"Why did your Majesty say this?"
"Mr. British, are you a little resentful that I just appointed Li Banghua as the person in charge of rectifying the country's military affairs? Do you think I don't trust you?"
The British duke was silent, he really thought so.
He is the number one military commander and the nominal commander-in-chief. He has turned to the emperor. He is the most suitable candidate to be responsible for rectifying military affairs.
Qualifications, titles, etc. are easy to convince people.
But the emperor chose Li Banghua. Isn't this a sign of distrust in him?
But what does the emperor mean by asking this now? Want to hit him?
Chongzhen did not care whether the British Duke recognized it or not, and continued: "British Duke, can I believe you?"
"Your Majesty can trust me!"
Zhang Weixian only thought for a moment and gave a firm answer.
This is what he thinks.
Forced by the situation before, he switched from neutrality to Chongzhen. Today's five-year plan made him completely surrender to Chongzhen.
In his opinion, as long as Chongzhen stopped being eager for quick success and had the assistance of a group of capable ministers and generals such as Sun Chengzong and himself.
Coupled with the deterrence provided by the Forbidden Army, there is a high probability that the five-year plan can be completed.
Even if it fails to reach the expected height, it is at least 80% complete.
When the Ming Dynasty's national strength recovers, the Zhang family will naturally survive forever.
This is not inconsistent with his inner complaint about the arrangement just now and his loyalty to Chongzhen.
"The reason why I don't arrange for you to be the person in charge of rectifying military affairs is because I have other important arrangements."
Without waiting for the British Lord's response, Chongzhen continued: "I need you to go to Liaodong to take charge."
"Liaodong?"
Zhang Weixian's face suddenly changed, and he said urgently: "Your Majesty, is there a problem in Liaodong? Is it a mutiny among the soldiers? Or is the general rebellious? Or is he having an affair and creating a slave?"
What is there in Liaodong? The most direct and threatening enemy of the Ming Dynasty was the Jiannu.
If something goes wrong in Liaodong, then Ming Dynasty will be in danger
Seeing Zhang Weixian's anxious look, Chongzhen nodded secretly. Although he was neutral before, he could still uphold the interests of the Qing Dynasty.
"Don't be so excited. I'm just preparing for a rainy day."
“The most critical thing for the implementation of the five-year plan is whether we have time and a stable environment, and Jiannu is an unstable factor.
Although there are hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses in Liaodong, it really makes me uneasy, so I need you to go to Liaodong to take charge.
With your prestige and ability, you can handle any emergencies. "
Zhang Weixian thought for a while and then said: "Your Majesty, I don't care, but if I go to Liaodong, will the soldiers in Liaodong think that the court does not believe them?
Yuan Chonghuan is now the Minister of the Ministry of War and concurrently serves as the right deputy censor of the capital, supervising Ji Liao, Denglai, and Tianjin military affairs. This is already the highest authority in Liaodong.
He has only been appointed for three months, and if he were to withdraw now, it would easily affect the morale of the military. "
Chongzhen smiled faintly and said, "Do you know the king's ministers?"
"The king's minister?"
Zhang Weixian repeated softly, with thoughtful eyes.
In the sixth year of Tianqi, Yuan Chonghuan relieved the siege of Ningyuan, but he did not get along with General Mangui, so he asked the court to transfer Mangui.
However, Wang Zhichen requested to stay, and then Yuan Chonghuan had a disagreement with Wang Zhichen.
The imperial court was worried that the quarrel between the two would affect the morale of the army, so they were separated. Wang Zhichen supervised the inside of the pass, while Yuan Chonghuan guarded the outside.
After the Battle of Ningjin, Yuan Chonghuan resigned in anger, and the court asked Wang Zhichen to replace Yuan Chonghuan as the governor and governor of Liaodong, stationed in Ningyuan.
The new emperor ascended the throne two years ago and restored Yuan Guan to his post. Wang Zhichen continued to stay in Ning. The two are now in peace, but the post of Liaodong Manager is vacant.
After thinking about it, Zhang Weixian said softly: "Your Majesty means to let me serve as the Liaodong manager, but stationed in Shanhaiguan, responsible for internal affairs, and governed across the border from Yuan Chonghuan?"
Chongzhen nodded: "I will give you another imperial edict and Shang Fang's sword. If there is a rebellion or other situations, you can immediately accept the strength of the castle on the Ningjin defense line and control the generals. Do you think this arrangement is feasible?"
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Zhang Weixian responded immediately after hearing this.
Shanhaiguan is more than 600 miles away from Beijing City, but only more than 200 miles away from Ningyuan City.
If something unexpected happens in Ningyuan, or it is besieged, and troops are sent from Shanhaiguan, the light cavalry will march in a day and night, and the infantry will march in two days.
Even if Ningyuan falls, Shanhaiguan, the largest city in the world, still has room for maneuver.
Chongzhen arranged for Zhang Weixian to go to Shanhaiguan, mainly because he was worried about Jiannu's plan to alienate him.
From the current point of view, the Liaodong soldiers are relatively reliable, but they always feel that they are self-respecting.
Coupled with the rectification of military affairs, who knows if there will be problems. With such an arrangement, we are not afraid of ten thousand, but just in case.
"Mr. British, you are stationed at Shanhaiguan, not only to guard Shanhaiguan, but also to monitor the Ningjin defense line.
At the same time, it also serves as a support for the army. It will play a reassuring role in reorganizing the guard posts in the northern Zhili area next year. It is a heavy responsibility! "
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will be with you at Shanhaiguan. If Shanhaiguan is destroyed, I will perish!"
Zhang Weixian's answer was sonorous and powerful. With the troops and high walls stationed at Shanhaiguan, he had the confidence to block the tens of thousands of troops outside.
"Your Majesty, if I go to Shanhaiguan, what about the rectification of the capital camp?"
"It doesn't matter. Your son Zhang Zhiji is still in Beijing. He gave me a few lists last time. With the presence of Marquis Zhongzhen and the Forbidden Army, there will be no problem in reorganizing the Beijing camp.
If someone really makes trouble, I don't mind killing a few. "
Zhang Weixian nodded. Since the emperor had made arrangements, he didn't need to worry.
"Then this matter is settled. It's almost time. Let's go to the Wenhua Palace to continue discussing the five-year plan that was not discussed in the morning."
After Chongzhen finished speaking, he took the lead and walked outside Dongnuan Pavilion, and Zhang Weixian quickly followed.
When they arrived at the Wenhua Hall, everyone had returned to the main hall from the side hall and were communicating in a low voice. When they saw Chongzhen and Zhang Weixian coming in, they immediately saluted.
After everyone sat down again, Chongzhen looked at everyone: "Let's continue the third item of the five-year plan, the rectification of military affairs."
"Guo Aiqing, the rectification of military affairs will free up military villages, and the fertile land sales plan will release some of the land belonging to the clan and wealthy merchants.
It can basically meet the needs of the people. Then the goal of having enough food, clothing, warmth, and enough money can be achieved, right? "
Guo Yunhou did not answer immediately, but pondered for a moment: "As long as there is no major natural disaster or exploitation by local officials,
It should be achievable, and the rest depends on the farming level of the people. "
Chongzhen nodded and looked at Song Yingxing: "Song Aiqing, your Agricultural Research Institute is speeding up fertility research when promoting potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Summarize planting experience, compile it into a book as soon as possible, publish it and disseminate it to local areas.
At the same time, we convened batches of agricultural officers from various places to persuade them to come back for training, master their skills and pass the examination before returning to their places. "
"The assessment standards for agricultural officers in various places and the assessment standards for returning to Beijing for training are determined by the Agricultural Research Institute. When they arrive at the local level, the Land and Resources Administration is responsible for regular assessments. It is related to grain output. You two must not be careless."
Song Yingxing and Guo Yunhou both responded.
