoubtedly burdened with endless affairs and profound worries—no matter how brilliant he might be.

Thus, Mao Wenlong could not afford to waste the emperor’s precious time with idle words.

He knelt quietly, awaiting the next words.

Then, thunder-like, a phrase that Mao Wenlong would never forget exploded in his ears:

“The soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town have done well. Ming owes you all a debt, and I shall repay it in due time.”

Hearing this, Mao Wenlong felt as if something blocked his throat.

The words he had composed and rehearsed countless times at the courier station suddenly deserted him; not a single word could escape his lips.

Trembling violently, Mao Wenlong knelt helplessly.

At that moment—

A pair of rough, strong hands steadied his arms.

Startled, he looked up and realized it was the emperor himself who had lifted him.

Tears streamed down Mao Wenlong’s cheeks as all the negative emotions he had harbored over the years vanished like smoke.

The trembling Mao Wenlong was helped to a nearby chair.

Wang Cheng’en arrived just then with a pot of tea, placing it on the desk with a smile.

“Lord Mao, have some tea to steady your nerves.”

Mao Wenlong raised the cup and drank it all at once, regaining some strength to speak, though his hands still trembled beneath his official robes.

“Your Majesty...”

Without wasting words, Zhu Youjian turned to Wang Cheng’en and ordered:

“Take five hundred thousand taels from the imperial treasury for this year’s military wages in Dongjiang Town. Have the Embroidered Uniform Guard escort it in secret.”

Wang Cheng’en bowed. “Your humble servant obeys and will arrange it immediately.”

“Your Majesty—”

Zhu Youjian waved his hand to silence Mao Wenlong once more.

“No need for needless words. Tell me about the situation in Liaodong.”

Mao Wenlong’s chest rose and fell several times before he steadied himself and spoke.

“Your Majesty, though the situation in Liaodong is urgent, it is not beyond salvation.”

“The root cause of Liaodong’s weakness is the widespread arrears in soldier pay. The rank-and-file have no fighting spirit, and the Jurchens are not nearly as formidable as rumors claim.”

“Whenever the court issues pay, a portion is siphoned off outside the capital, then by local officials and generals… the soldiers themselves receive almost nothing.”

“Yet even so, many places in Liaodong still hold the strength to fight the Jurchens.”

“If we can eliminate these major troubles, the Jurchens will truly be no threat.”

“Furthermore, another major cause is that some noble families and generals secretly collude with the Jurchens, nurturing enemies within to reap huge profits!”

Listening, Zhu Youjian nodded thoughtfully.

With the Han people’s inherent superiority, it would be impossible to be oppressed by a foreign tribe unless circumstances were truly exceptional.

This aligned perfectly with the saying: “When Ming troops lack pay, even full pay cannot defeat them.”

Looking at Mao Wenlong, Zhu Youjian suddenly asked a question unrelated to the previous discussion:

“What do you think of Yuan Chonghuan?”

...

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