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At the same time that Zhao Junchen set off to leave Huamachi Camp, Emperor Deqing also started his own plan in the Imperial Study Room in the Forbidden City.
At this time, on the imperial case in front of Emperor Deqing, there was a thick stack of memorials, all of which were submitted to the capital center by officials at all levels in Shaanxi and Gansu in the past three months.
The sources of these memorials are different. Some are from Zhao Junchen, some are from Liang Fuchen, some are from Li Ru'an, and some are from various feudal officials in Shaanxi and Gansu.
These people have different positions, different insights, and different ways of looking at problems, so their views and opinions are often completely opposite and very different.
If an emperor with a little less knowledge and experience sees these memorials with different opinions and conflicting opinions, he will definitely be at a loss and feel dizzy. He will only feel that it is complicated and confusing, and he will not know who to believe. .
However, Emperor Deqing had abundant experience and insight, and was adept at the imperial mentality. He could easily distinguish the true from the false and distinguish the true from the false. Which of the views in these memorials were objective facts, and which were just facts? It was personal bias. Emperor Deqing could tell at a glance which statements were exaggerated and which were deliberately concealed.
In the end, after synthesizing the views of all the memorials, the full picture of the situation in Shaanxi and Gansu during this period was revealed to Emperor Deqing.
After reading these memorials, Emperor Deqing frowned slightly, his expression a little solemn.
The more he understood the changes in the situation in Shaanxi and Gansu during this period, the more Emperor Deqing became wary of Zhao Junchen.
Then, Emperor Deqing picked up two more memorials from his hands.
Of these two memorials, one was the memorial that Zhao Junchen had just sent to the capital, and the other was the secret memorial that Liang Fuchen sent to the capital at the same time.
In this secret, Liang Fuchen only explained the current situation in Huamachi Camp to Emperor Deqing in detail, but did not reveal that he was kidnapped by the horse bandits. This was partly because when Liang Fuchen was preparing this secret, Shang has not yet determined that Zhao Junchen is the culprit behind instigating the horse bandits to kidnap him. On the other hand, it is also because this matter is not glorious, and even Liang Fuchen will not take the initiative to expose his own shortcomings.
As for Zhao Junchen's request for credit, it is naturally the list of requests for credit after the Mongol coalition was completely annihilated.
There are a total of fifty-two people on the list of people asking for merit - Zhao Junchen is undoubtedly ranked first, He Zhang, who has repeatedly made military exploits, is ranked second, and Shaanxi Governor Zhang Sheng De ranked third, the commander of the Forbidden Army reinforcements Guan Wuyuan ranked fourth, the military supervisor Li Ruan ranked fifth, Guyuan General Soldier Fang Zhenshan ranked sixth, the Forbidden Army commander Zhang Chengxun ranked seventh, and the prefect of Xi'an Wu Qifan ranked Tied for eighth place with Shaanxi Inspector Zhou Bo...
The first half of the list of requests for merit can be considered well-founded. The military and political achievements of the listed officials are unquestionable. At best, there are some problems with the ranking order.
But the second half of the list of requests for credit makes people suspicious. Most of the high-level civil and military officials in Shaanxi and Gansu are concentrated here. Zhao Junchen's reasons for requesting credit for them are also all kinds of strange and cannot withstand scrutiny at all!
After reviewing the contents of the petition for merit again, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but sneered and said softly to himself: "Ha! It's really complete! All officials of third rank and above in Shaanxi and Gansu have been assigned military merit and merit. Political achievements... what is this? Everyone carries a sedan chair? Or is it just one person who has achieved the Tao, a chicken or a dog, and ascended to heaven?
The annihilation of 100,000 troops of the Mongolian coalition was indeed a great military achievement that had not been seen in a century, so the court must reward all meritorious officials... Under the current situation, the court did not have the time and energy to collect evidence and verify each one.
Zhao Junchen had calculated this accurately, so he added these unproductive and opportunistic officials to the list of people asking for credit, and took the opportunity to sell favors, build connections, and even reach certain benefit transactions... He really thought that Don't I understand these ways? "
After sneering twice, Emperor Deqing no longer paid attention to the second half of the list of requests for credit.
Over the years, after the war between Shaanxi and Gansu was over, a large number of civil and military officials would always lie about their military achievements and defraud the court of rewards and awards. Emperor Deqing was used to this phenomenon.
In fact, the Gong Gong princes at the center of the imperial court were all human beings. They were not unaware of local officials' lies about their military and political achievements, but they always turned a blind eye unless it was a particularly prominent and important achievement. , otherwise we would not deliberately send people to verify the authenticity.
On the one hand, this is because of the difficulty in investigating and collecting evidence. On the other hand, it is also a deliberate favor sold to local officials. But the main reason is to create an atmosphere of "the situation is great."
If there are frequent good news from various places, it means that the court has the skills to recognize people and the officials are diligent and promising, which will help to enhance the prestige of the court and help stabilize the people's hearts; but if the officials from various places are helpless against the Mongols' southward plundering, they can only If you know how to ask for help from the imperial court, it means that the imperial court employs people improperly and local officials are all useless. This will damage the prestige of the imperial court and destabilize the people's hearts.
Comparatively speaking, Zhao Junchen still knows how to measure this time. Those officials who have not made any achievements and are opportunistic are concentrated in the second half of the list of merit requests. The rewards given to them by the court will not be too high, that is, they will be credited once. , In the future, he will be promoted first if there is a shortage, so Emperor Deqing just sneered twice and stopped paying attention.
For Emperor Deqing, the focus was on the officials who ranked high on the list of merit requests.
These officials at the top of the ranking all have outstanding achievements and need heavy rewards. Even if they are promoted to three levels in a row, it may also affect the temple structure. Therefore, Emperor Deqing must carefully distinguish between these people and Zhao Junchen's true relationship before making a decision.
In short, it is necessary to award a reward, but how to award it is very particular!
Emperor Deqing's eyes were fixed on He Zhang's name, his expression full of contemplation.
"According to the secret that Zhou Shangjing just passed on, He Zhang, who is listed second on the list of petitioners, is a veteran of the frontier. He has made outstanding military achievements over the years, but he has a stubborn personality and is easy to offend others, so he is He could not be promoted for a long time. After Zhao Junchen took charge of the military affairs of Shaanxi and Gansu, he quickly entrusted him with important tasks and allowed him to make military exploits repeatedly. This He Zhang also repaid his kindness and followed Zhao Junchen's lead. Zhao Junchen ranked him among the best. Yu, who is second on the list for merit, obviously regards him as a confidant... Such a person, no matter how great his military achievements are, he can never be allowed to control real power!
Well, extrapolating the time, if nothing unexpected happens, all the armies in Shaanxi and Gansu are already on their way to the Hetao! Since He Zhang is good at commanding troops in battle, he will make more military exploits when the time comes... In this way, his achievements will be enough to enter the Fifth Army Commander's Mansion! The official positions in the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion are high-ranking but low-power, which is a good place for him! "
While thinking deeply, Emperor Deqing quickly made a decision, and then turned his attention to Shaanxi Governor Zhang Shengde, who was third on the list of merit applicants.
"I have some impressions of this Shaanxi governor Zhang Shengde. He has a good official reputation and has always been obedient. His previous superiors have all spoken highly of him. However, he has never participated in partisanship and has always maintained his integrity. Neutral and harmonious, such an official should not follow Zhao Junchen wholeheartedly...
Liang Fuchen's judgment is the same as mine. He believes that Zhang Shengde has not been bribed by Zhao Junchen. No matter who appears in Zhao Junchen's position, Zhang Shengde will act loyally... Such an official can be promoted, but Don’t be careless, let’s transfer him to the center of the capital for the time being and observe him secretly for a period of time before making a decision..."
Then, Emperor Deqing's eyes kept moving downwards, and he kept making decisions in his heart.
"The fourth person on the list of thanks is Guan Wuyuan, the commander of the Forbidden Army reinforcements. Both Liang Fuchen and Wang Shou spoke highly of her. She can be regarded as my direct descendant. It is said that she is also a descendant of Guan Gong, who served in the Forbidden Army. The prestige among the twenty-six guards is extremely high, and he is obviously a rare talent...
This man's military exploits were also extremely high. If he hadn't held back the Mongolian coalition while guarding Jiezhou City, Zhao Junchen would never have had the illustrious military exploits of annihilating the Mongolian coalition! Logically speaking, there wouldn't be much controversy even if he was ranked second on the list for such achievements, but in the end he was only ranked fourth on the list. This was obviously because Zhao Junchen secretly suppressed him... …
Well, Liang Fuchen's close relationship also proves that the relationship between Zhao Junchen and Guan Wuyuan is relatively bad... Such a general deserves to be promoted! It just so happened that Xiao Mian, the Governor of the Beijing Camp, was already old, and Guan Wuyuan was a suitable successor! "
(Note: The Ming Dynasty Forbidden Army is divided into two parts: the Beijing Camp and the Pro-Army Protectorate. The Beijing Camp is responsible for the defense of the center of the capital, while the Pro-Army Protectorate is responsible for guarding the palace and escorting the emperor. The Ming Dynasty Forbidden Army has twenty The six guards are all under the control of these two yamen.)
"Under Guan Wuyuan's name is Li Ru'an, the supervisor of the army. This person is from the Royal Horse Supervisor. He is highly valued by Wu Min, the eunuch of the Royal Horse Supervisor. He is also loyal and diligent. He has sent secret documents many times during this period. , reported to me in detail Zhao Junchen's every move, and he also took action to quell the civil unrest in Tianshui City. He is also a rare talent in the inner court... Wu Min once mentioned to me that he wanted to let Li Ruan enter the imperial study room to work. , I can agree to it... Through this matter, the Royal Horse Supervisor and the Si Li Supervisor can also check and balance each other..."
"Under Li Ru'an's name is Fang Zhenshan, the commander-in-chief of Guyuan... When Zhao Junchen came to power, this person repeatedly submitted secret documents to impeach Zhao Junchen for his reckless behavior and perverse behavior. However, as Zhao Junchen's power and influence in Shaanxi and Gansu increased, As he grew older, his position quickly changed. Not only did he no longer impeach Zhao Junchen, but he repeatedly spoke good words for Zhao Junchen... This is obviously the behavior of a wallflower!
According to Liang Fuchen, Fang Zhenshan and Zhao Junchen's confidant He Zhang are like fire and water, and they may not really surrender to Zhao Junchen. We can observe him for a while and then give him the honorary title of general and let him stay for the time being. It’s all right in Shaanxi and Gansu! Now that Shaanxi and Gansu are in troubled times, we cannot transfer too many officials..."
"Further below, there is Zhang Chengxun, a fellow commander of the Forbidden Army...another military attache bribed by Zhao Junchen! This person must never stay in the Forbidden Army! But his achievements are not as dazzling as He Zhang's, and he is too young. , but cannot arrange to enter the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion to evacuate military power, which is a bit troublesome... Well, for the time being, let's transfer him to a remote place in the south, whether it is Guangdong, Guangxi, or Fujian, and let him serve as the commander-in-chief. Such a reward is enough to convince everyone! Those places are thousands of miles away from the capital, so even if he is given some military power, it is irrelevant. We will find opportunities to slowly rectify him in the future..."
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Emperor Deqing's vision and methods were both brilliant. In just half an hour, he had already imagined everyone's promotion arrangements.
Emperor Deqing was already at an age when he knew his destiny, and his energy was not as strong as when he was young. After considering everything carefully, he couldn't help but feel tired.
Therefore, after Emperor Deqing stretched his body, he planned to return to the harem to rest.
But at this moment, the great eunuch Zhang De entered the royal study and reported: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Seventh Prince requests an audience."
Emperor Deqing had a smile on his face and nodded: "Lao Qi is finally willing to see me? Let him come in!"
Ever since Emperor Deqing had the idea of changing his reserve, he has been secretly inspecting the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, but he has become more and more satisfied with Zhu Hejian's character and mind. He only feels that Zhu Hejian is good in all aspects except for his slight lack of ambition. Nearly perfect, he is simply the ideal candidate for the next crown prince in Emperor Deqing’s mind!
As for Zhu Hejian's lack of enterprising spirit, it was not a big problem in the eyes of Emperor Deqing.
"Enterprising spirit" and "ambition" are often synonymous. Emperor Deqing believed that he was still at the peak of the Spring and Autumn Period and could continue to rule the Ming Dynasty for at least another ten years. Zhu Hejian's lack of aggressiveness could be cultivated slowly, but if Zhu Hejian's aggressiveness If the heart is too strong, Emperor Deqing will be a little worried.
However, Zhu Hejian, who was the perfect heir apparent in Emperor Deqing's mind and had always adhered to filial piety, had recently taken the initiative to have trouble with Emperor Deqing.
However, seeing Zhu Hejian's temper and quarrels, Emperor Deqing was not only not angry, but also appreciated Zhu Hejian's character even more.
The reason why Zhu Hejian had trouble with Emperor Deqing this time was related to Prince Zhu Heyu!
In fact, just three days ago, Prince Zhu Heyu was once again banned from the East Palace by Emperor Deqing because of an unwarranted "crime of immorality"!
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Ding dong! Congratulations on unlocking the achievement "Unsuccessful"!
Well, the first update today!
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