On the second day, after breakfast in the room, Zhang Cheng, accompanied by Niu Sheng, came to the Yamen of the Ministry of War.
The Yamen of the Ministry of War is not far from Honglu Temple, just past the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry. As soon as I arrived at the Yamen of the Ministry of War, I saw groups of capable men gathered in twos and threes beside the gate. Whenever they saw an official arriving, they would A group of people gathered around, as if they were constantly promoting something.
When Zhang Cheng walked over, a group of people also gathered around him. One of them whispered: "This official, do you want to borrow interest? Today it happened that my master was very happy, and he specially favored the cost and profit. It is a rare opportunity, cannot be miss……"
Zhang Cheng smiled, and he was indeed a little surprised. This moneylender really did everything possible, and he was waiting here for the officials who were waiting for promotion on Yamen Street.
Dare to act like this, it can be seen that the background of these moneylenders must be very powerful. I can't believe that the panic-stricken Ming Dynasty has fallen into such a state!
He ignored these people. Niu Sheng, who was accompanying him next to him, glared and shouted: "Your uncle is the only one who wants to borrow money. Go away, you stupid guy."
Several of them walked forward, but those people were still not discouraged and followed closely behind them, shouting: "This is a rare opportunity, please don't miss it."
Zhang Cheng arrived at the gate of the Ministry of War, but was stopped by a gate officer and several guards. They frowned and looked at Zhang Cheng's military registration for a long time.
Looking at the gate official, Zhang Cheng didn't want to do anything. He signaled Chen Zhong with his eyes. Chen Zhong stepped forward and reluctantly took out a few taels of silver and gave it to the gate official.
He was also asked to report to Zhang Ruoqi, a doctor in the Ministry of War, that Zhang Cheng, the counselor of Xuanzhen and the commander of the Wandu Division, came to ask for an audience. It was not known whether it was convenient or not.
Zhang Cheng and others went in and waited inside the Yamen of the Ministry of War. The moneylending man also followed in, but the gate officer ignored him with a smile. This shows how serious the internal and external collusion was. This man followed Zhang Cheng for a long time. Seeing that Zhang Cheng didn't respond, he left with a curse.
In the Ming Dynasty, in addition to the Shangshu and the left and right ministers, the yamen of the Ministry of War also had several sub-divisions, such as the official officials' department, the martial arts officials' department, the chariot officials' department, and the arsenal's officials' department.
Among them, the Zhongfang Qingli Division and the Wuxuan Qingli Division had the greatest authority, both of which were headed by Lang Zhong. However, the Zifang Qingli Division was in charge of map, military system, city god, town garrison, conciseness, and conquest.
Such as inspecting and repairing the city, setting up garrison schools due to special circumstances, setting up troops to garrison, inspecting and conducting drills, requesting generals to send out troops, offering rewards and punishments, dispatching troops and food, recording merits and demerits, sequestering Tianjin, arresting people, reorganizing the army, etc. service.
The Military Selection and Clearing Department was responsible for the appointment and dismissal of officers and generals in various parts of the Ming Dynasty, promotion and demotion, personnel transfer, assessment and awarding of honors and other matters. The heads of each department of the Ministry of War were Langzhong and Yuanwailang. Although they only had the official titles of fifth and junior grades , but the power is very great.
Before Zhang Cheng came to Beijing, he received a letter from Chen Xinjia, the governor of Xuanda, saying that he had greeted Zhang Ruoqi, a doctor in charge of the Ministry of War, and told Zhang Cheng to look for Zhang Ruoqi first when he arrived at the Ministry of War, and Zhang Ruoqi could help with the rest.
Therefore, Zhang Cheng did not go directly to the Martial Arts Department, but first signed up to see Zhang Ruoqi, a doctor in the martial arts department, intending to explore the way.
When Zhang Cheng saw the name Zhang Ruoqi for the first time, he was stunned. He felt a little familiar. After thinking about it, he got some impressions. It was this person who would follow the wishes of Chen Xinjia, then Minister of War, in the future Songjin War. He urged Hong Chengchou to fight quickly.
In the end, the Ming army was defeated in the Battle of Songjin. The few remaining elite troops and horses in the country were completely lost. They were no longer able to supervise and suppress the rogue bandits, so Chuangni and Xiantie became bigger.
At this time, Zhang Cheng, who was sitting at the door waiting on duty, was thinking in his heart that he should make good friends with Zhang Ruoqi and not only make him his best assistant in Beijing.
He is also a key figure in the Songjin War.
If he was also ordered to go to Liaodong to participate in the war, I am afraid there are still many places where he needs to rely on Zhang Cheng. While he was thinking about it, a clerk came slowly and invited Zhang Cheng to come in and talk in detail.
Chen Zhong and Niu Sheng stayed behind to wait for orders, while Zhang Cheng slowly followed the scribe inward. They came to the side room next to the staff room, where Zhang Ruoqi was already waiting.
After Zhang Cheng entered the room, he bowed down and said, "Xuanfu Town Counselor General and Wandu Commandery Command command the minister Zhang Cheng to pay homage to Mr. Zhang."
Seeing Zhang Cheng's behavior, Zhang Ruoqi hurriedly took a step forward and said, "Hey, General Zhang, there is no need to be polite. I have already received Governor Chen's letter. What's more, Mr. Yang Ge has also given an explanation. I have already prepared it. I'm waiting." General Zhang, here you come."
With that said, he called a scribe to give a few instructions, and then said to Zhang Cheng: "Come, General Zhang, sit down and talk. I also admire the general's deeds very much.
Because Yangge was involved in affairs in the cabinet, he rarely went to the Ministry of War to take charge. Now he has recommended Sichuan Governor Fu Zonglong to take over the post of Minister of War. He has received the emperor's approval and the handover can only be done when Mr. Fu arrives in Beijing. "
It turns out that Yang Sichang did mishandle the Qing army's incursion, which resulted in nearly 400,000 people being taken prisoner in Dingkou and the loss of the vassal such as King De, so he should indeed be held guilty.
However, despite the impeachment of Yan Guan, Yang Sichang himself repeatedly took the blame and resigned. However, Emperor Chongzhen fully protected him, reprimanded the Yan Guan who impeached him, and ordered him to resign and take charge of matters. In the name of reinstating his official.
However, Yang Sichang also felt deeply that the responsibility he shouldered was of great importance, so he recommended to Emperor Chongzhen that Fu Zonglong, the governor of Sichuan, should succeed him as Minister of War. Now he is waiting for Fu Zonglong to come to Beijing to take over.
Zhang Cheng didn't know this until yesterday's dinner. He also knew that Zhang Xianzhong had rebelled in Gucheng because Xiong Wencan, who recruited Zhang Xianzhong in the first place, was recommended by Yang Sichang.
Now the court is already discussing how to convict Xiong Wencan. If Xiong Wencan is arrested and charged, Yang Sichang will obviously be involved, so he is more willing to retreat.
But before Fu Zonglong took office, Yang Sichang was still in charge of all affairs at the Ministry of War, but he rarely went to the Ministry of War to manage affairs. Because Zhang Ruoqi and Yang Sichang traveled frequently, he almost regarded the Ministry of War as half of his family.
The two drank tea and chatted for a while, and then the clerk trotted back and reported that Mr. Zhonghan, the director of the martial arts department, would not be busy at the moment and asked Zhang Cheng to go over to complete the official formalities and issue personal seals and other items.
It stands to reason that officers and generals above the rank of generals in various border towns should be personally received by the Minister of War to handle promotion and promotion matters. However, Yang Sichang was eager to get away at this moment and would not come, so he entrusted Master Zhonghan, the director of the military selection department, to handle it on his behalf.
Since everything has been arranged in advance and Yang Sichang has also sent a message, Dr. Liu of the Military Selection Department is only acting on behalf of others and will not embarrass Zhang Cheng in this matter.
After going through all the procedures smoothly and receiving the official robe and other belongings, Zhang Cheng returned to Zhang Ruoqi and continued talking with him for a while before saying goodbye and leaving the Ministry of War Yamen.
