The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 108 Wang Weining's Last Hope
In the main hall of the Zhang family.

Sitting in the guest seat, Wang Yue was very respectful to Zhang Zhou. Zhang Zhou finally saw Wang Yue's deep-seated flattery towards the favored minister.

"Why is Wang Shilang willing to visit the humble house? Our house is shabby, and we have just moved here not long ago, and have never received such important officials as Wang Shilang." Zhang Zhou smiled.

It means that in your capacity, there is no need to visit in person, you can send someone to notify you if you want to narrate.

Wang Yue said: "Your Majesty, I heard that Your Majesty and the Crown Prince have also been to your mansion."

"Oh."

Zhang Zhou understood it after hearing it.

Wang Yue has opened up the "line of heaven and earth", and someone in the palace has already let out rumors about him.

It's just that the information he got is not very accurate, it's just that Zhu Houzhao came here and had a mud fight with his son here, and the emperor was just waiting to meet at the street corner.

Since they even knew about the past visits of Zhu Youtang and his son, they should have found out about other things.

"Wang Shilang, tell me what you have to say." Zhang Zhou said with a smile.

Seeing Zhang Zhou's easy-going smile, Wang Yue examined Zhang Zhou for a long time, but he didn't know Zhang Zhou's pulse.

Like a scholar but not like a scholar, like an alchemist but not like an alchemist, he has obviously become a holy family, but he still seems so easy-going and low-key.

When he can't figure it out, it's not easy to speak.

Zhang Zhoudao: "When I came in, I saw a carriage loaded with valuables at the door. Did Wang Shilang come to give gifts? Or is there something unspeakable about Wang Shilang, such as asking for something? You might as well speak up."

Wang Yue was taken aback.

Then he thought that Zhang Zhou is an alchemist, according to Xiao Jing, this person can even calculate when the sky fire will come, so deliberately hiding in front of Zhang Zhou is deceiving himself and others.

Based on Wang Yue's more than 70 years of life experience, alchemists are all good people, and they know how to understand the world.

"I did come to pay a visit to Mr. Zhang and gave some small gifts, but it was not to ask for something, but to thank him for saving my life."

Wang Yue still wanted to tense up.

But Zhang Zhou understood Wang Yue's implication from Wang Yue's self-proclaimed change, that is, from "below" to "old man".

I'm old, I'm going to die, I've even died once, just wanting to get back what once belonged to me.

Zhang Zhou sighed: "Wang Weining is well-known in the Northwest. Hearing this name on the grassland, everyone is terrified. Some people compare Wang Weining with the champion."

"Don't dare."

Wang Yue hurriedly said, "The past is no longer relevant."

Zhang Zhoudao: "Then what is the purpose of Wang Shilang? In the future, he wants to be the Minister of the Ministry of War? Hehe, please forgive me for saying that if it is an ordinary minister, being a minister of the Ministry of War is the highest goal of an official, but for Wang Shilang... I'm afraid my vision isn't so short-sighted?"

Zhang Zhou's words made Wang Yue feel ashamed.

Of course, Wang Yue's goal is not to be a minister of the Ministry of War.

He wanted to take out Wenningbo's title.

In the 16th year of Chenghua, he was granted the title of Weiningbo and bestowed a world certificate for his achievements in the Battle of Weininghai.

In Daming, there are two types of titles, one with a world certificate and one without a world certificate. The difference is that one can be hereditary and the other cannot.

As far as Wang Yue is concerned, he is an old man, so he naturally knows that being a minister of the Ministry of War is no different from Wei Ningbo who has no world certificate.

But the point is, he used to be a Weiningbo with a world certificate for three years, but he was deprived of the title after Wang Zhi was convicted because of trafficking Wang Zhi... When he enjoyed that kind of high position, he can still pass on the glory to future generations How can you be willing to be a Minister of the Ministry of War if you go on?
Wang Yue saw that Zhang Zhou was so straightforward, so he stopped covering up, and sighed: "I thought that I could make some achievements in the northwest. In the battle of Helan Mountain, I did my best. But Di Yi didn't confront my Ming soldiers. The confrontation, even after the pursuit, has not achieved too practical results. I am afraid that I will not have many days, I am afraid that... I will hate this life."

It seems to be complaining that he missed the opportunity.

In fact, he was asking Zhang Zhou.

You see, you, Mr. Zhang, are currently receiving the favor of the emperor. Can you tell me to return Wei Ningbo to me based on the victory of the Helan Mountain battle?Then I will die without regret.

Zhang Zhou sighed: "Wang Shilang, the battle of Helan Mountain is indeed slightly inferior to the results you achieved during the Chenghua period."

When Wang Yue heard this, he felt lost in his heart.

This tone is almost exactly the same as when the emperor commented on his "Helan Mountain Victory".

They all felt that his victory in this battle was not as good as that in Chenghua years.

In fact, this meaning is also very obvious.

You first obtained the title of Uncle Wei Ning because of your meritorious service, but you were later deprived of it. If you want to regain it, you should have achieved a similar merit. The emperor will only have the confidence when he speaks to the ministers, and he will even speak for you.

And you now...

That's all about the great victory at Helan Mountain, and you were impeached by so many civil officials because of the matter of communicating with Li Guang.

The emperor is very polite to you if he doesn't pursue your faults, but you still have the face to ask me to help you apply for the title of knighthood based on the results of the Battle of Helan Mountain?
To put it bluntly, you are a force to be reckoned with!
It's not easy to say, you are shameless!
Wang Yue sighed and said: "I also know that this battle is indeed not as good as before. However, the situation on the grassland is different from before. If I want to achieve that kind of achievement again, I'm afraid it will be... not easy."

When Wang Yue achieved the results of the battle, it happened to be the few decades when the grassland people were at their worst.

After the battle of Daming Tumu Fortress, the grassland had the idea of ​​reoccupying the Central Plains, and they often mobilized all their forces. At that time, the grasslands were divided into separate regimes, and no one would obey the other.

Although the frontiers of the Ming Dynasty suffered a lot, it also gave opportunities to people like Wang Yue who are good at using soldiers.

but now……

The situation in the grassland is weak, and they naturally know that it is not easy to plunder Daming again. In addition, Wang Weining's reputation is indeed shocking in the grassland. Who would dare to confront him head-on when they heard that he is coming?
Zhang Zhoudao: "But I heard that in the past few years, a force on the grassland has been rising, and it seems that the grassland has a tendency to be unified again."

"Oh?"

Wang Yue was surprised when he heard this.

You know this as well?
Are you not a scholar or alchemist?Do you also know about the grassland situation?
Zhang Zhou said: "As far as I know, this person's name is Dayan Khan. Compared with the little Tatar princes before him, his blood is more correct. In the past few years, he has annexed many grassland tribes, and many tribes are willing to return. It governs, and those marginal tribes can no longer obtain rich pastures from the grasslands, so they can only migrate towards Daming, and even enter Hetao and other places."

"This……"

Wang Yue wanted to ask, how did you know these things?

I also vaguely inquired and analyzed it after I went to the Northwest.

There is a huge information barrier between Daming and the grassland, and even the emperor may not be clear about it.

Zhang Zhoudao: "In the past few years, the borderlands of the Ming Dynasty have been harassed a lot. That's why those grassland tribes are likely to harass the borderlands in the next few years, and they all leave at once...how should I put it?" , Even if there are many people coming, they go quickly.”

When Wang Yue heard this, he was extremely excited.

Wang Yue asked: "Can Mr. Zhang predict when they will come?"

Zhang Zhou asked curiously, "Wang Shilang actually thinks that I can figure out their marching movements? I'm just a scholar."

Wang Yue smiled wryly and said: "I have experienced too many things in my life, and I have to believe in many things, just like Mr. Zhang's ability, even His Majesty, the prince and all the nobles in the palace are so respectful, so I naturally believe in it."

Zhang Zhou finally understood.

Wang Yue said that after experiencing many things, the old man found that some problems cannot be solved by manpower alone, so it was just a gamble anyway.

The older you get, the more superstitious you become, which is probably what it means.

"Haha. Wang Shilang actually asked me to calculate when the Tatars will invade the south again?" Zhang Zhou laughed.

"Yes." Wang Yue said, "I don't ask for your help in strategy. As long as I can calculate when they will invade the south, I will go to ask His Majesty for orders, and take precautions in advance, and I will surely gain military merit!"

Wang Yue is very confident in his military command ability.

He felt that as long as he had the opportunity to fight the main force of the Tatars, his military exploits would be sure, and his Earl of Weining would basically come back by then.

The key is not knowing when Tatar will come.

Zhang Zhou smiled and asked: "Then why didn't Wang Shilang apply to His Majesty and take the initiative to attack?"

Wang Yue was pushed back by Zhang Zhou, and he said helplessly: "I'm afraid this can't be done. The Northern Defense of the Ming Dynasty has always been on the defensive and sent troops rashly. If there is no result, I'm afraid...Mr. would not agree."

It means that you can't attack, you can only wait for the Tatars to come.

But the Tatars are so shrewd and cunning, they must be attacking somewhere weak, who knows when they will come and attack next?

Zhang Zhoudao: "Then I'll do the hard work and help you figure it out later. But I have to prepare for the exam recently, and time is a bit tight..."

Wang Yue already had a heart attack. Hearing this, he was so excited that he almost blocked him.

Originally, I thought that I could only rely on my relationship to get my way, so that I would have a slight chance to get the title back, but now it seems... there is still a chance to confront the Tatars head-on on the battlefield, and get the title with real skills...

That was his dream.

The two chatted for a while.

Wang Yue was very sensible, so he didn't mention it any more, for fear of offending Zhang Zhou.

When the two left the main hall together, he was still thanking Zhang Zhou for saving his life.

"Zhang Lun, come here." Zhang Zhou said to Zhang Lun with a smile.

Zhang Lun saluted Wang Yue.

Wang Yue said: "He is?"

Zhang Zhou introduced: "The eldest grandson of the British government, the British government asked him to follow me recently, but I have nothing to learn here, and I don't know what the British government thinks."

When Wang Yue heard it, is it okay?Even Zhang Mao, a stingy old man, was willing to send his grandson here. It seems that he made a move earlier than himself.

Zhang Lun hurriedly said: "Mr. Zhang has saved my father's life."

Wang Yue smiled and said: "Nephew, Mr. Zhang also has the grace to save the old man's life. You should learn from Mr. Zhang."

"Yes." Zhang Lun was still very respectful to Wang Yue.

Don't look at Zhang Mao as awesome, but it's just a hereditary title, and Wang Yue earns his living by his ability.

Otherwise, why would the emperor think of using Wang Yue when there was military turmoil in the northwest?Because the name "Wang Weining" is enough to scare the Tatars.

But the emperor and the ministers did not say that they wanted to help Wang Yue make a great military meritorious title. The court wished that the Tatars would run away when they saw Wang Yue's army.

Wang Yue knew very well that if he wanted to win the title, he could not count on civil servants. It was good for them not to make trouble. If he wanted to win the title, he had to curry favor with the emperor's close officials.

It is not only his habit, but also his judging the situation.

It's just that he made a wrong bet earlier, who knows that when Li Guang was in full swing, he would be killed by Yu Xiuting and a fire?
Now Wang Yue seems to have finally seen the light.

There was not much time left for him.

……

……

"gone?"

When Zhang Zhou saw old man Jiang in the side hall, old man Jiang couldn't help but look out.

Zhang Zhou nodded: "Let's go."

Jiang Dezhong asked nervously, "What is he doing here?"

"The gift giver." Zhang Zhou said, "When he was in the northwest, I asked His Majesty to give him medicine. Don't think too much about it. It was chest pain, which saved his life on his way back to Beijing."

Jiang Dezhong was very surprised and said: "How did you do it?"

Zhang Zhou picked up the dim sum on the table and ate it. Once he tasted it, it was Han Qing's handicraft. He thought it would be a pity for you old guy to eat it. I will put some in my stomach first.

"It's figured out. Father-in-law, don't just run to me if you have nothing to do. I don't support what you said about doing business with the Dudu Mansion. If you want to do it, just don't come to me if something happens later!"

"Hey, you boy, you even know the Minister of the Ministry of War, and you are talking about this with the old man?"

……

……

Wang Yue went out, and hurriedly asked someone to carry the things to Zhang Zhou.

Then he took a carriage back to his temporary residence in the capital, which was the official office of the left servant of his Ministry of War.

He does not have a private residence in the capital.

Then he had someone call his eldest son, Wang Chun.

Wang Chun belonged to a thousand households of Jinyiwei, who sent his salary, and it was returned when the emperor appointed him this time.

"Go, send someone to collect all the money the family can collect!"

Wang Yue made up his mind.

To give Zhang Zhou a gift, and it is the kind that does not hesitate to lose his family.

Even if he didn't win favor for Zhang Zhou, he still had to figure out the movements of the Tatars for Zhang Zhou's sake.

After all, Wang Chun was nearly fifty years old, about the same age as Jiang Dezhong. He was very opposed to his father's habit of associating with internal officials. Guang, if you give gifts like this again, there will be nothing left in the family, and I'm afraid you will be convicted. My son was in Beijing recently, and I heard that the magistrate is going to impeach you again!"

Wang Yue said: "Do you have any insight?"

Wang Chun seemed very stubborn and said: "My son always thinks that father should not be like this."

Wang Yue said with a straight face: "In the current situation, if you don't do this for your father, do you think there are other choices?"

Because of his father's anger, Wang Chunli remained silent.

"Being friends with ministers is a source of criticism, but do any of those civil servants think that their father is pleasing to the eye? What about the saints in their eyes? To be the chief assistant? Shangshu? That ambition can be compared with my royal family? Have you seen my royal family? Scenery, my father thought that you would see farther than others!"

Wang Chundao: "But father, the family really doesn't have any property, and you didn't allow bribes in the army. Where did this property come from to give gifts?"

Wang Yue said: "That's for cleaning up military discipline!"

Wang Yue is really not a corrupt official in the army. He has been praised very well in history. He can not only use his talents to win the hearts of the soldiers, but also be able to help the poor and do good deeds...

If he is a greedy and ungrateful person in the army, it will be difficult to consolidate the morale of the army, and it is impossible to become a famous general of the Ming Dynasty.

Only making friends with internal officials has been criticized by people.

"Go back to the hometown, sell the old house, and see what money the Wang family has left, and bring it along with you. The old man will die soon. If the old man goes away, I count on you... I am afraid that the Wang family will have no hope. The victory or defeat depends on one action. "

(End of this chapter)