The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 266
Biantouguan, inside the town.

The military meeting was still going on after nightfall. That night, all parts of the city were heavily guarded, and the sentry horses inside and outside the city were shuttled between the streets and the fortress, which made the city feel tense that a big battle was imminent.

But the main generals in the city knew that this battle seemed impossible, because the two sides were just trying to harass them, and there was no sign of a decisive battle.

"... Huozhai sent three groups of troops one after another to harass more than a dozen bunkers around Piantouguan. Although no one has been kidnapped and reported, more than a dozen animals have been lost, and two scouts have not heard from the city. Nothing at all, if you just sit back and ignore it, it will be the same as what my father encountered in Yulin Guard, and Di Yi will get worse..."

Zhu Feng presided over the military meeting, Wang Qiong was also listening as the governor of the partial pass, besides Liu Jin, the eunuch of the supervising army, and two deputy commanders, Li Yu, Bo of Xiangcheng, and Chen Xun, Bo of Wuping.

Li Wei and Chen Xun have been guarding Piantouguan with Wang Yue. They are very familiar with the local situation. Our two knowledgeable lieutenants will be in charge?

But now Zhu Feng is here...

The court ministers looked down on Zhu Feng very much, but Zhu Feng's reputation in Piantouguan was quite high, and even Li Wei and Chen Xun had no objection to Zhu Feng.

Who made this young general whom Wang Yue admired very much before his death?
More importantly... Zhu Feng has a background in the court, and this kind of background is what worries the military circles in the Northwest the most.

So when Zhu Feng arrived at Piantou Pass, he didn't encounter the same resistance as he encountered in Ningyuan, and almost everyone in the army was willing to listen to his orders, which indirectly allowed Wang Qiong to enjoy a little convenience.

Originally, Wang Qiong thought that when she came to the side pass, she would encounter all kinds of supercilious looks, and even wipe Zhu Feng's butt, but now she found that she got benefits from Zhu Feng.

After listening to Zhu Feng's opening remarks, Chen Xun said: "Marquis An Bian, it's not that the people below are pouring cold water. Now the Tartars are hundreds of miles north of the pass, and their attacks are all based on the camp hundreds of miles away. If we push Before the artillery arrives at their camp, they will send cavalry to harass me, leaving me in a dilemma."

"I'm also afraid that the Tartars will come back... Our pass is different from the other places. Guarding this ruined wall is more important than other things, what do you think?"

Chen Xun almost said, we don't care what kind of embarrassment your father encountered in Yansui.

Our opinion is that if you are beaten to death without leaving the city, it is meritorious service without fault.

Zhu Feng hesitated and didn't know what to say.

Wang Qiong said: "Now that the Hulu are invading the country, shall I just sit back and ignore them? If a person who is not very good is taken away, and the court investigates it, will you all face the crime and wait for meritorious deeds? Now Anbian Hou is just arranging a surprise attack to harass... You also know that this barrier cannot be defended, why not turn defense into offense?"

The generals below are cautious, but Wang Qiong is not so timid. As a famous military commander in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, he was afraid of the enemy and dared not set up his camp within a hundred miles of Piantouguan. Afraid of wolves and tigers...

Will I, Mr. Wang, go back to the court in the future and be ashamed?
"This..." Seeing that the two parachuted bosses couldn't be persuaded, Chen Xun turned to look at Li Wei at the side.

Li Wei asked: "Wang Zhongcheng, I dare to ask you, are you saying that this was calculated by the Immortal Master Zhang in the court again, and said that if you send troops like this, you can win a big victory?"

"Yes, yes, yes." Chen Xun also seemed to be the key to the problem.

Not to mention the two of them, even the other generals present looked at Wang Qiong eagerly.

Everyone's eyes were full of urgency. It seemed to them that only Zhang Zhou's prophecy was the absolute "authority". It was a hearty victory, and now everyone in the army is waiting to make meritorious deeds with Zhang Zhou.

Wang Qiong was really stunned at this time.

No wonder this group of people complimented and fawned on us from the very beginning. Their relationship was not because of Zhu Zhijie's reputation, but because we were with Zhang Bingkuan.

"Brother Zhang..."

Zhu Feng is an honest and good boy, and he didn't want to hide the problems of Li Wei and other generals.

But Wang Qiong interrupted Zhu Feng's words, and said: "This is indeed what Zhang Shi said, and it was also arranged by Zhang Dudu, the governor of the military governor's mansion. Do you have any doubts?"

"Ah?" Zhu Feng was startled at first.

However, his mind is flexible, and he understands that Wang Qiong said this on purpose to cheer people up.

So Zhu Feng will not expose Wang Qiong.

"That's good, that's good, everyone heard it? I'll have another chance to make a contribution!" Li Wei looked excited.

The generals surrounded by the sand table were also talking about it, with happy expressions on their faces.

It seems that with Zhang Zhou's guidance, their military achievements are at their fingertips.

Chen Xun said with some doubts: "Even if we send troops, should we wait for Mr. Qin to reach the remote pass first? I heard that he is already on his way."

Wang Qiong said: "Don't come again when the opportunity is not lost. We must send cavalry to attack the Hulu before they have a stable foothold, and then prepare with artillery. Drive the Hulu out of the Pianguan for two hundred miles to ensure the safety of the Pianguan. Don't Wait for the Hu Lu to come before defending...to take the initiative to attack, this is also His Majesty's order."

Li Yan happily clasped his fists and said, "The final general obeys the order!"

Chen Xun was taken aback. Normally, Li Wei was more able to evade than him, but this time Li Wei seemed to have been beaten to death. He seemed to understand that now the whole army is waiting for meritorious service, so he can only accept orders quickly. Lest you fall behind.

……

……

The military meeting then arranged the policy of dispatching cavalry that night to surprise the camp of Huozhaibu hundreds of miles away.

After the meeting, Zhu Feng was a little annoyed, because Zhang Zhou didn't give him too much advice this time, which made him feel uncertain.

"Knowledge."

Wang Qiong told Li Wei, who was in charge of leading the troops, to come back. Seeing Zhu Feng sitting there, he looked like a depressed boy, and Wang Qiong was actually speechless.

You have come to be the commander-in-chief, why are you still like the eggplant beaten by Shuang?
"Mr. Wang." Zhu Feng looked up, but still couldn't lift his spirits.

Wang Qiong said: "Zhijie, as the commander-in-chief, you should also have some arrogance. See how much the army respects you after you arrive at Pianguan? Everyone regards you as Wang Weining's second, and they are all waiting to go out with you On the battlefield, why are you still so depressed?"

Zhu Feng sighed pitifully: "I might...not be this material."

"Hey!" Wang Qiong was a little helpless.

Zhu Feng really dared to think and say, now that the army is about to go to war, you actually said that you are not qualified to be a general officer?

But for some reason, Wang Qiong couldn't bring up the kind of indisputable hatred towards Zhu Feng.

Wang Qiong thought for a while, probably because although this kid looks like a melon in his mouth, he is unambiguous when he really fights. In addition, his attitude is sincere, and what he pursues is an ordinary and simple life. Can't help but make people hate it.

To put it bluntly, this kid is too honest.

To be honest and cute, not to be hated.

"Wang Langzhong, each of the cavalrymen only brought bows and arrows and firecrackers this time, and the firecrackers can only fire one shot, and there are only three thousand cavalry. If the main force of the Chinese army is over there, is there any possibility for the three thousand cavalry?" Maybe there will be no return?" Zhu Feng said, "If I, the commander-in-chief, didn't lead the troops and the front line was damaged, I'm afraid the court will pursue it."

Wang Qiong said: "Don't worry, your task is to guard the fortress of Pianguan. According to my expectation, the Tatars are just putting pressure on us. Next, they will prepare for disputes within the grassland. At this time, we are strong , they must be weak... how do they know how powerful the firearms we brought over are?"

Zhu Feng was taken aback, and asked: "That means... this time to intimidate them?"

Wang Qiong sighed: "Why don't we let them harass around the side pass every day, and let their ambition destroy our prestige? We do this, even if there is a little loss, but for the sake of knocking mountains and shaking tigers, the bows and arrows brought by the soldiers After firing the firecracker, it is not necessary to shoot down the bird directly, but as long as the blunderbuss is released, the bird will wake up and fly away, and the intention will be achieved.”

Zhu Feng was stunned when he heard this: "Mr. Wang is still far-sighted, I... can't."

"Zhijie, you can do it."

Wang Qiongdao, "Don't say it's Marquis Wei Ning, even I admire you. You are so brave and courageous as a young man, which is rare in the military. It's not that easy, people with skills can do it anywhere, even if you go to the capital camp, you can still shine. Well, get ready, and wait for the surprise attack from tonight to tomorrow!"

……

……

Wang Qiong is very eager to fight a war, except that he judges the situation and thinks there is a chance.

It was also because he knew that Qin Hong would arrive at Pianguan in a few days, and any strategy would come from Qin Hong, and his chances of Wang Qiong making meritorious service in the northwest would not be so great, after all, after Qin Hong arrived at Pianguan , as the governor, he was more for the preparation of food supplies, so he became in charge of logistics.

It is rare to have a good opportunity, Zhu Feng still listens to him, and Zhang Zhou's prophecy is used as a cover, he will not miss this kind of good opportunity.

Of course, he also knows what kind of backlash he will encounter if he loses this battle, or if the strategic intention is not achieved, and the soldiers of the Huosi Department are overwhelmed... the emperor will not let him go.

It's okay, how dare you use Bing Kuan's prophecy that I like to confuse people?Bing Kuan said he didn't say this, the soldiers in the army don't know, don't I know the truth?

So for Wang Qiong, this battle can only be won but not lost.

……

Beijing, morning.

On the first day, the inner government discounted the salaries, and the civil servants and Wu Xun in Beijing all received the salaries that had been owed for many years. Some received a few taels or dozens of taels, and some received hundreds of taels or thousands of taels.

That morning, as usual, the ministers wanted to express their gratitude.

When the ministers met in the morning, everyone had a smile on their faces, and the first sentence they met was usually to ask: "How much is the discount?"

"I only entered the court last year, but only 20 taels."

"My side is better, more than 40 taels..."

"Hahaha."

Literati love money, but they can't just show their love for money. Now that they have received the salary that should belong to them, there is nothing to hide. Instead, they want to show off to the outside world.

The middle and lower-level officials have a small proportion of salary and money, and their monthly salary is also small. The amount they get is not much, but it is enough for them to settle down for their families.

As for those big bosses such as Shangshu, Shilang, Zhengqing, etc., it seems that they are not willing to talk about this directly in front of people.

"Yeah, don't talk about irrelevant things." Xie Qian walked over with a straight face, and when he saw a group of officials from the Six Ministries talking about the salary, he reminded him in a serious tone.

Someone asked: "Mr. Xie Ge, how much did you exchange?"

Xie Qian glared at the man viciously, then walked to the front row.

When Xie Qian walked a few steps away, someone said: "Mr. Xie Ge didn't pay for the silver and salary, so he has such a stinky face?"

"Mr. Xie Ge has been an official in Beijing for the past ten years, and the salary he obtained from the discount is at least a thousand guan. How do you compare with him?"

Hearing this number, everyone present couldn't help being amazed.

Some people also commented: "I'm afraid it won't take so much to buy a yard in the capital and buy a few more land?"

The house price in the capital city is generally only 900 taels for a single-family courtyard house, and the location is considered good. The big house is only 2000 taels. The three-entry courtyard house that Zhang Zhou lives in now can be sold for more than 2000 taels. , that location can be said to be a mansion of the capital's dignitaries.

When everyone heard that Xie Qian could get a mansion in the capital by exchanging his salary, they were naturally envious and jealous.

But they also know that there are only three elders in the capital, and not everyone has so much money to break.

……

……

The meeting begins.

First, the Minister of the Ministry of Households, Zhou Jing, presented the thank you form on behalf of the civil servants.

Zhu Youtang said: "The Qing family deserves it all, so there is no need to be grateful. But the [-]% discount is also because... Zhang Qing's family contributed money and effort."

The ministers present were all suspicious.

The emperor obviously sent Dongchang to fold color salary banknotes, so how could Zhang Zhou have something to do with it?

Even if Zhang Zhou cooperates, isn't it a bit too deliberate, Your Majesty, to transfer favors to Zhang Zhou?Even if he contributes money and effort, to what extent can he contribute?Don't you get corrupted a lot by him in the middle, right?

Xiao Jing then came out and said: "This time, the internal treasury and others exchanged a total of 700 taels of color silver, Zhang Zhouna's 3000 taels of regular color silver, and His Majesty's kindness to transfer 400 taels of silver...a total of 120 taels of silver."

The ministers present couldn't help looking at each other when they heard the words.

We thanked the emperor for sending us money, but it turned out that our gratitude was wrong... The feeling is that Zhang Zhou paid us a salary out of his own pocket?

What rule is this?
He... He actually has 3000 taels of silver?How many days has he been in court?What kind of property is this?
Donate ten houses in the capital and give us a salary?

Liu Jian came out and said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to convert [-]% of the color salary bills. There is really no need...let Zhang Shi talk about the cost."

Zhu Youtang said: "My dear family, this is the personal goodwill of Zhang Qing's family. Didn't you have some complaints about the fact that I let him cast cannons before? You also gave him the coal mine in Xishan. Saying this is breaking the rules. I have given him a lot of rewards, and he has not accepted bribes from others, and his words and deeds in Beijing are all under my supervision."

The emperor just told this group of people that even if Zhang Zhou really had some illegal income, I would acquiesce, and even let him do it.

You don't have nothing to do to criticize him.

"Originally, it was impossible to make [-]% of the color, but I added a few thousand taels of silver, and I can't live up to Bingkuan's heart." Zhu Youtang was a little moved when he said this.

Look at you ministers, you are usually critical of me in every possible way, and you also criticize Bingkuan a lot.

But at a critical time, why don't we, the monarch and his ministers, unite to pay you wages?
But for the ministers... they will not be grateful, because in their view, it is only right and proper to get a salary for the court, especially for those corrupt officials, they don't look down on the little money that is paid for the money. Eye.

Zhu Youtang sighed: "I know that although being an official in Beijing is noble, it is also difficult. Unlike local officials who will cleverly set up a name to collect envy, most of you have to live on this little salary. The more noble the public Xi, the situation is getting worse. This time, Zhang Qing’s family is willing to take out money to save money for everyone, so don’t criticize him too much.”

Although the ministers still have opinions in their hearts, the money they got is real.

Zhu Youtang hit the iron while it was hot: "I can't take his money for nothing, I plan to let him open a few mines around the capital, so it can be regarded as making up for his loss."

"Your Majesty..." Zhou Jing expressed his gratitude on behalf of the officials before, but now he is the one who came out to express the objection on behalf of the civil officials.

"Zhou Qing's family, listen to me first." Zhu Youtang said impatiently, "At present, the situation in the northwest is changing, and what can deter Di Yi from his disobedience are artillery and mighty sky gunpowder. Production depends more on the accumulation of mine veins, with the current production of coal and iron around the capital, is it enough to meet the expenses?"

Zhou Jing suddenly discovered that he, the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, had also become a typical example of talking on paper.

He was left speechless by the emperor's question.

Zhu Youtang said: "I also said earlier that I only give him coal and iron ore, and at most saltpeter ore. They are all given to him for the production of firearms. And I will not give him the current mine, but let him Go dig it yourself, if someone really wants to contribute to the mine, it’s okay..."

"I also discussed with him, and he agreed to take out [-]% of the income from these mines as additional mining taxes. The use of this batch of mining taxes is to give you money for your family... If it is feasible, in the next few days Every year, your salaries will be discounted by [-]%."

"what?!"

The ministers present were in an uproar.

And our share?

Originally, the teachers from the six departments were ready to come out to remonstrate, but after hearing this, those people took half a step to hand over and returned, and immediately stood still and collected their minds, watching coldly as if it had nothing to do with them.

[-]% discount!

At least two or thirty taels of silver salary per year, which is only about seven grades in general. If it is for those Langzhong and Yuanwai Lang in the imperial court, the annual salary will be about 30 taels. If it goes up...

In the past, the salary bills were not converted, just like the salary bills six years after Hongzhi, didn't they only be exchanged today?

If it was just a bad check, the ministers present would not believe it. The key point is that Zhang Zhou has already given out more than 1 taels of silver to pay the full amount of the nearly six-year salary at once...

Now that there are so many salaries every year, who wouldn't be tempted to hear that?
Especially the officials of the Qing and noble yamen who have no connections to corrupt the law, they feel even more moved when they hear it.

Cannibals have soft mouths but short hands. In their view, this kind of thing is "inconvenient" and objected.

(End of this chapter)