The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

After Zhang Mao met the emperor, he was so angry that he was shaking all over.

But there was nothing we could do.

Neither retreating in order to advance nor borrowing money to get off the mountain was easy for the emperor. Now that the emperor asked him to lead the army, he had no choice.

"Mr. Zhang, do you think we need to make any preparations? Our family will make arrangements for you."

Li Zhang was responsible for sending Zhang Mao out of the palace, and he was smiling. In Zhang Mao's view, he was just making fun of himself.

Zhang Mao said: "I have a lot to prepare, but I haven't thought about what to prepare. I have no idea about leading the troops. Eunuch Li, may I ask, do you have no other choice?"

"hehe."

Li Zhang said with a smile, "I'm afraid you have seen clearly. In addition to Your Majesty, there are also civil servants in the court who want you to lead the army. Your Majesty has not said hello to them. On the contrary, Cai Guogong is willing to say hello to them." If you work together, do you think we should ask our family to find a plan first? Just treat it as paving the way?"

Zhang Mao had a dark face and said nothing.

He could hear what Li Zhang meant.

Knowing that you, Old Man Zhang, are not confident, you will certainly lose face by asking Zhang Zhou for advice. Why not let us bystanders help you ask for countermeasures, which can pave the way for you to win in the northwest.

Li Zhang said: "We talk too much. Mr. Zhang, you can make your own decision. Your Majesty will decide the matter early tomorrow morning. I estimate that you will lead the troops before noon tomorrow. You still have to do your best today." Prepare."

"So fast?" Zhang Mao suddenly felt weak.

Not even the right to choose.

Yesterday, I was quite pampered, living a leisurely life as the top officer of my own garrison in Gyeonggi Province.

Today, I suddenly have to go to serve as a frontline general and live the military years without worrying about sleep or sleep...

Li Zhang smiled and shook his head and said, "It's okay if we don't rush. Military intelligence waits for no one."

"Humph!"

Zhang Mao snorted lightly, and his pace quickened a lot.

……

……

In the Qianqing Palace.

When Li Zhang reported back, Zhu Youtang was still reviewing the memorial, accompanied by several eunuchs and eunuchs.

"If he had known this, why would he do it in the first place? In the first few years, every time he saw me, he was fooling me, and he seemed to be respectful every time, but every time I was unable to do anything to him, he never thought that he had Is my status just a matter of my words?"

Zhu Youtang seemed to be still angry when he mentioned Zhang Mao.

Zhang Mao was very respectful to him, but this kind of respect was more of a show-off.

The emperor just couldn't use the military power of the Beijing camp. This was determined by a complicated background, because everyone in the Dudu Mansion respected Zhang Mao.

It’s not that Zhang Mao has much prestige, but that Zhang Mao already “controls the overall situation.” If the emperor wants to replace Zhang Mao, it will affect the whole body. No one dares to take it. Even if someone does take it, the army will Everyone from top to bottom belonged to Zhang Mao, and his successors could not consolidate military power.

On the contrary, the emperor had to worry that Zhang Mao might have bad intentions. This is not to say that Zhang Mao would rebel. Maybe Zhang Mao would cause trouble, make the whole capital a mess, and create conditions for the Tatars to invade?

Therefore, no matter how much opinion the emperor had against Zhang Mao, he could only keep it in reserve and let Zhang Mao show off in the court.

But it's different now.

With Zhang Zhou here, the emperor didn't have to worry about Zhang Mao's reputation or not. In terms of reputation and status in the army, Zhang Zhou, a latecomer, had obviously climbed above Zhang Mao's head. Just one Yanwu Hall, almost all of them. He is from Zhang Zhou.

The emperor had the prerequisites to replace Zhang Mao.

But even so, Zhu Youtang still had to be cautious, fearing that doing things too directly would cause backlash in the army.

Therefore, Zhu Youtang would not agree to Zhang Mao's direct resignation, which represented the breakdown of the harmonious relationship between monarch and ministers. Instead, he chose to let Zhang Mao go to the northwest to lead troops, temporarily freeing up his position.

Xiao Jing was studying ink at the side and asked carefully: "Your Majesty, if the British Duke goes to the northwest, who should be entrusted with the military affairs of the capital?"

Zhu Youtang said: "Do you think I want to hand all this over to Bingkuan?"

Xiao Jing said hurriedly: "I don't dare to think nonsense."

"It doesn't matter." Zhu Youtang said, "I have already sent people to call Mao Ren back. The military affairs around the capital will not be handled by one person for the time being, but will be assigned to different people. The troops of several battalions can be handled by the Ministry of War. Coordination, and the daily drills and other matters of each camp are actually the responsibility of the generals of each camp, right?"

"Yes."

After Xiao Jing heard this, he was frightened.

He couldn't help but glance at Wei Bin who knew military and political matters.

The emperor obviously no longer wants to establish the position of admiral of the capital camp. Zhang Mao is likely to be the last admiral of the capital camp.

In the future, the emperor will distribute the military power of the Beijing camp to different generals. This is the rule that Jingtai set early on. However, it is precisely because of the power of the British Duke family that Zhang Mao has become the dominant family in the past twenty years.

The emperor seemed to want to restore the practice of the Jingtai period, where the Ministry of War promoted military power. Zhang Zhou was appointed as the Minister of War, responsible for the deployment of the Beijing camp, and daily drills and other matters were left to those honorable ministers.

"Don't say that I won't give him the face of Zhang. I will send him 3,000 troops and follow him to Piantou Pass. This time, we will mobilize troops from Piantou Pass. The Xinjian Bohui will coordinate with him. Give him 30,000 troops and horses. , if he can make great contributions, I will never treat him badly!"

Zhu Youtang said, closed a drafted edict, handed it to Xiao Jing and said, "Let the people from the Hanlin Academy consider it again, and then show it to Bingkuan later. I also hope to win this battle. My surname is Zhang." You don’t want to be the second Zhu Hui, right? Since you want to lead the troops to the northwest, you have to show something. Even if the army is defeated, as long as you kill the enemy bravely, I will reward you. Otherwise... hum!"

If you fight hard, even if you are defeated and die, I will remember your contribution.

But if you are timid, I will not spare you even if the results are good.

Zhu Hui's fate is your example.

……

……

As expected, during the court meeting on the second day, Zhang Mao took the initiative to ask for permission to go to the northwest to make contributions.

After careful decision, the emperor agreed to Zhang Mao's request.

It was also stipulated that Zhang Mao must complete the ordering of troops and the expedition on that day, and the emperor even stated that he would go to the city gate in person to bid farewell to him.

After the meeting.

Zhang Mao didn't even have to go back to the mansion. Someone had already prepared horses for him. He didn't need to bring any salutes or anything else. There would be people preparing for him along the way. Then Zhang Mao went to the military camp to order troops, and the troops and horses were already prepared. The three thousand soldiers of the Beijing camp did not carry any baggage. They only needed light cavalry and flint muskets, so they could embark on the road to the battlefield.

In front of Desheng Gate.

After Zhang Mao ordered his troops, he waited here early for the emperor's arrival.

Zhang Zhou and the people from the Ministry of War arrived first. After Zhang Mao saw Zhang Zhou, there was a ferocious look in his eyes, probably because he felt that Zhang Zhou was digging a hole for him behind his back this time.

"Mr. British, are you ready? Do you need me to do something?" Zhang Zhou took the initiative to say hello.

Zhang Mao said: "I just want to ask you, after arriving at Pianguan, where should I advance my troops next?"

Several members of the Yanwu Hall who followed Zhang Zhou saw that Zhang Mao's attitude was so unkind, and they knew that Old Man Zhang might be angry, so they had the good sense to avoid him first.

Only Lu Wan seemed not to care about this and kept standing beside Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou sighed lightly: "Wherever the Tatars are active, the British will lead their troops. You are the commander-in-chief. I don't need to mention the specific marching procedures."

Just as he was talking, Zhang Rui, dressed in military uniform, came with several direct generals from the Beijing camp.

This time not only Zhang Mao is going to the northwest, but his eldest son Zhang Rui who is currently alive is also going together. However, Zhang Mao’s eldest grandson Zhang Lun will not go, probably because he does not want to be blamed by the Tatars. , Zhang Lun is considered a "hostage".

Moreover, Zhang Lun was injured when Zhu Hui led his troops into Hetao, and he has been recovering from his injuries since returning to the capital, although Zhang Lun's injury has long been fine.

"I've met Zhang Butang." Compared to Zhang Mao's unkind attitude toward Zhang Zhou, Zhang Rui was respectful to Zhang Zhou.

After all, Zhang Zhou had saved his life and given him a second life, giving him the opportunity to set foot on the battlefield again to realize the revenge in his heart.

Moreover, Zhang Rui has always felt that the status of the Zhang family is achieved by leading troops to victory, rather than relying on the protection of ancestors, so Zhang Rui strongly supports Zhang Mao's decision to lead troops on this expedition.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "General Zhang is so heroic, I am ashamed of myself."

"Really? Bingkuan, in the past two years, you have only had one opportunity to lead troops in the battle at Weininghai. And you have not yet fought the Tatars head-on. Most of them were behind the scenes. You have never thought about it. To accumulate reputation for yourself? I think you should go to the northwest more often and let everyone in the army recognize you." Zhang Mao's attitude is still not good.

But because his son was by his side, Zhang Mao did not have an attack.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "I'll definitely do it next time."

Zhang Mao was stunned.

These words...

It was clearly choking him.

It was as if he, Zhang Mao, had robbed Zhang Zhou of his opportunity this time, preventing Zhang Zhou from developing his talents... Is this actually the case?

It's your kid who dug a hole for me!

"I have compiled some marching strategies here, as well as military maps, and possible marching directions of the Tatars. I will give them to the British sir for your detailed review. If it is helpful, I will treat it as my wish. If not, I will give it to you." ...I can only say that it is a pity that I am not a roundworm in the stomach of a Tatar."

As Zhang Zhou spoke, he called Liu Gui to come over, brought over a booklet that had been written long ago, and handed it to Zhang Rui.

After Zhang Rui took it, he was still a little excited.

Probably everyone in the army felt that Zhang Zhou was the God of War, and even casual writing could help the army achieve great victory.

But this time Zhang Zhou was so attentive and wrote a good military policy for Zhang Mao, which would make this military dispatch more effective.

Zhang Mao said: "I will fight this battle on my own ability. I don't need your help. Give it back to him!"

"Father!" Zhang Rui was shocked.

You don’t even want the winning tips that others have prepared for you?

Zhang Mao said: "Everyone has his own strategy for running an army. My strategy is to use speed to control speed. Don't the Tatars come and go without a trace? I will be faster than them!"

Zhang Zhou smiled.

My heart says you are very fast.

I just have a quick mouth, but my feet can't keep up with your mouth?

Everyone wants to be faster than the Tatars, but do you have the conditions? Is your horse faster than the Tartar's? Or are they stronger than the Tatars in terms of endurance?

Who can't just move their mouth?

Zhang Zhou did not take it back, but looked at Zhang Rui with a smile and said: "Since the British Lord does not understand my kindness, then let General Zhang go back and study it."

When Zhang Rui heard this, he quickly stuffed the booklet into his arms.

This good thing... My father still doesn't appreciate it. Isn't this crazy?

While worrying that this battle may be biased, you also refuse help from others?

It's unreasonable, father.

Zhang Mao looked at the flags fluttering in the distance and said: "Your Majesty is coming soon, Bingkuan, you'd better put away your kindness! I never had a concrete chance before, this time... just wait and see!"

The general meaning is that Zhang Mao wants to prove himself on the battlefield.

I, Zhang, am neither timid nor armchair strategist. I have courage and strategy, and I also have a number of excellent weapons invented by you. Why can't I win?

After I have made great achievements in the northwest, I will see who dares to touch my power as the admiral of the Beijing camp when I come back. When others talk about the Ming God of War, they must be talking about me. You, Zhang Bingkuan, also step aside!

……

……

A huge swearing-in meeting.

Zhu Youtang personally awarded Zhang Mao the scepter and arranged for Xie Qian to go there in person to help Zhang Mao mount his horse.

It can be regarded as giving enough face to Zhang Mao.

When Zhang Mao and his entourage began to go west, Zhu Youtang still stood on the high platform and watched them go away, with a sense of ceremony as he watched the king go out for battle.

After the team had walked far away, Zhu Youtang turned his head to look at Zhang Zhou and asked: "Bingkuan, what do you think his chances of winning during this trip are?"

Zhang Zhou said: "It's hard to say."

Zhu Youtang said: "Based on Zhu Hui's past experience, I guess Zhang should be restrained, but according to my estimation, he won't make much movement. Instead, it would be better to place our hopes on Uncle Xin Xin and others. Listen. It is said that Yansui, under Wang Qiong's preparations, is ready to send troops to attack at any time!"

The northwest is not just waiting for Zhang Mao to lead troops to fight against the Tatars.

Both Wang Qiong of the Trilateral General System and Wang Shouren of the Xuanda General Control are actively preparing for war.

The Tatars did not make much noise this time because Wang Qiong and Wang Shouren were both practical fighters, and the Tatars also had to weigh the price of the invasion.

When Zhu Youtang saw that Zhang Zhou didn't pick up the fight, he couldn't help but smile and said: "Bingkuan, I'm really not trying to set up obstacles for him, nor am I trying to make you make enemies. You don't have to worry about it at all."

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty has misunderstood. In fact, I am also thinking about what the British Duke's chances of winning are?"

The king and his ministers looked at each other and then laughed together.

The odds are against the odds...

No matter how awesome Zhang Mao is, everyone knows that Zhang Mao will probably come back in vain when he goes to the northwest this time.

Most of the Tatars will not fight head-on with the Ming Dynasty. Even if Zhang Mao has great ideals, it still depends on the strategic expectations of the Tatars. If they are not fighting to the death with the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Mao will risk his life. I can only look at the ocean and sigh.

"I also hope that he can achieve great victory, but it's a pity..."

Zhu Youtang was clearly lamenting that Zhang Mao would end miserably. (End of chapter)