The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 269
Before morning next day.

Zhu Youtang informed Li Dongyang, who was on duty the night before, the news of Wang Qiong and Zhu Feng's "good news" at the pass.

Li Dongyang informed Liu Jian, Xie Qian, Ma Wensheng and others of the news before the Wumen court meeting had started early in the morning.

"Such feats are worthy of special mention? Even in the first year, no one will care too much, right?"

In front of several members of the cabinet and the Ministry of War, Xie Qian spoke with sarcasm, as if he looked down on the achievements of Wang Qiong and Zhu Feng.

Ma Wensheng was unmoved, and said with approval on his face: "Wang Dehua and Zhu Zhijie have just arrived at Pianguan, and they can stabilize people's hearts. Di Yi retreats and dare not disturb the side. I am afraid that His Majesty will give them more praise today." .”

It is not important to kill a few, but to achieve the strategic intention. As a Minister of the Ministry of War, Ma Wensheng understands this truth very well.

Xie Qian said: "Wang Dehua is doing this, is he trying to establish his prestige? Or is he trying to overwhelm the host?"

It probably means that you, Wang Qiong, are so awesome that you insist on sending troops. Is this submitting a certificate to the emperor?Or give Qin Hong his power?
Seeing that Xie Qian had quite a big opinion today, Liu Jian pointed to Xiao Jing and others who had just come over, and reminded: "Don't be too extreme in the court, and say as little as you can."

These words are to remind Xie Qian that your mouth should not cause trouble for the cabinet.

You used to make jokes, and everyone thought you Xie Qian was good at speaking, but now the emperor's trust in our civil servants has been greatly reduced. If you show your previous behavior at this time, you are afraid of being backlashed, especially for Wang Qionghe. Regarding Zhu Feng's matter, they are all people trusted by the emperor.

They sent troops and did not suffer a defeat. If you go to the court to make fun of them, the emperor probably won't pay attention to you.

……

……

Before the court meeting began, Zhang Zhou had already entered the palace.

Zhang Zhou met Zhu Youtang in Qianqing Palace, and then the two monarchs and ministers walked towards the Meridian Gate together, and the two exchanged some opinions on the way.

What I’m talking about isn’t about wars in remote areas, or trilateral military affairs, nor about the search and suppression of tricks, but about the resignation of Zhang Yue, the Minister and Counselor of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, Zhu Youtang Recently, I have been very concerned about military affairs, and I want to make some articles on Nanjing military affairs.

"It doesn't matter who will be the Minister of the Ministry of War in Liudu, but I want Duke Cheng to go over and take charge of the military affairs."

Zhu Youtang wanted to exchange Wei Guogong Xu Yu back to the capital and Zhu Fu.

"Duke Cheng's mansion has been in charge of Nanjing's military affairs for many years, and its roots are deeper than that of Duke Wei's. Furthermore, there is a grudge between Duke Wei and Uncle Huai Rou, and there are many disagreements in Nanjing's official circles. Now, taking advantage of the change of Minister of War in the south, we will also discuss this matter together. Implementation, Bingkuan, what do you think?" Zhu Youtang asked Zhang Zhou's opinion seriously.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, don't ask me, this is a major matter involving military affairs, how can I have the right to propose it?"

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Bingkuan, it is precisely because this is a major military matter that I came to ask your opinion. You are also from Yingtianfu. You have lived there for many years, and you know the affairs of the city. Is it good too?"

"Actually, I also know that whether it is Cheng Guogong or Wei Guogong, when they arrive in Liudu, they are just holding on to their foundations and don't expect them to make any changes. There are still too few young people who are as determined as Zhijie. If you think he Both of them are not suitable, and I can also consider who to recommend."

The implication is that Nanjing is now your Zhang Bingkuan's territory.

You say who is to be arranged to guard the military affairs, and the two of us, the monarch and the minister, will discuss whether it is suitable or not, and then send the person there.

Zhang Zhou pondered for a while, then shook his head and said, "I don't have any opinions to participate in."

"Then let Cheng Guogong go there. Speaking of which, when I let Wei Guogong go south, I told him that I would not let him stay for too long. Besides, if Cheng Guogong stayed in the capital, he would not be able to achieve anything. .Although it would not be embarrassing, but it is really a big deal. Could it be that he should be the admiral of the Beijing camp? Let’s settle it first!"

Zhu Youtang now trusts Cheng Guogong's mansion very much, but it is only because of the relationship between Zhang Zhou and Zhu Feng.

As for Zhu Feng's father, Zhu Fu, in the eyes of the emperor, he had nothing to recommend him. If so, let Zhu Fu take the face of his son and return to Nanjing as a garrison. Isn't this what Cheng Guogong's mansion has been pursuing all along?
……

……

The two monarchs and ministers arrived at the Meridian Gate.

In front of all the officials, Zhang Zhou walked slowly to his place and stood still. Many people present were staring at him.

Zhu Youtang calmly sat on the throne.

The meeting begins.

As soon as he came up, Zhu Youtang made public the "great victory" that Wang Qiong and Zhu Feng had achieved at Piantouguan, and Dai Yi read out the victory report, even if it was mentioned that only three Tatar heads were won in the end, There was no sound on the scene, and this was also due to Li Dongyang telling the matter in advance to calm the hearts of the courtiers.

Otherwise, this result alone is worth debating whether it should be credited or demerited.

Going out to fight, only killed three people, and lost one of them?In the end, you don't even know where the main force of the Tatars is?All kinds of urgent documents with the court before the relationship, are they all fooling people?

Liu Jian came out and said, "Your Majesty, can the Northwest War Preparedness return to normal? Can the gates of the capital be opened and closed, and the time limit be extended?"

Previously, there had been wars around Piantouguan. Although there was no martial law around the capital, the city gates were opened very late in the morning and closed before dark at night, which also affected the daily life of the people around the capital.

When Liu Jian said this, he was pleading for their cabinet.

Your Majesty, do you think that the wartime status will be lifted, so that our cabinet does not have to keep people on night duty every day?

Zhu Youtang said: "The enemy's situation in Hetao has not been found yet, so we should be cautious."

The implication is that you want to lift the wartime status?no way!

You have relaxed, but my plan to send troops to the Hetao has not been realized yet, and I have not exacerbated the wartime situation, so you have the nerve to mention it?

"I never thought that Wang Qiong and Zhu Feng could be so effective. It was also in the previous two battles at Pianguan and Ningyuan that they achieved the prestige of the country. This time, it was Zhu Feng who replaced Wang Yue. The two of them have achieved great success in terms of meritorious service. There is no distinction between equals, so in the shortest time, people's hearts are settled and Di Yi is shocked."

In Zhu Youtang's words, he admired Zhu Feng very much.

The ministers present were very uncomfortable.

Comparing Zhu Feng with Wang Yue?Even if we look down on Wang Yue, we know that the two are incomparable.

Have you ever seen someone running on the ground compared to someone flying in the sky?No matter how fast you Zhu Feng run, at most you can only jump and jump, and you are still far away from the sky.

Liu Jiandao: "Now that the Marquis of Weining has passed away, all places in the Northwest should give priority to defending. The veterans still think that they can dispatch troops first to settle the fields and calm the people. With the convenience of building fortresses, advance gradually, control the southern line of Hetao, and allow the Tatars to retreat without a fight."

Liu Jian gave his "compromise" method on behalf of civil servants.

It is not to say that we are completely opposed to sending troops to the Hetao, but we must fight steadily. Now that the internal disputes in the Tatars have not officially started, we will guard it first.

When will the time be right?After Dayan Khan fights with the Mongolian right-wing tribes such as Huo Sha, then he will make gradual progress and build the earth fortress a little bit to the north... The Great Wall's barriers can also be repaired...

Zhu Youtang's expression was grim, obviously he didn't like to hear such clichés.

"According to Liu Ge's intention, the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty should stay within the fortress and watch them fight outside their own courtyard, but watch the fire from the other side? How can the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty be at peace? The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty fought bloody battles in two wars this year, just for the sake of Hold on to the territory of previous years and not advance or retreat?"

Zhu Youtang's tone was considered polite.

Because he knows that if he wants to send troops to Hetao, he still needs the support of civil officials, so there is no need to make the relationship so tense.

Just like the civil servants headed by Liu Jian, they are also beginning to think of a compromise.

This kind of difference in philosophy between monarchs and ministers originally requires the same while reserving differences. They each take a few steps back to find a balance point. In fact, it depends on where their respective bottom lines are.

Zhu Youtang said: "Last night, I thought deeply about whether it is urgent and necessary for Qin Hong to go to Pianguan to proclaim the General Administration. With the presence of Wang Qiong, Zhu Feng and other nobles at Pianguan today, everything can be guaranteed Anwen, on the contrary, there are still sporadic border troubles coming from Yansui and other places. I would like to discuss with you gentlemen to see if it is necessary to directly use Qin Hong as the headquarters of Yansui, Ningxia, Shaanxi and other military affairs, and let him Move the town to Yulinwei in Yansui."

The ministers present did not understand the emperor's routine for a while.

Hearing this, Liu Jian couldn't help but cast a glance at Li Dongyang. The emperor suddenly intended to promote Qin Hong to the governor of the three sides, which he didn't expect.

Neither the cabinet nor the civil servants had made any plans in advance.

Li Dongyang took a step forward and said: "Your Majesty, the crisis of the partial pass is still unresolved. Should we wait for the reconstruction of the fortress of the partial pass before making more important deployments? Now we should take the partial pass as the most important military affairs That's right."

Li Dongyang did not directly object, but still used the method of diverting his words to show the emperor that Qin Hong should still be put on the sidelines.

In the past, Daming's defense focus was always on the three sides, and the core area of ​​the three sides was Yulinwei, the government office of Yansui Town.

It was only because Wang Yue had won a great victory at Piantou Pass, and the city wall over there was blown down, that the focus of defense suddenly shifted to Piantou Pass, and it was also related to the newly rising tribal leader Huozhai next to Piantou Pass.

Zhu Youtang asked: "Then Li Qing's family's opinion is to choose another candidate for the military affairs of Yansui and other towns?"

Li Dongyang was at a loss for words for a while.

He proposed to put Qin Hong on the sidelines, but he also indirectly said that the Northwest is not peaceful now. Since it is not peaceful, I want to elect a new governor of the three sides. You, Li Dongyang, shouldn't raise objections, right?I still retain Qin Hong as the governor of Xuanda, so what if I add a trilateral governor?

Zhu Youtang suddenly turned his gaze to Zhang Zhou: "Bingkuan, what's your opinion on this?"

The minister directly called Zhang Zhoubiao.

I will not hide the meaning of the emperor from you, let you listen to the opinions of the "most authoritative" people, and let you know why I made this decision.

……

……

coming!

The ministers present all held their breath for a moment. They also knew very well that there were "heterogeneous" within themselves, the relationship between the monarch and his ministers was not harmonious, and almost all the big and small things that happened in the past six months were all related to Zhang Bingkuan's rise.

But thinking about it, Zhang Zhou didn't speak much in court, but each time it seemed to cause a "reign of terror".

Zhang Zhou stepped out of the ranks of civil servants with firm steps and stood upright.

"I don't know which floor His Majesty wants to ask."

What Zhang Zhou said surprised the ministers at first.

This stuff...

He still spoke with a beating tone, and asked the emperor which one to ask first when he came up, so you can't figure out what he wants, and explain each one to the emperor clearly?
Xie Qian couldn't stand it anymore, and interjected: "Your Majesty is asking about the Trilateral General System and the Xuanda General System. Minister Zhang said, don't pretend to be confused."

Zhang Zhoudao: "In Xie Ge's opinion, is this just pretending to be confused?"

"you……"

Xie Qian was speechless.

You didn't talk about your relationship, so we started arguing?
What's the noise?Does it have anything to do with what was discussed today?Or is it that you kid is putting on a stand again, first you have to put out the opposing emotions like a mad dog, and then talk about things?

If you don't fall into your trap, I won't say anything!
Xie Qian didn't come out at all, he just turned his head away and talked to Zhang Zhou again.

Zhu Youtang said: "Bingkuan, please tell all the nobles, what do you think of the victory of the battle at Pianguan?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "Returning to Your Majesty, in my opinion, the recent battle of Pianguan did not achieve much, but it has far-reaching significance."

"Tell me in detail." Zhu Youtang heard it, and it turns out that the monarch and his ministers are on the same path, and the words are so pleasant.

"Pianguan is the weakest defense in the northwest of Ming Dynasty. The city pass cannot stop the Tatar cavalry, but under the army of Wei Ninghou and Anbianhou, the Tatars dare not invade. The next step is to send troops for [-] miles and build forts along the way."

In addition to affirming the credit of Wang Qiong and Zhu Feng, Zhang Zhou seemed to be talking nonsense, and directly mentioned the matter of building the fort.

After hearing what was said earlier, Ma Wensheng had no objection.

Because, as Minister of the Ministry of War, he also felt that the Piantouguan was really stable now, and even a city wall could not be erected. It would be fine if the tribes such as Huozai did not come to invade, but they did not station and graze within a hundred miles?Can't plunder?They had calculated that it was impossible for Da Ming to hide in a remote place, and they knew that Da Ming dared to fight them head-on now, and they also knew that there would be no bargain in such a front-on fight.

But after hearing what happened later...he felt that Zhang Zhou was "playing around".

Ma Wensheng came out and questioned, "Master Zhang, what's the point of building a fort outside the pass?"

Zhang Zhou asked curiously: "Mabutang, it seems that someone suggested earlier that we should establish a firm foothold and build the fort gradually... Could it be that I misheard?"

Ma Wensheng frowned, he realized that Zhang Zhou was waiting for him with a trap.

The matter of building the fort was proposed by Liu Jian, but what Liu Jian said was to build it out from Yansui, while Zhang Zhou proposed to build it out from Piantouguan.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Build an earthen fortress from the side pass and extend to the grassland, so that you can advance, attack, retreat, and defend..."

"Wait." Zhu Youtang interrupted Zhang Zhou, "If you want to win the Hetao, or even make achievements on the grassland, what's the use of relying on these earthen fortresses alone? Can you be able to attack and defend freely?"

"Uh……"

Zhang Zhou seemed to be stopped by the question, and then he glanced at Liu Jian.

It probably means that since Mr. Liu Ge came out to say this on behalf of the civil servants, he probably can do it.

Zhu Youtang said: "Either send out the whole army, or stick to the pass, why do you have to build a fortress and Xu Tu slowly advance? Bingkuan, your proposal is not good."

"Your Majesty's words are very true. The minister made a mistake." Zhang Zhou admitted his mistake in front of the ministers present.

The ministers present felt as if they were being slapped in the face.

Didn't Zhang Zhou just repeat Liu Jian's suggestion, and then the emperor rejected it in person?

The emperor didn't have the nerve to say anything to Liu Jian earlier. This is the way that the monarch and his ministers sang double reeds, playing fingering mulberry and cursing Huai Huai.

Zhang Zhoudao: "If you want to achieve a certain degree of advance and retreat, then the minister believes that the terrain of the remote pass is not the most important thing to guard against at the border of the Ming Dynasty. Because of its favorable location, it is impossible to look around, and it is also impossible to coordinate the front and back according to the center... "

Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Piangguan is an important town on the nine borders, and most of them are used as auxiliary passes, not as the most important strategic point. If troops are sent out from Pianguan, the terrain is narrow and long after leaving the pass, and it is really difficult to form a large army. Coordination, it is easy to have a difficult situation.”

Zhang Zhou followed the emperor's wishes and said: "So I think that if we want to prepare for war, we should use Yansui as the basis."

"Hmm." Zhu Youtang nodded, "So you think that if the situation in the side customs is stable, the military affairs of the three sides should be consolidated instead of advocating large military affairs. Is that what you mean?"

Zhang Zhou didn't answer.

This time, Li Dongyang came out to question and said: "Yan Sui is far away from the capital. If we use Yan Sui to send troops and raise food, grass and supplies, it will inevitably be delayed. If there is a wrong strategy, it will be difficult to mobilize reinforcements everywhere. It is effective. Could it be that Zhang Shi said that he has not considered this problem?"

In terms of the proportion of Ming's defense, although the defense on the three sides is the key point, because the three sides are too far away from the capital, the mobilization of food, grass and soldiers is also the most inconvenient.

Zhang Zhou laughed and said, "I don't understand what Li Gelao means."

"Why don't you understand this?" Wang Zongyi, the left servant of the Ministry of War, said, "To prepare for the war in Yansui, the transportation of grain and grass alone accounts for [-] to [-]% of the total cost. How can we prepare for the war?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "Wang Shilang, you are right. Sending troops from Yansui is more costly, but if you send troops to Hetao, where can you go if you don't go from Yansui? Is there a better choice? Now the Ming Dynasty salt tax It all depends on the transfer of the capital, and the number of farmland in the northwest has been decreasing year after year, so even if you don’t prepare for war and send troops, wouldn’t the imperial court have such a big expense just relying on the land on the three sides?”

Wang Zongyi originally wanted to catch Zhang Zhou's mistakes in common sense, but now he found that Zhang Zhou seemed to be waiting for him to come out and question him.

Zhang Zhou continued: "If you want to send troops to Hetao, I really can't think of anything more suitable than Yansui. But if you want to send troops to the grassland, why do you have to go all the way to Hetao?"

"what?"

All the ministers present were puzzled.

Zhang Zhou went around and talked for a long time, wasn't he talking about suppressing tricks?

Xie Qian said with a smile: "I hear what you mean, is it a headache to heal the foot? Instead of going to Hetao, go to Liaodong?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "What Xie Ge said is reasonable, heals the head for a headache, not the mouth, right?"

"Ha ha."

Although Xie Qian was still smiling, his face froze.

If you have a headache, it doesn't hurt if you can't shout out.

Don't let me talk about side troubles... Zhang Zhou is obviously mocking him for talking too much, and also mocking the civil servants for blocking the way of speech.

He deeply felt that, as a cabinet minister, someone in the court began to tease him with words. That feeling... It was probably the same as when he satirized others before, and it made people feel uncomfortable.

Only then did Zhang Zhou speak seriously to Zhu Youtang: "I believe that sending troops to the grassland from the Xuanfu and detouring behind the enemy's rear may be unexpected!"

(End of this chapter)