Chapter 1124: Don't Blame Me
Although Yang Sichang himself hadn't achieved anything particularly remarkable, his father, Yang He, was a high-ranking regional official with extensive connections and countless former students and old acquaintances at court. Many were ready to speak for him, and the moment he opened his mouth, numerous old friends immediately rallied to his side, seconding his motion: “Indeed, Your Majesty,” they concurred, “this Chen Hongfan is not to be trusted with such an important post.”
Zhu Youjian pondered this, realizing the truth in their words. What good was dispatching a coward, a man who shirked battle, to Pi Island?
He reluctantly asked, “My lords, who then do you believe is suitable for this task?”
The civil officials exchanged glances, for a moment uncertain whom to recommend.
Yang Sichang had long since received a letter from Chen Yuanbo, the prefect of Daizhou. Additionally, Tie Niaofei, an Imperial Merchant with whom he had always maintained excellent relations, had also written to him. With an air of confidence, he declared, “Your Majesty, I recommend Cao Wenzhao. Sending him to reinforce Pi Island will surely yield extraordinary results.”
Just then, another minister discreetly weighed a letter hidden in his sleeve. He was a close friend of Fan Shangzheng, the Governor of Henan, with whom he regularly corresponded. A few days prior, Fan Shangzheng had written to him, asking for his help in recommending Cao Wenzhao, the commander of the Henan relief forces. Hearing Yang Sichang speak first, he naturally felt compelled to assist, stepping forward at once: “I believe Cao Wenzhao is indeed capable,” he stated.
Zhu Youjian uttered, “Ah? Is Lord Cao truly capable? That would be excellent indeed.”
Though Zhu Youjian was known for being stingy with favors and having a poor memory, the name Cao Wenzhao was not unfamiliar to him. After all, Cao Wenzhao had repeatedly achieved great feats during the bandit suppression campaigns in the Central Plains over the years, his name frequently appearing in memorials. Zhu Youjian would have found it difficult to forget him.
At this moment, another minister stepped forward. This minister was a member of the Donglin Party, an old acquaintance of Liang Shixian, the magistrate of Chengcheng County. He too had received a letter from Liang Shixian, requesting his assistance in recommending Cao Wenzhao. Naturally, he was now lending his support.
No sooner had he spoken than another Donglin Party minister stepped forward: “Cao Wenzhao is truly the foremost fierce general of our dynasty. Moreover, he is deeply familiar with military affairs in Liaodong and capable of reinforcing Pi Island. Keeping him in the Central Plains to suppress bandits is a genuine waste of talent.”
An old friend of Wu Shen also spoke up: “I, too, recommend Cao Wenzhao.”
Shi Kefa's friend also declared: “I second that motion!”
Lian Guoshi's friend chimed in: “I agree!”
Before they knew it, a large group of ministers had reached a consensus.
The network of officials that Gao Family Village had been steadily infiltrating for years was now beginning to show its influence.
Zhu Youjian was accustomed to the usual squabbling among officials. It was rare to see such unanimity in their opinions, so rare in fact, that he was utterly bewildered. *These men... they're not engaging in factional disputes this time?* he silently wondered.
Well, he thought, an absence of factional infighting was a good thing.
Since everyone advocated for Cao Wenzhao, then Cao Wenzhao it would be.
Zhu Youjian decisively slapped the table, sealing the decision: “Let an urgent order be issued for Cao Wenzhao to proceed immediately to Dengzhou and embark on Chen Hongfan's naval vessels bound for Pi Island.”
***
January 30th, the tenth year of Chongzhen's reign.
King Injo Li Zong of Joseon had fled to Nanhanshan Fortress. After being besieged for over forty days, he emerged to surrender. At Samjeondo, on the south bank of the Han River, he performed the 'three kowtows and nine prostrations' ritual before Huang Taiji. Thereafter, Joseon severed its tributary relationship with the Ming Dynasty, becoming a vassal state of the Qing.
February 2nd.
Huang Taiji summoned all his great generals. He convened a meeting just outside Hanseong, the capital of Joseon.
“Beizi Shuo Tuo, Prince Gongshen Kong Youde, Prince Huaishun Geng Zhongming, Prince Zhishun Shang Kexi.” As Huang Taiji called each name, the man swiftly stepped forward, awaiting his command.
Huang Taiji surveyed the generals who had stepped forward, a faint smile gracing his lips: “You shall take sixteen Hongyi cannons and assault Pi Island.”
“Sixteen cannons?” Beizi Shuo Tuo gasped in surprise: “You're giving us so many? Oh, this is splendid!”
Huang Taiji explained, “The Ming forces on Pi Island have garrisoned it for many years. Their defenders also possess several cannons. I am assigning you sixteen cannons this time, which demonstrates the importance I place on this mission. Do not disappoint me.”
Beizi Shuo Tuo promptly performed a deep bow: “We shall surely conquer Pi Island!”
Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, and Shang Kexi exchanged a quick glance, their eyes communicating silently. Then, Geng Zhongming clasped his fists and addressed the emperor: “Your Majesty, cannons alone will not suffice. Pi Island is isolated in the sea, surrounded on all sides by vast waters, and the Ming navy stationed there is formidable. We absolutely require a powerful fleet to launch an assault on the island.”
Huang Taiji chuckled: “Regarding the fleet, I have already devised a plan. The answer lies within the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms.'”
Everyone was greatly astonished: “What?” they exclaimed. “'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' is merely a book! How can it conjure a fleet for us?”
Huang Taiji elaborated, “In the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms,' Cao Cao feared an alliance between Liu Bei and Lu Bu. Furthermore, there were signs of cordial relations between Lu Bu and Yuan Shu at the time. Thus, Cao Cao, leveraging the Emperor's authority to command the warlords, ordered Liu Bei to attack Yuan Shu. This not only allowed him to eliminate Yuan Shu using Liu Bei's forces but also sabotaged the relationship between Liu Bei and Lu Bu. This was the strategy of 'driving a tiger to swallow a wolf.'”
At this point, Huang Taiji extended a finger, pointing towards Hanseong, which lay nearby, and chuckled: “The King of Joseon has now sworn fealty to us. I will command him to dispatch the Joseon navy to attack Pi Island, and he will have no choice but to obey. In this manner, we can not only sever the ties between Joseon and the Great Ming but also conquer Pi Island. It will be a case of killing two birds with one stone.”
The generals all bowed in unison: “Your Majesty is wise and brilliant.”
Huang Taiji declared, “I name this campaign to assault Pi Island 'Operation: Drive Tiger, Swallow Wolf.' Let it commence immediately.”
The Qing generals swiftly mobilized, each heading off to make their preparations.
Huang Taiji's command soon reached the ears of Joseon's King Li Zong.
Li Zong was, in truth, a man whose heart leaned towards the Great Ming, deeply pro-Ming, and genuinely unwilling to wage war against them. However, with Jianghwa Island breached, all the families of Joseon's royalty and nobility had fallen into Qing hands. Under such circumstances, he had no choice but to comply, however reluctant he might be.
Otherwise, his wife and sons would all be slaughtered by the Qing forces.
Li Zong had no option but to issue an imperial decree, ordering Liu Lin, the Peaceful Province Army Commander, and Lin Qingye, the Uiju Prefect, to lead an army of 5,000. Additionally, he was to dispatch fifty warships to assist the Qing forces in their attack on Pi Island.
After the orders were issued, Li Zong sat in his empty royal palace, feeling utterly hollow, like a mere puppet...
Several ministers furtively slipped in and knelt beside him: “Your Majesty,” one began, “should we not secretly send someone to inform the Ming forces on Pi Island? At least that way we would have done our part, and the Great Ming could not blame us afterwards...”
Li Zong's eyes brightened: “Yes!” he exclaimed. “We can covertly send military intelligence to the Ming army! With that, perhaps they might be able to withstand the assault.”
A minister sighed: “My concern is the lack of secrecy. If word leaks out that we sent intelligence to the Ming forces, Huang Taiji will surely make an example of our wives and children. That would be playing with fire.”
Li Zong fell silent.
The king and his ministers looked at each other, pondering deeply for what seemed an eternity. Ultimately, Li Zong let out a long sigh and declared: “Very well, let us not send anyone to inform them. All we can do now is pray—pray that this battle never takes place, and that our two nations can each return to their own affairs peacefully.”
The ministers shook their heads, heaving deep sighs: “There’s nothing to be done!” they murmured. “You truly cannot blame us.”
Li Zong bowed tearfully towards the Central Plains in the west: “Great Ming,” he sobbed, “I do not wish to do this. Please, do not blame me.”
His ministers also knelt and prostrated themselves with him.
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