Huang Pu had long been familiar with Ye Xian and others, and was very practical in his words and actions. He immediately told Ye Xian and Zhu Qizhen about Zhu Qiyu's military deployment:
"The new ruler will divide the 200,000-strong army into four major camps. Starting from the Yuan Shiheng camp outside Xizhimen, they will form a long snake formation and build a camp every two miles.
The four battalions face each other from end to end and advance step by step. The leading camp will approach three miles away from your army's camp.
Then we stayed in the camp during the day, unable to hold on, and had to wait until night before attacking your camp at night. "
Hearing the words first, he nodded repeatedly. The reason why Huang Pu was so straightforward and frank was that at this point in the war, if the new king was not so crazy as to seriously injure the Wala army, but just wanted to remain invincible, then he could definitely play his cards openly. .
Zhu Qiyu just wanted to bully the Wala army because it was not capable of attacking fortresses, and the cavalry could not exert its advantage in night battles.
After understanding Zhu Qiyu's intentions, he focused on negotiations. Because the Ming army's camp formed an airtight defense system with ditches, horses, camps, war troops, artillery, muskets, and crossbows, they would not be stupid enough to attack the Ming army's camp.
Moreover, the four major battalions of the Ming army can rescue each other. How can Oara's 60,000 cavalry defeat the 200,000 Ming army that is entrenched in the camp, has abundant supplies, and has high morale.
So he asked first: "How does the new monarch plan to welcome the Supreme Emperor back?"
Huang Pu took a step back and stood at the end. There were a lot of high-level civil servants present. If no one asked specifically, it would not be Huang Pu's turn to speak. Huang Pu himself did not want to be out of the limelight.
Yang Shan stood up and replied: "The Ming Dynasty can reward the grand master generously, but the grand master needs to send the emperor to the city first, and then the court will distribute the reward."
"What exactly is the reward? What about mutual trade and tribute?"
Yang Shan could not answer this question, but he still replied confidently: "If the Grand Master really wants to return the Emperor, then please ask the Grand Master to put forward the conditions himself. When we return, we will truthfully report to the new king. Can we accept it?" The conditions need to be decided by the new king, and our words will not count."
Hearing the words first, he casually said a number: "We need ten million taels of silver as compensation for sending troops. In addition, we must pay tribute twice a year and send a mission of three thousand people each time.
Multiple mutual markets should be opened on the border to allow us to freely exchange cattle and sheep for daily necessities. "
Several ministers of the Ming Dynasty laughed when they heard this, and cursed in their hearts: You'd better go to the city and grab the ten million taels of silver yourself. Just because of the temper of our ridiculous emperor, I would be willing to give you a hundred thousand taels, which is a high price.
This is still optimistic. The ministers actually do not believe that the new king really wants to welcome the Supreme Emperor back. So it’s good that the new king didn’t use the trap. How could he pay a lot of blood to replace the Supreme Emperor?
Seeing that the atmosphere at the scene had become awkward, Yang Shan could only reply with a smile: "What the grand master said, I have already written it down and will report it to the new king truthfully.
In addition, I have something to report to Your Majesty. The new emperor has officially issued an order today to release the entire families of Jian Shuren and Wu Shuren. After the war, he will give the two counties the title of prince, enjoy the courtesy of the prince, and establish a vassal in Changsha. "
When Zhu Qizhen heard this, his face became stern, and he began to make quick calculations in his mind: Yang Shan is a minister who is loyal to me, and he must have meant something when he specifically mentioned this matter.
The status of a commoner is so special that my younger brother dared to release him and make him a county king. This is another ridiculous thing. I don’t know what my younger brother wants to express. It’s not to show his deep feelings. .
It was difficult for Yang Shan to speak too directly in front of so many people, so he could only stop at the point.
Zhu Qizhen followed this question and asked: "If I return to the city, what kind of etiquette will the new king use to welcome me?"
When the ministers heard this, they looked at each other. To say that the current ministers are pitiful, they have often been made to look at each other by the two emperors recently.
Even Hu Hui, Wang Zhi, and Yang Shan, who were loyal to the Supreme Emperor, remained silent. Ministers such as Chen Yi, Li Shi, and Li Xian whose positions were unclear even lowered their heads, showing no intention of answering.
Only Huang Pu knew that no matter what, he wouldn't be able to answer, so he hid at the back with a calm face.
Seeing that the atmosphere was really awkward, Zhu Qizhen had no choice but to name him directly. Since he wanted to avoid suspicion and could not force his close associates to answer, Zhu Qizhen chose one of the neutral ministers and asked Li Shi: "Li Aiqing, please tell me."
Unexpectedly, Li Shi came directly and said: "The minister thought that your majesty needed to issue an edict to comfort the spirits of the fallen soldiers, and then live in Qianqing Palace to reflect on yourself.
Important military and political affairs should still be left to the new monarch. After all, the throne of heaven has been determined, and Ming Dynasty can no longer withstand the torment.
As for the Grand Master's remarks about resetting the throne, the ministers really disagree, and the civil and military officials will not support it. "
Li Shi's blunt words stunned everyone present, and the whole tent was silent.
After a long silence, Zhu Qizhen replied helplessly: "What Aiqing said is true. As long as I can go back, I am willing to go to Fengyang to guard the imperial mausoleum."
Hu Ming really couldn't bear it and comforted him: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. You can't go to Fengyang. The new emperor has already said that after your Majesty returns to Beijing, you will still live in Qianqing Palace. In addition to no longer handling government affairs, the rest of the family will be here." Everything below will remain the same as before leaving Beijing."
Zhu Qizhen reluctantly nodded, indicating with waning spirits that everyone could leave.
All the ministers, as if they had been pardoned, hurried back to the city to report to the new king.
Even Hu Hui followed him back to the city. Only Wang Zhi and Yu Qian were left behind. After reporting their duties to the Supreme Emperor, they rushed directly to Shanxi.
Zhu Qiyu had a good sleep at noon, and in the afternoon, he reluctantly came out to meet Hu Hui and others.
After hearing about it and asking for 10 million taels, Zhu Qiyu smiled and said: "My dear friends, it's up to you. If you are willing to use this money to redeem the emperor, I have no objection.
However, the plan to increase the salaries of civil and military officials can only be put on hold for the time being. "
When the ministers heard this, they immediately became honest. If anyone dares to block the financial path of civil and military officials, you can refer to the fate of Ma Shun, the leader of the Jinyiwei who was beaten to death by officials at Fengtianmen.
Even hardcore emperors like Hu Hui and Yang Shan did not dare to express their approval of using money to redeem people. In the end, everyone had no choice but to respectfully ask Qian Gang, the Holy Emperor of Heaven, to make a final conclusion.
Zhu Qiyu smiled and said: "I am not a pushover. As long as I return it to the Supreme Emperor first, I can give you one million taels as a reward. However, this money can neither be paid out by the court nor out of internal funds.
It was too embarrassing to come out of the imperial court: it was humiliating enough when the whole army was destroyed in the war and the emperor was captured. If the imperial court pays one million taels to redeem the emperor, how will the history books be written at that time?
Even the two rubbish emperors who hunted in the north of the Song Dynasty did not ask the court to pay for their redemption.
If the internal money is leaked, it is also disrespectful to the royal dignity.
What I mean is that the Empress Dowager, the two empresses, and a group of concubines will collect the gold and silver treasures in the harem and make a big deal. The remaining small heads are collected by the princes, county princes and other clans. If that's not enough, raise donations in the capital. Anyone who is willing to be loyal to the emperor can donate their family property.
In this way, even if it is a private redemption, it sounds much better when spoken out. "
When the ministers heard this, they looked at each other again. Seeing this, Zhu Qiyu added: "The harem headed by the Empress Dowager and the two empresses should be able to produce six to seven hundred thousand taels.
As the king of Qi, I am willing to pay fifty thousand taels. Princess Xuanyi was willing to spend her savings over the years, totaling 30,000 taels, while Princess Qi pledged 20,000 taels. Therefore, our Prince Qi’s Mansion pledged a total of one hundred thousand taels.
Other feudal lords and nobles can donate a total of 100,000 taels, and the remaining 100,000 taels can be widely collected in the capital. As for you civil servants, it is not easy on weekdays, and your salary is not high, so there is no need to go out. "
(End of chapter)
