diymy Chapter 33 Empress's Governance and the Reorganization of the Beijing Garrison
Chapter 33 Empress's Governance and the Reorganization of the Beijing Garrison
On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month of the fifteenth year of the Chongzhen reign, the first light snow of the winter fell in Nanjing.
The snow was light, melting as soon as it touched the ground, leaving only a thin layer on the glazed tiles of the palace. In the East Warm Pavilion of Kunning Palace, Empress Zhou sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window, holding an excerpt from the newly printed "Complete Treatise on Agriculture"—a book that Li Ce had instructed to publish before leaving the capital, which specifically discussed how to select seeds, how to compost, and how to prevent pests.
Yunniang tiptoed in and whispered, "Your Highness, the Duchess of Wei, the Marquis of Chengyi, and the old lady of the Prefectural Governor's family have all arrived."
The Empress closed the book and stood up.
Today is the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month. According to tradition, the Empress would receive noblewomen from outside the capital on even-numbered days. However, back in Beijing, it was mostly a ceremonial audience, with a few auspicious words exchanged before the audience dispersed. Now in Nanjing, she wanted to change that custom.
Inside the main hall, three elderly ladies sat upright. Upon seeing the Empress emerge, they quickly rose and bowed.
"Please be seated." The Empress sat down in the main seat and gestured for the maids to serve tea. "The snow wasn't heavy today; is the road easy to travel on?"
Lady Xu, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke of Wei, with completely white hair, smiled and said, "Have a good journey. I came in a sedan chair, and the sedan chair bearers were very steady."
Lady Liu, the wife of the Earl of Chengyi, chimed in: "Indeed, compared to the heavy snow that blocked the roads in Beijing, the snow in Nanjing is like sprinkling salt."
The Empress smiled, picked up her teacup, and took a sip. The tea was top-quality Longjing, its fragrance filling the air.
"I've been reading agricultural books these days, and I've come across one that says winter snow is good for wheat, as it freezes and kills the insects in the ground," she said casually. "I wonder how the winter wheat crops on your estates are doing this year?"
The three ladies exchanged glances.
They were all from the most prestigious and powerful families in Southern Zhili, owning estates of tens of thousands of acres. When they asked about the winter wheat, they were actually asking about the harvest—and on a deeper level, whether the tenants would have enough to eat and whether there would be any unrest the following year.
Madam Xu spoke first: "Thanks to Your Majesty's blessings, the winter wheat has been planted on my estate in Jiangning. However, due to the autumn drought this year, some fields have not sprouted evenly, and I'm afraid the harvest will be reduced by 20% or 30%."
"Reduce it by twenty or thirty percent," the Empress said, setting down her teacup. "Will that be enough for the farmers to eat?"
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Liu said cautiously, "If it's just for our own consumption, we can barely make ends meet if we're careful with our budget. But if we also have to pay rent..."
"Yes, rent." The Empress sighed softly. "I heard the other day that some landlords in Suzhou voluntarily reduced their rent by 10% because of the poor harvest. The tenants were grateful and worked extra hard on the spring planting the following year, resulting in a better harvest than in previous years."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the three ladies:
"You are all from virtuous families. I think that if each household could reduce the rent a little, so that the tenants could have a peaceful year, they would be more diligent in farming next year. If the land is farmed well, the harvest will be plentiful, and the rent will increase in the long run—madams, you might as well do the math when you get back."
The words were spoken gently, but the meaning was clear.
Madam Xu immediately said, "Your Majesty is so kind. I will instruct the steward to reduce the winter rent by 20% this year as soon as I get back."
Lady Liu and the wife of the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture quickly echoed her sentiments.
The Empress smiled, "Then I thank you on behalf of the tenants." She then changed the subject, "By the way, I've also heard that cotton prices in Songjiang have recently risen?"
Liu's son manages the family's cloth shop, so she knows the market best: "Your Majesty, the price has increased by 30%. They say there's war in the north, trade routes are disrupted, and cotton farmers have reduced planting, leading to a cotton shortage on the market."
"Thirty percent," the Empress said thoughtfully, "Wouldn't that mean the price of cotton-padded clothes and quilts will also increase?"
"That's right," Liu sighed. "A thick cotton quilt cost one tael and two mace last year, but this year it costs one tael and six mace. How can ordinary people afford it? My family's cloth shop has sold 30% less cotton cloth this month."
The Empress nodded and said nothing more.
After chatting for a while, the three ladies took their leave.
After everyone had left, the Empress said to Yunniang, "Go and invite Vice Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Revenue—tell him that I want to inquire about the purchase of winter clothing for the palace."
Yunniang responded and left.
The Empress walked to the desk, picked up a pen, and wrote a note:
"The price of cotton in Songjiang has risen by 30%, and the sales volume of cloth shops has decreased by 30%. The Maritime Trade Office can be ordered to urgently import cotton from Ryukyu and Luzon and sell it at a fair price to stabilize prices. In addition, the Nanjing Prefecture is ordered to investigate whether there are any unscrupulous merchants hoarding cotton."
After writing it, she sealed the note and handed it to another palace maid beside her: "Send it to the Office of Transmission and forward it to Minister Ni."
This was a method she had figured out over the past two weeks—instead of issuing direct decrees, she would convey information to court officials through "suggestions" and "inquiries." The officials would then submit proposals according to normal procedures, which would be drafted by the cabinet and approved by the Directorate of Ceremonial (using the seal of the chief eunuch stationed in the capital).
It's a bit roundabout, but it's in accordance with the rules.
On the afternoon of the same day, at the Jingying Military Training Ground outside Deshengmen in Beijing.
Huang Degong stood on the command platform, looking down at the five thousand new soldiers lined up below.
After the snow, the sun shone brightly, casting a cold sheen on the soldiers' brand-new, dark blue cotton armor. Each soldier held a flintlock pistol from the sixteenth year of the Chongzhen reign—the stock was made of uniform jujube wood, and the barrel gleamed with a faint blue light, the marks of repeated forging and quenching.
"First Battalion!" Huang Degong roared, "Load ammunition!"
wow-
Five hundred men moved in unison. They took out pre-loaded paper cartridges from their waist pouches, bit open one end with their teeth, poured gunpowder into the chamber, then stuffed the lead bullet and paper cartridge together, and tamped it down with a ramrod.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, like those of a single person.
"Raise your gun!"
Five hundred flintlock muskets were raised, their muzzles pointing at the wooden target a hundred paces away.
"put!"
Bang bang bang bang bang——
White smoke billowed as the lead bullet whistled through the air. A cloud of sawdust exploded on the wooden target a hundred paces away. Some soldiers cheered, but Huang Degong frowned.
"Stop!" He raised his hand. "Second row, come forward and check for misfires!"
The second platoon of soldiers ran forward and inspected the ranks that had just been fired. Soon, the results came back: "General, of the five hundred guns, ninety-seven misfired!"
Huang Degong's face darkened.
Ninety-seven, that's about 20%.
He walked up to a soldier who had fallen silent: "What happened?"
The young soldier, his face flushed red, cried out, "General, I... I filled the container according to procedure, but when I pulled the trigger and the flint ignited, the powder vat just wouldn't light!"
Huang Degong took the gun and inspected it himself. The ignition powder in the powder bath was still there, and the flint marks were clear, but it just wouldn't ignite.
"It's damp," he uttered.
Winters in the north are dry, but the drill ground is near water, and there was frost in the early morning. These guns were placed in the barracks last night, so they inevitably got damp.
"All guns," he turned and ordered, "must be disassembled and inspected before daily drills. Any guns found to be damp must be dried immediately! If more than 10% of them misfire, the entire battalion will have to do an extra hour of training!"
"Yes!" Five thousand people responded in unison.
Just as Huang Degong was about to give the order to continue, a man hurriedly ran over from the edge of the drill ground—a chief clerk from the Ministry of Revenue, surnamed Wang, as thin as a bamboo pole, carrying a thick account book.
"General Huang!" Chief Clerk Wang gasped for breath, "This humble official...this humble official has something to report!"
Huang Degong gestured for his vice president to continue training, then walked to the sidelines and asked, "What's up?"
Chief Steward Wang opened the account book, his finger trembling as he pointed to a line of numbers: "General, look, this is the expenditure of the Beijing Garrison in November—gunpowder alone cost 37,000 catties! There were also 50,000 lead bullets, 8,000 feet of matchlock… converted to 21,000 taels of silver!"
He looked up, his eyes red-rimmed: "General, the Ministry of Revenue doesn't have that much money! Minister Zhang said that this month they can only allocate a maximum of ten thousand taels..."
"Ten thousand taels?" Huang Degong's voice suddenly rose. "So, are we going to have the soldiers blow lead bullets to cover the remaining gap?!"
"But...but we really have no money!" Manager Wang was almost in tears. "The silver from Jiangnan hasn't all arrived yet, we need to build a border wall in the north, and we need disaster relief in Shaanxi...everywhere is asking for money, and the Ministry of Revenue is really struggling to keep up with the demand!"
Huang Degong stared at him, making Wang, the head of the department, feel weak in the knees.
After a long pause, Huang Degong suddenly said, "Go back and tell Minister Zhang that I, Huang Degong, said it—for every ounce less gunpowder, an extra pound of blood will flow on the city walls. He knows how to calculate this."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Wang, the steward, stood there, clutching the account books, unsure whether to leave or stay.
At the same time, on the west side of the Nanjing Imperial City, at the Gewu Academy.
This place was originally a separate courtyard of the imperial academy of the previous dynasty, and has now been transformed into the Institute of Natural Sciences. It consists of three courtyards: the front courtyard was used for offices and meetings, the middle courtyard was used for craftsmen's workshops, and the back courtyard was used as a testing ground.
Johann Adam Schall von Bell and Song Yingxing stood in the workshop of the central courtyard, with more than a dozen disassembled flintlock muskets on the worktable in front of them.
"The misfire rate is still too high." Song Yingxing picked up the firing mechanism of a gun, his brow furrowed. "Theoretically, the sparks from flint should be enough to ignite the ignition powder in the powder bath. But in practice, there's always about 20% of the time it fails to ignite."
Johann Adam Schall von Bell said in broken Chinese, "I've checked it; it's not a problem with the flint. The flint we use is mined from Fangshan, and it's very hard."
"That means the gunpowder pool is poorly designed." Song Yingxing pointed to the small, bowl-shaped copper structure. "You see, the opening of the gunpowder pool faces upwards, making it easy for rain, snow, frost, and dew to get in. Even if water doesn't get in, the morning fog in the north and the humidity in the south can easily cause the gunpowder to become damp."
An old craftsman whispered from the side, "Sir, I have an idea..."
Song Yingxing turned his head: "Speak."
The old craftsman, surnamed Hu, was originally the foreman of the Nanjing Ordnance Bureau, where he made hand cannons for thirty years. He rubbed his hands together, somewhat hesitantly: "I used to make a kind of 'matchbox cover,' which was a copper cover added to the gunpowder bath. When firing, the cover would be knocked open at the moment the flint was struck, allowing sparks to enter and ignite the gunpowder. Normally, the cover was kept on to prevent moisture."
Johann Adam Schall von Bell's eyes lit up: "This design is excellent! Why not use it?"
The craftsman, Mr. Hu, gave a wry smile: "Because...because the lid sometimes gets stuck and can't be opened. Even if it is opened, it delays the firing, making the shooting slower."
Song Yingxing pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What if the lid wasn't made of copper sheet, but instead used a spring?"
"spring?"
"Yes, a very thin steel leaf spring." Song Yingxing gestured to indicate the name. "Normally, the spring keeps the cover tight to prevent moisture. When the flint is struck, the firing pin first opens the cover, and then the spark is ignited—although it's an extra step, it ensures that the cover can be opened, and opening the cover and igniting are almost simultaneous."
The shed fell silent.
Johann Adam Schall von Bell quickly sketched a draft on the paper, and the craftsman's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"Let's give it a try!" Song Yingxing decided. "Master Hu, you take some people to make a sample. Make it tonight and try it tomorrow!"
The craftsman, Mr. Hu, excitedly cupped his hands in a salute: "Yes!"
The group dispersed to make preparations, and Song Yingxing and Tang Ruowang left the work shed and went to the backyard.
In the testing ground in the backyard, several wooden targets stood. In a distant corner, a newly cast breech-loading cannon stood, its barrel gleaming coldly.
"Mr. Song," Johann Adam Schall von Bell suddenly said in Latin, "do you think we can truly change this country?"
Song Yingxing was silent for a moment, then replied in broken Latin, "I don't know. But I do know that if we don't do it, we have no chance at all."
He gazed at the mottled walls of the Imperial Academy: "When I was young, I also thought about taking the imperial examinations and becoming an official. But later I realized that the eight-legged essay couldn't save the Ming Dynasty. What can truly make a country strong are these—" He pointed to the work shed, "better guns, more accurate cannons, higher-yielding rice varieties, and more cold-resistant cotton."
Johann Adam Schall von Bell nodded: "I've seen it in Europe. Some small countries have become rich and powerful through just one or two technological innovations. The Ming Dynasty is so large, with so many talented people. As long as we go in the right direction..."
"We're on the right track, but the road ahead is long." Song Yingxing smiled bitterly. "Take this flintlock musket, for example. If we make a few improvements, we can save so many lives on the front lines. But the Ministry of Revenue is still arguing over the cost of gunpowder. General Huang is spending five thousand taels of silver a day training troops in Beijing, and the Minister of Revenue is practically contemplating suicide."
As the two were talking, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open.
A young eunuch rushed in, panting: "Lord Song, Lord Tang! Her Majesty the Empress has decreed that you two must come to the palace immediately!"
Song Yingxing and Tang Ruowang exchanged a glance, their hearts tightening.
What happened?
Half an hour later, in a side hall of the Wenhua Hall in the Nanjing Imperial Palace.
Empress Zhou did not sit in the main seat, but rather on the heated kang (a traditional heated platform bed) by the window. Upon seeing the two enter, she gestured for them to dispense with formalities.
"Please have a seat, gentlemen." She got straight to the point. "I have invited you here today for two matters."
Song Yingxing and Tang Ruowang bowed and listened.
"The first thing," the Empress said, picking up a document from the kang table, "is a report just sent by the Beijing garrison. During the new army's drills, the misfire rate of flintlock muskets is still 20%. General Huang said that if this continues in actual combat, it means that one in five men will be unable to fire a gun. This is unacceptable."
She looked at the two of them: "Is there any way, Institute of Physics?"
Song Yingxing quickly explained the design of the moisture-proof cover for the gunpowder pool.
After listening, the Empress nodded: "This is a good idea. What is needed, how much silver, how many people? Write a report and I will approve it."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"The second thing," the Empress's expression turned serious, "is that General Zhou Yuji sent a secret letter from Tongguan, saying that the city's grain reserves are only enough for three days."
Song Yingxing's heart sank.
"His Majesty has already led a light cavalry north, but even if they arrive, it will be five or six days. In those five or six days, Tongguan Pass cannot be breached," the Empress said slowly. "Gentlemen, does the Imperial Academy of Natural History possess anything... that could be used for emergency defense?"
Johann Adam Schall von Bell pondered for a moment and said, "Yes. We have recently tested a kind of 'gunpowder pack,' which is made by wrapping gunpowder in oiled paper, attaching gravel to it, and then launching it with a catapult after lighting it. It explodes upon landing and has considerable power, making it suitable for defending a city."
"How many can you make?"
"If there are enough materials, the craftsmen can work day and night and make five hundred in three days."
"Not enough." The Empress shook her head. "The Tongguan city wall is fifteen li long. Five hundred of them won't be enough."
Song Yingxing suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I have another idea—an improved version of 'Enemy of Ten Thousand Men'."
"A match for ten thousand men?"
"Yes," Song Yingxing explained. "The traditional 'ten-thousand-person enemy' was a large earthenware jar filled with gunpowder and gravel, which was lit and thrown from the city wall. But it was too heavy and couldn't be thrown far. I want to change it to a smaller one, with gunpowder in a bamboo tube, feathers attached, and shot with a powerful crossbow—it could reach a range of a hundred paces and explode upon landing."
The Queen's eyes lit up: "That's great! How many can be made?"
"Bamboo tubes are readily available, and gunpowder is readily available. If all the firecracker artisans in Nanjing are gathered, they can make three thousand firecrackers in three days..."
"Then let's do it!" the Empress declared decisively. "I will issue an imperial decree immediately, allocating all materials and craftsmen under the command of the Imperial Academy of Physics. The first batch of 'thunderbolt shells for crossbows' must be loaded onto carts and transported to Tongguan in three days!"
"I obey your decree!"
After the two men took their leave, the Empress sat alone on the heated kang, gazing at the fine snow falling again outside the window.
Yunniang entered quietly and whispered, "Your Highness, Minister Jiang has arrived."
"Let him in."
When Jiang Dejing came in, he was holding an account book and his expression was not good.
"Your Majesty," he said after bowing, "I have investigated the matter of cotton that you asked me to inquire about this morning. The price of cotton in Songjiang has indeed risen, and some unscrupulous merchants have hoarded it. I have ordered the Yingtian Prefecture to investigate and confiscate three such merchants' goods and release 10,000 catties of cotton at a fair price. The market price has already fallen back."
"Alright." The Empress nodded. "There is one more thing—the Imperial Academy needs to rush to produce a batch of firearms for city defense, which requires 5,000 catties of saltpeter, 2,000 catties of sulfur, 10,000 bamboo tubes, and 300 craftsmen. The Ministry of Revenue will advance this expense, which will be deducted from my personal expenses."
Jiang Dejing was taken aback: "Your Majesty, this..."
"Do as I say." The Empress interrupted him. "Also, the gunpowder expenditure at the Beijing Garrison has exceeded its limit. Write to Minister Zhang and tell him that, as I said, the second batch of pay from Jiangnan will definitely arrive in Beijing before the 20th of the twelfth lunar month. Tell him to ensure the supply to the Beijing Garrison first, no matter what."
"Yes." Jiang Dejing hesitated for a moment, "Your Majesty, I have another matter to report."
"explain."
"From Zuo Liangyu's side in Jiujiang, our scouts report that he has been frequently mobilizing troops recently, suggesting some unusual activity. Minister of War Li Jizhen in Nanjing has requested instructions on whether to strengthen the defenses along the river."
The Empress remained silent.
Zuo Liangyu.
This warlord, commanding an army of 100,000, has always been a hidden danger in the south of the Ming Dynasty. Now that Li Ce has marched north, Nanjing is vulnerable; if he were to truly rebel…
"Reply to Minister Li," the Empress said slowly, "the defenses along the river need to be strengthened, but there's no need for a grand display. Also, in my name, send a letter to Zuo Liangyu."
"What did the letter say?"
The Empress walked to the desk, picked up her brush, and dipped it in ink.
She wrote very slowly, pausing between each word:
"To General Zuo Xunjian: I am deeply pleased to hear of your diligent training of troops and your commitment to the king's affairs. The northern barbarians have temporarily ceased hostilities, but Tongguan Pass remains in peril. Your Majesty is personally leading an expedition outside the capital, and the stability of Jiangnan depends entirely on your defense. I hope that you will remember the court's great favor, guard the borders carefully, and not fail the emperor's expectations. When Your Majesty returns in triumph, I will certainly not fail in your merits."
After writing, she stamped it with her phoenix seal.
"Send it out like this." She handed the letter to Jiang Dejing. "Keep the tone soft, but the message firm. Tell him that the court knows what he's doing, but also remembers his contributions. As long as he doesn't act, he'll be rewarded with wealth and honor. If he does act..."
She didn't finish speaking, but Jiang Dejing understood.
"Your subject understands."
After Jiang Dejing withdrew, the Empress walked to the window.
The snow fell heavier, swirling and fluttering down onto the eaves of the palace and the bare branches in the courtyard.
She recalled what Li Ce had said to her in the Qianqing Palace the night before he left the capital:
"Empress, once I leave, I entrust the Jiangnan region to you. There's no need to strive for perfection in everything, just focus on safeguarding the fundamentals—ensuring the people have food to eat, allowing merchants to conduct business, and ensuring the soldiers are paid. As long as these three things are done, the sky won't fall."
Now, that's what she's doing.
Cotton prices were brought under control, merchants were appeased, the Beijing garrison was raising funds, and firearms were being rushed to Tongguan.
But why do I still feel so uneasy?
She reached out and caught a snowflake. The snowflake melted quickly in her palm, turning into a drop of cold water.
Just like this Ming Dynasty, it looks majestic, but in reality, it melts at the slightest warmth.
"Your Majesty," she whispered to the void, "you must return safely."
"Your Majesty... I can't hold on much longer."
Outside the window, the snow was falling heavier and heavier.
The lights of Nanjing flickered in the snow, like candles in the wind.