The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 487 Force him to come

In the Yanwu Hall, Zhang Zhou has not come for many days. He came this time with Li Rong.

A special "guest", or a new member, came to the Yanwu Hall that day, Lu Wan, who had just returned from Liaodong. He returned to the capital this time to report on his duties, and the emperor had not yet assigned him any new errands.

"I've met Zhang Butang."

When Lu Wan saw Zhang Zhou, he seemed very respectful. Although he was not Zhang Zhou's student, Zhang Zhou showed kindness to him and showed the attitude of a junior. Although he was already over 40 years old, he was used to ranking based on seniority. In the officialdom, Lu Wan already seemed to have humbled himself in front of Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou greeted him with a smile.

There were Zhu Feng and several generals on the side, and then Zhang Zhou asked the generals to lead back to the school grounds of Yanwu Hall. Zhang Zhou seemed to want to talk to Lu Wan alone, but Li Rong and Zhu Feng on the side did not leave.

Zhang Zhou said: "Lu Zhongcheng must have heard about the war in Ningxia. Now is the time to recruit people in the northwest. You can be transferred to the towns in the northwest at any time."

The governor of Liaodong transferred to the towns in the northwest, and he should be a governor anyway, but there are no vacancies in the towns in the northwest. Lu Wan obviously has no intention of going to the northwest to be a governor. What he wants now is the position of Minister of the Sixth Department of the Capital. Although he I also know that it is not enough to obtain this status.

In terms of merit, there is still a gap between him and Wang Qiong.

Li Rong on the side also smiled and said: "Lu Zhongcheng has just returned from Liaodong, and it will inevitably be hard to go to the northwest. It is also time to make arrangements. After entering the court, he can talk to the officials about the situation in Liaodong in the court. Now the government and the public have a lot of concerns about Liaodong. It’s also very concerning.”

When the censor of the northwest region returned to Beijing, he could have just reported his duties to the Ministry of War. However, due to the previous war in Liaodong, it was actually necessary for Lu Wan to report his duties in court, and he could even go to the emperor to report his duties.

Lu Wandao said: "Before returning to Beijing, I handed over affairs to Han Chong, the newly appointed governor of Liaodong. Although the affairs were explained in detail at that time, on the way back to Beijing, I recalled the omissions in the northwest in the past two years, and specially explained them in a systematic way. I have sorted it out and reported it to His Majesty. Here is the memorial. Please also ask Zhang Butang for advice."

With that said, Lu Wan took out something like a memorial from his arms and handed it to Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou smiled and waved his hands and said: "You are a little out of line. If you want to play whatever you think of, you don't need to ask for my opinion. Eunuch Li, what do you think?"

Li Rong said with a smile: "It's not impossible for Mr. Zhang to give Zhang Zhang an eye first. Lu Zhongcheng is afraid of omissions even if this is not the case."

"It's better to say goodbye." Zhang Zhou said, "He just came back from Liaodong. As Eunuch Li said, many things are better said in public. Now in Yanwu Hall, we only talk about training generals. As for Lu Zhongcheng's next step The arrangement also depends on His Majesty’s arrangements.”

"Yes." Li Rong also smiled.

After Lu Wan returned to the capital, his position was obviously still very awkward. He could not be the minister of the Sixth Ministry, but he was only appointed the governor of the inner three passes. However, Zhang Zhou seemed to have no intention of revealing this news to Lu Wan.

……

……

After Zhang Zhou met Lu Wan, Lu Wan followed Zhu Feng to check out the renovation of various facilities in Yanwu Hall. After all, Lu Wan had stayed in Yanwu Hall, so he was an old man coming back. Yanwu Hall had already been with him before he went to Liaodong. Earth-shaking changes.

When Li Rong was getting along with Zhang Zhou in private, he curiously asked: "Why didn't Mr. mention the inner three passes to him? Logically speaking, he should have taken up his post right away."

Zhang Zhou said: "I think his expectations for official positions may be too high."

"This..." Li Rong heard that this did not seem to be a compliment to Lu Wan, but more like a criticism of Lu Wan's eagerness for quick success.

Li Rong said in front of him that such words could easily reach the emperor's ears. Zhang Zhou's evaluation of Lu Wan seemed to be intended to reach the emperor's ears through Li Rong's mouth.

Zhang Zhou sighed and said, "Eunuch Li, do you think there is anything wrong with the few people I recommended to the imperial court, especially those who are used in the towns on the nine sides?"

"This……"

Li Rong continued to smile bitterly, even pretending to be confused.

Zhang Zhou said: "Before, I didn't have much reputation in the court. The government and the public were not familiar with me. I entered the court less than three years ago. Now I am already in a high position. Even now, I am criticized. And I Most of the people I recommend are new scholars or people who have not been prominent in the past. Why do you think they should accept my proposal and follow my instructions to fight?"

Li Rong said with a smile: "That's because they assessed the situation and knew Mr.'s ability, so they listened. Also, they have no backer and can only rely on Mr."

"No." Zhang Zhou shook his head and said, "They are capable and independent, and they are even ambitious about their official career. It is precisely because they have this ambition that they are willing to work side by side with me. If I can't give them what they ask for, what do you think? Will they still try their best?"

"Ah?" Li Rong looked even more surprised.

Zhang Zhou's words clearly classified Lu Wan and Wang Qiong into a group of people who were "eager for quick success".

Zhang Zhou said: "It is not bad to pursue an official career, but I am afraid that after they get the credit, it will be difficult to maintain a normal mind. It is impossible to beat them with my hand. They are serving His Majesty, and they should be treated with kindness and power by Your Majesty." ,what you think?"

"Haha. Yes." Li Rong smiled bitterly.

He thought to himself, no wonder His Majesty has recently begun to reward Wang Qiong with jade Ruyi and other things. This trick of combining affection, kindness and power was reminded by Cai Guogong.

Zhang Zhou sighed: "I have given them all I can give them. They relied on me as well as themselves to make meritorious deeds on the battlefield. Now it is time for them to find their own way out. I don't want to form cliques, so I will try my best not to do so in the future." When interacting with them, Eunuch Li will also bear witness for me."

"understood."

Li Rong secretly thought that Cai Guogong was very aware of the disadvantages of forming a party, and he also knew that others had long regarded Wang Qiong and Lu Wan as members of his faction. He used these people, presumably because he had a clear idea of ​​the importance of fame and fortune among these people. Li Lu pursues it very much and stops appropriately, which can be said to be far-sighted.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty has mentioned before that he may have to summon the Governor of Lu alone, and then Your Majesty will assign him an errand. This is an errand assigned by His Majesty, and has nothing to do with the Ministry of War or me, so he will continue to be the governor of the inner three passes. , or stay in the capital and Yanwu Hall, it all depends on His Majesty. I am... just an idler."

……

……

"Did Bingkuan really say that?"

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youtang listened to Li Rong's narration and remained calm, while Xiao Jing and other eunuchs beside him were shocked.

Zhang Zhou could obviously form a party and praise Lu Wan and others in front of the emperor, but Zhang Zhou chose a very strange path, that is, he clearly recommended Lu Wan and others, but complained bitterly to the emperor about these people. Pros and cons.

Xiao Jing was thinking, those who didn't know thought that Governor Lu had offended Zhang Banxian, so why did he still "slander" him in front of His Majesty?
Li Rongdao: "That's true."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "Bingkuan mentioned it to me when he hired these people. Only those who are eager for official positions and have difficulty in being promoted to high positions quickly through ordinary channels will obey his orders. Employing people is not about Whether he is greedy for merit depends on whether he is capable."

Now all the eunuchs understood that Zhang Zhou had already laid the groundwork for this, and the emperor seemed to have already known the character of Wang Qiong, Lu Wan and others.

"I have always felt that letting them obey Bingkuan's orders can make them more united. Maybe Bingkuan is too concerned about the courtiers' malicious slander against him, so that he will not form a party. Look at the people around Bingkuan. Who? Apart from Zhijie, is there anyone else who is very close to him?"

Zhu Youtang's words made several eunuchs fall into reverie.

Just a Zhu Feng...

As for Zhu Feng's character, they didn't know it in the past, but now they know it very well. This kid has no ambition at all, and he just waits for death.

If a so-called powerful minister or sycophant is surrounded by only Zhu Feng who is just waiting to die, it can only mean that this powerful minister is just an opponent in the eyes of people with ulterior motives. In essence, he is just a conscientious and capable minister.

"With so many things happening in Liaodong, Lu Wan must have doubts in his heart after returning to the capital. In this way, after tomorrow morning, let him go to Shangting Office, and I will meet him there."

Zhu Youtang decided on the details of meeting Lu Wan.

Instead of summoning him at Qianqing Palace, he went directly to the Shangting Office. This was tantamount to telling Lu Wan that you had organized the defense of the inner three passes. After returning to the capital, no matter whether you were the Sixth Minister or not, you would at least be on duty. Listen, in this case you will be a powerful figure in the Ming Dynasty.

When Xiao Jing heard this, he was inevitably a little conflicted.

The Shangting Department is equivalent to the second cabinet system of the Ming Dynasty. Now a little-known Lu Wan has the opportunity to join the Shangting Department, which will make Xiao Jing feel that he is being decentralized.

Xiao Jing asked for instructions: "Your Majesty, would you like to send someone to tell him in advance so that he can understand his mission? If there is anything he doesn't understand, you can ask him to listen to Cai Guogong's opinions."

"Bingkuan has too many things to do. If Bingkuan has to worry about the defense of the three inner gates, doesn't it mean that he has to worry about everything? I believe Lu Wan can do all of this. Just pass it on."

Zhu Youtang yawned as he spoke.

Obviously Zhu Youtang was tired again.

Even these eunuchs found that Zhu Youtang's body seemed to be a bit "not as good as before" recently. He would be tired at every turn. More importantly, it was more on the mental level that he could not be energetic for court affairs.

……

……

That night.

Inside the theater.

Zhang Zhou sat down with Zhu Feng, and Zhu Feng expressed his own "unique" opinions on the situation in the northwest.

"The Tatars are coming in force. Uncle Xinjian should be allowed to lead the troops. He can find traces of the Tatars on the vast grassland. He wants to put the Tatars into the passes of the Ming Dynasty, and he will clean them up. It's no big deal. I'm afraid others really can't do it..." Zhu Feng still admired Wang Shouren very much.

After seeing Wang Shouren's ability with his own eyes, he regarded Wang Shouren as the second Ming God of War after Zhang Zhou.

What surprised Zhang Zhou was Zhu Feng's understanding of the situation in the northwest... He could actually think of it... others really couldn't... That meant that Zhu Feng was aware of the urinary behavior of traditional northwest generals.

Very rare.

Zhang Zhou said: "His Majesty has his own arrangements for the northwest battlefield. You have cooperated with Ningxia Governor Yang Yiqing, why do you think he can't do it too?"

"This..." Zhu Feng chose to avoid answering such questions, "Brother Zhang, isn't it up to you to make the decision? If you speak to His Majesty, His Majesty will listen."

Obviously, even though Zhu Feng worked with Yang Yiqing, Zhu Feng also thought that his level was not good enough.

But Zhu Feng seemed to also see that Yang Yiqing's ability was just like that.

From Zhu Feng's point of view, if Yang Yiqing is really capable...why didn't he lead the troops himself and let me go, and ended up with a dismal ending?I want to plead guilty to the court, but he still stops me and even talks official with me?

This kind of person, I expect him to guard the key passes of the Ming Dynasty?

"No." Zhang Zhou shook his head, "I have to listen to your majesty this time, because the expedition to the Hetao battle was drafted by your majesty. I didn't even participate in much of the planning. I just mentioned it to your majesty. The Tatars might start from Huama. Chi Lai, as for the subsequent fight, it depends on the performance of the local generals."

Zhu Feng asked tentatively: "Brother Zhang, when are you going to lead the army in person? It's so easy to fight... If the little Tatar prince fails this time, I'm afraid he will..."

"Afraid I won't have a chance?" Zhang Zhou said, "Don't worry, if I go on an expedition, I will definitely take you with me. You won't be able to run away by then, so you can move around for me in front of and behind the saddle. So you should be glad that His Majesty has no plans to let me go to the northwest to lead troops recently."

Zhu Feng lowered his head and said nothing.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Recently, your father has made a report to the court, expressing his determination to go to the border town and serve the court. You should learn more from your father."

"What?" Zhu Feng looked confused.

His father finally got his wish and returned to Nanjing to serve as a garrison minister, but he actually offered to go to the border town?Could it be that dad is crazy?
Zhang Zhou said with emotion: "Even your Majesty understands that the future of the Ming Dynasty's military circles lies in border affairs. Whoever can make contributions in border affairs will stabilize his position of power in the future. And those who are far away from border affairs, don't look at it now." The scenery will decline sooner or later. In fact, my father would rather you lift up the pillars of your home. If you don't do it, he will have to do it himself."

"Isn't there still my brother?" Zhu Feng wanted to pass the responsibility to Zhu Lin.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "The military also talks about seniority and reputation. It's all about seniority. Do you think it will take a few battles for your brother to join the army and establish his prestige?"

Zhu Feng's head almost drooped to his chest.

It's obvious that he is just a stick, and he has never wanted to stand out. As a result, he is now being pushed to the top. Now he is almost kidnapped by morality, and he has to go to the battlefield even if he doesn't.

"Lu Wan will face the emperor tomorrow. His Majesty may arrange for him to be the governor of the inner three passes. If you are willing to serve the imperial court, you might as well go with him. I will give you a chief military officer and bring a few generals from the Yanwu Hall with you. Go ahead and treat it as military training. Is that okay?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Zhu Feng thought for a while and couldn't help but nodded.

At any rate, Nei San Pass does not seem to be a frontline battlefield now, and considering the distance between San Pass and the capital, this march is not too strenuous.

Zhang Zhou said: "That's okay. The task can be completed in as little as ten days and a half, and you can come back in a month or two. I'll wait to pick you up in the capital."

……

……

The imperial court is still working on the defense of the capital, while troops are being mobilized everywhere in the northwest because of Batu Monk's border.

April 25, night.

Thirty miles north of Shigou City, the main force led by Yang Yiqing has arrived, and the total number of Yang Yiqing's infantry and cavalry is only 1. Before they are about to arrive at Shigou City, they have learned that Shigou City is still Under the control of the Ming Dynasty, that is to say... Although the Tatars came in this direction, they did not occupy this isolated city.

Ningxia looks lonely and desolate at night.

Yang Yiqing ordered the three armies to be stationed. At the same time, he also learned about the movements of Zhu Hui's troops. Zhu Hui sent two groups of troops, two groups of two thousand troops each led by Wu'an Marquis Zheng Ying and Xiangcheng Bo Li Ao. , has also arrived forty miles east of Shigou City.

The Tatars were relatively scattered, and on that day, the Tatars had already begun to gather in the direction of Shigou City.

The more than [-] Tatar soldiers, even if dispersed, are enough for the three people of the Ming Dynasty to drink a pot. However, perhaps the Tatars are afraid of the firearms of the Ming Dynasty, so that the distance between the two sides is less than thirty miles, but the Tatars The Tatar soldiers and horses still did not take the initiative to launch an offensive.

That night, it was approaching midnight.

Yang Yiqing's troops have basically started to rest, and they are on alert, while Yang Yiqing is still listening to the battle reports from various scouts.

The army must be ready to fight at any time. Yang Yiqing seemed very cautious, because he now knew that Zhu Hui was still 150 miles away, and with Zhu Hui's marching speed, it would take three or four days to get there, and Zhu Hui seemed to have no idea about this encirclement and annihilation of the grassland. The war between the wolves is not interesting.

The only people on Zhu Hui's side who could help him were the four thousand soldiers and horses of Li Na and Zheng Ying.

not enough.

"Master Yang, the situation is not good now. The Tatars are approaching Shigou City from the east, and there is a gap in the northeast of Shigou City due to disrepair. If the Tatars attack fiercely all night, they will take it within an hour or two. Shigou City." Ningxia Commander-in-Chief Guo Jun was describing the situation on the front line, "There are less than [-] defenders in Shigou City, and there is only one cannon in total. The soldiers have no intention of fighting."

After all, Shigou City is not in an important position in the pass. It is only used as a fortress for inland defense.

Ningxia's military expenditures have been tight in recent years, which is also due to the reform of the salt policy and the changes in grain development, which has led to a large reduction in the land area of ​​commercial villages in the northwest. For border fortresses like Shigou City, the surrounding land After the desolation, the number of farmers will decrease, and we can only wait for the government to allocate funds for building forts...

In terms of efficiency alone, I am afraid that even if I apply for several years, I will not be able to apply for the money and food to build the fortress.

And in terms of local priorities, naturally they would not think of building an earthen fort two hundred miles away from the pass. It is not easy to station three hundred soldiers inside.

Yang Yiqing said: "Shigou City, you can give up."

Guo Jun said: "You mean, put the Tatars into the city and hit the target?"

Even Guo Jun knows tactics. Now that Ming Dynasty has powerful firearms, what they are most worried about is not being able to find the target, or that the Tatars will not stop and fight you, and if Shigou City is "given up" , allowing the Tatars to enter the castle would mean they had a target.

Yang Yiqing nodded and said: "The Tatars know that Shigou City is difficult to form a natural defense and the city defense is still very lax, but they are still in no hurry and are not busy looting people, animals and property everywhere. They understand that it is impossible to use Shigou City as a solid defense. I am afraid it will not be easy to get them to move to Shigou City."

Whatever you can think of, the enemy can also think of.

The Tatars are good at mobile warfare. With weapons at a disadvantage, how could they stuff themselves into a bunker and serve as targets for the Ming Dynasty artillery?

Guo Jun said: "But there is no other way now. There are not enough soldiers and horses. We have to wait for the main force of Lord Baoguo to arrive before we can form a strong attack. But we are also afraid that the Tatars will take the initiative to invade. It's okay for us here. It is said that Uncle Xiangcheng and Marquis Wu'an also only brought light troops and few cannons. If he rushes to the battle, he may not be able to accomplish anything."

According to Guo Jun's intention, we are here in full force.

But the two vanguards sent by Zhu Hui seemed very fragile. They were fighting the Tatars. It was okay to send cavalry, but they didn't bring many cannons... In other words, Zhu Hui felt that the cannons were his talismans. , unwilling to hand over more artillery, especially heavy artillery, to other groups.

Then it will appear that Yang Yiqing's neighbor clearly has four thousand Ming cavalry as reinforcements, but they lack the most effective weapons, so Yang Yiqing has to count on himself.

Yang Yiqing said coldly: "The purpose of Duke Baoguo is to let the Tatars retreat in spite of the difficulties. He has no intention of fighting to the death with the Tatars. This battle cannot wait for him. Tomorrow morning, this battle must be fought." open."

"Tomorrow morning..."

Guo Jun found it a bit difficult and reminded, "Mr. Yang, the number of artillery and muskets in our army is not large, and the loss in Huamachi is extremely serious. Mr. Qin did not allocate too much to us... If we are asked to fight to the death against the Tatars, but we are not given cannons and muskets, this battle will not be easy to fight."

Yang Yiqing said: "If there is no shortage of Tatars, it will be better than not having Tatars at all, right? How about compared to two or three years ago?"

Guo Jun said: "But the Tatars have crossbowmen, and they are experienced in fighting with us. Although they still don't know the number of firearms in our Shenji camp, it is not difficult to guess. If we have enough firearms, after Huamachi wins, Then we won’t be able to retreat. If the Tatars dare to come, they must be confident."

Yang Yiqing said sternly: "Where is your courage? You were the one who asked me to fight, and now you want to retreat?"

Guo Jun gritted his teeth and said, "Then let's gather all the firearms we can use and launch a surprise attack overnight. What do you think?"

"No!" Yang Yiqing said, "If you want to fight, you must also fight openly and openly. During the day, fight after reorganizing your troops. The more we engage in night attacks and sneak attacks, the more the Tatars will understand that our army is incapable of frontal combat. Besides, with their Being cautious, do you think a night attack at this time will be very effective?"

Guo Jun nodded helplessly.

Yang Yiqing was still very sober. It was useless to try to take advantage at this time, so he could only fight head-on.

But the problem is that they don't have enough firearms on this side, and the two vanguards on the opposite side are in the same situation. The total number of troops and horses is less than half of the Tatars... If they encounter Tatar stragglers, they can still fight, but now it's Batu Monk's. Main force, no matter how you look at this battle, Ming Dynasty dare not say that it has an advantage.

Yang Yiqing said: "This battle is related to the prestige of the Ming Dynasty. As long as we can hold on to the first battle and delay it for two or three days, Duke Baoguo will come even if he doesn't want to. He is also waiting for us to retreat, so that there will be no chance of him Responsibility. But if we fight and he watches from the other side, no matter whether our army wins or loses, he will not be able to stand in the army without shame!"

(End of this chapter)