In October of the first year of Chongde, five tribes of Jie Nu in the northern border rebelled, gathered the remnants of the Tatars on the grassland, and marched directly towards the important areas of the capital. The general of Jiayuguan made an urgent report 800 miles away, and the Five Army Commandery sent two armies to support. In November of the same year, Renzong's fifth son, the King of Jing of Anhui, rebelled and personally led 100,000 soldiers from the palace and the rebellious garrisons to the north to "rebel."
"One hundred thousand?!" Li was shocked.
Minglan turned her head and said, "Don't panic, auntie. They must have included the cooks, workers, and relatives. Fifty thousand is good." The actual number of Cao Cao's million-strong army was only two or three hundred thousand.
Chang Wu stood up from his seat and nodded, "That's right. I've made careful inquiries, and it's actually only 30,000 troops."
"...I remember that after Emperor Taizong Wu put down the 'Nine Princes Rebellion', he issued a strict decree that the princes of our dynasty, from the prince onwards, could not have more than 300 soldiers in their palaces, and they had no fiefs, no subjects, and no official power. The local governors had to supervise the princes' behavior according to the regulations and report the situation to the capital regularly. How come the Prince of Jing managed to get 30,000 soldiers in such a short time?" Minglan walked up to Changwu and asked in doubt.
Chang Wu smiled bitterly and replied, "Sister, you don't know. Although the King of Jing incurred the late Emperor's dislike and was sent to a distant fiefdom early on, the late Emperor was ultimately benevolent. Furthermore, the King of Jing's biological mother, Concubine Jia, died young. The late Emperor couldn't bear to see his son suffer, so he was more tolerant of the King of Jing's many unfilial deeds. Over the years, I've often heard in the military camp that the King of Jing is extremely powerful in western Anhui. Local officials not only dare not speak out, but often help him."
Minglan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Does Second Brother Wu know how the King of Jing behaves in his fiefdom?" Changwu was stunned. "What...do you mean?" Minglan quickly explained, "First, tell me how he trains his soldiers."
Chang Wu thought for a moment and replied, "Prince Jing's mother was the legitimate daughter of the late Emperor's general. After Prince Jing ascended to the throne and established his own court, the general sent many capable officials and generals to the capital. Several of the guards in the court were quite capable. However, Prince Jing seemed to value his brothers-in-law more, and he often brought the brothers of his concubines to the capital to request weapons, silver, and grain."
Minglan asked again, "How does he treat the people of Anhui?"
Chang Wu shook his head and said, "How can the Prince of Jing support so many of these soldiers and entourages with just the salaries of the vassal princes? Even if the late emperor were generous and generous, it would still be insufficient. The rest must be paid by the common people. Moreover... many of the wealthy families in Anhui send their daughters to the Prince of Jing's mansion as concubines. This way, the local nobles are bound to the Prince of Jing."
Minglan curled her lips in agreement and asked, "What kind of behavior does the King of Jing usually have?" Changwu was confused by the questions one after another. He felt that although this little sister's tone was gentle, every question hit the nail on the head.
Old Lady Sheng, who was sitting at the top, frowned unhappily and shouted, "Ming girl! How can you talk like that? You're talking so fast and so fast. Is this how a girl like you should ask?" Minglan didn't say anything back, but just stood there with her head down.
All the Sheng family members present listened with their eyes wide open. Li and Wen were stunned, Changsong opened his mouth wide, and Sheng Wei listened attentively. He quickly waved his hand and said, "Aunt, there is no need to blame your niece. She asked a good question. We are in a mess here. After your niece and Wu'er asked and answered like this, I seem to understand a little. That is to say, the King of Jing appoints people based on personal relationships, exploits the people, and may not be of the same mind with the generals and soldiers. This means that the King of Jing's rebellion may not succeed. Minglan, just ask if you have any questions." These words were spoken to Old Lady Sheng.
Pinlan also said enthusiastically: "Yes, yes."
Old Madam Sheng glanced around the room, seeing only Sheng Wei's family members. She nodded to Minglan. Minglan still wanted to know more, so she stepped forward and asked Changwu, "When Second Brother left the capital, what was the situation at the Capital Guard Command and the Wucheng Military Command? Were the soldiers fully staffed? Was the equipment always available? Were there any deployments of the various commanders?"
Chang Wu knew the situation best and immediately replied, "In the nearly one year since the Emperor ascended the throne, only two or three commanders have been transferred, but many associates and generals have been replaced, and many young men from humble backgrounds have been promoted, myself among them. Since taking office, we've received numerous rectification orders, prohibiting unpaid salaries and slacking off on drills."
Sheng Wei's expression relaxed and he looked at Li with a little relief.
Minglan pressed on, "What about the rebellion in the northern border? How many troops did the capital send?" Changwu estimated, "When we reached Lu, I heard that the Five Military Commandery had mobilized about two-thirds of its troops."
Minglan pondered for a moment, then finally asked, "What about Yuzhong and Suxi?"
Chang Wu understood Ming Lan's meaning and sighed deeply, "Over the past decade or so, the Prince of Jing has returned to the capital several times a year. Along the way... well, the guards and the princes of the royal family in those places have all become good friends with him."
Minglan couldn't help but smile: "So, Second Brother Wu is still eager to return to the capital to serve?"
Chang Wu pounded the table beside him and said regretfully, "What should I do?"
Civil officials rely on their eloquence and desk work to gain seniority, but the best way for military officers to be promoted is to fight in wars. The last "Shenchen Rebellion" allowed many low-ranking officers like Changwu, who were not from noble families, to rise to power.
Minglan looked at Changwu's face full of regret and secretly added what he wanted to say in her heart: This King of Jing is too despicable. If he wanted to rebel, he should have given us a heads-up beforehand. If he had known that there was an opportunity to make great achievements, he would not have come back; but now...
Li went over and touched Changwu's shoulder, kindly admonishing him: "Wu'er, there are plenty of opportunities for you to fight and get promoted. Now that things are in chaos outside, you must not go out. Your wife is still pregnant, and you must not let anything happen to her."
Although Sheng Wei also hoped that his son would be promoted, he felt sorry for him and said, "Your mother is right. People are the most important thing. Besides... no one knows..." Pinlan quickly added, "No one knows who will win!"
Sheng Wei slammed the table and shouted angrily, "Shut up, you little bitch! What nonsense are you talking about! It's inappropriate for you to be here!"
Pinlan retracted her neck and stopped talking.
Chang Wu was filled with bitterness and mumbled, "Father and Mother, you don't know, but we military officers believe that wealth and honor are achieved through risk. Soldiers risk their lives, and it's impossible not to take risks! Although suppressing the rebellion is dangerous, compared to the bitter cold of the northern border and Xiliang, this is the cheapest thing right now."
Sheng Wei couldn't help but hesitate. In peaceful times, most of those who could rise to high positions in the military were the sons of powerful nobles. For a family like the Sheng family, which had no military roots, this was indeed a great opportunity. Moreover, military officers were different from civil servants. Civil servants could still continue to work hard even in their seventies or eighties, but military officers relied on their health. If they still couldn't get a governor by the age of sixty, then...
Ever since he learned of the rebellion of Prince Jing a few days ago, Changwu immediately went to Nanjing to inquire about the news. He knew that the heartland of the Central Plains was in chaos, and Changwu was anxious to return to Beijing to serve. Sheng Wei and Li were scared out of their wits. Changsong and Wen also tried to dissuade them, and even asked Old Lady Sheng to come and support them. Of course, Pinlan, Minglan and Xiao Changdong also took advantage of the situation and sneaked in.
The atmosphere in Sheng Wei's family is relatively warm and harmonious, and the rules are not as strict as those in officials' families. Children can say whatever they want in front of their parents; without Rulan to hold them back, without Molan to make sarcastic remarks, and without Wang's suspicion, Minglan is more daring to speak to Sheng Wei and his wife.
Li was still trying to persuade Changwu not to go. Changwu, driven to despair by his mother's pestering, said helplessly, "Mother, you don't understand! The capital is prosperous, and anyone who holds a position in the garrison troops in the capital's vital areas is the son of a powerful noble. I only managed to get a job thanks to my uncle's connections. Later, during the 'Shenchen Rebellion', I was lucky enough to make a small contribution, which allowed me to be promoted to captain. Then, in the local garrisons, I was even able to become a deputy commander. Mother, do you know that if I had to endure the hardships of life at the border for at least ten or eight years, would I have achieved anything?"
Li stuttered, looking at the family members present with embarrassment, and finally shouted at Sheng Wei, "Dad, please say something!"
It wasn't that Sheng Wei didn't want to talk, but he didn't know what to say. His eyes swept over the faces of his family members one by one: Li, Changsong, Wen, Pinlan... Their expressions were either confused or embarrassed. Sheng Wei turned his eyes and saw that sitting at the top was Old Madam Sheng, and next to her were Minglan and Xiao Changdong.
Sheng Wei bowed to Old Madam Sheng and said respectfully, "Aunt, you are very knowledgeable and have eaten more salt than we have eaten rice. I, your nephew, ask for your guidance." Old Madam Sheng glanced at Chang Wu, hesitant in her heart. She waved her hand and said slowly, "How can I, a woman, know about military and national affairs? If your brother and Brother Bo were here, perhaps they could tell you something."
Sheng Wei couldn't help but glance at Minglan, then turned back to look at Changwu. Changwu knew what his father meant. If his father was not comfortable saying something, his son would naturally say it. So he said, "Sister Ming, what do you think?"
Minglan, who had been standing beside Old Madam Sheng with her head bowed, humbly replied, "For matters of this magnitude, it's up to my uncle and brothers to make the decision. Grandmother, uncle, and aunt are in charge. How would a little girl like me know?"
Sheng Wei said gently, "Niece, just tell me. You sisters studied with Bo Ge'er when you were young. Mr. Zhuang is so knowledgeable. Tell me about him too."
Sheng Wei has been engaged in business for more than 20 years and is quite proficient in the economics of officials and businessmen. He can also talk a little about the factions in the officialdom and the connections between the aristocratic families. However, he is really at a loss when it comes to military and national affairs. If it weren't for Minglan's series of clear and sharp questions just now, he might not have understood the seriousness of the situation outside.
This cannot be blamed on him. In that era, there were no compulsory history courses in junior high and high schools, and there were no overwhelming history and military popularization posts on the Internet. In ancient times when information was blocked, how could he, a businessman and a few women in the inner chambers, know all this?
Seeing Old Lady Sheng nod slightly at her, Minglan took a few hesitant steps forward, thought for a moment, and then said, "I understand what Second Brother Wu means. He's afraid of missing this opportunity to serve his country. But think about it, Second Brother, this trip to the capital will inevitably pass through Anhui, Jiangsu, Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi. These places are probably in chaos right now, and those bandits and thieves will certainly not be idle. They might also see an opportunity to make a fortune. Second Brother doesn't have any troops with him now. At most, he can bring some servants and militia, but that may not be enough."
Li nodded repeatedly after hearing this, saying, "Mingjie'er is right! Wu'er, this is exactly what mother is afraid of!"
Chang Wu asked tentatively, "What if I disguise myself as a commoner and ride lightly along the small roads with the common people? Will I not necessarily encounter disaster?"
Minglan nodded and said, "That's possible." Li's face suddenly changed. Changwu seemed a little happy, but Minglan's next question was, "But how do you know that you can succeed in serving the country?"
Changwu was puzzled.
Minglan took a few steps closer to the large brass heater in the middle to warm herself up. She smiled and said, "There was rebellion in the northern border, and then the King of Jing raised the banner of rebellion. I don't know if he was waiting for an opportunity or just reacting flexibly. But now the rebels are determined to march north. 'Quick' is their key. As long as Anhui, Jiangsu, Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi are free of obstacles, if we can take advantage of the emptiness of the capital and capture the imperial city in one fell swoop, we can change the world and almost accomplish our goal."
The emperor had long been dissatisfied with this domineering fifth brother and had successively stripped the Prince of Jing of several of his privileges, prohibiting him from opening coal mines and minting coins. He also wanted to reduce his annual salary and downsize the government troops. The Prince of Jing had been harboring rebellious intentions for a long time.
To put it in a darker, more conspiratorial, or more unbelievable way, the Northern Frontier Rebellion might just be the emperor's own bait. However, Minglan felt that she had read too many nonsensical military history novels. There were few crazy emperors in the world who would dare to use the army's rebellion as a conspiracy.
Li's lips turned pale as she said in fear, "Then... can the King of Jing accomplish anything?"
Minglan tilted her head, recalling, "When Mr. Zhuang was explaining history to us, he said that since ancient times, princes or vassal states have rebelled under the guise of 'purging the imperial court'. But now, this Prince of Jing is targeting the Emperor. Yet, the current Emperor clearly was appointed Crown Prince by the previous Emperor, and only ascended the throne after respectfully informing Heaven and Earth and making an announcement to the Ancestral Temple. This alone renders the Prince of Jing's title illegitimate."
Generally, peasant uprisings would directly attack the emperor as a bad guy, such as Comrade Zhang Jue's famous slogan "The Blue Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven should be established." If it was a rebellion by ministers, even a powerful man like An Lushan who interrupted the foundation of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, he would not dare to say that it was all Li Longji's fault. He could only say that the Yang family was so bad, and that lychees were so expensive, but they still ate them desperately. Working people, let's go together to fight the treacherous ministers, and thus the Anshi Rebellion broke out.
"Add to that what Second Brother Wu just said, and it's clear that the Prince of Jing has many weaknesses," Minglan added. "And the Emperor has done a great job in reorganizing the capital's military. The city walls are high and thick, so it might not be possible to capture them. We just need to delay for a while, and the reinforcements from all over the country will arrive, and the Prince of Jing will have no chance of success."
Chang Wu's eyebrows lit up with joy, and he said anxiously, "Sister, you're right, that's why I have to hurry back!"
Minglan lightly poured cold water on him again, "That's not necessarily a sure win. Back then, the Ninth Prince's army, supplies, and manpower were several times greater than Emperor Wu's. Who could have known that in just a year, Emperor Wu would wipe them out in one fell swoop?"
Pinlan said anxiously, "What on earth do you mean? You're talking nonsense all the time!"
Sheng Wei glared at his daughter and looked at Minglan in confusion. Minglan also had a wry smile on her face and spread out her hands. She said in embarrassment: "I don't know either! Who can explain such things clearly?" This is like rolling the dice. You don't know the result until the pot is opened.
Chang Wu's face darkened as he remained silent. Minglan stood before Sheng Wei and said thoughtfully, "My niece's point is that the capital is too uncertain. It's uncertain whether we can go there, and what the situation will be like once we get there. But Second Brother Wu can't just sit there doing nothing. Why not... go to Jinling and serve at the Jinling Commandery?"
Chang Wu was surprised and said, "Sister, you must be mistaken. The King of Jing's army has all gone north. There is no fighting in the south."
Minglan shook her head. "Yes, there is no war, but there are refugees, bandits, and even thieves who try to take advantage of the situation."
Chang Wu took a deep breath and pondered for a moment. Ming Lan continued, word by word, "Mr. Zhuang once said that wherever there's war, there are refugees. Nanjing is prosperous and wealthy, and it's close to Anhui. Didn't Second Brother Wu also report that the military there is lax and lacks soldiers when he went to inquire? No matter what, protecting our home and city, and keeping the people safe, is always right."
Li finally became happy, with a blush on her face: "Yes, yes, Jinling is only an hour's drive away from here, so the whole family can take care of each other together!" Youyang is south of Jinling and safer.
Sheng Wei also thought it was feasible, and turned to Chang Wu and said, "You know a lot of people in the Jinling Commandery. Take the Zhongwei Guard's badge and documents and write a letter for your father to Liu Jingli of the Commandery." With Sheng Hong, his uncle who was a censor specializing in filing complaints, the Jinling Commandery would probably not take credit for Chang Wu's work.
After hearing this, everyone in the Sheng family breathed a sigh of relief and turned to persuade Changwu to go to Jinling. Changwu was confused and said to Minglan hesitantly, "Will there really be refugees?" When he went there a few days ago, Jinling seemed very harmonious.
Minglan counted the days on her fingers: "Well... let's wait and see."
Changwu glared at his little cousin, and Minglan looked back at him innocently - being a dog-headed military advisor is indeed a good job. He is only responsible for giving advice. Whether it is adopted or not is other people's business. It is agreed that you will get a share of the credit. If it is not good, it is because the boss has no judgment. Why do you just believe it? You will listen to whatever the military advisor says. If he tells you to jump off the building, will you jump?
After everyone had dispersed, Old Madam Sheng grabbed Minglan and brought her forward, whispering, "Did you come up with all that you just said?"
Minglan nodded, thinking over and over again what she had just said. It should not be beyond the context of the times and society. Sheng Hong and Chang Bai, or any civil servant with vision, could have said that.
Old Madam Sheng had a complicated expression. She glanced back and forth at Minglan twice before softly asking, "Are there really refugees in Jinling? How sure are you?"
Minglan leaned over and whispered in her ear: "I'm not sure at all."
The old lady was stunned.
Minglan leaned on the old lady's shoulder and whispered slowly in her ear, "Actually, I agree with you, Auntie. Your life is more important than a promotion. But Second Brother Wu will definitely not give up. Just find him something to do."
The old lady was stunned for a moment, then asked in surprise, "So you're talking nonsense?"
"How could that be?!" Minglan lowered her voice. "Most of what he said before is true; it's just the last few sentences that are diluted. After all, Nanjing is the secondary capital, and the city walls are high and thick. It's not that easy for refugees to get in."
The old lady pursed her lips and hummed, "The little girl is quite clever." Then she sighed towards the sky and said worriedly, "I wonder how your father and Bo'er are doing? I hope they are safe."
Minglan thought for a moment and said seriously, "My granddaughter just realized something. Actually, the rebels are closer to us now than to father and his men. If the Prince of Jing encounters obstacles on his way north, the stragglers will rush back and attack the weaker Nanjing, either to plunder for military supplies or to capture a city as a base. So, right now... let's worry about ourselves first. After the Prince of Jing wins a few battles, we can worry about father and his men."
Minglan paused, then kindly added, "There's nothing wrong with that."
The old lady choked back the breath she had just sighed. She stared at Minglan for a long time, her chest beating fast, and suddenly she felt that she would live a long life.
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