The thirtieth day of the first lunar month.
Lu Wan, who was in Shenyang, received another letter asking for help from Tang Yin.
In other words, it was a notification letter informing him that he had captured Duobi City and was waiting for the Ming army to arrive in person. At this time, Lu Wanren had not even gone to Fushun, let alone sent troops.
After Zhang Yong heard about it, he hurriedly came to see him and asked, "If we don't send troops and something happens, who can afford it?"
In terms of strength and prestige in the military, Zhang Yong is superior to Lu Wan.
He felt that since the imperial court had given permission to send out troops, Lu Wan should step up his arrangements instead of being so leisurely as now. He was not worried about the life and death of the five thousand North Korean troops, but he was afraid that Tang Yin, Zhang Zhou's junior brother, would die in Duobi City.
"Eunuch Zhang, it's not that I don't want to send troops, it's because Your Majesty has an intention to wait until the actual leader of the troops arrives before sending troops."
Lu Wan was also helpless.
Zhang Yonghe asked: "Who is actually leading the troops?"
In terms of military exploits in the Huangshui Battle, Lu Wan did not get what he deserved for Liaodong. Although the military achievements were still unclear, Wang Xian seemed to have won an overwhelming victory because he had the support of civilian officials in the court.
So Zhang Yong didn't have a good temper towards Lu Wan.
We agreed to use the Jizhou Army's delay in fighting, but also said that the Laiguo Guild was on your side. What's the result?
Lu Wan shook his head and said, "I don't know."
Zhang Yong rolled his eyes.
It is said that the troops will be sent out when the people actually leading the troops arrive, but they don't even know who is actually leading the troops... This is a very lively matter.
"Eunuch Zhang, please don't act too hastily. You must believe in His Majesty and Duke Lai. Now we just want to make the Jianzhou Jurchens think that we, the Ming Dynasty, have no intention of sending troops, so they will dispatch all their troops to Duobi City. We Only by sending more troops can we achieve a surprise victory. Just wait."
…
…
The first day of February.
Wang Shouren, who had been back in the capital for two days, was able to enter the palace to see him that day. On the same day, Zhu Youtang also returned to the court after resting for more than two months and watched the court in Fengtian Hall.
That day was also the day when Wang Shouren officially received the title of "Earl of Xinjian".
After the court meeting, Wang Shouren was told to go to Qianqing Palace to express his gratitude. Wang Shouren followed Xiao Jing to Qianqing Palace.
"You are very talented." Zhu Youtang looked at Wang Shouren with satisfaction on his face, "No wonder Bingkuan will look at you differently. Wang Qing's family, you have also made due contributions to the court. This is the reward you deserve." .”
Wang Shouren said hurriedly: "I don't dare to take credit for it."
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Wang Qing's family, I have something to tell you. Duke Lai Guo told me in Yongping Mansion. He said that after you returned to the capital, he wanted to transfer you to Liaodong to help. It achieved a military campaign against Jianzhou Jurchen."
Wang Shouren said: "I accept the decree..."
Wang Shouren looked surprised.
After he returned to the capital, he did not see Zhang Zhou and thought that Zhang Zhou had gone to Liaodong. However, he now told him that Zhang Zhou was still in Yongping Mansion and said that he had given him the task of sending troops to establish Jurchen Prefecture. ?
Why are things so confusing?
Zhu Youtang said: "Bingkuan said he wanted to go there in person, but the mining operation in Yongping Mansion went smoothly, and he said he didn't want to go."
Wang Shouren: "..."
Just kidding? You say you're going but you're not going? Is fighting a trivial matter?
"On the contrary, I got a report from North Korea, saying that Tang Yin has sent 20,000 troops with North Korea to the direction of Jianzhou Guard. It should be more than half a month before the troops are dispatched. The result is still unknown."
Zhu Youtang obviously didn't pay much attention to the battle against the Jianzhou Jurchens.
Perhaps in Zhu Youtang's own view, the Jurchens in Jianzhou were not a big hidden danger. A group of small tribes fighting for land there would endanger the safety of the people of the Ming Dynasty, but they did not have to be destroyed.
Wang Shouren asked: "Your Majesty, when will I leave?"
"There's no rush." Zhu Youtang stood up and said, "You can leave in two days. What I discussed with Bingkuan before was to argue with the Jianzhou Jurchens again when the spring comes and the flowers bloom. It's not that time yet. The situation requires the use of troops."
Wang Shouren was even more surprised.
For Wang Shouren.
Everything is about individual strength and speed.
Moreover, he felt that Zhang Zhou should understand this set of tactics very well and should be able to reach some ideological agreement with him on the use of troops.
As a result, Zhang Zhou now told him... they were different.
"Bingkuan's explanation of Jianzhou's status and hidden dangers has been compiled in a memorial for you to read. It won't be too late for you to read it after you leave the palace." Zhu Youtang said, "You two God can calm down your mood first, I will give you a mansion, and after the war in Liaodong is over, I will let you take part in the errands of the Beijing camp, so that you will not have to continue to be a civil servant like your father."
Wang Shouren frowned when he heard this.
I just passed the Jinshi... Did the exam go to waste?
Then why did I spend so many years of hard work? If he had known that it would be so easy to become a knight... He suddenly realized that it was precisely because he passed the Jinshi examination that he was qualified to lead the army and had the chance to achieve his current results.
So I don’t have any regrets.
Wang Shouren said: "I am willing to assist the civil servants in the government and do my best for the Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Youtang smiled and shook his head and said: "I understand that you have good intentions, but now that you have been knighted, it is better for you to continue to lead the army than to continue to struggle among the civil servants."
The emperor's words were quite straightforward.
You're not like Zhang Bingkuan, and you don't always think about picking two ends and always making sacrifices. You will never give up the title of Xin Xin count and become a doctor in the Sixth Division, right? You must know that any governor in Jiubian will not be given to you casually. Letting you be the governor of Datong is more due to a temporary setting to intimidate the Tatars.
With Zhang Zhou's face, you are allowed to serve in the Yanwu Hall, and you can also receive errands from the Beijing camp. Aren't you satisfied?
"By the way, Wang Qing's family, you are going to Liaodong this time as Wu Xun." Zhu Youtang added, "The person you are replacing is Shouning Hou Zhang Heling, the chief military officer of Liaodong."
Civil servants become generals?
Wang Shouren always felt that there was still a gap in his heart.
After more than 20 years of career as a Confucian scholar, he finally passed the imperial examination and became an official, but he ended up working as a military household within a few days? Although there is an essential difference between having a title and not having a title... and what he admires the most is Wang Yue, who is willing to do anything for the title... But Wang Shouren is different from his idol only in his attitude towards the title.
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Of course, all this is only temporary. You will return to Beijing after you finish this war. At that time, I will also use your performance as appropriate to see whether I want to keep you as a civil servant."
Not once did the emperor dash Wang Shouren's hopes.
In fact, it is equivalent to asking Wang Shouren to prove himself.
If you are capable, then I can be extra kind to you like I was to Zhang Bingkuan.
"Before going to Liaodong, go see Bingkuan. He is in Yongping Mansion. He will explain to you in detail the use of troops in this battle."
…
…
There has been peace and quiet in the capital recently, and the ministers in the DPRK and China feel much more relaxed.
Especially after entering February, the Ming Dynasty's court meetings resumed, and the sense of alienation between the civil servants and the emperor was eliminated. In exchange, the civil servants regained control of the Ming Dynasty. While the civil servants' control over the court was strengthened, they also welcomed the civil servants. Suppression of upstart forces.
As Wang Shouren, second only to Zhang Zhou and Zhu Feng among the "new rich", he is also under great pressure.
Wang Hua knew that his son was about to go off to war, so he called his son to his side and gave him a lecture.
"...Bo'an, you are able to obtain the title because of His Majesty's grace to you. Whether you are a civil servant or a military officer, you can serve the Ming Dynasty." Wang Hua was very happy that his son became the new uncle.
Wang Shouren said: "Ke'er wants to be like his father."
Wang Hua said coldly: "Why do you do the same as me? Have you stayed in the court for decades and achieved nothing?"
"Father?"
Wang Shouren looked at his father in surprise, as if the father in his eyes was so strange.
This was not how Wang Hua educated him before.
Wang Huadao: "Now that you have achieved merit and can do things for the Ming Dynasty, my father has to tell you some truths that are not pleasant to listen to. In fact, my father has always had the idea of serving the Ming Dynasty. But from the Hanlin Academy's daily life affairs, and then the compilation of the "Da Ming Hui Dian", and now all these things, what do you think is your father's greatest contribution to the Ming Dynasty?"
Wang Shouren was silent.
This is equivalent to his father seeing that his son has finally grown up and become more capable, even surpassing himself.
Only then did I finally tell him the truth from the bottom of my heart. Those chicken soup words I told him before were all to fool him and give him a great and upright impression, so that he could maintain his original intention and concentrate on studying and being an official.
"Bo'an, I know these words are not appropriate for you to say, but you have to understand that if you have the opportunity to serve the court, don't be picky. It is good to be a civil servant. You have a pen in your hand and can write the Spring and Autumn Period. But the person who really holds the pen is not you and me. If you want to be the person who holds the pen, how difficult is the road? Do your work well, and my father will wait for your triumphant return."
Wang Hua's words came to this point, and Wang Shouren had to accept the order respectfully: "I understand."
…
…
Wang Shouren took his father's instructions and saw no one in the capital, so he hurriedly arrived at Yongping Mansion, one man and one servant, to find Zhang Zhou who was mining here.
"Bo An is here?"
Zhang Zhouben was still in the mine. When he learned that Wang Shouren had arrived, he took Zhu Feng there to meet him.
At this time, Lin Ting had already led the soldiers from the Beijing camp and more than a hundred heavy artillery to Liaodong.
Wang Shouren dismounted and paid homage.
Zhang Zhou said: "You're welcome, we are all in the same year, and you and I are also knighted and serving in the Governor's Mansion. I wonder if I have arranged any errands for you in the Governor's Mansion?"
"Not yet." Wang Shouren said, "I said we would make arrangements after we go out to conquer the Haixi Jurchens."
"Yes, this is your first battle after becoming a knight, so you have to fight well." Zhang Zhou smiled.
Zhu Feng asked: "Will Uncle Xin Xin serve in the Governor's Mansion from now on?"
Wang Shouren and Zhang Zhouyi looked at Zhu Feng together. At this time, Zhu Feng's eyes seemed to have some strange look, as if Wang Shouren could relax after entering the Dudu Mansion as a military officer and no longer a civil servant.
Zhang Zhoudao said: "This Uncle Xinjian is much more capable than you, the Marquis of Anbian. If he is only allowed to lead the troops, wouldn't it be a disgrace to his talents? I will continue to report to your majesty and ask for your orders so that Bo'an can lead the army as soon as possible." Returning to serve in the court, but it is difficult to serve as a governor in the local area. Unless it is a temporary appointment during the military deployment, otherwise you will have to take a temporary post in the capital to gain experience."
If it were the previous Wang Shouren, he would definitely say that this is fine.
But after Wang Hua's reverse chicken soup for the soul, he seemed very calm and said: "I don't mind where I serve."
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Actually, it is better to be a civil servant. It is easier to gain respect among scholars. By the way, Bo'an, have you read the book I gave you before?"
"Never." Wang Shouren didn't know what book it was.
Zhang Zhou said: "That's just right. I have another one here. You should study it carefully when you go to Liaodong. Just think of it as a way to kill some boredom during your march. When you study it thoroughly... Oh! How should I put it? I And a kind favor."
"Please tell me, Duke Lai." Wang Shouren didn't know what kind of medicine Zhang Zhou was selling in his gourd.
Zhang Zhou sighed: "I published several books on philosophy in the capital, which attracted criticism from the Lingnan School. They said they would send people to the capital to discuss things with me, but I seemed unable to do so."
Wang Shouren shook his head and said: "For ordinary academic disputes, there is no need for Duke Lai to go there in person."
In Wang Shouren's view, those people from the Lingnan School are a little too ignorant. Who do they think they are? Why do you think there is something wrong with someone's knowledge, so you want to argue with someone, without even asking if they are willing?
Most people would just forget it for the sake of academic reputation, but now you are challenging Duke Lai Guo.
This busy man has time for such a thing?
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Bo'an, you still understand me, so I want to wait for you to go to the war and have a good discussion with them for me."
Wang Shouren was speechless for a moment.
So you were waiting for me here?
Discuss for you?
How can I discuss this if I don’t understand anything?
Zhang Zhou pointed at Zhu Feng and said: "Zhijie, go to my house, take the books on the bedside, give them to Bo'an, and then dispatch five hundred soldiers to go to Liaodong with him."
When Wang Shouren heard this, he thought, "You, Duke of Lai, have become corrupt. You actually have more than 500 soldiers at your side?"
"It is still reserved for the protection of Duke Lai." Wang Shouren looked very polite, "I can go to my post alone."
"No, no, no, I have many soldiers here. By the way, in a few days, I will also go to Liaodong and take Zhu Zhijie with me." Zhang Zhou said.
Wang Shouren asked curiously: "Do you want Duke Lai to go in person?"
He wanted to say, you went there yourself, why did you ask me to go? He even transferred me back from the post of governor of Datong. Do you think I am interested in the commander-in-chief of Liaodong Army?
Zhang Zhou said: "Originally, I wanted to go there in a low profile, but I found that Bohu made things too big this time. I just learned that he had captured Duobi City, and the entire Jianzhou Guard was shocked. Tens of thousands of Jianzhou Jurchen soldiers were ready to move. , of course, these soldiers and horses are not under the jurisdiction of one place... A relatively large tribe can dispatch three to five thousand men and horses, which is a top tribe. Regarding the situation of the Haixi Jurchens, I have also done it for you Sort it out, go check it out."
Wang Shouren asked: "So now Lai Guogong wants to use a blind trick to think that you are slow to send troops, but in fact you are winning with surprise troops?"
"Hey, don't say it, I really think so. Bohu's mission is to defend the multi-walled city, and your mission is to lead the troops to march in, harass and plunder everywhere, and my mission is to advance step by step. It’s a three-pronged approach.”
Zhang Zhou laughed and talked about his plan.
When Wang Shouren heard this, he frowned and said, "It seems too complicated. Not as good as..."
"Why don't you lead all the soldiers and horses to dig out the Jurchen lairs in Jianzhou and solve the problem before they are prepared?" Zhang Zhou asked with a smile.
Wang Shouren was startled.
He wondered.
Are you talking about roundworms in my stomach? Do you know what I think?
Zhang Zhou didn't think it was that strange, because Wang Shouren liked to dig out people's hometown. Whether it was during the robbery in southern Jiangxi or the rebellion of King Pingning, this was his consistent style. To put it bluntly, Wang Shouren was a visionary and wise man. A courageous and adventurous military strategist.
Of course, Wang Shouren when he was young was probably not as calm as he was in his middle and later years.
Even though you have a lot of strength now, you still need someone to plan for you.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "We have no influence on each other. You can fight how you want. Anyway, I will give you five thousand cavalry. They still use light cannons, but they are equipped with more fire blunderbuss, and more than half of them are flint blunderbuss. If you can solve the problem Everything has been solved. It will be easier for you to solve the problem before I get to Shenyang and Fushun, and I can celebrate your victory at Crow Falcon Pass."
This means.
If you have the ability, go ahead.
It's best if you can accomplish everything and don't need my army to back you up.
Anyway, grabbing credit... others may like to do it, but I, Zhang, have absolutely no intention of doing so.
Because I have as many military merits as lice, there is no point in taking them back from others. Even if I don’t take them, the emperor will still give me the credit later... So the results are the same whether I take them or not.
"The last general takes orders." Wang Shouren clasped his fists imitating a general.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Okay, you don't have to be so formal. Remember, you don't have any military supervisors, nor any civil servants accompanying the army. You are both a distinguished minister, a civil servant, and a supervisor, so make the most of it."
When Wang Shouren heard this, he felt good about it.
Let me call Weininghai, it belongs to Cao Shun and Ma Yi. This time, let me be responsible alone?
Why don't you come up with some tricks for you?
"The general will definitely live up to his mission." For some reason, Wang Shouren suddenly felt that his future was bright again.
…
…
Zhang Zhou welcomed Wang Shouren and sent Wang Shouren away himself.
Zhu Feng went with him to see him off.
After sending the people away, Zhu Feng said with a look of regret on his face: "Everyone is gone, when will we leave?"
"Are you anxious?" Zhang Zhou asked with a smile.
Zhu Feng wondered: "What will happen if Tang Bohu loses in Duobi City? Are all plans in vain?"
Zhang Zhou said: "He only led 200 soldiers, but he also brought 5,000 Korean soldiers and horses to guard the fortified city. If someone could break his city, why would he have tens of thousands of soldiers and horses? He used The Ming Dynasty's 200 soldiers and horses were able to contain tens of thousands of enemy troops. Even if there are shortcomings... history will remember his contribution, and you and I will inherit his legacy. Don't you?"
"Inherit the legacy?"
Zhu Feng was dumbfounded when he heard this.
He really won't give up until Tang Yin is tricked to death.
"He...he captured Duobi City in the middle of the first month, and he has been holding on for twenty days now, right? Does he have enough food and grass? Alas! Then I guess we can only inherit his legacy."
Zhu Feng suddenly felt a chill running down his spine.
At some point, someone else will inherit my legacy, right?
It's really dangerous to follow Zhang Zhou.
(End of chapter)
