"Self-defilation?"
Jin Yong, the deputy general of Tengshe Camp, asked with confusion on his face: "What is the strategy of 'self-defilement'?"
For a moment, in the central hall of the General Military Office of Xuanfu Town, everyone's eyes were focused on Wei Zhice, expecting him to explain the secret to everyone.
But Wei Zhice was not in a hurry to speak. He looked at Zhang Cheng again and saw that he was looking at him with a smile and nodded slightly to him before he spoke.
"The profiteers bribed the court officials to impeach my uncle and falsely accuse him. However, the current emperor has great faith in my uncle, but has not seen any results. I think he will not give up here.
Now I must have received advice from an expert, who spread the story of my uncle's heroic victory in the three armies throughout the capital. In fact, it was not to spread the reputation of our brave army, but to harbor evil intentions, causing our brave army to destroy the commander-in-chief of every town in the country. outside. "
"Why?"
Guo Yingxian didn't seem to understand the meaning of Wei Zhice's words.
"Old general, please imagine that since the bloody battle between Julu and Nu, my uncle first killed Yue Tuo, the slave king in the Jibei formation, and then saved the prince of Fu Fan from danger, and rescued Kaifeng from the siege of thousands of thieves.
Not long ago, they killed the slave king Duduo in Liaodong, chased the slave chief Hongtai to the east of Xiaoling River, solved the siege of Jinzhou, and defeated the slave thieves. However, although these achievements are outstanding, they are not as good as our brave army. Achieved by force?
Now, people all over the capital are talking about Uncle Ye's contribution, but are not talking about the power of other towns. If this continues, what will the commander-in-chief of other towns think? What would the current saint think after hearing these words? "
Wei Zhice looked at the expressions of everyone in the hall and continued: "Your Majesty gave my uncle the honor of being the best among all three armies. He also gave me the courageous military number and the majestic battalion number. This shows how highly the Emperor values us.
But now there are so many rumors in the capital that it seems that only our Yongyi Army can defeat the rogue bandits and repel the slave thieves. Just like last year’s Battle of Liaodong, it was actually the combined efforts of ten generals. Although our Yongyi Army made the greatest contribution, it also failed to do so. You cannot fight the slaves alone.
However, according to the words spread in the capital, as if the other nine generals had not contributed any effort, the credit for relieving the siege of Jinzhou, killing Duduo, and repelling the slave thieves will all be credited to my brave army.
Everyone, what they are doing is like putting our Yongyi Army on the fire, making our Yongyi Army independent of the commander-in-chief of the Ming Dynasty towns? "
"It is indeed very dangerous to hear General Wei's words."
"Damn it, these brats are so ambitious..."
"Fuck you, if you want me to say... cut the mess with a sharp knife... do it without stopping... kill these brats first!"
"Yes...fuck you...handsome!"
"Yes, uncle...we can't wait any longer..."
In the hall, the crowd was furious, and everyone wanted to kill the general now and completely eradicate the vicious businessmen who were working as slaves and harming themselves.
Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng looked at everything in front of him, but his expression was very calm. Maybe it was because everything was going according to plan, and for him, it was calm, or maybe because his experience over the years had made him more calm.
At this moment, seeing everyone in the hall looking indignant, Yong Ningbo waved his hand to signal everyone to quiet down, and then he asked: "General Wei, what kind of 'self-defeating' strategy should be used to resolve this? ?”
Wei Zhice seemed to see something in Zhang Cheng's eyes. He smiled knowingly and said to everyone very relaxedly: "The so-called self-destruction means actively exposing my shortcomings to everyone.
This is in sharp contrast to the glorious image of Yongningbo spread among people in Beijing, and it makes people's after-dinner conversations change into what we need. "
Uncle Yongning immediately affirmed: "Topic is king. You must always remember that in addition to the battlefield of life and death battles with the enemy, there is also the internal public opinion field, which is also very important.
As long as you can control the topics of gossip, you can move forward and retreat freely, use topics to guide public opinion, and then influence the political situation. This is the meaning of "topic is king". "
Liu Minshen seemed to have realized something. He sat in the chair and stroked his beard with his hands, nodding his head frequently. However, Wang Yuanjing looked hesitant and asked: "But I still don't understand, what should be used as self-defeating words? "
Under everyone's expectant eyes, Wei Zhice flinched a little. He looked at Zhang Cheng again and saw that he was nodding slightly to him. Then he boldly said: "The general thought that my uncle was drunk and causing trouble. The story of a drunken prostitute who nearly died is worthy of a special book; and other romantic affairs such as taking concubines on the battlefield and giving concubines to palace concubines can also be publicized with added fuel and jealousy.
Things like this, although not in line with the court etiquette, are not harmful, and they are the most popular topics among the people. Once we organize it a little, we will send people to tell the storytellers in teahouses and restaurants.
Think about it, everyone, it will spread all over the streets and alleys of the capital in an instant and become the hottest topic in the capital. By then, who will care about whether our uncle is the first in great achievements?
Moreover, even if these topics spread into the palace and reach the emperor's ears, the most they can do is scold the uncle, so what? "
"Hahaha……"
"It's just...if this happens...I'm afraid our uncle will become even more famous..."
"Hey... Just like in the Three Kingdoms, 'Guan Erye warms wine and kills Hua Xiong', how about we also do 'Yong Ningbo gets drunk and kills Duoduo'?"
"Yes, 'raid the slave camp on a snowy night and kill Yue Tuo with one arrow.' Anyway, outsiders don't know the details, and Duoduo and Yue Tuo really died at the hands of the uncle. It's not just what we say."
The secretary Liu Chengzu also said at this time: "You can also imitate the Romance of the Yang Family and describe the uncle taking a concubine on the battlefield, just like Yang Zongbao marrying Mu Guiying. Wouldn't it be more beautiful!"
"Come on, it's settled."
"Uncle, what do you think?"
"Yes, Marshal, do you think this matter can be settled?"
After everyone discussed, the focus was once again focused on Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng, waiting for him to make the final decision.
In the eyes of everyone praying, Uncle Yongning said: "I deeply believe what Zhi Ce said is true. It will be up to you and Fang Ping to handle this matter. Wang Yuanjing and Liu Minshen can assist from the side. As for the capital, I will leave it to you." Niu Sheng and the others are responsible.”
"Here." Several people stood up and agreed.
Zhang Cheng looked at them and continued: "Don't just think about Uncle Ben's glorious deeds. Everyone here, as well as Zhang Xiazi, Chen Zheng, Guodong, Li Jiyu and others, please arrange some of them."
"Hahaha……"
There was a burst of laughter in the hall, and everyone knew very clearly that none of them could escape.
At this time, Yong Ningbo's voice came again: "There are also fighting heroes such as Zhang Jintai, Li Mingjiu, Fang Sihu, and the deeds of Li Erdan and sharpshooter Cheng Sanhu. "
When he said this, his eyes paused on Liu Chengzu, the clerk, and suddenly said: "Yes, Liu Chengzu was trapped in the bandit camp, and he finally returned after going through many hardships. What he experienced when he broke into the camp can also be Talk about it loudly."
"My uncle is still thoughtful, and I really feel inferior to him when he knows the best."
Zhang Cheng didn't know what he was thinking, but although he wasn't too cold about these flattering words, he wasn't very disgusted either. He just smiled and didn't say much at the moment.
However, there are ways to deal with the rumors in Beijing, but the emperor's gift of Yongning Earl's Mansion also needs an explanation. Zhang Cheng said: "Counselor Liu, please draft a memorandum of apology to the emperor on my behalf. I am more humble and more sincere, and I politely refuse the Yongning residence given by the Holy One, and I sincerely ask the Holy One to allow me to temporarily stay in the original residence."
"Here."
…………
"We will discuss how to resolve the matter in Zhangjiakou later."
There was a rare murderous intent in Uncle Yong Ning's eyes. He glanced at everyone in the hall coldly and said, "Cheng Fang, please introduce the current situation to the generals."
As the adopted son of Uncle Yong Ning, Zhang Chengfang has been with him for more than two years and has been serving as a member of the Chinese Army for almost a year. Now he is mature and stable. Although he may not be able to hold a big job, he is already Zhang Cheng's right hand. assistant.
In the early days, he often followed Lin Fangping and worked with him to sort out military intelligence. Since Lin Fangping was injured in Liaodong, he has been in charge of most of the military sentry matters.
As a military officer, Zhang Chengfang was also one of the few people qualified to contact Su Yiyang. He walked out from Zhang Cheng's side and stood there to introduce the current situation to everyone.
Everyone in the hall listened to how Shanyou Trading Company, which was entrenched in Zhangjiakou, colluded with slave thieves, spread rumors and slandered Uncle Yongning in the capital, and produced fake military bills in an attempt to disrupt the fundamental economic lifeline of Beilu.
Especially when they heard how those unscrupulous Shanyou merchants persecuted merchants cooperating with Shanxi, Datong and Beilu, they were all furious.
And when they heard about the series of events such as Huairen Qiande's Qin family being rescued, they were all excited, and they all clapped and applauded and praised each other.
When he heard how many dens for counterfeiting military invoices had been destroyed, and the relevant counterfeiters had been captured, as well as the local officials and generals who acted as their protection, he gritted his teeth and wished to kill them all right now.
Until the end, when Zhang Chengfang introduced the current problems faced by North Road, such as the purchase restriction policy of grain, salt, and tea caused by shortage of materials, and the obstruction of trade routes, a large number of goods were piled up in warehouses and could not be shipped out smoothly, etc. wait.
Moreover, due to a series of uncertain factors from the outside world, the North Road and the East Road had to close all the gateways to the outside world. The proliferation of fake military notes caused the Yongyi Army to lose nearly 200,000 taels of silver, and even more A large amount of food was purchased with fake military notes.
"Commander, for the sake of the North Road, for the Yongyi Army, and for the hundreds of thousands of Xuanfu soldiers and civilians, I, Lao Guo, ask for orders to fight..."
"Uncle, the Weiyuan Battalion is also requested to fight. As long as you give the order, I, Wu Zhizhong, will never let these beasts see the sun tomorrow!"
"Uncle, give the order!"
Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng saw that even Wei Zhice, the most thoughtful and calm person, had asked for orders to go to battle. He also knew that it was time. However, he did not give the order directly, but glanced deeply at everyone in the hall.
Lin Fangping had been practicing beside Zhang Cheng for a long time. When he saw this situation, he naturally knew what his general's grandfather was thinking. He immediately got up and walked to the middle of the hall, bowed down and said: "Commander, Fangping has invited me to fight, and I am willing to be the vanguard. Go and capture the evil merchants who are treasonous slaves, and purge the traitors for the brave army and the Ming Dynasty."
Under his leadership, Weiyuan Camp Deputy General Xu Jinyong, Tengshe Camp Deputy Generals Jin Yong and Tang Xiancheng, Biao Camp Deputy General He Zhenxiong and others also stood up and came to their seats in the hall, and bowed down together.
"Commander, we are requested to go to war and eliminate traitors for the country!"
…………
Seeing that the morale of the army was available, Zhang Cheng also knew that it was time to settle everything. He waved his hand and said: "Cheng Fang, bring out the compiled information and show it to the generals."
Soon, Zhang Chengfang led several of his adopted sons' soldiers and brought out several large boxes of organized documents, neatly tying them together in bundles.
"My generals, here is the intelligence collected and the evidence obtained from the sudden interrogation, which is enough to prove the fact that Zhangjiakou Shanxi's profiteers were involved in slavery."
As Zhang Chengfang spoke, he took out a bundle of documents and handed it to Wei Zhice. Then he took out another bundle and handed it to the generals present. Everyone took a deep breath as they passed it around.
This is really something you won’t know until you see it, and you will be shocked when you see it!
Even after listening to Zhang Chengfang's brief introduction just now, everyone was already prepared in their hearts, but when they suddenly saw such detailed information and the bloody lists, many people still couldn't help but tremble with their hands. stand up.
The power of the Shanxi profiteers in Zhangjiakou is really too great.
It can be said that in the three towns of Xuanda, more than 90% of the officials and generals, all kinds of powerful people, are related to them, especially in the cities and fortresses outside the Great Wall. Not to mention 100%, 99% have private affairs. The crime of communication has been bribed by everyone.
The Ming Dynasty's border army system used guards officers as generals in each battalion. These generals were hereditary and passed down from generation to generation. Over hundreds of years, they became deeply entrenched in the local area and engaged in illicit trade with people outside the Great Wall. One of the important financial resources.
It can be said that among the three towns, the one with the worst performance, and even the most punishable crime, is undoubtedly the warrior.
Those eunuchs who were civil servants and supervisors of the army were okay. After all, they all had terms of office. They usually only served for a few years before being rotated to other places. At most, they only received some bribes such as dividends and annual tributes during their terms of office.
As they were transferred away, they slowly disappeared, but the military attaches and generals in the three towns were different. They were passed down from generation to generation, and their descendants were descended one after another, just like powerful local snakes.
Especially in Shanxi, more than 90% of local officials and generals have an interest in profiteers, and naturally other companies in Shanxi and Datong are among them.
After all, the goods smuggled to Jiannu were of various types and in huge quantities, which was beyond the reach of the eight of them. This was naturally the result of the joint efforts of merchants throughout Shanxi and Datong.
The Eight Shanyou Families in Zhangjiakou are just the representatives on the stage. Of course, they also make the most money.
They were intricately intertwined and even involved other businesses and aristocratic families in the surrounding provinces, forming a huge network of relationships.
In addition, there are many scholars who have been vigorously cultivated by the family. They have been admitted to the Juren or Jinshi status and served as officials in various places, or served in the court. Naturally, they have formed a privileged class that is above the secular rules.
(End of chapter)
