Although Yang Sichang himself had not achieved anything particularly earthshaking, his father, Yang He, had once been a high ranking regional official with deep roots in the bureaucracy. He had former students everywhere. Old colleagues everywhere. Debtors of favor everywhere.
So the moment Yang Sichang opened his mouth, a cluster of old acquaintances immediately rallied behind him.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," several ministers chimed in almost at once. "This Chen Hongfan is not a man to be entrusted with such a crucial command."
Zhu Youjian frowned.
There was truth in that.
What use was it to send a man who feared battle to defend Pi Island? If he lost his nerve at sea, the entire island would fall without a fight.
Reluctantly, the emperor asked, "Then whom do my lords recommend?"
The civil officials exchanged glances. For a moment, there was hesitation.
Yang Sichang, however, had come prepared.
He had already received a private letter from Chen Yuanbo, the prefect of Daizhou. At the same time, Tie Niaofei, an Imperial Merchant who maintained excellent relations with him, had also written urging support for a certain candidate.
With calm confidence, Yang Sichang stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I recommend Cao Wenzhao. If he is sent to reinforce Pi Island, the results will surely be extraordinary."
At that exact moment, another minister discreetly touched the letter hidden in his sleeve. He was a close friend of Fan Shangzheng, Governor of Henan, and had received a similar request days earlier asking him to recommend Cao Wenzhao, commander of the Henan relief forces.
Seeing Yang Sichang speak first, he immediately stepped forward.
"I also believe Cao Wenzhao is capable."
Zhu Youjian blinked. "Oh? Is Lord Cao truly so competent? That would indeed be fortunate."
Though the emperor was famously tight fisted and prone to forgetting minor officials, the name Cao Wenzhao was not unfamiliar to him. Over the past few years, during repeated campaigns suppressing bandits in the Central Plains, Cao Wenzhao's name had appeared again and again in memorials reporting battlefield victories.
It would have been difficult not to remember him.
Another minister stepped forward. He belonged to the Donglin faction and was an old acquaintance of Liang Shixian, the magistrate of Chengcheng County. He too had received a letter requesting support for Cao Wenzhao.
"Cao Wenzhao is a renowned general of our time," he declared. "He has rendered distinguished service in Liaodong and fought many engagements against the Jiannu. He is dependable."
No sooner had he spoken than another Donglin minister followed.
"Cao Wenzhao is the foremost fierce general of our dynasty. He is thoroughly familiar with Liaodong warfare. Assigning him to bandit suppression in the Central Plains is a waste of talent."
An old associate of Wu Shen stepped forward.
"I also recommend Cao Wenzhao."
A friend of Shi Kefa added immediately, "I second the motion."
An associate of Lian Guoshi chimed in, "I agree."
Before anyone fully realized what had happened, a large bloc of ministers had formed a rare consensus.
The network that Gao Family Village had quietly cultivated for years within officialdom was finally beginning to reveal its reach.
Zhu Youjian was accustomed to factional quarrels. The court normally resembled a marketplace at full volume. To witness such unified agreement left him momentarily stunned.
So they are not fighting each other this time?
Strange.
But perhaps this was a good sign.
If everyone agreed on Cao Wenzhao, then Cao Wenzhao it would be.
The emperor slapped the table decisively.
"Issue an urgent order. Cao Wenzhao is to proceed at once to Dengzhou and board Chen Hongfan's fleet for Pi Island."
The matter was settled.
---
January 30th, Tenth Year of Chongzhen
Li Zong fled to Nanhansan Fortress. After more than forty days of siege, he emerged in surrender.
At Samjeondo, on the southern bank of the Han River, he performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine prostrations before Huang Taiji.
From that day forward, Joseon severed its tributary ties with the Great Ming and became a vassal of the Qing.
---
February 2nd
Outside Hanseong, the capital of Joseon, Huang Taiji summoned his senior commanders.
"Beizi Shuo Tuo. Prince Gongshen Kong Youde. Prince Huaishun Geng Zhongming. Prince Zhishun Shang Kexi."
Each man stepped forward the instant his name was called.
A faint smile curved on Huang Taiji's lips.
"You are to take sixteen Hongyi cannons and assault Pi Island."
"Sixteen?" Shuo Tuo could not hide his surprise. "So many?"
Huang Taiji nodded.
"The Ming have fortified Pi Island for years. They possess artillery of their own. I assign sixteen cannons because I value this campaign. Do not disappoint me."
Shuo Tuo bowed deeply. "We will surely take the island."
Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, and Shang Kexi exchanged glances.
Then Geng Zhongming stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, artillery alone is insufficient. Pi Island lies isolated at sea. The Ming navy stationed there is formidable. We require a strong fleet."
Huang Taiji laughed softly.
"The fleet? I have already found the solution. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms."
The generals stared.
"A novel?"
Huang Taiji continued calmly.
"In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao feared an alliance between Liu Bei and Lu Bu. He also suspected Lu Bu might align with Yuan Shu. So Cao Cao, wielding the emperor's authority, ordered Liu Bei to attack Yuan Shu. In doing so, he used Liu Bei to eliminate Yuan Shu while simultaneously driving a wedge between Liu Bei and Lu Bu. This is the strategy of driving a tiger to swallow a wolf."
He lifted his hand and pointed toward Hanseong.
"The King of Joseon has sworn submission. I will command him to send the Joseon navy against Pi Island. He cannot refuse. In this way, we sever Joseon's bond with the Ming and capture the island in one stroke."
The generals bowed in unison.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Huang Taiji declared, "This campaign shall be named Operation Drive Tiger, Swallow Wolf. Begin preparations immediately."
---
The order soon reached King Li Zong.
In truth, his heart leaned toward the Great Ming. He had always admired them. He had never wished to raise arms against them.
But Ganghwa Island had fallen. The families of Joseon's royal house and nobility were now in Qing hands.
If he disobeyed, his wife and sons would die.
He had no choice.
An imperial decree was issued.
Liu Lin, Commander of the Peaceful Province Army, and Lin Qingye, Prefect of Uiju, were to lead five thousand troops. Fifty warships would accompany the Qing assault on Pi Island.
After issuing the order, Li Zong sat alone in the empty palace hall.
He felt like a puppet with cut strings.
Several ministers slipped quietly inside and knelt beside him.
"Your Majesty," one whispered, "should we not secretly inform the Ming forces on Pi Island? If we at least pass them intelligence, then the Great Ming cannot later accuse us."
Li Zong's eyes brightened.
"Yes. We could secretly send word. Perhaps they could prepare."
Another minister sighed heavily.
"If word of it leaks, Huang Taiji will slaughter our wives and children. That would be courting disaster."
Silence fell.
King and ministers looked at one another.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly.
At last, Li Zong exhaled slowly.
"Then we shall not send word. All we can do is pray that this battle never happens. Pray that both nations may return to their own affairs."
The ministers lowered their heads.
"There is nothing else we can do. You cannot blame us."
Li Zong turned westward, toward the Central Plains.
Tears streamed down his face as he bowed deeply.
"Great Ming," he whispered, voice breaking, "I do not wish to do this. Please do not blame me."
His ministers knelt and prostrated themselves beside him.
And far across the sea, Pi Island waited.