Chapter Forty-eight: Northern Yuan

Chapter Forty-Eight: The Northern Yuan

The Grand Empress Dowager emerged from her recollections and spoke, "You have many guards who have seen battle; you should seek their counsel more often. When you have grown stronger, I will ask Duke Zhang Fu of England to instruct you in archery and horsemanship."

Zhu Qizhen felt a quiet joy in his heart upon hearing this.

The Grand Empress Dowager had always imposed limits on Zhu Qizhen in this regard. Wang Zhen was eager for Zhu Qizhen to establish military merit, often recounting tales from the era of Emperor Taizong. Yet the Grand Empress Dowager maintained some restraint.

The reason was simple: the Grand Empress Dowager understood the minds of the young all too well. Everyone imagined that leading troops into battle was an easy affair.

But the Grand Empress Dowager had truly experienced war. When she defended the city of Beijing long ago, she kept a dagger by her side at all times—not to kill the enemy, but so she could end her own life if necessary.

If Zhu Qizhen had remained as reckless as before, she would never have allowed him to touch matters of the military. Yet his recent conduct had exceeded her expectations, and moreover, the realm left to him by her son was far from a peaceful one.

It was not that the Grand Empress Dowager looked down on Wang Zhen; Wang Zhen was adept at stirring enthusiasm, but did he truly know how to wage war?

Duke Zhang Fu of England was the foremost figure in the army. When Emperor Xuanzong was alive, he had contemplated having Zhang Fu instruct the Crown Prince. Furthermore, Zhang Fu had suffered misfortune with his offspring—only a single heir, who was frail and might perish at any moment.

The Emperor and Duke Zhang Fu were close; gaining the Duke's support could mean the generals under his command would become the Emperor's own cadre.

Zhu Qizhen replied, "Thank you, Grandmother."

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled gently. "There is no need for thanks among family. Do not worry; for now, I merely wish for you to witness these things. The realm is not yet at peace; as Emperor, you must not forget the northern marauders, though neither should you devote your whole mind to them. Still, nothing serious will happen today."

"I have met Fang Zheng before," she continued.

Zhu Qizhen had wanted to ask why she was inquiring if she had already met him, but then realized: "She is saying this for my sake."

The Grand Empress Dowager went on, "He is an old general from the era of Emperor Taizong. The Tartars will gain nothing under his command."

Zhu Qizhen replied, "With your words, Grandmother, I am reassured."

"Go back," said the Grand Empress Dowager. "Rest well tonight. Any matters can wait until tomorrow."

She could tell that today's events had left a significant impression on Zhu Qizhen.

After bowing, Zhu Qizhen returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Indeed, the Grand Empress Dowager's insight was unparalleled; today's events had deeply shaken Zhu Qizhen. It was not that he feared battle, but this confrontation pierced his false sense of security.

He knew of the calamity at Tumu Fortress in history, but until now, he had believed that the disaster was brought about by Emperor Zhengtong's own recklessness. The Ming dynasty, before Tumu, was still strong.

Yet now he realized it was not necessarily so.

Datong was very close to Beijing. Datong and Xuanfu, together known as Xuanda, formed the city's defensive line. If Datong fell, Beijing would be separated from the enemy by only a single pass.

Today, Datong was safe.

But that did not mean Datong would always be safe.

Zhu Qizhen thought to himself, "It seems inevitable to strike back at the steppe."

He need not speculate about Zhengtong's intentions in history; even now, he felt a choking anxiety—the capital was far too close to the front lines.

So close that Zhang Xuan felt restless even within the city walls.

How did the Ming emperors endure such a situation? Was it simply a matter of habit?

Zhu Qizhen instructed Wang Zhen, "Summon Ma Shun."

Wang Zhen immediately obeyed.

A short time later, Ma Shun came jogging over and knelt upon the golden bricks of the Palace of Heavenly Purity. "Your servant greets Your Majesty," he said.

Zhu Qizhen regarded Ma Shun, clad in a flying fish robe that draped over his shoulders. The robe's design, resembling a dragon, made him look as grand as a monarch—the dragon's head on his chest, claws on his shoulders, body across his back.

He looked mighty and imposing.

Zhu Qizhen asked coldly, "Commander Ma, you seem rather idle."

Ma Shun, hearing the Emperor's tone, broke out in cold sweat and immediately kowtowed. "I acknowledge my wrongdoing, Your Majesty."

From Ma Shun's vantage, he could see only Zhu Qizhen's small feet encased in golden boots, pacing before him. Not daring to delay, he replied, "Military intelligence from Datong was not delivered to the palace first, but sent to the Cabinet. That is my fault."

Zhu Qizhen said, "Indeed."

Ma Shun sensed the Emperor was waiting for more and wracked his brain for an answer. "The covert scouts on the steppe have not been properly arranged of late. Failing to report this in advance was my fault."

Zhu Qizhen nodded. "Go on."

Ma Shun was momentarily at a loss. He had indeed made mistakes.

He was newly appointed and had inevitably been somewhat arrogant. Many matters, when examined closely, could be counted as errors, though he was uncertain whether to confess them.

He did not know what Zhu Qizhen was probing for.

Ma Shun stole a glance at Wang Zhen, only to see Wang Zhen's eyelids remain unmoved. He cursed silently, "Old fox! After all I've done for your nephew!"

Wang Zhen had previously instructed Ma Shun to treat his nephew Wang Li with utmost deference—as if serving an ancestor.

Yet now, at this critical moment, Wang Zhen offered no help.

Carefully, Ma Shun said, "If Your Majesty deems me guilty, then I am guilty."

Zhu Qizhen sneered, "Remember that. Now, tell me: I asked you to collect information on the Northern Yuan. Is it ready? If so, present it."

Ma Shun finally breathed a sigh of relief. "It is ready, Your Majesty." He signaled for an attendant to bring forth a wooden box.

Shi Jing stepped forward, checked it for hidden weapons, then placed it before the imperial desk.

Zhu Qizhen took the contents out—a thick stack, several hundred pages in all. Of course, handwriting in antiquity was large, so the words may not be so numerous.

"Rise," Zhu Qizhen instructed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ma Shun replied, standing up. He felt a chill down his back, as if sweat had soaked through his clothes. Whether the autumn heat was fierce or his formal attire too stifling, he did not know.

Zhu Qizhen's attention was not on Ma Shun; he was already poring over the documents. Much was familiar to him, though some parts were new.

First, the known history.

For example, the origins of the Northern Yuan.

In the first year of the Hongwu reign, Xu Da captured the capital, and Emperor Huizong of Yuan retreated to the steppe. Yet even though Huizong fled, Yuan rule did not vanish from the Central Plains.

At the time, Shanxi and Gansu were controlled by Khoja Temür; Liaodong by Naha Chu; Yunnan by Bazha Lawa'er Mi, also known as the Prince of Liang. All remained.

In the following years, Zhu Yuanzhang swept these remnants away.

Hongwu Year One: Taiyuan was taken, Xu Da defeated Khoja Temür, who escaped to Gansu with eighteen riders. Hongwu Year Two: Shangdu was taken, Xu Da defeated Khoja Temür, who fled with a handful to Karakorum.

Emperor Huizong died, and his son, Borjigin Ayushiridara, succeeded him in Karakorum. The Northern Yuan called him Emperor Zhaozong, but the Ming no longer recognized the Northern Yuan as a legitimate regime.

They called him only Khan.

Reading this, Zhu Qizhen could not help but sigh inwardly. "Emperor Huizong was truly a rare lucky one: a sovereign who lost his country, yet escaped the fate of a vanquished monarch. Across a thousand years, he alone managed this."

He continued.

Hongwu Year Four: The Taizu Emperor appointed Xu Da as Grand General, launching a three-pronged northern campaign, but failed.

Hongwu Year Eleven: Borjigin Ayushiridara died, succeeded by his brother Borjigin Toghus Temür, who adopted the era name Tianyuan, and whom the Mongols called the Tianyuan Emperor.

Hongwu Year Fourteen: Taizu sent Fu Youde as General of the Southern Expedition, with Mu Ying and Lan Yu as deputies, to attack Yunnan.

Hongwu Year Twenty: Taizu appointed Feng Sheng as Grand General, with Fu Youde and Lan Yu commanding two hundred thousand troops to attack Liaodong—the famous Battle of Fishing Child. Naha Chu surrendered. The Tianyuan Emperor fled in haste and was killed by his own men; most of the Northern Yuan surrendered to Ming.

From then on, the Borjigin family lost its power. Though it still had influence on the steppe, it was not what it once was.

To Zhu Qizhen, this was like a second loss of the realm.

These events, even to later generations, were renowned. Zhu Qizhen had heard much of them; reviewing the documents felt familiar.