Recaps

Zhu Youjian tried to strengthen Great Ming by pursuing peace talks as cover for a campaign against the Jurchens, while seeking funds and rooting out corruption. Lu Xiangsheng’s army lured the Jurchens into a trap, and Zhu Youjian began building an intelligence network as the war continued.

• Zhu Youjian rejected Yang Sichang’s peace proposal at first, then told Lu Xiangsheng that negotiations could follow only after the Ming had hurt the enemy and gained the initiative.
• Zhu Youjian ordered Lu Xiangsheng to evacuate Gaoyang and Jinan, while arranging military funds and directing Cao Huachun and Luo Yangxing to investigate corrupt officials and merchants.
• Lu Xiangsheng sent forces to evacuate the cities, and Yang Tinglin secretly drugged Sun Chengzong’s household to remove them from Gaoyang despite Sun Chengzong’s refusal to leave.
• At court, Huang Daozhou challenged Yang Sichang’s support for peace, but Zhu Youjian declared negotiations final and ordered anyone advocating war to lead the fight.
• The Embroidered Uniform Guard seized hidden silver from officials, and Zhu Youjian gave Liu Zongzhou funds to provide shelter and supplies for refugees.
• Dorgon ordered a night attack on Lu Xiangsheng, whose forces prepared an ambush while Gao Qiqian initially refused to send reinforcements.
• Chen Guowei used the Golden Token to compel Gao Qiqian to muster the Heavenly Hero Army, while Lu Xiangsheng’s forces trapped the Jurchens in a pincer attack.
• Zhu Youjian ordered Luo Yangxing to develop an intelligence network inside Jurchen territory and investigate merchant families, while Empress Zhou offered her jewelry to help reward the soldiers.

Zhu Youjian secretly restored Lu Xiangsheng to command, allowing him to trap Dorgon’s forces in Jinan while the court debated the war and peace. As Zhu Youjian prepared wider plans and drew his family closer, Yoto’s smallpox threatened the besieged Jurchens and Dorgon sought a way out.

• Chen Guowei arrived with the Heavenly Hero Army and turned the battle in Lu Xiangsheng’s favor, then Zhu Youjian ordered Lu back to the capital for trial.
• Zhu Youjian appointed Sun Chuanting to command and sent Lu Xiangsheng to the Imperial Prison, where he privately urged Lu to redeem himself through service and secretly released him.
• After Empress Zhou fell ill from Acacia Incense, Zhu Youjian investigated the palace while Dorgon’s army entered Gaoyang and later marched into Jinan.
• Lu Xiangsheng concealed the Heavenly Hero Army in the hills, then trapped Dorgon’s forces in Jinan after the Jurchens found the city emptied of food and its cannons destroyed.
• Zhu Youjian revealed to his ministers that Lu Xiangsheng had been secretly restored to command, ordered provisions sent to the siege, and assigned Sun Chuanting to prevent the Jurchens from escaping.
• Zhu Youjian released Fan Fucui and Huang Daozhou, who learned that Lu Xiangsheng was alive and leading the siege, while Yang Sichang took charge of procuring grain.
• Zhu Youjian welcomed his children and promised to teach Zhu Meichuo military skills, then arranged for Li Ruolian to infiltrate Jurchen territory under a false disgrace.
• Dorgon’s men found little food in Jinan, and after Yoto collapsed with smallpox, Dorgon ordered the illness concealed and planned an escape and a call for reinforcements.