Chapter 83: Urgent Matters in the West
Chapter Eighty-three: Urgency in the West
The title of Number One Scholar carries much weight in many places. Thus, Zhu Qizhen preferred to entrust such a person to someone who could make good use of him.
Zhu Qizhen asked again, “Chen Wen?”
Wang Zhi replied, “Chen Wen is thirty-one.”
“And Liu Dingzhi?” Zhu Qizhen inquired.
“Twenty-six,” Wang Zhi answered.
“Then it shall be Liu Dingzhi,” Zhu Qizhen decided.
Yang Shiqi, witnessing Zhu Qizhen make such a casual decision, sighed inwardly, thinking, “Truly, even the Lady in the Moon favors the young.”
In those days, passing the imperial examination was likened to breaking off an osmanthus branch—the flower being naturally associated with the moon. Though Yang Shiqi harbored some reservations, he complied; after all, it was the emperor’s prerogative.
As for the ranking of the top three scholars, there was, of course, some difference in merit. Otherwise, Yang Shiqi would not have placed Zhou Xuan’s essay first, believing it the best among the three. Still, even he had to admit the margin was slim. Moreover, such judgments were his alone, and reading essays, after all, often lacked a definitive standard—it is a matter of perspective.
Soon after, Yang Shiqi summoned the top three scholars into the grand hall. As they entered, his glance fell upon Zhou Xuan, who stood in the third position. The sight caused his expression to change at once.
For Zhou Xuan was not only far from handsome—he was, in fact, quite the opposite. At first glance, the gathered scholars began to murmur amongst themselves.
Those who ranked at the top of the examinations represented the face of the court. If they could not be said to be dazzling, at the very least, they ought to be presentable. Yet Zhou Xuan, before their eyes, was as gnarled and unseemly as a misshapen jujube, while all the other scholars present, including Yu Qian, were of dignified appearance.
Yang Shiqi shot a hard look at one of the scholars. Earlier, he had inquired after Zhou Xuan’s appearance from this man, himself a native of Wenzhou and Zhou Xuan’s fellow townsman, who had assured him Zhou Xuan was a fine, stalwart man. In retrospect, Yang Shiqi found the answer rather sly.
But it was too late; the imperial edict had been issued, and there was no room to change course. Privately, Yang Shiqi consoled himself: “It is fortunate, at least, that Zhou Xuan is not the Number One Scholar, else it would truly be embarrassing.”
Zhu Qizhen looked over at Zhou Xuan, then shot a glance at Yang Shiqi, thinking, “So even Yang Shiqi can be caught off guard.” He was about to speak when Jin Ying hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear.
Zhu Qizhen’s expression changed dramatically. At the same time, the faces of Yang Shiqi and the others also grew grave, for they knew Jin Ying was a man of composure who would never interrupt such an occasion unless something urgent had occurred.
As to what it was, Yang Rong, his gaze lowered to the floor, already had his suspicions.
Zhu Qizhen took a deep breath, said a few polite words, and dismissed the assembled officials, nearly letting the ceremony drag on longer than it ought. Thankfully, everything concluded without mishap.
Afterward, Zhu Qizhen kept the cabinet ministers behind and sent for the Grand Empress Dowager.
Wang Zhen quickly ordered the eunuchs to set up a throne to the west of the imperial seat.
Before long, a eunuch announced in a loud voice, “The Grand Empress Dowager arrives.”
Zhu Qizhen promptly went forward to receive her, helping her to the western throne.
Once seated, the Grand Empress Dowager demanded, “What has happened that you call me here in such haste?”
Zhu Qizhen immediately said, “Jin Ying.”
Jin Ying stepped forward and reported, “I have received word that the northern barbarians are mounting a large-scale attack on Gansu.”
This news shocked the Grand Empress Dowager. “Is this true?”
Jin Ying immediately knelt, swearing, “I would never dare deceive Your Highness.”
Upon asking, the Grand Empress Dowager knew her question was unnecessary—Jin Ying would not dare lie under such circumstances.
Had Zhu Qizhen not previously rebuked Jin Ying, he might have held back the news for a time, at least not reporting it so hastily before the court. But fearing the cabinet might hear of it first and he be blamed, Jin Ying had come at once, disregarding all else.
The Grand Empress Dowager said, “Since we are all here, let us discuss the matter.” Her gaze briefly passed over Jin Ying before settling on the Emperor.
Inwardly, the Grand Empress Dowager thought, “Perhaps the Emperor was right.”
She had never wished for war, yet that did not mean she feared it. Now, she sensed that conflict on the northwestern frontier was inevitable.
Her eyes fell on Yang Rong. “Yang Rong, let us hear your thoughts.”
Yang Rong, long esteemed for his expertise in frontier affairs—indeed, Emperor Xuanzong had valued him for this very reason—spoke up: “We can no longer avoid war in the northwest. If we lose the horse-breeding lands, the court will have no strength beyond the passes in the future.
“The northern nomads press so hard; if the court does not respond, we shall lose the people’s confidence.”
The Grand Empress Dowager asked, “Which tribe is advancing south? Is it the Oirat? The Tatars? Or the Guilichi?”
Yang Rong replied, “I believe it is the Guilichi. It is not the Oirat—I have already sent envoys to both Toghon of the Oirat and Tuo Tuo Buhua, the Great Khan of the Mongols.
“Tuo Tuo Buhua seeks alliance with the court, while Toghon desires marriage ties. Though Toghon can be insolent, he has shown no intention of war.”
The Grand Empress Dowager continued, “But is not Guilichi of the lineage of the Great Khan? Who now leads the Guilichi?”
Yang Rong admitted, “I have no definite evidence, but I suspect it is led by Ada Khan.”
At this, Zhu Qizhen looked sharply at Jin Ying, who broke out in cold sweat. The Embroidered Uniform Guard had reported Ada Khan was among the Khalkha; how then had he come to Gansu? Clearly, the imperial guards’ knowledge of the steppe could not match that of the seasoned minister Yang Rong.
“Can you be certain?” the Grand Empress Dowager pressed.
“I have no proof,” Yang Rong replied, “but if not Ada Khan, who else could unite the Mongols of the northwest?”
The Grand Empress Dowager asked, “Why does he not contest the khanship with Tuo Tuo Buhua, instead of invading south?”
Yang Rong explained, “I believe Ada Khan is compelled by necessity. With only a few thousand from the Guilichi, he cannot hope to stand against the Oirat. If his movements are discovered, the Oirat will surely pursue him relentlessly; thus, he must strengthen his own forces.”
The Grand Empress Dowager sneered, “Ada Khan does not dare confront the Oirat, yet he regards my great Ming as a ripe prize—is that it?”
At these words, the hall fell silent.
For the Mongols, Ming had ever been a tempting prize; only before the current reign did they fear Ming’s martial might. Though there had been sporadic raids, no Tatar leader had yet dared to invade with a great army.
The Grand Empress Dowager was not unduly concerned by the usual Tatar raids—they occurred every year, as herdsmen unable to survive on the steppe moved south out of desperation. Such incidents were commonplace.
But the contempt of the Mongol nobility for Ming could never be tolerated. She reflected that if Ada Khan was not punished, the Oirat’s future actions could be easily predicted.
Her expression grew cold. “A mere stray dog dares bark at great Ming. Duke of England, whom among the generals do you deem worthy of this task?”
Zhang Fu responded, “Jiang Gui, General Pacifier of Barbarians and Commander at Songpan, has long served in the southwest and won many victories. He is well-suited for this.”
The Grand Empress Dowager glanced at Yang Rong, who said, “General Jiang is in his prime and is the right man to pacify the northwest. However, the region is badly ravaged, and supplying the army will be difficult. Even if Jiang Gui arrives, he will need time before he can counterattack. I ask Your Highness to grant him that time.”
Hearing this, Zhu Qizhen wondered inwardly, “How dire is the devastation in the northwest?” From Yang Rong’s words, the situation was even worse than he had expected.
The Grand Empress Dowager, too, had caught the implication. Her gaze grew somber. “I understand. When the state appoints a general and sends him to war, military affairs must be left to his discretion. Though I am but a woman, I know that a general in the field need not heed the emperor’s commands in all things.”
Yang Rong breathed a sigh of relief. Thus, Jiang Gui was summoned to the capital by express order. Though the Grand Empress Dowager trusted him, Jiang Gui would still need to appear at court and clarify the situation before being granted full authority.