Along with the sword came a secret letter from Chongzhen to the young eunuch. Since it was a secret letter, everyone did not dare to look around like they were looking at the sword. Seeing Chang Yu opening the letter, the others turned around and pretended to appreciate the sword.
The letter is short.
I am very happy that you will not disappoint me, I am very happy, I am very happy. The military salary of 200,000 taels is accurate. I am accurate in the discussion of the country. There are still disputes in the cabinet. Please do not disappoint me. I will never disappoint you!
I heard that you love swords, and this sword is for you to slay demons!
After saying important things three times, it seemed that Chongzhen was indeed overjoyed, and as Chang Yu expected, he asked for money and gave him money!
Wu Sangui pretended to appreciate the knife, and pretended to accidentally catch a glimpse of the little eunuch's face that looked like a smile but not a smile, and felt relieved in his heart. It seemed to be good news.
"General Wu, do you know why the emperor rewarded me with this sword?" Chang Yu turned to look at him and asked.
"Congratulations, Lord Governor, this should be the sword from above given by the emperor, oh no, it must be the sword from above!"
Wu Sangui is so sophisticated.
Chang Yu chuckled and shrugged, "I don't know, I just asked the governor to kill demons. Where did this demon come from in the world?" As he said, he suddenly caught a glimpse of Wu Zhong, who was holding a knife and still relishing it. "There are quite a few pretenders. It’s easy to cut it down.”
Master Wu was so excited that he almost dropped the sword in his hand, and everyone couldn't help laughing.
What Wu Sangui didn't expect was that Chongzhen actually sent him a letter. You must know that according to the process, even if Wu Sangui was awarded a grand prize by the emperor for his first achievement, it would still have to go through a set of very cumbersome procedures, such as sending a few eunuchs to support the show. , write a serious imperial edict, and also get a few decent treasures from the palace, such as jade ruyi and so on, as side prizes...and then what is written on the imperial edict is the hard currency.
It was obvious that this letter was just a hitchhiking condolence letter.
Judging from the late Ming Dynasty, it was the ultimate for a military general to serve as the commander-in-chief of the army, and no matter how many rewards he received, they were just empty titles, such as Qi Jiguang's Shaobao.
But this is what the ancients cared about. It is indeed a matter of honor to have someone like Qi Jiguang who can compete with sages like Qi Jiguang. Moreover, with Wu Sangui’s experience, he knew that the Ming Dynasty was in a precarious situation at this time. Sometimes, if I lose all my capital, I might be able to get a title.
So when he saw a few words in Chongzhen's letter to him, "If you withdraw from the Qing army, I will reward you greatly!"
Wu Sangui's heart immediately moved.
"Is Your Majesty Wu Zongbing going to give you a promotion?" Chang Yu asked, seeing his secretly happy expression.
Wu Sangui smiled, "That will only happen if the Qing army retreats. It is not the time to celebrate yet." He also knew in his heart that just based on the great victory the day before yesterday, he might not be able to get the so-called big reward from Chongzhen. After all, that battle was very important. He did all the work, he contributed his strength, the little eunuch came out with his wits, and it was a draw between the two.
Chang Yu's sharp eyes saw a few words in the letter in Wu Sangui's hand, and suddenly smiled, "Does Mr. Wu know how the emperor will reward you?"
Wu Sangui shook his head.
The little eunuch showed the secret letter in his hand to Wu Sangui, "I think I can guess a little bit."
This was a secret message. Others did not dare to read it and turned their heads. Wu Sangui was also shocked, but he thought that since the young eunuchs were like this, he would not be pretentious.
It was clear at a glance, his expression slowly changed, the word 'Zhu Guo' in the letter was very eye-catching, so damn tempting.
"Lord Governor, could it be that, no, it can't be true?"
Zhuguo, an ancient official name during the Warring States period, was used to reward generals who had meritorious service in killing the enemy. It was the top military officer, above the prime minister. It was abolished after the Warring States period.
In troubled times, heavy honors should be used, but there must be heroes under heavy rewards. At this time, the world is in chaos and people's hearts are uncertain. The little eunuch proposed to restore the official position of Zhuguo at the right time to encourage and win over those unsteady military generals. Under the influence of the little eunuch, he deeply felt the importance of Wen. Chongzhen, who had ruined the country by using military force lightly, actually hit it off with him. The civil servants in the court were too prosperous and their status was high, so the balance was lost early. Now, restoring the old system of the Zhu Kingdom can contain these civil servants, thus balancing the civil and military affairs, and can also win over the generals and stabilize the morale of the army. Why not combine his imperial skills with others?
But when he reported this to the cabinet, he was met with backlash as expected. The only good thing is that now the chief assistant Li Banghua is indeed a person who does practical things and wants to help Chongzhen, and he has a certain understanding of the emperor's heart and knows Chongzhen's will. I mean, this is to win over those military generals who are dedicated to guarding the gates and courtyards for him. In normal times, Li Banghua would have strongly opposed it, but now people are panicked, and military generals are especially important. If he doesn't win over them, the country may be destroyed at any time, so he can only force it. nodded.
He was the boss of the cabinet. He nodded. Although there were other objections, it was no longer a concern. After a few futile struggles, he would finally accept it. It was only a matter of time.
"My governor proposes that the Ming Dynasty re-establish the Eight-Pillar Kingdom, which will be in charge of the country's military and horsemen. It will be above the chief minister and second only to the prince. Whether Wu Zongbing can become one of the Eight-Pillar Kingdom depends on how you use your sword in Ningyuan." . Chang Yu looked serious
However, Wu Sangui's heart was filled with huge waves. Whether he was a civil servant or a military general, what he ultimately wanted was glory, wealth, fame, wealth, and a famous family. The honor of the pillars of the country was comparable to those who founded the country. If he really fought for a position, the Wu family would be honored for generations. , he also became the most shining figure of the Wu family and was respected by generations of descendants.
Thinking about it makes me excited. What about the Qing Dynasty, what about Dorgon? So what if I surrender, just like King Sanshun was granted the throne? He insulted his ancestors and was scolded by the world. Huang Taiji loved talents and devoted himself to recruiting his uncle Zu Dashou. However, it didn't matter where he and Hong Chengchou, two famous figures in the Ming Dynasty, went. They were completely ignored and marginalized everywhere. I was in the Ming Dynasty. It would be great to be a just and legitimate Zhuguo, not only not to humiliate the ancestors, but also to honor them. It would be more beautiful to erect monuments and build forts, so why go there and be a slave?
Although Wu Sangui was very excited, he still retained a trace of rationality. The young eunuch was a master at painting cakes, and Chongzhen was not willing to give in too much, so he said to the governor, "This matter must not have been decided yet. Didn't the emperor say that there is still a dispute in the cabinet..."
Chang Yu sneered, "Since there is still a dispute, it means that someone has agreed to add the emperor's thigh. Who does Mr. Wu think can pull the arm? I can guarantee that this matter will be settled in a month at most, and I dare to say that it is because of Taiyuan." In the first battle, Zhou Yuji will definitely be one of the Eight Pillar Kingdoms, and I will protect him!"
"Please give me more support, Lord Governor." Wu Sangui and Tang Tong hurriedly saluted Chang Yu. Even a fool could hear what the little eunuch said. It was he who proposed the establishment of Zhuguo. Zhou Yuji joined forces with him to defeat the enemy in Taiyuan, so he People who strive to protect...this meaning is clear enough.
For the position of Zhu Guo, all generals are tempted. Even Tang Tong, who knew that he was not qualified enough, was also moved by his heart. His eyes revealed a lot of desire without concealment. Chang Yu couldn't see through it, so he lightly nodded and commented on his merits. The reward made Tang Tong full of fighting spirit and strength.
"We have money, we have enough soldiers, we have enough food and grass, and our morale is at its peak." Chang Yu sighed and touched his chest. "We also have the ambition to show off the heroes. If we are defeated, Commander Wu and Commander Tang will , what do you say?".
Wu Sangui smiled bitterly, "That only means that we are trash... No, no, it means that I will be a trash!"
"The Lord Governor joined forces with Zhou Yuji in Taiyuan to defeat hundreds of thousands of thieves. The Ningyuan Army and the border troops in Jizhen are not vegetarians. Could it be that we can't defeat those Tatar soldiers together? Are they three-headed and six-armed?" Tang Tong said uncharacteristically. roar.
"Damn it, there is no soldier that my Ming Dynasty man can't defeat!" Chang Yu shouted with a sneer.
Everyone shouted, "Fuck you!"
