By this time, the layout of the border town has been initially completed.
In the rear, Zhu Houcong was in the Forbidden Palace. Under the protection of the "soldiers" of the Imperial Guard and the Beijing Camp, the General Staff of the Military Affairs was the Minister of Military Affairs, and the Prime Minister and Minister of State was the Minister of Literature.
In the hinterland of Xuanda, General Zhenshuo, Commander-in-Chief of Xuanzang Fu Duo, Marquis of Wuding, and Commander-in-Chief of Datong Guo Xun are the two vehicles that can ride in Xuanda without any hindrance according to their authority.
Although frontier generals like Li Jin and Yu Dayou have constraints, they are just like the horse that will burst out of nowhere at any time.
"Am I the cannon?"
Now pointing to the chess pieces, it was Tang Shunzhi who asked this question.
Since the Song Dynasty added one soldier and two cannons, and the Ming Dynasty changed one of the generals to be the commander, the rules of this elephant play have become very mature.
Tang Shunzhi was confused: "Is the official responsible for two cannons?"
The Xuanda Governor-General's Department is based in Huai Lai.
Huailai is now a guard, and he has the largest army in the Xuanfu in the river valley south of Woniu Mountain. Around Huailai Acropolis, there are not only the famous Jiming Station, but also the famous Tumu Fort.
In the official hall of the Xuanda Governor-General's Office, Wang Xian no longer doubted Tang Shunzhi's talent and talent, so he answered with a smile: "As the governor of two towns, I am also in charge of the food and salary of the two towns."
"...the cannon can kill the enemy and can be used before crossing the border."
"It is necessary to completely eliminate the enemy troops before crossing the Chu River and Han boundary." Wang Xian's horse came over.
Tang Shunzhi pondered for a moment and moved one of the cannons: "Food and wages are the lifeblood of the border town. This cannon of Xiaguan can help Datong generals kill the enemy, which can also be regarded as meritorious."
But he clearly made a bad move and was immediately trampled by Wang Xian's horse: "Food and wages are indeed the lifeblood of the border town. Especially in Xuanda, the price of food is higher."
Wang Xian's horse took a shot, but also put himself in danger. Tang Shunzhi got out of the car and said, "Now that the war has started, food and grass are more important. But the lower official still has the responsibility of supervising the construction of the ordnance garden. There are more than ten thousand craftsmen in Xuanda, so the price of food will be higher." .”
"It's more than that?" The soldier next to Wang Xian moved forward.
Tang Shunzhi silently retreated his car, and Wang Xian made another attack on the other side. Tang Shunzhi jumped and got into position, and then Wang Xian's car also crossed the boundary.
"Dutai, this chess game is dangerous. I am afraid that I will lose many pawns. Can the remaining two chariots, one horse and one cannon support the situation?"
He stopped his hand, and Wang Xian also stopped his hand, and just looked at Tang Shunzhi: "The envoys sent by this governor are also in charge of food and salary. Tang Futai, you should listen to my orders regarding food and salary. You should only take care of your concerns when it comes to food and salary. That’s all these craftsmen need.”
It sounds like the two are actually competing for Xuanda's food and salary authority.
Tang Shunzhi stared at Wang Xian, and then nodded: "I understand. After summer, we can't prepare to build a dam. Before winter, this ordnance park is planned to be built south of Shacheng Castle and on the north bank of the confluence of Yang River and Sanggan River. , this labor ration cannot be delayed."
"Nowadays, food and salary are discounted in silver. The governor can only ensure that there is no shortage of silver."
Tang Shunzhi was silent for a long time, and then sighed: "Is border town so difficult?"
"If the border troubles are not eliminated, it will become more and more difficult to control the border." Wang Xian just responded lightly, "Uncle Jingbian has a pure heart, and I admire him very much. However, the enemy is cunning, and he will not have the kindness of a woman. I am the governor. Let’s distribute the food, wages and reward money first. Now that the winter wheat harvest is coming, in March and May, the soldiers and the people will still have food to eat.”
Tang Shunzhi stopped playing chess and stood up and bowed: "Then I will go back to Datong. From Taiyuan Town to Datong via Shuozhou, the food road must be smooth."
Wang Xian nodded: "I am looking forward to the good news about Tang Futai."
…
In the spring, a large number of people in the capital were preparing to leave the country.
There was also the provincial examination Enke last year, but there was no proficiency test this year. However, various companies have been recruiting new people and employees. The biggest news this year is naturally that the Construction Bureau is recruiting 10,000 workers to go to Xuanfu.
"Building a dam to block the water of the Yongding River and form a lake will permanently eliminate floods? I think it is a fantasy! Such a major undertaking will waste people and money."
"What a nonsense! Ladies and gentlemen, let alone whether the dam can be built, even if it is built, the forts in Huailai are all at the bottom of the valley, won't they be flooded? If it is built again, what if the Tatars attack again? Huailai, as long as the dam is breached, the capital will be flooded!"
"Which one of you is so proud of such a thing that does all kinds of harm but brings no benefit? Why don't you, counselors and ministers of state, stop this matter?"
Building dams to store water is not uncommon among the people.
But they are all small rivers and streams. In order to irrigate the fertile fields, it would be great to build a small dam.
And how big a river is this Yongding River? How big of a dam must be built among those high mountains to stop excess river water and slowly release it during summer floods?
The power of water is both soft and strong!
Many people's faces turn pale when they imagine that if the dam is built, the Tatars will burst the dam and flood the capital.
Zhang Wenjin, who had just returned to the capital, was even more shocked and angry when he heard these discussions.
He only knew that Tang Shunzhi was the envoy to supervise the construction of the Ordnance Park. Who would have thought that he would build a dam and form a lake at the confluence of the Nayang River, Sanggan River, and Yongding River?
This is a strategy to subjugate the country!
Having made up his mind, he directly knocked on the door and knelt outside Chengtian Gate to ask for an audience.
Someone from the Liubu Yamen watched the fun again: It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the Knocking Que. The last time the officials were arguing about the ceremony of worshiping Confucius. The end result was that several people were killed with the royal stick.
This time there was only one person knocking on the door, and they soon saw the red-robed official being brought into the palace.
"Your Majesty! Who asked you to build that official reservoir? This person harmed the people and the country and should be cut into pieces!"
Zhang Wenjin was not polite at all, and Gu Dingchen, Jiang Rubi, and Wang Shenzhong couldn't help but look at the emperor together.
Zhu Houcong frowned: "This is my will."
Zhang Wenjin's expression froze, and then his head was filled with blood: "Your Majesty, I have withdrawn my invitation to you! Firstly, it is impossible to build this dam, which will waste people and money! Secondly, the Northern Captives are powerful and Xuanda is empty, so there is no guarantee that they will not be attacked. Xuanda hinterland! Thirdly, Xuanda is a border town, where soldiers will be stationed and rescued, and food and grass will be transferred. They are not used to boats, and the water is slow due to the dams, and it is difficult for boats to reach the border walls and fortresses; fourthly..."
Zhu Houcong just sat there and listened to him spouting eight reasons in a row.
In a word: the dam cannot be built! The Ordnance Park cannot be repaired!
"What about Xuanda's personnel? According to Wang Xian's report, Anfu has some objections to Jingbian Bo being appointed as the governor of Xuanda, and wants to return to Beijing to remonstrate."
Gu Dingchen, Jiang Rubi, and Wang Shenzhong looked at Zhang Wenjin: Another stubborn remonstrator?
"I have already prepared some advice along the way. Unexpectedly, when I arrived in Beijing, I heard about the construction of a dam on the Yongding River to turn the water into a lake!" Zhang Wenjin took out the memorial from his sleeve and knelt down to raise it. "I have been governor of Datong for more than three years. We are well aware of the hidden dangers in the border towns! Your Majesty has changed the old system. The governor-general and the governor are both responsible for food and salary. There are already many problems with the rights and responsibilities between the governor and the commander-in-chief, and now I am afraid it will become even more chaotic! Now Jingbian Bo is young and energetic, In the border town, the soldiers are arrogant and strong, the officials are slippery, and the businessmen and the people are cunning. In the old days of Jingbian Bo, how can new ministers convince the public?"
He raised his head and looked at the emperor with sorrow and anger: "Does your Majesty think that with the great victory at Shuozhou, Xuanda will be stable for a few years from now on?"
Zhu Houcong sighed and asked Huang Jin to take the memorial first: "Didn't I appoint Marquis Wu Ding to guard the border, and also sent good ministers and generals to strengthen border defense?"
"...Wu Dinghou participated in national policy but was incompetent. The commander-in-chief Huguang failed to achieve even an inch. He guarded Nanjing and interfered with the law. He even asked himself to guard the border because of his crime and was afraid of punishment. I dare to say that your majesty entrusted you to an unworthy person!"
Zhu Houcong felt that Guo Xun had something to say.
He looked at Zhang Wenjin and could only read his advice carefully.
There is no problem, everything is done for Daming's border defense. He is indeed very familiar with the problems existing in border towns like Datong.
But the methods he suggested were also very crude and traditional: replace good ministers with good generals, strictly supervise the distribution of grain and wages, beat up the government and businessmen who colluded with each other in border towns to keep grain prices down, and build more forts to defend the border walls to keep the capital safe.
He is a loyal minister with integrity and dares to criticize others, but he is also a rigid and somewhat headstrong official.
Zhu Houcong could not remember in detail that this piece of Wenjin also advocated the construction of the Xuanning Five Forts in history, and was too accepting of death and did not understand the methods of the border town generals, which finally triggered the Datong Mutiny in the third year of Jiajing.
The mutiny lasted for several months. The reason was that Zhang Wenjin insisted that the construction of the five forts could be completed with thirty thousand taels. The method was to directly let the soldiers go to work to repair them. There was no money and water, and it was miserable. The end result was that Zhang Wenjin was killed, which eventually led to a mutiny.
Now because Yang Yiqing was in charge of all three sides at the time, the imperial court did not agree to the original construction plan of Xuanning's Five Forts. Later, Wang Xian was sent to governor Xuanda, and the conflict has been suppressed until now.
Zhang Wenjin was able to run up to Zhu Houcong alive and well to "remonstrate to the death".
"... Anfu, do you really want to remonstrate to death?" Zhu Houcong could only say to him, "Now the arrangements for Xuanda are known to the Military Affairs Council and the Minister of State, and have been discussed in detail for several months."
Zhang Wenjin's eyes widened, his lips trembled, and he finally fired the map cannon: "Of all the princes in the court, none of them are old enough to seek the country, and they are greedy for position and flattery. I am ashamed to be associated with them! Today, my determination to remonstrate to the death will not change!" "
One sentence made everyone laugh, and by the way, the connotation is Zhu Houcong: The so-called "everyone has been discussing it for several months", to put it bluntly, doesn't it mean that you, the emperor, are proud of hearing a great victory and are so happy about it?
The bachelors eating melon in the imperial study lowered their heads: How will it end? Old rules?
The three of them also only knew very limited information. Even Gu Dingchen, who was attending the national policy meeting, needed to be brought to the national policy meeting to discuss only the plans for the Huailai Ordnance Park and the Guanting Reservoir.
He does know that this matter will actually take a long time to complete, and the Guanting Reservoir is actually an experiment to control the Huanghuai floods.
The Ming Dynasty is so big, where can we do experiments? At the national policy meeting, the Minister of State and the military advisers all agreed, and everyone felt like they were in the clear mirror, and there was something to be said for it. What else can be left undisclosed at the national policy meeting except military affairs for reasons such as secrecy and confusing the enemy?
Military aircraft priorities are independent of many regular topics in national policy meetings. After the seats in the National Policy Council were greatly expanded and the Military Affairs Council and the State Palace were established, the imperial court was changing from one center in the National Policy Council to several centers under the emperor's command.
Consulting has gradually become a platform for entering one of these centers.
Now Zhang Wenjin, who was not qualified to know the slightest bit of information, was remonstrating with death. He was not the first person like him these days.
Zhang Wenjin seemed to be serious. He had been holding back his anger for too long.
After Zhu Houcong looked at him for a while, his face slowly darkened: "This decision will not be changed, how can I remonstrate with you? What does it mean that all the princes are greedy for position and flattery? You might as well explain it clearly!"
Zhang Wenjin has a bad temper, especially now that he believes that he is dedicated to serving the country and the king, and there is nothing wrong with him.
Hearing this, he was so angry that his beard trembled: "Since your Majesty took the throne, you have been diligent and diligent in handling affairs, and it is really rare for you to be an wise king. It has only been six years since Jiajing, and the Ming Dynasty is not rich and its military is not strong! There are still internal and external troubles, but there are rumors of chaos. One after another!"
Then the old man burst into tears: "A dead remonstrance is a dead remonstrance! Your Majesty will not take back your life, but you will use your old body as a drum to inspire caution in heaven's heart and call on loyal ministers and conscience! Let me make it clear: the prosperity of Kaiyuan and the chaos of Anshi are all due to Xuanzong Your Majesty! Your Majesty has not even created a prosperous age, so why are you so arrogant and stubborn, refusing to be remonstrated and stubborn?"
There is one more person who is clearly criticizing the emperor.
Zhu Houcong sighed: "Although Zhang Wenjin is loyal, he does not distinguish between right and wrong and has an angry temper. This is a sin committed. I remember the merits of your hard work in Datong, so I won't care about it. I will not give you a new position for the time being. Let’s go to Xiyuan to stay for a while with the other ministers who have remonstrated to death.”
"...Other ministers who are admonishing?" Zhang Wenjin was stunned for a moment. After all, he had just sprayed him, and all the princes were greedy for position.
It seems that there are still loyal ministers in the court.
But the emperor actually locked everyone together?
So he became even more sad and angry: "Your Majesty thinks that I have committed the crime above, and it is the crime of punishing me! I am the governor of Datong, and the Xuanning Five Fortresses have not been built, and the northern barbarians plundered Shuozhou last year. I am ashamed. Kudos to Yu!"
Before Zhu Houcong said anything, another report came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Yang Shen, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, please see me."
"...Here we go again." Zhu Houcong was so numb that he waved his hand, "Then I'll punish you. Call Lu Bing to come and take Zhang Wenjin to Xiyuan to stay. He's been in a rough road, so let him take a bath and calm down. .”
"Your Majesty! There can't be chaos in the border town, no way!"
"You loyal ministers should come together and make a careful calculation. Just think about it. Is there a possibility that the fate that I and the princes in the court have ordered is not a random one?"
At this time, Lu Bing, who was currently working in the palace for the time being, came over. He glanced at Zhu Houcong sympathetically, and then took Zhang Wenjin out who was still shouting.
Outside the Imperial Study Room of Yangxin Hall, Zhang Wenjin saw Yang Shen, who was also kneeling there with a serious face, holding up a memorial.
"Yong Xiu! Yong Xiu! But Yang Getai also knows about this? I must advise His Majesty and take back his orders!"
"Zhang Futai!" Yang Shen saw Zhang Wenjin, who was dusty, with tears in his eyes, and a face full of worry and anger. He already knew what he was doing, so he was very moved.
After a while, he entered the Yangxin Hall and saw the emperor looking at him helplessly: "Are you tired? Come here once a day. Do you really think I'm not angry?"
"I beg your Majesty to take back your order! The Ordnance Park and the dam cannot be repaired!" Yang Shen was not annoyed at all.
"I know, I know, let it go."
"This is the fifth time that I have resigned. Has Your Majesty forgotten the rules set by Your Majesty?"
"...Yang Shen, have you forgotten that you were in Guangdong and your father wrote to you later? Did you ask your father this time?"
Yang Shen shook his head: "I am no longer the self-proclaimed Qingliu I used to be. I can make my own judgment!"
"... Then you wait for a while, and when Lu Bing comes back, you can calm down." Zhu Houcong's head was a bit big, "I really think the household department can't do without you, right?"
Yang Shen was very calm: "I have no intention of threatening you. I'm sorry for my stupidity, but I really don't know why your Majesty would approve a policy that would do a lot of harm but no benefit. Your Majesty would not explain the reason to me, so I naturally have to fulfill my duties and advise you. Admonish Your Majesty."
Zhu Houcong gritted his teeth: "I told you, it's a matter of border defense. Aren't you very smart? Why are you missing a muscle this time?"
"This kind of defense against border troubles is something I have never heard of. That Wu Dinghou is not a champion, and that Jingbian Bo is not Ganluo. Your Majesty looks more and more like Emperor Sui Yang."
"...You bully me!" Zhu Houcong looked at Huang Jin, "Go to General Staff Xuan Yang! Didn't I order him to persuade this guy to stop bothering me every day?"
Yang Shen looked at Zhu Houcong and said: "He has persuaded the ministers. He persuaded the ministers to believe in your majesty like him."
Zhu Houcong's anger suddenly disappeared a lot, and he looked at Yang Shen with a strange expression.
Why is Yang Yiqing's way of persuading him a bit strange?
Yang Shen's eyes were calm and firm.
After a while, Zhu Houcong thought of the unusual number of officials who had come to remonstrate with him these days, and suddenly felt that something was even more wrong.
Yes, the problem is, after so many years, why are they still so tough?
It can't be said that it's not bad. The complete lack of opposition is not what Zhu Houcong wants to see.
But this time everyone seems to be very brave. For this reason, Xiyuan has locked up five officials who were so excited that they wanted to commit suicide.
"...Elm head! Since General Staff Yang has advised you, why are you still here?"
"Your Majesty, if you don't allow it today, I will not be here in the Yangxin Hall tomorrow to remonstrate. Zhang Futai knocks on the que and remonstrates directly. I am willing to follow his example!"
Zhu Houcong asked: "Are you serious?"
Gu Dingchen and the other three also looked at the emperor with confusion: Why did his tone seem a little wrong from just now?
"Of course, since Your Majesty cannot convince me, I will try my best to be killed by Your Majesty, but I still have to be loyal to others!"
"...Love so much!"
The scholar in the imperial study lowered his head: Why does your majesty suddenly have such an accent?
The emperor was so angry that he left the Imperial Study Room to relax. He took a walk to Wuying Palace and walked to Yang Yiqing.
"what happened?"
Yang Yiqing only said: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, how smart is Yong Xiu? He is young."
"...As for it?" Zhu Houcong asked.
Yang Yiqing replied solemnly: "That's natural. Didn't His Majesty say that the foreign factory came to report that something is wrong in the north this year. The situation is changing, so we must adapt to the situation. Now it is getting more and more complicated. It just depends on which side has misjudged the situation. . In this case, except for the border towns, if everyone in the court is united and has no objections, how can the Tatars fall into the trap?"
"...Yang Shen is actually Huang Gai?"
Yang Yiqing laughed: "He will not pretend to defect. Besides, this is a letter from Mr. Jie, asking me to give Yong Xiu some advice. Yong Xiu will take a beating from His Majesty, and the Yang family will feel more relaxed."
"...How many other people did General Staff Yang call?"
Yang Yiqing saluted: "Your Majesty, forgive me. I have been admonishing and remonstrating for many days. Your Majesty is unbearable, so I will show it to the ministers at the meeting. It is necessary for the government and the public to discuss it. Tomorrow, if you want, your Majesty I would like to remind the ministers to use the imperial staff to strike more lightly."
"...How do you want to confuse the enemy like this?"
Yang Yiqing sighed: "I and Bo'an were worried that Marquis Wu Ding and Uncle Jingbian were not familiar with Xuanda, so they had to think of more ideas in the capital."
"By the way, can some future Ministers of Humerus have a better reputation among the government and the public?"
"After the success, they were even more impressed by His Majesty's calculations."
Zhu Houcong lowered his head and shook his head: "Ai Qing has finished speaking. Forget it, give them this reputation."
The reason for his annoyance was that the situation on the grassland seemed to be changing, and Bei Yuan seemed to be planning an overall situation.
This is not a good change. If it is fully implemented, it can hardly be said to be a 50-50 split.
He thought highly of An Da's forbearance and pattern. That guy was worthy of being the one who would later get the title of Khan.
Now, do they need Yang Yiqing and the others to plan a trick to make Bei Yuan misjudge the situation?
The next day was the day of the court meeting. Led by Yang Shen, many people kowtowed outside Chengtian Gate.
Although Yang Shen's imperial staff arrived late, it was not absent.
But there will be no exile, and "Linjiang Immortal" has been prostituted by Zhu Houcong for free.
Zhu Houcong was very annoyed: he seemed to owe him more now.
(End of chapter)
