I, Jiajing, successfully cultivated immortality

Chapter 750 The war is about to begin
Under Li Chunfang's narration, Zhang Juzheng quickly understood the cause of the matter.

At the same time, he also knew what he should do next.

Zhang Juzheng knew very well that next, he and Li Chunfang should give Zhu Shunxian, a descendant of the clan who participated in this examination, an appropriate ranking while maintaining the fairness of the Enke examination as much as possible.

This ranking cannot be too high or too low.

If Zhu Shunxian's ranking is too high, it will easily lead to criticism, which will affect the fairness of this examination. If his ranking is too low, the emperor will be embarrassed.

Therefore, the middle scale can only be grasped slowly by Li Chunfang and Zhang Juzheng.

After thinking about this, Zhang Juzheng calmed down, looked in the direction of Li Chunfang, and said bluntly: "Brother Zishi, what rank do you think Zhu Shunxian can get in the exam?"

Seeing Zhang Juzheng speak so bluntly, Li Chunfang couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. Then, she saw him organizing the words in his mind and speaking in agreement.

"I have heard of Zhu Shunxian before this. Zhu Shunxian is a descendant of the clan, but he has lofty ambitions and great talents."

"Not only that, but the people he interacts with on a daily basis are also people with noble temperaments. He never associates with the children of the clan who are intoxicated and hang out in gambling houses and brothels all day long. His writing style is fresh and elegant, very extraordinary, and quite ancient. What a great scholar!"

When Li Chunfang said this, he paused and continued to add: "Judging from Zhu Shunxian's talent, he will probably be able to get a ranking of more than 20 in the second class!"

After listening to the ranking given by Li Chunfang, Zhang Juzheng nodded, with a trace of relief flashing on his face.

Li Chunfang's idea coincided with his. After all, more than 20 people ranked second in the top 20, which was considered a good ranking. It not only gave the emperor enough face, but also would not cause too much criticism.

There are only three people in the first class, namely the number one scholar, the second in the ranking, and the third flower, who are awarded the Jinshi title. Some people in the second class are given the Jinshi background, and some people in the third class are given the same Jinshi background.

Since the establishment of the cabinet, all cabinet members of the Ming Dynasty were basically selected from more than a dozen top officials. These people are also called "preserver prime ministers" and are the reserves of senior officials of the Ming Dynasty.

Although those ranked in the top 20 or above cannot be admitted to the cabinet, if they are lucky enough and have made great achievements, they still have the opportunity to serve as senior officials.

However, due to his ranking, he can only reach the height of the third-grade official at most, and he cannot rise higher than that.

……

After that, Zhang Juzheng suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, nodded, and expressed his attitude: "Well, Brother Zishi is really a wise man. I also think that with what Zhu Shunxian has, His talent is enough to achieve this ranking!”

When Li Chunfang heard this, she knew that Zhang Juzheng had reached an agreement with her on the ranking.

Seeing that the biggest problem was solved, Li Chunfang couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief, and the stone hanging in her heart had landed safely.

Just when Li Chunfang came back to her senses and wanted to say something, she heard Zhang Juzheng's slightly emotional voice: "Brother Zishi, you are the examiner of this Enke examination, and you are in the same year as me. From the beginning, I admired your literary talents very much..."

Li Chunfang naturally heard the meaning of Zhang Juzheng's words, and then saw him stroking his beard, getting up from his seat, and saying in an unusually heroic manner: "In that case, let's show off our shame!"

Seeing Li Chunfang's high interest, Zhang Juzheng immediately ordered someone to bring paper and pen, and stood back.

After that, Li Chunfang wrote several verses with a flourish of ink. Then, with a pen and paper soaked in ink, she inadvertently wrote down the questions for this exam based on the memory in her mind. Down.

"A gentleman develops virtues and cultivates his career. He is loyal and trustworthy, so he develops virtue. His rhetoric establishes his sincerity, so he lives his career. Heaven gives it to the earth, and its benefits are endless. Metaphysically, it is called the Tao..."

After Zhang Juzheng finished browsing the test questions written on the paper, he couldn't help but feel a little frightened. Even if he was asked to do these questions, he would feel overwhelmed.

"Well, you are worthy of being the number one scholar, to think of such a tricky way to pose a question!"

After finishing his emotion, Zhang Juzheng calmly put away the piece of paper with the test questions written on it, and then started chatting with Li Chunfang.

Time passed by so slowly. I don’t know how long it had passed. Later, seeing that it was getting late, Li Chunfang took the initiative to bid farewell to Zhang Juzheng.

"It's getting late, it's time for me to say goodbye!"

"Brother Zishi, walk slowly!"

After seeing Li Chunfang off in person, Zhang Juzheng returned to the study, took out the paper with the examination questions from his sleeve, and secretly sighed: "Well, it seems that it is the general trend for the clan and nobles to return to the court. It’s something that can’t be avoided!”

On the other side, on the way back, Li Chunfang opened the sedan curtain and looked at the scenery on both sides of the road, looking thoughtful.

In her previous contact with Zhang Juzheng, Li Chunfang was vaguely aware of something.

That is, the evaluation of Zhang Juzheng by both the government and the public has always been accurate. This person is very talented and extremely pragmatic.

"No wonder Zhang Juzheng is favored by His Majesty. It seems that I will have to learn more about this in the future!"

Then, Li Chunfang looked away from the scenery on both sides of the road and muttered silently to herself.

……

Forbidden City, Cabinet.

At this time, Xu Jie looked at the budget report on the construction of the 'Hero Pavilion' submitted by the Ministry of Industry in his hand, and he couldn't help but frowned.

After all, according to the estimate in the budget report in hand, it is expected to cost 860,000 taels of silver to build the 'Pavilion of Heroes'.

In Xu Jie's view, it was just to build the 'Pavilion of Heroes', which was far from being needed. Moreover, at last year's imperial meeting, the emperor had just said that he needed to save money.

Afterwards, Xu Jie put down the budget report in his hand, looked in the direction of Yan Shifan, and asked, "Mr. Xiao Ge, is the cost of building the 'Hero Pavilion' too high?"

"The report submitted by the Ministry of Industry states that it is estimated to cost 860,000 taels of silver!"

When Yan Shifan heard what Xu Jie said, he immediately stood up and responded: "Mr. Xu Ge, you don't know something. This budget report from the Ministry of Industry is already very conservative!"

When Yan Shifan said this, he paused and then added: "After all, building the 'Gongchen Pavilion' is of great importance. Naturally, the best materials must be used. The materials alone will cost a lot of money." A lot of money!"

"In addition, there are no roads on the Yungui River side, and the cost of building roads is too high. Therefore, the felled wood can only be transported to the capital by sea!"

"If you choose sea transportation, the transportation cost will inevitably become higher. Not only that, in order to build the 'Gongchen Pavilion', you also need to transport good stones from Yunnan. The labor cost consumed in the process is A lot of expense.”

"Mr. Xu Ge should take a longer-term view. The 'Gongchen Pavilion' that the imperial court is about to build is a tower. It not only occupies a small area and has high structural strength, but also has a very large space inside. After it is built, there will be no need for it for decades to come. Let’s repair it again!”

"In this way, isn't it equivalent to saving a lot of money?"

After hearing Yan Shifan's explanation, Xu Jie nodded and said in agreement: "Forget it, this bill has been signed by the Ministry of Accounts!"

After Xu Jie finished speaking, he signed his name.

At this moment, there was a rush of footsteps from outside the cabinet, and then a subordinate was seen walking in quickly.

After the subordinate official entered the cabinet, he did not hesitate at all. He immediately looked in the direction of Yan Song and Xu Jie, leaned down, and reported respectfully: "Mr. Ge Ge, this is the Suzhou Guard side, eight hundred miles plus. Urgently sent battle report!"

When the subordinate official finished speaking, the atmosphere in the cabinet suddenly fell into stasis.

Then, Xu Jie was the first to react, looked in the direction of the subordinate official, and said in a deep voice: "Bring it here immediately!"

"Yes, Mr. Xu Ge!"

After receiving the battle report, Xu Jie couldn't wait to open it and read the contents with special concentration.

Soon, Xu Jie finished browsing the above content, and his face was particularly ugly. In the battle report sent by Suzhou Guards, it was mentioned that there is currently a Tatar army of more than 5,000 people attacking Suzhou. guard.

Yan Song on the side saw this situation, his face was full of curiosity, and he asked: "Mr. Xu Ge, what happened?"

Hearing this, Xu Jie handed the battle report to Yan Song, then turned and said: "Mr. Yan Ge, it was mentioned above that a Tatar army of more than 5,000 people is attacking Suzhou Guard!"

After learning the news from Xu Jie, Yan Song's face was full of shock that could not be concealed: "What!"

Then, without any hesitation, he immediately lowered his head and read the contents of the battle report with extra concentration.

"Without further delay, let's go and inform His Majesty of this news immediately!"

After that, Yan Song put down the battle report in his hand, faced everyone, and gave instructions in a deep voice.

Seeing Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, speaking, no one raised any objections to this. Just a few steps away, another subordinate hurriedly ran in.

After the subordinate official entered the cabinet, he took out the battle report from the front line from his sleeve, lowered his head, and reported in a deep voice: "Sir, here is the battle report from Pingliang Guard!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Song stretched out his skinny hand, took the battle report from the subordinate official's hand, and began to browse it.

The content of the battle report was the same as the previous Suzhou Guard. A Tatar army of more than 3,000 people was attacking Pingliang Guard in a large scale.

Afterwards, several more subordinate officials hurriedly ran into the cabinet and sent battle reports of Shazhou Guard, Jinglu Guard, Yongchang Guard and Shanhai Guard respectively.

The above contents, without exception, are all news about Anda Khan's army heading south.

After browsing all these battle reports, Yan Song looked Xu Jie up and down with cloudy eyes, and said with emotion: "Mr. out!"

Hearing this, Xu Jie nodded and said in agreement: "Yes!" After that, Yan Song was seen facing the crowd and spoke immediately.

"Let's go and meet His Majesty!"

"Yes, Mr. Yan Ge!"

……

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

At this time, Jiajing was sitting on the dragon chair, looking boredly at the memorial sent by the Supervisor of Ceremonies.

At this moment, the guiding eunuch entered Qianqing Palace with eager steps.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, the leading eunuch bent down and reported in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the cabinet is outside asking for a meeting, saying that the front line has sent a battle report, and Anda Khan's army has gone south!"

When Jiajing heard this, he couldn't help but perked up. Then, he waved his hand and said: "Well, I understand, let them all come in!"

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

After receiving Jiajing's specific instructions, the guiding eunuch quickly left Qianqing Palace without any hesitation.

After the eunuch was guided away, Jiajing clenched his fists unconsciously and said to himself: "The fate of our country, the Ming Dynasty, depends on this battle!"

Not long after, everyone in the cabinet was seen stepping into the Qianqing Palace.

Later, under the leadership of Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, everyone knelt on the ground and said in unison: "I bow to your majesty, long live my emperor!"

When Jiajing heard this, he glanced at everyone present, nodded, and said: "Well, everyone, get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After receiving Jiajing's permission, everyone slowly stood up from the ground.

Immediately, Yan Song tremblingly took out the battle report from the front line from his sleeve, raised it high above his head, and reported the report in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, not long ago, the Suzhou Guard, Pingliang Guard, Shazhou Guard, Jinglu Guard, Yongchang Guard, and Shanhai Guard of the Ming Dynasty all sent battle reports one after another, saying that Anda Khan's army went south!"

"Currently, a Tatar army of more than 5,000 people is attacking the Suzhou Guard. In addition, Pingliang Guard is also being besieged by a Tatar army of more than 3,000 people. I conservatively estimate that this time I The army mobilized by Da Khan is probably more than 100,000!"

Lu Fang, who was waiting on the side, heard this and immediately stepped forward without waiting for Jiajing's instructions, took the battle report from Yan Song's hand, and respectfully handed it to Jiajing.

"His Majesty!"

"Ah."

After Jiajing took the battle report from Lu Fang, he read it word by word.

Jiajing quickly finished browsing the contents of the battle report. Immediately, he put the battle report aside and said with emotion: "Fortunately, the imperial court has reminded each guard post to pay attention to precautions before this, otherwise, in the rush, Come on, I’m afraid I won’t be able to withstand such a rapid attack!”

When Jiajing finished speaking, Xu Jie on the side suddenly became proud.

After all, it was he who proposed the idea of ​​a large-scale invasion by Antan Khan in public at the cabinet meeting this year.

……

Then, Zhang Juzheng stood up, turned his gaze to Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon throne, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the main force of our Ming Dynasty is currently stationed in Jizhou Town."

"In addition to the 80,000 troops stationed in Jizhou, there are also 23,000 Liaodong cavalry commanded by Wu Ying, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong, and more than 25,000 soldiers commanded by Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou. In addition, the Shenji Battalion commanded by Duke Cheng is also in Jizhou!"

When Zhang Juzheng said this, he paused for a moment and continued: "Although the Tatar army is huge this time, from the perspective of Wei Chen, the strategy adopted by Anda Khan is obviously a strategy of harassment. There should be only one place where we really focus our attack!”

"Before the situation is clear, the imperial army should not act rashly. They should wait for the opportunity. After discovering the opponent's main force, they can then take the opportunity to launch a decisive battle and annihilate them in one fell swoop!"

Jiajing heard this, and after thinking about it for a moment, he approved Zhang Juzheng's idea: "Well, that's right. I remember that the court had received reports from Hami Guard, Shazhou Guard, and Suzhou Guard earlier. Starting from last year, I The number of times Tahan invaded our Ming borderland became more and more frequent."

"In previous years, it was three to four times a year, but last year it had reached seven or eight times. Not only that, but only two to three thousand troops were sent to harass each time. Now it seems that it should be in advance. Exploring the path, looking for weak defensive areas to seek a breakthrough!”

When Jiajing finished speaking, everyone looked stern and responded solemnly: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, Jiajing looked in the direction of Xu Jie and asked: "Mr. Xu Ge, are there any problems with the baggage, food and fodder required for the front line?"

When Xu Jie heard this, he immediately lowered his head and responded without thinking: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has transported most of the baggage, grain and grass needed by the army, and the rest will arrive within three days!"

When Xu Jie said this, he raised his head, looked in the direction of Jiajing, and continued: "Your Majesty, I have an unkind request!"

When Jiajing heard Xu Jie's words, he waved his hand and motioned for Xu Jie to continue speaking.

"In order to maximize the enthusiasm of those caravans, Wei Chen proposed that after those caravans complete the task of transporting baggage for the imperial court, write an extra note for them in the book and let them complete the task fifty times as soon as possible. And then get a complete sea trade certificate!"

"Well, in that case, let's follow Mr. Xu Ge's suggestion!"

Jiajing heard this and after thinking for a moment, he agreed to Xu Jie's suggestion.

Since the maritime trade certificates previously issued by the imperial court were very limited, they were extremely precious.

As sea trade becomes more and more prosperous, more and more people are making a lot of money through sea trade. Because of this, every sea trade certificate can be sold at a very high price, and it is still priceless. city.

After all, sea trade certificates are equivalent to a cash cow. As long as you have sea trade certificates, you can participate in sea trade reasonably and legally. The profits from sea trade are enough to ensure the wealth of future generations.

Seeing that Jiajing agreed to his proposal, Xu Jie's face was full of excitement that could not be concealed. He immediately leaned down and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, you are wise!"

The reason why Xu Jie proposed this suggestion in front of Jiajing was not only to mobilize the enthusiasm of those caravans, but also had his own considerations.

After all, many families who have obtained sea trade certificates have made a lot of money through sea trade.

In Xu Jie's view, instead of taking huge risks to annex a large amount of land, it is better to obtain a few maritime trade certificates from the court, let the family participate in maritime trade, and gain wealth through maritime trade.

Just as Xu Jie was daydreaming, he heard Jiajing's voice without waves: "Command to all the guards to find the main force of the enemy as soon as possible. At the same time, the remaining baggage, grain and grass, as well as the ordnance produced by the Ordnance Department, All weapons must also be transported to the front line!"

"If the opportunity to fight is delayed because the baggage and food have not arrived, it will be dealt with according to the Ming Law!"

As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, everyone present looked stern and responded in a deep voice: "As you command, Your Majesty!"

"Okay, you go down and do your work. If you have any news, report it to me immediately!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will retire now!"

……

Gansu, Suzhou Wei.

Suzhou Guard was established in the 28th year of Hongwu. Suzhou Guard is located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, in the intersecting area of ​​agriculture and animal husbandry. Its strategic location is extremely important.

There are forty-six castles built in Suzhou Guard. These forty-six castles, together with border walls and passes, form a strict defense system.

At this time, on the city wall, Peng Yaozheng, the commander of Suzhou Guard, pressed his sword with one hand and looked at the retreating enemy troops in the distance with a solemn expression.

Not long ago, the Suzhou Guard was violently attacked by more than 5,000 Tatar troops. This time the attack was no better than before. It was obvious that the enemy was determined to take the Suzhou Guard by surprise. .

The surroundings were already in ruins, many of the camp walls were destroyed, most of the arrow tower that originally stood outside the camp was destroyed, and even the outer gullies were filled with corpses.

There was a lingering fishy smell in the air, as well as the smell of gunpowder smoke.

There were piles of corpses everywhere on the ground. Blood flowed from the wounds of the corpses and gathered into pools of blood not far away.

Not far from those corpses, there were many ownerless horses wandering back and forth, making loud snorts from time to time.

After stopping to watch for a long time, Peng Yao looked away from the distance, sighed helplessly, and said to himself.

"Well, if the imperial court hadn't issued a notice before, reminding all the guards to pay more attention, I'm afraid I would have been caught off guard this time!"

At this moment, a subordinate with a Yanling sword across his waist quickly came to Peng Yao, leaned down, and reported in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the commander, the casualties have been calculated. This battle , we had 1,339 killed and a total of 428 lightly and seriously wounded!"

"The enemy's casualties are still being counted, but they are definitely much more than ours!"

After listening to the report from his subordinates, Peng Yao pondered for a moment and then ordered: "Give those dead brothers a good burial. In addition, wait until the enemy's casualties are tallied and reported to the court together!"

"Yes, Commander!"

When the subordinate heard this, he immediately lowered his head, bowed his hand to Peng Yao, and responded in a deep voice.

(End of this chapter)