As night fell and the lights began to turn on, the people in Datong City felt that today was a bit special, but they couldn't explain it specifically. Anyway, they felt that there was a new atmosphere in and outside the city that was different from the past. Logically speaking, the city gates were locked after dark. Despite the rules, the north city gate has not been closed yet, and there are still a group of people from the royal palace looking at the city gate.
Some people speculate that it may be that the prince went out for hunting in the city and did not return.
This kind of thing has happened before, but not often. After all, even the feudal king cannot open the closed city gate at will. Occasionally, it can be done once and too many times, and the royal family will write it down.
However, seeing that the sky was dark and the city gates were not closed, and there were too many people from the palace, the gossips knew that things were not simple, and they became so curious that they ignored Tianhan and stayed nearby to see what was going on.
The hard work paid off, and the excitement was late but not absent. At half past midnight (around ten o'clock in the evening), the palace servants guarding the city gate suddenly became restless. The lights were winding from several miles north of the city, and someone rushed to the palace to report.
Good guy, a guest is definitely here. Everyone watching the excitement has noticed the doorway, but they don't know what kind of guest can make the palace so interested that they have people waiting at the city gate until now.
There were quite a lot of people coming, nearly a thousand people and horses entering the city one after another, and traffic control was immediately implemented after these people entered the city. The road from the city gate to the palace was marked with three posts, one post, five steps, and one post, so no one could get close.
Someone guessed that the big shot was here.
As soon as Chang Yu and his entourage entered the city, the servants of Prince Dai's Mansion came forward to greet him and informed him that Prince Dai had come to greet them. This made Shi Kefa and others look at him with suspicion. The vassal king was a relative of the emperor, a nobleman, and the emperor was a son of the same family, and the eunuch was the powerful one. In Xuntian, he is still the emperor's domestic slave. This behavior is very inappropriate!
When you are good, people will say that this is courtesy and they value you. When it is bad, it is all excuses. They are all written down in the emperor's notebook, and of course in the censor's notebook. When you are in a good mood or when you are in a bad mood, you are in a good mood. I will take it out and repeat it to you every time, which will make you sick and disgusted.
Chang Yu also felt that Dai Wang was a bit too enthusiastic. Based on their previous friendship, Dai Wang wished that he could not get in after three times. Although he got a deal for him this time, he would not be so excited. He wanted the crown prince to leave. Ying Baili has given enough face, and now he wants to go out to greet him in person. It feels like this acting king is deliberately disgusting him. After all, Zhu Shenxuan, who has the best relationship with him, has never gone out to greet him. King De Zhu Youjue even thought he was a liar and led others to beat him, and King Lu did not do the same. Only the timid King Heng Zhu Youjue, who was timid and afraid of death, lowered his face and went to the city entrance to meet him in order to let him help defend the city and save his life.
"Isn't it a bit too polite? I feel like I'm setting a trap for you." Zhu Cixiang muttered in a low voice as he rode beside Chang Yu. Chang Yu turned his head and looked at Zhu Yixun, the eldest son of the Prince's Palace not far away, and saw him shrinking his neck and covering himself up. He was so tightly wrapped that he couldn't see his expression clearly, but Yang Zhenwei was talking to Shi Kefa. Then he turned to Zhu Cixiang and chuckled: "When a dog sees a dog, he either smells it or licks it. When a person sees a person, he either lies or acts. Just lie and act. I happen to be good at this."
Zhu Cixiang looked stunned.
Zhu Chuanji didn't know what his psychology was, but he went out to greet Chang Yu and his entourage so warmly. However, it was just a matter of time. The dignified King of the Ming Dynasty could not go to the city gate to greet him in person, so he just made a show outside the palace gate. That's all, but even this is enough for the censors to make a fuss about.
Before Chang Yu dismounted, Zhu Chuanji hurriedly came up to him, with a happy face that betrayed a hint of boredom towards Chang Yu: "I heard the magpies chirping early in the morning and refused to listen. It turned out that it was Eunuch Chang who was visiting as a distinguished guest. ah……"
Chang Yu was also a veteran. He turned over and dismounted and saluted quickly, with a smile on his face and said hello. The two of them held hands and greeted each other as if they were old friends meeting each other. Who would have thought that the prince with a happy face in front of him would often curse in his dreams at night? The little eunuch scolded her for going out at night...
After some pleasantries, Chang Yu quickly introduced Shi Kefa. Zhu Chuanji was also extremely polite to the Minister of War. The remaining civil servants also came forward to greet him. After Zhu Chuanji dealt with them one by one, he pulled Chang Yu and Shi Kefa and talked. As he entered the palace, he completely ignored Yang Zhenwen and the civil servants. To Zhu Chuanji, these people were of no importance. Even if Yang Zhenwei was the commander-in-chief of Datong at this time, his qualifications were too junior in his opinion. Unless he could All the military power in Datong was tightened, but Zhu Chuanji did not want him to take over the power alone, because once Yang Zhenwei was firmly established, it would be difficult to control him.
Yang Zhenwei was aware of his thoughts, and he also revealed it to Chang Yu. On the surface, Datong was calm, but in fact, there was an undercurrent. The army was not united. Some people deliberately stirred up divisions. It was not ruled out that King Dai was stirring up trouble inside.
In fact, even Chang Yu could have guessed that Jiang Yu was known as the King of Datong. When he was alive, even the acting king had to give him some respect. When he was alive, he said that he would act based on his face. Although he would not be the king of Jinan. Liu Zeqing was so good at it, he was constrained in every way and had to collude with Jiang Gan, but he also wished that this guy would die a good death. After all, Jiang Gan was too rude and domineering.
As everyone wished, Jiang Quan had the audacity to kill Chang Yu more than half a year ago but was killed. Behind his back, the happiest person was of course Zhu Chuanji. A rope stuck around his neck was finally untied, and he himself He didn't want to trap another one, so he deliberately cultivated an obedient and controllable one. Although the vassal king was not allowed to be involved in government and military affairs, and he was unable to openly recommend anyone to be the general, he could still operate secretly. At worst, he could Train a few of your own to isolate and constrain the new commander-in-chief.
So as soon as Jiang Yu died, he focused on his old subordinates who were deliberately trying to win over him and prepared to use their strength secretly. However, he did not expect that Yang Zhenwei, who was sent out at that time, would come back with the seal of the general.
Moreover, this guy drastically reorganized military affairs as soon as he came back, which made Zhu Chuanji alert. Damn, he was brainwashed by the little eunuch, and he belongs to the little eunuch.
Fortunately, he has not been idle in the past few months. He has won over several of Jiang Yu's old generals in Datong. Although he can't say whether he likes or dislikes Yang Zhenwei, he will never allow him to become the second Jiang Yu. He has a lot of eyes for him in the dark. The medicine added to the blockage, making it difficult for Yang Zhenwei to move even an inch and felt extremely strenuous. Although he could not be said to have been emptied out, he always felt powerless or unable to use his strength.
So when the news came that Chang Yu was patrolling the border, he was both nervous and relieved at the same time. The man who calmed down the situation for him was here.
Entering the palace, Chang Yu and Shi Kefa were welcomed into the palace to serve tea, and the prince and Yang Zhenwei accompanied them. As for the civil servants, they were arranged to go to the inn. Lao Jiu's Black Wolf Camp went to the military camp, and nearly a hundred personal guards stayed at the palace. Of course, Princess Kunxing The group was also arranged in a separate courtyard in the palace.
"Your Majesty, our family must first accuse you." As soon as he sat down and took a sip of tea, Chang Yu stood up and handed over his hands. However, the king was stunned and didn't know why: "A few months ago, I borrowed the prince's salary book to defend against the enemy. I planned to pay it back after returning to Beijing, but unexpectedly I caught up with the Tatars who wanted to enter the customs..."
"Eunuch Chang" Zhu Chuanji put down the tea cup in his hand to interrupt Chang Yu: "Don't mention it again at this time. Eunuch Chang has never borrowed any money from me, but I have donated a lot..."
Uh... Chang Yu was startled, and Shi Kefa next to him couldn't help laughing.
"Your Majesty is right. When the national crisis hit, your Majesty left his small family to take care of everyone, and spent all his wealth to help the court tide over the difficulties. Our family admires his great righteousness and becomes the emperor, setting an example for the world!" Chang Yu photographed He said while touching his chest. Zhu Chuanji smiled: "That's not good, it's too public."
"Hey, what is this publicity? This is an example for the people of the world. It should be remembered forever and educate the world. Your Majesty deserves it!
Chang Yu is not stupid, Zhu Chuanji decided to suffer the loss of being dumb, but so much money and food cannot be wasted, you can do it, but give me some benefits, such as reputation!
Two old foxes, Zhu Cixiang, who was waiting aside, sighed in his heart. Neither his cousin nor Chang Yu were cheap. Chang Yu confessed first when he came up, making it clear that he was the first to strike... If he refused, he would wait until others asked. Or give it away, then he would be inferior, and Zhu Chuanji also knew that he would have to ask for a favor if he didn't come and do the favor... Zhu Cixiang knew that if he couldn't take the trick at all, he admired Chang Yu more and more in his heart. No, in the past, Chang Yu's methods in the capital and palace were all heard. Now, seeing it with one's own eyes, hearing it with one's own ears, and experiencing this kind of impact is very shocking. The eyes of the idiot fans looking at the little eunuch are filled with excitement. Starry.
Chang Yu and Zhu Chuan seemed to have endless things to say in the hall, and they kept talking about various topics. However, Yang Zhenwei and Shi Kefa rarely interrupted. Firstly, they couldn't do anything. Secondly, they were too tired and cold. After running for more than a hundred miles, I was already exhausted by this time.
After talking about the conversation again, Zhu Chuanji saw that the two of them looked tired and said: "It's getting late, Mr. Shi, please go back to your room to rest first. Tomorrow, I will host a banquet for you and others to wash away the dust. Mr. Yang will also go first." Let's go back to the military camp. I guess there will be a lot of trouble tomorrow, so let's rest early." Then he said to Chang Yu: "Eunuch Chang, let's chat for a while?"
"It's necessary. There are many things to discuss with the prince." Chang Yu chuckled. Zhu Chuanji burst out laughing. He also endured it. There were some things that were inconvenient for outsiders to talk about, so he asked the prince to see off the guests for him. He asked Chang Yu to see the guests off. Yu went to the study to talk.
Zhu Cixiang wanted to go with him, so Zhu Chuanji couldn't help but glance at Chang Yu, the little eunuch who was traveling with him. He was very pretty with red lips and white teeth, but he didn't think much about it, or even looked carefully, otherwise he might really be able to tell. Some clues.
The vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty had to go to Beijing to meet with the saint almost every year. On the surface, it was to communicate with each other among the clans, but in fact, it was to beat each one in person to see if they were still honest. This was a rule established after Zhu Di. As for the reason, everyone All understand.
It is possible to see the prince during the interview, and even if you have never seen him, you can tell something from his appearance.
However, due to the war this year, the vassal princes did not come to Beijing to meet the emperor. In addition, the prince also made some cover-ups, so Zhu Chuanji didn't find anything at a glance. Mainly, his mind was not on this, and no one could have imagined that the eunuch was patrolling. Bian will take the prince with him.
If he knew that Chang Yu not only brought the prince, but also brought the princess, would he go crazy?
…………………………………………
Let me reply to my book friend about the issue of military pay.
The military system of the Ming Dynasty had both a guard system and a camp system, and military pay was different for each. Moreover, the pay differences between northern soldiers and southern soldiers, city defense troops and combat troops, and inland soldiers and frontier troops were all very large and complicated. I checked a lot of information. , found that there is no unified statement, but the only thing that is certain is that the military pay of the border troops is the highest.
Military pay includes salary and food, which is wages and food. The highest salary among the border troops is related to Ning Jun. According to the information, the infantry pays more than one tael per month, and the cavalry earns one tael or six per month. In other words, the highest salary does not exceed 20 taels per year. The salary of ordinary border troops is 8 taels per year. -About ten taels, but according to the number of soldiers and horses under the jurisdiction of Xuanfu Town and the situation of silver payment, according to Huo Ji's "Nine Sides Illustrations" in the third year of Longqing:
"The original number of officers and soldiers in this town is 151,452. In addition to those who escape during the holidays, the actual number of officers and soldiers is 83,340. The original number of horses is 55,200. One hundred and seventy-four horses, except for the annual losses, there are actually thirty-two thousand horses."
"This town has an annual supply of 120,000 taels of silver for main soldiers and 205,000 taels for guest soldiers."
From this point of view, neither annual salary nor monthly salary is high.
Moreover, starting from Chongzhen, the frontier army has always been in arrears of pay. During Yuan Chonghuan's time, Xuanda owed 30 months, and Liaodong owed 36 months. From then until the end of the Ming Dynasty, the accounts were not paid. Soldiers could only be hungry. A full meal and a meal are provided, and the salary is nothing.
Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that Chang Yu rewarded each of He Chengxin's subordinates two taels of silver, equivalent to half a year's salary.
