The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 339

British government.

After Zhang Rui's soft feet disease improved, he could basically take the position of the Patriarch of the Zhang family temporarily, which relieved Zhang Mao's pressure a lot.

Zhang Mao claimed to be sick for many days and did not go to the military camp, nor did he go to the government office of the governor's mansion. Many people came to visit, and Zhang Rui went out to receive them.

"Father, there are obviously more people here than before, and they are probably checking on your condition." Zhang Rui entered the backyard, but found Zhang Mao holding a sword and practicing there.

Zhang Mao looked disapproving: "They want to know when this old bone of mine will be buried in the ground, otherwise who would come to my house?"

Zhang Rui said: "Father is highly respected, and he is ill. It is also appropriate for others to visit."

"Hmph." Zhang Mao finally sheathed his sword, and said disdainfully, "I have never seen anyone visit me when I was sick in the past. Is it because I was ordered to enter the Supreme Court? Then everyone wants to know my attitude towards Zhang Bingkuan. Before Zhang Bingkuan is just a civil servant who came from a Jinshi background, and has no influence on my Zhang family, but now you look... even an illiterate villager knows that one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers."

"Then... father still let Zhang Lun learn from him?" Zhang Rui was a little puzzled.

Zhang Rui did not regard Zhang Zhou as an enemy.

In fact, Zhang Zhou has been kind to the British Dukes from the beginning, especially Zhang Rui is a person who knows how to be grateful. If Zhang Zhou hadn't given him a helping hand to treat his illness, he might have died now.

These days, ordinary people don't know how terrible soft feet disease is. How can Zhang Rui, who has had the disease before, not know?

Zhang Mao walked in the direction of the study, and Zhang Rui followed behind.

Zhang Maodao: "Who would have thought that Zhang Bingkuan would win so many battles in one year? Even Wang Weining spent half his life becoming famous, but now I have to live in his shadow. But that's good, at least I didn't fight against each other before. There is still room for it.”

Zhang Rui was speechless.

this father.

Mingming is envious and jealous of Zhang Zhou in his heart, and he is not forgiving in his mouth, and he is very cowardly when it is his turn to do things.

This was clearly afraid of Zhang Zhou.

"They all thought that I entered the Supreme Court, and thought that the Wu Xun of the Ming Dynasty would have a bright future, but that was only limited to Zhang Bingkuan, and I was just pulled in temporarily to make up the numbers. When did Your Majesty really listen to my opinion? "Zhang Mao went to the door of the study, but didn't go in.

Because he is really not the kind of person who studies writing.

I don't even bother to put on airs.

Zhang Rui said: "Didn't Your Majesty adopt father's opinion a lot?"

"Hmph, that was when I had the same opinion as His Majesty, and His Majesty needed a cover. Others thought that I had a measure of what to say, but they didn't know that it was for my father to judge the situation and see His Majesty's intentions. Is it?" Zhang Mao was very angry.

Because the emperor used him as a gun before.

Anyway, if you confront the civil servants and lean towards Zhang Zhou, the emperor will adopt his opinion more often.

Zhang Rui sighed: "Then why should father be so idle?"

"Alas!" Zhang Mao sighed, "You have been bedridden for the past two years, and you have experienced too little. The affairs in the military are just a matter of showing effect, but most of the affairs in the court are involuntary. You think that being a father has no idea, Going with the flow? I thought Zhang Bingkuan would rise to the occasion and help our Zhang family, so he was a father, so he had a lot of obedience, but now it seems that he is right or wrong."

"I've been ill for the past two days and stayed at home for a while. It's good to see the reaction of the people in the court. At least let my father understand that there are many people who are stalking people in the court. Who can be upright? Those in the cabinet Can a single academician do it? Or can the six ministries of the court do it? All of them are of the same species!"

"Yes."

Zhang Rui responded.

I was thinking in my heart, this father would really find himself a step down.

I have become an old fox who knows everything, but I still think that everyone else is like you?These days, it seems that not being principled is the most difficult thing to survive. If you talk about principles now, no one will believe you.

……

……

Liaodong.

After the troops of the Ming Dynasty approached Shenyang, the road became muddy and difficult due to the melting of snow. There were some mud pits everywhere on the grassland. The soldiers needed to support each other, and almost all marched in a narrow and long snake formation. In order to gradually cross the cold and rough road.

After the soldiers and horses were stationed that day, the people along the road in Jizhou were already miserable.

Even Peng Quan, who had been working hard for the last six or seven days in charge of the rear guard and patrolling, went to Wang Xian to complain.

"My lord, the soldiers in Liaodong are a bit bullying. They obviously have more cavalry than us, but they can send very few people. Every time there are scouts to spy on and the rear of the palace, we let us do it. The mud pit also asked us to help... Now that the soldiers have been patrolling at night for many days, they are already exhausted, and I am afraid that the soldiers will not be able to hold on before they reach the border of Ming Dynasty!"

Peng Quan himself didn't close his eyes for several days, his eyes were red.

Wang Xian asked: "Then now, are you sure that no Tartars will catch up?"

Peng Quan clasped his fists and said: "The last general is not sure, but there are always some cavalry shadows following us in the rear. If we rush over, they will retreat, but if we send stragglers to spy on information, some will never return. Six or seven outposts have been lost in a few days, and now no one wants to send people to the rear."

"Then have you mentioned it to Lu Zhongcheng?" Wang Xian asked.

"This... how to say?"

Peng Quan was thinking, shouldn't the communication between the two armies be done by you, the commander of the Jizhou army?How can we let our general speak?So after all, am I taking orders from Lu Wan?Or is it at your command?
Ma Yongcheng was close to the distance. He didn't intend to listen at first, but his voice clearly fell into his ears. He came over and said, "Why don't we part ways now. As far as our family knows, we are now far away from Shenyang Zhongwei. It may only be more than 100 miles away! At this time, if we don’t divide the road, should we go to Shenyang Zhongwei City to rest first?”

Wang Xiandao: "How to deal with the returned heads?"

Ma Yongcheng looked around, leaned forward and said in a low voice: "Let's have people transport them away in batches, each with a few horses tied on their backs. Anyway, we have a lot of horses, and we are running all the way. I don't believe that group of bastards in Liaodong can do it." Can't catch up?"

Wang Xian didn't answer, looked at Peng Quan and said, "If you send someone back to deliver orders to the capital at this time, how many days do you think it will take?"

Peng Quan thought for a while, then gritted his teeth and said, "Or I will go in person."

"Impossible!" Wang Xian said, "You are not a local general in Jizhou. You are from the south. It is difficult to communicate when you pass the customs. Besides, you cannot leave your post without permission. I only want you to find the most capable people. In the name of passing on the family letter, the official document of the battle report is carried in the clothes, and it is passed to the capital in advance!"

Ma Yongcheng asked excitedly: "Shall we make a preconception?"

Wang Xian snorted coldly and said: "Of course, I tried Lu Zhongcheng's tone on purpose before, and he meant that when we arrived at Shenyang Zhongwei, we would perform the meritorious service together. In this way, the right to speak is in his hands. How can the people in the court know the truth when the military merits are listed?"

Ma Yongcheng was surprised and said: "This...is it a little risky? Our troops are still in Liaodong... Even if it is on the list, don't you say that Zhang Shilang will definitely take our credit for balancing the relationship between the two armies?"

Wang Xiandao: "So the military merits must not only be reported to His Majesty, but must be reported to the cabinet with the general secretary, and the civilian officials in the court must know! General Peng, can you do it?"

Peng Quan was a little embarrassed.

He could tell that Wang Xian didn't trust Lu Wan now, and he didn't believe in Zhang Zhou who recommended Lu Wan as the governor of Liaodong. The trouble is known to both the government and the public, and the best way is to let the civil officials know.

This is to take advantage of the contradiction between Zhang Zhou and Wen Chen.

Originally, it would be beneficial to show the achievements of the soldiers of Jizhou in this way, and Peng Quan had no reason not to agree.

But he……

"General Peng seems to be indebted to that Minister Zhang for his kindness." Ma Yongcheng said for Peng Quan.

Wang Xian said coldly: "Now it's just based on the facts. There is no question of who to blame. Could it be that General Peng wants to hand over all the credit to others? People who talk about salvation are upright civil servants in the government and the opposition."

Peng Quan thought so too.

Although it turned out that Zhang Zhou rescued him, the civil servant Shangzuo interceded for him before, which can be said to have played a great role.

Moreover, if he insisted on remembering Zhang Zhou's kindness now, then the first victory in this battle would have to be handed over to those people in Liaodong Luwan.

Wang Xiandao: "I don't ask for much credit, but the battle of Huangshui is enough for someone to confer a title. General Peng, you have to think about it carefully."

Peng Quan clasped his fists and said: "This battle is all due to Master Wang's well-organized arrangements. The last general will take orders. He will definitely send someone to send the battle report back to the capital. And there will be no leaks!"

"Okay!" Wang Xian nodded with great satisfaction.

……

……

That night, Wang Xian handed over the memorial to Peng Quan's people, and passed it on to the capital on a fast horse.

"You must remember, don't go to the post station in Liaodong. When it comes to military investigations, etc., you can send letters in the name of Jizhou. Even if it is postponed for a day or two, as long as the march here is postponed, I will report the merits of the table. If it is delayed, it will definitely not be passed to the capital later than here."

Originally, Wang Xian was anxious to settle the matter of credit with Lu Wan.

But now he is in no hurry.

Back in Shenyang, he can also argue with Lu Wan, as long as the later their joint performance, the greater the effect of Peng Quan's unilateral battle report.

"The last will live up to the mission!"

Peng Quan left.

After people leave the tent.

Ma Yongcheng said with a worried face: "If that Lu Zhongcheng knows about this matter, it may be..."

"Sooner or later, I have to tear my face, and I don't care about saving face. When stealing other people's credit, do you think about other people's feelings?" Wang Xian is very persistent.

Ma Yongcheng said: "But Mr. Wang's move, I'm afraid he offended Zhang Shilang. Besides, Commander Peng, our family, and Mr. Wang, aren't they all entrusted by Zhang Shilang? At this time... ...why set fire to the backyard?"

Wang Xiandao: "It's just a blame, the people in Liaodong are too greedy."

Ma Yongcheng smiled bitterly and said: "But they did have military merits in this battle. If they hadn't driven the tartars into our ambush circle, the result of this battle would not have been so smooth. Besides, as you said, no matter what No matter how great the contributions of the soldiers and horses on both sides of Liaodong and Jizhou are, isn't Your Majesty giving the most important credit to Zhang Shilang?"

"You don't want to argue anymore?" Wang Xian frowned and stared at Ma Yongcheng.

"Hey!" Ma Yongcheng sighed, "It's all like this, is there any choice? I'm afraid that if you offend Zhang Shilang, it won't be good for anyone."

"go!"

Wang Xian said that he wanted to take Ma Yongcheng out of the tent.

"Where?" Ma Yongcheng asked hastily.

"Go to meet those people in Liaodong, and we must numb them at this time. Moreover, all the news we can get now must be passed on through them. Today we can't show the difference from the past!"

……

……

In Lu Wan's camp of the Chinese army.

A pre-military meeting had just been held, but no one from Jizhou was invited.

When Wang Xian and Ma Yongcheng arrived, they saw that all the generals in Liaodong had already left the tent of the Chinese army.

"Lu Zhongcheng, why is this?" After entering the camp, Wang Xian's attitude became less friendly.

Lu Wan continued to look at the map with an understatement on his face.

Next to him, Zhang Heling sat on a simple wooden bench, crossed Erlang's legs and said, "Arrange the deployment of the camp, don't I also want to say hello to you? Isn't everyone doing their own thing?"

Wang Xian said sharply: "But we are doing everything we do."

"Hehe." Zhang Heling said with a sneering look on his face, "You don't have to do it, who forced you?"

"All right!"

Lu Wan only interrupted Zhang Heling's words at this time, which is equivalent to saying... Zhang Heling's previous speech was what he deliberately wanted to show to Lu Wan and Ma Yongcheng.

Lu Wandao: "The scout sent back to Shenyang before has brought back the news. This place is more than 120 miles away from the Daming pass. I also learned from there that Mr. Zhang, the left servant of the Ministry of War, has been named Lai. Duke of the state, he is in charge of the affairs of the military governor's mansion. The official positions such as minister in the court and bachelor in the court will remain unchanged."

Wang Xian frowned.

When Lu Wan said this, he was obviously showing off to him. Look, I have a better relationship with Zhang Bingkuan. After he was promoted, I feel more confident to argue with you about military merit.

Ma Yongcheng asked hastily: "Then the matter of our victory should be passed back to the capital, right?"

Lu Wan shook his head and said, "I didn't ask the soldiers to inform us of the situation here. I agreed to wait for the three armies to withdraw from the grassland safely, and then report the results of the war, so there will be no deviation."

"This……"

Ma Yongcheng looked embarrassed and embarrassed.

But he was very happy in his heart.

It’s a good thing that you, Lu Wan, are greedy for military exploits and didn’t win ahead of time. Otherwise, we’d arranged for half a day tonight, and we’d win ahead of time and bypass Zhang Zhou to let the officials of the court know... Wouldn’t that be pointless?

Wang Xian said coldly: "The war has come to an end. It is clear that we are basically out of danger. We could report the war to the court, but we didn't. If the court pursues it, who will take the responsibility?"

Lu Wan continued to laugh without saying a word, and glanced at Zhang Heling.

Zhang Heling interjected: "Naturally, we will take on the responsibility together."

"But I don't think it's right, and the victory should be won immediately." Wang Xian seemed very insistent.

Lu Wandao: "Here, I have written a memorial to the victories of the above table, please come and have a look, both of you?"

"No need!" Wang Xian said decisively, "If it's not necessary, it's not impossible to play separately!"

Zhang Heling jumped up from the stool he was sitting on, and he said: "Don't be shameless, you surnamed Wang, you are about to enter the land of Liaodong, unless you don't plan to set foot in Liaodong and go south, otherwise we still It's better to have a discussion. Benhou's brother-in-law...that is, His Majesty, won't let you do whatever you want."

Wang Xian looked at Zhang Yongdao who had been silent all this time: "Eunuch Zhang, you have been through battle for a long time, you don't agree with Lu Zhongcheng and Shou Ninghou's words, do you?"

"This..." Zhang Yong smiled wryly, "We worked together on the battlefield and achieved military exploits together. Why should we separate each other? Let's talk about it. After all, we are all working for His Majesty. The credit for this battle is all in the country of Lai. The master's clever calculations, besides, the heads of those Tartars are not enough... Those Tartars in Wuliangha have always been disliked, and their first achievements will be greatly discounted."

Wang Xiandao: "It seems that Eunuch Zhang is also greedy for fame."

Zhang Heling said angrily: "Aren't you greedy? You people from Jizhou, do you still want to take all the military achievements? We did the hard work. The [-] soldiers from Liaodong went from south to north, then turned into the grassland, and walked back and forth. After traveling for two or three thousand miles, it’s good for you, just lie in ambush and wait for the rabbit! Now you even want to monopolize the credit?”

Wang Xian said with a business-like attitude: "The drafting and accounting of the military merits of the Ming Dynasty has its own rules and regulations! If you work hard, the soldiers of Jizhou will not work hard? I just want to report the facts to the court so as to draw up the credits. , what is right and what is wrong is for the court to decide, what's wrong with that?"

"Hehe." Lu Wan said with a smile, "I didn't say that I want to divide the credit clearly, and each of the credit should get a few cents. Isn't Zilai determined by the court?"

Wang Xiandao: "Then let's talk about it after the supervisory censor arrives."

The rule of the Ming Dynasty to agree on military merit is that after it is reported to the court, the supervisory censor will submit a separate calculation result. In the past, credit was determined by the amount of the first merit, so in Wang Xian's view, the supervisory censor supervises military merit. It is helpful for Jizhou soldiers to receive credit.

Because the first credit... that is, the credit for beheading the head was almost all obtained by the soldiers and horses of Jizhou who ambushed in Huangshui.

After Wang Xian finished speaking sharply, he was about to leave the tent.

Zhang Heling said disdainfully: "Even if the supervisory censor comes, it is also the supervisory censor of Liaodong. Don't think that you have been a supervisory censor. The censor on the ground in Liaodong will listen to you!"

Wang Xian turned his head and said: "The imperial court will not only listen to Liaodong's side."

"Hahaha..." Zhang Heling said proudly, "Don't say this is in the border of Liaodong, even if it is in Jizhou, as long as I have this Marquis around, it's your turn to listen to who or not? Do you think you Who is it? What about Zhang Bingkuan? Isn't he someone who works for the royal family?"

As soon as Lu Wan heard it, Zhang Heling boasted about it, and quickly persuaded him: "Shou Ninghou, you can't say that."

"Yes, Mr. Zhang is very capable. He and Benhou are also good friends. They came out together on the table of wine and meat. Has any of you ever gone to the battlefield with him? At that time, Benhou was the deputy commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu. , Follow him! How can others compare to this kind of friendship?"

Zhang Heling felt that his military achievements this time were very stable.

The brother-in-law supported him, Zhang Zhou supported him, and Lu Wan also supported him... I, Zhang, have nothing else but a big waist.

Can a Wang Xian still jump up and down?

(End of this chapter)