[How can the war be started lightly? Loyalty is commendable, but your duties are even more important. 】
Tang Shunzhi looked at the emperor's imperial approval as if struck by thunder.
You, an emperor with thick eyebrows and big eyes, who roars in the capital camp, don't take the lead in the battle?
The civil and military champions jointly signed up to take charge of the battle, which indeed caused a lot of discussion in the court.
But at this moment, there were all doubts.
"Every year, recruit troops, prepare for autumn, set up borders, set up ambushes, guest soldiers, horse supplies, store materials, warehouse grain and grass. If it is not enough to make up for the new year, Taicang must prepare enough money and grain for border towns, totaling three million taels. ! This time for the great victory in Shuozhou, more than 80,000 taels were first allocated separately, and then the generals were rewarded with silver. Your Majesty, your Majesty is wise! As soon as the war started, tens of millions of money and food were consumed. Tang Shunzhi and Yu Dayou were just scholars. , The bravery of a reckless man is really not worth it!"
"Now the Five Forts of Xuening are being built, and the masonry, transportation, recruitment, and payment of soldiers are already stretched thin! The new law has not yet been completed, and the strategy of enriching the country has not been fully effective. How can the two of them carry out such a large-scale northern expedition? Those who arbitrarily discuss national policy should be held accountable!"
"..."
Yu Dayou was numbed by the discussion between the government and the public.
He hasn't officially become an official yet, so he has to be questioned first?
Bingxu Ke's civil and military champion made waves at the end of the year.
Tang Shunzhi was just dazed for a while, and then said firmly to Yu Dayou: "Don't panic! It's just that your Majesty knows that the government and the public are as afraid of fighting as tigers! Don't you see the four words 'loyalty is commendable'? It's not that we don't fight, it must be that the timing is not right." good!"
Yu Dayou looked at him: A few days ago, you said this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With the great victory in Shuozhou, the morale of the Ming Dynasty was high, and His Majesty's prestige was unparalleled; with the initial defeat of Anda, internal turmoil in the Northern Yuan Dynasty was bound to arise.
Tang Shunzhi said flatly: "No! It's not that the timing is bad! Is it that you and I didn't think carefully?"
Yu Dayou: ...Brother, you are really stubborn.
"These two people are actually getting together now." Zhu Houcong was laughing and crying in the imperial study room.
Wang Shenzhong rarely pretended to be transparent in the imperial study room, and whispered: "The two of them are also brave..."
"It's okay to suffer a little bit." Zhu Houcong just smiled.
Who made the two of them hit each other?
The difficulty of the Ming Dynasty lies in the countless difficulties.
Fei Hong is now in the critical stage of clearing the land of Zhang Zhang, rebuilding the Yellow Book, and implementing the new tax law next year. Every day when he looks at it, there is a faint word on his forehead: annoying.
As a result, the top civil and military figures jumped out to take the lead? Or should we seize the opportunity and frame the "Taolu" Kou Bian for a national war-level Northern Expedition?
Those who dare not blatantly block the new law will only vent their grievances and dissatisfaction on this small excuse - in the name of public loyalty to the country.
It can only be said that Tang Shunzhi and Yu Dayou's ideas were a bit crude, or in other words - they were not as courageous and appetite as the emperor.
Precisely because Zhu Houcong had greater courage and appetite, the punch he was going to give was by no means a punch that was inoffensive given the current strength of Datong Town and Da Ming. How can we underestimate the enemy in the north who has been able to confront the Ming Dynasty for so long? Even if Tang Shunzhi and Yu Dayou's ideas are somewhat possible, how can they defend themselves against counterattack later?
Let's wait for these two young people for a while.
Now, it's Guo Xun's apology.
Ma Lu handed a bullet to the capital. Zhu Houcong just wrote and asked Guo Xun: If you are in Nanjing, if you don't practice Zhenwu Camp well, why are you in charge of the affairs of the Shanxi Justice Department?
Zhu Houcong really didn't know about the famous Li Fuda case in history, let alone what the entanglement between new and old ministers would eventually evolve into during the ceremony process.
Anyway, you, Guo Xun, are nosy.
Zhang Yin, the original commander of Taiyuan Left Guard, escaped first and was later caught, and there was also a lot of evidence presented by Ma Lu.
[...I was acquainted with the late emperor when he was there. In the second year of Jiajing, he went to Beijing to visit me in my house. At that time, I didn’t know that he had been reported. After that, I went to Nanjing and kept exchanging letters. I only heard from him that he had been released after testing and found that there were no dragon-tiger shapes or cinnabar characters mentioned by his enemies. Unexpectedly, after Ma Yushi arrived in Shanxi, the case was reversed again, and I sent a letter...]
Zhu Houcong was reading Guo Xun's letters in the imperial study, and doubts gradually emerged in his mind.
Zhu Houcong had paid little attention to "small cases" like this before.
But now it seems that Li Fuda participated in the rebellion of Wang Liang and other Maitreya cult monster thieves in the second year of Hongzhi. At that time, Li Fuda was exiled to Gansu as an accessory and was exiled to the army.
As a result, he escaped, fled to Luochuan, was found out again, was exiled to Liaodong, and escaped again.
After escaping this time, he recruited many disciples in Shanxi and looted everywhere. In the seventh year of Zhengde, he launched the Luochuan Rebellion.
He still escaped, but this time he learned the lesson, changed his name to Zhang Yin, registered as a craftsman during the routine update of the yellow book, and met Guo Xun. Then he "collected millet and donated his official position", and by donating food and money, he finally became an official of the Taiyuan Zuowei Commander.
Bloody enough.
Now because of Guo Xun's reply, Zhu Houcong also paid attention to this case, but from a different angle.
Datong Town...yellow book...
Zhu Houcong pondered for a moment and then ordered: "Summon Fei Hong, Yang Yiqing, Cui Yuan, Wang Qiong, Wang Shouren, Zhang Zilin, Yang Tan, and also summon Gu Shilong and Li Quanli to discuss matters in the imperial study."
…
First, the top civil and military scholars jointly submitted a petition to advocate for war, but the emperor rejected it.
But then, important ministers were sent to Yangxin Hall to discuss matters.
Even if they are both participating in the strategy, they are still different. Among the staff, only a few people were called upon; in addition to the staff, there were two important military officials.
This is an amazing signal.
So Fei Hong went to the Imperial Study Room, looked at the lineup and suddenly became sad: "Your Majesty, I am not a coward in waiting for the votes to be drawn up. I really can't easily plan the Northern Expedition now!"
Take a look, Yang Yiqing, Wang Shouren, and Gu Shilong are all from the Military Affairs Council. Li Quanli's prestige in the Beijing camp has become even greater after winning the exercise. Wang Qiong and Yang Tan are both ministers of the Ministry of Revenue... It doesn't look like they are discussing the Northern Expedition. rhythm.
"Fei Qing is worrying too much." Zhu Houcong smiled, "Today is not about this matter. I have never thought about rushing to the north. The purpose of calling Qing and others is to patrol Shanxi to record the impeachment of Marquis Wu Ding. There is also Wu Dinghou’s self-defense plea. Regarding Li Fuda’s case, please discuss the pros and cons of a thorough investigation."
Everyone was stunned.
Li Fuda’s case?
Admittedly, it seems that things involving Guo Xun are not trivial. But didn’t the emperor say that? Guo Xun's remarks were "self-defense" and "pleasure".
It has been determined that Guo Xun is nosy.
In this case, what is there about Li Fuda's case that warrants so many important ministers coming together to discuss whether to investigate thoroughly?
Zhu Houcong looked at them: "I won't mention the old story of Li Fuda escaping twice. After escaping from causing trouble in Luochuan, how could he still enter the yellow book under a disguised name? How could he easily become the commander of the third-rank guard of my great Ming Dynasty? ? What I saw was shocking. How can we avoid this happening again in the future?"
After Ming Dynasty became a master, this group of people immediately understood: the emperor wanted to use this incident to do something bigger.
The target is directly aimed at rectifying the subordinate officials by clearing the Zhangtian land and re-creating the yellow book, which has been discussed long ago, and it is also directed at the border town that relies on the bandits and respects itself.
"Your Majesty!" Yang Yiqing immediately replied solemnly, "Datong Town's new military exploits are not big or small. They are just not enough to be promoted too much, so it is better to continue to guard Datong Town. If the Li Fuda case is thoroughly investigated, not only Datong, but also All sides are uneasy. Over the years, officials have been promoted and relocated all over the place. If Li Fuda can steal the command of Yiwei, there are people in the five mansions and the Ministry of War who are closely related to it. "
"I understand." Zhu Houcong said lightly, "A thorough investigation must be carried out. I am extremely angry, and I want to let the government and the public know. The officers and soldiers of Datong Town should be rewarded, and let them know how much they have found in this case. Be restrained. I know that I am writing something down here. It depends on you and others. Now that the truth about this case has been revealed, are there other thieves in each province who are trying to naturalize people under aliases? Each county and state should at least give them a chance to deal with clerk offices and subordinate officials. Report yourself. If you confess now, you can be lenient; if you are found out in the future, you will be lenient."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, it was just an excuse.
The emperor is becoming more and more sophisticated and knows not to be too rough with Bian Zhen. On the surface, they were rewarded and praised, but another incident was used to force them to restrain themselves, and even left evidence for future settlement.
As for the subordinate staff... they should have been punished long ago! Who hasn’t had the experience of being manipulated by older officials when they first started their career?
Then everyone became confused again. Fei Hong asked: "Your Majesty, is this just this? Then there is no need to discuss the pros and cons, right?"
"Why don't we need to discuss it?" Zhu Houcong laughed, "The ministers and others hurriedly followed the imperial edict to the imperial study room, and then thoroughly investigated the case. How do the government and the public view the purpose of thoroughly investigating the case? What do Datong Town think? What do the civilian gentry think? Beilu... ...What will you think?"
Fei Hong's scalp suddenly felt numb: "...Before the case is settled, there will naturally be a lot of panic and uneasiness due to the dirty work in the Ming Dynasty. Your Majesty, do you still want to lure the Northern captives to attack again?"
Zhu Houcong nodded: "With our Ming Dynasty's current combat power, it is difficult to say that we will win against the Northern Barbarians, let alone the Northern Expedition. I will suffer a loss in the Tumote Department. Waiting for next year, as soon as February or March, I am afraid that we will be defeated." We have to attack again. After discussing with the staff at the military conference these days, I thought that this battle was inevitable. In this case, it is better to try our best to proactively plan the battle. Don't worry, Fei, this battle will not last long, but this battle We must win a big victory so that we can create an opportunity for me to seek peace."
These important ministers outside the military affairs meeting couldn't help but confirm in a voice: "Seek peace?"
Zhu Houcong nodded: "We have been exchanging tribute for decades. As long as we negotiate, even if we negotiate trade between the two countries after the victory to get more time, some people in the government and the public will naturally think that I am asking for peace. That is not necessary. I don’t care, besides, if I really want to save our country and eliminate the troubles in the north, I will take this move. As the situation at the border eases a bit, you can also focus on taking care of our Ming Dynasty’s new military affairs."
The emperor made it clear that this was just one step in the clear strategic purpose of "recovering our mountains and rivers and eliminating the dangers of the north."
Tang Shunzhi Yu Dayou just proposed to repeat the trick, but the emperor's appetite was so big.
Fei Hong couldn't help but look at Yang Yiqing: "Ying Ning, how far did the discussions go at the military affairs meeting?"
As Prime Minister and Minister of State, according to the current division of labor, it is inappropriate for him to focus on military affairs.
But how can we not ask now?
Yang Yiqing and Wang Shouren looked at each other, and then sighed: "This is indeed a national policy. Your Majesty said so bluntly. Why should you say that today is just a discussion about whether the Li Fuda case should be thoroughly investigated? It is true that not many people know, but a century-old plan cannot just be based on Planning at the military affairs meeting. Then let’s hear what they think?”
Zhu Houcong smiled: "Yang Qing is right, but today's meeting is just trying to cover up. What the government and the public know is that the discussion involves the Li Fuda case of Marquis Wu Ding. Whether I will take the bait depends on what happens next. It’s time to take control.”
At present, there is no guarantee of victory against the Tatars, and taking the initiative to attack is even more likely to result in defeat. And there is a high probability that Anda will not be able to swallow this breath, and will soon attack the old comrade Da Mingzi who is several years older than him.
Zhu Houcong needed to plan a heavy blow to Beilu again, so how could he not use a plan?
Fei Hong and others gradually understood. The emperor repeatedly emphasized that today was to discuss whether the Li Fuda case should be thoroughly investigated. This was also part of the plan against the northern captives.
But after listening to it, he couldn't help but stand up: "What? Give Beilu iron weapons? Isn't this a danger to raising tigers?"
"It's just an iron pot. Pig iron needs to be fried to make mature iron, but they can't do it. Among the northern captives, I'm the only one who has captured many Han people, but I will be very jealous. And the iron pot in Mobei is used to win the hearts of the herdsmen. Good stuff. Bodi Khan will use this iron pot to win over the people, and I will use it to refine the mature iron and cast weapons. However, the sale of ironware has been strictly prohibited in Mobei for how many years? Can it be controlled? They went south to plunder, and their search for iron tools was more important than women and gold and silver treasures.”
Zhu Houcong said a fact and continued to add: "Don't worry too much. How much iron you give them, the total amount can be controlled by me, the Ming Dynasty, okay? I am the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. When we talk about trade between countries, it is natural to discuss trade with the Lord of the Northern Yuan Dynasty. Talk. But the trade route to the north must pass through the Tumut tribe. It is worth looking forward to how they will fight."
"...It is an iron tool after all."
If Tang Shunzhi were here, he would be as frightened as Fei Hong and others: Your Majesty is too courageous.
Zhu Houcong said calmly: "The conflict between China and the Northern Barbarians has lasted for more than a thousand years? Over the years, the frontier generals of all dynasties have been armed and strong, but although the Northern Barbarians were sometimes defeated, were they ever really afraid? In short, It will reappear and become a serious problem again. To completely eliminate this trouble, it is useless to ban iron weapons. Only guns can make them good at singing and dancing."
"...The new guns and new cannons are not good enough." Wang Shouren said one thing.
Zhu Houcong's eyes flashed: "What matters is the direction and determination. It is the monarchs and ministers of the Ming Dynasty who know how to use the bait of iron tools. The time bought by this bait is used to strengthen troops, to put pressure on the Ming Dynasty, and to use Come and prepare to drive out the Tartars! With a heavy reward, there will be a breakthrough. Buy me some time, and I will make sure they can sing and dance!"
Tang Shunzhi wanted to make clever use of the situation in the Northern Yuan Dynasty to contain the Tumote tribe in the direction of Datong and at the same time defeat the Ordos tribe and recapture the Hetao. He wanted to go to the border town and make meritorious deeds after winning Feng Bo, the leader of the system - this was It was an indispensable step for him to become the most important minister of the Ming Dynasty's military in the future.
What Yang Yiqing and Wang Shouren want is to solve the hidden dangers in the border towns and still focus on defense. If they win a few more victories like the Shuozhou Victory, the northern front will be stable for a long time.
Only Zhu Houcong wanted to eliminate the troubles from the north step by step. Instead, the first step was to paralyze and divide them by throwing out a bait that they could not refuse.
Use the iron tools that Bei Yuan wants to get in the "pay tribute" again and again to open the door.
Of course, raising tigers is dangerous, but even if they are tigers, what can they do in front of guns and cannons? Tiger crouching cannon.
The premise is that Ming Dynasty really has new firearms that mark the complete passing of the cold weapon era.
Zhu Houcong was also unwilling to sacrifice too many soldiers' lives to win a victory, unless he could only rely on one victory to buy time.
It was time for the introduction of the spiral and other technologies that he had laid down during the development of the printing press and many other things to come into play.
At present, we first need to make all important ministers understand and support the emperor's overall strategy for the Northern Yuan Dynasty.
A few years ago, if Zhu Houcong had proposed such a big goal, the resistance would have been unimaginable.
But now, with the great victory of Shuozhou, it is inevitable to win only by defending. After that, a trade treaty will be signed with iron tools. This matter is indeed controllable.
There was only one thing that made everyone unsure, and that was, could the firearms that His Majesty said would really allow Beilu to sing and dance from now on?
"Telescopes, squatting tiger cannons, printing presses..." Although Zhu Houcong was not sure that the breakthrough would reach that level, he knew that this was a direction proven by history.
The example given by the emperor... is very convincing... Your Majesty cannot look at it with common sense.
"...Then His Majesty's imperial approval of Tang Shunzhi Yu Dayou..."
Zhu Houcong said seriously: "Since I ask for peace, how can I not pave the way? How much more to use iron tools to ask for peace after victory? I only hope that the monarch and his ministers will be united and move forward from now on. Throughout my life, what will be written in the history books in the future is that you will assist me in my request." The one who comes is He who is good at conquering and fighting from the North and is good at singing and dancing!"
The Military Affairs Council's strategy on how to regain Jiaozhi has not yet been completed, but the plan for the Northern Lu, a serious enemy that is highly recognized by the Ming Dynasty monarchs and ministers, can arouse even more interest.
What's more, when it comes to money, food, and future governance and education, Ming's foreign strategy is inherently integrated.
Fei Hong knew that it would be a scene that he would see only after an unknown number of years, and the generation here would probably have to bear the reputation of being a "tiger-raiser" and "simply seeking perfection".
The glory of the future belongs to those who are still very young at this moment. But those people will thank their predecessors for their efforts in the future in front of the Ancestral Temple and Tiandi Sheji, right?
At this moment, Tang Shunzhi was still thinking hard: Where did I fail to think carefully?
The important ministers of the Ming Dynasty were suddenly ordered to go to the Yangxin Hall. No one knew what they were talking about after staying there for so long.
In the last court meeting before the end of the year, the emperor was furious at the rebel leader who turned into a high-ranking general of the Ming Dynasty. He was punished for Guo Xun's meddling in his own affairs by giving him a three-year salary - and he had actually been punished long ago. There has been a downgrade that has not been announced. Under the current system where people will be demoted and replaced if they have no merit, that would be a Marquis becoming a County Lord.
The punishment was appalling, but Guo Xun only helped to intercede.
Guo Xun, who was far away in Nanjing, had naturally received the reply. He could only sigh: the debts were too heavy to bear, anyway, as the local staff officer of the Military Affairs Council, he knew what the big plans were now.
He looked at Xu Pengju: "Although Qiu Luan was defeated, it can still be considered a meritorious service. You two young people are in Nanjing, so you can train hard. If there is a situation, just fight hard. I hope you can be leisurely and leisurely, and wait for your descendants to be unfilial to you in the future. .”
"...Do you really want to invite yourself to Datong Town?"
"Otherwise? If I don't serve my crime, what will I do if my county prince's son is not filial to me when I get old?"
"..."
Guo Xun has already asked himself to serve as a border guard, and Qiu Luan wants to bring his experience in training at the Beijing Camp to replace him and continue training at the Nanjing Zhenwu Camp.
At the end of this year, Yu Dayou also asked Shangshu to guard the border.
Ma Lu has been ordered to thoroughly investigate the Li Fuda case, but at this time Guo Xun is going to Datong Town to serve as the chief military officer.
"You are coming here with bad intentions! General, if you go to the former military governor's mansion, what will we do?"
"...With this merit, it is not enough to be promoted to the governor of the former military governor's office." Zhu Zhen, the current chief military officer of Datong Town, had a complicated mood, "But Wu Dinghou wants to ask for border guards on his own. When he comes to Datong Town, he can still be ranked as the commander-in-chief." Below the rank of military officer? The commander-in-chief knows that, that is from the first rank!"
Zhu Zhen is not the kind of person who is a first-grade military general and is appointed to be the chief military officer of this town. If he can be promoted to the level of a first-grade military general, he will be at the pinnacle of his life, unless he has made extraordinary achievements and has been awarded the title of earl or above.
But he didn't want to make such a big contribution. Wouldn't it be good to be the leader of the generals in Datong Town, which is like a backyard?
But if Guo Xun comes, he will have to move.
If you are rewarded for your merits, why should you refuse?
But if there had not been a thorough investigation into the Li Fuda case, no one would be so worried.
"No rush!" Zhu Zhen's eyes flashed, "Wu Dinghou has to go back to Beijing to see his Majesty first, and then he has to choose his own soldiers, and then he will come to Datong. Let's take a look first!"
(End of chapter)
