Chapter 059 Order Wu Bo
(Something happened on Friday, so I didn’t update, so I’ll update it today, please bear with me)
"Your Excellency has also mentioned extracting products from saltpeter," Bi Maokang mentioned, nodding to Song Yingxing.
Song Yingxing suddenly remembered something: "One of the craftsmen in Taixi once said that he used saltpeter and added something to extract a compound. The subordinate did not understand so he ignored it."
Chen Cao nodded: "That thing is called ammonium nitrate, and there is another thing that is also refined with saltpeter. I don't know how to make it specifically, but what is extracted is a colorless or yellow oily liquid. Once you make this thing, remember Stay, don't shake violently, do you understand?"
"Your Majesty, please remember..."
Chen Cao then arranged some things for them to study more intensively, and then led the people out of the camp. He had important things to do.
Marry Bai Xinlan.
Chen Cao had the documents issued by Zhu Yanrong in his hand. It would be a simple and clear matter to take her as his second wife, who would become a concubine, which was lower than Weng Meixin's concubine.
Bai Yulan didn't see Chen Cao. She was angry with Chen Cao. Until now, she still didn't let go of Chen Cao's cruelty to her. However, she agreed to Bai Xinlan's remarriage. Bai Yu was very angry. The civil servant wanted to save face, but anyway Chen Cao I had helped him, so I turned a blind eye and didn't react, letting Magnolia deal with it on her own.
Marrying a concubine should not be blatant, not to mention that Bai Xinlan was pregnant, so Chen Cao simply set up dozens of tables in his own house, and then took advantage of the night to drag Bai Xinlan into the house from Bai Mansion.
There were many people involved, all of whom were high-ranking officials in Jinling City. Chen Cao's current status was different, but even though he was taking a concubine, some well-informed people sent congratulatory gifts.
For example, Wei Zhongxian and Tian Ergeng, who were far away in the capital, both sent their spies in Nanjing to act as gift-givers.
Li Xiang knew Chen Cao's nature well. When he saw Bai Xinlan marrying pregnant, he naturally accepted it. Chen Cao gently told Li Xiang to take good care of Bai Xinlan, and then went to drink and chat.
three days later
"Sir, the angel delivering the message has arrived."
Chen Cao was playing with Zhang Chunyao in the backyard, and Zhao Xin stood beside the rear sight and shouted sideways: "Sir, is Wu Chun, the Supervisor of Ceremonies, here?"
Even Wu Chun came, which proved that this time the edict was actually beneficial, so he quickly packed his robes and rode with Zhao Xin towards Zhenfusi Yamen.
"Oh..." Wu Chun saw Chen Cao trotting in and greeted him happily: "Brother Chen, our family congratulates you..."
Chen Cao stood up immediately and took out the envelope from his arms: "Brother Wu, long time no see, but I know, as long as Brother Wu shows up, good things will happen to me."
Wu Chun took the envelope with a smile, and he knew it was at least around 5,000 taels when he touched it. He smiled even more joyfully: "Haha... Our family is here. In addition to conveying the order, the more important thing is to bring Brother Chen Words."
Chen Cao quickly handed over his hand: "Then do business first and then reminisce about old times?"
"Hahaha... OK... Chen Cao, the commander of Jinyi Weinan Town Fusi, the commander of Nanjing Right Guards and the deputy general of Caojiang Navy, accepted the order." Wu Chun turned sideways, then stood behind the incense case, opened the imperial edict and said: "Fengtian The emperor of Chengyun said: "
The edict began so formally that Chen Cao did not dare to neglect it. Immediately he knelt down and shouted long live.
"Since I came to the throne, I have only been responsible for the rule of the world, fighting chaos with force, and the military commander Rong Wu is the pillar of the court. Your Majesty..."
Wu Chun started a long speech, which made Chen Cao feel headache, and then he deeply felt that the people in the Hanlin Academy were really idle, but one thing was a good thing, these things were really cultural heritage.
finally...
"This is to grant you the title of Fengtian Yiwei, push sincerely to declare power, and the military minister Dingwu Bo. I will grant you an imperial edict, a python robe, and an annual salary of seven hundred stones. The ministers have the canon of serving the public, borrowing their inner virtues to pay for repairs, and the imperial court has the title of Shujue. The kindness is valued equally by both husbands. Yifan Mizhang worships Jiayong. Li is the wife of Chen Cao, the uncle of Xi'erding Wu. Kun's instrument is Yuxiu, the moonlight room hangs fine, brocade threads pass through the clouds, and he gives his beloved a robe as a gift. , your governance is sound, and you should be honored and favored. It is appropriate to give you the title of fourth-grade wife. The imperial edict of Xi is in the play, and the emblem is the Orchid House Tuo. It is like the foot gestures of mountains and rivers, warning you if you soar, and the golden paper is perfect. , Zigao is coming...
I admire this..."
"Uncle Dingwu, take the order..." Wu Chun said with a smile.
Chen Cao didn't expect that his title was so awesome that even Li Xiang also granted him the title of Mrs. Gaoming, who was in the fourth rank. For a moment, I even forgot to receive the order to thank you: "Your Majesty, Chen Cao, thank you for your kindness. Long live my emperor, long live long live..."
"Brother Chen...Oh no," Wu Chun smiled and handed the imperial edict to Chen Cao: "I really want to congratulate Uncle Dingwu now..."
Zhao Xin's face was all red. Chen Cao was promoted to a noble title, and his future would be broader. Chen Cao took the imperial edict, handed it to Zhao Xin, and said humbly: "Brother Wu, we brothers don't speak foreign languages. The title was conferred by His Majesty, but it still does not affect our friendship. Come on, brother, I will set up a table for him at Qinhuai Tower, and we can talk while eating..."
The private room on the third floor of Qinhuai Tower is Chen Cao's permanent possession, and no one dares to ask for it, so at the moment Wu Chun is touching a little girl. Eunuchs often visit brothels, and it is common for some eunuchs to raise women in other courtyards. Just like Wei Zhongxian.
"Brother Wu, does the Governor have any important news for me?" Chen Cao put down his wine glass and asked.
Wu Chun was so excited that he almost forgot about the matter, so he put the woman down and let her go out. After there were only three people in the room, Chen Cao, Zhao Xin and him, he said: "Brother Chen, I'm afraid he doesn't know. This time Huai'an suppressed the rebellion." Your reputation in the court is too great, but those losers in the Metropolitan Procuratorate united all departments to prevent you from being knighted. If it weren't for our ancestors who overcame all opinions and gave you a good word to your majesty, brother After a few words, I’m afraid you, Uncle Dingwu, won’t be able to retain your title..."
Chen Cao understood the meaning of the words, so he nodded with a smile and raised his hands towards the north: "The Governor's appreciation for me as a subordinate is clear, and I will definitely repay him one day."
Wu Chun nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "But my ancestors and His Majesty are very happy with your things. No, before leaving the capital, another five hundred thousand taels of military expenses were allocated to Yuan Chonghuan. I heard that Jiannu was in Guangzhou this time. Ning has gathered a large number of troops and is still contacting the Mongols. Yuan Chonghuan and the governors of Liaodong are feeling the pressure. Even Governor Sun has submitted a memorial, asking your Majesty to allocate funds to boost the morale of the army..."
Chen Cao interjected: "Didn't you say that the Guangning army mutinied last time?"
"Hi..." Wu Chun held up his chopsticks: "Those Donglin Party members really think that Your Majesty is easy to bully." Wu Chun looked a little angry: "Your Majesty's internal funds are all empty, where did the money come from? Brother Chen asked someone to give it away As soon as the five hundred thousand taels of silver arrived in the capital, one hundred thousand taels were given to Liaodong for first use. The three main halls were ruined and needed to be repaired. All of them were invested. The Ministry of Household Affairs had no money. Civil unrest in Shaanxi and Shanxi worsened. Ma Shilong The counter-rebel army suffered heavy losses in Shaanxi, encountered a severe drought, and could not keep up with the money and food supplies. They stalled and asked the court for money. Your Majesty must stay, otherwise where would the royal family's face be?
It is precisely because of this that once your money arrived, my brother, the Ministry of Household Affairs said good things for you during the court meeting, and the title of Dingwu Bo came down. A few days ago, Zhang Wenda became an official for retirement, and the court issued another The cost of ten thousand taels of silver, according to our family, the money you gave me, brother, won’t be used for long..."
Zhang Wenda became an official? Chen Cao frowned, knowing that this old guy was really smart, and then he smiled and said: "It is my duty as a minister and subordinate to share the worries of the Governor and His Majesty."
Wu Chun did not express his position on this point, but just smiled and said: "Hey, the important things have not been discussed yet. The Ministry of War has reported that please transfer southern troops to Liaodong to participate in the war."
Chen Cao was stunned and immediately felt that something was wrong, as expected.
"I heard that it was Yuan Chonghuan's request. He did not report it to the Liaodong Governor's Yamen, but reported it to Supervisor Sun, who is your Majesty's teacher. Your Majesty must have agreed to this request, so he agreed to mobilize southern troops to support Liaodong. Immediately ordered the mobilization of some Nanjing garrison troops into Liaodong."
Chen Cao looked serious: "But let me go?"
Wu Chun nodded: "My ancestors and His Majesty are not willing to let you go. Brother, you must know the reason."
Of course Chen Cao knew that, since he himself was making money for them in Southern Zhili, who would let the money-earners take risks in Liaodong?
"But Zuo Guangdou of the Metropolitan Procuratorate wrote a letter saying that when I gave you the title of commander of the Nanjing Right Guards in the first year of Tianqi, he promised the ministers to go to Liaodong to fight in three years. Your Majesty couldn't bear what he said, so our ancestors thought of a way. I was fooled, but Yang Lian and Zhao Nanxing wrote letters one after another saying that the emperor should uphold his words and deeds, but they really can't be erased..."
Chen Cao frowned and hammered the table hard for a long time: "These old men are really a disaster."
Wu Chun also nodded: "Indeed, but even though I agreed, my ancestor still got the best conditions for you, brother."
"What conditions?" Chen Cao asked.
"In our Ming Dynasty, titles are not easily awarded to people. Over the years, only Li Chengliang has given him the title of earl. Therefore, our ancestors proposed in front of His Majesty that you, as Uncle Dingwu, be the governor of the southern armies and aid the Liao Dynasty. This is why The commander-in-chief of the Southern Army..."
call...
Chen Cao breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Wei Zhongxian can still do things. If he becomes the commander, he will not be restricted in the military. Moreover, the situation in Liaodong is too complicated. If he is hijacked everywhere, he will be the one who suffers the big loss: " But did you make a decree?"
"The decree has been issued by the General Affairs Department. It must first go to the Nanjing Ministry of War, then the Fifth Army Commander's Office, and then submit it to Wei Guogong before notifying you." Wu Chun picked up the wine glass: "The decree was not issued when our family left Beijing. I want to come. It must be within the next few days."
"Brother Wu," Chen Cao said with some concern, "do you know how many troops I will lead this time?"
Wu Chun frowned: "My family doesn't know either. Our family left Beijing at that time, and other people handled the orders, but it can't be less than 20,000 people."
Chen Cao was determined. If he was only allowed to take the Nanjing right guard or one or two other guards to Liaodong, he really had no confidence. After all, Nurhachi's Liaodong cavalry was not built randomly.
"Don't worry, brother," Wu Chun said rather mysteriously: "According to reports from Liaodong spies, Wang Huazhen cannot hold Guangning and is preparing to abandon it. A few days ago, the imperial court discussed the transfer of Xiong Tingbi to the Liaodong Economic Strategy. Go and guard Guangning."
"Xiong Tingbi is gone again?" Chen Cao frowned. He seemed to vaguely remember that Xiong Tingbi was executed after Guangning's failure: "Didn't he go to jail?"
Wu Chun waved his hand and joked: "The ancestors said that someone wanted to use the two of them to carry the bag..."
The officialdom of the capital was really unfathomable. Chen Cao couldn't help but shuddered after hearing this: "It seems that Nurhaci is determined to capture Guangning this time."
"Our family doesn't understand military affairs, and we don't know how powerful it is. During the court meeting, we only heard the various ministries arguing about whether to give up Guangning. Wang Huazhen is a member of the Donglin Party; what he means is that he is a member of the Donglin Party. That's fine. Besides, who wants to go to such a troubled Liaodong and suffer, maybe even his life will be lost." Wu Chun said with a smile: "A few days ago, I heard that the commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan, Zhao Shujiao, was having a quarrel with a general next to Superintendent Sun. Contradiction, in short, there are so many rumors, our family doesn’t even know which one is true and which one is false..."
Chen Cao and Wu Chun left after being drunk. They woke up at almost noon the next day. As soon as they woke up, the maid came to report: "Sir, Mr. Zhao has been waiting in the lobby for a long time."
After Chen Cao put on his clothes and entered the lobby, Zhao Xin saluted first: "I have seen my uncle..."
Chen Cao was still in a daze, and it took him a long time to realize that after receiving the order yesterday, he would be Uncle Dingwu. However, he also felt that there seemed to be a lot of changes in his family, so he took Zhao Xin and walked out of the door. Looking back, sure enough, the plaque on the door has been replaced by 'Dingwu Bofu'. No wonder...
"Uncle, my subordinates informed everyone yesterday and asked them to pass it on. From now on, everyone will call you uncle..." Zhao Xin cupped his hands and smiled.
Chen Cao turned his head and stared at Xin Zhao with a smile for a long time before saying, "Well, you have a sharp eye. Can we call ourselves 'Ben Bo' in the future?"
Zhao Xindao: "I have seen many earls in Jinling City. There are both 'my uncle' and 'my lord'. You can use whichever one you like."
Chen Cao happily patted Xin Zhao on the shoulder: "Well, things are going well. I will write a letter to promote you someday. I'm afraid you will be lazy after sitting in the position of governor for a long time."
Xin Zhao quickly handed over his hand: "It doesn't matter if I'm a subordinate, as long as I can hang out with the adults and feel comfortable."
"You..." Chen Cao then remembered that Zhao Xin came to see him: "What do you want from me?"
Only then did Zhao Xin remember it, and he suddenly realized: "I almost forgot about business, uncle. Someone from the Duke of Wei's residence invited uncle to come over."
Chen Cao also remembered what Wu Chun had said yesterday, so he quickly put on his makeup and rushed towards Wei Guogong's mansion with Zhao Xin.
Xu Hongji was having lunch, and Chen Cao arrived just in time. As soon as he entered, he was invited to the lobby to dine with Xu Hongji.
"The food at my father-in-law's home is better than the food at my disciple's home, and the food is comfortable." Chen Cao said happily after swallowing a mouthful of roast duck.
Xu Hongji put down his chopsticks with a smile and said, "Yaozhong, these days are different from the past. I asked you to come here today because I have two things to discuss with you."
