In the Dongnuan Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Chongzhen asked Chen Xinjia again: "Hasn't Chen Jiugao returned to Beijing? Where is Zhang Cheng now?"
Chen Xinjia replied: "Zhang Cheng's troops have been to Henan Province to suppress bandits for more than recent years. They just led the army back to Xuan Town a few days ago. Now they are reorganizing their troops to prepare to go outside the pass to rescue Jinzhou."
Emperor Chongzhen pondered for a moment and said: "You tell Zhang Cheng and order him to raise his troops as soon as possible without delaying the opportunity to fight. When he passes by the capital, ask him to come into the palace. I have something to say!"
"I obey the order."
Emperor Chongzhen asked again: "Who does the Ministry of War plan to send to Hong Chengchou to supervise the army?"
Chen Xinjia replied: "Zhang Ruoqi, a doctor in the Ministry of Fangsi, is known as a knowledgeable soldier, and he is capable and capable. He can go to the Liaodong Army and Horses of the Superintendent Hong Chengchou."
Emperor Chongzhen said without hesitation: "If Zhang Ruoqi is really qualified, I will immediately send him to supervise the army under Hong Chengchou. Within these two days, I will issue an imperial edict, call him with special grace, and listen to him to report the strategy of supporting the brocade." After calling the right one, he can leave the capital to take up his post."
Chen Xinjia then reported to the audience that Fu Zonglong had sent troops from Xi'an to Henan Province to suppress bandits, and then kowtowed and resigned.
…………
Chen Xinjia had just left the Qingqing Gate when Wang Chengen, the admiral of Dongchang, came in.
He knelt down and secretly reported to Emperor Chongzhen: "My slave, the Dongchang investigators, have confirmed that the great scholar Xie Sheng did tell several colleagues in the court room that the emperor wanted to make peace with the Eastern captives.
At that time, some people believed it and some people did not believe it. Xie Sheng also said that this was 'from the will of God' and that it was 'forced by the current situation and had to be done'. Today, some of the courtiers are secretly discussing and expressing strong opposition to the peace talks with the Tartars. "
Chongzhen's face suddenly changed, as if he was filled with anger. He asked urgently: "Does Chen Xinjia know about Xie Sheng's nonsense in the court room?"
Wang Chengen replied: "It seems that Chen Shangshu does not know. My servant found out that Chen Shangshu did not go to the court room when he went to court today. After going to court, he spent almost the whole morning at the Yamen of the Ministry of War to discuss military plans with officials. After lunch, We also continued to hold meetings with officials.”
Emperor Chongzhen asked again: "Are there many courtiers participating in the discussion?"
Wang Chengen replied: "Because Xie Sheng talked privately with a few colleagues, and the matter is of great importance, not many people in the court discussed it, but I'm afraid it will soon be known to the whole court, or even openly. Let’s start a discussion.”
Emperor Chongzhen's face became even more livid, he nodded and said, "I understand, you can go out."
After Wang Chengen bowed and retired, Emperor Chongzhen walked up and down the Dongnuan Pavilion, feeling very upset, annoyed and hateful. He did not doubt that Xie Sheng deliberately leaked this secret, and his intention was to destroy it. His strategy against "captives".
However, he knew better that Xie Sheng's premature disclosure of the matter would inevitably cause heated discussions both inside and outside the government. It would not only make him known as suing for peace with the enemy, but also make it difficult to carry out peace negotiations when the opportunity comes in the future.
He first wanted to arrest Xie Sheng and send him to prison when he went to court tomorrow to punish him for lying, but he was afraid that the truth would be exposed. After thinking about it, he finally made up his mind and returned to the throne to sit down. , he wrote a stern handwriting on the imperial case, saying: "Xie Sheng, a great scholar, is old and comatose, and cannot bear to serve as an official, so his status will be reduced immediately. Xie Sheng should return to his original place in Shandong to live immediately, and is not allowed to stay in Beijing. This edict !”
Whenever he was emotionally agitated, Emperor Chongzhen would appear to be completely disorganized when dealing with matters.
Gu Xi did not take into account that Xie Sheng was only in his fifties and could not be considered "old and foolish" at all. Moreover, the sudden removal of a cabinet bachelor's status and his home life would inevitably cause shock to the government and the public. , but he just ordered the eunuch to send the edict to the cabinet immediately.
Then, he announced that Zhang Ruoqi would be summoned to the Wenhua Hall tonight, and he also ordered the Ministry of War to quickly find out the whereabouts of the intruder Li Zicheng and immediately arrange an encirclement and suppression campaign.
After the eunuch went to the cabinet and the Ministry of War to convey the order, Emperor Chongzhen leaned back slumped on his chair, let out a long sigh, and then murmured to himself: "It's difficult! It's difficult! It's difficult! The overall situation is like this... Alas! Hong Chengchou, Hong Chengchou, why don’t you get out of seclusion quickly? It’s so annoying!… It’s so annoying…”
After being in a daze for a moment, he blurted out: "Zhang Cheng! Just a few more Zhang Chengs!"
…………
Inside the General Office of Chicheng Castle on Xuanzhen North Road, people were coming and going, lights and colors were everywhere, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
The street in front of the government office was also filled with richly dressed dignitaries, and there were even groups of generals wearing brand-new bright red tight-fitting casual clothes. They came one after another in official sedans or riding mules and horses, with their entourage behind them. They were carrying or carrying various congratulatory gifts.
There is a constant flow of people on the whole street, and red lanterns are hung up in the shops along the street. The festive atmosphere is actually more grand than the New Year. Looking around, the entire Red Castle is celebrating, and colorful lanterns are hung everywhere in the castle. The sound of firecrackers exploding could be heard from time to time.
Zhang Cheng was also extremely excited. He was no longer struggling in this world alone, because from now on, there will be a little Zhang Cheng who will fight with him, and his bloodline will continue in this world.
From now on, his goals will also change!
If we say that before, he was just fighting very simply, even if he had the idea of changing the world and ending this troubled world, the basic point was nothing more than to live and live well.
But now it was completely different. Not only did he want to survive and live well, he also wanted to make foresight for his son and the future of the Zhang family.
…………
Zhang Cheng entered the territory of Xuanzhen East Road on March 22. He returned to Yongning without stopping and ordered all the troops to take turns to take five days off so that the soldiers could go home to visit their relatives.
At the same time, the newly recruited soldiers and horses in Henan must intensify their training to familiarize themselves with the battle formation coordination method as soon as possible, and prepare to accompany the army to fight in Liaodong and go to rescue Jinzhou.
After making some simple arrangements for everything on the east road, he hurried back to the Red Castle on the north road because his wife Ji Xuanzhu was about to give birth, so how could he not be in a hurry!
Without saying much and without any delay on the way, Zhang Cheng led Zhang Chengfang and Zhang Jintai's children's camp and rushed all the way, while Lin Fangping led the tiger guard and came slowly behind, guarding his new wife Yang Liying.
At dusk on March 25th, Zhang Cheng led the children's battalion back to the Red Castle. He had no time to deal with military affairs, so he went straight to the inner house and stayed by Ji Xuanzhu's bed.
Two days later, on March 27th, accompanied by the morning glow and morning breeze, Ji Xuanzhu successfully gave birth to a son for Zhang Cheng. The whole family celebrated, including the two old ladies and every servant. It’s not joy in the heart.
After the news spread, the entire North Road was in a state of excitement. In addition to the generals and sergeants, even the military households and even the merchants on the North Road were overjoyed, and there were a lot of people visiting the door every day to congratulate!
