The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 319
Zhang Zhou arrived in the capital on August [-]th, and it was already August [-]th, and more than three months had passed since he left for the expedition.

Originally, he still had the idea of ​​staying in the Northwest for a year or a half. To be able to complete the task in three months and come back is considered a complete achievement for Zhang Zhou. Before returning, he thought that after arriving in the capital, he would be a normal person life.

Lead troops to help Duoyan Sanwei?

nonexistent.

Zhang Zhou returned to Beijing in a low-key manner. Except for Xiao Jing who had heard the news in advance and went to Xizhimen to greet him, even the cabinet and the Sixth Ministry did not know about his return.

Zhang Zhou went straight to the palace after entering the city.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youtang prepared tables and chairs for Zhang Zhou early on, and even asked people to move the huge sand table over, just to be able to deduce the war in the north with Zhang Zhou.

Before Zhang Zhou arrived, Zhu Youtang was already scratching his head, making Dai Yi and the other eunuchs feel that the emperor was a bit like his son Zhu Houzhao... Zhu Houzhao usually likes to do this kind of thing.

"His Majesty."

A person came in outside, it was Chen Kuan.

Zhu Youtang asked eagerly, "Are you here?"

Chen Kuan said: "Go back to Your Majesty, it is Zhang Yong who has arrived."

"Oh, let him in."

This time Zhu Youtang not only called Zhang Zhou back to the court, but also called Zhang Yong back. It’s not that Zhu Youtang thought it was useless for Zhang Yong to stay in the Northwest, but he wanted to arrange Zhang Yong to Liaodong to replace the eunuch Ren Liang. , and removed and replaced Liaodong from the governor to the guarding eunuch, and then to the generals below.

Then Zhang Yong came in and kowtowed to Zhu Youtang.

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "It's rare, you have worked hard in the northwest, and it was Bingkuan who found out and valued you. You should repay your kindness."

As soon as Zhang Yong heard it, he was thinking, who am I going to report to?To repay the emperor's favor?Or repay Zhang Zhou?

"Slaves must do their best to serve Daming before they die." Zhang Yong himself was not a man of culture, anyway, he wanted to show his loyalty in front of the emperor.

Zhu Youtang said: "It's not enough to do your best. You must also know how to obey orders and not act arbitrarily. The situation in Liaodong is no different from the towns in the northwest. Jiliao and other places have always been the most important defenses of the capital of the Ming Dynasty."

"Yes."

Zhang Yong knew in advance that he might be transferred to Liaodong, so he was very excited.

Compared with the Ming Dynasty's layout in the northwest that lasted for hundreds of years, and the officials and generals were monolithic, Liaodong's uncertainty in the establishment and territory...mainly existed in the fact that the Ming Dynasty freely retracted some vassal states, which would make Liaodong closer to one The land that does not care about the three species... is very rich in oil and water.

This was Wei Bin's land before, and Chen Kuan and other eunuchs who were in charge of ceremonies also reaped a lot of benefits from it.

This time it was his turn, but Zhang Yong felt that he no longer needed to listen to the supervisors, but only Zhang Zhou.

Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Bingkuan will come later, let him guide you on the specific matters in the next two days, as for who will be the capital and go to various places in Liaodong, I have to wait for discussion with Bingkuan Let's make a decision."

Originally, Dai Yi and Chen Kuan felt that although the guarding eunuch in Liaodong was replaced by Zhang Yong, they could still make a fuss about the generals and install more of their own people.

Now they know that the emperor's refusal to make a decision does not mean that he is not prepared to take the decision-making power in his hands, but that he has to wait to discuss it with Zhang Zhou... This also means that no matter whether it is the ministers in the court or their ceremonies The members of the supervisor have lost control of the Liaodong general officer system.

……

……

Zhang Zhou then followed Xiao Jing to Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youtang was very happy to see Zhang Zhou, and went to greet him at the door, grabbed Zhang Zhou's arm and pulled it in: "Bingkuan, you are back, I haven't been able to sleep well for the past two days, thinking of You have to come back and sleep all night. Take a look at what I have prepared for you."

When Zhu Youtang pulled Zhang Zhou to the Qianqing Palace, what he saw was not sand tables and maps.

It is an antique treasure selected by Zhu Youtang from the inner treasury.

"Your Majesty, this is..." Zhang Zhou looked embarrassed.

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Bingkuan, we are all on our own, and we are talking too much. You also know that the imperial court is currently short of money, and there are not many rewards in the treasury. There are many expenses in the Northwest that need you." Go to raise money yourself, you have made great contributions to this trip, and I can't directly reward you with money, so I will give you some flashy things. Just don't dislike it."

Zhang Zhou smiled and shook his head when he heard the words: "Your Majesty, there is no need to do this, I am not interested in this."

Dai Yi laughed and said: "Mr. Zhang, this is all His Majesty's will. In order to select these, I have selected from some rosters for a long time."

In fact, without Dai Yi's explanation, Zhang Zhou can tell that Zhu Youtang's gift to him is really generous. Antique calligraphy and paintings are hidden in the palace and cannot be realized. They may be used as treasures by those knowledgeable kings who meet them and keep them. Watch for yourself.

But Zhu Youtang had never been influenced by this kind of culture since he was a child. Before he became emperor, he almost lived in fear and fear, and he didn't care about things other than his own life.

After becoming an emperor, he was taught to be self-restraining and respectful, facing such a group of old-fashioned ministers all day long, and his body is so weak... Can you be so rare about antique calligraphy and paintings?
The treasures scavenged by Zhu Youtang's previous emperors have become "flashy" things in Zhu Youtang's place, but it doesn't feel bad at all to reward Zhang Zhou.

"Your Majesty, you don't have to worry about my minister's side. I also brought you something." Zhang Zhou said.

"Oh?" Zhu Youtang's eyes lit up.

Here, the courtiers have to give gifts to the emperor without waiting for the emperor's reward. Even the eunuchs next to him who were a little jealous of Zhang Zhou felt ashamed when they heard the words.

This state of mind alone is incomparable.

Zhang Zhoudao: "In the past few months in the northwest, apart from interfering with military and political affairs, and prospecting for mines, the rest of the government affairs are mostly handed over to the local governor, and the military affairs basically do not interfere with the General Military Office. What I'm thinking about is how to suppress those wolves on the grassland by force."

Zhu Youtang smiled and asked, "Is it a new firearm?"

"Well." Zhang Zhou nodded, "The most important thing is the flint gun, which has already exerted its power in the Weininghai battle. In fact, it can be ignited and fired at any time without using a match, and the effect is very good. The other is For the further improvement of the firecracker, the firing range has been further improved, and the firing speed has also been greatly improved."

"Where is it?" Zhu Youtang heard Zhang Zhou speak so well, so he naturally wanted to see it for himself.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, how can you bring such a dangerous thing into the palace? After all, when firearms are used, there is still a risk of explosion. Your Majesty must not take risks. If you have free time, I will go to the martial arts field to demonstrate for Your Majesty."

"En." Zhu Youtang nodded with a smile, very satisfied with this.

Before, I felt that the yellow gunpowder and the new artillery made the strength of the Daming Frontier Army qualitatively improved.

Still worrying that Di Yi has learned the new technology of Ming Dynasty, Zhang Zhou keeps pace with the times and continues to improve firearms, and he manages the army and improves firearms at the same time... This shows Zhang Zhou's great strength. Responsibility.

Not to mention Zhu Youtang, the emperor who admired Zhang Zhou so much, even Dai Yi and Wei Bin were thinking in their hearts, whether it is really incomparable or not, or don't think about how to fight, but think about how to curry favor with him. It would be nice to be able to get along in harmony in the future.

Zhang Zhoudao: "In addition to the new weapons, I also brought back some money, about 2 taels."

"Caibo?" Zhu Youtang smiled wryly.

When the emperor was about to reward the ministers, the ministers brought money to the emperor?Although 2 taels doesn't sound like much, Zhang Zhou's creativity is actually very good compared to those ministers who only ask the court for money.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "This is only the first batch, which is the mining tax paid by Datong Coal Mine and Xuanfu Iron Mine."

"Mining tax?" Dai Yi stared aside.

Before Zhang Zhou opened the mine, he said that he would hand over the proceeds from the mine to the imperial court. In fact, it was paid to the emperor himself and called by the inner government.

This is also the regulation of Wanli mining tax later.

At that time, no one would think that Zhang Zhou's collection of mining tax would take effect in a short period of time. As a result, Zhang Zhou proved with practical actions that if he wanted to open up sources for the inner government, it was not just talk, but could bring for direct benefit.

"It is only equivalent to one month's mining tax. This is only the income before the mining is currently promoted. It is equivalent to 25 taels a year." Zhang Zhou said, "If things go well, by this time next year, the monthly mining tax should have More than 6 taels, even closer to 10 taels."

Zhu Youtang's eyes were shining, probably with the light of gold and silver.

Dai Yi on the side asked in surprise, "Really?"

Zhu Youtang said: "Yes, Bingkuan, you don't have to work so hard. These mining taxes should be used in the northwest."

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, I told you that the purpose of the mine is to use coal and iron to cast cannons and new firearms for the Northwest Frontier Army. This is what I can do. As for the mining tax collected, Use your majesty's dispatch, and part of it can be used to ease the cost of northwest frontier affairs."

"The remaining part can also be used by His Majesty at ordinary times, and there is no need for the minister to lose money, because the part produced by the mine will also fall to the minister's side. In the first few years, the minister did not think about using it Seeking self-interest is more about saving for the pacification of the grassland."

Zhu Youtang sighed: "Bingkuan, you don't have to do this. I... didn't give it to you, so why should I ask you to give it to me?"

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "The minister actually has nothing. Isn't this mine also bestowed by His Majesty?"

Zhu Youtang said: "That is the mine you opened yourself."

"Your Majesty, all within the four seas are the king's land. It's not that I don't love money, but everything must be subordinated to the military and political affairs of the Northwest." Zhang Zhou also planned his blueprint for Zhu Youtang, "The minister's ideas, Within four to five years, the Northwest will be able to raise enough firearms to make the troops strong, and then they can send troops to the grasslands."

Zhu Youtang asked: "Then Bingkuan, do you have a decision on Duoyan Sanwei's request to Ming Dynasty to send troops?"

I don't even ask you what opinion you have, just ask directly, what decision do you have.

This is actually just saying, don't worry, I will listen to you anyway.

Zhang Zhoudao: "What I mean is that the three guards of Duoyan usually don't pay tribute to the court, and don't follow the king's way of teaching, but now they think of sending troops from the Ming Dynasty to assist them in times of crisis. Those who are protected by the Great Ming Sovereign must abide by the principles of ministers, rather than acting on a whim."

"Haha." Zhu Youtang said in great relief, "It's exactly what I want."

Dai Yi asked in surprise, "Then...then don't care about it?"

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "I didn't say that I don't care about it at all. Haven't you already mentioned this to Your Majesty, and we need to strengthen the guards in Liaodong? If the little Tatar prince breaks the three guards of Duoyan, or beats them up and incorporates them, then they may go to Liaodong. Advance, and now there are Duoyan Sanwei in the east and west of Liao, North Korea in the east, and Jurchen in the north...it may become the most important defense of Ming Dynasty in the future."

"Liaodong is closer to Gyeonggi in terms of geographical advantages. The defenses of the border towns in the Ming Dynasty should not be top-heavy. Therefore, what I mean is that in the future, we must first ensure the defense of Liaodong, and then talk about progress."

Zhu Youtang looked extremely trusting, and nodded with narrowed eyes: "Very good, very good. With you here, Bingkuan, no matter what I say or do, I feel confident."

Now even Dai Yi and the others had to obey.

Sure enough, some words came out of Zhang Zhou's mouth, even if Bichao Chinese and military ministers said them, they also felt at ease.

How else to put it, now the border officials of Ming Dynasty are looking at Zhang Zhou?
It's not about the emperor's trust in Zhang Zhou, but that Zhang Zhou does have that ability... The emperor's trust also comes from the display of Zhang Zhou's strength. If Zhang Zhou can only talk about the art of war without talking about actual operations, the emperor It's strange to be highly praised.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, I still plan to open an iron mine around Yongping Mansion. At present, the quality and output of the iron mines around Xuan Mansion have not yet reached expectations."

"Okay." Zhu Youtang nodded, "It's up to you."

……

……

Zhu Youtang pulled Zhang Zhou to sit down, and the rest of the people stood and listened to the two of them talking.

The more Zhu Youtang talked, the happier he became, but at the end he couldn't help but ask doubts in his heart: "Bingkuan, tell me, if the little Tatar prince sends troops to Duoyan Sanwei, what will happen?"

He would like to let Zhang Zhou realize his potential as a magic stick.

"Your Majesty, with the strength of Duoyan's three guards, they can't parry the attack of the little Tatar prince, but they won't destroy their family either." Zhang Zhou said.

"Oh?"

Zhu Youtang asked, "But that Batu Monk, will he keep his hand?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "This is the case with grassland disputes. Batu Mengke wants to be the co-owner of the grassland. If he does not attack the fire, he may not be able to kill them all, let alone Duoyan and the others who do not have great strength. tribe."

Zhang Zhou wasn't making random analysis, he had a reason for saying so.

"In the spring of the 17th year of Hongzhi, the enemy (Dayan Khan) wrote a letter to ask for tribute, and promised it, but it didn't come... In June Guiwei, the fire sifted into Datong, commanded Zheng Yu to die in battle. The enemy moved eastward, and the Duoyan tribe was crippled... Autumn In July, Duoyan led the enemy into Datong, killed Dunjun, invaded the Xuanfu and Zhuanglang, and defended Wei Yong, Baiyu and others..."

This clearly shows how Batu Monk used to deal with Duoyan Sanwei in history.

Taking advantage of the fire to sieve the bandits from the frontier, they sent troops eastward and disabled Duoyan. After all, Batu Mengke was a profuse khan in the grassland in name. After Duoyan completely surrendered, he immediately helped the Dayan tribe Kou Daming to the frontier.

Zhu Youtang eagerly asked: "How many days does the little Tatar prince have?"

This question... is obviously a foul.

Zhang Zhou told Zhu Youtang that the calculation of fate is inaccurate, but the emperor probably hates Batu Mengke now, and wants to kill him as soon as possible. years, it would be better to know how he died.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, I cannot answer this question for you."

"Ah!" Zhu Youtang sighed, "I don't know whether I should ask, but I was actually thinking, the Tatars were still respectful to Ming Dynasty in the past ten years, why are they so respectful now?"

Zhang Zhouxin said, now you feel pressured?

If you don't have someone like Zhang, you will be under more pressure after a few more years.

In the early days of your son's succession, it was even worse. In history, after Batu Munch conquered the Mongolian right wing in the fifth year of Zhengde, the invasion of Ming Dynasty increased day by day until it reached its peak in the 11th year of Zhengde.

"(the tenth year of Zhengde) the Tatars invaded the north, from Xuanfu Dabaiyang to Badaling, slaughtered and plundered wantonly, and will spy on Juyongguan... In August Bingyin, the little prince invaded Guyuan and Pingliang, killing and plundering officials and people..."

"(Zhengde 11th year) at the end of July, the little prince entered with [-] cavalry... The security guards commanded Zhu Shou to send troops to help, but after a while, the enemy cavalry arrived, outnumbered, and Shou died in battle. Hao Zai The battle was defeated again, and the generals Zhu Chun and Wang Tang died. Zhang Yong met in Laoyingpo, was wounded and left Juyong. The enemy then invaded the Xuanfu, and every [-] castles were broken, and tens of thousands of people and animals were killed..."

"(12th year of Zhengde), the little prince entered the bandits from Yulin with [-] riders. On the second day of Jiachen, Wang Xun, the commander of the siege, was equal to Yingzhou. Emperor Xing Yanghe, on the fifth day of Dingwei, the emperor personally deployed, and supervised the generals to help, Fight to the death, the enemy will be defeated. Tomorrow, they will attack again. From Chen to You, there will be more than a hundred battles. On the fifth day of the battle, on the ninth day of the [-] lunar calendar, the enemy led to the west and pursued to Pinglu and Shuozhou. , the emperor returned, stationed in Datong, and ordered to declare victory in the court..."

"Yes, the enemy invaded the border, but dare not enter."

"It's the year Dayan Khan died."

That is to say, after Dayan Khan unified the grasslands, he harassed and harassed the borderlands of the Ming Dynasty year after year, killing and looting countless times, and even occupied and destroyed the borders of the Ming Dynasty.

Don't look at Zhu Houzhao himself as a nonsense king who likes to play unreliable personal conquests, but the biggest difference between Zhu Houzhao and Yingzong is that he used practical actions to suppress Dayan Khan in the period of complete victory.

Daming's record of the battle of Yingzhou was extremely biased. It was clearly Zhu Houzhao who won, but it was said that the two sides dispersed due to strong winds and black fog after the fierce battle, and it was said that Zhu Houzhao forcibly announced the victory.

As for whether Batu Monk died in the Yingzhou battle, there is no need to explore it. Dayan Khan died of depression after returning because he failed to win the battle.

At least after the death of Dayan Khan, his sons fought for the throne. In the next 30 to 29 years, they will no longer be able to drive forward like Dayan Khan to pose a greater threat to Ming Dynasty. change".

"Your Majesty, as long as the Ming Dynasty is strong, the grassland will be weak. This is a process of ebb and flow."

Zhang Zhoudao, "We can't allow Batu Mengke to subdue all the tribes in the grassland as we wish. We have to send troops to harass them, but also divide and disintegrate them. It's like a fire sieve. We used to bow to Batu Mengke, but now we have surrendered to Ming Dynasty in name?"

(End of this chapter)