Zhang Cong's words were both soft and hard. In fact, the disadvantages of occupying farmland and reducing combat power were not in everyone's mind. The key was to connect Gansu to the west and Shuofang to the north.
Of course, there are also some psychological factors.
For example, Emperor Zhengde has a great reputation, and I have heard many stories about him. If the ruler is suspicious of the young country, or the ruler is weak and the ministers are strong, or whatever happens to indicate that the central government is unstable, then there is still something to be said for it. Other thoughts.
Under the current circumstances, the chance of surviving after a hard attack is really not high.
Unless he becomes a bandit and escapes the pursuit of the court, there is still some chance.
But what's so easy about those days of despair?
No one finished the meal, but Zhang Cong drank two glasses of wine.
Then he returned to the cabin assigned to him. As soon as the door was closed, no one could be seen.
The date is set.
September 1st is the deadline to hand over the fields.
If this order is violated, it is a violation of the imperial edict.
Ningxia central defender commander Zuo Zhen, rearguard commander Fan Chengsheng, avant-garde commander Ge Ning and others all rushed to Qingyang City from their bases.
While they were discussing, the guarding eunuch Li Zeng came to visit secretly.
Jiang Han didn't know what he meant, so he said to Yang Ying and other subordinates: "Go to the back first and listen to what he said."
There is a screen in the room so that you can hide people. As long as you don't make a sound, outsiders can't hear you.
Li Zeng has a somewhat honest look, with a broad and fat face, and it seems that he is living a good life.
"Eunuch Li, please sit down."
The familiarity between the two people can be seen during the reception.
"Our family didn't go to pick up the imperial envoy. I heard that the censor announced an imperial edict at the table and had to return it within a time limit."
Jiang Han nodded, "That's right. Eunuch Li's side..."
"Well, there is also a decree from the palace."
"Is there any other news from Eunuch Liu?" Jiang Han asked ambiguously.
He had no hope for the civil servants. The civil servants of the Ming Dynasty had always suppressed the military attachés. Therefore, he believed Zhang Cong's statement that the Zhengde Emperor treated generals preferentially.
Because he did a bad job originally, even if he behaves normally, he is still excellent.
"Hand field."
After Li Zeng finished speaking, there was silence in the room for a while.
After a long time, Jiang Han said: "That censor is right. Today I am giving preferential treatment to military officers. But even so, after all these acres are handed over, it will be difficult to maintain daily expenses."
The old eunuch immediately understood the cry of poverty in front of Li Zeng.
It means that the money given to him is less.
But Li Zeng also had an unspeakable secret. A letter came from the palace saying that he would hand over the land, but whether he wanted the money next year or not, and if he wanted it, could it be less, but said nothing.
What if the filial piety is not enough and you get into trouble and lose your head?
It was easy for Jiang Han, he could explain it clearly face to face. Can he, the Ningxia garrison eunuch, still rush to the palace?
So he refused to let go.
"General Jiang, our family knows that the imperial envoy did not say that His Majesty wanted to block our road."
Jiang Han cursed in his heart, isn't that just using my life to clear the way for you! When something happens, you will take away the money and chop off my head!
Shameless eunuch!
"I feel that His Majesty's words are not unreasonable. Moreover, since the imperial edict has been issued, what else can be said? I am still thinking of sending a letter to plead guilty and divide the more than a thousand acres of land. that is."
More than a thousand acres? Li Zeng didn't believe it.
He didn't believe Jiang Han's words. Who could be so willing to hand over the money in his pocket so easily, and even ask Shan Shu to take the blame? What if the emperor really punishes you for causing trouble? ?
So Jiang Han's words were completely in response to his request. To put it bluntly, if you want more money, let's show your cards.
well.
The old eunuch rubbed his thumb on the rim of the cup and chuckled, "Of course you can't disobey the imperial edict. We are rootless people and we are already old. If it doesn't work, just talk softly and find something more comfortable." I will take care of myself for the rest of my life. General Jiang wants to be the leader of a military general, so our family will imitate Dong Shichong once and be the leader of an official. Maybe we can also get some rewards."
Jiang Han groaned secretly.
While the two were talking like this, someone else came in to report.
"What's going on?" Jiang Han asked.
"Reporting to General Zhu, Governor Wang Zhongcheng sent many people to Ningxia Town."
"For what?"
"It is said that...it is an order to save the land."
Hearing these four words, another huge stone weighed on my heart. To measure the land is to measure how big the land is and who owns it. You can’t help but recognize it, right? It would be better if this were the case. The court would directly take away the land without one.
Furthermore, the opponent must be well-prepared. Ningxia Town is so big, so it is definitely not possible to defeat everyone. Instead, it must start with the key figures, such as the chief soldier, deputy chief soldier and the palace.
These methods are what even thugs like them can think of.
As for the origin of Wang Tingxiang, the governor of Shaanxi, they also knew that he was a member of the cabinet, Mr. Yang Ge.
"I know, let's go down."
"yes."
After the person left, the two people in the room were anxious.
"Eunuch Li, this battle is not small. The governor's office must have been greeted by the cabinet."
"Yes. We still have to do whatever we have to do."
What Li Zeng said was very certain, but people who heard it were very confused. Isn't this the same as not saying anything? So what exactly is to be done?
"Father-in-law, do you mean to withdraw from the land?"
"I'm afraid I have to retreat. The Superintendent of Ceremonies has said hello, the cabinet has also said hello, and the imperial envoy has arrived. The matter is settled."
Even the emperor must do this. Besides the emperor, who else can make the ceremonial supervisor and the cabinet take this matter seriously.
Li Zeng understood clearly that civil servants could fight each other and generals could be dissatisfied, but they had no room for bargaining.
The guard eunuch seemed to have a high position, but in fact he was just a dog in the palace. If the dog was disobedient, killing him and replacing him would make no difference at all.
Then just let them fight. If nothing comes out of the fight, it's not themselves who lose their heads. If they fight against something, they will naturally adapt to the wind.
…
…
"The imperial court sent an imperial envoy, and the imperial envoy received the imperial edict, and the imperial edict opened the way. Now no one in Ningxia City dares to openly resist the edict. But if you want to accept the edict happily, it will definitely not happen. When we really start to cultivate the fields, If the land is withdrawn, there will definitely be more dissatisfied people.”
The person who spoke was a student named Sun Jingwen, also known as a scholar. This man had a tender face, prominent cheekbones, and a wide forehead. He could be considered a junior student, but unfortunately he was only a scholar.
His eloquence is pretty good, and he is quite trusted in the palace.
But at this time, the prince he was flattering was teasing a green parrot with a red beak, "Speak, say one more thing."
The parrot was indeed obedient. He turned his head and shouted: "Old Emperor, Old Emperor."
This was dedicated to him by the wizard Wang Jiuer. He said it was a divine bird, and he would always say "Old Emperor" when he opened his mouth.
"Your Highness." Sun Jingwen was waiting nearby, feeling a little embarrassed. He actually didn't care about wizards.
But the prince likes it. In fact, this bird is better at flattering than people.
"Your Highness, the heaven is full! Your Highness, the heaven is full! With your arms above your knees, you will be a noble person in the future!"
"Hahaha!"
The young prince laughed happily, flicked his sleeves and turned around: "Mr. Sun, what did you just say? Are you dissatisfied?"
"Exactly." Sun Jingwen quickly followed, "Zhou Ang went to persuade He Jinyi, the commander of the Ningxia Guard. The imperial envoy said nicely that as long as you retreat from the fields, you can survive. But how did he know that fields are life. Just like He Jinyi An ordinary person usually occupies more than 20,000 acres of land, and all the expenses come from the 20,000 acres of land. Without the land, what's the use of his life?"
"That's right. Zhou Ang has persuaded him several times. This person should recognize his identity as soon as possible."
"Even if he is ignorant, his subordinates will not follow him. I haven't finished what I just said. No one dares to be the first to oppose this evil policy of clearing away the land. I dare to say that as long as someone Climb high and shout, and the whole city's soldiers and civilians will cheer and follow!"
"Then wait a little longer. Isn't it said that September 1st is the last day? Then let's see how the generals deal with themselves and see if the imperial envoy has any other tricks."
…
…
"Some people in the city are panicked." Yi Dunyan went to Zhang Cong's side and told him what he had seen outside today.
"It makes people panic. Hundreds of households are looking for Qianhu, and Qianhu is looking for the commander, but the last person they are looking for, the commander-in-chief Jiang Han, has not made up his mind. Naturally, the people below are even more confused."
"That's not what I meant."
"what does that mean?"
"The official is saying that all the guards in Ningxia Town are a little uneasy. The number of people on the street has increased significantly. How can a border city be so lively? Mr. Jiang may be able to retreat, but many people are afraid that they will not be able to retreat. Moreover, this matter spread very quickly, and I suspect that someone is spreading the news and stirring up people's hearts."
Zhang Cong raised his eyebrows, stirring people's hearts. What did he want?
"Shangchun, what if September 1st comes and many people can't leave their fields?"
"According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty."
Yi Dunyan didn't know if the weak scholar in front of him could do this. In Ningxia, where the sky is high and the emperor is far away, so many people are dissatisfied. If we still want to arrest and kill people here... this will easily happen. messy.
The governor was worried about this, so he asked him to inquire about the scope of the clearing of farmland.
"The difference is..."
"Brother Atsun Yan, you think they have no way to retreat. But if you think about it carefully, you, me, including Zhong Cheng, do we have a way to retreat? Why did Mr. Yang Ge write to Zhong Cheng? Why did Zhang not stay far away? Traveling thousands of miles to Ningxia? The emperor was so angry that he laid down millions of corpses. We have no way to retreat."
Yi Dunyan didn't understand. The atmosphere in the city was obviously wrong now. "Are the higher-ups really not worried that something unexpected will happen?!"
"It happened, so what?"
"One more thing. Can the palace's land be saved?"
