The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 358

After Zhang Zhou arrived in Shenyang and led his troops to Yahu Pass, Daming deployed four troops in Liaodong to attack Jurchen.

The Jurchen tribe was greatly shaken. The tribe that originally wanted to resist had to give up the fortress and surrender, or move north. Suddenly, Ming's reputation in Liaodong reached the strongest. Even the Jianzhou women who had repeatedly violated the Ming border Zhen also died down, struggling to the death.

When the news spread back to the capital, the ruling and opposition parties were still greatly shaken.

This morning.

All the ministers hadn't waited to see them, but before the Meridian Gate, they started a heated debate, all related to Zhang Zhou's use of troops in Liaodong.

"No wonder he hasn't appeared in front of people for several months, and his feelings have gone to Liaodong? Why did he beat the Jurchens? Could it be that he thinks that the Jurchens are more difficult than the Tatars?"

"Maybe he just wants to squeeze the persimmons?"

"I don't think so. I heard that he just went to Liaodong recently. It seems that he was ordered to go to Yongping Mansion to open a mine. It is said that the iron mine has already opened!"

"What exactly does Zhang Bingkuan want to do?"

……

A bunch of people were talking about it.

The three members of the cabinet remained silent. For them, the past few months can be said to be the most comfortable months after the winter of the 11th year of Hongzhi.

Without Zhang Zhou in the dynasty, and not even in the northwest, we can open mines there with peace of mind... Even if Liaodong sends troops now, the scale is much smaller than that in the northwest, and the emperor does not ask for advice, making Zhang Zhou's intervention in the center of the Ming Dynasty almost non-existent ...

So from their point of view, I wish Zhang Zhou would settle down in Liaodong and never return!
"Three elders." Xu Qiong, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, came over, clasped his hands with a tired look on his face.

"You're welcome." Xie Qian greeted him with a smile.

In the past, the three members of the cabinet still didn't like Xu Qiong, but because Xu Qiong's physical condition is very poor recently, and Xu Qiong has repeatedly resigned, the emperor has ordered the people in the court to discuss Xu Qiong's successor.

Once Xu Qiong was about to retire, she would no longer be an enemy of the orthodox civil servants. Xie Qian was more polite than respectful.

A good political enemy is one that loses its threat.

Xu Qiong said: "Your Majesty intends to carry out the plow court in Liaodong. Before that, he hid himself from the courtiers. Now that the matter has been publicized, His Majesty specially ordered that people in the court should not discuss it. We must wait for the result first."

"Hehe." Xie Qian smiled, "Looking at it like this, there will be a lot of discussions in the court."

We are all discussing, the emperor told you not to let us discuss, the three of us don’t talk, but it can’t stop the people below from talking.

Xu Qiong sighed and said, "I'm just bringing the words here."

Xie Qian continued to smile, seemingly deeply disapproving.

But Li Dongyang said: "Xu Butang, the most important thing when using troops in Liaodong is to be just and honest. The so-called enemy does not invade and righteousness is hard to do. The Ming Dynasty wants to keep the people in Liaobei for a long time. Using this precedent will only make the alien race alienated. It is contrary to Confucianism's etiquette."

This is tantamount to Li Dongyang turning his head and firing at Xu Qiong.

When you use troops against Jurchen, you must be just and sound, and if they don’t come to attack you, Daming is a celestial state after all. Going directly to fight against your own small vassal state will only make everyone feel insecure... No one will be willing to belong to Daming in the future.

Xu Qiong smiled and waved her hands and said: "There are some things that should be said or should not be said, and I have no way to explain them. If you really have any doubts, you must ask His Majesty...I will not interfere."

I just told the three people that I am just a sounding board, you don't like to accept the emperor's suggestion, if you insist on going to question the emperor, then just pretend I didn't say anything?
The emperor doesn't think that I, Xu, can shut up your mouths, right?

But since the emperor said, in the name of using soldiers, or the reason of being called Wei Guangzheng, our Ministry of Rites can't say anything casually, and the three of you in the cabinet can just do it.

……

……

The court meeting still started.

Inside the Fengtian Hall, the ministers of the court and the central government held back their energy one by one. In fact, even they themselves didn't know where the energy came from.

Going to attack Zhang Zhou... Zhang Zhou is just using cannons to bombard the little brother in Liaodong this time, which is equivalent to using the Jurchens to train soldiers. If he wants to attack Zhang Zhou's behavior, he really has to "find another way" like Li Dongyang, and he must start from the moral high ground To attack Zhang Zhou's behavior of "seeking trouble for nothing".

"Gentlemen, I just learned that Bingkuan has arrived in Shenyang and personally led his troops into Jianzhou and Haixi." Zhu Youtang didn't wait for these people to open fire, he first brought up the topic himself .

There's no need to hide it, I should call Bingkuan Bingkuan, the attitude towards Zhang Zhou is different from others, it seems to be telling what I'm doing, there is no taboo at all.

Seeing that no one answered.

He continued: "Bingkuan means that the land of Xiliao is a hidden danger to the stability of the Ming Dynasty. Sooner or later it will become a sharp knife hanging over the court. It is better to kill it before it develops."

Everyone was still silent.

At this time, it was Lin Han, the left servant of the Ministry of Officials, who came out, raised the wat board with both hands and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that this will make all the Jurchen tribes, as well as the small tribes in eastern Mongolia, alienated from the imperial court."

Whoops?

None of the people present understood.

Although you, Old Lin, are an orthodox civil servant, you are only an old scholar with a teaching background. When did you start to take the lead on such a very controversial issue?
And from what you mean... are you standing with us?

Liu Jian and the others couldn't help but glance at Lin Han, they seemed to have noticed some clues.

At this time, Lin Han suddenly "stepped forward", probably with a feeling that Lin Han will take the lead in the future. In connection with the recent incident of Xu Qiong's imminent retirement, there are traces to follow for Lin Han to succeed the Minister of Rites.

Zhu Youtang didn't feel annoyed, and said in a calm tone: "The reason I agreed to send troops to Duoyan Sanwei in Liaodong is the same as before, if Da Ming must be bound by virtue in everything he does, then Da Ming will be constrained everywhere in taking the initiative to use troops. In my opinion, whether or not people's hearts are virtuous does not depend on etiquette and music, but on how hard their fists are... Don't blame me for speaking too directly. This has always been the case in the Ming Dynasty. If you take the initiative to send troops, you can gain prestige and naturalization, and the power of soldiers can shake the grasslands and wilderness."

The ministers present heard it.

The emperor was in the early years of the founding of the Ming Dynasty. Two generations of emperors took the initiative to use troops on the grasslands and border areas as an example.

When Da Ming took the initiative to send troops, even if sometimes there were no big gains, those small tribes in the Fanbang respected Da Ming.

After arriving in Xuande, Ming Dynasty began to incorporate various tribes based on benevolence, righteousness and etiquette. Those tribes surrendered in name, and then began to develop on their own. If they had the opportunity, they would plunder the border. After the Tumubao, the military prestige established by Daming almost disappeared. .

Many tribes treat Daming as a paper tiger, and don't plunder the borders just because the time has not come. Once their strength improves, they will first use Daming's borders as targets.

Jianzhou Jurchen is a living example.

Now, taking advantage of the fact that you were disabled during the Chenghua period, and you have not fully recuperated, I will beat you up again. This is the best enlightenment.

Li Dongyang came out and said: "Your Majesty, I don't know how far we will use troops in Liaodong? How will Liaodong be governed in the future?"

The big question is how to enjoy the game and how to maintain peace and stability after the game.

Zhu Youtang said: "Reform the land and return to the stream."

fresh noun.

Even Xiao Jing could understand the matter, the ministers present were not fools, they instantly understood what medicine the emperor and Zhang Zhou were selling.

Li Dongyang further reminded: "Your Majesty, the Jurchen tribes such as Jianzhou and Haixi have always been barbaric and brave. Most of the tribes even live by hunting and plundering, and do not produce. With such a tribe, governing by officials may cause trouble. Local turmoil is contrary to Ming's policy of long-term stability in Liaodong and Liaobei."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "Li Qing's family, what you said makes sense."

When the ministers present heard this, they all felt puzzled.

what's going on?
It seems that the emperor and Li Dongyang have been discussing back and forth.

It's not only Lin Han who sings the double reed with the emperor, but also you Li Binzhi, right?

"However." Zhu Youtang changed the subject, "You can't just let it develop because of changing the difficulties. No matter how dangerous the mountains and rivers are, there should be the existence of Wanghua etiquette, and you can't let barbarism breed. In this battle Afterwards, no matter what the result is, I will send people to manage the border people, and I am going to set up a capital division in Jianzhou and Haixi, etc., and the new governor will go to govern."

Li Dongyang asked: "I don't know who it is?"

At this point, in fact, those who care have already seen it.

Li Dongyang is not following the emperor's words, but "setting up" the emperor. Li Dongyang is so aggressive that he almost reminded the emperor...Let's leave Zhang Bingkuan there and let him manage those Jurchens. Don't come back within three or two years, so that his influence on the court will be minimized.

Didn't those Jurchens fear him the most?
If he doesn't go, who has the qualifications?
Zhu Youtang said: "Uncle Xinjian, Wang Shouren!"

"what?"

The ministers present were in an uproar.

Many people even looked at the officials of the Imperial Academy, especially Wang Hua. As Wang Shouren's father, Wang Hua suddenly became the target of public criticism.

This time, Li Dongyang didn't know how to object, or...he didn't have enough qualifications to object.

So he took a look at Liu Jian, and Liu Jian walked out and asked, "Your Majesty, why are you Uncle Xinjian?"

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Uncle Xinjian has used troops in Jianzhou for two months, and his achievements are outstanding. Those Jurchen cottages in the deep mountains can be pulled out one by one by him. In the above memorial, the law of Baojia’s continuous supervision and the law of rural education and education were proposed. Oriones were transformed into herdsmen, or they were engaged in farming. Schools were opened to educate the children of Jurchen, and they were allowed to enter official positions through the imperial examination. Ruthless wind."

What?
The ministers present were dumbfounded.

Is Wang Shouren stupid or naive?Thinking of using etiquette to influence the Jurchens?
However, some people have heard that the so-called rural covenant education may be just a foil, and more importantly, Baojia Lianzuo.

Whatever the Jurchens are told to do, you have to do it. If someone still wants to be brave and ruthless, then a group of people should solve it together. This is to take advantage of people's inferiority from the root, restrain and report each other, in order to kill people. the goal of.

"After reading Uncle Xinjian's performance, I think he understands it properly, and it is really a good strategy." Zhu Youtang admired Wang Shouren in his eyes, "At his age, he can have such insights. If I don't How can I rest assured that the safety of this place is entrusted to him and put on someone else?"

Liu Jian didn't know how to answer, he just said with a dark face: "Your Majesty, please think twice."

Zhu Youtang sighed: "I've been thinking about it for a long time, so I don't think twice? If Xinjian Bo's proposal can be implemented, then in the next one or two years, the ritual and music education can go deep into the border areas of Liaodong. It is really a blessing for Confucianism. , the country's fortune."

The ministers present couldn't listen anymore.

It's okay for Wang Shouren to be naive, but why is the emperor also naive?
and……

Was it really Wang Shouren who did this?Are you sure it wasn't Zhang Bingkuan who conspired behind the scenes?
"Okay." Zhu Youtang said, "The dispatch of troops to suppress the Qing Dynasty is already in progress, and everything is still going smoothly. Let's wait for some results before discussing it. After the court meeting, the members of the listening department came to the Qianqing Palace , I still have something to discuss with you."

……

……

As the emperor said, the war against Jurchen in Liaodong is not over yet, so it seems too early to say anything.

It is also impossible to stop sending troops directly.

After the court meeting, several members of the court, Li Dongyang, Zhang Mao, and Ma Wensheng, were called to the Qianqing Palace. In addition, there was also the new eunuch Xiao Jing, who was appointed as the supervisor of ceremonies...

This is also the first time since Zhang Zhou left the capital, the emperor summoned foreign ministers to the inner court to discuss matters, and it was actually in the name of the higher hearing office, which shows that the upper hearing office has a tendency to replace the cabinet.

"Here is the statement and summary of the battle report. From four or five days ago, everything should be there. Take a look first."

Zhu Youtang had the top-secret battle report of Liaodong in his hand, which involved the progress of various people. This time he handed it over to these people to let them know the general process first.

It's okay not to look.

It turns out that the progress is actually smoother than expected, but it is not time to decide the outcome. It seems that this battle will be fought for a long time.

"Actually, when Tang Yin and the North Korean soldiers sent troops to Duobi City, even I felt that it was a bit of a petty fight." Zhu Youtang sighed, "Later Tang Yin and the Korean soldiers were trapped in Duobi City. Xi Nuzhen sent troops to besiege the city one after another, and I feel that Bingkuan should step up the process of this battle."

"However, as Uncle Xinjian led his troops into the land of Jianzhou, and then Lu Wan and others sent troops, the situation stabilized. Especially the road to the north, Lu Wan, has gained a lot, and many tribes are waiting for the wind to surrender."

"By the time Bing Kuan arrived at Yahu Pass, the situation became clear. In fact, many tribes had secretly expressed their willingness to submit to the imperial court, and were willing to accept the new resettlement method of Ming Dynasty."

Li Dongyang and the others heard it immediately.

This is not what the Jurchens wanted, but the Jurchens felt...they had no ability to fight Daming, so they could only preserve their strength first, otherwise they could only accept the end of destruction.

"What I want to discuss with you now is not the resettlement of Jurchens like Jianzhou and Haixi. After all, we still need to clear up and recruit them, and also need the long-term planning and management of Bingkuan, Xinjianbo and others."

Zhu Youtang's tone became serious and he said, "What I want to discuss with you is about North Korea."

"His Majesty?"

Ma Wensheng was the first to be surprised.

It never occurred to him that the emperor and Zhang Zhou were ulterior motives rather than drinking.

Is this going to send troops to attack North Korea?
Zhu Youtang said in a very cold tone: "Since the current leader of North Korea came to power, he seems to be respectful to Daming, but in fact, there have been many internal crises, especially two years ago, they experienced a military disaster and internal massacres. Seriously, the foundation of Confucian ethics has been damaged.”

"Your Majesty." Li Dongyang said in a very peaceful tone, "Even so, since the founding of the Joseon Dynasty, they behaved like courtiers to Ming Dynasty. It would be inappropriate to use this to attack."

"Hehe." Zhu Youtang couldn't help smiling, "Have I said that I want to attack them? Or is it just like what Li Qing's family said in the court, isn't it right?"

Li Dongyang frowned upon hearing this.

Thank you, Your Majesty, do you still know that this requires a teacher to be famous?
Zhu Youtang said: "I have listened to Bing Kuan's opinion and think that Tang Yin's performance in this battle is not bad. Although the results of the battle are not good, but in the strategic sense, he has contained the enemy's army, especially in the first place, so that The multi-walled city was taken at a small price, and it became a nail piercing the Jurchen's interior."

Li Dongyang asked: "Your Majesty, what does this have to do with North Korea?"

"How can there be no connection?" Zhu Youtang said, "Aren't most of his troops are North Korean soldiers?"

Rao Li Dongyang felt that his mind was very flexible, that kind of resourceful, and he couldn't keep up with his thoughts.

The point is...

He didn't know the history of the future, nor did he know what would happen to Lord Yanshan Li in the future. From his point of view, Li was the ruler of North Korea, and he was recognized by Daming, so he didn't even think about committing the following crimes.

It is much more difficult to split North Korea than Ming Dynasty to send troops to attack, right?

Why does North Korea listen to Daming?
Zhu Youtang said: "North Korea dispatched troops this time, promised to send 5000 troops, but up to now, they have only sent [-] troops, and there is no supply of food and grass. Jiedu envoy Park Yuanzong, when his commander intends to withdraw troops, has the credit for setting things right. So what I mean is that after this battle, Tang Yin, Park Yuanzong and others will personally lead the [-] troops to go back and question the North Korean king. Why did he break his promise? !?"

treachery?

Li Dongyang thought about this term first, and then he said: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that North Korea will gather the rest of the troops soon after learning that our Ming army is strong. The matter of questioning...is not easy."

Zhu Youtang said coldly: "When you need to send troops, you don't send troops, and when you don't need to send troops, you think about adding flowers to the cake? I don't agree."

Li Dongyang almost wanted to say, so what if you don't agree?

Zhang Mao is a martial artist, and he heard some clues, he asked: "Your Majesty wants to use Pu Yuanzong to... usurp things?"

"Cough cough." Zhu Youtang coughed twice.

Although he didn't speak, it seemed to be the default.

Ma Wensheng said: "Your Majesty, let's not disturb the chances of this matter succeeding. Even if it succeeds, it will cause disputes between the two countries. Not to mention, if the matter fails, I'm afraid it will be even more..."

Zhu Youtang said: "It's the best thing to do. Support a small country's lord, make him a vassal, and abolish his troops. In the future, when the Ming Dynasty sends troops to the grassland, he must send troops to assist. If it doesn't work... then use the order of my Ming envoy , in exchange for the justification of sending troops to North Korea!"

(End of this chapter)