Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 44 Sun Chengzong

Most of the behind-the-scenes driving forces when Sun Chengzong dismissed him from office and returned home in the fourth year of Chongzhen were still serving in the court, especially Wen Tiren was already the chief assistant.

If Sun Chengzong is directly pushed to the post of Governor Xuanda, he will undoubtedly be put on fire, and the current Governor Liang Tingdong cannot resign without reason.Under internal and external troubles, it is still necessary to temporarily compromise with the civil servants. This group of guys typically achieve more than fail.

It seems that the only way to advance is to retreat. Thinking of this, Zhu Youjian ordered to summon the cabinet ministers to discuss matters.

The cold winter has come, and after returning to Qianqing Palace, the best place to work is of course the Nuan Pavilion. The heated floor makes the interior as warm as spring. The only regret is that the space is a bit cramped.

"Wen Qing, have you passed your sixtieth year this year?" Zhu Youjian asked.

"Return to the Holy Majesty, the old minister is sixty-three." Wen Tiren replied, feeling a little baffled, why did the Holy Majesty ask about his age when he summoned him? Could it be that he despises himself for being old?Thinking of this, I hastily added another sentence: "Although the minister is old, he is not old yet!"

"Well, very good, Wen Qing is growing stronger and stronger, I am so relieved, Zhang Qing, are you younger than Wen Qing?" Chongzhen continued to ask.

"Returning to the Holy Lord, I am one year older than Xiao Wenge, and my body is not bad." Zhang Zhifa replied cautiously.

"That's right, dear friends, although they are old, they are still strong and healthy. I'm very happy! The former Mr. Gao Yangsun also gave me a book, suggesting that I use firearms vigorously, and said that only firearms can restrain the slaves and captives. I think what Mr. Sun said is very true. He has ordered the Yongwei camp to expand the fire gun camp. Although Mr. Sun is old, he can still worry about his king when he is among the people. I am very moved!"

When all the cabinet ministers heard that the emperor mentioned Sun Chengzong, they all felt uneasy.

At the beginning, it was Wen Tiren who was the leader and the rest were intimidating, and drove the respected Sun Chengzong home. Today the emperor suddenly mentioned Sun Chengzong, is it possible to re-enable him?

According to Sun Chengzong's qualifications, none of the cabinet ministers present can compare with him. He is a veteran of the three dynasties and an important minister of the Tianqi and Chongzhen dynasties.If he returns to the court, it is really unreasonable not to be the first assistant. If Sun Chengzong is the first assistant, if he remembers the hatred of the past, he still doesn't know how to get revenge.

Wen Tiren cupped his hands and said: "Mr. Sun is more than a few years old, and he can still share the worries of the Holy Majesty and the court. I really admire it. At this age of the old man, it is really enviable for the old man to entertain his grandson at home and take care of him for the rest of his life!"

Zhang Zhifa said: "If the old minister reaches Mr. Sun's age, he will be like an old gentleman. Wouldn't it be beautiful to go back to his hometown to plow the fields and study, and enjoy the Nanshan Mountains leisurely!" Wang Yingxiong and Zheng Yiwei also echoed.

Zhu Youjian laughed secretly in his heart. What these two said was that Sun Chengzong was old and shouldn't return to the court anymore. Young people in their 60s should worry about court affairs.

Zhu Youjian said: "I have a lot of cabinet ministers working on state affairs, but if there is a highly respected veteran at the helm, the burden on your shoulders will be lightened. I really can't bear the cabinet ministers to sleep late at night!"

"It's enough to have the Holy Majesty at the helm. Ministers should serve the country, and they don't feel tired at all!" Wen Tiren replied hastily.

"Old Wen Ge's words are really the voice of the minister and everyone else!"

"What Wen Ge said is true, the Holy Majesty is the one who steers my great ship of Ming Dynasty!"

"The minister agrees with the words of Elder Wen Ge!"

The rest of the people spoke out one after another.

Zhu Youjian frowned and pondered, Wen Tiren and others looked at him eagerly.

After a long while, Zhu Youjian said: "Since you feel that you are competent, I have nothing to say. It's just a pity that Mr. Sun has devoted himself to serving the country. I really feel sorry for him. After all, he is a veteran of the three dynasties, and his loyalty is commendable." !"

Everyone on the field secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Wen Tiren saluted and said: "Your Majesty can issue a decree to reward Mr. Sun, and those who have ambitions among his descendants can also be gracious and enter the government. In this way, Mr. Sun will be very grateful to His Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian said: "Even if Mr. Sun doesn't take part in the book, I will show you kindness. I just think it's a pity that Mr. Sun's talents are left idle."

All the ministers remained silent. It seemed that the emperor still hadn't given up the idea of ​​wanting Sun Chengzong to enter the cabinet. Several people looked at each other and reached a consensus in an instant that Sun Chengzong could not be allowed to come back no matter what.

Zhu Youjian changed the subject, frowned and said: "I heard that the Tartars on the front line of Xuanda are frequently detained. Although the casualties of the soldiers and civilians are not serious, but the heavy defense of the front line of Xuanda, how can the Tartars be so rampant? Could it be that the governor is unable to control the army?"

Wen Tiren heard the string song and knew the elegant meaning, stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: "As the governor, Liang Tingdong is cowardly! Xuanda is the barrier of the capital, and it is necessary to choose an important minister to supervise the army and the people. Only in this way can the capital be at ease!"

"In Qing's opinion, who can take on this important task?" Zhu Youjian asked.

"Mr. Sun Chengzong Sun once supervised Liaodong, and the soldiers and civilians dared not refuse to accept it. I recommended him to serve in Xuanda!"

"Subsidiary"

"Veteran seconded"

"Subsidiary"

Zhu Youjian was noncommittal, and sighed: "How will Liang Tingdong deal with it? After all, he is a governor."

"How can such a person who is a vegetarian eat nothing but steal a high position? He should be dismissed and go home!" Wen Tiren said impassionedly.

Zhu Youjian waved his hand and said, "Retire, all gentlemen, I'm tired."

All the ministers bowed and retired.

After walking a long distance from the Nuan Pavilion, Wang Yingxiong said, "Mr. Wen Ge, why did you let Sun Chengzong take over as Xuanda? Are you afraid that he will help him make meritorious deeds by capturing those soldiers? How about the Holy Majesty let him join the cabinet?"

Wen Tiren sighed: "According to His Majesty's resolute nature, if you don't give in today, His Majesty might be directly promoted to the cabinet without being recommended by the court. How will you and I deal with each other then? As for whether he will make meritorious deeds in the future, let's see." .”

"Liang Tingdong has constant rituals in four seasons, don't say confiscating them!"

Wang Yingxiong and Liang Tingdong are relatives, and their eldest daughter married Liang Tingdong's eldest son.

Wen Tiren stopped in his tracks, and said with a blank expression: "This old man never accepts gifts from anyone, Wang Ge is old!"

After saying that, he walked away.

Wang Yingxiong's face turned pale with anger, Zhang Zhifa hurriedly smoothed things over and said, "Don't get angry, Mr. Wang Ge, wait for the limelight to pass, and then look for opportunities to recover!"

Wang Yingxiong said bitterly: "You didn't accept it because you didn't dare! There are so many civil and military people who dislike you, if you dare to accept gifts, the papers of impeachment can fill up the Holy Majesty's case! Hypocrites, hum!"

The rest of the people were all silent, Wang Yingxiong hurried away angrily, and everyone followed behind and left the palace.

A few days later, Wang Chengen, who was ordered to visit Sun Chengzong, returned to Qianqing Palace. Zhu Youjian summoned him immediately after learning that Sun Chengzong had come with him.

For this famous loyal minister in the late Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youjian admired him from the bottom of his heart. He resisted aliens and died for the country, knowing that he would die and still fighting to the end. This is the national integrity and the backbone that supports the nation.

Sun Chengzong wanted to pay a grand visit, but Zhu Youjian hurriedly got up to stop him, but Sun Chengzong insisted on praying once, and then sat down on the brocade bench brought by Wang Chengen.

Zhu Youjian smiled and said: "I wanted to wait for Mr. Sun to rest for a night before summoning, but I am impatient, and I ask Mr. Sun to forgive me. It has been a hard journey!"

"The Holy Majesty summons the old minister, it must be a state affair, why bother to talk about it! Although the minister is old, his body is still strong, and he can still serve the court for a few more years!"

Sun Chengzong's voice is like a bell, and he is full of confidence. When he was young, he traveled all over the border of Daming and developed a good body. Although he is 73 years old, he does not look old at all.

"I am very happy to see that Mr. Sun is as healthy as before! This time I summoned Mr., but I have a heavy responsibility to entrust to you!" Zhu Youjian said warmly.

Sun Chengzong stood up, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty has entrusted you, just give orders. The old minister still has some ability to ask himself, especially because he is very familiar with the affairs of the Nine Sides. I don't know where His Majesty will send the old minister?!
Zhu Youjian hurriedly said: "Mr. Sun, please sit down. I know very well that Mr. is familiar with side affairs, so I want to hand over the position of Governor Xuanda to Mr. I don't know what your opinion is?"

Sun Chengzong was taken aback when he heard the words, and said, "Could it be that the Tartars started to provoke again? Xuanda's first-line imperial court has heavy troops stationed there. Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei are generals who have been stationed at the border for a long time. The Tartars have been on the decline for a long time. How about using troops on a large scale to provoke provocations? Could it be that the governor can't suppress these arrogant soldiers?"

Zhu Youjian nodded approvingly and said: "Mr. Sun's words are very true! The 200 years of continuous attack by our dynasty has caused serious divisions among the Tartar tribes. For many years, there have been no great talents and great strategies. A completely divided nation is against each other. Daming is no longer a big threat, now we only worry about Jianzhou!"

Sun Chengzong said: "My sage clearly sees that building slaves is a serious problem in our dynasty. If we don't stop it, we will suffer its backlash sooner or later! The veteran has been dealing with Jiannu for ten years since he presided over Liaodong in the first year of Tianqi. growing stronger.

The old slave Nurhachi and the current slave chieftain Huang Taiji are both people with deep chests, and their rise has already been achieved. The situation in Liaodong is likely to be corrupted. I thought that the emperor would resend me to serve in Liaodong this time, but I didn't expect it to happen. It's the front line of Xuanda! "

Zhu Youjian smiled and said: "Of course I know the importance of Ji Liao, but I also know the complexity of the situation in Liaodong, and it will take a lot of time to completely reverse the situation.

Liaodong is still barely able to survive today, and the top priority is the rogues who are raging in the Central Plains. If you fight against the outside world, you must first settle down inside. Only by getting rid of the inner troubles first can you free up your hands to solve the border troubles with all your strength! "

Sun Chengzong cupped his hands and said: "I don't agree with what the Holy Majesty said. I think that building slaves is a serious problem for the court! As for the thieves, most of them are just hungry people with sticks in their hands. Thieves are not enough to cause trouble, and the truth here should be enlightened by the Holy One!"

Zhu Youjian said in his heart: I come from later generations, so of course I know that the last one who perishes Daming is the bandit that you didn't pay attention to, Man Qing just picked up a loophole.If Li Zicheng and others hadn't completely disrupted the heartland of Daming, according to the strength of Man Qing, it would not be enough to occupy the entire territory of Daming. Of course, it is impossible to say these things.

Zhu Youjian said with a smile: "Jiannu is like a hungry wolf, crawling and crouching in the grass, looking for an opportunity, he will bite off a piece of meat from Daming's body. To deal with a hungry wolf, you have to beat it so that it is temporarily weak and then comes back again." Bite, wait for Daming to recover from his wounds before beating him to death.

Let's not talk about these things, this time, Mr. Xuanda, I hope that the old man will thoroughly rectify the frontier army, strictly enforce military discipline, ban empty pay, and weed out the old and the weak.After the situation stabilizes in the coming year, we will vigorously cultivate the fields and raise troops, and resume the duties of the guard. I will arrange a department to cooperate with Mr., just let it go.

You don't have to be afraid of rumors in the court, sir, I will protect the courtiers who are brave enough to do things.I have dispatched a thousand cavalry from the Yongwei Battalion to serve as the old gentleman to supervise the standard battalion, and to accompany him to the post to strengthen the prestige of the court! "

Sun Chengzong responded with all his mouth, and the monarch and his ministers talked again. Sun Chengzong said goodbye and went back to the inn to rest.

A few days later, Chang Ziyu impeached Xuanda Governor Liang Tingdong for cowardice and fear of the enemy.The former Tartar invaders killed and wounded several people and plundered gold, silver and property, and the memorials were submitted that the frontier army shrank in the city and dared not fight.After the inspection, Zhu You was furious, and decreed to dismiss Governor Liang Tingdong from the position of Governor, and ordered the cabinet to recommend a candidate for Governor Xuanda.

The first assistant Wen Tiren, the second assistant Zhang Zhifa and others unanimously recommended Sun Chengzong, a former academician, to take over, and the emperor readily agreed.Sun Chengzong went to Xuanda with the title of Dongge University scholar, and a thousand cavalrymen went with him.

(End of this chapter)