The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Northwest, Ningxia.

Zhang Mao's garrison did not make any moves for two days because...it was snowing heavily, and the Tatars had long since disappeared. Chasing them out of the pass would be almost like death. Even Wang Qiong had brought his troops back, so he felt that there was no need for him to go out. Die.

Inside the camp, the charcoal fire was burning brightly. Zhang Mao was dressed in heavy clothes and his armor had been put there for a long time. He was wrapped like a rice dumpling, but he kept rubbing his hands against the brazier.

"It's really cold today..." Zhang Mao was still complaining.

Zhong Decai said: "My lord, you have been living in a privileged position for a long time. You don't know the environment in the north."

Zhang Mao glared at him and said: "What are you talking about? You mean, I am not qualified to be the commander of an army now? I am the only one who has made meritorious deeds in this battle. Isn't that enough?"

When Zhang Mao said this, his tone was hard.

Even Zhong Decai couldn't help but think that the person who was afraid of being questioned by the emperor for slacking off on military operations a few days ago had forgotten who he was.

"Hmph, even Wang Dehua came back defeated. I thought he was very capable. I heard that Wang Bo'an didn't continue to join the army? Hmm, so what if they were famous before? In the end, they are not the same as me... I am better than them There are too many, at least those dozens of heads outside the Piantou Pass are genuine..."

Zhang Mao continued to brag, as if this matter was enough for him to brag for a lifetime, and he would rely on this matter to survive in his later years.

Zhong Decai reminded: "Master, it's a few, not dozens."

"Aren't they all the same?" Zhang Mao said coldly, why is there a troublemaker next to him? Is this still my guest?

Zhong Decai said: "It's different. If others ask, if you say so, His Majesty will definitely send someone to question, where are the remaining heads? Then you will be asking for trouble."

Zhang Mao looked very unkind, but he used the tongs to add two more pieces of charcoal to the brazier, and said as if to change the subject: "It's getting colder. This charcoal is quite good, there is no smoke, and it is very durable. If you change it, I'm afraid that many pots of charcoal have been burnt out by now. After I return to Beijing, I'll get some more, especially this good charcoal."

Zhong Decai asked: "Where can I get it?"

"Of course Datong." Zhang Mao said, "I asked, Datong is famous for its charcoal. Zhang Bingkuan mined a lot this time. We marched through and brought some charcoal back. Do they still have any objections?"

Zhong Decai couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Now Zhang Mao is already thinking about doing some searching on the way back to the capital.

For a nobleman like Zhang Mao, there are not many opportunities to lead troops in his life. It is rare that he encounters a good opportunity to plunder this time. Of course he has to seize it. Moreover, he is also a general who "won the battle" and returned triumphantly. On his way back Accept a little filial piety and get some benefits from the local area...it seems that soldiers in all dynasties have done this.

"There is still no news from the young master..." Zhong Decai seemed to have mentioned it intentionally or unintentionally.

"he……"

Zhang Mao's expression became serious.

It has been nearly ten days since Zhang Rui and Ma Yi went on the expedition, and they have also lost contact with Zhang Mao for ten days. Now he has no idea where the two men have led their troops and what the situation is.

Zhong Decai said: "Logically speaking, we should send troops for reinforcements now. If the young master and the others are trapped in a tight siege, as well as Mr. Ma and the others... please don't say that this matter has nothing to do with you. You are in Ningxia, so you still came here on orders." Those who seek foreign barbarians, if under your eyes, people along the Ming Dynasty are damaged, but you remain indifferent..."

Zhang Mao said angrily: "Crow's Mouth! When will I stand still? It's snowing so heavily in the north now, how can you ask me to explore it? They can't go out for fifty miles without collecting it at night! They are very brave and dare to send troops without my consent. Baili...I am trying to defend the territory now and prevent the Tatars from invading. Do you think it is because I don’t want to leave seclusion?”

"But it's just..."

"What do you want to say again?"

"Your Majesty, I don't know if he will understand you..."

Zhang Mao took a breath.

Suddenly he realized that if the emperor wanted to punish him, he would naturally use different methods. Even if it made sense to him, when it comes to the emperor, as long as the emperor feels that there are flaws in what you have done, he will make a big fuss.

"My lord, Lord Baoguo has learned from the past."

"Don't you fucking mention Zhu Dongyang to me and keep comparing him to me. Is he still a human being now?"

"Yes, yes, he is now considered to have lost his family. I heard that his family members have all been sent to Yongping Mansion. I'm afraid you..."

"Humph!"

Zhang Mao snorted and didn't want to talk to Zhong Decai.

Obviously Zhong Decai was hinting to him that maybe you would be like Zhu Hui. His family was broken up and his wife was separated. His family was scattered and he didn't know who to sell it to. Maybe he would work as a coolie for Zhang Bingkuan.

"hold on."

Zhang Mao added another piece of charcoal to the brazier, "If it doesn't work, wait until the snow stops. Send more people to the grassland within 200 miles to find out the whereabouts of that evil boy! This evil boy is also useless. I asked him not to make his own decisions, but he... It was probably Zhang Bingkuan who led these young people into trouble! One by one... I don't know why..."

Zhong Decai said: "The soldiers below are already thinking of returning home. You see..."

"If the imperial court doesn't issue an order to let us go, can we retreat? Keep waiting and let the local government transport enough military rations. We don't have many people, but the local government doesn't care about eating, drinking, and defecating? Let us send another Go and urge Wang Dehua to send military rations here!"

"Didn't you want to discuss with him before and let him speak to you?"

"Now it's him who begs me! It's just a matter of time! I'll give him face now and ask him to send some military rations. If I'm not happy, I'll impeach him when I get back!"

Zhong Decai almost wanted to raise his thumbs up after hearing this.

You are still awesome.

The military exploits outside the Guantou Pass are not much better than those of Zhu Hui, so he dares to claim to be a hero of the Ming Dynasty.

"Master, we can't take it lightly. If someone really wins, let's compare with you..."

"Impossible, there won't be Yang Yiqing this time, and there won't be that brash boy Cui Yuan. Even Wang Dehua and Wang Bo'an can't solve the problem. Is there anyone else who can do it? You think highly of these people! I understand. Come on! Before I came here, I thought there were heroes all over the northwest, but when I came here I realized that everyone is a bear, and no one is much better than the other!"

Zhong Decai smiled.

That smile was a little narrow.

Zhang Mao could tell that this old boy was laughing at him, maybe he was saying, your bad evaluation is only for him, right?
"Get out of here! Don't touch me here. My bones are almost falling apart in the past two days. Have someone come over and massage me!"

"Who?"

"Go to the nearest county seat or health center! Do you still need me to explain in detail?"

Zhong Decai shook his head helplessly, cursing in his mind, how long has it been, and you still want to make yourself feel comfortable? The soldiers below are all waiting for help, and not everyone is like you. There are so many pebbles being added to the brazier one after another.

…………

The capital is located in Fusi, Beizhen.

It was also snowing in the capital that day, and it was very cold in the prison. Governor Liu Yu, who was escorted from Santun Camp to the capital, ushered in the day of his second interrogation. He was taken to the court of Fusi in Beizhen in shackles. , At this time, Liu Yu's energy had long been gone, and his whole body exuded an almost death aura.

Guo Ang, the envoy of Fusi Town in Jinyiwei North Town, looked at this man who was once aloof and untouchable with cold eyes.

"Liu Zhongcheng, I'm offended."

Guo Ang was polite and came down personally to remove Liu Yu's shackles.

Liu Yu said: "Your Majesty pardoned me?"

"No, today is the day of interrogation. How have you been in the cell these days? No one is giving you a hard time, right?" Guo Ang asked.

When Liu Yu heard this, he thought there was something wrong. He had long heard that civil servants who were sent to prison would not have a good end. Besides being in prison, he had no one to give him a killing stick, no one to whip him, and no one to whip him. After being tortured, people can even eat enough every day, although food and sleep are not that good.

"let's start."

Guo Ang walked back to the desk and sat down.

Liu Yu asked: "Mr. Guo, I would like to ask, I heard the brothers outside making noise yesterday, saying that Mr. Xie Ge from the cabinet also came in, but is this happening?"

"This has nothing to do with you." When Guo Ang heard Liu Yu call him "sir", he knew that this was a master who liked to please.

Liu Yu said: "If you have anything to ask, I will tell you the truth, but don't make false accusations. You should also search my property. There is really not much. If you say that I am corrupt and pervert the law, you should find evidence, right? Neither do you Jin Yiwei." Is it because you have to give in and win?"

Guo Ang frowned upon hearing this.

I thought this guy was sensible just now, but now he seems to be a bit tough?

The contrast is huge.

Guo Ang said: "Now I'm not talking about your corruption and perversion of the law. Now I'm asking you, during the more than a year since you were the governor of Jizhou Town, has anyone secretly sent you letters, given you instructions on how to do things, or even given you instructions on your errands?"

"...What do you mean?" Liu Yu didn't understand for a moment.

Now we are not talking about corruption and perversion of the law. We are now talking about what "hidden case" he committed?
Is this an attack on Zhang Zhou? Or let him testify against Xie Qian or those traditional civil servants?
Guo Ang reminded again: "You'd better say something. If you are found out or you admit it later, it will be too late."

Liu Yu said: "I couldn't remember the official matters when you first mentioned them. You asked me to recall them carefully... It seems that... it did happen recently... Was it from the Ministry of Husbandry or the Ministry of Personnel? A personal letter?”

This is the temptation.

The Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Personnel are nominally in charge of traditional civil servants.

If Guo Ang said yes, then he would know the direction.

But if we talk about the Ministry of War, it is Zhang Zhou's Yamen... This is a question of the direction of attack.

Of course, it cannot be said that it is the cabinet. The cabinet itself will not send him personal letters. Even if the cabinet interferes in local affairs, it will go through intermediaries. Those who are senior ministers of the cabinet will also have many "middlemen" to work for them. In addition to the court guests, there are also officials and party members at all levels who are fawning over them. Basically, these people are not on the bright side.

It is said that they do not form any cliques for personal gain, but officials of all dynasties, including those from township parties, families, and fellow sects, all achieved enlightenment by one person and ascended to heaven.

Guo Ang was very familiar with Liu Yu's tricks. He would not be tricked into talking casually. He said, "It's okay if I write to you."

Liu Yu said: "Speaking of which, officials have written a lot to me, but they are all old fellow villagers asking for help. Some of them, for the sake of friendship, I have to write to respond, but if They said they asked me to do things, but they really didn’t.”

If you don't tell me, then I'll just pretend to be confused.

Guo Ang said coldly: "Remember what you said now. Have you written it all down?"

"Yes, I have already written it down." The scribe next to him raised his head and said.

Liu Yu is also wondering, what does this mean? To convict me, you can't use these ambiguous words to justify it, right?
"You are the governor of Jizhou, have any local officials given you gifts?" Guo Ang then talked about Liu Yu's economic problems.

Liu Yu said: "Gifts are given, but I know that I have to work for the court and will not make that kind of mistake. If it is a personal gift, especially from relatives and friends, sometimes I cannot refuse it."

"Liu Zhongcheng, you don't think that Jin Yiwei only has such a few tricks to do things, and he doesn't even know how you hide money?" Guo Ang said with a sneer.

Liu Yu seemed to be very sure, and said arrogantly: "As a scholar, I still have integrity. I will not do anything that is unacceptable. If there is evidence, just kill my head."

Guo Ang said: "Who do you think captured you, and who wants to hold you accountable?"

Liu Yu's heart thumped.

It seems that he was captured by Zhang Zhou. If it had been anyone else... Zhang Zhou would have let him out, but now he is clearly Zhang Zhou's disciple. Why does Cai Guogong still like to attack his own people? Is it because I was not considerate in the greeting etiquette?

"Now Mr. Cai Guogong is in Yongping Mansion. I heard that the people who are suing you have been waiting in line for dozens of miles. Now that you have reached your end, you are still talking arrogantly? Don't you want to keep your body intact?"

Guo Ang is not a vegetarian either.

There are ways to scare people.

Liu Yu was obviously targeted.

He also realized that if even he felt that being taken down by Zhang Zhou would be very dangerous, those who had offended him or been offended by him would jump out and kick him into the fire pit, which would add insult to injury. of.

"You don't have much property in Yongping Mansion, but your disciples have purchased a lot of property for you outside, and a lot of the property you have collected is in the name of the governor's office. The amount of silver is no less than 20,000 yuan, not counting various land deeds and so on... Everywhere you go, you will be like this. As long as you ask someone about the places where you have served as an official, they will know everything."

When Guo Ang said this, he seemed to have sentenced Liu Yu.

"Liu Zhongcheng, do you know who can save you now?"

"Cai Guogong?" Liu Yu asked.

"Only you!" Guo Ang sneered. "Based on your experience in the officialdom, you should know that although your crime is quite serious, at least you did not go astray, and there is no chance of making a comeback. But now it depends on whether you can Walk out of this door.

Liu Yu hurriedly said: "Please enlighten me."

Guo Ang said: "You'd better be sensible and say everything you need to say! This will also save me trouble! This will also allow you to walk out of this door and continue to be your official." (End of Chapter)