According to the procedure, it was wrong for the emperor to bypass the cabinet and issue an edict directly; but from a legal point of view, an imperial edict is still an imperial edict and has the same effect.
As for the "strong-willed" civil servants who refused to accept the proposal, that was another matter. It was a slap in the emperor's face, so what? Zhu Youxiao said he felt no pressure and didn't care.
Xiong Tingbi stood up and put away the imperial edict, feeling lucky. If he had not accepted the secret edict, he would not have been given the title of Minister of War, nor would he have the imperial sword. The ten Jinyiwei outside the tent might have rushed in and arrested him!
Of course, Xiong Tingbi still had many questions in his mind, such as why the emperor's secret letter mentioned that Guangning should have two or three days to prepare after the failure of the reinforcement of Xiping Fort.
He was full of questions but didn't dare to ask, because Zhu Youxiao knew how shameful the fall of Guangning was in history.
Sun Degong, a traitor and rebel, suddenly mutinied and defected during the battle between the two armies at Pingyang Bridge, causing the complete collapse of the Ming army and the death of Liu Qu and others in battle at Shaling.
Then, Sun Degong led the rebel army back to Guangning, pretended to open the city gate and made a riot. The soldiers and civilians in the city were panicked, and Wang Huazhen was also frightened and fled in panic. Guangning thus fell into the hands of Sun Degong.
After the Battle of Shaling, the Eastern Tartars did not advance, but continued to besiege Xiping Fort and stayed there to rest.
When Sun Degong came to surrender and report his achievements and invited Nurhaci into the city, I still couldn't believe that there would be such an unexpected surprise.
Two days later, Sun Degong invited Nurhaci into the city again. The old slave was still skeptical, so he led his army slowly towards Guangning and sent spies to check.
On the way, Nurhaci met some Jurchens and told them about the situation in Guangning City. I still couldn't believe that Guangning City could be taken so easily.
So Nurhaci sent beile and ministers to check it out. Only after receiving accurate reports did he lead his army into Guangning City.
In other words, if Xiong Tingbi rushed to Guangning, he would have at least two or three days to prepare. With these two or three days, the chances of holding Guangning would be much greater.
Putting aside his doubts, Xiong Tingbi bowed and politely asked the eunuch, "Sir, if I lead my troops to Guangning urgently, and Governor Wang refuses to receive us or refuses to obey my orders, what should I do?"
The eunuch sneered, patted his arms, and said, "I also have the emperor's will."
As he spoke, his expression turned stern and cold. "If Lord Wang dares to disobey my order, the Jinyiwei brothers will take action. Lord Xiong, there is no need to worry."
This imperial decree - it seems that the emperor is really anxious.
Apart from the insignificant imperial edict for transferring personnel, all the other orders were smuggled from the imperial court, bypassing the cabinet and requiring the supervision of the Imperial Guard.
The cabinet has disappointed His Majesty so much that it seems a major reshuffle is needed.
Xiong Tingbi had a plan in mind. He asked the eunuchs and the Jinyiwei to rest for a while. He immediately summoned the generals and made plans.
Soon, the barracks became noisy, and knights rushed out in twos and threes, heading to the surrounding forts to deliver orders.
Let’s not talk about how Xiong Tingbi broke camp overnight after receiving the secret order and ordered the soldiers and civilians in the surrounding forts to gather in Guangning, let’s talk about Wang Huazhen’s current situation in Guangning City.
The imperial envoy who arrived at Guangning City to deliver the imperial edict was only two or three hours behind Xiong Tingbi. But despite his haste, he was still a step behind, as Sun Degong had already led his troops to reinforce Xiping Fort the day before.
"Sir Wang, send someone to chase them now!" The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict had a very unhappy look on his face and said coldly to Wang Huazhen.
Wang Huazhen hesitated for a moment, then bowed and responded, ordering his men to give chase and ordering Sun Degong to return to Guangning as soon as possible, and for his subordinates to take over the command.
Zhu Youxiao both pressured and provoked Xiong Tingbi, and only intimidated Wang Huazhen.
Because Wang Huazhen was a softie, a cunning man who changed his attitude according to the situation, he could not have the courage and stubbornness to disobey the emperor's order.
With one eunuch delivering the imperial edict and ten Jinyiwei, Wang Huazhen also realized that something unusual was happening and became even more cautious.
Seeing Wang Huazhen's obedience, the eunuch's expression brightened slightly. He bowed towards the capital and said, "Before I came here, His Majesty personally instructed you, Lord Wang, to strengthen the defenses of Guangning City and avoid repeating the mistakes of Shenyang and Liaoyang."
"Your Majesty is wise." Wang Huazhen also hurriedly bowed and turned to Lieutenant General Jiang Chaodong and said, "The war has begun. The city defense must not be relaxed. You must make strict arrangements and inspect it personally."
"Yes, I obey your command." Jiang Chaodong bowed and turned away.
"The emperor also said that the family of Sun Degong, the guerrilla commander of the Central Army, must be taken good care of—" The eunuch smiled and pointed at the Jinyiwei next to him, saying, "Let these brothers take care of this task."
Wang Huazhen's face darkened. If the Jinyiwei were to be asked to take care of the family, wouldn't that mean they would be imprisoned?
"Sir Wang, please mobilize some soldiers to accompany these brothers to the Sun Mansion!" The eunuch's voice was relatively gentle, but his tone sounded like an order.
Wang Huazhen carefully considered his words and asked, "Excuse me, sir, is there anything wrong with Sun Degong that he would bother the Imperial Guard?"
"I don't know either," the eunuch replied with a half-smile, "I only follow the emperor's orders."
Oral order! Wang Huazhen felt helpless and ordered the captain of the personal guards to send someone to accompany the Jinyiwei to carry out the task.
After arranging for the imperial envoy and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to rest, Wang Huazhen returned to his room and pondered hard, but to no avail.
Dr. Wang had no idea that his confidant Sun Degong, who was sent to incite Li Yongfang to rebel, had been instigated by the Eastern Tartars to rebel, and had to go back to Guangning to capture him and report his merit!
………….
The clear voice echoed in the hall. Zhu Youxiao sat upright and listened attentively.
"…honesty and dedication to public service, revitalizing officialdom, opening up channels for public expression, eradicating long-standing malpractices within the government and the public, and opposing the corruption and abuse of power by the powerful…"
"When serving as an official, one's ambition is not to serve the emperor or his father; when serving as a frontier official, one's ambition is not to serve the people; when living by the water or in the woods, one's ambition is not to serve the world. A gentleman should not pursue these things..."
Yeah?! The Donglin Party’s ideology and political propositions, or beliefs, were pretty good. How did they become a bunch of bastards who harmed the country?
"Your Majesty, this passage means: serving as an official at court, one's ambition is not to be the emperor; serving as an official in a remote area, one's ambition is not to care about the people's livelihood; living by the waterside or in the woods, one's ambition is not to care about the world. A gentleman does not act this way."
Sun Chengzong was pleased to see that the young emperor was listening attentively, but fearing that he might not understand, he explained it again in a simpler way.
Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly. This is absolutely right. But why did it come from Gu Xiancheng, the leader of the Donglin Party? It's not scientific!
Taking advantage of the moment when Sun Chengzong paused while the palace servants served him tea, Zhu Youxiao asked, "Master Sun, are you from the Donglin Party?"
Sun Chengzong was stunned for a moment, then put down his teacup. He smiled and said, "I agree with the political principles of the Donglin Academy, especially their 'seeking truth and being pragmatic, practical learning and applying it to practice'. But a gentleman should gather together but not form factions, and as an official, I also respect the principles of the sages."
"Gentlemen gather together but do not form parties, while villains form parties but do not form groups." Zhu Youxiao seemed to understand something and smiled, revealing two rows of white teeth.
Sun Chengzong blinked, sensing a hidden meaning in these words. The young emperor mentioned the Donglin Party, then said that the villains formed a group and were not part of the same group. Could it be that...
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