Jingdezhen.
The Imperial Kiln Supervisor, Shen Chun, arrived at a hidden cellar with two attendants.
A batch of porcelain with five-clawed dragons soaring into the clouds had been fired. They were in various forms, including some imitating Western styles of dragon motifs. Although awkward, they fit the impression Zhu Mo gave to the world. An old kiln master approached and said:
"Lord Shen, these pieces for the Son of Heaven are ready. When will they be transported to the capital?"
Shen Chun's left-hand assistant, Qian Shi, said indifferently:
"It's none of your business. Go to the Imperial Kiln Office to collect your reward."
After the potters left, Shen Chun picked up an octagonal piece, also decorated with five-clawed dragons on its four sides. He examined it for a while and then chuckled:
"This stuff, it really turned out looking the part..."
The assistant, named Peng Bosheng, had been doing Shen Chun's dirty work for years. He said obsequiously: "Lord Shen, the vessels are now officially produced, aren't they?"
Shen Chun sighed:
"The vessels are indeed officially produced, but the momentum cannot be built... Everyone in Jingdezhen knows the taboos. With just this excuse, how can we stir up trouble? Old Peng, have you made contact with those new private kiln owners? Have you managed to ensnare any of them?"
Peng Bosheng replied:
"I've made an effort to befriend them and know a few, but most of these people are also from pottery backgrounds. It's still a bit difficult to frame them..."
Shen Chun suddenly turned his head and said to him sternly:
"Old Peng, this is an order from the Grand Secretary. You must take it seriously... There were originally two intentions here: one is to discredit his reforms, and the second is this five-clawed dragon... Regarding the reforms, it mainly concerns those new private kiln owners. If they fire everything, what will our old friends fire? They have been complaining to me. Old Peng, you need to think carefully, what should be done? We cannot afford to be careless!"
Peng Bosheng said subserviently:
"Never, never, how could this humble subordinate be careless? It's just that this humble subordinate thinks that it's not enough to only ensnare the new private kiln owners. We also need to ensnare the Qinu assigned by Zhu Mo for the matter to escalate..."
"Mmm, mmm,"
Shen Chun had also been thinking about it for several days and felt this was indeed the only way. He immediately said:
"Good! Go and think it over, make arrangements, and get it done immediately! These items are quite conspicuous here... Those who are kiln owners must be paid. As for those who babble carelessly, you know what to do."
Peng Bosheng nodded and said: "Lord Shen, I understand."
...
At the same time,
The Capital, Ministry of War.
Late at night, Zhang Juzheng was feeling deeply worried and did not wish to return to his residence, so he was reading in his office.
A few days prior,
Feng Bao had come to hint whether he was willing to have Yin Shidan appointed to the Privy Council. Zhang Juzheng had politely refused. The reason was simple: the current situation made it impossible to do anything. He could only wait until the court situation became clearer before he could resume his various reforms.
Furthermore,
Wang Guoguang had returned, and the situation in Jizhou was very grim. The Tumen were unwilling to accept the jurisdiction of Altan Khan. After the death of Kuden Khan, the Chahar tribes fell into internal conflict, with more disunity. As a result, various tribes began to migrate eastward, flooding into the territory beyond the passes in large numbers, causing severe conflicts with the Jurchen tribes, Koreans, and immigrant Han soldiers already there.
Additionally, there were Yang Bo's household troops. Although their numbers were not yet large, other generals were following suit and establishing their own private forces. For example, Li Chengliang, originally a Korean, already had a formidable private army. Moreover, Yang Bo was the first person in the Great Ming to establish household troops, and his involvement touched upon many important court affairs. It was extremely difficult to dismantle his household troops, hence he was helpless against young generals like Li Chengliang.
Earlier, Liang Menglong had also visited to remind Yang Bo, but his words carried little weight, and Yang Bo simply did not listen. The situation was the same this time. Wang Guoguang was only an Assistant Minister, and how could Yang Bo listen? Zhang Juzheng had considered writing to Yang Bo himself, but the current situation was too complex, and he dared not communicate in secret. For the past few days, feeling helpless, he could only read idle books to pass the time.
Tonight,
He felt particularly restless. Based on his years of experience, something must have gone wrong somewhere. It was nearly midnight when Liang Menglong and Wang Guoguang indeed arrived.
"Esteemed Grand Secretary, something has happened! Something has happened in Jizhou and Liaodong!"
Liang Menglong handed over the urgent report and added:
"The Chakhar have heavily entered Liaodong. The Jianzhou Jurchens refuse to exert themselves and are even showing goodwill. The Inner Khalkha tribes are also standing by and watching. Liaoyang is in grave danger!"
Zhang Juzheng scanned the report and immediately grasped the key point—
The Tumen had been migrating eastward for several years, their numbers varying depending on the pressure from Altan Khan and the Tumet. The first batch moved east because Kuden Khan had died, and the tribes were fractured. Those in the east, fearing being incorporated into Altan Khan's forces, moved east first.
The reason they moved east was because the Ming army had been operating in Liaodong for years, and Altan Khan dared not advance his main forces eastward, as it would inevitably trigger a war between the two nations. Although Liaodong also had the Inner Khalkha and Jurchen tribes, it was still much safer compared to the pressure from Altan Khan. Moreover, the Tumen were numerous, and once a large group entered, the local population of Liaodong would be unable to resist, making it almost a foregone conclusion for them to become the dominant force.
This, naturally, was the outcome the Ming Dynasty most feared.
Originally, the local tribes in Liaodong were dispersed, with no particularly strong tribes. This allowed for a policy of "divide and rule." Once a single force became dominant, these local tribes would unite to form another minor hegem. Then, if Altan Khan's side also experienced trouble and the Tumet could no longer control the Mongols, this minor hegem would become a great hegem, and the Liao and Jin Dynasties would be within reach.
This time,
Tumantaiji, the eldest son of Dalaisun, had personally led the various tribes eastward. Although they were currently stationed at Zhuo Mountain, judging by the reactions of the Jianzhou Jurchens and the five Inner Khalkha tribes, it seemed as if they had colluded beforehand? In the past, whenever the Tumen moved eastward, the Jurchens would be extremely panicked and often take the initiative to attack, simultaneously reporting to Liaoyang and Shenyang. But this time, the Jianzhou Jurchen leader Wang Gao remained completely inactive and even provided them with military supplies...
It should be noted that,
These local tribes were at odds with each other, making unified action difficult. Hence, Jizhou and Liaodong had remained peaceful for a long time, and the pressure on the nine garrisons was entirely on the Altan Khan front. But this time, they had united?
Who?
Had played a role in this?
Zhang Juzheng did not want to think about it, but he had to pinpoint one person, and that was—
Yang Bo, the Governor-General of Jizhou and Liaodong.
Only if Yang Bo had given prior notice or a hint would the current bizarre situation have occurred.
What was the reason?
Zhang Juzheng sighed and said to Wang Guoguang:
"Ru Guan, did you notice anything unusual about Yang Bo when you were in Jizhou?"
Wang Guoguang had returned from Jizhou not long ago. Receiving this urgent report tonight, he was also greatly surprised. He had been pondering along the way where the problem might have occurred. Hearing Zhang Juzheng's question, he recalled something and blurted out:
"Esteemed Grand Secretary, I remember now! The Grand Secretary's close friend, Niu Xin, was also at Yang Bo's residence! I saw him from afar that day when Yang Bo was seeing us off!"
Niu Xin?
Zhang Juzheng immediately reacted—
Could it be?
Another scheme by the Yan family?
Wang Guoguang added:
"Esteemed Grand Secretary, I was in Jizhou for over ten days, and Yang Bo also took me to inspect the various forts. However, I did not see anything unusual... Well, if there was anything, it was that Li Chengliang was having a disagreement with Yang Bo... That Li Chengliang is very capable, he repeatedly ambushed the Tumen at Panshan Post Station, but for the past ten days, I have only seen him once, and he seemed disheartened and unhappy..."
"Mmm, mmm,"
Zhang Juzheng and Liang Menglong exchanged a look, their minds now clear—
Yang Bo had probably used some excuse to transfer Li Chengliang away, leaving Panshan Post Station exposed, thus allowing the Tumen to flood in... And this series of changes was likely persuaded by Niu Xin to Yang Bo.
Zhang Juzheng understood this point very well. Niu Xin and Yan Shifan were childhood friends. They had been dissolute together in their youth, sharing similar tastes, and after growing up, they had continued their wild ways, making them Yan Shifan's confidant and alter ego. He had originally served in Jizhou, acting as a liaison between Yang Bo and Yan Song for many years. Last year, he was transferred back to the capital from Jizhou and appointed as a Langzhong in the Ministry of War. The purpose was to replace either Liang Menglong or Wang Guoguang. However, due to subsequent frequent changes, the Yan family had likely retreated. This Niu Xin then returned to Jizhou.
Upon his return, he had Yang Bo dispatch Li Chengliang, and at such a sensitive juncture in the court, how could this not arouse suspicion?
Zhang Juzheng, being the astute individual he was, paced a few steps and then arrived at the core of the matter—
The Yan family and Prince Yu had a serious rift. They likely had a larger plan in mind...