Chapter 159: Cutting Off Wang Pu's Return Path to Datong

Fan Wencheng said, "Master, I wonder if this humble servant should speak his mind or remain silent."

Dorgon replied, "Please speak freely, Teacher."

Fan Wencheng said, "While Your Highness's idea of establishing a firearm corps is excellent, it is regrettable that Liaodong possesses neither iron-smelting facilities nor gunsmiths. Although Tong Yangxing is well-versed in firearms, his true expertise lies in casting cannons, and he only has a superficial understanding of muskets. Furthermore, relying on him alone leaves him severely isolated."

Dorgon frowned and asked, "Does that mean the firearm corps cannot be formed after all?"

"Not necessarily," Fan Wencheng said. "If Your Highness wishes to establish a firearm corps, you must first conquer Joseon. Joseon is known as the Lesser Central Plains; it possesses complete iron-smelting facilities and weapon workshops within its borders, as well as a sufficient number of skilled craftsmen. Through Joseon, Your Highness can also acquire Western firearms from the Japanese!"

Dorgon asked, "Are you suggesting we annihilate Joseon?"

Wencheng replied, "Make Joseon a province of the Great Qing Empire, and dispatch a capable individual to serve as its Governor-General. This humble servant has already selected the ideal candidate for Your Highness: Hong Chengchou."

"Hong Chengchou?" Dorgon frowned. "He has only just surrendered to the Great Qing. Might it be inappropriate to send him to Joseon as Governor-General? What if he defects back to the Ming?"

"It is of no consequence," Fan Wencheng said. "If Your Highness simply proclaims Hong Chengchou's surrender to the world, that little brat Chongzhen will inevitably execute his entire family. Once that happens, the path for Hong Chengchou to defect back to the Ming will be completely sealed, leaving him no choice but to dedicate himself entirely to Your Highness. Moreover, the troops stationed in Joseon will be Eight Banner soldiers; even if Hong Chengchou harbors ulterior motives, he will never be able to overturn the situation."

Ning Wanwo asked, "Does Xiandou mean that Hong Chengchou should only handle administrative affairs while being barred from commanding military operations?"

Wencheng replied, "That is precisely what I mean."

Dorgon nodded and said, "Tomorrow, I shall submit a memorial to the Empress Dowager and dispatch five thousand elite cavalry to conquer Joseon."

After a confidential discussion with Wang Pu, Sun Chuanting departed with a complex mixture of emotions. The twelve red-barbarian cannons remained behind, and Wang Pu had even acknowledged him as an adoptive father. Yet Sun Chuanting could not be certain whether Wang Pu had truly become his trusted subordinate, nor could he be sure whether he could control such a ferocious general as Wang Pu.

Sun Chuanting now realized that Wang Pu was not merely a crude martial artist; he was a man of profound intellect. Wang Pu's concept of "limiting imperial power" filled Sun Chuanting with deep apprehension.

Ever since Emperor Wu of Han "dismissed the hundred schools of thought and revered only Confucianism," the ideology of supreme imperial power had deeply rooted itself in the minds of scholars. Zhu Xi's pseudo-learning of Neo-Confucianism elevated the loyalist concepts of the "Three Fundamental Bonds and Five Constant Virtues" to the height of spiritual faith. It was not until the emergence of Wang Yangming's School of Mind that the spiritual dominance of Confucian orthodox learning faced a challenge, allowing the previously marginalized philosophy that "the people are more important than the sovereign" to resurface.

Fairly speaking, Wang Pu's notion of "limiting imperial power" aligned with the beliefs of certain Confucian scholars who adhered to Wang Yangming's teachings at the time. Sun Chuanting also felt that imperial power ought to be constrained.

However, the "limiting of imperial power" in Sun Chuanting's mind and the "limiting of imperial power" in Wang Pu's mind were two entirely different concepts. Sun Chuanting's vision of restraint was largely manifested through officials reasoning with the emperor in the court, whereas Wang Pu's vision involved using military force to compel the emperor into submission.

Although Wang Pu had explained to him that using military force to coerce the emperor was merely an expedient measure for troubled times, and that the Ming emperor would forever be a descendant of the Zhu family, Sun Chuanting harbored deep skepticism regarding these words. If a day came when Wang Pu truly assumed the role of Cao Cao, and the Ming emperor became a puppet in his hands, would he still think this way?

One voice whispered to Sun Chuanting: "Kill Wang Pu! Although this fellow claims with his lips that he will not usurp the Ming, he is in reality another Li Ziting, and ten times, a hundred times more terrifying than Li Zisting! If Wang Pu is not eliminated, the Ming dynasty will one day perish at his hands..."

Another voice immediately retorted: "No, Wang Pu must not be killed! Setting aside whether he can even be eliminated, even if it were possible, he cannot be killed. With rebel bandits swarming everywhere and the Jianzhou Jurchens running rampant, the foundation of the Ming is as fragile as an egg under a pile, and Wang Pu is the only one capable of turning the tide..."

Carrying an overwhelming complexity of emotions, Sun Chuanting departed Datong.

His next stop was Xi'an, where he intended to meet three fierce generals: Zuo Liangyu, He Renlong, and Meng Ruhu.

Datong, General's Headquarters.

Zhao Liujin strode into the interior, cupped his fists, and bowed to Wang Pu, saying, "This subordinate pays respects to the Gen—"

"Enough," Wang Pu waved his hand indifferently and said, "Liujin, Datong is entrusted to you."

"Ah..." Zhao Liujin was startled upon hearing this and blurted out anxiously, "General, what is the meaning of this?"

Wang Pu said, "Governor-General of the Five Provinces Sun Chuanting has already been to Datong to requisition the elite troops of this garrison for the suppression of rebels in Kaifeng. The main army will set out in three days."

"Ah?" Zhao Liujin cried out in alarm, "So soon? But once you and the main army depart, what will become of Datong?"

Although Zhao Liujin would become the highest-ranking military commander in Datong after Wang Pu's departure, a trace of anxiety accompanied his excitement. Wang Pu had disbanded all the garrison troops, leaving Datong with only Wang Pu's three organic camps. If Wang Pu marched all three camps away, what would Zhao Liujin use to defend Datong?

"Liujin, you need not worry," Wang Pu consoled him. "This garrison will leave you with sufficient equipment and fifty thousand taels of military pay. You can use these funds to recruit several thousand militia. The Jianzhou Jurchens and rebel bandits cannot possibly invade Datong in the short term. As long as you concentrate on drilling the troops, holding Datong will present no problem."

Zhao Liujin's mind settled somewhat, and he asked again, "General, are you truly leaving?"

"I must truly leave," Wang Pu stepped forward, patted Zhao Liujin on the shoulder, and spoke with blunt directness. "Furthermore, upon this departure, I shall likely never return. Datong is truly entrusted to you now. I hope you will treat the people of Datong kindly."

"General..." Zhao Liujin choked with emotion, "Will you allow this subordinate to accompany you?"

"That will not do," Wang Pu sighed softly. "If you leave, who will defend Datong? Among all my subordinates, only you possess the capability to hold your ground independently. I can only wrong you in this."

"General, rest assured!" Zhao Liujin suddenly squared his shoulders and declared loudly, "This subordinate will surely guard Datong well for you."

At that moment, Zhao Liujin genuinely wanted to drop to his knees and address Wang Pu as his own father. It was Wang Pu who had directly promoted him from a guerrilla general to a deputy regional commander, and it was Wang Pu who had granted him the opportunity to independently command a garrison. Before leaving, Wang Pu had even left him adequate equipment and fifty thousand taels of silver. What more could Zhao Liujin possibly demand?

Once Zhao Liujin departed in high spirits, Zhen Youcai, who stood to the side, asked in a low voice, "General, are we truly leaving?"

"We are truly leaving," Wang Pu nodded. "We must go! Wonderful though Datong may be, it is no place for a prolonged stay."

Zhen Youcai said, "But General, have you considered this? The soldiers of the Firearm Corps, the Spear Corps, and the Supply Corps are all natives of Shanxi. If the main army remains away from Shanxi for too long, they will inevitably feel homesick. If homesickness grips the troops, it will certainly affect military morale. A collapse without fighting is entirely possible under such circumstances."

"I have already considered it," Wang Pu said solemnly. "I will purchase vast estates in Jiangnan, and then send Xiaoqi with the personal guards to bring the soldiers' families from Datong in batches to settle in Jiangnan. No matter how difficult it is, and no matter how much silver it costs, those families must be brought over."

Zhen Youcai nodded and said, "That is the only way."

Wang Pu added, "There are also the three weapon workshops in Datong and the veteran craftsmen from the two gunpowder bureaus who must be taken along with the army."

Zhen Youcai replied, "This subordinate understands."

The Wang Family Estate.

"Oh my, the child has wet himself again!" Lady Yao, who was holding the baby Wang Fa and coaxing him happily, suddenly felt a wave of damp warmth against her chest. Looking down hastily, she saw a large patch of her silk garment soaked through. She cried out promptly, "Niangniang, quickly bring a clean diaper! Our little Wang Fa has wet himself once more."

"Elder Sister-in-law, let me do it," Chen Yuanyuan said with a smile as she sat up on the bed, wishing to take Wang Fa from Lady Yao's hands. Looking somewhat embarrassed at the damp stain on Lady Yao's chest, she apologized, "This child is truly mischievous; he doesn't pee on anyone else except you, Sister, doing it three times a day."

"That means the child is affectionate toward his aunt, and your sister is happy," Lady Yao laughed. "Yuanyuan, lie back down quickly. You have only just completed your month of confinement and your body is still weak; you must not overexert yourself. Otherwise, Third Brother will not forgive me."

As she spoke, Niangniang had already brought a clean diaper, and Lady Yao deftly changed the baby. Raising her voice, she called toward the doorway, "Zhuzi!"

Zhuzi responded and entered, asking, "Grandma, did you call this humble servant?"

Lady Yao asked, "Has the banquet been prepared?"

Zhuzi answered, "Everything is prepared, waiting only for the feast to begin."

Lady Yao asked again, "Have the invitations been sent out? Today is the happy occasion of our little Wang Fa's full-month celebration; we must make sure the event is lively and grand."

"They have all been sent," Zhuzi replied respectfully. "Grandma, you may rest assured."

Chen Yuanyuan, standing nearby, looked rather apologetic and said, "I have no idea where my husband has gone. It truly troubles you, Sister."

"Men have men's important matters to attend to," Lady Yao said. "These affairs rightfully belong to us women."

The three brothers Wang Pu, Wang Ju, and Wang Hua were indeed discussing important matters at that moment—specifically, the migration of the entire household.

Wang Pu said, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, I have already arranged everything regarding the move. The main army will set out in three days, and at that time, all members of the family will depart with the army. Once we cross Zhangde in Henan, I will have Xiaoqi lead the personal guard unit to escort you along the Grand Canal, heading south to Nanjing, and then proceed to Songjiang to retrieve that cache of treasure."

"Third Brother," Wang Hua asked, "what about you? Are you truly going to Kaifeng to risk your life against the rebel bandits?"

Wang Pu replied, "Kaifeng must certainly be visited, but risking one's life against the rebels is entirely unnecessary."

Wang Ju said, "In any case, Third Brother, you must be extremely cautious. If you lose your military command, given the offenses you have committed in Datong, our entire family will not meet a good end."

Wang Ju spoke the truth. The reason Emperor Chongzhen and the imperial court dared not take action against the Wang family was entirely because Wang Pu commanded an elite military force. Once protected no longer by this army—whether for the sake of silver or imperial dignity—Emperor Chongzhen would immediately strike down the Wang family.

"Rest assured, Eldest Brother," Wang Pu smiled slightly. "Your younger brother knows what he is doing."

Wang Ju sighed and said, "I truly never imagined it. Our Wang family migrated from Jiangnan to Datong over two hundred years ago, yet in the end, we find ourselves moving back to Jiangnan."

"Eldest Brother, I have three letters here," Wang Pu said, drawing three letters from his robe and handing them to Wang Ju. "Once you arrive in Nanjing, you may seek out the young dukes Chang Yanling and Li Zusu. Should you encounter river bandits or outlaws, you may also seek out Nanjing Naval Regional Commander Huang Degong; they will assist you."

The Forbidden City, Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Wang Chengen hurried into the great hall with elation, knelt, and reported, "Your Majesty, wonderful news!"

Emperor Chongzhen, who was resting on the imperial couch, turned upon hearing this and asked with a frown, "What wonderful news?"

Wang Chengen said, "That wretch Zhang Zan has just sent an urgent dispatch via a six-hundred-li express courier, stating that Wang Pu has decided to dispatch troops and will march toward Kaifeng in three days."

"Oh?" Emperor Chongzhen sat up abruptly at these words and asked anxiously, "Is this true?"

"It is absolutely certain," Wang Chengen replied. "Even given ten guts, that slave Zhang Zan would not dare deceive Your Majesty."

"As expected of Sun Chuanting," Emperor Chongzhen struck his knee in praise. "He actually managed to bring Wang Pu to heel."

Wang Chengen said, "This is what they call 'everything has its nemesis'."

With his sleepiness entirely vanished, Emperor Chongzhen rose and paced back and forth before the imperial couch, suddenly declaring, "Once Wang Pu leaves his stronghold in Datong, matters become easy to handle. When he arrives in Kaifeng with his army, I shall transfer Sun Yingyuan to Guyuan and then transfer Jiang Xiang to Datong. I will cut off Wang Pu's path back to Datong."

"Brilliant, truly brilliant!" Wang Chengen flattered, "Your Majesty's far-reaching strategy leaves this slave in awe."

"Yet we must not press Wang Pu too hard either," Emperor Chongzhen's tone shifted as he continued. "He must still serve as the Governor of the Capital Garrison. When the time comes, since he can neither return to Datong nor go anywhere else, he will have no choice but to come obediently to the capital and beg me."