Chapter Six: Xiong Tingbi's First Departure from Office

The next morning, he summoned Zhou Yuji and handed him a letter, instructing him to ensure it reached Baozhu or Xiaoqian personally. Then he sent for Luo Sigong.

After Luo Sigong greeted him, Zhu Youxiao first asked, “How are the arrangements for Liaodong proceeding?”

“Your Majesty, my son has already departed for Liaodong, accompanied by capable men from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Among them are many veterans who participated in the Korean campaign. Please rest assured.”

“Very well. Report back promptly if anything arises. By the way, I have long heard of the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s surveillance of officials. Does it truly possess the near-mythical abilities rumored among the people? Can you enlighten me, Lord Luo?”

“Your Majesty, overseeing officials is indeed the duty of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The tales among the people are exaggerated, not to be believed. However, should you desire to know with whom an official associates and what he does, we are confident we can find out.”

“Good. I shall put you to the test. There is an official named Zhang Guoji residing in the Shajia Hutong near Chongwen Gate. From today onward, I require you to investigate every detail of his household. The more comprehensive your report, the more proof of the Guard’s utility. Every day, have a dedicated person deliver a thorough account to me. I will compare your findings with those of the Eastern Depot.”

Upon leaving, Luo Sigong was filled with determination, vowing to demonstrate the true power of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in this contest. As for the Eastern Depot, though it technically oversaw the Guard, he intended to leave them utterly outclassed.

Zhou Yuji found an opportunity to deliver the letter to Xiaoqian, watching as she handed it to Baozhu before he departed, his mind at ease.

Baozhu returned to her room, carefully tore open the envelope, and read the brief message: “Miss Zhang, our young master has been implicated and is now imprisoned. My master is doing all he can to secure his release. When last I visited, the young master said Xiang has disappeared. He hopes you may be chosen as imperial consort.” The handwriting was coarse and awkward, unmistakably that of a servant—words misspelled, others omitted—clearly the work of the eunuch Wei.

Baozhu was stunned, the letter slipping from her hand to the floor. She had always harbored feelings for Zhu Xiaoqi, and after he hinted at proposing marriage last time, her heart was set on him, waiting for him to come with a proposal. Never had she expected such an outcome; sorrow welled up within her, and tears streamed down her face. About to sob aloud, she threw herself onto her bed and bit her pillow, stifling her cries to faint whimpers.

After making these arrangements, Zhu Youxiao felt uneasy, though he reasoned that Baozhu was a strong woman. Whether her feelings for him were deep or not, she would surely weather this.

On the fifteenth day of the ninth month, the Emperor issued an edict promoting Sun Chuanting, the magistrate of Yongcheng, to the post of Director of the Military Affairs Bureau in the Ministry of War—a leap from seventh rank directly to fifth, a most extraordinary promotion. Yet the ministers raised no objection; after all, this was the Emperor’s first appointment, and none wished to contradict him. The nomination passed smoothly.

On the sixteenth, Hui Shiyang, Right Remonstrator of the Ministry of Works, impeached Fang Congzhe, listing ten charges against him: monopolizing power for seven years, currying favor with Noble Consort Zheng, pandering to Attendant Li, forming factions with Cui Wensheng, and so forth—ten crimes, three deserving death. Fang Congzhe immediately stepped forward, requesting punishment and to be stripped of his chief ministership. Zhu Youxiao waved him back, instructing him to return to his place, then addressed Hui Shiyang, “As a censor, you must approach matters with objectivity and possess detailed knowledge of what you denounce. How can you rely on marketplace rumor and your own malicious speculation to slander a minister? Such conduct is injurious to the state’s dignity. I do not wish to hear such words again.” Hui Shiyang blushed and withdrew, apologizing.

The Cabinet then presented a memorial from Xiong Tingbi, Supreme Commissioner for Liaodong, who cited ill health and requested to be relieved of his duties. The Emperor refused.

Li Changgen, Vice Minister in charge of military supplies, reported a severe drought in Liaodong and requested relief measures, which the Emperor approved.

On the seventeenth, Censor Yao Zongwen returned to court. He submitted a petition impeaching Xiong Tingbi, arguing that since assuming command in Liaodong, the frontier territory had continually shrunk, that he ignored others’ advice, boasted of his achievements, and should be brought back to the capital in irons for questioning.

Gu Zao, Censor of the Henan Circuit, also denounced Xiong Tingbi, accusing him of spending over a year beyond the Pass without any strategic planning; failing to report the loss of Puhe; using armed soldiers only for digging ditches, not for fighting; and wielding the imperial sword for personal aggrandizement rather than the nation’s benefit.

Then Censor Feng Sanyuan submitted eight charges of incompetence and three instances of deceiving the Emperor, concluding that unless Xiong Tingbi was dismissed, Liaodong would be lost.

Previously, Sun Chengzong’s words had left Zhu Youxiao with a favorable impression of Xiong Tingbi. But now, with so many officials attacking him, the Emperor had no choice but to submit the memorials of Feng Sanyuan and others for ministerial discussion.

Yang Lian, Remonstrator of the Ministry of War, submitted that with urgent alarms from the frontier and mounting criticism, if Xiong Tingbi could not focus wholly on defeating the Jurchens, he ought to surrender the imperial sword and await punishment. He further suggested that the court should deliberate carefully before appointing officials, rather than arguing after the fact, and called for the punishment of Li Weihan, Yang Hao, and Li Ruzhen for their defeats and disgraces, as a warning to posterity.

This was the first time Zhu Youxiao had found Yang Lian’s words somewhat reasonable, though he was not persuaded on the matter of replacing Xiong Tingbi. He allowed the discussion to continue.

On the twenty-third, Xiong Tingbi submitted a defense of himself and again requested to be relieved of office. At that moment, Censor Zhang Xiude submitted another impeachment, accusing Xiong Tingbi of undermining the defenses of Liaoyang, which left Xiong furious and compelled him to submit yet another memorial: “The situation in Liaodong has turned from peril to safety, yet I must now face death.” He also returned the imperial sword, insisting on his dismissal. Remonstrator Wei Yingjia then accused him of threatening the court with resignation and demanded severe punishment.

Zhu Youxiao allowed the ministers to debate—no, not debate, for everyone seemed to agree that Xiong Tingbi should be dismissed. Fang Congzhe had once argued that this was not the time for a change, but soon fell silent amid the chorus of criticism. Opposition to Xiong Tingbi grew within the Cabinet itself; even Liu Yiji and Han Kuang joined in, arguing that with such universal censure, it would be in Xiong Tingbi’s own interest to step aside, as an expression of imperial concern for his ministers.

This argument made sense. If Zhu Youxiao continued to resist dismissing Xiong Tingbi, the pressure would fall ever more heavily upon Xiong, and the attacks would only intensify. Sun Chengzong had supported Xiong Tingbi, but was his judgment infallible? Even Sun had admitted that he did not fully understand the current state of Liaodong. If everyone condemned Xiong Tingbi, could they all be wrong? Was Xiong blameless? Could it be that his own insistence was, in fact, a mistake?

With this in mind, he accepted Xiong Tingbi’s resignation. On the ministers’ recommendation, he appointed Yuan Yingtai, the current Regional Inspector of Liaodong, as Vice Minister of War and Vice Censor-in-Chief, to act as Supreme Commissioner for Liaodong. Thus, history returned to its former course. Upon receiving the edict, Yuan Yingtai protested that his abilities were limited and he feared mishandling state affairs, but the ministers refused to let him decline, and the Emperor issued a decree forbidding him to resign.