sovbooks Chapter 051 Rejected
Chapter 051 Rejected
Chapter 051
Inside Chen Ying's residence in Jinggongfang.
The colors were deep and somber, and the candlelight flickered.
Chen Ying, however, was wide awake. He had no confidence in the upcoming trip to Pi Island because Mao Wenlong was a very complex person. In the words of Professor Yan Chongnian in later years, "Mao Wenlong squandered funds and resources, made empty boasts, showed no ambition, and arbitrarily made payments..."
Of course, his remarks should be interpreted very differently, just like those of Hu Xijin. The more he praises someone, the more likely that person is a traitor, a sellout, or some kind of swindler.
Ironically, in Yan's eyes, Mao Wenlong, who was utterly useless, might actually be a man of principle. The problem was that Chen Ying had no connection with Mao Wenlong. The reason he advised Wei Zhongxian not to deal with Mao Wenlong was because, apart from Mao Wenlong, no one in Dongjiang Town had the prestige to manage the army effectively.
Historically, Yuan Chonghuan seized the army and killed the commander on Shuangdao Island, beheading Mao Wenlong with a single blow. He utilized another major force in the Dongjiang Army besides Mao Wenlong, namely Liu Xingzuo.
Liu Xingzuo was the deputy general of the Jurchens in the four prefectures of Liaonan, and he was also the first to surrender to Nurhaci. However, the problem was that he was not alone. He led more than 40,000 soldiers and civilians from the four prefectures of Liaonan to abandon the Jin dynasty and join the Ming dynasty. He had seven brothers, each leading a force of troops. Even Mao Wenlong could not control him.
Of course, Liu Xingzuo listened to Yuan Chonghuan's words and cooperated with Yuan Chonghuan to kill Mao Wenlong on Shuangdao Island. However, what is interesting about Yuan Chonghuan is that he was afraid that Liu Xingzuo would become a second Mao Wenlong, so he divided the Dongjiang Army into four and set up four brigades.
Although Mao Chenglu, Mao Youfu, Chen Jisheng, and Shen Shikui, among the generals of the Dongjiang Army, were not on good terms internally, they united very well when facing the seven brothers of Liu Xingzuo. In the end, the Dongjiang Army was split into four or five parts and became a disorganized mess.
The Ming Dynasty had a tough time, but the Dongjiang Army had it even tougher. The fact that Mao Wenlong wasn't the one restraining the Jurchens wasn't the worst outcome for the Ming Dynasty. The key was that Mao Wenlong not only restrained the Jurchens but also kept Joseon under pressure, which was the most crucial factor.
You can't reason with someone like Wei Zhongxian about national interests or make him swallow his anger; you can only analyze this matter from the perspective of political struggle.
Of course, you can't talk about national affairs or the well-being of the people when it comes to Mao Wenlong. It's a very cruel and realistic issue: the Dongjiang Army received the meager military pay and had poor equipment. They fought desperately against the Jurchens in the icy and snowy land of Liaodong. The imperial court was more wary of the Dongjiang Army than of bandits.
Let alone Mao Wenlong, even if it were Chen Ying, Chen Ying wouldn't feel comfortable either. With someone like Mao Wenlong, you can only talk about interests. Actually, the Ming Dynasty did one thing wrong: it treated all Europeans as a single entity.
The problem is that we are currently in the midst of the Thirty Years' War in Europe. The so-called Thirty Years' War in Europe was actually a religious war throughout Europe. The main cause of the outbreak was the war between Protestants and Catholics. The so-called Protestants, similar to the Confucian concept of the interaction between Heaven and Man, offered new interpretations of the Bible.
The Spanish Habsburg dynasty was the world's first empire on which the sun never set. At its peak, Spain almost unified the whole of Europe, and the Netherlands and Portugal were vassal states of Spain.
Even in the East, the Dutch, Portuguese, British, and Spanish have already gone to great lengths to defeat the Ming Dynasty. Among these four countries, Portugal is clearly pro-Ming, while Spain and the Dutch want to destroy the Ming Dynasty, and Britain is still a thief.
Chen Ying believed that North Korea, as a trade transit point, was actually very promising, as it could not only solve some of the Ming Dynasty's financial problems but also accelerate its transformation.
Chen Ying had long realized that the biggest problem of the Ming Dynasty was the surplus of manpower. The land could no longer support all the people of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty needed to find a way for the people of the world to survive. At present, the only option was to develop industry and develop overseas trade.
On April 16th of the fourth year of the Tianqi reign, a large procession consisting of more than 20 four-wheeled carriages and over 100 guards left Shahe on the official road in Changping, a suburb of Beijing.
Chen Ying rode in his four-wheeled carriage, accompanied by his adopted son Chen Yongren and Chen Daniu, the centurion of Shahe Garrison, leading 112 military households. These military households were equipped with luxurious gear, all wearing Ming-style lamellar armor, and each person had at least three weapons, with Tang-style swords and revolvers being standard issue.
The others were arranged in groups of two shield bearers, two spearmen, two lancers, two musketeers, and two swordsmen and axemen for each flag.
In this group, there were also two carriages carrying sixteen craftsmen led by Chen Jide. These craftsmen were skilled in smelting, forging, and casting. They were Chen Ying's bargaining chips to discuss technology with Mao Wenlong.
Chen Ying glanced back at the receding city walls of Gonghua. Song Xianze and Song Yanniang saw him off at the city gate; their eyes met, and everything was understood without words.
The outcome of this journey is uncertain, and the entire situation in Shahe is now entrusted to his brother-in-law and wife.
In fact, Chen Ying really wanted to take Song Xianze to Pi Island, but the problem was that there was still someone left behind in Shahe who could coordinate the overall situation, and Chen Ying didn't have a good candidate other than Song Xianze.
As for recruiting advisors or talents, it's the same issue we discussed before. The Ming Dynasty is not like the later era; talents hardly circulate. Sitting in the carriage, Chen Ying drank a cup of wine and drifted off to sleep.
"Godfather, we're almost at Bazhou."
"We won't go into the city. We'll rest when we pass Bazhou and then the next post station!"
"yes!"
Chen Ying's convoy bypassed Bazhou City and traveled another seven or eight miles when a fierce battle cry suddenly came from a bend in the official road ahead. Seven or eight guards were protecting a green-covered carriage and were fighting fiercely with the surrounding bandits.
"Halt! Prepare for battle!"
Chen Daniu hurriedly walked to Chen Ying's carriage and said, "Commander, there are bandits attacking civilians ahead, we..."
"Prepare to rescue them. Let me, the commander, see how well you've trained over the past six months!"
"Yes, sir!"
Chen Daniu was no longer the lowly military officer he once was at the Ma Mu Hundred-Household Garrison. He turned to his adjutant, Ge Yun, and said, "Adjutant Ge, within two incense sticks' time, annihilate this band of bandits!"
"Yes, sir!"
"etc!"
Chen Ying smiled faintly and said, "Pass on my orders: for every headheaded enemy, a reward of five taels of silver will be given; for every wounded enemy, I will provide medical treatment; and for every death in battle, a compensation of fifty taels of silver will be provided!"
Chen Ying is not short of money now. He has been busy with the affairs of various manufacturing bureaus and has not paid any attention to the training situation at Shahe Institute.
Ge Yun's eyes lit up when he heard this.
In Shahe, the military households received decent treatment, almost on par with the border army's household guards. However, the problem was that killing a bandit only earned them five taels of silver, which was practically free.
Despite the fact that the bandits surrounding the carriage numbered nearly a hundred, they were a motley crew. They had a force that was more than ten times larger than the guards, yet they failed to capture the carriage and instead suffered several casualties at the hands of the seven or eight guards.
"Form ranks, attack!"
Ge Yun and his soldiers were very confident. They were all clad in lamellar armor, and even if they stood still, the bandits' weapons could not harm them.
The battle was a foregone conclusion. With just one surprise attack, the more than one hundred bandits collapsed, leaving behind more than a dozen corpses. The soldiers howled and chased after the bandits. Despite being heavily armored, they moved with incredible speed.
A scholar in his thirties alighted from the carriage that was being besieged by bandits. He wore a blue robe and a square scarf, had clear eyes, and possessed a refined demeanor with a hint of military sharpness. He was very pretentious, and even seemed to be reading a book.
The scholar leaned forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you for your help, sir. May I ask who you are...?"
Chen Ying didn't use any banners. He got out of the carriage, cupped his hands, and said, "I am Chen Boying, commander of the Shahe Garrison!"
"what……"
The young scholar was slightly taken aback, then exclaimed with delight, "Could it be Lord Chen Boying, who cast the Tianqi Plow and the Huimin Seedling?"
"That is indeed me. May I ask who you are, sir...?"
"My name is Mao Yuanyi, courtesy name Zhisheng. I have long admired your esteemed name, Commander!"
Mao Yuanyi was not just being polite; he had long admired Chen Boying's reputation. Chen Boying was not a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) but a notorious heretic in the Ming Dynasty. He came from an official family; his grandfather, Mao Kun, was the Deputy Military Commissioner of Daming, and his father, Mao Guojin, was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.
Influenced by his family, Mao Yuanyi was diligent and studious from a young age, reading extensively, especially works on military and agricultural matters. As an adult, he became well-versed in military affairs and possessed strategic acumen. When Nurhaci rebelled against the Ming Dynasty and suffered a major defeat in Liaodong, he devoted himself to writing books.
He diligently studied military theories from past dynasties and compiled the information on weapons and equipment, as well as strategies for governing the country and bringing peace to the world, into the book "Wubei Zhi" (Treatise on Military Preparedness), which was printed in the first year of the Tianqi reign (1621). From then on, this young scholar became famous and was appointed as a military advisor, known for his knowledge of military affairs, and accompanied Grand Secretary Sun Chengzong to supervise the troops in Liaodong.
Chen Ying had naturally heard of this extraordinary person. He was practically an encyclopedia, with a wide and diverse range of knowledge. It was said that he could even deliver a cow's calf. How could he possibly know him?
"So it's Mr. Mao!"
Chen Ying quickly bowed again: "Sir, your 'Treatise on Military Preparedness' is profound and extensive. I have read the chapter on firearms and benefited greatly from it. May I ask how you came to know me?"
Mao Yuanyi laughed and said, "Commander Chen, you flatter me. I recently accompanied Grand Secretary Sun on an inspection tour of Jiliao. In Ningyuan City, I heard General Ma Shilong lavish praise on the superiority of the guns and swords made in Shahe. Later, I heard that the Imperial Guards in the capital were promoting the Tianqi plow, and the gentry were full of praise for it. Upon further inquiry, I learned that it was all the work of Commander Chen. I returned to the capital yesterday to report back and intended to pay you a visit, but unexpectedly, we met here. It's truly fate!"
When Chen Ying learned that this man was Mao Yuanyi, he was not surprised. Although he only had seven or eight guards under his command, he was a formidable figure. In the second year of Chongzhen's reign, when Huang Taiji led a large army to the gates of Beijing, Chongzhen remembered Sun Chengzong and entrusted him with the task of reorganizing the troops. Sun Chengzong led more than a hundred cavalrymen to escort Sun Chengzong to the Tongzhou camp and broke through the blockade of six Jurchen cavalrymen.
Unfortunately, this man was too closely associated with Sun Chengzong, and was implicated by Sun Chengzong, dying in despair.
"Zhisheng, are you perhaps heading to Tianjin?"
"Exactly!"
"Why don't we travel together?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking!"
Mao Yuanyi looked at Chen Ying's four-wheeled carriage and laughed, "Is this the luxurious carriage that Boying made?"
"What luxury car?"
"Extreme wealth and power cannot be attained!"
Mao Yuanyi boarded Chen Ying's carriage, curiously looking around. Chen Ying explained the interior layout and clever mechanisms to him.
The more they talked, the more compatible they became.
Although Mao Yuanyi was a scholar, he was well-versed in firearms, engineering, geography, and military systems. When he talked about the situation in Liaodong and the problems of the border towns, he was very insightful. Chen Ying's forward-thinking insights found a kindred spirit in him.
Chen Ying also discovered that although Mao Yuanyi was an ancient person, he was a genius. He could understand mechanical principles very quickly. Even when talking about the Dutch in Fujian, he could infer from the friction between the Dutch and the Spanish that Europe was also divided and fighting against each other.
This guy was simply a prodigy; his knowledge even surpassed that of most people in later generations.
Upon arriving in Tianjin, Chen Ying received a handwritten order from Wei Zhongxian. The Tianjin Navy dispatched three 400-gun fleets to escort Chen Ying to Pi Island. It was time for their parting.
Mao Yuanyi exclaimed excitedly, "Boying, you said that our Great Ming has a surplus of manpower and needs to absorb it through workshops and alleviate the shortage through maritime trade. These words are truly enlightening! I have traveled along the nine borders and seen refugees everywhere and empty garrisons. I have always been thinking of ways to break this deadlock. But Boying has already established schools, promoted workshops, and settled refugees in Shahe. This is exactly the right medicine. It is a pity that the officials in the court either talk about morality or are busy with factional struggles. No one is as pragmatic as him..."
Chen Ying smiled wryly: "I am but a humble person, and can only do as much as I can. It is Mr. Mao who compiled the 'Treatise on Military Preparedness,' which is a great compilation of ancient and modern weapons and battle formations, and his contribution will last for generations."
Mao Yuanyi shook his head and said, "No matter how much you know, if you can't put it into practice, it's just empty talk. Unlike Boying, whose musket sword greatly enhances the fighting power of musketeers, and whose iron plow could save countless lives. Judging from Boying's trip, he has a simple entourage but brings craftsmen with him. Could it be that he is going to do something important again?"
Chen Ying hesitated for a moment, then thought that Mao Yuanyi was Sun Chengzong's strategist, and Sun Chengzong was the governor of Ji, which was also Mao Wenlong's superior. If he had Mao Yuanyi's help, it might be a turning point. So he briefly explained the matter of Pi Island.
Of course, Chen Ying didn't tell the whole truth either.
Mao Yuanyi pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "If Boying doesn't mind, I'm willing to go with you."
"this……"
Chen Ying was overjoyed, but outwardly he looked troubled: "Zhisheng bears the heavy responsibility entrusted to him by the Grand Secretary, how can he be delayed because of my personal matters?"
"This trip is not a personal matter for Boying!"
Mao Yuanyi said solemnly, "The matter of Pi Island concerns the overall situation of Dongjiang. Isn't it a matter of great importance to the military and the nation? In his early years, Zhisheng traveled to Liaodong and had several meetings with Commander Mao. He knows a thing or two about the man and his military strategy. Moreover, Grand Secretary Sun has always been concerned about Dongjiang Town. This trip can also help the Grand Secretary find out the truth. Furthermore, Yuanyi is very interested in Boying's strategy of total war in Europe and maritime trade. We can ask him for advice along the way."
Chen Ying was overjoyed.
Mao Yuanyi was not only an outstanding military theorist, but also knowledgeable in practical matters. With him by our side, the success of the trip to Pi Island was greatly increased.
Five days later, Pi Island came into view.
It was a small island with rugged terrain and cliffs along the coast.
At this time, the houses on the island were simple, but the fortifications stretching from the mountaintop observation deck to the beach indicated that this was a military fortress. Dozens of ships of various sizes were moored at the dock, including naval warships, fishing boats, and cargo ships, their masts forming a forest.
As soon as the ship docked, a group of Dongjiang Army soldiers surrounded it.
"Who goes there? Do you have any official documents?"
Chen Ying handed over the official document issued by the Ministry of War and Wei Zhongxian's written order.
The Dongjiang soldier examined them carefully and finally clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "So it is Commander Chen and Mr. Mao. Please, esteemed guests, rest in the other courtyard. The commander-in-chief is not on Pi Island and will return in three days."
Chen Ying's heart sank instantly. This was a big problem. Don't be fooled by the polite words of this Dongjiang Army officer. The problem was serious. On the afternoon of the second day after he left Tianjin, he encountered a patrol team of the Dongjiang Army Navy. They were escorted by the Dongjiang Army Navy all the way to Pi Island.
To say that Mao Wenlong didn't know they were coming is a joke; it shows that Mao Wenlong didn't want to see him.
"Goods die when they arrive at the destination; when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head." Chen Ying didn't fly into a rage; he simply smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble!"
"please!"