Chapter 1122: Pi Island in Peril
Luoyang City, Market Square.
"Now for international news," Gao Yiye announced, her image appearing on the screen. Smiling, she addressed the viewers watching the television: "In December of the ninth year of Chongzhen's reign, across the Pacific Ocean, a National Guard was established. This militia force was formed by Western colonists to protect the settlements they had founded in North America."
This small piece of news, however, failed to capture the audience's attention.
After all, the other side of the Pacific was incredibly far away.
Li Daoxuan also knew that not many people would be interested in this news, but he still included the matter in the Gao Family Village news broadcast.
Because this so-called 'National Guard'—which would later evolve into the 'Beautiful Army'—was quite similar in nature to the 'Militia' that Li Daoxuan had now established.
Gao Family Village was just getting started, and so was America.
Who, in the future, would lead the way?
Li Daoxuan sighed lightly. "I hope that in this plane of existence," he mused, "my little people can get ahead of America, so that a few hundred years from now, we can be the ones to launch a trade war against them and suppress their technology."
This news mattered far more to the common people than any militia group across the ocean. The citizens of Luoyang City erupted in a collective uproar: "Oh my!"
And those in Luoyang City with a certain status or political acumen found their expressions turning even grimmer upon hearing this news.
Henan Governor Fan Shangzheng couldn't help but sigh: "Joseon has always been a vassal state of our Great Ming Dynasty. Now, with a vassal broken, yet our Great Ming is powerless to send troops for rescue, what face does our Celestial Empire have left?"
Gao Jie added, "Without Joseon to serve as a check on their flank, the Manchus can attack our Ming Dynasty even more recklessly."
"Alas!" Cao Wenzhao also let out a long sigh. "Where is Ajige? Why isn't he leading the army this time? Did he do something to displease Huang Taiji, so he's no longer the supreme commander?"
Cao Bianjiao retorted, "Uncle, is that what we should be concerned about right now? Can't you grasp the main point? What we should be concerned about is whether Joseon can withstand this onslaught."
Cao Wenzhao conceded, "Ah, you're right."
On the screen, Gao Yiye sighed lightly. "The Heavenly Lord has revealed a celestial secret to me: Joseon will not be able to withstand this offensive. Soon, on January 30th, Joseon will surrender to the Qing army and declare allegiance, thus severing its ties as a vassal of our Great Ming Dynasty and becoming a vassal of the Manchus. Furthermore, in future battles, Joseon will be forced to contribute money, grain, and troops to participate in wars against our dynasty."
As soon as these words were uttered, the gathered crowd erupted in an even greater commotion.
No one would doubt whether the 'celestial secrets revealed' by the Heavenly Lord were accurate.
The Heavenly Lord could not be wrong.
Was Joseon truly doomed this time? And Joseon would even send troops to attack Great Ming?
Henan Governor Fan Shangzheng shot to his feet. "What are we to do?"
Gao Jie also exclaimed in alarm: "Our dynasty has always been at a disadvantage in battles against the Manchus. If Joseon also joins the Manchu side, wouldn't the situation become even more dire?"
Cao Wenzhao sighed softly. "This is terrible. Pi Island is in peril."
Cao Bianjiao was also slightly startled. "That's right, our Pi Island will surely come under attack from the Manchus now."
No sooner had they spoken these words than a Puppet Heavenly Lord emerged from the crowd and stood before them both. He smiled and said, "General Cao, you are indeed worthy of having fought in Liaodong. You clearly understand the situation there. The moment you heard of Joseon's surrender, you knew Pi Island was in peril."
Cao Wenzhao gasped, "Heavenly Lord, you know the past and the future. What will happen to Pi Island next...?"
Li Daoxuan nodded. "In two months, Pi Island will be captured by the Qing army."
Cao Wenzhao was greatly alarmed, and Cao Bianjiao was shocked.
Pi Island was the administrative seat of the Ming Dynasty's Dongjiang Command.
The Dongjiang Command, founded by General Mao Wenlong, was a crucial component of the Ming Dynasty's Liaodong defense line. Its theoretical jurisdiction included the fallen territories east of the Liao River, while in practice, it controlled various islands in the Bohai Sea, Lushun Fort, Kuandian Fort, and strongholds within Joseon territory such as Tieshan and Changcheng.
If Pi Island were to fall, it would mean the end of the Ming Dynasty's Dongjiang Command.
Then the Manchus would have cleared away the last thorn in their side, the final impediment holding them back, and could freely unleash their full might against the Great Ming.
Cao Wenzhao urgently pleaded, "Heavenly Lord, Pi Island cannot be lost!"
Cao Bianjiao also asked, "What methods do we have to preserve Pi Island?"
Li Daoxuan replied, "Saving Pi Island is not difficult. But what then, after Pi Island is saved? Can it function as we intend?"
At this question, Cao Wenzhao and Cao Bianjiao's expressions became a little awkward.
Pi Island was indeed a very awkward place. While nominally the Ming Dynasty's Dongjiang Command, in reality, ever since Mao Wenlong's time, Pi Island had rarely obeyed the Ming court's commands and had engaged in all sorts of erratic and disruptive behavior.
Later, Mao Wenlong was killed by Yuan Chonghuan. This killing was a complex matter, with both merits and faults, and it was unclear whether it was right or wrong. Opposing viewpoints endlessly debated, with some arguing Mao Wenlong deserved death, and others claiming Yuan Chonghuan was a traitor.
In any case, there was no standard answer.
And Pi Island continued its internal strife, with all sorts of erratic maneuvers still ongoing.
Nominally, it was the Ming Dynasty's Dongjiang Command, but in reality...
Li Daoxuan said, "I can save Pi Island, and I have the ability to do so. But after it's saved, I do not wish to see Pi Island continue to operate outside of Ming control. Disobeying orders, hoarding troops for personal power, fragmenting territory, and indulging in self-serving antics."
Hearing this, Cao Wenzhao seemed to understand: "Heavenly Lord, do you mean that we need a general well-versed in Liaodong warfare to garrison Pi Island and help us secure this incredibly vital location?"
"Precisely!" Li Daoxuan chuckled, watching Cao Wenzhao with a peculiar gaze.
Cao Wenzhao suddenly caught on: "I understand now. Heavenly Lord, do you mean there's something dirty on my face?"
"Pfft!" Cao Bianjiao nearly jumped up. "Uncle, the Heavenly Lord means that *you* are the general best suited to garrison Pi Island! How could you think it was about dirt on your face?"
"Huh? Me?" Cao Wenzhao stammered.
In his youth, Cao Wenzhao had served in Liaodong, successively under Xiong Tingbi and Sun Chengzong, accumulating merits in battle to become a guerrilla general. Later, for resisting the Manchus, his accomplishments earned him promotion to Assistant General, with the added title of Military Commissioner.
He was, without a doubt, a general who understood Liaodong!
Cao Wenzhao finally understood this time: the Heavenly Lord's intention was to transfer him to Pi Island.
He couldn't help but feel a little dazed: "Well, this... It's not something this subordinate can arrange simply by wishing for it. The Ministry of War needs to approve it, and His Majesty must give the order before this subordinate can go."
Li Daoxuan smiled. "As long as you have the desire to go, this matter is not difficult."
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