Politics is like a drama, and the court is the stage.
The royal gate goes to court in the morning.
When Xiao Jing shouted "discuss" at the top of his lungs. Qing gossip officials began to attack Wang Yue like swarms of swarms.
Over the years, Wang Yue has been a target. Whenever a powerful official fell, the first reaction of the Qing gossip officials was: Get ready to join Wang Yue.
"Your Majesty, Wang Yue befriended the traitor Li Guang, and at the age of seventy-three, he recognized the thief as his father. There is no shame at all!"
"Your Majesty, Wang Yue is attached to Li Guang and covets military power and high positions. He is plotting evil and intending to rebel!"
"Your Majesty, one hundred and three imperial censors from the Metropolitan Procuratorate have jointly submitted this letter, respectfully requesting that your Majesty grant Wang Yue death!"
"Your Majesty, Li Guang committed suicide out of fear of crime. Wang Yue should be buried with him to fulfill his filial piety!"
The officials insulted Lao Wang, who had outstanding achievements in meritorious service, as "a turtle grandson", clearly intending to kill people as well as hurt his heart.
The officials were filled with righteous indignation, spitting foam and flying stars. No one mentioned Wang Yue's military exploits during the Chenghua Dynasty.
No one mentioned that without Wang Yue, the Hetao Grassland would probably be the territory of the Northern Barbarians.
No one mentioned that without Wang Yue, there would be no peace in the northwest for twenty years.
No one even mentioned that if Wang Yue and Wang Zhi had not laid the foundation with iron and blood in the Chenghua Dynasty, they would have won a relatively stable external environment for the Ming Dynasty. How could it be that Hongzhi is prosperous now?
Today the Qing gossip officials are coming in force. Emperor Hongzhi was under great pressure.
He even made a plan: If it doesn't work, let Wang Yue walk away with a small stick and a big stick. He was deprived of his title of censor of Zuodu and sent back to his hometown for retirement.
At this moment, the civil servants heard a sonorous and powerful voice: "My lords, please be patient!"
The person who said this was Chang Butcher, Jinyi Wei.
During the incident, the officials and officials asked Ji Yuan loudly: "Chang Tongzhi, do you want to speak for Wang Yue? Are you a party to Li Guang and Wang Yue?"
Chang Feng didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and cursed in his heart: You little bastard didn't know the truth. Li Guang's loss of power was planned by me.
Emperor Hongzhi couldn't stand it any longer: "Ji Yuan, the Royal Gate discussion must be finished by people. Don't talk nonsense!"
The emperor spoke, but Ji Yuan had no choice but to keep silent.
Chang Feng said: "You sirs don't know something. After Wang Laodu became an official in the capital, our Jin Yiwei approached him and entrusted him with a big task."
Ji Yuan asked: "What's the big deal?"
Chang Feng said loudly: "lurking beside the traitor Li Guang, investigating Li Guang's crimes!"
As soon as these words came out, the courtyard in front of the royal gate was in an uproar.
Min Gui, the censor of Zuodu, glanced at Chang Feng suspiciously: "Chang Tongzhi, are you saying that Wang Yue is attached to Jin Yiwei?"
Chang Feng said: "The Jin Yiwei, like the Metropolitan Procuratorate, are the emperor's eyes and ears. Wang Yue helps the Jin Yiwei investigate adultery, how can we talk about 'dependence'?"
"Is Jin Yiwei so unworthy in Min Duyuan's eyes?"
Min Gui knew he had made a mistake: "Ah, that's not what I meant. You said that Wang Yue was the hidden stake placed in front of Li Guang by the Jin Yiwei. There must be some proof, right?"
"You often know that you can't call a bad person a good person just by touching the upper lip and the lower lip."
Chang Feng was well prepared and took out the fake letter that exonerated Wang Yue.
This method was inspired by Chang Feng's past events on an autumn night in the last years of Chenghua's life.
Chang Feng said: "This is a birthday congratulatory letter written by Wang Yue to Li Guang when Li Guang passed his birthday in the ninth year of Hongzhi. There are three congratulatory poems on it. I will read it to you."
Chang Feng read three disgusting birthday poems aloud. In the poem, Wang Yue almost said bluntly, "Eunuch Li, you are always my biological father."
The imperial officials began to discuss again: "Wang Yue is flattering a villain, and his words are disgusting!"
"Wang Yue is simply a disgrace to the literati! Not only should the emperor kill him, but he should also take back his third-level scholarship in the second year of Jingtai and his birth as a Jinshi!"
"Oh my God! There is such a shameless person in the court. The ancestors of the Ming Dynasty have spirits in heaven, I am afraid they will be inexplicably surprised."
Chang Feng said: "Please be patient! This letter is a rice soup letter. On the back of the letter, Wang Yue used rice soup to write a sharp letter insulting Li Guang!"
The officials looked at each other: "What? Chang Tongzhi is not joking, right?"
"What kind of rice water development? It's just empty talk."
Chang Feng raised the letter paper in his hand and said loudly: "I am not talking nonsense. Just spray salt water on the back of the letter paper and bake it slightly by the candlelight, and the writing will be developed!"
Emperor Hongzhi told Xiao Jing: "Do as Chang Feng said."
Xiao Jing ordered the young eunuch to bring a bowl of strong salt water. He took a mouthful and sprayed it on the back of the letter. Then a red candle was lit and baked by the candlelight for a while.
Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty, there are indeed words on the back of the letter."
Emperor Hongzhi said: "Read it!"
Xiao Jing said loudly: "Li Guang, you bastard! You are a greedy eunuch and a villain who manipulates power and makes trouble. I have secretly collected evidence of your illegal activities. Once the collection is complete, it will be made public."
Min Gui was skeptical: "Why did Wang Yue scold Li Guang on the back of the birthday letter?"
Chang Feng replied: "Wang Yue was afraid that after Li Guang fell, officials would misunderstand that he was really a member of Li Guang's party. That's why he dipped his pen in rice soup on the back of the birthday letter and scolded Li Guang, leaving it as evidence to prove his innocence!"
"I also have a letter written by Li Guang here. It was written to Wang Yue two days before he fell."
After speaking, Chang Feng took out another letter from his sleeve and read: "Old thief Wang Yue. I have noticed that you insulted me with rice soup on the back of the birthday letter. Just wait, I will tell you in a few days Leave your head in a different place."
After reading the letter, there was another uproar in the front courtyard.
Chang Feng said: "Fortunately, Li Guang's evil deeds of building Yuxiu Pavilion and causing the palace to be tabooed were discovered by the Empress Dowager, and the emperor dismissed him from his official position."
"If Li Guangduo serves as the Supervisor of Ceremonies for a few days, I am afraid that the King will be in an unexpected situation."
"Wang Yue is a loyal minister who outsmarts the traitors."
"This morning, the imperial court was misunderstood and impeached by the censors. Chang Feng had to complain more and more for the king!"
Chang Feng had two yes-men and little fanboys in his early days. One is Zhang Yanling and the other is Zhang Heling.
Zhang Yanling shouted and echoed Chang Feng: "Wang Yue, what a loyal minister!"
Not to be outdone, Zhang Heling shouted at the top of his lungs: "Wang Yue, you are a loyal minister!"
Ma Wensheng, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Liu Daxia, the Minister of the Ministry of War, all shouted: "Wang Yue, you are a loyal minister!"
For a moment, shouts of "Wang Yue, great loyal minister!" echoed throughout the front courtyard.
Min Gui asked Chang Feng the last question: "How do you prove that Wang Yue is the backbone of the Jinyi Guards around Li Guang?"
Chang Feng is the second in command of Jinyiwei. He said that Wang Yue was from Jin Yiwei, so he was from Jin Yiwei.
Chang Feng said: "Wang Yue's name is written on the secret list in Weili. If Minduyuan has any doubts, you can check the list."
Emperor Hongzhi finally spoke: "Whether Wang Yue is loyal or treacherous is now known to the world. Don't discuss this matter anymore. Let's discuss the next matter."
Chang Feng winked at Liu Daxia, Minister of War.
Liu Daxia understood this and went out to discuss: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has reported that the little Tatar prince has sent 10,000 additional troops to the northern foot of Helan Mountain with the intention of recapturing Helan Mountain."
"The military situation in the northwest is raging. I sincerely request the emperor to decide on the candidate for the trilateral general system as soon as possible!"
The Trilateral General System was the highest-ranking border minister from the founding of the Ming Dynasty to the Hongzhi Dynasty. The official name is "Governor-General of Shaanxi Trilateral Military Affairs".
The three sides refer to Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia.
How big is this official? It controls the governors of Hexi, Hedong, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Ningxia.
In addition, nine generals from Ganzhou, Suzhou, Liangzhou, Xining, Ningxia, Guyuan, Yansui, Shinto Ling, and Xing'an were controlled.
The tripartite system not only has military power, but also manages the government affairs of several provinces. The imperial court's 190,000 frontier troops in the northwest were all under the command of the trilateral general system.
This position is similar to the Fuyuan General of the Qing Dynasty. The person who serves as this official has power similar to Nian Gengyao.
Emperor Hongzhi sighed: "I ordered the ministers to recommend candidates for the trilateral general system. The ministers recommended seven people in a row, but none of them were in line with my wishes."
Chang Feng was a retainer and was not qualified to recommend officials to feudal states.
Ma Wensheng glanced at Chang Feng and then left: "Your Majesty, I recommend Wang Yue!"
Emperor Hongzhi said: "Oh?"
Min Gui objected: "Wang Yue's reputation is too bad. When Wang Zhi becomes powerful, he relies on Wang Zhi. When Wan'an becomes powerful, he relies on Wan'an. When Liu Ji becomes powerful, he relies on Liu Ji."
Ma Wensheng asked back: "What counts in fighting a war is not your reputation! It's your real ability!"
"When it comes to fighting, how many civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty can compare to Wang Yue?"
"Do you need me to remind you?"
Min Gui asked: "Remind what?"
Ma Wensheng talked eloquently: "In the seventh year of Tianshun's reign, Wang Yue was appointed governor of Datong. After taking office, he repaired his weapons and armor, streamlined his soldiers, and repelled small-scale harassment by the northern captives seven times."
"In the third year of Chenghua, Wang Yue was appointed governor of Xuanfu. He followed Zhu Yong, Marquis of Funing, to conquer the Maoli children and won a great victory."
"In the fifth year of Chenghua, the Tatar tribe invaded Hetao. Wang Yue led the Xuanfu troops to reinforce them. They defeated the Tatar army in Yulin and won a great victory in Yulin. The Tatars fled in the face of the wind."
"In the sixth year of Chenghua, more than 10,000 Tatar troops invaded Yansui in five directions. Wang Yue defeated the enemy at Kaihuangchuan and won another great victory."
"In the ninth year of Chenghua, Mantulu invaded Hetao again, using nearly 100,000 troops and horses, and the momentum was huge. Almost all the troops stationed in Hetao were wiped out."
"Again, Wang Yue was ordered to lead his army to Hetao in the midst of danger. He won a great victory at the Red Salt Pond and killed countless enemies. He regained the horse breeding land for the Ming Dynasty."
"In the 16th year of Chenghua, Yisi Main invaded the border. The former emperor ordered Wang Yue to be the commander-in-chief and led the troops to attack Yisi Mayin. They achieved a great victory in Weininghai. The example of the surprise attack on Weininghai is still a common question in the martial arts examination. !”
"In the seventeenth year of Chenghua, the Tatars invaded from Haidong Mountain. Wang Yue led his army out of Datong and defeated the Tatars at Heishiya. Later, he was promoted to the crown prince and Taifu by the late emperor for his merits."
"According to the Ming Dynasty, civilian officials were not allowed to hold military positions. The late emperor made an exception for the outstanding meritorious Wang Yue. He was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the former army and the admiral of the regiment."
"In the 18th year of Chenghua, the Tatars invaded Yansui. Wang Yue led his troops and fought fiercely with them. They won a great victory in Yansui and gained a lot. The Tatars did not dare to attack Yansui lightly, and the Yansui soldiers and people were relieved."
Ma Wensheng recounted all of Wang Yue's series of great victories in the Chenghua Dynasty in one breath.
Liu Daxia sang with him: "At the end of the war in the Observation Department, Wang Yue was the number one military meritorious in the Chenghua Dynasty! The late emperor also had a clear instruction, saying that Wang Yue was the number one general in the Chenghua Dynasty!"
Ma Wensheng said: "No one is more suitable for the trilateral system than Wang Yue."
Finally, he showed his knife: "What if any official in the Manchu Dynasty feels that Wang Yue is not suitable and lets him become the trilateral president sitting on a powder keg?"
All the civil servants were as silent as cicadas. When it comes to making noise in the court, they are experts. When it comes to fighting, they are just a bunch of little Karami. No one dares to be the commander-in-chief of the northwest.
Chang Feng shouted: "Congratulations to the emperor on getting the famous commander of the country. The northwest will be pacified in just a moment!"
Zhang Heling said: "Yes, yes! If Wang Yue becomes the trilateral leader, there will be peace in the northwest! There will be peace in the sky!"
Zhang Yanling shouted: "The Emperor is truly the first Holy Lord in history! The Emperor knows people well and makes good use of loyal ministers and generals. I am invincible in the world!"
At this point, no matter how opposed the civil officials were, they could not stop Wang Yue from taking charge of the three sides.
Emperor Hongzhi said: "The cabinet has drafted a decree to restore Wang Yue to the trilateral system. Lead all the border troops from Shaanxi, Gansu, and Ningxia to attack the Helan Mountains and expel the northern Tatars!"
The officials standing in the front courtyard, whether willing or unwilling, could only follow Daliushan and shout: "Your Majesty, your Majesty."
According to the military system after the Chenghua Dynasty, when a large army goes out for an expedition, a member of the supervisory army must be appointed, who will be a eunuch. A member of the admiral's military affairs, who is served by a close minister. To contain the coach.
Zhang Yong, the most famous among the eunuchs, took the initiative to stand up and recommended himself: "Zhang Yongcai, a cheap slave, is willing to serve as a supervisor and follow the king's command to the Helan Mountains!"
Ma Wensheng said: "Your Majesty, when Wang Shu was in office, he once evaluated Eunuch Zhang as 'Strong Man Zhang'. In my opinion, no one is more suitable to be Wang Yue's supervisor than him!"
Emperor Hongzhi nodded: "It's accurate!"
At this time, Chang Feng came out: "Reporting to the Emperor, Chang Feng requested to be the admiral of military affairs and follow the king's command to the Helan Mountains!"
Chang Feng was tired of the intrigues, intrigues, and infighting in the capital.
A passionate man, who doesn’t want to defend his country, build border areas, and ride in the desert?
He decided to follow Wang Yue to the northwest this time and fulfill the responsibilities of a military attaché of the Ming Dynasty.
Liu Daxia said: "This is for your Majesty. It is most appropriate for Jin Yiwei Commander Tongzhi to be the admiral of military affairs. It can show that the Emperor attaches great importance to this Western Expedition."
Emperor Hongzhi said: "It's accurate!"
In the eleventh year of Hongzhi's Western Expedition to the Helan Mountains, the core team of commanders was formally established. The commander-in-chief is Wang Yue, the commander-in-chief of the three sides, Zhang Yong, the eunuch who supervises the army, and Chang Feng, the admiral of military affairs.
Emperor Hongzhi left the dragon throne. He looked up at the sky piously: "May our ancestors bless us. We will work together as one, and our soldiers will work hard. This Western Expedition will be a complete victory."
After the court, Chang Feng returned to Jinyiwei. On the one hand, he told everyone about his upcoming appointment as admiral and the expedition to the west with the army.
On the other hand, he suggested that the commander Mou Bin should be temporarily replaced by Qian Ning while he was out of Beijing, and he would perform the duties of Zuo Tongzhi.
Within the value of the room.
Fatty Xu volunteered: "Master Chang, I want to go on the expedition with you this time."
Chang Feng frowned: "The Crown Prince Dingguo is one of the top nobles of the Ming Dynasty. It is no small matter for you to go out with the army. I think you should stay in the capital."
Fatty Xu said seriously: "Master Chang, you also said that I am the eldest son of Duke Dingguo! I am of the bloodline of the King of Zhongshan!"
"In the past hundred years, one line of the Xu family has been in the capital and the other in Nanjing. They eat, drink and have fun all day long in the presence of the nobles and nobles."
"The leaf armor of my ancestor, King Zhongshan, is covered with spider webs in the warehouse of the mansion!"
"The Flying Dragon Cloud-Slashing Sword given to me by Emperor Taizu Gao has not been unsheathed for nearly a hundred years."
"This time, let me go with you to the northwest, fight on the battlefield, ride in the desert, and prove that the Xu family's bravery is still there!"
Chang Feng said: "Okay. I will give the emperor a letter and let you be my deputy."
Fatty Xu waved his fist: "Okay!"
Let's say that Chang Feng spent a busy day in Jinyi Guard, handing over guard duties to Qian Ning and others.
In the evening, he returned home.
Liu Xiaoyan's "lady's network" is well-informed. The Chang family has learned that Chang Feng will join the army in the western expedition.
As soon as Chang Feng entered the door, Mrs. Ninth wiped away her tears and scolded him: "Are you crazy? My sister said that you took the initiative to ask the emperor to follow Mr. Wang to the northwest to fight."
"Is fighting a fun thing? You will bleed and lose your life!"
A prodigal little bitch, what you say is unlucky.
Chang Feng first scolded Mrs. Ninth: "A woman's opinion! Your husband is engaged in military affairs, how can I allow you to talk too much?"
At this moment, a cold arrow flew over with a "whoosh"!
"Pa!" The arrow hit Chang Feng's left chest!
Chang Feng felt pain in his left chest and thought: It's over! There is an assassin! My life is at risk!
When he looked down, he saw that the arrow had fallen to the ground instead of entering his flesh. This arrow has no arrowhead at all.
He covered his left chest and looked around, only to see Liu Xiaoyan standing a hundred steps away from him, holding a bow in her hand.
Chang Feng shouted angrily at Liu Xiaoyan: "Did you take the wrong medicine? Did you murder your husband?"
Liu Xiaoyan walked up to Chang Feng. She didn't cry or fuss like Madam Ninth.
She said calmly: "Captain Shi's wife once said that cold arrows are the most feared on the battlefield. Your Feiyu suit cannot stop arrows."
"I need to buy you a strong suit of armor. At least it can protect you from arrows at a distance of a hundred steps."
Chang Feng suddenly discovered that he, the commander of the Jinyiwei and one of the top military attachés of the Ming Army, did not have a pair of armor at home.
Chang Feng said: "Sure. You hurry up and exchange. The military situation is like a fire. I will go on an expedition with the king in three days."
Mrs. Ninth cried so hard that the pear blossoms were wet with rain. Liu Xiaoyan hugged Madam Ninth: "Sister Ninth, a real man should carry a three-foot sword and lead hundreds of thousands of people across the world to protect the mountains and rivers."
"Oh, this is what the founding father of the country, King Kaiping, said."
"As women, we cannot stop men from serving our country loyally. Let's go, I will accompany you to the bedroom."
The lady and the concubine turned and left.
Chang Po Nu ran over: "Dad, you name me Po Nu. This time I will also go on an expedition with you, defeat the Tartar slaves, and make great achievements."
Chang Feng touched Chang Ponu's head: "Good boy. It's a good thing that you have this ambition. But you are still too young. If you follow him to Helan Mountain, I will have to send at least twenty people to protect you."
"You should stay in the capital honestly."
Chang Ponu was a little unconvinced: "If you have more monkeys, you will gain three points of strength."
Chang Feng smiled bitterly: "On the battlefield, a twelve-year-old boy like you might not be able to catch up with a monkey."
"Study well with Li Dongyang in Beijing. Practice bow and arrow well with your mother. When you grow up, you will be able to fight for the country and make achievements."
Liu Bingyi came over and said, "Zhuang Zhuang, don't mess around."
Liu Bingyi is old, has gray hair, and is already on crutches.
Chang Feng helped Liu Bingyi sit down.
Liu Bingyi said: "You can go in peace. I am at home. I am waiting to put wine at home to welcome you back in triumph."
Chang Feng said: "The whole family relies on Lao Taishan. Oh, by the way, Tangtang doesn't know about my expedition, right?"
Liu Bingyi replied: "Xiaoyan hasn't had time to tell Tangtang yet."
Chang Feng warned Liu Bingyi: "You and Xiaoyan kept the news secret for me. Tangtang has been spoiled by a group of people since she was a child, and she is very perverse."
"I'm afraid that she will come to the emperor and empress and cause mischief and prevent me from participating in the Western Expedition."
In order to replace Chang Fengtao with a fit, strong, and lightweight armor, Liu Xiaoyan used almost all the contacts she had accumulated in the ladies' circle for more than ten years.
Finally, I found a pair of top-quality leaf armor in the Ministry of War arsenal.
This set of leaf armor is said to have been worn by Lanyu when he won the great victory in Yuerhai. After Lan Yu's fall, the armor was confiscated into the arsenal of the Ministry of War, where it remains until now.
Chang Feng tried on this leaf armor, wearing a phoenix-winged forehead crown, and a mouth-swallowing beast biting the belt.
There is also a "hanging fish" under the belt to protect the roots of descendants.
In addition, the covered arms, iron lower skirt, and copper guard feet are all extremely strong.
Liu Xiaoyan tried it with a hard bow before. Within thirty steps, bows and arrows could not penetrate this body of leaf armor, which was like an iron tortoise shell.
Although this armor is strong, it is very light. It is indeed a treasure armor.
Chang Feng wore the armor and walked a few steps in the front yard, sighing: "It is indeed the armor worn by the famous general Lan Yu. What a good thing!"
Liu Bingyi, who was sitting at the stone table, hesitated: "It is unlucky to wear blue jade."
Chang Feng smiled and said: "Are you talking about his murder? Old Taishan was overly worried. Lan Yu was killed because he was arrogant based on his merits and formed a clique for personal gain."
"But he has never been defeated in a battle. The great victory at Yuerhai brought peace to the north of the Ming Dynasty for twenty years."
"In my western expedition, even if I win the battle and achieve great achievements, I will definitely keep my tail between my legs."
Liu Bingyi stroked his beard: "Well, you can't learn from Lan Yu, you have to learn from Wei Qing."
In fact, Chang Feng thought too much. Wang Yue never planned to let Chang Feng go into battle in person and lead the troops to charge into the battle.
Zuo Tongzhi, the commander of Jinyiwei, was a confidant of the emperor and died in the Western Expedition. Even if this battle is won, it will cast a shadow.
Wang Yue only planned to let Chang Feng use his talents and be in charge of military intelligence for the Western Expedition. In addition, he used the power of Jin Yiwei to supervise local civil servants to raise food and grass.
Needless to say, all the generals in the northwest were brought out by Wang Yue. Follow Wang Yue's advice.
However, local civil servants sneered at Wang Yue's "disgrace to the literati".
Only the Jin Yiwei often butchers supervise the grain, so the local civil servants dare not defy the rules and delay their punishment.
In the evening, Chang Feng and Zhang Yong came to Wang Yue's mansion.
The housekeeper of the Wang family said: "Eunuch Zhang, Chang Tongzhi. My master is sleeping and hasn't woken up yet. He has been sleeping all day and all night."
Chang Feng was stunned: "Slept for a whole day and a night? Could it be?"
Chang Feng knew that Wang Yue was in poor health. He was afraid that Wang Yue had died in his sleep instead of not waking up.
The Western Expedition has not yet begun. If the commander dies of old age, it will be a huge blow to the court.
The housekeeper noticed Chang Feng's worry: "Don't worry, Chang Feng. This is a habit my husband has developed over the years. Before going out to fight, he must have a good sleep and be refreshed."
Chang Feng said: "Wang Zhishuai is old and frail. How can I rest assured? Take me to the bedroom."
The housekeeper hesitated: "This"
Chang Feng forced him: "Take me there!"
The three of them entered Wang Yue's bedroom.
I saw Wang Yue wearing common clothes and lying on the couch. The servant couldn't hear his snoring and his face was pale. It doesn't look like a living person, but like a corpse.
Chang Feng cautiously stretched out his fingers to check Wang Yue's breathing.
He was relieved: Lao Wang was still alive.
"Pa!" Wang Yue suddenly reached out and grabbed Chang Feng's wrist.
He opened his eyes: "What? You were afraid that I was dead, so you checked my breathing?"
Chang Feng smiled awkwardly: "I don't mean anything else."
Wang Yue sat up from the couch: "Don't worry. I won't die before the Tatars are expelled from Helan Mountain."
"Power is the best aphrodisiac for civil servants."
"War is the best life-extending pill for generals."
"I'm hungry! Set out food!"
The two followed Wang Yue to the dining room.
Wang Yue strictly abided by the habit of not drinking before going on an expedition. There are no wine bottles or cups on the dining table.
The food is very special, with vegetables but no rice. The so-called "dish" is a large pot of beef and mutton.
Some people are showing off their knowledge and questioning again: Ming Dynasty did not eat beef. Eating beef is against the law! The author has no historical knowledge!
The law governs the people who abide by the law. It's not about officials, wealthy households and lawless lunatics. This has always been the case.
"Water Margin" is a story written by Shi Naian during the Song Dynasty. What the book depicts is the market scene in the early Ming Dynasty.
The heroes "cut two kilograms of cooked beef" at every turn. People in the government drank alcohol, and beef was also included in the dishes that went with the wine.
There is a butcher shop in the northern part of the capital that specializes in supplying beef to officials and nobles. It can be opened by the Chief Supervisor of Ceremonies with enough money.
The law stipulates that sick cows and cows that have died of old age can be slaughtered. It is not illegal for me to slaughter sick or dead cows.
However, only God knows whether Niu De is sick or whether he dies of old age.
Wang Yue picked up a beef rib from the big basin and picked out the meat with a knife. Sprinkle some salt on the meat first, and then sprinkle some pepper.
Then he started chewing so much that his mouth was filled with oil.
A piece of beef rib went into his belly. He looked at Chang Feng and Zhang Yong: "Why don't you two eat it? You're welcome."
Chang Feng and Zhang Yong picked up the meat-picking knives and accompanied Wang Yue to eat.
Meat is the most filling and greasy thing. Chang Feng ate about a pound of meat and couldn't eat anymore.
Wang Yue, an old comrade in his seventies, continued to feast like a starving ghost who had not eaten for eight hundred years.
Wang Yue said nothing while eating. Chang Feng and Zhang Yong could only watch the old man wolfing down the food in embarrassment.
The basin containing the meat was a sea basin, with seven or eight kilograms of meat in it.
After a while, half of the meat in the sea basin was gone.
Chang Feng was surprised: "Wang Zhishuai, you have already eaten at least two or three kilograms of meat! You can't eat any more, or it will hurt your health."
Wang Yue glanced at Chang Feng: "I'm not even afraid of the little Tatar prince, but why am I afraid of being stretched to death by flesh?"
Zhang Yong was also a little worried: "Don't you want to learn from the Warring States allusions to prove that you are honest and capable of making a living even though you are old?"
Wang Yue said nothing and continued to chew on a piece of cow bone. From time to time, suck your fingers with your mouth.
The steward said from the side: "Don't worry, gentlemen. This is also our master's old habit. You must eat beef and mutton before going on an expedition."
"This is because he is old. Before he went to Hetao in the ninth year of Chenghua, he ate six kilograms of meat in one meal!"
Throughout history, odd people often had big appetites. For example, Wang Shouren sat on the roadside drinking water and ate six pots and pans in one meal. For example, Wang Yue eats six kilograms of meat in one meal.
For example, Ji Xiaolan, the imperial scholar of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, could eat ten large plates of pork in one meal.
For another example, a certain non-famous Internet writer in later generations had a buffet of 368 Japanese dishes for one person, and could boast more than 60 dishes in one meal. The head chef personally came out to find out where the monster came from.
Wang Yue finally finished a large bowl of beef and mutton. Excluding what Chang Feng and Zhang Yong enjoyed, he ate at least four or five kilograms.
Wang Yue wiped his mouth with a handkerchief: "It's not bad. I'm 80% full. But the beef and mutton in the capital are far less delicious than those in the northwest."
"Eat it with leek flower sauce from Hetao. It's simply delicious! When you win this battle, I'll treat you to a taste."
Chang Feng smiled awkwardly: "Then we'll wait for the commander-in-chief to treat us."
Wang Yue said seriously: "After dinner, it's time to talk about business. One of you is a military supervisor and the other is an admiral. You are sent by the imperial court to watch over me."
"I've made it clear to you in advance, don't dictate my military strategy! And don't interfere with which general I use."
Wang Yue's words, spoken in front of the boss of Jinyiwei, were suspected of ulterior motives and treason.
In the military system of the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court sent military supervisors, admirals and other officials to check and balance and supervise the commander-in-chief, in order to prevent the commander-in-chief from overestimating his troops.
Wang Yue, however, did not allow Chang Feng and Zhang Yong to interfere with his use of troops. It is tantamount to not giving face to the court.
Chang Feng and Zhang Yong looked at each other and said nothing.
Wang Yue said: "People with great ability also have a great temper. That's me! When I am idle in the capital, I may bow to the powerful."
"Once we get to the battlefield, I am the boss in the army. If you want to win the battle, don't interfere with me."
"Just watch how I strategize and win a thousand miles away."
Chang Feng changed the subject: "How can the commander be confident that he can defeat the little prince?"
Wang Yue said: "Those tough opponents like Maoli Boy and Mantulu can't defeat me. How can I take this little prince seriously if he is so droopy that he looks down on his grandchildren?"
"I'm not afraid of the little prince, but I'm afraid that his longevity will be short and he won't be able to complete the important task of driving the enemy outside Helan Mountain before his death."
Wang Yue was confident that he could defeat all enemies. But God is an enemy he cannot defeat. Once God allowed him to die during the Western Expedition, the last major event in his life would not be completed.
Chang Feng could only console Wang Yue: "As a commander, you will get stronger with age, and you will become stronger with age. It will not be a problem to live for another twenty years."
Wang Yue said: "Come on. I still have another twenty years to live. I will burn incense and worship God in the next two years to thank God."
"That's all. After I've eaten, I have to go back and get some sleep. See you when we set off for the expedition!"
The two came out of Wang Yue's mansion.
Chang Feng asked Zhang Yong: "What does Eunuch Zhang think of Wang Zhishuai?"
Zhang Yong lamented: "What a strange man! What a strange man! And he can fall out faster than turning the pages of a book. When he saw me when he was idle, he had such a condescending expression that he wished he could lick my shoes."
"Now that I have regained control of the military, it is like a different person. He is bossing me around."
"However, as long as he can lead us to win this battle, I will be happy even if he treats me like an ox and a horse."
Chang Feng said: "Using the word "Qiren" to evaluate Wang Yue is the most appropriate."
The next day, Chang Feng did not go to Jinyiwei. All powers have been handed over to Qian Ning. At home, he was at ease preparing the armor and weapons for the expedition.
Fatty Xu came to Chang Mansion.
Fatty Xu asked: "Master Chang, how are you preparing?"
Chang Feng replied: "That's almost it. We just have to wait for the expedition ceremony to end the day after tomorrow, and then we will follow the king to lead the western expedition."
But Fatty Xu said: "I just came from the guard. Commander Mou said that the emperor did not plan to hold any expedition ceremony."
Chang Feng was surprised: "How is it possible? This is the biggest war since the 23rd year of Chenghua. How is it possible not to hold a battle ceremony to get some luck?"
Fatty Xu replied: "It is true that there will be no expedition ceremony. Our Jin Yiwei are responsible for the emperor's guard of honor. If there is a ceremony, the palace will not inform it in advance."
Wang Yue's reputation in the court was really bad. Civil officials regarded it as a shame.
Emperor Hongzhi was unable to see Wang Yue off in person due to pressure from civil officials.
Wang Yue didn't care at all. The outcome of a war does not depend on whether or not we engage in those futile and cumbersome rituals.
Before the Yingzong imperial conquest, he opened a temple to offer sacrifices to his ancestors, to honor heaven, and to pray for blessings. In the end, it was different that he was defeated in Tumubao and became a Baozong?
The night before the expedition.
Chang Feng entered the bedroom early and prepared to sleep.
As soon as he got on the bed, Liu Xiaoyan took off his pants.
Chang Feng was surprised: "What's wrong with you tonight? Are you so proactive?"
Liu Xiaoyan explained: "I heard from Governor Ye's wife that if a military general sleeps with a woman before going on an expedition, he can get a fortune."
"If you win in bed, you can win on the battlefield."
Chang Feng was about to laugh at Liu Xiaoyan for offering seven steamed buns as tribute. There were three gods and four ghosts. But suddenly he felt a numbness and fell silent.
Before dawn the next day, Chang Feng was preparing to go to the Ministry of War to meet with Wang Yue and Zhang Yong. Go out to Deshengmen to fight.
The Chang family, young and old, stood in front of the house to see Chang Feng off.
Chang Feng was dressed in armor and silently mounted his horse. He didn't say a word to his family. He didn't want it to be like a separation between life and death.
Liu Xiaoyan and others watched Chang Feng disappear into the darkness before dawn.
Chang Feng came to the Ministry of War, where Zhang Yong and Liu Daxia, the Minister of War, were already waiting there.
Chang Feng asked: "Where is Wang Zhishuai?"
Zhang Yong replied: "He hasn't arrived yet. I have already sent someone to invite him."
Chang Feng frowned: "He must have slept, right? The time when he left Desheng Gate was calculated by Qin Tian Monitoring."
"If it's delayed, the civil servants will be involved again to impeach him for treating military and national affairs as child's play."
Liu Daxia said: "Have you slept? Probably not. This is a major event for the expedition. Wang Yue should not dare to delay no matter how anxious he is."
The three of them waited for Wang Yue for half an hour.
Until dawn breaks the darkness and the sun shines on the earth. Wang Yuecai yawned and came to the crowd.
Not only was he not wearing armor, he was not even wearing an official uniform, only a commoner.
Seeing Chang Feng and Zhang Yong wearing their armor, Wang Yue laughed dumbly: "It's just an expedition, not a battle. What are you doing wearing these iron bastard shells?"
"Don't worry, we haven't even arrived in Ningxia yet, and you were crushed to death by an iron bastard's shell on the way."
"Chang Feng, change into your Feiyu suit."
Chang Feng said: "I didn't bring the Feiyu suit."
Wang Yue's expression changed when he heard this: "Send someone back quickly to get it! I need you to wear that tiger skin and help me supervise the local civil servants' supply of food and grass."
Chang Feng had to send a hundred households to go to his house to get the Feiyu suit.
This time the Western Expedition went straight to the Helan Mountains, and the main force was the northwest frontier army. Emperor Hongzhi did not mobilize soldiers and horses from the Beijing camp to participate.
Wang Yue, Chang Feng and others went to Ningxia. The Ministry of War only mobilized a thousand regiments of battalion soldiers to accompany them as escorts.
At three o'clock in the morning, everyone went out of Deshengmen at the appointed time.
Outside Deshengmen, the elder of the three cabinet cabinets did not come.
Among the six officials, only Ma Wensheng and Liu Daxia came.
There is no way, who makes Wang Yue so popular?
However, many generals came to wish Commander Wang a successful victory.
Warriors don't care about fame or not. In their eyes, Wang Yue, the number one general of the Chenghua Dynasty, was simply their idol.
Many of the governors, governors' colleagues, governors, governors, and commanders in the capital were all old subordinates brought by Wang Yue from the northwest.
For example, Tongzhi Huang Sheng, the commander-in-chief of the Right Army, was just a deputy Qianhu under Wang Yue thirty years ago.
Among the expedition team, the most conspicuous thing was a poplar wood coffin. This coffin represents Wang Yue's determination.
All the generals shouted in unison: "I wish Marshal Wang to pacify the northwest and return in triumph!"
Wang Yue was dressed in cloth, and the skirt of his clothes was fluttering in the wind.
He cupped his hands towards everyone and said in a loud voice like a bell: "Gentlemen, the king is getting older and older. This time I carry the coffin to the west, and I may have to bury the bones in the northwest. There will never be a day to return to the capital, and there will never be a time to reunite with the gentlemen!" "
"Before I say goodbye forever, Wang Yue has a message to give to all of you."
"There are times of success and failure, so don't lose heart. The mountains are high and the road is far, I wish you all to keep moving forward!"
Wang Yue's sonorous and powerful words were deafening and enlightening.
Chang Feng thought to himself: Wang Yue is a true hero!
Ma Wensheng and Wang Yue are old heroes who cherish each other. Wang Yue's almost tragic words before leaving brought tears to Ma Wensheng's old eyes.
Ma Wensheng said: "Your Majesty, Ma Wensheng is getting old too. Carrying the coffin and marching to the west is a farewell, so we will meet again in the sky!"
Wang Yue held Ma Wensheng's hand tightly: "See you in heaven!"
With Chang Feng's help, Wang Yue got on horseback.
More than a thousand regiments of soldiers protected Wang Yue as he headed west.
A group of military generals struck the scabbards of their sabers and sang in unison Wang Changling's "Out of the Fortress" to honor the old hero.
"The bright moon of the Qin Dynasty and the Pass of the Han Dynasty. The people who marched thousands of miles have not returned. But the flying generals of Dragon City are here, and they will not teach Hu Ma to cross the Yin Mountains!"
"The snow-capped mountains are covered by long clouds in Qinghai, and the lonely city looks into the Yumen Pass in the distance. The yellow sand wears golden armor in a hundred battles, and I swear I won't return Loulan until I break it!"
The tragic and high-pitched singing soared into the sky.
The team carrying the coffin for the Western Expedition gradually disappeared into the morning light of the morning sun.
In the eleventh year of Hongzhi, it was late summer. Ningxia, Lingwu City.
Lingwu City is the most important military garrison city of the Ming Dynasty in the east of Helan Mountain. It was also the base camp for this Western Expedition.
After a long journey, Wang Yue and his party finally arrived at Lingwu City.
As soon as he entered the handsome tent. All the generals in the northwest welcomed the return of the famous general as if they were seeing their relatives.
Wang Yue had been in charge of the northwest for nearly twenty years in the Chenghua Dynasty. The commanders and generals in front of him who established offices and established government offices were all his former subordinates or subordinates of his subordinates without exception.
Wang Yue took the wet towel handed over by the soldier and wiped his face: "The wind and sand in the northwest are still so strong."
Zhu Jin, the deputy commander-in-chief of Yansui, smiled and said: "The northwest is still the northwest, your territory, Mr. Wang! Your world, Mr. Wang!"
Commander-in-Chief Li Jun coughed, winked at Zhu Jin, and pursed his lips at Chang Feng.
Chang Feng was wearing a Feiyu suit. This is not unusual in border areas. Many commanders in Jiubian Town were given Feiyu uniforms.
But Chang Feng hangs an embroidered spring knife. No one in town wears a sword. At a glance, one can tell that Chang Feng is a Jin Yiwei.
Li Jun was reminding Zhu Jin not to talk nonsense in front of Jin Yiwei.
Zhu Jin immediately fell silent.
Wang Yue smiled and said: "Don't worry. This is Jin Yiwei's regular butcher. We are one of our own!"
"This time I am able to serve as the trilateral chief executive, thanks to his help."
When they heard the word "butcher", all the generals burst into laughter.
Zhu Jin said: "How many Tatars have been annihilated and how many Tatar heads have been chopped off, how dare you call yourself a butcher?"
Du Si Zhang An said: "We, Mr. Wang, are the real butchers of the northwest!"
Chang Feng smiled awkwardly: "You guys are just kidding me."
Wang Yue said: "Chang Feng is the admiral of military affairs for this Western Expedition. Don't disrespect him."
"The successful extraction of military rations from the hands of local civil servants was all due to him, a butcher wearing a flying fish and a embroidered spring dress."
Wang Yue can be said to be a man of his word in the northwest.
Li Jun said quickly: "Admiral Chang, we are all rough people and we can't speak with our brains. Don't worry about it."
Chang Feng said magnanimously: "I would most like to associate with a general who speaks straightforwardly."
After the pleasantries, Wang Yue began to talk about business.
Other coaches who were promoted were sitting upright.
However, he was lying on a lounge chair beside the sand table, almost half -lying on the order, and transferred the troops.
With a cloth, the ash and smoke were extinguished in the laughter. This may be the style of the famous general.
(End of chapter)
