Chapter Twenty: The Greatest Hero of Liaodong

More than forty percent of the existing Imperial Guard had already earned the Second-Class Assassination Medal. Following this expansion, Zhu Youxiao emphasized that all regular officers must hold this medal. This made it clear to the soldiers that if they wished to become officers and earn higher pay, they must first secure the Second-Class Assassination Medal.

The rank of the officers' medals fostered greater obedience among the soldiers, allowing them to better harness their collective strength in battle.

After settling the soldiers, Lu Xiangsheng brought Zhao Lujiao, Li Chengxian, Lu Zhijia, Yang San, Liu Boze, and others into the city. Zhu Youxiao wished to meet them personally to gather firsthand information.

The Yuntai Terrace behind the Jianji Hall was a small three-bay pavilion. Separated from the Qianqing Palace only by the Qianqing Gate, it was the usual place for audiences with ministers. Today, Zhu Youxiao’s decision to receive these generals here was considered a significant elevation in protocol.

After they paid their respects, Zhu Youxiao commanded them to be seated. Lu Xiangsheng sat down gracefully, while the others remained uneasy. Wang Cheng'en urged, "Sit properly; do not lose decorum before the Emperor."

Zhu Youxiao said, "Do not be nervous. General Zhao, please begin by reporting the situation."

Zhao Lujiao immediately knelt. Zhu Youxiao said, "Do not kneel at every turn. Stand straight; do not grovel. Speak."

Zhao Lujiao scrambled up, his face flushed, and said, "Your humble subject followed Assistant Commissioner Yuan and Major Li to Shisanshan. We brought six thousand troops in total. Upon encountering Major Lu resettling Liaodong refugees at Qiantun, Assistant Commissioner Yuan ordered him to join us with two thousand men, bringing our total to eight thousand..."

Zhu Youxiao interrupted, "Wait, why do you refer to yourself as a commoner?"

Zhao Lujiao knelt again, saying, "Your Majesty, I was originally a Deputy Regional Commander of Liaodong. When Liaoyang fell, I fled, and thus lost my official position."

Zhu Youxiao replied, "Rise. Your past offenses have been penalized. Major Lu, you were originally tasked with resettling refugees; why did you choose to follow Assistant Commissioner Yuan to Shisanshan?"

Lu Zhijia stood up and replied, "Assistant Commissioner Yuan claimed Your Majesty had empowered him to oversee all troops outside the pass and to proceed to Shisanshan. Your subject dared not disobey."

"I never granted him the authority to command troops outside the pass. How could you believe his words so easily?"

Lu Zhijia knelt, saying, "Your subject requested to see the Imperial Edict, but the Assistant Commissioner refused and threatened to execute me. I had no choice. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."

Zhu Youxiao turned to Zhao and Li, "General Zhao, General Li, is what Major Lu says true?"

Zhao Lujiao and Li Chengxian, realizing the gravity of the situation, knelt as well, saying, "On that day, Assistant Commissioner Yuan did indeed say so. We were unaware whether he truly possessed an edict."

Zhu Youxiao snorted and said, "Rise, all of you. Zhao Lujiao, continue."

Zhao Lujiao gathered his composure and recounted the journey: "...Major Li and I led four thousand troops toward Shisanshan..."

Zhu Youxiao interrupted again, "You had eight thousand men; why did only half go to Shisanshan?"

Zhao Lujiao replied, "Assistant Commissioner Yuan said he needed to defend the city of Ningyuan."

"Did defending the city require four thousand men?"

"Major Li questioned this at the time as well. The Assistant Commissioner claimed it was necessary to ensure his own safety, so four thousand were left behind."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Lu and Li; both nodded vigorously, confirming Zhao’s account. Zhu Youxiao said expressionlessly, "Continue."

Having been interrupted twice, Zhao Lujiao, who had initially intended to shield Yuan Chonghuan by glossing over certain details, no longer dared to do so. He recounted the events honestly: "...Assistant Commissioner Yuan refused to listen and insisted on bringing the able-bodied men back to Shanhai Pass... He attempted to attack the Jianzhou Jurchens to the west but was soundly defeated, and the men were scattered... He then sought for the hero Yang to lead him through a midnight breakout... He managed to slip through the enemy lines, only to encounter the Imperial Guard led by Scholar Lu." Having finished, he exhaled a long breath of relief.

Zhu Youxiao had not interrupted him again. After listening, he asked each one in turn, "Is there anything omitted?" They all confirmed there was not.

Zhu Youxiao felt deeply troubled. He had read simple descriptions of the Donglin Faction in textbooks, but now he realized reality was far more complex. As for Yuan Chonghuan, he had always viewed him as a national hero, but based on these accounts, that perception seemed questionable.

Falsifying an Imperial Edict could potentially be excused as an urgent measure or political maneuvering (though in history, Yuan’s execution of Mao Wenlong was indeed a case of a forged edict). However, cowardice, vanity, and an inability to accept sound advice were, in Zhu Youxiao’s eyes, grave flaws. Recalling Yuan's boast of "defending this land alone," Zhu Youxiao decided this man could not be entrusted with major responsibilities. He cursed inwardly, "Master Jin, you have misled me, though fortunately, not too deeply."

He smiled and said, "The three generals fought bravely to bring back our Han brethren. You have worked hard."

The three replied in unison, "It was our duty, Your Majesty." Zhao Lujiao was moved to tears, finally able to drop the title of "commoner."

Zhu Youxiao said, "Generals Li and Lu, you already hold positions; you shall be promoted by one rank and return under the command of the Liaodong Governor. General Zhao, would you be willing to join the Imperial Guard?"

Zhao Lujiao was overjoyed and knelt, "Your subject is honored to join the Imperial Guard to slay the Jurchens for Your Majesty and reclaim our Han empire."

Zhu Youxiao said, "Rise. If you join the Imperial Guard, you must abandon the habit of kowtowing. It is not permitted there."

Zhu Youxiao turned to Yang San, "Hero Yang, you organized our Han people at Shisanshan to resist the Jurchens and brought them safely back within the pass. This is a monumental contribution. I must thank you."

Yang San knelt and wept, "Your Majesty, the people of Liaodong hungered for the Imperial Army like a starving child for milk or a parched field for rain. You sent troops to rescue us; we should be the ones thanking you! Please allow this humble subject to kowtow nine times on behalf of the Han people of Liaodong." He then kowtowed nine times, each thud echoing clearly.

Zhu Youxiao hurried down to help him up, saying, "It is hateful that domestic affairs were chaotic and the Ming army lacked strength, causing our arrival to be delayed. The fault is mine."

Yang San tried to kneel again, but Zhu Youxiao held him firmly. Yang San stood and said, "Your Majesty, all the Han people in Liaodong pray for the Imperial Army. Please have mercy on them."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, "Now that domestic affairs are settled, I will send troops to Liaodong to rescue our people. You may rest assured, Hero Yang."

Yang San replied, "I am unworthy of the title 'hero.' I wish to join the Imperial Guard to march on Liaodong. I beg Your Majesty’s permission."

Zhu Youxiao gestured for him to sit and said, "I have heard it said: 'The greatest of heroes serves the country and the people.' If actions such as yours do not qualify one as a hero, then who dares claim the title?"

These words stirred Yang San’s heart, and he knelt, "I thank Your Majesty for the praise. I will serve the country and the people, and strive to be worthy of the name."

Zhu Youxiao laughed, "Very well. Once Liaodong is pacified, I shall personally commission a plaque for you, inscribed with 'The Greatest Hero of Liaodong,' so that all may know what it truly means to be a hero."