Chapter 93: The Public-Spirited and Loyal Patriot Yang
Chapter 93: The Public-Spirited and Loyal Patriot Yang
Hongde Hall.
“Are you displeased with the rewards I bestowed upon you?”
Wanli asked with a dark expression.
“Your Majesty, this commoner is, of course, pleased. To rise directly from a humble commoner to a Jinyiwei Thousand-Household Officer of the fifth rank, not to mention being granted the honor of wearing the Bullfighting Robe—this is a matter that brings glory to one’s ancestors!”
Yang Xin quickly replied.
“I have no time for your nonsense!”
Wanli snorted coldly.
“Speak your mind. His Majesty the Emperor was quite pleasantly surprised by you. Who would have thought you were a fierce general like Guan Yu? So many veteran generals in Liaodong, an army of over a hundred thousand, yet none performed as well as you, a mere commoner. We originally thought that with the deaths of Liu Ting and Du Song, Liaodong no longer had any truly capable fighters. But as soon as you arrived, you killed that old slave’s son. Your ‘Yang the Great Blade’ far surpasses ‘Liu the Great Blade.’ His Majesty was considering how you could serve the state well, starting as a Company Commander, with the promise of becoming a Regional Military Commander in the future. Are you not disappointing His Majesty?”
Consort Zheng said with a smile.
She was reminding Wanli not to forget the merits Yang Xin had just achieved for him.
“Replying to Your Majesty, and to the Empress, this commoner truly dares not accept this decree. This commoner can scarcely read a few characters, knows nothing of being an official, and lacks the ability to lead troops. All this commoner knows is how to charge into battle. The counterattack on Kaiyuan-Tieling was planned by Chen Yujie and Cao Wenzhao, with seasoned troops mustered by General Li Rubai. This commoner merely listened to them, took up his blade, and went to kill the enemy.
More importantly, it was thanks to the support of Military Commissioner Xiong.
This commoner is like this commoner’s blade; they are the ones who wield it.
Moreover, just like this commoner’s blade, this commoner only knows how to slash the Jiannu, and does not dwell on other matters. As long as this commoner can slash the Jiannu, as long as this commoner can kill enemies for the state, this commoner will not hesitate. Therefore, in Liaodong, this commoner has offended countless people. To say nothing else, when this commoner confiscated the property of wealthy families in Shenyang to reward the soldiers, if not for Military Commissioner Xiong’s protection, any other official would likely have brought out the Imperial Sword to execute this commoner. Also, when this commoner set fire to Sarhu Mountain, although it left the Jiannu with nothing, it also drove them into a corner. After the Jiannu attacked Shenyang, some claimed it was because this commoner killed his son. If the Jiannu raid again, there will probably be those who say it is because this commoner burned their homes.”
Yang Xin said with a look of grievance.
“These are all just jealous and envious sorts. They themselves consume millions of taels of silver from the imperial court annually, yet only let the Jiannu grow stronger. Now that there is someone sincerely fighting the Jiannu, they cannot stand it!”
Consort Zheng said with a cold laugh.
“Do not interfere in matters of court politics!”
Wanli said.
Consort Zheng gave an unhappy hum.
“I understand your meaning, but I am not sending you back to Liaodong. I am merely having you serve in the Imperial Guard for now.”
Wanli said.
With his mind, he naturally understood these things.
Yang Xin’s achievements had embarrassed all the civil and military officials in Liaodong. It would be difficult for him to fit in as an official or a commander; others would unanimously target him. On the battlefield, deliberately undermining him would be unavoidable. Even off the battlefield, many would watch for opportunities to frame him.
Moreover, his actions were indeed too reckless.
Things like confiscating property from wealthy families in Shenyang to reward soldiers were truly improper. In fact, memorials impeaching Xiong Tingbi for indulging his reckless behavior had already arrived, but Wanli simply kept them. He understood it was a good method to boost morale. Improper as it was, it remained that Yang Xin, leading the entire city’s soldiers and civilians of Shenyang, repelled Wild Boar Skin’s claimed hundred-thousand-strong army. Kaiyuan fell to Wild Boar Skin in one battle; Tieling also fell to him in one battle. Yet at Shenyang, he suffered heavy losses against Yang Xin and had to withdraw in defeat. While Yang Xin’s combat prowess played a part, the desperate resistance of Shenyang’s soldiers and civilians was also a crucial factor.
Why did Shenyang’s soldiers and civilians resist so desperately?
Was it not because Yang Xin paid them silver daily? After each day’s fighting, they received silver. Those who killed enemies received the thirty-tael reward the very same day. Who would not fight desperately then? Ultimately, matters in Great Ming were simple: when silver was provided, nothing was impossible.
But such actions invited hatred!
Only Xiong Tingbi’s protection saved him; any other official would have truly used the Imperial Sword to execute him.
So Wanli had him join the Imperial Guard, not the army, essentially to protect him for the time being. When the frontlines deteriorated again in the future, they would still need him to act as a firefighter.
“But what can this commoner do in the Imperial Guard?
It would merely waste the court’s money and grain. A fifth-rank Company Commander receives over two hundred piculs of rice annually. Now the court needs to fight wars and aid disaster victims. Those over two hundred piculs given to disaster victims could support over a hundred people. Wasting them on this commoner is worse than aiding the victims.
This commoner currently lacks no silver.
This commoner has military merits for slaying Jiannu; this silver is what this commoner rightfully deserves. This commoner can accept it. But anything extra, this commoner feels unworthy to receive. Moreover, even without being an official, this commoner is ready to serve the state at any time. If the Jiannu dare cause trouble again, with just a decree from Your Majesty, this commoner will simply pick up his blade, go to Liaodong, take their heads, and present them to Your Majesty.
As for being an official, this commoner truly dares not.
This commoner has said that he wishes only to remain a commoner for Your Majesty and the Empress.
The granting of a Bullfighting Robe is enough!
However, if Your Majesty insists on rewarding, this commoner does have a few other requests.”
Yang Xin said.
“Speak!”
Wanli said, touched.
“This commoner, on this journey to Liaodong, saw countless refugees displaced, and Military Commissioner Xiong, short on funds and grain, inevitably neglected relief somewhat. If such people find themselves with no way out, they may drift into the mountains and forests to become bandits, or even be lured by the Jiannu. This commoner wishes to ask Your Majesty to grant this commoner a piece of wasteland—not existing fertile farmland, but unwanted wasteland, such as along the banks of the Hai River east of Tianjin. Military Commissioner Xiong can send refugees from Liaodong who cannot be settled there. This commoner will lead these refugees, organizing them to reclaim the wasteland for farming or fishing. Thus, they will have a livelihood. Moreover, if in the future the Jiannu, Japanese pirates, or others dare to invade, this commoner can lead them in defense.”
Yang Xin said.
“Granted. You may reclaim any coastal wasteland you choose. Whatever you reclaim will belong to you. I exempt you from land tax!”
Wanli said without hesitation.
What a fine young man! Truly loyal and devoted to the state!
Xiong Tingbi had already memorialized him, advising the strengthening of coastal defenses at Tianjin and Shanhai Pass. After all, Wild Boar Skin also had the port of Zhenjiang; if he colluded with pirates to raid Tianjin, it would be troublesome. Now, placing Yang Xin there, even if Wild Boar Skin had the guts, he likely would not dare to raid.
“Your Majesty, this subject must pay the land tax. Previously, while drinking with the Yongcheng County Magistrate Sun Chuanting, we discussed how the court’s funds and grain are always stretched thin. At that time, this commoner said that the reason Great Ming lacks money is that too many in the empire do not pay taxes. There are countless wealthy people in Great Ming; those with family wealth worth millions are innumerable. The court’s annual revenue might not even match that of a single wealthy merchant along the coast. Yet, this one does not pay taxes, that one does not pay taxes; almost more than half of the empire who should pay taxes avoid it through various means. As a result, the court lacks even the funds to support the army. How can this commoner now become such a person? Land tax, Liao Province Military Tax—this commoner will not be short a single coin; he will pay it all!”
Yang Xin said righteously.
Land tax and Liao Province Military Tax were negligible!
The land tax in Great Ming Dynasty was pitifully low. The wasteland around Tianjin was called reed land, with a tax of five ge per mu. Shi, dou, sheng, and ge are all decimal units. Five ge is not even enough for one of Yang Xin’s meals. It was just that officials collected extra meltage fee. But if he said he would only pay the land tax and Liao Province Military Tax, who would dare ask him for anything else?
“It seems the Bullfighting Robe I bestowed is not enough. Change it to a Flying Fish Robe for him!”
Wanli said with a laugh.
“Um, this commoner thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness. But this commoner has not finished speaking. Previously, in Liaodong, when discussing Liaodong’s defense with Military Commissioner Xiong, this commoner believed Kaiyuan must be rebuilt. The Yehe Tribe is loyal. Without Kaiyuan as a supporting stronghold, they will eventually be destroyed by the Jiannu. Moreover, the Yehe Tribe relies solely on the Northern Pass Horse Market. If Kaiyuan is not rebuilt, the Northern Pass Horse Market will also cease. Even if Jin Taiji remains loyal to Your Majesty, without the horse market, how can he support his people?
But Military Commissioner Xiong said Kaiyuan is isolated out there. Rebuilding Kaiyuan would necessitate rebuilding all the previous forts and cities; otherwise, military supply transport could not be secured. Rebuilding all these cities would be very costly, and with Liaodong’s current military strength and financial resources, it is not feasible.
Therefore, this commoner proposed using Liao River water transport.
But Military Commissioner Xiong feared the Western Barbarians would also raid and plunder.
The chieftains under Chahua all followed this commoner in the counterattack on Kaiyuan-Tieling. His son Aobadaiqing and Nangnuke both know this commoner and are aware of this commoner’s methods on the battlefield. This commoner wishes to establish a trading firm, responsible for transporting military supplies to Kaiyuan. If the Western Barbarians dare to raid along the way, this commoner will go directly to find Chahua. Presumably, they will fear this commoner. This commoner could take E Yi Dou’s head from the Jiannu camp; of course, this commoner could also go to Chahua’s great tent and take his head. This would also give those refugees something more to do. After all, the wasteland around Tianjin’s port is poor; supporting them will not be easy. So, the transport fees paid by the court can serve as a subsidy for them. The garrison at Kaiyuan and the Yehe Tribe would support each other. If the Jiannu dare to invade again in the future, they can immediately form an alliance and raid their lair.”
Yang Xin said.
“Granted. If all the subjects of Great Ming were as public-spirited and loyal to the state as you, why worry that the empire cannot achieve Taiping!”
Wanli said.
This was excellent. If Yang Xin could deter Chahua, the Liao River transport line could ensure Kaiyuan’s supplies. Originally, this route was the main supply line to Kaiyuan in the past. It was just later built outside the Liaodong Frontier Wall and abandoned due to Mongol raids.
“This commoner only wishes for everything in Great Ming to be pure and honest—officials acting like officials, military commanders acting like military commanders, the gentry acting like the gentry—not officials who only seek to amass wealth, commanders who only think of fleeing, or gentry who only think of how to evade taxes. This commoner cannot make others do anything; he can only do what he ought to do properly. Perhaps one day they will come to their senses. Even if not everyone wakes up, having more people think for the state will let Your Majesty worry less.”
Yang Xin said with a face full of concern for the nation and its people.
“Pure and honest?”
Wanli revealed a faint, bitter smile.
“Are you not yet married?”
Consort Zheng quickly changed the subject.
“Um, with the Jiannu not yet destroyed, how can I think of marriage!”
Yang Xin said righteously and solemnly.
“One should still marry. I will keep an eye out for you first, to see which good family’s daughter might suit you. Also, Grand Secretary Fang’s elder brother has passed away. You had some dealings with him. I heard your cousin became his final disciple. Do not forget to go pay your respects first.”
Consort Zheng said with deep meaning.