The most powerful patriarch in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 174
Chapter 172

In July, Concubine Tian Gui, who was deeply loved by Chongzhen, died of illness.
In the same month, news leaked that the imperial court secretly sent people to discuss peace with Jianlu, causing an uproar in the ruling and opposition parties.

For a while, impeachment was flying all over the sky,
Especially those censors, who are about to bump into the pillars in the court,
Let them contribute money and effort, and hide away one by one,
When you have the opportunity to criticize the emperor and make a name for yourself by the way,
Crazy as if beaten with chicken blood, I'm afraid things won't make a big deal,
All kinds of abuse and accusations like competitions one after another,
All kinds of ancestral teachings,
The final result of this incident was that Chen Xinjia, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, was killed.

As a result, the peace talks with Jianlu were officially suspended.

Concubine Tian Gui passed away, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong were enthroned, Hong Chengchou surrendered Jianlu,

Bad news came one after another, and the sky over the capital was filled with gloom.

In the imperial palace, in the imperial study room, Chongzhen sat behind the imperial case, writing vigorously,
Zhou Yanru, Chief Assistant of the Cabinet, Wei Zhaocheng, Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs, Wu Wei, Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and Chen Yan, a scholar of the Wuying Hall, sat on the embroidered pier,

Look at the nose with the eyes, and the heart with the nose,

No one spoke, and no one disturbed Chongzhen,
Not even a cup of tea, let alone snacks,
The four knew that the emperor was angry and deliberately left them alone.
Nine times out of ten it is because of peace negotiations.

Chen Xinjia, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, proposed to Emperor Chongzhen to make peace with Jianlu, which was approved by Emperor Chongzhen.
We haven't negotiated yet, the Ming Dynasty lost in the Songjin War,
During the secret peace talks, Jianlu demanded that the Ming Dynasty recognize that the east of Tashan belonged to the Qing Dynasty, and that they would send ten thousand taels of gold and one million taels of silver every year.

Chongzhen asked Zhou Tingru's opinion twice, but Zhou Yanru did not express his opinion.
Resolutely keep silent,
He had made a plan in his heart, and if he didn't express his opinion, he could fight for the glory if he had meritorious deeds.

Resolutely don't open your mouth. If something happens, you can shirk your responsibility.

The other three thought the same way.
When something is exposed, someone has to be held accountable.

Chongzhen was the emperor, he wanted face, and in the end Chen Xinjia became the scapegoat.

After leaving several important ministers to dry for half an hour, Chongzhen put down his pen and said casually: "There are too many memorials to be corrected, and I have kept you all waiting for a long time."

The four of them didn't even dare to say anything.

Chongzhen was in an irritable mood, and he didn't bother to argue with several ministers, so he directly asked his servant Wang Chengen to pass the two documents to the four for circulation.

One is a secret report sent by Luo Yangxing, the commander of Jinyiwei,
One is a memorial sent by Lu Changle, the new Fujian general who suppressed the bandits.

There are too many things to deal with every day. If every major event is discussed,
It is possible that no result has been discussed for a year or so.
In order to improve efficiency and to develop things in the direction of my heart,
Before the court meeting on major proposals, the emperor and his ministers first discussed and reached a consensus.

This is the tacit understanding between the monarch and his ministers.
It also avoids a huge gap between the monarch and his subjects.

Like suddenly throwing out a proposal that is difficult for people to accept,

No, very little.

After watching it, Wu Zhen, Wei Zhaocheng and Chen Yan were shocked, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Unexpectedly, in less than three months, the sky in Fujian has changed.

Among the four, only Zhou Tingru was the calmest. He had learned about this from Dong Tingxian early in the morning.

Dong Tingxian is Zhou Yanru's most trusted staff member, and he is best at making suggestions.

People from Cheng's Commercial Company found Dong Tingxian and asked Dong Tingxian to come forward to help Lu Changle win the position of Fujian General Soldier.
It's not for nothing,
Dong Tingxian received 300 taels of gold and ten top-grade pearls,
Zhou Yanru received 3000 taels of gold and a land deed for the farm.

There are [-] mu of farmland in the farm, which is still a good paddy field.

The courtesy is too generous, and it is not difficult to operate this matter, so it is difficult for Zhou Tingru to refuse.

After watching it, Wu Tong bowed to Chongzhen and said, "Your Majesty, according to my opinion, it may not be a good thing. Lu Changle is in charge of Fujian, and he is better than Zheng Zhilong. Zheng Zhilong has been ashore all these years, and he is still a bandit. .”

Chen Yan, the "minister's second opinion", echoed: "Zheng Zhilong abandoned the people in Fujian, and bandits in Fujian were everywhere. It's piled up like a mountain, and it's time to clean them up."

Chen Yan opened an inn and a silk shop in Hankou, and handed them over to relatives to take care of them.

I wanted to subsidize the family, but I didn't expect Zheng Zhibao to steal it.

I couldn't tell if I was suffering, so I just stepped on him at this time.

Wei Zhaocheng sighed, shook his head and said, "Judging from Commander Luo's secret report, General Lu is quite popular in Fujian, and he behaves fairly well. He is in charge of Fujian, and he must be better than Zheng Zhilong. We just ask Chaoyan to allocate funds. Jianqi, this will definitely not work, the treasury is very tight now, and there is really no money left.”

The Ministry of Accounts is the money bag of the imperial court. If you need to spend money, you can find the Minister of the Ministry of Accounts.
Wars cost money, pensions cost money, disaster relief costs money, rewards cost money, building imperial mausoleums cost money, officials’ salaries cost money,
There are many wars and many rebels, and the tax money sent to the treasury from various places is very unstable.
Ten pots and seven lids, only the head of the family knows that rice is expensive,
Especially an emperor like Chongzhen who is suspicious, stingy and likes to dump the pot,
Not to mention a minister, the chief assistant of the cabinet can be changed faster than changing clothes,
Take Hubu Shangshu as an example, it is only August, and Wei Zhaocheng is already the third Hubu Shangshu this year.

Chongzhen asked without raising his head: "Zhou Aiqing, in your opinion, this matter should be dealt with?"

Zhou Yanru's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said without changing his face: "If you go back to the emperor, the old minister thinks that both General Pingze and Fujian General Zheng Zhilong are the emperor's ministers, and it is too presumptuous to act without the emperor's approval. Lu Changle should be summoned to the capital to discuss the crime."

I feel resentful,

When I came back by decree, at the beginning, when I had something or needed me, I always called Mr.
Because Chen Xinjia didn't cooperate with that matter, it was immediately changed to Zhou Aiqing.

Some things are not so easy to get ahead, and I don't think about how many high-ranking officials have been killed in the past 15 years.
Ordinary people even raise cattle at home, and they don't know how to kill them.

Zhou Tingru was also afraid.

After finishing speaking, Zhou Yanru gave Chen Yan a wink indiscriminately.

Chen Yan understood, and immediately objected: "No, now there are Jianlu outside and rebels making trouble inside, it is a time of external troubles and internal troubles, and it is not appropriate to make troubles outside the festival. I think that we should mainly appease Lu Changle and beat Lu Changle as a supplement. .”

Chongzhen has always been suspicious, if the courtiers agree, it will make him suspicious.

It is best to dismantle and quarrel with each other,
If the emperor likes it, then show it to him.

Soon, Wei Zhaocheng and Wu Shen also joined in,
The four divided into two factions, Chen Yan and Wei Zhaocheng supported and appeased,
Zhou Yanru and Wu Tong insisted on punishing Lu Changle for his unauthorized claims,
In the end Chongzhen was satisfied and gave his own opinion.

Seal Lu Changle as the governor of Fujian, and wipe out the bandits and Zheng's remnants in Fujian within a time limit.

Rebuild the Fujian Navy as soon as possible,

It is definitely not possible to ask for funds to rebuild their homes. The court cannot make ends meet, but it can reduce or exempt taxes for three years as appropriate.

Anyway, Fujian was first plagued by plague, and then there was bandit turmoil.
It is said that Yanping Mansion was once deserted, and it was not expected to collect taxes.
It's better to be generous.

After getting the final answer, Zhou Tingru showed an imperceptible smile,

After finishing the work at last, the filial property of Cheng's firm can be safely pocketed.
The emperor was dissatisfied with himself,
The emperor's grace has become a companion like a tiger,

It's time to think about how to get out,

Of course, as I get older, I really have to retire this time.
Before retiring, in order to have a good life after serving as an official, it is natural to make a little more money.

Shengjing, Imperial Palace, Ten Kings Pavilion.

Huang Taiji held a banquet here, and invited Fan Wencheng, Hong Chengchou, Zu Dashou, Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, and Shang Kexi to the banquet.

They are all loyal Hanchens.

Sun Youde, Geng Zhongming, Shang Kexi and Fan Wencheng surrendered earlier,
During the banquet, he behaved very naturally, when he knelt down and called himself a slave, there was no jerk in the slightest,
Hong Chengchou was still a little unaccustomed and seemed a little restrained.

Zu Dashou, who surrendered for the second time, was neither happy nor angry, and seemed a little taciturn.

Huang Taiji sat in the upper seat, his face was a little pale, and he occasionally coughed twice,
After his favorite concubine Borzigit died of illness last year, Huang Taiji was overly sad,

The body is getting worse day by day,
Sometimes I fainted suddenly,
Now the government and the public are very worried about Huang Taiji's body.

"Your Majesty, no matter how busy the state affairs are, you must take care of your body." Fan Wencheng knelt down on his knees and said worriedly.

Prosperity and wealth are all given by the Manchus, so Fan Wencheng is naturally very concerned about Huang Taiji's body.

"Mr. Fan, get up, I'm fine, just rest and recuperate."

"Slave complies with the order" Fan Wencheng sat down again after thanking him.

Seeing that Kong Youde, Shang Kexi and others also knelt down to say hello, Huang Taiji waved his hands and said, "Everyone, this is a banquet, not a court hall, and all etiquette is waived. Sit down and have a good drink with me."

Everyone said yes, so they all drank together.

After drinking three rounds and tasting five times, driven by Huang Taiji,

The atmosphere was harmonious.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Huang Taiji suddenly said: "The wounds of the warriors have healed, the horses have grown fat, the harvest is still not good, and the granary is about to bottom out. In order to allow the people of the Eight Banners to survive the long winter, I decided to Go hunting, do you have any suggestions?"

In the pine brocade battle, Huang Taiji also did his best,

I wanted to ask for benefits through the peace talks, but I didn't expect the peace talks to be leaked.

The Ming Dynasty not only suspended the peace talks, but even killed Chen Xinjia, Minister of the Ministry of War who presided over the peace talks.
The desired food and goods cannot be obtained on the negotiating table,
Huang Taiji decided to send troops to fetch it.

Liaodong is under the control of the Eight Banners, and the defense of the Ming Dynasty is useless to the Eight Banners cavalry.

At this time, if you don't plunder the population and property, what are you waiting for?

Fan Wencheng said loudly: "I think this idea is very good. The elite of the Ming Dynasty were almost exhausted in the battle of Songjin. According to the information obtained by the slave, the rebel army headed by Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong is about to turn the Central Plains upside down. , taking advantage of the chaos of the Ming Dynasty, just to replenish food, grass and youth."

Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, and Shang Kexi showed joy when they heard that they were going to enter the customs to plunder.

Repeatedly opening their mouths to agree.

The three were originally Mao Wenlong's subordinates. After Yuan Chonghuan killed Mao Wenlong,

Soon surrendered to Jianlu,
He has a lot of resentment towards the Ming Dynasty, surrendered for a long time, and has a high degree of loyalty to Jianlu.
Most of the looting when entering the customs is the vanguard of the Han Eight Banners,
Guan Ning's iron cavalry is gone, which is a good opportunity to get promoted and make a fortune.

Huang Taiji gave Fan Wencheng a wink,
Fan Wencheng understood, and said with a smile: "Hong Niulu, Zu Zongbing, you are very familiar with the Ming Dynasty, what advice do you have for this entry?"

At Hong Chengchou's surrender ceremony, Huang Taiji, as a show of grace, named him the Coated Niulu with the yellow flag,
Huang Taiji admired Zu Dashou's bravery and integrity very much when he surrendered to the Qing Dynasty for the second time. He personally stepped down from the throne and helped him up.

Zu Dashou arched his hands and said: "Your Majesty, Fan Zhangjing, Zu is a rough man who only knows how to wield knives, dance guns, and charge into battle. He doesn't know anything about strategies. Fight wherever the emperor dictates. As for strategies, I won't make a fool of myself."

Fan Wencheng was a little dissatisfied, just about to run away, Huang Taiji had already said: "Hahaha, Zongbing Zu is still as straightforward, that's all, let's punish himself with three cups."

Zu Dashou fought fiercely and did not fear death. When Jinzhou was besieged and ran out of ammunition and food, his horses and horses ran out of food, and he refused to surrender.

Persevered for a year, beheaded the Qing generals many times, and later disappointed with the Ming Dynasty, and did not want to fight to the death with his subordinates who were born and died.

After receiving Huang Taiji's promise, he led his troops to surrender.

If it were someone else, Zu Dashou would definitely be killed and then quickly,
Huang Taiji is a typical thinking of a strong man. For him, subduing such a fierce general is his glory.

In terms of official position, Hong Shouchou is much taller than Zu Dashou,

The two attended the surrender ceremony together.
Zu Dashou was appointed as the general soldier, Hong Chengchou was only Niu Lu,

It's still Niulu with the yellow flag, how can a surrendered general command these emperor's personal soldiers,

In the final analysis, it is just a false position without real power.

The status of the two of them in Huang Taiji's heart was clear at a glance.

Zu Dashou responded neither humble nor overbearing, and drank three cups by himself in public.

A trace of envy flashed in Hong Chengchou's eyes, and he quickly said, "I think Yiyi slaves, if it's only for population and goods, the best marching route is Shandong."

"A centipede is dead but not stiff. There are still many people loyal to their emperor in the Ming Dynasty, such as Zuo Liangyu, Sun Chuanting, Liu Zeqing, Tang Tong, Shi Kefa, etc. are still there, and the capital has been fortified. Not a tough fight”

"Other places either suffered from disasters or were plundered many times, so there is not much oil and water."

"Shandong is relatively rich and has a large population. Seven or eighty-eight elites were mobilized in the battle of Songjin. Even if they attack by force, the losses will not be great."

"Daming's current military strength is not enough to pose a threat to the Qing army, but now there is an additional unstable factor."

Zu Dashou could refuse, but Hong Chengchou dared not evade.
I was originally a literary general, and I couldn't even tell a strategy.
That is, it is of no use value.
People who don't take advantage of their value will live a very miserable life in Shengjing.

Fan Wencheng's pupils shrank, and he blurted out: "Fujian."

As Jianlu's well-known think tank, Fan Wencheng is in charge of intelligence work related to Daming.

For such a big event in Fujian, Fan Wencheng must have received relevant information,
Besides, his son died in Fujian.

Hong Chengchou arched his hands and said: "It's Fujian. The servants overheard the discussion of Fujian by the masters. Only then did they know that there is such a character in Fujian. Zheng Zhilong is known as the overlord of the sea. Even the barbarians have to spend money to buy peace when they see him. , Lu Changle replaced him in less than two years, this person should not be underestimated."

After the surrender, Hong Chengchou had no real power and was under surveillance, and there were no other restrictions.
Jianlu will also share some information with him to let him understand the current situation,

In the future, we will also listen to his opinions on wars related to Ming Dynasty.

If the current situation is unclear, it will affect Hong Chengchou's judgment.

Naturally, I couldn't make any good suggestions.

I'm afraid that after the elite main force enters the customs, the Fujian navy will sneak attack from the sea.

Huang Taiji's memory is very good, he frowned and said: "Fan Aiqing, I remember that when Fan Niulu and Fan's firm were in Fujian, they tried to win over Lu Changle from the Lu family in Fuzhou, are they the same person?"

Jianzhou and Fujian once had a tacit understanding,
Fan Chengyin implemented the Great Wilderness Plan, intending to severely damage Fujian, especially the Fujian Navy,

The plan was successful, but Fan Chengyin and Fan Sanbo were also in Fujian.
What was even more unexpected was that Lu Changle became the biggest beneficiary of the Great Wilderness Project.

Fan Wencheng arched his hands and said: "The emperor has a good memory, it is this Lu Changle, just"

"Just what, Fan Aiqing has something to say, but it doesn't matter."

(End of this chapter)