With Lu Wan as the commander-in-chief, news of preparations for the war against the three Duoyan guards was quickly spread to all the towns in Jiubian by decree.
Xuanfu, Datong and Piantouguan, as the pass towns in the northwest close to the capital, were also known in about two days.
Datong.
After Wang Shouren received the imperial decree, he immediately called Wang Xi, the commander-in-chief, and conveyed to him the emperor's idea of using troops in Liaodong and prepared to send troops and horses to coordinate.
"Wang Zhongcheng, do you think there is anything going on in Datong during this battle? The general would like to ask, should we send troops to conduct inspections, and then send troops to go deep into the grassland for more than three hundred miles at night to detect the movement of the Tatar army?"
Wang Xi knew that Wang Shouren attached great importance to obtaining intelligence.
Now the Tatar troops are moving along the West Ningxia Road, and the imperial court is sending troops to Liaodong. Datong is the area between the two. If we want to complete the acquisition of intelligence, it is best to investigate the action route of the main Tatar forces.
Wang Shouren said: "It is impossible for the main force of the little Tatar prince to leap from Liaodong to Ningxia West in a short period of time."
Wang Xi said in surprise: "Doesn't that mean that the main force of the Tatars is still in Liaodong? Then... then..."
For Wang Xi, judging the battle situation was not his specialty, but when he understood some of the implications of Wang Shouren's words, he began to become nervous.
"Are you worried that the newly appointed governor of Liaodong is not qualified for the task of sending troops, and he does not even dare to fight with the main force of the little Tatar prince?" Wang Shouren did not have any unfounded worries.
Wang Xi said: "I don't dare. I just feel that Governor Lu has no experience in leading troops in the past."
Wang Shouren shook his head and said: "It doesn't matter whether he has experience or not. As long as he can implement the intentions of the emperor and Zhang Xueshi, there is no need to worry that the Tatars will have a direct war with the Ming Dynasty. But using Shouning Hou as the commander-in-chief... this step I don’t understand chess. Maybe it’s His Majesty’s insistence.”
Obviously Wang Shouren looked down upon Zhang Heling.
Zhang Heling was previously appointed as deputy commander-in-chief of Xuan Mansion, and later Zhang Heling was appointed commander-in-chief of Liaodong Town, which clearly showed that the emperor was nepotistic.
Wang Xi said: "The little Tartar prince is a cruel man, and he has often harassed Datong in the past. If his main force is still there, and the Ming Dynasty and Liaodong can only attack 50,000 troops at a time, I am afraid that it will be difficult to achieve any results, and it may even be..."
Wang Shouren raised his head and looked at Wang Xi and said: "What we need to observe now is not the movements of the Chahar and other tribes, but also the movements of the Yongxiebu tribe and other Mongolian right-wing tribes. At this time, the little Tatar prince will not dare to talk to me no matter how knowledgeable he is. The Ming Dynasty launched a head-to-head decisive battle. It is the best time to send troops to capture the eastern grassland at this time... If I were Bachelor Zhang, I would make the same choice."
"That's it, that's it..."
When Wang Xi heard this, he felt relieved.
It turns out that "heroes see the same thing" because I'm not a hero enough, so I can't understand the intentions of other high-ranking generals.
But then Wang Shouren added: "On the matter of using Hou Ninghou, I still reserve my opinion. Be ready for war at any time."
…
…
The northwest has been preparing for war. Without Wang Shouren's orders, troops and horses were dispatched frequently throughout Datong Town.
After all, it is already after the autumn grains are put into storage and before the cold winter arrives, which is often the time when Tatars invade most often. After the military camp completes the harvest task, daily training will increase, and at the same time, more energy will be devoted to dealing with the Tatar invasion. Matter.
Turn your head off.
Wang Qiong and Zhu Feng discussed Zhang Zhou's intentions relatively easily.
"...Zhijie, the recent fortress at Pianguan has been basically renovated. I have already seen it, and there is nothing serious. According to Zhang Zhitai's instructions before leaving, you will be transferred back to the capital before the end of the year, and you will finally be able to return to the capital. You can live a peaceful life for a few days.”
Wang Qiong had no objections to Zhu Feng's return to the capital, and even slightly supported it.
With Zhu Feng at the side of the head, Wang Qiong even felt that his majesty and limelight as a governor were often robbed by Zhu Feng.
As the chief military officer of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Feng was a martial artist. Just because he was admired by two celebrities, Wang Yue and Zhang Zhou, he became a popular figure in the northwest of the Ming Dynasty.
Even Wang Qiong would feel very stressed when working with such people.
So the best thing... is to send Zhu Feng back to the capital as soon as possible, and he can go wherever he likes.
Although Wang Qiong also knew that Zhu Feng actually had no ambitions, he was very polite to him and would never disobey any of his military orders.
Zhu Feng said: "Fortunately, if I had been allowed to return to Beijing earlier, I would have been afraid that His Majesty would send me to Liaodong."
Wang Qiong said with a smile: "Are you really so opposed to using troops on the battlefield? I asked you to go to Weininghai before, but you seemed to have some resistance after you came back. If you really feel that you are unable to do it, you can also ask me to mobilize myself. go back."
"It's still not possible." Zhu Feng said with some regret, "My father is in Ningxia. In fact, if the troops from Pianguan Pass are mobilized to rush for reinforcements, I can still go. It's just... I'm afraid of being tired."
direct.
Wang Qiong felt that Zhu Feng was just being pushed to the top.
"The use of troops in Liaodong should be the last battle of the year. I don't know what the situation will be like in the coming year. But from what I have seen, the ambition of the little Tatar prince to unify the grassland has been clearly revealed. If he succeeds, even if the Ming Dynasty does not take the initiative to send troops, The border wars will also increase." Wang Qiong said with emotion, "The Yanwu Hall needs you to return as an instructor, and Zhang Zhitai also said that he will use you as the chief instructor after you return."
"I...I can't do it." When Zhu Feng heard that he would have to teach new students every day after returning to the capital, he immediately felt conflicted.
Wang Qiong said: "If you don't go, who else is more qualified to do this job? You should prepare in the next few days."
Zhu Feng asked curiously: "Liaodong is going to use troops. Will there be a war at this time?"
Wang Qiong shook his head: "No, I heard that the situation in Ningxia is not very tense, but there may be a war in Liaodong. How specific... we can only wait for the results. In the past, we could analyze the situation before the war and draw some conclusions. , but now... we can only understand everything after the results appear. The changes in the way of using troops in Ming Dynasty's border towns have been huge!"
…
…
After Lu Wan received the imperial order, he sent troops north on October 16, the day Zhang Zhou and Lin Yi got married.
The news we learned before and after was less than two days old.
The dispatch of troops can be said to be very hasty, a bit hasty to respond to the battle.
The recruitment of troops and horses is also from south to north, all the way... When Lu Wan's vanguard sent troops from Ningyuan, the number of troops was less than 6,000. He will accumulate troops along the way. By the time he reaches Shenyang Zhongwei, the number of troops and horses will exceed 30,000. There are about 36,000 to 7,000, of which the number of cavalry is only 13,000 to 4,000, and the rest are basically infantry to assist chariots and artillery. Most soldiers will be equipped with firecrackers, but they are all ordinary matchlock guns.
Among them, there will be about 3,000 flint muskets, which Zhang Zhou had helped Liaodong build before, and they will be carried by Lu Wan when he sends troops.
In terms of artillery, there are a total of 640 cannons. In addition to about 130 cannons stationed in each city fortress and 30 heavy cannons built by each city itself, the rest have more than 500 long-range cannons. Will be used to send troops this time.
There was no cover, and the troops were sent out with great fanfare, as if they were afraid that the Tatars would not know that the Ming Dynasty was preparing to send troops to Liaodong.
As for the name... No one in the Liaodong Army knew whether they were going to fight the main Tatar force or the three Duoyan guards.
After all, the three guards of Duoyan had previously proposed to submit to the Ming Dynasty in name, like the Mongol Jin tribe of Huosi, and to use the Ming Dynasty as the suzerain state. At the same time, the Ming Dynasty would grant them pasture and land, and then pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty. obligation.
Only the main civil and military ministers of the DPRK and the garrison level of each town, as well as a few people such as Lu Wan, Zhang Yong, Zhang Heling, etc. knew that the main purpose of this battle was to completely integrate the three guards of Duoyan... As for their territory, how could they It is good to defeat them, but if they cannot defeat them and engage in a stalemate with the Tatars, they will send about 70,000 infantry from Liaodong, forming the effect of 100,000 troops, to fight head-on with the little Tatar prince Batu Meng.
The 36,000 to 7,000 troops sent out first were tasked not only with destroying the three guards of Duoyan, but also as the vanguard.
…
…
On October 16th, Zhang Zhou got married.
Because it was Yuci's wedding, Zhang Zhou's wedding ceremony was no less than that of marrying a wife. From Lin Han's new Yuci's residence in Beijing, he picked up Lin Yi and got into the carriage. He was riding on the horse, and many people came out to watch along the way. .
The Jin Yiwei and the officers of the Wucheng Army and Horses Division will come out to help maintain order. The journey is not to Zhang Zhou's "old house" in Qingchengfang, but directly to welcome the bride to the new mansion on the Shicha Sea in the northwest corner of the imperial city.
A banquet will also be prepared there to greet the ministers who come to congratulate the court.
The group was very lively.
When Zhang Zhou welcomed his bride to the door of his home, firecrackers were blasting, and the royal guards had already lined up on both sides, because not only did they have to protect Zhang Zhou's safety that day, but the emperor would also come in person, but they didn't say hello in advance when they would arrive. Dongchang and Jin Yiwei are doing some necessary safety protection.
Inside the house.
Not many top ministers from the DPRK came.
Among the ministers, only Xu Qiong, the minister of rites, came. In addition, the general envoy Si Zuo Tongzheng Shen Lu. Both of them were related to the royal family. In the court, they were always considered to rely on nepotism to get to the position. They came often. Give the emperor face.
Among the visitors to the Hanlin Academy, not even Zhang Zhou’s teacher Wang Hao came, but Wang Hua came in person.
Wang Hua didn't want to join in the fun, but Wang Shouren got the title because of Zhang Zhou. Although the title was officially canonized and had to wait until Wang Shouren left office and returned to Beijing, the two families had a personal relationship. Wang Hua came because he wanted to show that he was a "gentleman." If he deliberately hides his "frank" attitude, people will say that he is deliberately showing off.
In addition to Wang Hua, there were also editors Liu Chun, editor Sun Xu and others of the Hanlin Academy.
Sun Xu was a Jinshi in the same year as Zhang Zhou, and Lun Wenxu was also a Jinshi in the same year as Zhang Zhou, but they did not attend.
…
…
This wedding banquet is equivalent to a line-up drill between the DPRK and China.
Those who looked down upon Zhang Zhou had no intention of coming, nor did they think about the consequences of not coming. As for those who looked down on Zhang Zhou... there was no escaping their appearance.
Probably only Wang Hua belongs to the kind of person who should not have come but came again... It is also Wang Hua who knows that because of his son's relationship, he has become a "special existence" in the court.
Relatively speaking, quite a lot of officials from the Sixth Department of the Civil Service came to participate. More than ten people from the Ministry of War, such as Langzhong, Yuanwailang, and chief officers came, plus other officials in Beijing, etc. Among the people who came this time, geographically There are also mostly officials from Jiangnan, but there are very few officials from Yuyao and other places in Zhejiang... There are many factions in the DPRK and China, and they generally maintain the principle of "no party without party".
The general meaning... Only those who may form a party with Zhang Zhou in the future and need to form a party with Zhang Zhou will come today.
Otherwise, those people who already have political parties will not come.
There were more people coming from Wu Xun... The British Duke Zhang Mao did not come in person, but his son Zhang Rui and grandson Zhang Lun were present. Wang Yue's son, the current Marquis of Weining Wang Chunze, also came in person. The main father and son did not come, but Zhu Fu's eldest son, Zhu Lin, was prominently among them. No matter what marquis or uncle came, either in person or as his legitimate son, it was very lively.
There is no process of worshiping a concubine. The bride is sent directly into the inner courtyard, while Zhang Zhou stays behind to greet the guests present.
Zhu Youtang did not come, so among the guests present, Zhang Zhou was responsible for greeting the civil officials present; Zhang Lun, Zhou Ying and Zhou Tang were responsible for greeting Wu Xun; Tang Yin and Xu Jing were responsible for greeting the candidates and tribute students from Jiangnan.
Among the people present... there was no one related to Zhang Zhou. Jiang Dezhong and his son originally wanted to attend, but Zhang Zhou refused on the grounds of "inconvenience"... How could the father-in-law come to attend the wedding banquet of his son-in-law's concubine?
Even if you, Mr. Jiang, don't mind, I, Mr. Zhang, still mind if others say I don't understand the rules.
…
…
The banquet begins.
Before the third round of wine had passed, and Zhang Zhou and Xu Qiong had not even exchanged a few words, news came from over there that the imperial commander was coming in person.
Zhang Zhou, the civil servants present, and Wu Xun had to personally greet him at the door.
However, Zhu Youtang was dressed in regular clothes and came straight in from the door. The Jin Yiwei who was responsible for maintaining order in the venue only came in a little earlier than Zhu Youtang.
"Bingkuan, everyone... there is no need to be polite."
Zhu Youtang said and went straight to Zhang Zhou.
In fact, Zhang Zhou just showed that he wanted to give up, and he didn't say that he was polite.
The surrounding middle- and lower-level officials who had almost no chance to meet the saint, as well as the gentry who came, fell to their knees.
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "No need to be polite! Your Majesty has a decree, get up."
Zhu Youtang and Zhang Zhou almost walked shoulder to shoulder and walked to the main table together. Zhu Youtang also sat down in the seat prepared for him without any courtesy. Even Xiao Jing and Mou Bin could only stand behind him. .
"Everyone, please take a seat." Zhu Youtang said with a smile, "Today I just came out to join in the fun. Bingkuan got married. It was a marriage given by me... Why didn't I see Minister Lin?"
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, Minister Lin is still staying at his house today, or there may be guests to greet. Do you want to send someone to invite them?"
Zhu Youtang smiled and waved his hand and said: "I won't hang around too much, so there is no need to invite him. We will see him often in the future. By the way, Bingkuan, I also brought you some gifts to congratulate you on your wedding. Have someone bring it to you."
Jinyiwei and Jinwuwei came in carrying many boxes, large and small, and Zhang Zhou didn't know what was inside.
It doesn't matter whether it's expensive or not. The emperor came in person and brought gifts, which seemed very polite.
Throughout the Ming Dynasty, no matter who got married, the emperor would not come in person... Zhang Zhou was the only one who got married.
"Drink and drink." Zhu Youtang said, "Don't bother me with the banquet. I'm just here for the banquet today. Just treat it as an ordinary guest!"
…
…
The emperor is here.
Regarding toasting and other matters, naturally you have to face the emperor... Zhang Zhou seems to have become a supporting role.
But even as a supporting role, others will be envious of Zhang Zhou.
The person hosting the banquet was no longer Zhang Zhou, but Xu Qiong, the Minister of Rites... This reflects the role of Xu Qiong's arrival. With his maturity and prudentness, he presided over a civil wedding, but it was still a concubine's wedding... ... Even Xu Qiong herself would probably feel very annoyed and depressed about this...
I, the dignified Minister of Rites of the Ming Dynasty, became the wedding master of ceremonies?
Zhu Youtang only drank three glasses of wine... and according to Zhang Zhou's instructions, he changed it to water in advance.
Zhu Youtang is still adjusting his body recently, and Zhu Youtang himself is indeed... too drunk.
Let him drink three glasses of white wine. With his weak body, he might be in trouble.
After three glasses of wine, Zhu Youtang still insisted on letting Xiao Jing give him real wine. He stood up and said a toast: "I am grateful to Bingkuan for everything he has done for the court, including saving the safety of the princess and the Empress Dowager. , he is the hero of the Ming Dynasty and the hope of the Ming Dynasty in the future. I have high expectations for him... Now that he is newly married, I am not only here to congratulate you, but also want to say that all the members of the Qing family should cooperate with him sincerely in the future. It is better to help the country."
"Follow the Holy Instructions."
Everyone was about to drink with the emperor.
But I heard Zhu Youtang had something else to say: "I have read carefully the notes written by you, Bingkuan, and I think it is really meaningful when it comes to the essence of Confucianism that you have understood. I also want to be here today. I hope you can come here more often." Listen to Bingkuan’s insights on Confucianism and use this as a model for self-cultivation in the future.”
This was something that neither Zhang Zhou nor Xu Qiong expected.
The emperor would actually endorse the book compiled by Zhang Zhou at this time and in a nearly public occasion.
This is equivalent to saying that the "Xin Xue" formally established by Zhang Zhou will have the emperor as its background.
Zhang Zhou felt that after the details of today's wedding banquet were spread, the competition between traditional Neo-Confucianism and the emerging psychology would become fierce. And there would be more traditional scholars who were still hesitating to support the psychology or Confucianism. Stand on the side of mind learning.
This is much more convenient than in the history of Chen Xianzhang, Zhan Ruoshui and Wang Shouren, who opened academic forums to teach among the people and promote the study of mind.
Historically, it was bottom-up, but now it can almost be top-down.
Okay?
Zhang Zhou thought about it and realized that it was not all good. If he did not follow the mass line, he would be prone to false claims and lose touch with the underlying academic researchers.
But fortunately, everything is a comprehensive collection after sorting, and many detours have been avoided in terms of research and exploration.
From a promotion point of view, it’s already a full chapter and I don’t care about the details.
"I respect you all." Zhu Youtang took the initiative to drink the wine.
While the visiting guests were drinking, they were thinking... I could drink with the emperor in this life and get a toast from the emperor... I would die without regrets.
(End of chapter)
