The Great Rebel at the End of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 083: Combining Suppression and Appeasement

Yang He stood up and slowly paced back and forth, his brows furrowed.

Hong Chengchou was promoted by Yang He.

Hong Chengchou was able to stay in the Ministry of Justice in the capital with his newly granted Jinshi degree only because Yang He valued him. Otherwise, how could he have stayed in the capital with just that?

Yang He has always been very good at judging people. Just like when he recommended Xiong Tingbi, Zhang Heming, Li Changgeng, Xue Guoyong, Yuan Yingtai and others to Emperor Wanli, Hong Chengchou did not disappoint Yang He's expectations.

Having spent six years in the Ministry of Justice, holding positions such as Principal, Assistant Director, and Director of the Jiangxi Provincial Department of Justice, Hong Chengchou was indeed capable.

In the second year of the Tianqi reign, he was promoted to Vice Commissioner of Education in Zhejiang Province. His talent in recognizing and selecting outstanding individuals earned him the court's favor. Two years later, he was further promoted to Left Councilor of the Provincial Administration Commission of Liangzhe. In every position, Hong Chengchou's performance was remarkable. In particular, he was not only skilled in literature but also in military affairs, well-versed in military strategy, and possessed unique insights into military matters, making him a rare and capable minister of the Ming Dynasty.

When Yang He was appointed Governor-General of the Three Border Regions, he immediately thought of Hong Chengchou and specially requested that he be transferred to Shaanxi as a Grain Supervisor.

The official position of Grain Supervisor, also known as Grain Commissioner, was usually held concurrently by the Provincial Administration Commissioner, and was of the third rank. This time, by specifically appointing Hong Chengchou to this position, not only was his rank elevated by one level, but it was also tantamount to promising him the position of Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shaanxi.

Once he secured this position, the post of Provincial Administration Commissioner would be within his grasp. Furthermore, Yang He's main mission in Shaanxi was to suppress rebels and local rebellions, and he was also in charge of ensuring the supply of provisions and wages to the nine border garrisons, including Yansui and Guyuan, as well as the logistics of Shaanxi. His authority was immense.

Hong Chengchou was right. Yang He didn't have many cards to play now. His most pressing task was to contain the rebel army's advance and stabilize the front line. Only by doing so could Yang He have more time to mobilize troops and suppress the rebels. If Yanchuan, Hancheng, or even Yan'an Prefecture fell to the rebels, the situation would spiral out of control.

Currently, Du and Ai's troops have retreated to Yan'an Prefecture. Judging from the garrison strength and city defenses of Yan'an Prefecture, it won't be easy for Wang Jiayin to take Yan'an.

Therefore, Yanchuan and Hancheng became the rebels' breakthrough points. Once these two places were captured, Yan'an Prefecture would lose its shield, and the situation would further deteriorate. Yang He clearly understood this.

There were troops stationed in Yanchuan and Hancheng, but no generals; the guards were only officers of the rank of centurion.

Wang Jiayin's momentum is immense, and the people in both places are undoubtedly in a state of panic. Yang He has no idea whether they can hold out, or for how long. If Hong Chengchou were to go there, his official position would be enough to suppress the local garrison, and with his methods and abilities, he might be able to pacify the area and stop the rebels from advancing south.

The problem is that this is an extremely risky mission; a single misstep could mean death on the battlefield. Yang He was genuinely worried that Hong Chengchou would perish. If that happened, he would not only lose a powerful ally but also fail to achieve his goal of stabilizing the defensive line. What should he do?

"My lord!" Seemingly sensing Yang He's hesitation, Hong Chengchou said firmly, "This humble official dares not boast before you. But if I do not go, these two places will surely be lost; if I go, there may be a turning point. As long as we hold the cities, the situation can be greatly alleviated. For the sake of Shaanxi, and for the sake of our Great Ming Dynasty, this humble official requests to go. I hope you will grant my request!"

Seeing Hong Chengchou's fervent patriotism and unwavering resolve, Yang He was deeply moved. He understood that what Hong Chengchou said was true and the best arrangement for the time being.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "Since Heng Jiu has put it this way, I agree. However, I have three instructions for you, Heng Jiu, to keep in mind!"

"Please enlighten me, Your Excellency," Hong Chengchou hurriedly bowed and replied.

Yang He extended his first finger: "How to defend Yanchuan and Hancheng, how to fight this battle, I will give you full command. You can take my military orders with you, and anyone who disobeys your orders, whether civil or military, is at your disposal."

"Thank you, Your Excellency!" Hong Chengchou felt relieved. Yang He's trust in him and his willingness to grant him sufficient power reassured him.

Then, Yang He extended his second finger: "The journey from Xi'an is not short. Even if you travel day and night, it will take several days. The situation at the front is complex and can change at any time. If you get there and Yanchuan is indefensible, you can abandon it and just defend Hancheng. Whatever you do, don't risk it and get yourself killed..."

"My lord, if we merely defend Hancheng and sit idly by while Yanchuan remains undefended, this...

"You needn't worry," Yang He said earnestly. "I am the Governor-General of the Three Border Regions appointed by the court. Before leaving the capital, His Majesty summoned me and granted me the authority to make decisions on the spot. I have my own considerations regarding the matter of Shaanxi. Besides, even if you go, it's impossible for one person to guard two cities. For safety's sake, it's more prudent to focus on Hancheng. If Yanchuan is lost, I will temporarily suppress the matter with the court. Even if His Majesty blames me later, I will bear the responsibility!"

"My lord!" Upon hearing Yang He's words, Hong Chengchou was deeply moved.

A boss like Yang He, who is responsible and considerate of his subordinates, is a rare find in the Ming Dynasty.

The court is currently rife with factional strife, with each faction relentlessly attacking the others for their own selfish interests; those truly devoted to the country are few and far between. Although Yang He is usually upright, even somewhat pedantic, and has a foul mouth, and frequently impeached this or that when he was an imperial censor, he always acted out of public interest and rarely let personal motives interfere.

Now, by saying these words to Hong Chengchou, Yang He was clearly telling him: "Go ahead and do it with confidence. If there's any merit, it's Hong Chengchou's; if there's any fault, it's his, Yang He's, fault." As for the pressure from the imperial court, Yang He would take it all on himself, so Hong Chengchou didn't need to worry.

"As for the third point," Yang He raised his third finger and said solemnly, "Our forces are currently insufficient, and relying solely on military force to completely annihilate the rebels will likely be quite difficult. After much consideration, I believe we should prepare with two options."

"What does Your Excellency mean...?"

Yang He lowered his voice slightly and spoke frankly to Hong Chengchou: "Using troops to encircle and suppress them is one option, but at the same time we can also try to win them over and divide these rebels."

Hong Chengchou frowned, thought for a moment, and nodded slightly.

Although Yang He's suggestion deviated somewhat from the court's requirement to completely annihilate the rebels, given the current situation, a suitable compromise was not out of the question. After all, with the current military strength, a full-scale encirclement and suppression, and a complete military annihilation of the rebels, was virtually impossible. The court's mission had to be completed, and given the strength of the rebel army and the government's insufficient forces, resolving the problem solely through military means would be extremely difficult.

It would be better to follow Yang He's suggestion and use a combination of encirclement and suppression and appeasement. Although the rebels are numerous and powerful, they are actually a coalition of various forces.

Both Wang Jiayin and Gao Yingxiang had their own leaders in their respective units. These leaders were united, with complex relationships and each had their own agendas. If they could use appeasement to divide and weaken some of them, and win over others, the chances of successfully suppressing the rebels would be much greater.

"You can decide on the specifics as you see fit. Besides, the bandit leader Wang Jiayin is of utmost importance right now. Once you get there, spend money to bribe more people, openly appease them, and secretly instigate internal strife among the rebels. That way, the defense will be much easier."

"I understand. What you say is very true, sir. I will certainly do as you instruct. However, sir, since you intend to carry out the pacification campaign, why not..." As he spoke, Hong Chengchou raised his hand and pointed to the north.

Yang He nodded: "I understand what you mean. Gao Yingxiang's side is indeed a way out. If we can win over Gao Yingxiang's troops, Wang Jiayin's escape route will be completely cut off. If Gao Yingxiang's troops can cooperate with the government troops to attack Wang Jiayin from both sides, and once Wang Jiayin is completely dealt with, then the matter of the Shaanxi rebels will be mostly resolved."

He stroked his long beard and smiled slightly: "As for Gao Yingxiang... once Wang Jiayin is eliminated, he will be all alone and helpless. At that time, won't he be at our mercy? If he is sensible, what's wrong with giving him an official position? If he has other ideas by then, it will be much easier to deal with him without Wang Jiayin."

Hong Chengchou understood and smiled as well. Yang He's move was indeed the best solution at the moment. If it could be implemented smoothly, resolving the Shaanxi problem would be much easier.

Hong Chengchou immediately agreed and prepared to set off for the front lines. At this moment, Yang He stopped him again, pondered for a moment, and then asked Hong Chengchou to take five hundred elite soldiers with him.

Although 500 people is not a lot, it is the maximum support that Yang He can give, given that he currently only has less than 2,000 people under his command.

Moved, Hong Chengchou bowed deeply to Yang He, then stood up and quickly left.

Watching Hong Chengchou's departing figure, Yang He was filled with mixed emotions, and silently prayed that Heaven would grant Hong Chengchou a safe journey. If he succeeded, his efforts and his commitment to the court would not have been in vain.