Although I have long read news about the Jurchens in various newspapers, and I can also feel the various things from Liaodong outside the customs in my life, such as bear paws, ginseng antler, tiger skins, etc. at home, but when I came to this world, This was the first time that Feng Ziying met the Jurchens head-on.
The threat of the Jurchens has become increasingly prominent, but from Feng Ziying’s observation, the mainstream view of the court still did not put the threat of the Jurchens in the first place, or at most it promoted it to the second threat after the Tatars in the north. This can be seen from the fact that Governor Xuanda was still the first governor to establish military affairs in the Zhou Dynasty, and was still the first priority in military pay.
However, this does not mean that no one in the court is aware of this. Li Chengliang abandoned Kuandian Liubao and the slave chief Nurhachi built a city in Hetuala, which greatly stimulated those in the court who had been worried about the rapid expansion of Jurchen power in Jianzhou. A force.
The abandonment of Kuandian Liubao made the Jianzhou Jurchen expansion outside the customs more free and aggressive, and also made Liaodong Town's isolated status increasingly prominent. This sense of crisis has had a certain impact on the court, but In general, being harassed by Tatars from the north and Japanese pirates from the sea to the east, coupled with the current unrest in the southwest, it has been difficult for the Zhou Dynasty to devote more attention to dealing with threats from the northeast.
Of course, the most critical issue is financial difficulties. This is a fundamental issue that has endangered the normal operation of the entire Zhou Dynasty, and the first and most affected one is military affairs.
"The Jurchens came to pay tribute again? Such a large scale?" Looking at the Jurchens whizzing away, Feng Ziying made a rough estimate, at least around a hundred people.
He had the impression that the imperial court had begun to tighten the rules on paying tribute to the Jurchens. Generally speaking, the tribute mission would not exceed fifty people, so why was there more than a hundred people in this group?
Feng Ziying's casual words attracted a man next to him who crossed his arms and sneered: "Humph, what is this? They had already left in groups when they entered the city. If they were added together, there would be even more people. "
"A group of people? How come there are a group of people?" Feng Ziying was surprised, and at the same time, she was also looking at the man in front of her.
He is about forty years old, with a straight face and deep forehead wrinkles. It should be due to traveling abroad for a long time. He looks a bit old. His accent is like someone from Shaanxi, but mixed with some Liaodong accent.
"Why can't we divide the people into one group? They are all Han people from Liaodong, and the merchants from our side are all busy selling goods..." The smile on the man's face became more and more serious.
"Have you verified the identities of these people?" Feng Ziying did not feel dissatisfied and still asked.
The man also looked Feng Ziying up and down for a long time, and then he snorted: "Young man, stop minding other people's business. I have no place to bring trouble to your family."
Feng Ziying laughed, she was an interesting person, and nodded: "Causing trouble? Well, I'm not really afraid of causing trouble for my father. Being able to bring trouble for him is quite a skill."
Seeing Feng Ziying's harsh mouth, the man with a knife-shaped face was a little surprised. He made his words so clearly. He didn't expect that the other party was still so crazy. He seemed to be a person with some background, but after thinking about it, he didn't want to say more. After all, Talking too much is of no benefit to others or yourself.
Seeing that the guy turned around to leave without making any noise, Feng Ziying was unwilling to do so. She finally met someone who seemed to have some understanding of the situation in Liaodong. How could she let him go so easily?
"Hey, brother, why did you leave without saying anything?" Feng Ziying stretched out her hand to stop the other party, "You haven't answered my question yet. I really want to hear your answer."
"Hmph, my answer is of no use. If you really want to know more, then go to Liaodong and take a look. Or you can watch it at Shanhaiguan and you can understand clearly." He glanced at Feng Ziying with some contempt. One hand shook Feng Ziying's hand away, and the man was about to leave.
Feng Ziying exerted a slight force on her hand, and the other party also noticed something. With a push and a move of her hand, she got rid of Feng Ziying's obstruction and passed sideways. However, she was still a little surprised by Feng Ziying's strength.
Feng Ziying actually didn't use her full strength, but just wanted to test the opponent. She felt that this man still had some strength, and he was probably from the military.
"Brother, stay here. I sincerely want to understand the situation. If there is a chance, I will naturally report this situation to the court." Feng Ziying followed the other party and followed behind him.
The man hesitated for a moment, but then continued to move forward, "Humph, how could the imperial court be ignorant? These are all transactions in broad daylight, and people are not afraid of this at all. Besides, aren't the Jurchens coming to pay tribute to the imperial court as well? Regulations?”
"If that's the case, then why should my brother be so angry?" Feng Ziying was not polite and walked quickly alongside the other party.
The knife-faced man had already realized that the young man in front of him was probably no ordinary person. He was probably a son of an official. Otherwise, he would not be so interested in this kind of situation.
But ordinary officials would not be so entangled, and the issue of verifying the identity of the person who left was also mentioned, which is not something ordinary people can think of.
"It's not that I'm filled with righteous indignation, I'm just a little disappointed that the imperial court is so lazy and negligent towards such a powerful enemy." Seeing that he couldn't get rid of Feng Ziying, the man simply slowed down to see what this guy wanted to do.
Seeing him slowing down, Feng Ziying also smiled slightly, "It's a bit slack, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's neglectful." Feng Ziying said slowly.
"Oh?" The sharp-faced man was surprised, as if he didn't believe it, "Little brother, how do you say this?"
Feng Ziying stood still and slightly cupped her hands: "I am Feng Keng and Feng Ziying of Qingtan Academy. I haven't asked you for your name yet."
"Liaodong Zhao leads the teaching." The man with a knife-shaped face straightened up and bowed with his fists in hand.
Zhao Shujiao? Feng Ziying was familiar with it, but it was a little vague. She had no contact with Liaodong. If she had some impression, it was probably the remaining memory in "History of the Ming Dynasty", which meant that this person should be a character.
"Brother Zhao." Feng Ziying was not polite, "I have always been very concerned about the situation in Liaodong, but because there is no more news, I take the liberty of disturbing you..."
"Although Zhao is not a scholar, Zhao still knows the famous name of Qingtan Academy. I didn't expect that my little brother actually came from Qingtan Academy. They say that Qingtan Academy is a model for scholars in the North, and they dare to advise the court. See What I said here is true." These days, everyone still respects scholars, and Qingtan Academy now has the reputation of being the first academy in the North.
Not to mention anything else, there are disciples from Liaodong, Wanquan and Xuanfu in Qiuwei in Shuntian. One of them is Ji Zideng, who is from Liaodong. However, this guy has been living in Qiuzhong since he was a child. Daxing's uncle has not been back to Liaodong for many years, and he knows very little about the situation there. In addition, he is ten years older than Feng Ziying, so he is not too familiar with Feng Ziying.
"Brother Zhao, you're welcome. There is a saying in the motto of Qingtan Academy: family affairs, national affairs, world affairs, care about everything. Naturally, we scholars do not dare to descend from others. This Liaodong is related to the rise and fall of the family and the country. I heard some things in the past two years. The news is only in fragments and fragmented, making it difficult to understand the whole picture. I have to meet Brother Zhao today, and I hope Brother Zhao will not hesitate to give me some advice."
Feng Ziying was not polite, and was afraid that Zhao Lingjiao would not say more, so she pondered for a moment and then said: "My father is Shenwu General Feng Tang, who is now the general of the Yulin Army. Before he took office, my younger brother was also worried that my father might go to Liaodong, so he I also paid a lot of attention to the situation in Liaodong, but later my father went to Yulin, but the situation in Liaodong is still concerned about me, so..."
Zhao Zhijiao was shocked, and then he realized that the person in front of him was actually Feng Tang's son.
Zhao Lijiao was a frontier general from the Jinglu Guards. He was a Jinshi in the 26th year of Yuanxi. He had served in Gansu Town for many years before he was transferred to Liaodong Town. He was no stranger to these nine-side generals.
The Feng family has served in Datong Town for many years. Feng Qin, Feng Han and Feng Tang have all served as the chief soldiers of Datong Town, and they are very famous in Datong.
Feng Tang resigned from the post of Datong Commander-in-Chief only three years ago and returned to serve as Commander-in-Chief of Yulin Town. He is now in his prime, and he also heard that the commanders in Gansu and Yulin said that Commander-in-Chief Feng was extremely skilled. In just two years, he He has completely taken control of Yulin Town, which has always been the weakest and most complex among the nine sides.
Seeing the change in Zhao's attitude, Feng Ziying realized that she was a martial arts disciple, or that the Feng family had been rooted in the Nine Border Army for many years, which was really unusual.
Even if ordinary warriors treat civil servants with respect, they still keep them at arm's length. If you want to gain their respect, trust and closeness, it depends on your skills as a civil servant.
But I have this natural close relationship, and I can get closer to the other person in no time.
The change in Zhao's attitude also made Feng Ziying feel at ease, "Brother Zhao, I'm afraid he hasn't had dinner yet? How about I let my younger brother do the hosting, and you and I get drunk together?"
Zhao Shujiao also didn't expect Feng Ziying to be so generous and generous. He was worthy of being a disciple of Wu Xun. This was not polite to his appetite, so he nodded generously in agreement. He was also hungry, so he just wanted to have a meal.
Feng Ziying then found a restaurant. It was also the time to welcome guests. She found an elegant place and ordered the food and drinks to be served.
While waiting for the food to be served, Feng Ziying also asked Zhao Shujiao why he came to the capital. Then he learned that Zhao Shujiao had been dismissed from his post for two years. He came here to find some connections in the hope of reinstatement.
Zhao Shujiao didn't say who he was looking for, so Feng Ziying naturally wouldn't ask.
The appointment and dismissal of military generals are generally handled by the Ministry of War's Military Selection and Cleaning Department, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the Military Affairs Bureau, with the Ministry of War taking the lead. Currently, the Minister of the Ministry of War is still Xiao Daheng, who is not in charge of matters. The left minister is Zhang Jingqiu, the emperor's confidant, and the right minister is from Chai Ke, who was transferred from the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and Feng Ziying were only aware of, but not familiar with, these people.
