The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 231
Fengtian Temple, early dynasty.

Civil servants and Wu Xun were on both sides. The topic of the day was the war in Liaodong and Ningyuan. The civil servants changed their critical attitude towards Zhang Zhou and seriously analyzed the situation of the war. Even though Zhu Feng was stranded in the city, they did not raise any objections. Instead, Ma Wensheng, Minister of the Ministry of War, came out and said that Zhu Feng made great contributions to rectifying the local military affairs after he arrived in Ningyuan, and made great contributions to preventing Di Yi from invaders.

Don't say that Zhang Zhou is not used to it.

Together with Dai Yi and other eunuchs standing by the emperor's side, they were somewhat unclear about the routines of civil servants.

Zhu Youtang said: "In the current situation, should Zhu Feng go out of the city to fight against Di Yi? If Di Yi can't plunder people and animals, will they move to another place? Or do they attack the city? Liaodong has been on guard for many years. Relax, I am worried about this."

He seems to be asking the minister, but also seems to be condemning.

You see, in the past few years, you have been strengthening the war preparations of the three parties and Xuanda. What is Liaodong like?Now when they meet Duoyan Sanwei and Kou Bian, they will make a fuss.

This responsibility rests on you civil servants. I blame you for focusing on the northwest and ignoring Liaodong.

Liu Jian came out and said, "Your Majesty, if Duoyan's tribe has no plans to attack the city, maybe An Bianbo can be ordered to guard the city and not act rashly."

As soon as these words came out, even the civil servants themselves were not quite used to it.

In the past, whenever Di Yi violated the border, if the frontier soldiers of the Ming Dynasty faltered, they would be impeached, and they might even be dismissed and convicted. There are all dead, why put it on Uncle An Bian today, even the chief minister said to let him stay in the city?
Zhu Youtang said: "Liu Ge is always afraid that he has no experience in leading troops. If he leads troops out of the city to fight, the situation will be unstable, and there is even a risk of defeat?"

"what!"

The ministers present were in an uproar.

Emperor, you really dare to think and say that you don't even save Liu Jian any face?

Others have to ask not to lose the prestige of the Ming Dynasty frontier army, but Zhu Feng only needs him to guard the city well... Your Majesty's analysis is included, why didn't we think of this?

Liu Jiandao: "The terrain around Ningyuan is long and narrow, and the Diyi invaded our frontiers. It is difficult to coordinate and deploy troops to complete the encirclement. One move can move the whole body. In order not to put Liaodong in danger, but also to prevent Diyi from moving in Jianzhou and other places, we should Put defense first."

Liu Jian also made it clear that I was not targeting Zhu Feng, but just making a judgment based on the situation.

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang nodded, seeming to agree with Liu Jian's point of view.

But the ministers present wanted to know more, what was the military order given to Zhu Feng by the emperor and Zhang Zhou before? Could it be that they also kept Ning Yuan out?
Also, today the civil servants, headed by the cabinet and the Minister of the Ministry of War, interceded for Zhu Feng together... What kind of method is this?
……

……

Zhang Zhoushen was at the end of the ranks of civil servants, and had been listening to the conversation between the monarch and his ministers.

Regarding matters related to military affairs, in fact, he didn't want to ask too much, because he had already told Zhu Feng that if Duoyan Sanwei's men and horses went under the fortress, they must be stationed under the fortress, and the best way is to go far away." Boom a few cannons", if the distance is not enough, you can push the cannon cart out of the city for less than three miles, which roughly means... This move can only be used within five miles of Duoyan Sanwei stationed at the Ningyuan Chengguan.

If not...don't force it.

It's okay to be impeached and dismissed from office, but if you are defeated because of recklessness, then you, Zhu Zhijie, will be miserable.

The emperor knew his tactics and thought it was pretty good. In addition, Zhu Youtang himself had no confidence in the fact that Zhu Feng, Zhang Yanling and Chen Rui led troops to attack, so he also thought Zhang Zhou's method of long-distance bomb delivery I agree very much.

Nothing to lose anyway.

Prepare for the battle in advance, shrink the residents outside the city into the city, and if Di Yi is close to the city gate, he will fire from a long distance... With the characteristics of the mother-child cannon, it can be fired continuously, that is to say, before the three guards of Duoyan react, ten The two cannons can fire sixty rounds of open-ended ammunition and cannonballs...

If the effect is good, just send out cavalry to fight against it. If the effect is not good, just wait for Di Yi to run away after firing the cannon.

It's just perfect.

Only sixty shells were lost inside and out.

Dali Temple Minister Wang Shi came out and said: "If all the army and civilians of the Ming Dynasty retreated to the fortress, and the Diyi invaded and plundered outside the city, wouldn't it make the three armies lose their prestige? Could it be that the Ministry of War also supports this cowardly tactics? Ruo Jiu If everyone around the world takes this as an example, then how can the censors of various schools participate in the fear of impeaching the generals and stagnate?"

A word of speech can be regarded as throwing a loud voice.

Obviously these civil servants, even though they belong to one group in name, still have many internal factions. Even people like Liu Jian, Li Dongyang and Ma Wensheng will still be questioned by the people below.

During the Hongzhi period, there was no absolute authority. The emperor gave the speech officials full and independent power to advise. Whoever felt uncomfortable about something could speak up.

The Ministry of War was questioned. Ma Wensheng, as a minister, could not pretend to be dumb. He came out and said, "East Liaodong has a special terrain, especially Guan, Ning, and Jin. This time, Duoyan Sanwei also has no intention of fighting with Daming under the city gate, they only want to plunder first. The local officials and people have already retreated inside the city, why must a decisive battle outside the city be used to promote the strength of the Diyi cavalry?"

Ma Wensheng's words also made the civil servants present very uncomfortable.

In the past, civil servants have been vying to send troops, and those who dare not send troops will be ridiculed and impeached in various ways. For example, Cheng Guogong Zhu Fu, who did not send troops to fight Dayan Khan in Yansui, was criticized by the officials in various ways. Participate in impeachment.

In the end, it was Zhu Feng's body...

Even Ma Wensheng and Liu Jian thought it was good to stay in the city gate? !

No wonder His Majesty said that Liaodong's military equipment is in a state of desolation, but that's really the case.

……

……

Zhu Youtang said: "My dear family, there is no need to fight any more."

Disputes arose among the civil servants over whether to fight or not to fight, and the emperor's words could be regarded as the pinnacle of the sea.

The ministers made a gesture of respectful listening.

"I sent Uncle An Bian to garrison in Ningyuan to prevent Duoyan from trespassing on the border. Now it happens that there are dispatches from Shanhaiguan and other places. There is nothing wrong with diplomatic war!"

The meaning of the emperor.

To fight or not to fight, don't talk nonsense, it depends on the situation on the front line.

And I don't want to listen to you now, but brother Bingkuan.

No matter how reasonable your words are, I will not adopt any point of view that is different from that of Brother Bing Kuan.

It's that direct...you don't agree?
Next time, you should also predict the direction and time of Di Yi's crime in advance, so it doesn't matter if I listen to you.

"Zhang Zhou!" Zhu Youtang said suddenly.

Zhang Zhou came out from behind the civil servants: "The minister is here."

Seeing Zhang Zhouzai, Zhu Youtang seemed to have calmed down, nodded and said, "What's your opinion on the Battle of Ningyuan?"

I'm coming.

Many people think.

The emperor held back for so long, but actually wanted to ask Zhang Bingkuan's opinion. As for what he said earlier, it was just foreshadowing, and it didn't even have reference value, right?
Zhang Zhoulang said: "I believe that since the three guards of Duoyan dare to come, they cannot be forced to leave, otherwise it will damage the Ming army's prestige. However, they should not easily dispatch soldiers and horses to cause trouble for Ning Jin and others. "

As soon as this word comes out.

Ordinary civil servants are very comfortable listening.

But Liu Jian, Ma Wensheng and others heard it in their ears, thinking in their hearts, did you say that on purpose, kid?

Are you also playing against us on purpose?
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "The battle in Ningyuan, but it is the same as the previous few Di Yi and Kou Bian, if I hadn't made arrangements in advance, it would not be too late to report the results of the war. The court does not need to worry too much about it. Your Excellencies Home, put your heart back first, it’s still the same sentence, wait for the result.”

……

……

The emperor did not expect Zhu Feng to achieve any great victory.

It was also he himself who wanted to understand that with people like Zhu Feng, a little merit could make a big statement. As for the great victory...Let's leave it to veterans like Wang Yue.

It's too rash to send Zhu Feng and Zhang Yanling to Ningyuan.

Now it is rare that the civil servants are not too demanding, and he can be regarded as "accepting as soon as he sees it". He doesn't want Zhang Zhou to have too much trouble with the civil servants, so when Zhang Zhou expresses a point that sounds tough, he gives it to him at the right time. stop.

The meeting ended.

Not surprisingly, Zhang Zhou was not on the same road as these civil servants, so he was going directly to Qianqing Palace.

And when the emperor and Zhang Zhou had just left, a group of people surrounded Ma Wensheng, Liu Jian and others.

Zhang Mao also walked over, and said with a smile: "It seems that His Majesty sent Cheng Guogong's boy to Ningyuan, and it was not thorough. If Wang Weining was sent, there is no need for the people in the court to worry about how the war will be fought and how to use the strategy. ?”

Many people frowned and looked at Zhang Mao.

According to old man Zhang, is he making fun of us?
But the problem is, using Zhu Feng is the emperor's business, and it's not our proposal. Are you worthy to tell us this?

Xie Qian replied with a smile: "Then how to fight this battle in Liaodong, who is it listening to?"

"Hehe." Zhang Mao smiled, "Yu Qiao, you're asking this question...you don't mean to listen to me, do you?"

Many ministers almost wanted to curse.

You, old man Zhang, are deliberately raising an argument here to make us feel uncomfortable, right?
……

……

A group of warriors left first, and the civil servants walked behind the team.

Tu Yu asked Ma Wensheng: "Negative figure, Ning Yuan has already prepared for the war, why not follow His Majesty's wishes and let Uncle An Bian send troops? If the government and the central government acquiesce that it is feasible for him to shrink back, we will use this to regulate all parties in the future." The commander-in-chief of the border town is marching, but there is nothing to say."

Ma Wensheng said: "Your Majesty has arranged Uncle An Bian in Ningyuan in advance. Do you think that the progress of the war in Ningyuan is still under the control of the court?"

"This……"

Tu Yu also seemed to be stunned.

The wars in the various parts of the Nine Borders have always been based on the governors, commanders-in-chief, commanders and others of the border towns to make their own judgments based on the situation, and then send troops.

But now because Ning Yuan is close to the capital, the court wants to command Ning Yuan's war by remote control?

Are you civil servants stretching your hands too far?

Xie Qian said with a smile: "Your Majesty is right, let's talk about it after there is a result. Now there is no result, I dare to ask you, the current process is not going on according to your Majesty's deduction? Now I propose to stick to it, just to ensure that Ningyuan is safe Without making any major mistakes, don't you think that Zhu Feng, Zhang Yanling and Chen Rui are suitable to lead troops into battle and fight Di Yi to the death?"

There was originally a group of people with opinions around, but they also stopped after hearing the words.

They are thinking too.

Previously, it might have been too demanding. To ask Zhu Feng to be equal to the generals in the Northwest, and to require Zhu Feng to behave in the same way as the generals in the Northwest, the requirements may be a bit high.

The Northwest Army will send troops, that is a matter of duty.

But Zhu Feng is not necessarily...

The purpose of Zhu Feng's going was to ensure that no major mistakes would be made when Duoyan's three guards violated the border. In fact, Zhu Feng had already done it. It was not in line with the court's expectations to send troops rashly at this time. Ma Wensheng, Liu Jian and others also changed their attitudes.

Xu Guandao, Shangshu of the Ministry of War: "Old Xie Ge's phrase 'the fish dies and the net breaks' is very apt to describe it! But even if there is no such thing as fish dying and the net broken, Di Yi will still be endless. The next step may be to let Wang Weining go to Liaodong to be able to hold it down The ghosts and monsters in Liaodong are gone!"

In the meaning of Xu Guan.

We also know that the situation in Liaodong is different from that in the Northwest.

But the problem is, if you don’t fight now, Duoyan Sanwei will not stop. The next time it may not be Duoyan Sanwei, it may be Huozhai and the little prince of Tatar. Those who surrender, if the first thing they think about in a war is not to hold on, and the prestige of Ming Dynasty does not exist, the troops of the northern vassal states will be very difficult to lead.

Xie Qian smiled and said, "That's Your Majesty, and Zhang Bingkuan should worry about it, not us!"

Xu Guan frowned and said, "Aren't you shirking responsibility a bit? Isn't everything about the Ming Dynasty something I should worry about?"

He really wanted to say, you, Xie Qian, are really outspoken.

Even if that's the case, you can't say that.

It seems that if there is any war between the Northwest and Liaodong in the future, just let the emperor and Zhang Bingkuan go to give advice, and we can pretend that we don't know.

Then what do we civil servants need to do in the court?

"okay!"

Liu Jian came out and said, "The war in Ningyuan in the past two days should have a result. Now that An Bianbo and others are ordered to send troops hastily, the result is not good. Let's see the result!"

The civil servant was out of reconciliation, and was prevaricated by Liu Jian.

Right now no one is saying anything.

But even Liu Jian knew that the question of who to listen to in terms of military and political affairs might be on the minds of ministers for a long time to come, and civil servants and Wu Xun might have to think about it themselves.

……

……

Inside the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youtang called Zhang Zhou, without asking about the specific tactics, after all, Zhang Zhou had explained everything in detail.

"Bingkuan, I'm still embarrassing you. If I knew about it earlier, I should have transferred Wang Yue. Secretly dispatched, the foreign barbarians in Liaodong don't know, and they will be caught off guard when the time comes."

Zhu Youtang's words made Zhang Zhou realize that this is still an indecisive emperor.

Although Zhu Youtang was "Xiaozong", he was also called "Hongzhi ZTE" by historians, but this kind of ZTE was not supported by military aggressiveness, and the emperor only kept his achievements in governing the country without making great achievements... In fact, this is more in line with the Taoist "inaction". The idea of ​​"governance" is not really prosperous.

Can the common people really have enough to eat in these ten years?
Not necessarily.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, from my point of view, it would be good to use Uncle An Bian in Ningyuan. If someone else was there, perhaps Di Yi would not dare to approach the city fortress lightly. He would not be able to exert the power of the new cannon."

Zhu Youtang became excited when he heard it, and asked, "Bingkuan, how powerful is that cannon?"

"It's hard to describe." Zhang Zhou laughed.

When Xiao Jing heard this, he quickly looked at the emperor with expectant eyes.

It seems to be saying, look here, look here, I have seen the power of that cannon, I can help Mr. Zhang brag again.

But Zhu Youtang has heard Xiao Jing brag once before, he has never seen it with his own eyes, and he doesn't need others to describe it in front of him, unless Zhang Zhou can talk about the hype, or... he is now even the power of a cannon , and only listened to Zhang Zhou.

Zhu Youtang asked: "Bingkuan, what do you think the odds are?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "If An Bianbo and Di Yi were to fight head-on, the odds of winning may only be [-]% or [-]%. But if they were to guard the fortress and wait for Di Yi to approach, first harassing with artillery and then sending troops, then there would be no losers. It's possible."

Zhang Zhou was right.

When Duoyan Sanwei was looting, it was impossible to ignore Ningyuan City.

The surrounding terrain is long and narrow, except for the fortress of Ningyuan City, there are only some earthen fortresses that can be used for defense. The three guards of Duoyan dispatched at least six to seven thousand soldiers and horses.

If they only cared about dividing up their troops and looting, at this time, Da Ming's army was assembled to drive away the thieves in the courtyard, wouldn't they have to run away with their tails between their legs?

The three guards of Duoyan could only send out heavy troops to frighten Daming's Guancheng first.

It depends on the problem of being stationed a few miles outside the city.

Zhang Zhou inspected the situation in Liaodong, and learned that when the three guards of Duoyan plundered, they were usually stationed about ten miles outside the city, and sometimes they were stationed six or seven miles away. Even two or three miles away...

Generally speaking, it is outside the range of Da Ming's artillery and crossbows, so that once Da Ming plans to open the city gates to deploy cavalry, they will send troops and horses to harass them appropriately. The cavalry was forced to retreat to the city gate.

If the distance is too far, when Daming's cavalry and infantry line up at the gate of the city, they may not be able to hide and kill them, and then they will lose their deterrent effect.

At this time, if Daming has a cannon with a range that is more than double that of the past, Duoyan Sanwei will be caught off guard, and the characteristic of the mother and child cannon is that it can quickly change the "magazine", plus flowering bullets and shotguns...

To fire the cannon as quickly as possible is to catch Duoyan Sanwei by surprise.

If everything is right.

Waiting for Daming to fire the cannon before attacking, the chance of winning is almost [-]%.

……

……

Before nightfall on March 28.

The vanguard of Duoyan Sanwei was less than ten miles away from the "Ying'en Gate" of the west gate of Ningyuan, and they set up camp and set up fortifications.

After Chen Rui learned of the situation, he rushed to the top of the city to find Zhu Feng who was observing the situation, and asked for instructions: "Zhijie, why don't you give me three thousand cavalry, and I will lead the troops to attack and kill them at night, so that Di Yi can surely be killed Back and forth."

Before Zhu Feng could refuse, Wang Qiong on the side frowned and said: "Uncle Ping Jiang, you have been in the Northwest for many years, and you should know that the Tatars are best at night battles, and they have a lot of precautions against camp raids."

Chen Rui said: "That's the fire sieve, not Wu Liangha's bastards!"

Wang Qiong sighed.

Who do you look down on?
You think that Duoyan Sanwei is incompetent, but they have never lost in the Mongolian Inner Warfare. You think Huozhai is awesome, but Huozhai's elite soldiers still can't extend to Duoyan Sanwei's territory.

Zhu Feng said: "Brother Zhang's opinion, and His Majesty's will, did not let us attack lightly, so wait."

(End of this chapter)