Just as Cabinet Minister Li Rong said, if Shenyang is lost, Wang Ziteng cannot escape responsibility.
After all, Wang Ziteng is the highest military commander in Liaodong, and his main responsibility is to defend against barbarians.
Although Shenyang was lost, the main responsibility lies with Zhang Shijie. It was caused by his greed for power, disrespect of the general's orders, and leaving the city without authorization. However, Wang Ziteng was negligent and did not go to the front line to take command. He was also guilty of negligence and laziness.
Even if Wang Ziteng was Emperor Longqing's confidant, Emperor Longqing could not protect him in this matter.
Coupled with Wang Ziteng's performance, Emperor Longqing was really disappointed, and naturally he would no longer try to protect him.
Emperor Longqing said: "I am so disappointed that Wang Ziteng slacked off in the war and led to the fall of Shenyang. Hu Aiqing and Li Shangshu, how do you think we should punish Wang Ziteng?"
Hu Yong said: "Your Majesty, Wang Ziteng cannot escape responsibility for the loss of Shenyang. He should be punished. We can first remove his military power and let him return to Beijing to wait for his fate."
Li Guanglu said: "Your Majesty, Wang Ziteng is indeed responsible. Everything depends on His Majesty's Holy Judgment."
Emperor Longqing nodded, looked at Jia Cong and asked: "Jia Aiqing, what do you say, this prince Teng is your relative."
After listening to Emperor Longqing's words, everyone looked at Jia Cong.
I want to see how this little guy responds.
On the surface, the Wang family and the Jia family are allies and relatives of the Jia family. The two families have a close relationship.
If he didn't help, it would seem a bit callous. If he asked for mercy, he would be suspected of covering up. Jia Cong was also in a dilemma.
However, His Majesty’s question cannot but be answered.
Jia Cong thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, Wang Ziteng is the second brother-in-law of the second master in Rongguo Mansion. He is indeed related by marriage to the Jia family, but has nothing to do with our Ningguo Mansion. It seems that your Majesty is closer to him. , Concubine Yuan wants to call Prince Teng an uncle."
When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but feel funny in their hearts.
This guy is so courageous and has such a strong ability to blame others. He directly threw the blame on His Majesty's head.
After hearing this, Emperor Longqing's face turned dark.
Damn it, you got me involved too. Could this bastard do it on purpose?
Does that mean that I have to call Wang Ziteng uncle?
After careful calculation, this is indeed the case, but I am the king and Wang Ziteng is the minister, so he has no right for me to call him uncle.
Even if he shouted, he would not dare to agree.
At this time, I heard Jia Cong continue: "Your Majesty, Wang Ziteng does have a great responsibility for the loss of Shenyang this time, but I feel that victory or defeat is a common thing for military officers, and we cannot punish people just because they have been defeated for a while.
Moreover, now is not the time for liquidation. The top priority is to retake Shenyang first and stabilize the situation in Liaodong. Wang Ziteng has been in Liaodong for many years and is more familiar with the situation there than anyone else. He also has some understanding of the barbarians. He is an important factor in stabilizing Liaodong. Two choices.
Changing generals before battle is a taboo for military strategists. I believe that at this time, we really shouldn't attack Prince Teng. He should be allowed to stay in Liaodong to stabilize the situation and make meritorious deeds.
Your Majesty, this is not to intercede with Wang Ziteng, but purely for the sake of the overall situation and the interests of Dachu. At this time, no one else can compare with Wang Ziteng. "
Hu Yong looked at the young man in front of him and couldn't help but admire in his heart.
Although he had clearly asked Wang Ziteng to please him, the words coming out of his mouth were for the sake of the overall situation. His words were so reasonable and well-founded that it was difficult to refute them.
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If he had to force people to withdraw, once he suffered another defeat, he would have complied with his words.
At that time, this responsibility will fall on myself and others.
This little guy really can't be ignored.
After hearing this, Emperor Longqing couldn't help but laugh. It turned out that he was waiting for him here.
After thinking about it, there is indeed some truth to these words.
Although Wang Ziteng was responsible, the fault did not lie with him. He was only jointly and severally responsible. His abilities were considered to be quite satisfactory.
In this case, let him stay in Liaodong first and make meritorious deeds.
"Well, what you said makes sense. Now is not the time to pursue the fault. The first priority is to take back Shenyang. Let Wang Ziteng stay in Liaodong for the time being and stabilize the situation in Liaodong.
To mobilize the army, we need to discuss it with the Supreme Emperor, and then determine the candidates for the expedition after the results are obtained. "
Jia Cong said: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and is the wise king of the world. A mere barbarian is just a clown and not worth mentioning."
Li Guanglu, Minister of the Ministry of War, grinned. This flattery was so shameless.
The barbarians have conquered the city and territory, and they are still acting like clowns, which is not worth mentioning.
Only Jia Cong dared to say this, and others really didn't dare to say this.
After all, they killed the barbarian Khan and the two Baylors, and defeated the barbarians steadily.
No matter how unconvinced the other generals were, they had to hold it in because they couldn't defeat the barbarians.
Over the years, when encountering the barbarians, they were beaten back and forth. Only Jia Cong was able to beat the barbarians back.
At this point, it’s okay not to be convinced.
Even as a minister of the Ministry of War, I admire Jia Cong quite a bit.
Emperor Longqing couldn't help laughing when he heard what Jia Cong said, and stretched out his hand to tap Jia Cong.
"Don't tell me whether these are available or not. The Yin of Shuntian Prefecture handed over the information, saying that many people have died in the city for no reason recently. Your Five City Soldiers and Horses Department is responsible for patrolling. You are also responsible for this matter, but it has been found out. The reason for that.”
This guy Shuntian Fuyin is really out of his mind.
How dare you bring this nonsense to His Majesty? I really don't know how to write the word "death".
Since you brought it out yourself, don't blame your father-in-law for adding insult to injury.
"Reporting to your Majesty, I already know about this matter and have sent people to investigate carefully. The deceased all died in their own homes. These people have one thing in common, that is, most of them are political figures.
Some of them are still gangsters, and many of them carry human lives on their bodies. The strange thing is that these people have changed their names and become good citizens, and the identity documents of these people are all from the hands of Shuntian Mansion.
According to the investigation by the minister, the dead people seem to belong to the same force. The people behind the scenes must have high status, otherwise it would not be possible for Shuntian Mansion to make false identity certificates for them. However, they are all dead and there is no way to investigate.
I guessed that these people were either silenced by their own people or plotted by hostile forces, because these people died in various ways, and some of them had no injuries at all. "
Emperor Longqing frowned when he heard this.
Whether this matter is big or small, I didn't expect it to have so many implications.
I don’t know which bastard recruited these scum and hid them in the capital.
Could it be that those unfilial sons of his did it again?
Thinking of this, he said to Jia Cong: "Since this matter happened within your jurisdiction, you are responsible for investigating it for me."
Jia Congming said with a wry smile: "Your Majesty, I can no longer investigate this matter. This matter has been taken over by Shuntian Mansion. The people I sent have been blocked back. It seems that it is intentional. There is nothing I can do to hide anything."
Yang Huai's face changed when he looked at Jia Cong. He really didn't realize that this kid was not merciless at all when he was behind the scenes.
These guys from Shuntian Mansion really shot themselves in the foot.
Since it was involved with him, he didn't end the knot quietly and reported the knot to His Majesty. What kind of operation was this?
Could it be that it was just to give Jia Cong eye drops?
I haven't heard that these two people have any grudge?
Now it's good, Jia Cong took the blame directly.
It would be fine if it wasn't involved, but if it was, it would be really bad luck.
When Emperor Longqing saw what Jia Cong said, he knew there must be something fishy in it.
After thinking for a while, he turned to Dai Quan and said, "Have someone investigate this matter and find out whose handiwork it is."
Dai Quan cupped his hands and said, "Yes, master, I obey your order."
Dai Quan agreed and slowly exited the imperial study.
Emperor Longqing said: "Li Aiqing, your Ministry of War has made a strategic plan to recapture Shenyang. The troops, food, grass, and materials are all ready. At the same time, several generals have been selected and rushed to Liaodong for support. Let's leave this matter as it is. Everyone, please retreat."
"I bid you farewell. Long live my emperor, long live, long live."
······
Long Qingdi came to Taiji Palace and met with the Supreme Emperor.
Regarding the mobilization of troops, we still need to inform the Supreme Emperor.
So far, more than half of the military power is still in the hands of his father.
Without the nod of approval from his father, the emperor's own orders alone would not be able to mobilize most of the army.
This was Emperor Longqing's helplessness. It didn't matter what he did, and he had to ask the Supreme Emperor for instructions first.
Fortunately, we have stopped making trouble in the past few years. Maybe we have really figured it out, right?
After all, you are getting older, how many more years can you keep struggling?
It's better to take good care of your health and enjoy life.
"My son, I would like to pay my respects to my father, and wish him good health and a long life."
The Supreme Emperor chuckled and said: "Get up, I, if you really live forever, the one who will be most unhappy will probably be you, the emperor."
Emperor Longqing's face stiffened, and he quickly said: "I don't dare. Being able to celebrate at the knees of my father is a great blessing for me, and it is what I can only dream of."
The Supreme Emperor smiled and was noncommittal. He knew his son very well.
"You came here today because you have something to do, so tell me."
Emperor Longqing said: "As expected, my father has clearly seen Wanli. Today he received an urgent message from Liaodong for eight hundred miles. Shenyang has been captured by the barbarians. My son thought that while the barbarians were not yet stable, he would send troops to recapture the city of Shenyang.
Otherwise, if they are allowed to gain a foothold, there will be no peace in Liaodong. I wonder what the emperor wants? "
When the Supreme Emperor heard this, he couldn't help but narrowed his eyes.
Unexpectedly, Shenyang was captured after resisting the barbarians for so many years.
If this allows them to gain a foothold in Shenyang and the entire Liaodong is under their attack, it will be difficult to defend Liaodong.
"Shenyang has a special geographical location. It is located in the hinterland of Liaodong. It should indeed be recaptured. Have you thought about who to send? Are you sure you can recapture Shenyang?"
Emperor Longqing said: "Reporting to my father, I just received the news today and haven't had time to make a decision yet. If my father has suitable candidates, he can send them there. As for whether he can recapture Shenyang, I dare not say for sure.
Shenyang City has high walls and thick walls, which are easy to defend and difficult to attack. It has resisted the barbarians for so many years. This time, the generals who defended the city fell into the scheme, and the barbarians succeeded. If we attack the city, it will also be very difficult. "
The Supreme Emperor nodded, what he said was true.
The soldiers of the barbarians were brave and good at fighting. They were much stronger than the Chu army. This offensive and defensive change gave them an advantage. It was too difficult to recapture Shenyang unless they used strategies.
It's just that for this trick, others must be willing to fall for it.
It does not mean that if you use a strategy, it will be 100% successful.
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but shake my head. Forget it, let's just enjoy it in peace. Let my son handle these troublesome things. Who made him the emperor?
"You are the emperor now. You have full authority to handle this matter. No matter what decision you make, I will support you."
What Emperor Longqing wanted was this sentence, so that he could act freely and no longer have to be timid.
"My son obeys the decree and will definitely not disappoint his father."
······
After Jia Cong left the palace, he went to take a look at the construction site of the provincial villa.
The main building has already been put up, and the progress is relatively fast. Looking at this situation, it will be almost completed by autumn.
After walking around the construction site, Jia Cong came to Jia Mu's yard.
At this time, sisters Lin Daiyu and Sanchun were in the old lady's room, talking to her.
Seeing Jia Cong come in, Jia Mu said with a smile: "Since Yu'er came, you have been running here every day, and you have not been to the Yamen. Aren't you afraid that His Majesty will give you trouble?"
Jia Cong smiled and said: "Although my grandson will not go to the Yamen, nothing will be delayed. What else can your Majesty say? If nothing major happens, there is basically nothing to do, and there is no need for me to step in."
Yingchun said: "Brother Cong is really comfortable working as an errand. Are all those officials working like this?"
Jia Mu said: "You can pull me down. When your grandfather Rong Guogong was here, he was busy for three days without leaving home. My father was also very busy when he was an official. There was no one as free as him."
Lin Daiyu smiled and said: "When I was young, my father was also very busy at home. Sometimes I couldn't see anyone for several days, and it was difficult to see anyone. I was so tired that I became sick. My father said that for an official like Brother Cong, , It’s really rare in the world, and I’m a little envious of it.”
Jia Cong smiled and said: "After all, I am a military commander. I may go to the battlefield again. I will spend more time with you now. Once I go to the battlefield, I may not see you for several years. Then you will miss me. I can’t even see it.”
Jia Mu said: "Didn't I say that you won't be allowed to go to the battlefield again? Has the situation in the north changed again?"
Jia Cong nodded and said: "I received an urgent report from Eight Hundred Miles today. Wang Ziteng lost Shenyang. His Majesty thought, I would take advantage of the barbarians' unsteady foothold to take back Shenyang. This is what I have just done." Come back from the palace."
When Jia Mu heard this, she couldn't help being surprised that Shenyang was really lost.
Thinking of what Jia Cong said last time, I felt a little lucky that this kid had guessed it.
Lin Daiyu said worriedly: "Brother Cong, does your Majesty want you to go on an expedition?"
After hearing this, several people looked at Jia Cong with a hint of worry in their eyes.
Jia Cong smiled and said: "Don't worry, since His Majesty has not decided on the spot, he will not let me go. It is enough to have Wang Ziteng in Liaodong to stabilize the situation. Unless the Chu army retreats steadily, no one can resist it. Maybe I will be sent out at that time.”
Jia Mu said: "That's good. It's best not to go to the battlefield. After all, the battlefield is fierce and dangerous, and no one can guarantee that nothing will happen. You have become famous now, so there is no need to take risks.
Wang Ziteng lost Shenyang, didn't the court blame him? "
Jia Cong said: "Several cabinet ministers wanted to dismiss him from office and investigate, and let him return to Beijing for trial. I stepped in to save him and let him stay in Liaodong to perform meritorious services. This temporarily allowed him to escape the disaster. As for whether he can be transferred to the capital for trial." The atonement depends on his creation.”
Jia's mother said: "You have done a good job. After all, the Jia and Wang families are in-laws and allies. If you can talk, please help as much as possible."
Lin Daiyu was relieved when she heard that Jia Cong would not go to the battlefield.
