Chapter 45: Trust Your Subordinates, Kill Those You Doubt

Upon hearing the name Yuan Chonghuan, Mao Wenlong immediately clenched his fist beneath the sleeve of his official robe. In his heart, these three words were far more detestable than even Hong Taiji. After all, Hong Taiji was a foreigner, but Yuan Chonghuan was an outright traitor to the Han people. Given the current situation, traitors posed a far greater threat to the Ming Dynasty than foreign invaders. Whether or not Yuan truly intended to betray his people, his actions fully earned him the title of traitor.

Firstly, his inaction and refusal to aid during the tragedy at Juehua Island were beyond human decency. Secondly, it was an undeniable fact that he colluded extensively in secret with the Jurchens and the powerful aristocratic families. It was even said that from a young age, this servant-born wretch engaged in the practice of “registered residence” to facilitate his imperial examinations. Despite being openly reported, he stubbornly refused to reform, showing utter contempt for the law. Was such a man not deserving of death?

Moreover, Mao Wenlong harbored a deep personal grudge against Yuan Chonghuan—Yuan had blamed him entirely for the massacre at Juehua Island. Then that vile man shamelessly submitted a memorial taking credit for the “Great Victory at Ningyuan.” He even spread rumors claiming that Nurhaci—the derogatory term used by the Ming—had died from a cannon shot ordered by Yuan during the battle in Ningyuan, which was false. Nurhaci, a nearly seventy-year-old man, survived the plundering at Ningyuan and lived for another six months before dying, even personally leading attacks against the Mongols in that time.

How could Yuan have the audacity to allow such lies to spread for his own political gain? People should not—at least should not—tolerate such brazenness. To Mao Wenlong, Yuan’s shamelessness was as thick as the iron cannons of the Westerners. Fueled by national hatred and personal enmity, Mao Wenlong abruptly knelt heavily to the ground from his chair.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my frankness!” he said. “That treacherous Yuan Chonghuan is duplicitous and utterly despicable! He colludes extensively with both the Jurchens and the aristocratic families! If anyone recommends him to Your Majesty, you must under no circumstances employ him! Otherwise, Liaodong will be doomed!”

After hearing Mao Wenlong’s account, Zhu Youjian gave no immediate reply but handed him the two memorials from that afternoon. Mao Wenlong took them, briefly stunned, then began to read through them carefully. The more he read, the graver his expression grew. Once finished, he fell silent.

For the aristocratic families and the civil official factions, betraying the city for personal gain was not uncommon. Recently, the emperor’s execution of many officials in the capital had inevitably provoked their combined backlash. At the same time, Mao Wenlong was deeply moved by the emperor’s trust in letting him review these memorials personally; it was a clear sign that he had been brought into the inner circle.

With this in mind, Mao knelt once more and said, “Your Majesty, for the sake of the greater good, you must endure patiently for now. Only by reinstating that villain Yuan Chonghuan can you temporarily stabilize the aristocratic factions. Otherwise, Ningyuan City is likely to fall.”

“Rest assured, Your Majesty, I shall secretly restrain Yuan Chonghuan with the combined efforts of the military and civilians at Dongjiang Town, preventing any major disasters in Liaodong and buying you precious time.”

In the past, Mao would have lacked the confidence to make such a promise. But now, with a generous allocation of five hundred thousand taels of silver from the emperor, he was certain he could hold the line despite pressure from all sides. Mao knew well that with the emperor’s wisdom, Yuan and his ilk would not last long.

Hearing Mao’s words, Zhu Youjian was unbothered. Yuan Chonghuan was destined to die; if Mao Wenlong could check him, so much the better. If not, Yuan would not stir up much trouble on his own.

What truly concerned the emperor was the overall situation in Liaodong.

Thus, he continued, “What is the current state of affairs in Joseon?”

Zhu Youjian had studied the map. Joseon lay southeast of Liaodong and was of crucial strategic importance for the forthcoming campaign to destroy the Jurchen Jin. Its natural location made it easy to trap the Jurchens in a pincer movement. Furthermore, Joseon was an agricultural country capable of supplying vast quantities of provisions to the Ming army.

But precisely because of this vital position, Joseon had been heavily invaded by the Jurchens earlier this year. Both sides signed the “Treaty of Gangdu,” ostensibly becoming sworn brothers. Therefore, Zhu Youjian could only rely on Mao Wenlong’s report to understand the situation there.

Upon hearing the question, Mao hurriedly replied, “Your Majesty, during the Dingmao campaign, the Jurchens massacred over a hundred thousand people across Joseon and seized large amounts of supplies.”

“Although Joseon has signed a treaty with the Jurchens, deep down, they harbor great resentment and only feign alliance out of fear.”

“Secretly, Joseon continues to assist Dongjiang Town as before and permits our ships to temporarily dock for rest and resupply.”

“However...” After hesitating briefly, Mao chose to reveal the whole truth.

“Some officials in the Joseon court have grown increasingly dissatisfied with me. In the past, such discontent might soon have led to upheaval.”

“But thanks to the silver you have allocated, Your Majesty, this urgent situation can be greatly alleviated.”

“I intend to use part of the funds to bribe Joseon officials. This will surely draw Joseon closer to the Ming.”

Listening to Mao’s report, Zhu Youjian quickly reflected inwardly. Joseon was a tributary state of Ming, its vassal. When a vassal was invaded, the suzerain could often do little. Yet Joseon still aided Ming and had not wholly sided with the Jurchens, showing some loyalty.

As a statesman, Zhu Youjian understood one could not demand absolute loyalty under such circumstances—that was political hysteria, not realism. The sole consideration was how to maximize one’s own national interests.

Without hesitation, Zhu Youjian said, “I will allocate you an additional two hundred thousand taels of silver, along with a batch of antique calligraphy, paintings, and rare treasures.”

“Use these to ensure our relations with Joseon are well managed.”

“Your Majesty...” Mao’s voice caught in his throat. The trust bestowed upon him stirred his already devoted heart into even greater fervor.

Zhu Youjian waved his hand, cutting him off.

“To employ without suspicion; to suspect is to kill. Since I have chosen to rely on you, there is no reason to doubt you further.”

“Remember, it is imperative to draw Joseon closer to Ming. I intend to make good use of Joseon in the future.”

Mao knelt solemnly and said, “I accept Your Majesty’s command and will not fail your trust!”

“From now on, handle all affairs in Dongjiang Town as you see fit without the need to report every matter.”

Mao was moved to great excitement. “I accept Your Majesty’s command! For all matters, big or small, I shall submit secret reports every fifteen days!”

After some casual conversation, Zhu Youjian had Mao Wenlong escorted out of the palace. He then immediately instructed Wang Cheng’en, “Go and bring Zhang Weixian here.”