Back to Daming to be a genius

Chapter 277 The Fall of Xi'an
With the vicious young master Zhang, Jia Yingbi, the magistrate of Guangping who wore a pair of trousers with the Wei family and his son, did not have the guts to confront the official with a pen holder, and the distraught Wei Tang and his son had nothing to rely on, so they could only honestly confess their family to Zhao Zhenye. The so-called kinship relationship with Wei Zhongxian——according to Mr. Zhang's crow's mouth, the local rich man Wei Tang and his son really didn't know that Wei Zhongxian's surname was Li. They only knew that their family moved from Suning three generations ago, so they thought Wei Zhongxian was from the same family In Yurou Township, they used to bully the people under the banner of Wei Zhongxian's relatives, and the local officials didn't have the guts to find out whether Wei Zhongxian had such relatives. As Wei Tang and his son made further progress, they began to think that their family was really related to Wei Zhongxian, and then remarried. Young Master Zhang, the upstart of the imperial court, is a relative.

Knowing this, Zhao Zhenye, who had long wanted to deal with Wei Tang and his son, immediately ordered the Wei family and his son to be imprisoned and taken to the capital for trial. The father and son offered two options. One was to pay a fine of 3000 taels of silver to the Handan County Government to help the poor people.The Wei family father and son are of course willing to choose the first one, but the old man Wei Tang is too old, and he is afraid that he will have to kick his legs if he can't stand the 300th board. Young Master Zhang readily asked Wei Tang to pay another [-] taels of silver to make Wei Tang Tang's son Wei Yue took the responsibility on his behalf.Of course Wei Tang agreed. Although Wei Yue objected, he couldn't resist the intimidation of his father and Guangping prefect Jia Yingbi. In the end, he obediently agreed to the condition. Amidst the cheers of the people in Handan, his buttocks and thighs bloomed together, bloody and bloody. Also restrained a lot not to mention.

After hastily handling the case, Zhao Zhenye introduced Young Master Zhang into the back hall, and first went to the magistrate to meet the governor, and then explained: "Zhang Butang, it's not that the lower officials deliberately didn't go to visit you outside the city, but because they are indeed involved in official business, so I came here. I plan to go see you after finishing the case, and recount the friendship of the same year together, and I hope the ministry will forgive me for my disrespect."

"Brother Zhao Nian, why are you being polite? It's a trivial matter, what's the point? Also, don't call it a department, Shengfen! You and I are Jinshi of the same discipline, so let's call each other the same year." Young Master Zhang laughed and raised his hand. Zhao Zhenye asked kindly: "Brother Nian, from your accent, you seem to be from Shandong like me, right? Are you from Shandong?"

"Brother Zhang Nian is right. The younger brother's family has lived in Yanshen Town, Qingzhou Prefecture, Shandong Province for generations." Zhao Zhenye replied honestly.Young Master Zhang was overjoyed, "Okay, then we are not only in the same year, but also from the same hometown." After that, Young Master Zhang asked curiously: "Brother Xin, how come you are still a seventh-rank county magistrate? If I remember correctly, We seem to be doing well in that subject, basically you will be promoted as soon as you become a county magistrate, with your political achievements, you shouldn't be qualified for promotion, right?"

"I told you I'm not afraid of brother Zhang Nian's jokes." Zhao Zhenye explained with a wry smile: "After three years of tenure, the assessment and comments given by the Ministry of Officials to Yu Yu are indeed excellent, and he is going to be promoted to the general judge of Huzhou, but because of the old Feng Ge, the official of the household department When the young master went to Handan to play, Yudi didn't kowtow to him to give him money, and he didn't ask the inn to entertain him. Fortunately, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials is our teacher, and the people in the Ministry of Officials don't look at the monk's face but at the Buddha's face, so they finally saved this seventh-rank county magistrate."

"Damn it, it's Feng Quan, that old bastard again!" Young Master Zhang was furious, and shouted hypocritically: "Brother Nian, don't worry, tell me the whole story, and I'll write a letter to my father right away. Please father to clean up that old man!" Zhao Zhenye laughed loudly, and hurriedly declined Young Master Zhang's kindness, saying that he didn't care about his official position, as long as he could benefit the common people, he would be satisfied.Young Master Zhang insisted on a few more hypocritical words, Zhao Zhenye of course refused, and in the end Young Master Zhang had no choice but to let him go.

As Young Master Zhang in the same year, of course Zhao Zhenye had to host a banquet for Young Master Zhang. Although Zhao Zhenye had stated in advance that he could only treat Young Master Zhang with radish and cabbage, Young Master Zhang, who pretended to be clean and honest, would not dislike the poor and love the rich, so he happily accepted it. Invited by Zhao Zhenye.When Zhao Zhenye's yellow-faced wife was cooking, Young Master Zhang took the opportunity to test whether Zhao Zhenye was interested in serving under his command, but Zhao Zhenye didn't answer directly, but asked Young Master Zhang a question first, "Brother Zhang Nian, my brother listen It is said that the imperial court was the first to implement the scheme of sharing land into mu in Shaanxi. After the failure, Master Ma Shiying and Ma tried it again in Datong, and finally succeeded. It not only reduced the burden on the people, but also increased the income of the imperial court. Later, the imperial court decreed Let Mr. Ma be promoted to the governor of Xuanda, and the full implementation of the distribution of households in Xuanda will be implemented in Xuanda—brother Nian, you have just been appointed as the governor of Xuanda, what do you think about this?"

"Spreading into the mu?" Young Master Zhang frowned. This is the most sensitive issue when Young Master Zhang communicates with officials at all levels. Ordinary people and the country, seventy-eight out of ten civil and military opponents of the Manchu Dynasty, even many clean and honest officials are very dissatisfied with this. In this way, if Young Master Zhang shows an attitude of fully supporting the new policy of "spreading people into the mother", I am afraid The talent that is about to arrive is about to fly again.Under hesitation, Young Master Zhang could only answer ambiguously: "It is still beneficial for the court and the common people, but there are still many obstacles in it, and Ma Shiying is too fussy in his actions , so proceed with caution..."

"Brother Zhang Nian, I don't agree with that." Zhao Zhenye said solemnly: "Isn't it only a little bit good for the court and the common people? In my opinion, this is a dose of Ming ZTE The best medicine! In the land of the world, vassal kings and officials and gentry from all over the world occupy two out of three, and only one of the three is in the hands of the common people. Most of the taxes in the world fall on the common people. Now, these officials and gentry who do not pay taxes are still desperately annexing land, relying on tax-free privileges to find ways to deprive the people of their land. If things go on like this, all the land in the world falls into the hands of officials and gentry, and the people have no land to cultivate and no money to pay taxes. What do you use to support the army?"

Speaking of this, Zhao Zhenye looked at the eldest young master with some disappointment, and said with a light sigh: "Tanhualang, I have always thought that among the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, there may be many people who don't understand what this new policy has brought to the court and the people. Good, but you absolutely understand! But looking at it now, alas, it’s no wonder Mr. Ma has been facing a lot of resistance in Xuanda, and he has also been attacked in the court..."

"Brother Zaixin, you misunderstood me." Young Master Zhang relaxed and said with a smile: "Brother Zaixin, did you ever know who sent troops to protect Ma Yaocao's safety when Ma Yaocao was carrying out stalls in Xuanda? Help him force officials and gentry to pay taxes? Brother Xin, did you ever know that more than 90 officials jointly impeached Ma Yaocao last year, who was in the court to protect Ma Yaocao and help him escape this catastrophe? "

"Who is it?" Zhao Zhenyehu asked.Young Master Zhang smiled but did not answer, Zhao Zhenye suddenly came to his senses, his eyes lit up and asked: "No wonder it is you, Brother Zhongzheng?" Too sensitive, brother, I hold the military power in five provinces, so I am very suspicious, so on this issue, I dare not express my opinion lightly, so I can only secretly support Brother Yaocao."

"Oh my goodness." Zhao Zhenye was overjoyed, stood up and cupped his hands and said, "I don't know brother Zhongzheng's difficulties, please forgive me if my words offend." Young Master Zhang waved his hands with a smile, even saying he didn't mind.Zhao Zhenye grabbed Young Master Zhang's hand again, and begged, "Brother Zhongzheng, I have something to ask, and I hope that Brother Zhongzheng will see it in the same year, so I must agree."

"Brother Xin, please tell me that as long as I can do it, I will try my best." Young Master Zhang patted his chest.Zhao Zhenye held Master Zhang's hand and pleaded: "To tell the truth, since Datong succeeded in implementing the policy of distributing people to the mu, my younger brother once submitted to the imperial court and asked to try this policy in Handan. It was fully implemented in Beizhili, but after the memorial was sent to the imperial court, it was muddled, and there has been no response so far. Brother, I know that you have a high position in the imperial court, whether it is the cabinet or the chief of staff. My younger brother boldly begged Brother Zhongzheng to help my younger brother, and sent a memorandum to tell the imperial court that I would let my younger brother try out this new policy in Handan."

"Brother Zai, I finally understand why you can't be promoted." Young Master Zhang said with a wry smile: "You dare to take the initiative to ask for the implementation of the new policy of paying the rent to the mother, how courageous you are! Your memorial, It’s also likely to be blamed by the governor of Beizhili or the governor’s yamen—how can they admit that there is also such a crooked trend in Beizhili?”

"Brother Zhongzheng's words are really humorous, but it is also true. To those officials, what my younger brother has done is indeed a genuine crooked trend." Zhao Zhenye also gave a wry smile, and asked eagerly: "Brother Zhongzheng, what about the younger brother?" What about it? Can you help me?"

"Help you tell the imperial court that in Handan, the implementation of pedigrees into the mu - no way!" Young Master Zhang replied firmly.Zhao Zhenye was taken aback, and when he was about to ask again, Young Master Zhang smiled and said, "However, I can recommend you to be a counselor for the Shaanxi General Administration Commissioner, so that you can fully implement the per capita income in Shaanxi, and I should be able to do it."

"What?" Zhao Zhenye was completely dumbfounded, and asked in surprise: "Little brother, I am only seventh rank, how can I be promoted to fourth rank in a row, and become a counselor of Shaanxi Chief Envoy?"

"Before Hong Chengchou became the third-rank governor, wasn't he also a fifth-rank?" Young Master Zhang said indifferently: "Let's not talk about the imperial court's promotion of the government's promotion of the allocation of people to the mu, and when it is employing people, there is no reason for this. I beg my father to give you four ranks in a row. I guess my father will give me this face." Zhao Zhenye opened his mouth wide and couldn't say a word for a long time. Young Master Zhang smiled and said, "Why? Brother Zai, don't you believe me? Then let Master tell you in front of you, brother. Write to my father."

"No..., it's not that I don't believe it." It took Zhao Zhenye a long time to recover from the surprise, and he was about to say that he was too weak to be useful.Suddenly, someone knocked on the door of the room in a hurry, and Jia Yingbi, the prefect of Guangping, shouted tremblingly outside the door: "Zhang Butang, there is an urgent military report from Shaanxi to the imperial court and you. Here, I brought you the Tang newspaper. Department hall, can you come in and talk?"

"Come in." Young Master Zhang was most concerned about the military situation, so he hurriedly opened the door himself.Jia Yingbi, whose face was blue and pale from the cold, bowed to enter the door, and did not dare to go to the fire to warm up immediately, but held the pond newspaper in front of Young Master Zhang with both hands.Young Master Zhang took it and quickly opened it. After only a few glances, his face turned ugly. Zhao Zhenye asked cautiously: "Brother Zhang Nian, what happened?"

"It's nothing, it's just that the city of Xi'an was captured by thieves." Young Master Zhang replied pretending to be relaxed.Zhao Zhenye and Jia Yingbi who were standing next to them were taken aback, and said in unison: "How is it possible? Mr. Sun Ge and Hong Zhongcheng are in Xi'an at the same time, and the rebels can still take Xi'an?"

"Sun Ge is not in Xi'an, and Hong Chengchou fell into the trick of the rebels to lure the tiger away from the mountain." Young Master Zhang looked at the Tang newspaper and said with a wry smile: "As I expected, the rebels' siege of Pingliang Mansion was really a feint to lure Hong Chengchou to send troops to rescue. , and then fought and retreated to lure Hong Chengchou's main force further away from Xi'an, and then the traitor Li Zicheng suddenly detoured behind Hong Chengchou and attacked Xi'an city by surprise... Huh." Speaking of this, Young Master Zhang suddenly realized that something was wrong, because in the military intelligence pond newspaper It is very clear that the reason why Li Zicheng was able to successfully capture Xi'an was mainly because there were thieves who sneaked into the city in advance and should open the city gates. Zhu Yifeng and the prefect Zou Jiasheng were caught off guard by Xi'an's military preparations, and they both broke the city. Death—in the impression of Young Master Zhang, the rebel army never seemed to use similar methods during the peasant uprising in Shaanxi in history—but Young Master Zhang's deadly enemy, the Jiannu Army, was familiar with this and tried it repeatedly.

"Butang, what happened?" Zhao Zhenye and Jia Yingbi asked together again.Young Master Zhang shook his head, "It's nothing, I remembered an old friend on the battlefield. It seems that his contribution was not small in the fall of Xi'an this time." After finishing speaking, Young Master Zhang folded the pond newspaper, put it in his arms, and said with a smile : "Brother Zai, I originally wanted to chat with you for a few more days, but it doesn't seem to work. As soon as the recruits arrive tomorrow, I have to set off immediately. What I just told you is so settled. When I recover Xi'an, you Just come to Xi’an and join me. And Jia Zhifu, don’t worry about what happened today, I don’t mean to blame you, it’s just that when you act in the future, you should think about it for the people of Ming Dynasty…”

………………

Although Young Master Zhang said it easily in front of Zhao Zhenye and Jia Yingbi, but after returning to the barracks outside the city after Zhao Zhenye’s home had a rough meal, Young Master Zhang immediately asked Shi Kefa to write an order to Sun Chengzong and Hong Chengchou in the honor of the governor of the five provinces If they can take back Xi'an, they will take it back. If they can't get it back in a short time, they must not be obsessed with fighting. There is no need to lose their troops. They must immediately withdraw to Huazhou and Huayin to rest and wait for their reinforcements to arrive. It will not be too late to recover Xi'an. At the same time At the critical moment, he can also assist the governor of Henan Province Yang Zuoji to defend Tongguan and block the way for the thieves to flee into the Central Plains.Although Master Zhang's order was for the sake of stabilizing the overall situation, after Song Xiance listened to Master Zhang's dictated order, he immediately said: "Boss, don't waste your energy, Mr. Sun Ge will not listen to your order, and this If you send an order, maybe it will have the opposite effect!"

Young Master Zhang remained silent with a gloomy face. Shi Kefa, who was scribbling, raised his head and said, "Mr. Song, can't you? Zhang Butang is the governor of the five provinces. Although Old Sun Ge is highly respected, he is also Zhang Butang's actual son. Subordinate, Zhang Butang's constitutional order, how could he not listen? How could it be counterproductive?"

"The bad thing is because of the four words of high morality and prestige." Song Xiance sighed: "Who is Mr. Sun Ge? The teacher of Long Live today has also served as a scholar of Dongge University, Minister of the Ministry of War, Supervisor of Liaodong, and Shaanxi-Gansu Superintendent, which official position is smaller than that of the Dong family? This time the imperial court appointed the Dong family as the governor of the five provinces to govern Mr. Sun Ge. Mr. Sun Ge must not accept it in his heart. Now the most important town in Shaanxi is lost in the hands of Mr. Sun Ge. How could Mr. Sun Ge obey the order of the Dong family and withdraw to Huayin to assist the Henan army to defend Tongguan? He is not afraid of being ridiculed by others? So I bet that even if the order from the Dong family is delivered to Mr. Sun Ge in time, Mr. Sun Ge will definitely I don’t know how to listen, but I’m determined to take Xi’an.”

Speaking of this, Song Xiance spread his hands and said helplessly: "The more troublesome thing is still to come. If this order is sent to Mr. Sun Ge, then even if Mr. Sun Ge realizes that it is the best policy to retreat to the Huayin area and wait for help, It may also miss the opportunity to retreat and continue to attack Xi'an in order to save face."

"Xianzhi, there is no need to write the constitutional decree. Master Song is right. This order will only backfire." Young Master Zhang feebly withdrew the order.Shi Kefa was stunned for a long while, and finally put down his pen—after being with Young Master Zhang for a year, Shi Kefa finally became more aware of the world.And this time, Sun Chengzong, who is good at defending, led the army to suppress the thieves in person uncharacteristically, and attacked the enemy's strengths with his own shortcomings. This led to the fall of Xi'an.

"Henan Governor Yang Zuoji, who among you knows his situation?" Sun Chengzong didn't dare to risk giving orders, so Young Master Zhang could only put his mind on the Henan Army and asked: "And the situation of the Henan Army, do you know? How many?"

Shi Kefa, who had ordinary knowledge, shook his head blankly, while Song Xiance replied: "Boss, when I traveled around to tell fortunes, I spent quite a long time in Henan under Yang Zuoji's administration. As far as I can remember, Yang Zuoji is quite a competent person." The governor of Henan, the drought and locust disasters in Henan have been plagued by years, but the victims have not made a fuss. The main reason is that Henan under his governance is still barely considered politically sound and harmonious. Every time the government distributes food, more or less falls into the hands of the victims. It can be seen that he may be considered a good official, and he is more popular among the people. As for the Henan army, don’t even mention it. How much combat power can a local army with six taels of silver a year and often owes money to the army have no food? What’s worse is , Henan does not have a commander-in-chief, and the armies in various places lack a unified leadership. It is estimated that Yang Zuoji can really mobilize the army guarding the pass, that is, the army of the Henan government."

Young Master Zhang frowned even tighter, and remained silent for a long time with a sullen face. Song Xiance guessed what Young Master Zhang was thinking, and said in a low voice: "Boss, don't worry too much. In fact, Xi'an has fallen and Tongguan is in an emergency. It's not necessarily a bad thing. With the temper and style of nine thousand years old, use this matter to make a big fuss, beat Mr. Sun Ge to pave the way for you. Without Mr. Sun Ge's constraints, you can quickly integrate the Shaanxi army and wipe out the rebels. .”

"You can talk about these things slowly." Young Master Zhang shook his head slowly, and said with a serious tone: "I am most worried about Tongguan now. If Tongguan cannot be defended and the thieves enter the Central Plains, then things will be troublesome." Hearing this, Shi Kefa nodded again and again, agreeing with Young Master Zhang's opinion, while Song Xiance snorted coldly in his heart, thinking that it might be better to lose Tongguan. There are more territories and troops to control.Of course, it's okay for Song Xiance to say these words in front of the ambitious Young Master Zhang, but it's not good to say them in front of Shi Kefa, whose heart is as pure as snow water in the Tianshan Mountains--it might cause death!

"Xianzhi, you should help me write a letter to Mr. Sun Ge." Young Master Zhang pondered for a while, then said in a deep thought: "If you write this in the letter, first tell Mr. Sun Ge that I and the governor of Henan Province, Yang Zuoji, are life and death. You know Yang Zuoji very well, and you are very at ease, and then you put a few more high hats on Yang Zuoji's head, blowing him up as rare in the sky and unique in the earth-finally you tell Mr. Sun Ge to let him lead the army with peace of mind Restoring Xi'an is enough, don't worry about Tongguan, the Henan army led by Yang Zuoji will definitely be able to defend Tongguan and will not repeat the mistakes of Xi'an. Remember, the words "never repeat the mistakes of Xi'an" must be written on it .”

"Wonderful!" Song Xiance applauded and said with a smile, "My master is really good at taking advantage of other people's psychology. What kind of arrogant person is Mr. Sun Ge? After reading this letter, he will definitely send an army to garrison Huayin. Once Tongguan is in an emergency, immediately reinforce Tongguan, and use a victory to defend the pass to slap your boss in the face." Shi Kefa, who was stunned, suddenly realized, and hurriedly buried his head in writing.

"No way, the military situation is urgent, so I have to ask Mr. Sun Ge to slap me in the face." Young Master Zhang smiled wryly, then tapped his fingers on the table and said, "There is one more thing, Mr. Song, you have to help me think about it, this time in Xi'an If it is lost, even if it is successfully recaptured in the future, the food and military salary in the city will definitely be looted by the thieves. The journey is far away, and the court’s food, grass and military salary will definitely not be delivered to Xi’an for a while—so we are going to cut meat from King Fu For emergency operations, we need to speed up the planning and arrangement."

(End of this chapter)