novelAbuy Chapter 3 Entrusting the Orphan with Trust
Chapter 3 Entrusting the Orphan with Trust
As Emperor Chongzhen watched Yang Sichang take his leave, he suddenly called out to him in a deep voice:
"Minister Yang, regarding the previous peace negotiations, there was a great uproar in the court, with rumors spreading everywhere. You alone bore the brunt of the resentment, which truly burdened me."
On that day, I was indecisive and wavered, putting you in the eye of the storm. The fault lies with me, not with you.
In the future, when matters of state arise, I will not waver, nor will I allow my ministers to bear the responsibility for me.
Yang Sichang, whose body was hunched over, was suddenly startled. He hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed, repeatedly saying, "Your subject dares not, Your subject will die ten thousand times!"
Having been by Chongzhen's side for a long time, he already knew Chongzhen's temperament was unpredictable and capricious. He thought that Chongzhen was just pretending to be gentle, but in fact he was being suspicious and testing him. His heart was already ice-cold.
Seeing his posture, Chongzhen frowned and sighed inwardly.
It's all because his predecessor was ungrateful and untrustworthy, prone to suspicion and execution, and always using others as scapegoats. No wonder his subjects were all living in fear. It seems that changing their impression of him is still a long and arduous task...
Emperor Chongzhen stepped forward and personally helped Yang Sichang up, his tone calm and sincere:
"You need not be alarmed. I was often confused in the past, applied the law too strictly, and was too suspicious, which made loyal ministers feel disheartened and capable ministers helpless. This was my mistake, and I know it now and regret it."
What I have said today comes from the bottom of my heart and is not a test. I hope you will believe me.
From now on, anyone who is devoted to the country will be granted wealth and honor, protected and cared for, and will never be easily abandoned!
Yang Sichang trembled slightly, looked up at Chongzhen, his eyes less filled with despair, but more with surprise and uncertainty.
Seeing his appearance, Chongzhen did not explain further, but simply pulled his arm and gestured for him to sit down opposite him in the warm pavilion.
"I am well aware of Minister Yang's good intentions. I have also believed that the proposals and suggestions were not out of fear of the enemy, but to temporarily quell border troubles and concentrate on suppressing the bandits in order to plan for future actions."
Yang Qing's plan was for the long-term benefit of the country, not out of personal motives.
However, I have recently come to a deep understanding that the Jurchens are inherently wolves and cannot be restrained by faith and righteousness.
Our dynasty has just put aside the peace talks, and they have launched a large-scale invasion, raiding and plundering our borders and slaughtering our people. They have no integrity whatsoever!
If our dynasty shows weakness and seeks peace today, the Jurchens will be even more unscrupulous tomorrow!
My Great Ming Dynasty reigns supreme over the world, governing all regions. If we are constantly begging for peace when the enemy cavalry presses on our borders, not only will we fail to win the hearts of the people, but I will also have no face to meet my ancestors in the afterlife.
The mistakes of the Song Dynasty serve as a warning; I will never repeat them!
Yang Sichang's lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to reiterate the advantages of peace talks, but he saw that Chongzhen's gaze was firm and his tone had become unquestionable:
"I am not denying your strategy of pacifying the interior and resisting foreign aggression, but we should not take appeasement and seeking temporary peace as our approach."
Since the enemy has invaded, the only way to temporarily secure the northern border is to launch a fierce attack that terrifies them.
I have something to say, Minister Yang, you should remember it.
Since ancient times, the strategy of war has been used to determine defense, thus ensuring peace and stability.
If we keep giving in and compromising, hoping to achieve peace through appeasement, then peace will ultimately be nothing but a mirage.
Furthermore, I know that Lu Xiang-sheng and Yang Qing disagree on political views, and Lu Xiang-sheng's actions are often hindered by Yang Qing.
However, Lu Xiang-sheng was loyal and upright, brave and resourceful, and fought bloody battles for the country. He was a pillar of the court. He could not die on the battlefield, nor could he die while observing the political situation.
Lu Xiang-sheng cannot die.
"I will not allow him to die!"
Emperor Chongzhen paused for a moment, then made up his mind and said:
"I have now made the worst-case scenario plan."
The generals at the front are hesitant and timid, and they hold onto their troops for their own benefit. Only if I personally go to the front lines can I inspire the army's morale and control the various garrisons.
Minister Yang, my mind is made up. I intend to form a new army and march south, then use the imperial treasury to reward the troops and lead the Guan Ning armies to reinforce Lu Xiang Sheng!
If we win, our national prestige will be restored, the capital region will be peaceful, and the people of our northern lands will be protected.
"If we are defeated, I will sacrifice myself for the nation, to live up to the late emperor's trust, and to uphold the dignity of the Ming Dynasty as its ruler!"
Yang Sichang's expression changed drastically. He was about to kneel down and plead for mercy when Chongzhen stopped him, his eyes solemn and sincere, almost like a plea:
"If I am fortunate enough to return victorious, on the day I return to the capital, I will have another long talk with you to reorganize the court and still regard you as my confidant to oversee the overall plan."
If I unfortunately perish in battle, I will entrust the affairs of the nation and the country to you.
You should assist the Crown Prince, defend the capital, inspire the army and the people, and vow to resist the enemy to the death. Do not be cowardly like the people of Song.
If the capital has reached a point where it can no longer be defended, you may escort the Crown Prince south, using the north to control the south, establish a presence in Shandong, and order Nanjing to raise funds and provisions, gradually planning for recovery.
Having said that, Chongzhen breathed a sigh of relief. The anxiety and exhaustion he had felt since his time travel due to the collapse of the dynasty vanished.
He looked calmly at Yang Sichang and said slowly:
"What I have said today is from the bottom of my heart."
I believe in your talent and your loyalty, and I also hope that you believe in my determination to rebuild our country.
The nation is in peril; I, your ministers, and I are of one mind to uphold this destiny!
Yang Sichang stood frozen in place, his fingertips trembling slightly. No matter how much he worried, he now knew that the emperor had confided in him and was determined to send troops.
Sensing the reliance, trust, and entrustment that Chongzhen placed in him, he was overwhelmed with emotion and tears streamed down his face.
Your Majesty, you have already regarded him as a loyal minister entrusted with your life and death!
Since entering officialdom, he has experienced many things and has long been accustomed to the infighting in the court and the indifference of the emperor.
Over the years, he has devoted himself to raising troops and funds and planning the overall situation, but he has always been walking on thin ice, fearing that if he makes a wrong step, he will suffer disgrace and his whole family will be executed.
The previous peace negotiations were met with condemnation from both the court and the public, who all accused him of being a treacherous and corrupt official who had ruined the country. Emperor Chongzhen had always attributed credit to the emperor for his achievements and blamed his ministers for his mistakes, never offering a word of sympathy or understanding.
But today, the emperor before him actually admitted his mistake, took full responsibility, showed no suspicion, and stopped testing him. Instead, he entrusted him with all his plans and the affairs of his future.
Such trust is rare in history. All the pent-up frustration, resentment, and grievances in my heart vanished at this moment.
Yang Sichang could no longer contain his excitement. With a thud, he knelt down on both knees, his forehead striking the gold brick heavily. His voice choked with emotion, yet every word was resounding:
"Your Majesty... I am unworthy and unworthy to receive such entrustment from Your Majesty!"
He raised his head, tears streaming down his face, but his gaze burned with intense intensity.
"When I advocated for peace in the past, it was not out of fear of death or the enemy, but because I saw the world in chaos and bandits running rampant. I was afraid that the court would be attacked on two fronts and could not hold out for long. My heart was for the country, and Heaven and Earth can bear witness to it!"
Since Your Majesty has made a wise decision to personally lead the expedition, even if I am torn to pieces, I will do my utmost to stabilize the rear, mobilize supplies, discipline the officials, and defend the capital to the death. I will not dare to slacken in the slightest!
Lu Xiang-sheng is commendable for his loyalty and bravery, and he is determined to fight to the death. Although I have disagreed with him on political matters in the past, I have never underestimated his loyalty.
Since Your Majesty wishes to save them, I will certainly not obstruct you any further. Please rest assured, Your Majesty!
This usually calm, stern, and strategic chief minister finally let down his guard and suspicions, and completely surrendered his loyalty to Chongzhen.
As Emperor Chongzhen looked at Yang Sichang, who was prostrate on the ground and sincerely surrendered, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew that from this moment on, Yang Sichang, a key minister in the late Ming Dynasty who was able to coordinate the overall situation, had truly become a trusted confidant whom he could rely on as a pillar.
He stepped forward and steadily helped Yang Sichang up again, his eyes unwavering:
"At daybreak tomorrow, I will set off south."
"Minister Yang, I'm entrusting the capital to you."