Chapter Seventy-One: An Ominous Sign

Since the Minister of War, Kuang Gang, was transferred away, the Board of War had been left without a true head for quite some time, and only a handful of important matters were handled by Deputy Minister Yu Qian in an acting capacity.

In his early years as a Censor, Yu Qian had accompanied Emperor Xuanzong on a campaign to suppress the rebellious Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu. When Zhu Gaoxu surrendered without a fight, the Emperor ordered Yu Qian to enumerate his crimes. Yu Qian, with unyielding words and a powerful presence, so intimidated the mighty Prince of Han that Zhu Gaoxu was left prostrate on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, declaring himself guilty and deserving of death a thousand times over.

The Emperor, witnessing his uncle’s humiliation, was naturally delighted, and regarded Yu Qian with special favor. Upon their triumphant return to the capital, Yu Qian was appointed Inspector of Jiangxi. Thereafter, his career advanced smoothly, and he eventually rose to the rank of Right Vice Minister of War—a high office of the third rank in the Great Ming court.

Yet unexpectedly, for the next eighteen years, Yu Qian remained stuck in that very post, never advancing a single step. Eighteen years ago he was Right Vice Minister of War, and eighteen years later, he was still Right Vice Minister of War!

For eighteen years, this vice minister never received a promotion, and his days in the capital were few and far between; most of the time, he served as an itinerant inspector in Henan and Shanxi, always under the title of Right Vice Minister of War.

To hold such a high position yet remain unpromoted for eighteen years—Yu Qian’s experience was truly an unprecedented anomaly in the dynasty’s history.

It was not merely the lack of promotion: three years earlier, Yu Qian had nearly lost his life for offending Wang Zhen. Only through the earnest petitions of officials and commoners from two provinces, as well as the intercession of the princes, was he restored to office. Intimidated by the power of the princes, Wang Zhen had no choice but to yield. Since then, except for a brief tour as inspector of Shanxi, Yu Qian had remained mostly in the capital, fulfilling his duties as Right Vice Minister of War.

In fact, this was the first time Yu Qian had truly presided over the Board of War; previously, the board had been almost unfamiliar territory to him.

Since the Emperor set out on campaign, the volume of official documents at the Board of War had surged, and Yu Qian had been working ceaselessly in the office for three days straight. He had not returned home during this time; when hungry, he ate food brought by his family, and when tired, he lay down for a while in the adjoining clerks’ room—lest any business be delayed. After all, he was now the only one in charge; without him, many matters would be held up. In most cases, this was not serious, but delays in correspondence to Xuanfu, Datong, or the Imperial Encampments could be deadly.

Today was another busy day. The Bureau of Military Appointments had arranged for six newly-appointed military officers to be presented to Yu Qian, the de facto head of the Board, for an audience and admonition.

Yu Qian regarded these officers with ever-increasing dissatisfaction, finding their presence in official court garb an eyesore. He almost wished he could strip them of their robes on the spot.

Yet there was nothing to be done. These officers had already been registered by the Five Military Commanderies, and their presentation to the Board of War was a mere formality; the real power of appointment and removal lay with the Commanderies, not with Yu Qian. As acting Vice Minister, he had no authority to interfere with their personnel decisions; even Minister Kuang Gang, if he were present, would face the same constraints. Thus, he could do nothing but endure the situation, letting these martial men pass through his hands, his heart filled with silent indignation.

Soon after, the various department heads came to report on the day’s duties. Once they were dismissed, a group of clerks arrived, arms laden with documents for the Vice Minister’s review and approval.

The first few documents were handled swiftly. Yu Qian glanced at each, penned a note of approval, or, where he could not, directed the clerks to forward them to the Grand Secretariat. But when a certain Clerk Zheng stepped forward and handed over a document, Yu Qian’s brush slipped from his fingers, landing with a large black blot on the page.

Clerk Zheng was startled, uncertain why the Vice Minister would lose composure in this way. Was there some important matter in this document? He knew that since Yu Qian’s return to office, he had been stern and unyielding with the clerks, never showing them kindness and quick to rebuke them. Fearing to provoke his wrath, Zheng dared neither to look at the document nor to speak, but simply stood there, unmoving.

As he puzzled over the situation, Yu Qian’s voice cut through the silence: “When was this document delivered?”

“Half an hour ago, sir,” replied Clerk Zheng cautiously, not daring to show the slightest sign of negligence.

Upon hearing this, Yu Qian’s anger flared. “If it was delivered half an hour ago, why is it only now being presented to me?”

“Sir, I...”

Caught off guard by the Vice Minister's sudden outburst, Clerk Zheng was at a loss. This was an ordinary document, not an urgent dispatch; he had followed proper procedure and done nothing wrong. But he had no idea what was in the document that could so upset the Vice Minister and bring trouble upon himself.

“Hmph!”

Yu Qian glanced at the clerk, who was nearly trembling with anxiety, but did not press him further. Instead, he took the document into his hands and studied it repeatedly. The others waited a long time, yet Yu Qian did not write a single word of approval.

Another clerk, emboldened by a slightly closer relationship with Yu Qian, stepped forward and quietly asked, “Should we send this to the Grand Secretariat for further deliberation?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Yu Qian replied, waving a hand. “Set it aside for now. I need time to consider.”

“Yes, sir.” The clerk withdrew without another word.

Yu Qian glanced at Clerk Zheng and said, “You’re dismissed as well.”

“Yes, sir,” Zheng answered, relieved as if granted amnesty. He backed away quickly, and as he straightened up, his eyes inadvertently fell on the document on the desk. Though he could not make out the contents, he clearly saw the signature at the bottom: Yang Hong of Xuanfu.

After Zheng’s departure, Yu Qian dealt with over a dozen more documents. But fatigue overcame him, and he ordered the remaining clerks to withdraw, then called for tea. Alone, he prepared to rest for a while.

Outside, the sky was growing ever darker, and rain threatened.

After a sip of tea, Yu Qian looked up at the gloomy sky, his face clouded with worry. Soon, raindrops began to fall, drumming against the stone slabs outside with a steady rhythm.

How were things in Datong, he wondered?

As Yu Qian brooded, hurried footsteps approached from outside. A figure entered, soaked through from the rain. On closer look, it was his son-in-law, Zhu Ji.

“Father-in-law!”

Zhu Ji was about to bow, but Yu Qian seized his arm, disregarding his drenched clothes, and urgently asked, “What’s the situation? Where is His Majesty now?”

Knowing his father-in-law’s temperament, Zhu Ji was unfazed. He wiped the rain from his face and replied, “His Majesty has arrived in Datong. When I left, I heard he intended to proceed to Yanghe Pass.”

“To Yanghe Pass?” Yu Qian was startled, instinctively glancing at his desk, where, in the right-hand corner, lay an urgent dispatch from Deputy General Guo Deng of Datong, sent several days prior. It detailed the disastrous defeat suffered by Marquis Song Ying of Xining at Yanghe Pass.

“Why would His Majesty go there? Has Esen withdrawn from the border?”

Yu Qian was perplexed. Why would the Emperor leave the safety of Datong and head to the site of a crushing military defeat? Could it be that Esen, learning of the court army’s approach, had already fled?

“Strange indeed,” Zhu Ji continued, frowning. “As soon as His Majesty arrived, Esen, who had been active in the region, suddenly vanished without a trace. No one knows where he has gone. I also heard that Minister Kuang and the others strongly opposed the Emperor’s plan to go to Yanghe Pass, but that eunuch Wang Zhen urged him on. Ignoring the counsel of Grand Secretary Cao and Minister Kuang, His Majesty followed Wang Zhen’s advice and insisted on going, refusing to heed any objections from his ministers.”

At this, Yu Qian sighed. “His Majesty trusts Wang Zhen too easily. To leave for Yanghe Pass without ascertaining Esen’s whereabouts is to court disaster. Only recently, the Marquis of Xining suffered a crushing defeat there...” He paused, regret heavy in his voice. “I only regret that I did not urge the Emperor more forcefully to execute that eunuch Wang Zhen. Now we reap the consequences. That treacherous eunuch treats matters of state as a game—he truly deserves death!”

Seeing his father-in-law so dispirited, Zhu Ji quickly offered comfort: “Father-in-law, you must not blame yourself. You did all you could; it is His Majesty who would not listen to loyal advice. Such wicked deeds as Wang Zhen’s cannot long escape retribution. Let him be arrogant for a while; in time, he will meet his end.”

Yu Qian managed a bitter smile at his son-in-law’s words, but said nothing, motioning for Zhu Ji to sit. Only then did he remember that Zhu Ji was still sopping wet, and urged him to change into dry clothes in the adjoining room.

But Zhu Ji, his brow still furrowed, did not rush off. “Father-in-law, if His Majesty goes to Yanghe Pass, do you think he will engage Esen in battle? And if so, what are the chances of victory?”

Yu Qian hesitated, then said, “Our army was hastily dispatched, the Emperor is overconfident, and Wang Zhen knows nothing of military affairs and issues reckless orders. There is little hope of victory. Moreover, it has rained for days, the soldiers are exhausted from their march, while the Oirats await them at leisure. If Esen is indeed at the border, this battle... this battle will likely be lost!” He cast another worried glance at the pouring rain outside.

Hearing his father-in-law speak with such certainty, Zhu Ji grew somber as well. He recalled the rumors circulating in the streets and could not help but say, “With so many civil and military officials accompanying the Emperor on this campaign, people are saying that if His Majesty is defeated, the entire court will be wiped out, and the throne may even change hands.”

At these words, Yu Qian’s heart gave a jolt, and he thundered, “Nonsense! Who is spreading such seditious rumors?”

“I... I do not know,” Zhu Ji stammered, startled and instantly regretful. After all, his father-in-law was a man who tolerated no impropriety and would not abide idle talk.

Seeing his son-in-law’s anxious expression, Yu Qian could not help but sigh. Zhu Ji was competent in all things and skilled in legal matters, but naïve in the ways of officialdom. Was it his place, as a court official, to repeat such street gossip?

He looked at Zhu Ji in silence.

At that moment, a bolt of lightning split the sky, followed by a deafening peal of thunder.

Startled by the thunder, Zhu Ji exclaimed, “Thunder at this time of late autumn?”

His father-in-law’s face was grave and heavy with concern.

“A most inauspicious omen,” Yu Qian muttered, worry etched across his features.

..........

Tonight, I have social obligations, so there will be only one update today and tomorrow. There is much to be done for the holiday—such is life.