Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 23
After more than ten days of long and dusty trek, Sun Chuanting and his party finally arrived in the capital.After entering the city, I found an inn named Yuede in Xicheng, and the group settled down. Several Jinyiwei captains who passed the decree could not go directly to the palace to renew the decree, so they went back to the office to report to the commander, and then Luo Yangxing went to the palace. endowed.

Before leaving, Wang Dexi told Sun Chuanting not to go far, and if he visited relatives and friends, he must leave someone in the post so that he could be found in time when the Holy Majesty summoned him.Sun Chuanting agreed, and then ordered the following servants to offer ten taels of silver each. Wang Dexi and the others gave in slightly before accepting it, and happily returned to the office.

It was the end of Shenshi, and the servant called the shop assistant to carry the wooden bucket for bathing into the room and fill it with hot water. Sun Chuanting took a comfortable bath, changed his clothes, and felt refreshed.

The two servants and guards are both sons of the Sun family, one is Sun Zhian and the other is Sun Fugui, and they both have good martial arts skills.Usually, he often travels with the Sun family's caravan to guard and increase his experience. This time, he was sent by the grand mother to protect the young master. After the two of them simply washed and changed their clothes, the three master and servant went to the restaurant for dinner.

This inn is a typical front shop and backyard style. The front two floors are restaurants, and the back covers a large area. There are several separate small courtyards for wealthy people to live alone.There are also several larger courtyards in which several guest rooms are distributed.The Sun family had a lot of money, so they rented a unique small courtyard to live in. Sun Chuanting lived in one room alone, two servants lived in one room, and the other room was used as a guest room in case guests visited.

The three of them came to the second floor of the restaurant, because there were not many people on the second floor before meal time.

I found an elegant seat facing the street and sat down, a store clerk came over to say hello, Sun Chuanting didn't like to talk too much, ordered a few signature dishes of the restaurant and a pot of wine, the clerk made a note and went downstairs to the kitchen, within a quarter of an hour In no time, the food and wine were served.

Sun Chuanting poured a glass of wine and sipped slowly, thinking about who to visit after dinner.Sun Zhi'an and Sun Fugui picked up the steamed buns and began to eat. Sun Chuanting treated them like nephews, so he didn't take any offense at all, and just thought while tasting wine.

After the three of them finished eating in a while, Sun Chuanting decided to visit the home of Wu Ganzhong, a good friend of the same year and the current Shuntian Mansion Prime Minister.

Looking at the time, Wu Ganzhong should be on duty.

So he ordered Sun Fugui, who was simple and honest, to stay at the inn to wait for news, and took the shrewd and capable Sun Zhian to leave the inn and head west.

Sun Chuanting knew that his friend liked to recite poems and compose Fu on weekdays, so he went to a store and bought the four treasures of the study. After wrapping them up, Sun Zhian followed Sun Chuanting with him.

Wu Ganzhong's home was not too far from the inn where Sun Chuanting lived, in an alley named Ganjingzi.About a quarter of an hour later, Sun Chuanting was already standing in front of Wu's house.

The door was closed tightly, Sun Zhian stepped forward to knock on the door, and after a while an old servant opened the door, looking at the two suspiciously.

Sun Zhian handed over the name card and said, "Uncle, please inform me that Master Wu's friend, Master Sun from Daizhou, is here to visit!"

The old servant took the name card, and when he heard that it was a good friend of his master, he hurriedly asked Sun Chuanting to wait in the ear room, while he trotted to the inner courtyard.

After a while, Sun Chuanting in the ear room heard a joyful voice calling his name: "Brother Baigu, I haven't seen you for more than ten years, I miss you little brother!"

Just as Sun Chuanting stood up from the stool, the door was suddenly pushed open.A middle-aged man with a thin figure, clear eyebrows, and a long beard appeared in front of him. It was his good friend Wu Ganzhong who hadn't seen him for many years.

Sun Chuanting looked at his friend with a smile.

When Wu Ganzhong returned home, he just took off his official uniform, when he heard Sun Chuanting came to visit, he didn't even change his casual robe, but ran out to meet him in a moon-white middle coat.

Wu Ganzhong took two steps forward, stretched out his hands, took Sun Chuanting's hand and held it tightly, shaking it up and down vigorously, and said loudly overjoyed: "Brother Baigu, have you decided to become an official? That's great." , thanks to our efforts to recommend you in front of the Holy Majesty and the courtiers, our great talent has finally come out!"

Sun Chuanting also held Wu Ganzhong's hand tightly, with mixed feelings in his heart.

Both of them were Jinshi in the 47th year of Wanli. He was a few years younger than Sun Chuanting. When they were both observing politics in the Ministry of Officials, because they had similar views and shared similar interests, they met each other late and quickly forged a deep friendship.

At that time, Wei Zhongxian was under the dictatorship, and the two often got together to drink in private. When the wine was hot, they complained about the current problems, pointed out the country, and had the ambition to clarify the world.

Wu Ganzhong was very impressed by Sun Chuanting's talent. Later, because he couldn't get used to Wei Zhongxian and his henchmen, after resigning and returning home, the two often exchanged letters.In the same year, Wu Ganzhong and others often strongly recommended him in front of the courtiers, saying that he was a rare talent, and it was a pity for the court to abandon him in the countryside.Over time, Sun Chuanting's reputation became well known among the courtiers.

Just as Sun Chuanting was about to speak, Wu Ganzhong slapped his forehead and said with a big laugh: "So-and-so is confused, this is not a place for talking! Come, come, let's talk in the inner hall!"

As he said, he dragged Sun Chuanting to the inner courtyard in a hurry. The gift Sun Chuanting brought was guarded by the servants of the Wu family, and Sun Zhian was also asked to rest and wait in the guest room.

Wu's house is not too big, it is a residence with three entrances, the front yard is where the servants live, and the second entrance has a living room, study and guest room.

Wu Ganzhong held Sun Chuanting's hand and talked all the way, recalling the scene when the two got together. Sun Chuanting just smiled and listened to his ramblings.He knew that this friend was a person with the utmost affection and nature, and he was also the type of person he admired.

After arriving at the living room, the guests and the host were seated. After ordering tea, Wu Ganzhong couldn't wait to ask: "Brother Baigu, do you want to re-enter the official career after coming to the capital this time? I have a good relationship in the official department. Si Langzhong, if you want to let Zhizhou or the like below the fifth rank is not difficult to do, but above the fifth rank is difficult. I know that Brother Baigu is a great talent, and the fifth rank is really condescending. Let's take it slowly. Yi Baigu Brother Baigu's talent will be able to produce results soon after he takes office, and when the senior ministers of the cabinet see it, Brother Baigu will naturally be promoted!"

Sun Chuanting knew that this was the best a friend could do.The fifth rank is the ceiling for many officials, and they will never be able to wear a red robe or enter the center for a lifetime.This virtuous younger brother of mine is really straightforward, and promised a high position of the fifth rank with just one mouth.

He smiled slightly and said: "Thank you for your kindness, brother, I am very grateful for you, and I am also very grateful for having such a confidant as brother! This time, brother was specially summoned by the emperor, so I am responsible for any specific tasks. Job, now unknown!"

Wu Ganzhong was taken aback, and said: "Special order from the Holy One? It seems that Brother Baigu is going to see Tianyan in person! Brother Baigu's name is finally known by the Holy One. It seems that this is to make use of Brother Baigu! My younger brother is here to congratulate Brother Baigu !"

Sun Chuanting said sincerely: "For so many years, if there were no virtuous brothers and others to wave the banner and shout for Brother Wei in the court and create a great momentum, Brother Wei's humble name would not be known to the Holy One. Brother Wei thank you from the bottom of my heart! There is no repayment for being a brother, but I hope that we will support each other in the future, all the way to the sky, and live up to our ambitions set by reading the sage books, and benefit the country, the country, and the common people in the world!"

Wu Ganzhong laughed and said: "My little brother is really happy for Brother Baigu! Brother's great talent is enough to help the country and the country. Now that Ming Dynasty is in crisis, it is a good opportunity for Brother Baigu to show revenge!"

After expressing his gratitude, Sun Chuanting said, "Brother, based on what you have seen and heard in the court, can you guess where the Holy Majesty is going to transfer you?"

Wu Ganzhong stroked his long beard and thought for a while, then shook his head, and said: "The Holy Majesty summoned me, so I want to use my elder brother more. It is impossible to work in the capital, and the most likely thing is to let him out. It's just that there are no old people in the governors. There is hardly any room available, so the younger brother will not be able to imagine how the Holy Majesty will arrange for my brother for a while!"

Sun Chuanting said with a smile: "But brother, I have already thought about where the Holy Admiral will send XX!"

Wu Ganzhong hurriedly said: "Brother Bai Gu, what did you think of?"

Sun Chuanting said with a smile: "If there is no accident, Shaanxi!"

Surprised, Wu Ganzhong became thoughtful.

Sun Chuanting continued: "Gan Xuekuo, the former governor of Shaanxi, feared the enemy like a tiger. He was impeached by the inspector and knew nothing about personnel. He acted as a joke and was dismissed by the emperor. The courtiers avoided serving in Shaanxi and regarded it as timid. Mr. Sun is not talented, but he will never be afraid of the enemy, although there are tens of thousands of people, I will go!"

Wu Ganzhong got up and saluted Sun Chuanting, stood up straight and said, "Brother Baigu's judgment is very probable! Although the governor of Shaanxi has a high position and authority, the place he is in is extremely dangerous! Since brother Baigu is full of pride, I won't persuade him to think twice. It’s okay, I only hope that my brother’s ambition to rise to the clouds will start from Shaanxi!”

Sun Chuanting hurriedly returned the gift, Wu Ganzhong ordered a banquet to be served, and Sun Chuanting would not return until he was drunk.The two drank and talked all night until they both passed out.

When Sun Chuanting woke up the next day, it was almost noon, and he had returned to the inn after inspecting the layout of the room.I just feel a splitting headache and dry mouth. I haven't drunk so much for many years.

He opened his mouth to call for people, and Sun Zhian pushed the door in with a cup of warm tea. Sun Chuanting sat up and drank the tea. His chest that seemed to be smoking finally cooled down. He asked, "How did I come back last night?" of?"

Sun Zhian looked at his young master with a grin, and said: "Master Wu and Master Wu were both drunk last night, and Master Wu's family wanted to leave the young master to rest in the guest room of Wu's house, but the young master said that he could not delay the summoning of the emperor, and the young one was also afraid of delaying the important event of the young master." , so I used the sedan chair of the Wu family master to carry the young master back to the inn, it was almost midnight, I have never seen the young master drunk before, hee hee!"

Sun Chuanting scolded with a smile: "Get out, go get a bucket of bath water, I want to sober up"

After a while, two men came to the room carrying the bath water, and Sun Chuanting got into the wooden barrel naked, and when the hot water was hot, he couldn't help moaning comfortably.

After washing and changing soon, Sun Zhi'an hurried into the courtyard with a small yellow door as he was about to go out for dinner.Seeing Sun Chuanting standing in the courtyard, Sun Zhian said to Xiaohuangmen: "Little eunuch, this is my young master, young master, this is the eunuch who came to deliver the order from the palace."

Little Huangmen took a look at Sun Chuanting and said, "Are you Sun Chuanting from Daizhou?"

Sun Chuanting responded, "It's exactly Sun!"

"The sage ordered that Sun Chuanting of Xuandai Prefecture will have an audience immediately!"

Sun Chuanting was stunned for a moment, he thought he would have to wait for a while before he could enter the palace, but he didn't expect that he would be summoned by the Holy Majesty the next day after entering Beijing.

He hurriedly cupped his hands in salute and said: "My father-in-law, please run!" Then he winked at Sun Zhian. Sun Zhian took out an ingot of ten taels of silver from his arms and handed it over. I took it.He said happily: "Our family, Li Erxi, sees that the sky is waiting by the emperor's side. Yesterday the commander of the Jinyiwei envoy Mr. Luo entered the palace to report to Mr. Sun that you are coming to Beijing, and the emperor sent us to deliver the decree this morning, which shows how much the emperor attaches great importance to it." You! It's not so easy for other officials to see the emperor! Mr. Sun, let's go now, don't make the emperor wait too long!"

Sun Chuanting was both moved and fearful, and bowed his hands in the direction of the palace in salute.He opened his mouth and said: "Thanks to your majesty's attention, I am very grateful, and I ask Eunuch Li to lead the way!" Then he asked Sun Zhi'an to stay in the inn in case guests came, and then followed Li Erxi to the palace.

After inspecting the badge at Xihuamen, Li Erxi took Sun Chuanting straight to the Hall of Martial Arts.

There was still a distance from the main hall, and the two of them saw a young man in a bright yellow casual robe with his hands behind his back, standing on the steps of the main hall and looking at them.

Li Erxi was startled, and urged in a low voice: "Mr. Sun, hurry up! The one on the steps is the emperor. I have never seen the emperor come out of the hall to meet any of his subjects. Hurry up!"

Sun Chuanting's heart was full of blood, his eyes were hot, and his eyes were suddenly moist. The emperor came out to welcome him. This treatment can be described as a grand occasion!
He trot unconsciously and came to the front of the hall, only to see the emperor looking at him with a smile on his face. After standing still, he solemnly arranged his clothes, knelt down and bowed three times and kowtowed nine times. He wanted to shout, but under the agitated mood , Can't even make a sound.

Before the gift was finished, Sun Chuanting saw a pair of bright yellow casual boots appearing in sight, and then supported himself with a pair of strong arms, only to hear a gentle voice say: "Sun Qing, I have been waiting for you for a long time! Daming is also waiting You've been here for a long time! Get up quickly, let's talk in the palace of the emperor and ministers!"

Sun Chuanting stood up with Zhu Youjian's hands, tears rolling down his eyes, blurring his vision.He sobbed: "How can this humble servant be so virtuous? I can thank the Holy Lord to welcome you! Being able to be driven by His Majesty, this humble servant can only repay the king's kindness with all his heart!"

Zhu Youjian took his hand up the steps, and said with a smile as he walked: "I don't need you to be so heartless, I just hope that you can do things with sincerity and do your best for the safety of the Ming Dynasty!"

While talking, the two came to the hall, and Zhu Youjian sat down after returning to the imperial case, and ordered: "Li Erxi, show Sun Qing a seat."

Li Erxi hastily moved the brocade stool, Sun Chuanting repeatedly claimed that he dared not sit in front of Junfu, Zhu Youjian smiled and said: "Sun Qing, I intend to talk freely with you, you don't have to refuse, just sit down."

Sun Chuanting sat down on the brocade bench in panic after hearing the words.

Zhu Youjian looked at this tall, well-groomed Shanxi man, and felt very sorry for what happened to him in history.

Sun Chuanting is resourceful and resourceful, with a bold personality, and has devoted himself to the Ming Dynasty in history.

But because of his disagreement with Yang Sichang, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, and a group of eunuchs, he was repeatedly slandered in front of Chongzhen by these people. Because of Chongzhen's suspicious and irritable character, he was arrested and imprisoned for three years. Li Zicheng and other thieves suffered repeated defeats in the battles, so he had to be released from the imperial prison to lead the army.

However, the general situation of the bandits had already been achieved, and Sun Chuanting could not recover from the defeat. Finally, on the way to retreat to Weinan, he was besieged by Li Zicheng's [-] troops and died in battle.

"Sun Qing, what do you think of the current situation?" Zhu Youjian said warmly.

Sun Chuanting pondered for a while, and said, "My Majesty, the ones who are worried about today are not the rogue bandits. Although there have been more and more rogue bandits in the past few years, most of them are actually peasants who have lost their land, and there is a serious shortage of armor and weapons. According to my minister for many years Judging from the collected information, the most powerful rogue is Gao Yingxiang, and the largest number is Tuo Yangkun. But no matter how they ravage all over the place, they can't change the essence of rogues, that is, they are everywhere Floating, never occupying a prefecture or a county,
As long as the officers and soldiers have sufficient food and salaries, and the orders are strict, it will not be difficult to wipe out the bandits in time.

What I worry about now is that the officers and soldiers lack enough food and pay. When soldiers fight, they don’t have enough food, and they don’t have any money. How can morale be raised during a war?

Without morale, it will be difficult to win a battle. This is the most serious concern of the humble minister.

Forgive me for speaking bluntly, I think it is not difficult to suppress the thieves, but it will take time, I only hope that the sage will give me enough time and authority, and when the time comes, my servant and others will give Your Majesty a bright future! "

Zhu Youjian nodded, and said: "What you said is indeed reasonable, and I am trying to find a way to alleviate the financial problem.

Unbeknownst to Sun Qing, the national treasury is now empty, with only 50 taels of silver left. These taels not only need to pay the salaries of officials, but also need to maintain the funds required by various yamen, not to mention the increasingly huge military expenditure.

To tell you the truth, the rations and salaries allocated to the various armies this time are all taken out of my internal funds.

But there are more than 1 people in the palace who need food and expenses. Now I also ask the harem to take the lead in saving food and clothing, reducing consumption, and saving some money. After all, internal money is not inexhaustible.

As for the second point that Qing said, I was impatient before, and always hoped that Hong and Lu Erqing could suppress the bandits sooner rather than later. Now it seems that suppressing the bandits is really a protracted battle.

Some time ago, I have issued a decree to Hong and Lu Erqing, not to underestimate the enemy and rush forward, and to suppress the thieves slowly, so it can be regarded as making up for my previous mistakes. "

Sun Chuanting got up and knelt down, and said from the bottom of his heart: "The Holy Majesty is able to bow and reflect on himself, which is really the image of a wise king, and I am very grateful to you!"

Zhu Youjian smiled and asked him to stand up, and said: "With Sun Qing's ingenuity, I must have figured out where I want to use you. Such a dangerous place, the courtiers of the capital are afraid of it like a tiger, Sun Qing dare to go? "

Sun Chuanting got up abruptly, saluted solemnly, and said loudly: "Shaanxi is the birthplace of the thieves, the root of the thieves, and the place where the thieves rely most heavily on. It can be said that the pacification of Shaanxi will also cut off the root of the thieves! Micro The minister is not talented, and I would like to go on behalf of the emperor! The place that others fear is the place where the meritorious service is famous. As long as the emperor grants the minister full power, the minister is willing to issue a military order!"

Zhu Youjian stood up and clapped his hands and said: "Well said! This is the great talent in my heart! If all the ministers have the courage and courage like Sun Qing, why worry about being immortal!

I am here to assure you that if you go to Shaanxi, you can do whatever you want, and I will bear all the consequences for you!There is no need to worry about the turmoil in the court. Some ministers eat vegetarian meals only for self-interest, and they don't want to see other people's political achievements.

At this time when the country is unstable, I will bear it for the time being, but it does not mean that I will give in forever. When the day when Qing and others win, it will be the time for these mediocre officials to give way!
This time you go to Shaanxi, I will allocate 10 fine horsemen from the Yongwei Camp as your guard battalion, and I will give you [-] taels of silver and [-] shi of new military rations for you. I hope Sun Qing will live up to my expectations and fulfill her duties , I am waiting for your good news in the capital! "

Sun Chuanting was so excited that he knelt down on the ground and said, "A saint treats his ministers with honor, and I will repay him with honor! Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my best to put down the bandits on behalf of Your Majesty, so as to reassure the hearts of the people all over the world." !"

Zhu Youjian bypassed the imperial case and helped him up, and said with a smile: "Today is the happiest day I've had in recent times, and I believe in you! I also know that your talents are not limited to suppressing thieves, you also have great ideals." Revenge, when the rogue bandits are wiped out in the future, I will work with you to create a brand new Ming Dynasty, a Ming Dynasty where the people are prosperous and the country is strong!"

Sun Chuanting's mood was agitated, and he wished he could raise his head to the sky and scream.All the negative rumors about the Holy Majesty in the past disappeared at this moment.The Holy Majesty's words and deeds made him extremely excited. With such a wise king showing his ambitions, this is the dream of all scholars. At this moment, the dream has dawned, and he looks forward to that day coming soon.

(End of this chapter)