Chapter Three: Fire Breaks Out at Yueloan Palace

The next morning at court, the emperor issued an edict: Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and Reader-in-Waiting, Xu Guangqi, was promoted to the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and Scholar-in-Attendance; Zuo Shuzi, Sun Chengzong, was elevated to Vice Minister of the Grand Secretariat and appointed as the lecturer for the daily lessons. These appointments met with no opposition. After court was dismissed, the emperor first summoned Xu Guangqi to the Imperial Library.

After performing the formalities, Xu Guangqi took his seat. Choking with emotion, Zhu Youjiao spoke: “A year ago, one night I had a dream. In the dream, the Grand Founder appeared to me and said, ‘The great dynasty has endured for over two centuries, yet now stands at the brink of peril. Barbarians ravage our borders, famine grips the land—if we do not rise to restore our strength, the Ming will not last another thirty years.’ The Grand Founder commanded me to make preparations early and act without hesitation. I have obeyed, reforming the military, cultivating better crops, seeking knowledge from the West to strengthen the foundation of our nation. Yet, a year later, it is I who sits here. If I had known, I would have rather my father and grandfather lived long, so I might remain by their side as a dutiful son.” As he spoke, tears spilled down his cheeks.

The deepest confusion in Xu Guangqi’s heart was finally dispelled, and he heaved a great sigh of relief. “Your Majesty’s filial devotion moves heaven and earth, but alas, fate is not always kind. I beg Your Majesty to think first of the people, and not to let grief harm your health.”

“I have newly ascended the throne, and feel the weight of responsibility heavy upon me. Yet my own talents and learning are limited. I would ask you, sir, to recommend worthy officials for the service of the state. The first kind of talent I seek is those who excel in Western astronomy, geography, engineering, firearms, and mathematics. The second are those adept in finance and agriculture. The third are skilled in military affairs, able to train and command troops. Please present these recommendations to me tomorrow in a memorial, classifying each accordingly.”

This was a mark of absolute trust in Xu Guangqi; to entrust him with recommending so many officials was a power even the chief minister did not possess. Grateful at heart, Xu Guangqi knelt to express his thanks. Zhu Youjiao hastily helped him up, saying, “There is only one requirement: those you recommend need only possess the requisite abilities; other shortcomings are of no consequence.” This was an explicit declaration that talent alone mattered—he feared Xu Guangqi might set the bar too high, so he added this clarification.

“I will faithfully obey Your Majesty’s command.”

“There is a bond of teacher and student between us; please, sir, do not stand on ceremony. Additionally, could you tell me which officials in court are members of the Donglin faction?”

Xu Guangqi hesitated. “To inform Your Majesty, ‘Donglin faction’ is a term used by political opponents as an attack. I dare not speak on it.”

Only then did Zhu Youjiao understand: “Donglin faction” was a label wielded against its members, but no Donglin man would ever publicly declare, “I am of the Donglin faction,” for at this time the word ‘faction’ carried a pejorative sense of political clique. Xu Guangqi was an upright man, unwilling to seize the opportunity to denounce others—this alone was commendable.

Since that approach failed, he tried another: “Surely, among the ministers at court, there are various groups and alliances. Why don’t you explain the situation to me in detail?”

Thus, Xu Guangqi, though reluctant, outlined the basic situation for him. Of course, he avoided the term ‘faction,’ but Zhu Youjiao understood his meaning. At present, there were several main groupings: the Donglin, with prominent figures such as Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou, Zhou Jiamao, Zhao Nanxing, Liu Yijing, Han Kuang, and, among those not in office, Ye Xianggao and Li Sancai. Sun Chengzong, surprisingly, was also among them. Then there were the Zhejiang group, including the chief minister Fang Congzhe and Yao Zongwen; the Chu group, such as Guan Yingzhen, Wu Liangsi, and Huang Yanshi, with Xiong Tingbi also counted among them; and the Qi group, with Qi Shijiao and Zhou Yongchun. Overall, the Donglin faction wielded the greatest influence, for they had contributed the most to the succession of the late emperor as crown prince.

Zhu Youjiao considered: he wished to make use of the Donglin men, but he had already offended Li Sancai, and neither Yang Lian nor Zuo Guangdou did he particularly like—was he being too harsh? In truth, they were all excellent officials, at least selfless and dedicated to the public good. Perhaps it was simply a matter of expression or standpoint that led him to dislike them. As the old saying goes, “Listen to all sides and you will be enlightened; heed only one and you will be benighted.” He should not summarily dismiss these men, but observe them over time—so long as their loyalty was to the country, he would employ them.

Finally, there was the matter of artillery. Zhu Youjiao said, “The acquisition of cannons I instructed last time can now proceed. The key, however, is talent—both in casting and operating artillery. The more, the better. If we only purchase cannons, we will remain at the mercy of the foreigners.” Xu Guangqi wholeheartedly agreed.

After Xu Guangqi departed, Sun Chengzong was summoned. He was a commanding figure, nearly sixty but with a face like iron, swordlike brows, and bristling hair and beard—more like a general than a scholar. In his previous life, Zhu Youjiao had read of Sun Chengzong’s defense of Ningjin and his heroic death, and so took an immediate liking to the man.

Once both were seated, Zhu Youjiao first asked him about the situation in Liaodong. Sun Chengzong, who paid close attention to frontier affairs, gave a detailed account: In the forty-seventh year of Wanli, Yang Hao was defeated at Sarhu. The court then appointed Xiong Tingbi as military commissioner for Liaodong, but before he could reach the capital, Kaiyuan fell to the Later Jin. By the time he arrived at Shanhaiguan, Tieling had been lost; the soldiers and civilians of Shenyang and other fortresses fled en masse, and unrest gripped the region around Liaoyang. Xiong Tingbi executed the fleeing generals Liu Yujie, Wang Jie, and Wang Wending, killed the corrupt commander Chen Lun, and impeached and dismissed the commander-in-chief Li Ruzhen, replacing him with Li Huaixin. He urged the troops to forge war wagons, procure firearms, dig trenches, and repair city walls—making thorough preparations to defend the cities. His orders were resolute, and strictly enforced; within a few months, the defenses were greatly strengthened and morale restored among the local populace.

In the first year of Taichang (the forty-eighth year of Wanli), in August, Nurhaci attacked Puhe. Over seven hundred Ming soldiers deserted, but generals such as He Shixian distinguished themselves by slaying and capturing many foes. At present, the court has sent Yao Zongwen to review the situation in Liaodong. It is said that he and Xiong Tingbi often disagree, but he has not yet returned, so the outcome is uncertain.

Zhu Youjiao was not well acquainted with Xiong Tingbi, but from Sun Chengzong’s tone, it seemed he regarded him favorably.

Zhu Youjiao then asked Sun Chengzong for his strategy regarding Liaodong. Sun Chengzong, claiming insufficient knowledge of the situation, declined to offer an opinion. This further improved Zhu Youjiao’s impression of him—it was the mark of a practical man to admit what he knew and what he did not, for without investigation, there could be no right to speak.

At that moment, a eunuch arrived with urgent news: a sudden fire had broken out in the Huailuan Palace. Alarmed, Zhu Youjiao rushed from the library, running towards the palace, with Zhou Yuji—now his personal bodyguard—following close behind. By the time they arrived, the fire had already been extinguished. Consort Li and Titi were holding each other, weeping bitterly.

Seeing that Titi was unharmed, Zhu Youjiao breathed a sigh of relief. He then looked closely at Consort Li and Titi: both were dressed in coarse cloth, their faces sallow with hunger. Titi spotted him first, called out “Elder Brother Emperor,” then fell silent. Her large eyes brimmed with grievance and fear, piercing Zhu Youjiao’s heart with pain.