April 12.
Capital, court meeting.
Xiao Jing read out the results of the battle report in Liaodong in front of all the ministers: "...Since the beginning of the year, troops have been deployed in Jianzhou and Haixi, etc., and have captured more than 1,400 adult male heads of bandits, captured 2,600 horses, and relocated border residents. , the Jurchens recruited more than 44,000 people; the Haixi Jurchens surrendered, accepted and resettled more than 40 tribes, and resettled 67,900 border people in their original places..."
When Xiao Jing said above.
The ministers below were cursing in their hearts.
You said you, Zhang Bingkuan, have nothing to do, why are you arguing with those Jurchens?
If you have the energy, go and deal with the Tatars! You captured nearly 100,000 Jurchen tribes alone? This is a bit like Tutuo Buhua's raid on Liaodong during the Zhengtong years, which also took away hundreds of thousands of Jurchens, almost leaving all the Jurchens in their homes... How many decades later are you going to do it again?
"... Prince Shouren of Xinjian requested to request 100,000 Han border people in southern Liaoning to fill in the land of Jianzhou and Haixi. In view of the serious drought in eastern Liaoning last year, he requested that summer and autumn grains be exempted from last year to this year. And the Jurchen tribe moved to southern Liaoning. Farming, grazing, etc. are not allowed to build cities, so as to prevent officials from doing things that bring peace to the people..."
Not only did they achieve outstanding military results, they also moved the Jurchens inland, and at the same time moved Han people to the original gathering places of the Jurchens.
After Xiao Jing finished reading, he retreated behind the emperor.
Zhu Youtang said: "I have consulted the inspection censor and the Ministry of Household Affairs and learned that the drought in Liaodong, Korea and other places last year was very serious. In many places, there was even no harvest, and the progress of disaster relief was also very poor. This was all before Liaodong." The governor’s fault.”
It is not the fault of the newly appointed governor of Liaodong, Lu Wan, nor of the Chief Envoy of Shandong. It is only the fault of the former governor of Liaodong, Zhang Yu, and the chief military officer, who lied about the disaster, and blame them for their inability to provide disaster relief.
But the minister is also thinking, isn't this because Liaodong also fought two battles between Ningyuan and Huangshui last year? After such a big hassle, the main supplies of grain, grass and baggage, transferred from various places, were all used for military supplies. How could they be used for disaster relief?
"So I propose that in addition to exempting taxes due to last year's drought, this year's taxes arising from the war will also be exempted. At the same time, in the next two years, taxes related to the migration and resettlement of border residents in Liaodong will also be exempted, even after three years. , and only 50% of the tax will be levied, which will be increased to 100% year by year. If there is another drought, appropriate reductions and exemptions can be made."
"As for Jianzhou, Haixi and Northern Liaoning, new Nuergandusi were set up to govern the Jurchen, Jirimi, Kuyi, Daur and other tribes. The newly built Prince Shouren was the commander of the capital, fully responsible for the management of the army and the security of the people. thing."
The emperor gave Wang Shouren a privilege.
It seems that he is just the commander of the capital, but in fact the power in his hands involves both military and civil affairs, and he is equivalent to the existence of a governor.
Zhu Youtang said: "As the censor of Youqiandu and the doctor of the household department, matters related to marching grain and other matters can be directly dispatched by Taicang, the household department. Food and other matters can also be transported directly from Wendeng, Shandong and other places to Liaodong by ship. , for military supplies and civilian needs.”
This is tantamount to acknowledging Wang Shouren's status as a civil servant and Wu Xun. Although he is just a doctor in the Ministry of Household Affairs, his official position as a civil servant does not seem to be very big. Fortunately, the power given to him is enough. To put it bluntly, this is simply a country within a country, and he can be the emperor of the country.
In the past, it could be called Jianzhou Jurchen and Haixi Jurchen, but in the future it can be called "Xinjian Bo Autonomous Territory".
Liu Jian came out and said helplessly: "Your Majesty, this has never happened before."
Zhu Youtang heard that Liu Jian didn't have enough confidence to object, because everyone knew that what Wang Shouren was about to do was not a good job.
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Isn't this the case even for the governor of southern Jiangxi and the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi? In the next few years, Nuergandusi and other places will not have to worry about taxes, so let Uncle Xinjian take good care of them. At the same time, I We plan to allow them to open border markets throughout northern Liaoning, allow various tribes to trade, and also facilitate the migration of Han people to the north."
Liu Jian shook his head helplessly and returned to the court.
Zhu Youtang stood up and said with emotion: "Bingkuan has made another great contribution to the court. The decision of Liaodong involves the stability of the next few decades or even a hundred years. The merits will last for a long time. But what happens next?" I still have an errand to complete, and I shouldn’t be able to return to the capital for a while.”
Only a few people in the DPRK knew about this matter. Zhang Zhou wanted to stay in Liaodong and cooperate with him in completing the subversion and use of troops against North Korea.
The ministers present were still puzzled.
Doesn’t it mean that the war situation in Liaodong is now clear and it can be completed without Zhang Zhou? It has been decided that Prince Shouren of Xinjian will take charge of everything. So what other secret missions can Zhang Zhou have there?
Zhu Youtang said: "I will decide on the matter of sealing and rewards after Bingkuan returns to Beijing. Let's do this for now."
…
…
After the court meeting ended, the ministers couldn't help but talk about it after they left the Fengtian Palace.
Everyone was speculating on the emperor's purpose of keeping Zhang Zhou in Liaodong, and several insiders, except for Li Dongyang, Zhang Mao and Ma Wensheng from the Listening Department, Liu Jian and Xie Qian, were also silent on this. Word.
"Zhang Bingkuan is really arrogant. Before the little Tatar prince finished his raids last autumn and winter, he was determined to use troops in Liaodong? I don't know what's important?"
"If he knew the seriousness, he wouldn't let others send troops every time, while he would pick up the ready-made ones from behind."
"Yes, this person is very cunning. Every time he succeeds with meritorious deeds, he is always rewarded with his own life."
...There was a lot of criticism.
But it was just a dispute between some literati. Even Xie Qian, who had always been picky about Zhang Zhou, shook his head helplessly after hearing this.
The three cabinet members returned to the duty room.
Xie Qian sighed bitterly: "The matter in Liaodong is settled, and the next step is to send troops to North Korea. In addition to the hidden dangers of the grasslands, the internal troubles of the Ming Dynasty seem to have been eliminated."
"Not necessarily." Li Dongyang said.
Xie Qian said: "Bin Zhi, you have always been resourceful. Do you think there is any way to restore everything in the Ming Dynasty to the past?"
Li Dongyang shook his head helplessly.
The general meaning is that there is no going back.
Liu Jian asked: "Yu Qiao, you have been to the Ministry of Household Affairs before, but have you seen Wang Boan's military plan for one year in Liaodong?"
Xie Qian smiled bitterly and said: "The war has not yet been decided. In addition to Wang Bo'an, there are still troops from Liaodong and Zhang Bingkuan. How to calculate the military pay is still a problem. Your Majesty has not expressed his attitude towards this. Maybe Zhang Bingkuan has already The detailed plan was submitted, but the Yuge Department and the Household Department were not contacted, how difficult it is."
"Alas!" Liu Jian sighed, "The Liaodong incident seems to have been delayed for a while, but within half a year, everything was progressing so smoothly. Zhang Bingkuan seems to have a special skill in managing border residents."
Xie Qian said: "Do you even think so, Mr. Liu Ge?"
Liu Jian shook his head again, not wanting to comment on this matter.
"Bin Zhi, please go back first. You should have settled the affairs of the Kong family earlier. The recent criticisms from the Chinese people in the DPRK are all related to your marriage with the Kong family. Your Majesty has no regard for the heirs of the Yan Sheng Gong line. The title and other matters have not been decided yet. It is up to you to raise the matter. This is to eliminate criticism from the court and may be what His Majesty wishes. You go ahead."
Liu Jian is very concerned about Li Dongyang.
Because the incident of Kong Hongxu's arson was exposed, it also made the world aware of the crimes Kong Hongxu committed that year, which was equivalent to being announced to the world. In this way, the world knew that the descendants of the saint also committed evil and were protected by the court.
Not all of them condemned it, most of them still felt that the court should make a final decision on the inheritance of the Kong family. At the same time, there was a lot of criticism of Li Dongyang's cancellation of the marriage between his daughter and the Kong family, and some thought that Li Dongyang was adding insult to injury.
Because Li Dongyang has been avoiding people from the Kong family recently, it has deepened the criticism of people in the court.
…
…
Li Dongyang had received Liu Jian's "instruction" to represent the cabinet and even the court to meet the current nominal head of the Kong family, Yansheng Gong Kong Hongtai.
The place I saw was not the Li family, but the Confucian Temple of the Capital.
When Li Dongyang arrived, Kong Hongtai had been waiting for a long time.
"Mr. Li Ge, I finally see you. Now the future safety of the Kong family depends on you alone." Kong Hongtai almost gave Li Dongyang a big gift.
Li Dongyang shook his head and said, "You don't have to be like this."
He said and reached out to help.
After the two sat down, Kong Hongtai also seemed very reserved.
Li Dongyang said: "You should go back to Qufu early."
"Alas!" Kong Hongtai said, "I can't go back. My brother's matter is now making a big fuss. My brother knows that he is ashamed of the imperial court and has already decided to commit suicide."
Li Dongyang frowned.
Want to commit suicide? You are dead! Even after you die, I still think you are a figure.
After doing so many evil things, you still have the nerve to live?
By the way, if ordinary people offend you for so many things, the court's laws will not tolerate it. How about doing this to you, giving you a chance to break the law again?
"Nowadays, there are disputes within the Kong family about the inheritance of Duke Yansheng, but it is generally believed that my nephew should be adopted in my name to inherit the title, so..." Kong Hongtai proposed the Kong family's solution to this matter. Method.
He was still the heir of Kong Wenshao, but he was no longer the son of Kong Hongxu, but adopted the name of his uncle Kong Hongtai.
This is in line with the imperial court's requirements for the inheritance of titles, that is, if the eldest son is deprived of the title or deprived of the order of succession due to a crime, the central idea will no longer be passed on to this branch in any case.
If it is adopted into someone else's name, wouldn't it be the same branch?
Li Dongyang frowned and said, "So what else do you have in mind?"
Kong Hongtai lowered his head and said with some shame: "The previous marriage, in fact... is about to come true."
Li Dongyang almost slammed the table and left.
After all, you, the Kong family, are going to use me, the daughter of a cabinet minister, as a bargaining chip, at the expense of my daughter's happiness, and use the cabinet as the father-in-law to endorse you, the Kong family?
Why?
You finally broke off the engagement. Could it be that just because your nephew was adopted by you, he was not born from a sinful father?
What about self-deception?
In the Ming Dynasty, or in traditional feudal society, bloodline issues were taken seriously, and this stereotype has been throughout every dynasty. It is also the basis of social status and clan concepts.
Only when society becomes enlightened can such stereotypes be lifted.
But in this era, Li Dongyang couldn't accept the son of a rapist, kidnapper, and murderer as his son-in-law.
"Dongzhuang, I heard that you had a daughter before, why didn't you think about inheriting Yan Shenggong in your lineage?" Li Dongyang asked.
"ah?"
Kong Hongtai was extremely surprised.
Li Dongyang said: "I know that you two brothers have a deep relationship and there will be no brother-in-law feud, but it does not mean that the inheritance of the title will be completed according to the rules of your Kong family. The court is still willing to stand on your side. "
Kong Hongtai looked embarrassed and didn't know how to respond.
Kong Hongtai's situation is just an external manifestation of the conflict between "family rules" and "national law".
Nominally, Kong Hongxu was deprived of the title of Duke Yansheng because of his crime, but according to the Kong family's family rules, Kong Hongxu was still the eldest son and had the family's inheritance rights. Therefore, everything in the Kong family should be inherited by the eldest son of the Kong family.
Even if Kong Hongtai is Duke Yan, he still has to be bullied by his elder brother at home. Outside, Kong Hongtai is responsible for socializing and making friends, but when he returns home, he must be polite every time he sees his elder brother. He even wanted to go over and kowtow to his eldest brother. Kong Hongtai had no time to make the final decision in the Kong family.
Under such circumstances, how could Kong Hongtai be qualified to have a son to inherit the title?
The Confucius family needs you, Kong Hongtai, to "set things right" in the Confucian family's inheritance. Then you have to exterminate the heirs. This is not subject to Kong Hongtai's will.
In fact, Li Dongyang also understood this. He didn't say it before because he knew that it would be useless if he did. The affairs of the Kong family would not change because of his interference as a bachelor.
But now the public opinion is very unfavorable to Kong Hongxu, which means that the secret has fallen on Kong Hongtai's side. In order not to marry his daughter, Li Dongyang did not hesitate to tell his friends directly... You should give birth to a son yourself to inherit the title, so what? Now that it's all settled, let's not talk about marriage anymore.
"Are you unwilling or don't you dare?" Seeing Kong Hongtai didn't answer, Li Dongyang couldn't help but ask.
Kong Hongtai gritted his teeth and said, "I lost my father when I was young, and my eldest brother is like my father."
"Um."
Li Dongyang nodded, "No matter what your brother did wrong, I don't blame you. In fact, I have no power to decide this matter. It depends on His Majesty's opinion. There is another person... you should know who it is."
It's Zhang Zhou.
A figure who cannot be avoided but who is closely guarded when it comes to the inheritance of the Confucius family.
Kong Hongtai said: "But...he refused to see me, and he refused to come up with any ideas."
"That's it. Even the instigator like him doesn't dare to face this problem head-on. The reason behind it is that the turmoil behind it is too big. Your Majesty is still dealing with it coldly. Don't you understand the joints involved? You want to have a stepchild? Your name cannot be Wen Shao... The eldest son cannot succeed. This is the basis of filial piety and etiquette in the Ming Dynasty. It's up to you."
meaning is.
I won’t object to you adopting a son into your name.
But it definitely can’t be Kong Wenshao.
Even if you really want to adopt your brother's son, why do you have to live with only Kong Wenshao when your eldest brother has so many sons?
He came over, but nothing has changed. Not to mention that I feel uncomfortable, even His Majesty has a hard time dealing with it... You just said, after a long time of change, how different is it from before? It’s just that your nephew wants to call you daddy from now on?
Kong Hongtai said helplessly: "Then...then I will go back to discuss it."
Li Dongyang said: "Some things are better left to you to make the decision yourself. This is what the court hopes to see, and it is also my expectation for you. Only in this way can the matter be resolved earlier. If you are still so timid, then the inheritance may not be as good as There will be no results within a year...Do you hope that Yan Shenggong's lineage will spread to the side branches of the Kong family?"
"I understand." Kong Hongtai probably knew.
Either he could give birth to a son himself, and the court would immediately give him the status of an heir, or he could adopt Kong Hongxu's young son as his own son, so there would be no need to talk about marriage.
In short...the Kong family must be decided by you, Kong Hongtai, and the emperor will give you convenience.
Otherwise, the emperor would have to consider changes in the inheritance of titles.
…
…
Walled city.
Tang Yin has been very anxious recently.
He wanted to lead his troops away, but was unable to leave, so he could only stay in the isolated city. There was no Ming army within a hundred miles around, but there were Jurchen villages and cities everywhere, and large tribes such as the Huifa tribe were eyeing him.
For Tang Yin... Wang Shouren and Zhang Zhou marched too slowly.
It takes many days to attack the Jianzhou Guards. You are simply discrediting the Ming Dynasty's frontier army... If I, Tang, led 40,000 troops to attack the Jianzhou Guards, the battle would be over in three days, but you ended up fighting hard. Ten days...still standing still?
You didn't come to my aid on purpose, right?
"Envoy Tang, if we don't send troops, when will we be released back to Ping'an Road? Our mission of cooperating with the Ming Dynasty in sending troops has been completed. Now the soldiers in North Korea are exhausted. If we can no longer attack the city, please let my soldiers go back. This is the best thing." Our king has an explanation."
Li Kejun has been a bit "jumping up and down" in recent days.
As the coach of this team, Li Kejun was deprived of the authority of the coach for life, but Park Yuanzong did not dare to kill Li Kejun and his direct descendants who accompanied the army.
Even if Park Yuanzong doesn't think about his own life, he still has to think about his wife, children and family members in North Korea.
No matter what Li Kejun said, he was still the direct descendant of Yanshan Jun Li.
Tang Yin said: "His Majesty the Ming Dynasty has no decree, and Duke Lai Guo and the governor of Liaodong have not sent anyone to convey the message. Let's wait for now. But when will the fifteen thousand reinforcements from North Korea arrive?"
Li Kejun was surprised: "At this time, we, North Korea, are still using us to send troops to reinforce?"
"Why not?" Tang Yin's attitude also seemed very tyrannical, "If you don't come, it means North Korea has not fulfilled His Majesty the Ming Dynasty's decree. It means resisting the decree."
Li Kejun's attitude was originally very arrogant, so he could only retreat after hearing this.
That night, a letter written by Zhang Zhou was delivered to Duobi City.
After Tang Yin finished reading, he didn't even eat dinner. When Xu came over to deliver food to him, he saw Tang Yin sitting there feeling lost.
"Bohu, has something happened?" Xu Jing saw that Tang Yin had a gray look on his face.
Tang Yin said: "Go and call Pu Yuanzong."
"he……"
Xu Jing thought for a while, nodded and said, "Okay."
As Pu Yuanzong was called to Tang Yin's bedroom, Tang Yin asked the attendant at the door to close the door. He asked seriously: "General Park, let me ask you, if your monarch is not suitable... I mean if, he is not suitable. As the monarch again, do you think...should it be up to you and those righteous people to restore order to chaos in North Korea?"
"What?"
Pu Yuanzong understood as soon as he heard this, and suddenly stood up and stared at Tang Yin.
"Tang...Shangchun Tang...you...you won't let me go back to rebel, will you? I..." Pu Yuanzong's eyes almost popped out of his head.
(End of chapter)
