Back to Daming to be a genius

Chapter 307
(PS: It is less than three hours before February [-]st, please ask for the last monthly pass of the first month and book the February monthly pass.)
On May [-]th, Young Master Zhang, who had been sick for nearly a month, finally returned to Xi'an, where his governor-general of the five provinces was located, by taking the Ziwu Valley Trail. Although it is long, it is flat and easy to walk. In addition to starting early, it arrived in Xi'an a few days earlier than Young Master Zhang. Only the white soldiers who suffered heavy losses in the Fengxian battle returned to Hanzhong to rest. Whether they need to go north to help in the future depends on Shaanxi. Gan battlefield specific needs.What made Master Zhang very gratified was that the three generals Wu Liuqi, Wu Sangui, and Zhao Shilun of the Slaughtering Army faithfully carried out their orders, and neither participated in Hong Chengchou's killing and surrender nor allowed Hong Chengchou to take half of them. A new weapon.

When Master Zhang's team was about to arrive in Xi'an, Sun Chengzong and Hong Chengchou, who heard the news, immediately led civil and military officials out of the city to greet them. met.Similar to Young Master Zhang's imagination, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong had gloomy expressions, kneeling on one knee in front of Young Master Zhang without saying a word, while Wu Zimian knelt down to Young Master Zhang, and said with tears in his eyes, "Butang, it's the middle school!" Your Excellency avoids the last general and directly issued orders to Generals Du and He. When the last general received the news and went to stop it, it was already too late. But the last general can swear to God that he never participated in the killing of prisoners."

"Come on, the general of the slaughtering slave army has reported the details to me directly. If the court asks, I will report it truthfully." Young Master Zhang helped Wu Zimian, then Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, holding hands Holding their hands, he said in a deep voice: "Two generals, please rest assured. I swear to God now that as long as I am still in Shaanxi and Gansu, no one will dare to treat you and your brothers like this. Even if I transfer away in the future, I will I will take you away, and I won’t let you be bullied by others.”

"My lord, you still understand us..." With the words of Young Master Zhang, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, who have been restless these days for fear of stepping in the footsteps of Wu Yangui and Wang Ziyong, heaved a sigh of relief, and hurriedly turned to Young Master Zhang. Kowtow to thank.Li Zicheng said sadly again: "Actually, Master Hong didn't do anything to us. He told us afterwards that we were recruited by you, so that we can rest assured that as long as we serve the court wholeheartedly, he will never do anything to us. But no matter how we say it, we are still in a state of agitation, afraid..." Zhang Xianzhong added: "My lord, to tell you a joke, these days, we sleep with one eye open and eat... huh , have to be stirred with a silver hairpin first."

"Don't worry, Hong Chengchou's words are correct—you were recruited by me personally, and whoever dares to harm you will just make things difficult for me!" Young Master Zhang gave another resolute reassurance, and finally sighed: "At that time, if I didn't fall ill, I would Well, originally I planned to select some troops from the surrendered troops to supplement the troops you lost on the Baoji battlefield. Alas——!" After another long sigh, Master Zhang patted Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong on the shoulders and said: " How about this, I will transfer 5000 people from the Shaanxi army to you. Work hard, among the four generals of the slave slaughter army, Lu Xiangsheng has been promoted to the governor of the Xuanfu, and cannot enter Shaanxi to fight, and the position of the general of the Tianxiong team is also vacant. I give priority to whoever does a good job.”

"Thank you, my lord. The last general will definitely work hard and kill thieves bravely, and never disappoint my lord's expectations." Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong heard the implication that Young Master Zhang intended to employ them as his confidantes, and overjoyed, they hurriedly kowtowed to Young Master Zhang to thank him.Song Xiance, who was silent next to him, was delighted to hear this, and said to himself that my boss is really insidious——Whoever does a good job, Zhang Xianzhong or Li Zicheng, will give priority to whoever will be the general of the Tianxiong Squad of the Slave Slaughter Army—— Isn't this trying to make Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong compete with each other and monitor each other?
After comforting the three generals Wu Zimian, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, Young Master Zhang and his party continued on, and soon arrived at the West Gate of Xi'an. When they saw Young Master Zhang's handsome flag, drums and music rang out in front of the city gate, and Sun Chengzong personally led the Shaanxi-Gansu civil and military officials came forward, and Hong Chengchou also walked beside Sun Chengzong—but judging from Sun Chengzong's expression of completely treating him as air, this guy must be being crazily impeached by countless speech officials and censors in the capital. In the past few days, he has definitely been scolded by Sun Chengzong, the veteran of the Donglin Party, and nine times out of ten he has also been slapped by Sun Laozhu.Seeing civil and military officials other than Sun Chengzong kneeling and saluting to him, Young Master Zhang couldn't help laughing and said: "My lords, please get up quickly, no matter which state capital I go to in the future, don't hold any welcoming and sending ceremonies for me. From now on we Every penny of your money is very precious, so it’s a little bit if you can save a little bit.”

Every actor in the political arena would say similar things. Although officials at all levels in Shaanxi and Gansu did not understand whether Master Zhang's words were for show or sincere, they respectfully agreed.At this time, Sun Chengzong stood up and asked Master Zhang in public: "Master, on the night of April 21, our Ming army slaughtered the 8 three rebel soldiers and their families who had surrendered! I would like to ask my lord, did you issue this massacre order to Hong Chengchou?"

Young Master Zhang turned his head to look at Hong Chengchou. Hong Chengchou understood what Young Master Zhang meant, and answered for Young Master Zhang bravely: "Mr. Ge, I have already reported to you once. This time, I will report to you again in front of many colleagues. One time—you can swear to the sky, Lord Minister, from the beginning to the end, he has never issued any massacre orders to the lower officials, let alone asked the lower officials to massacre all the surrendered soldiers!"

"You're smart, you didn't dare to plant blame on me, but it's useless even if you plant blame, I have neither said such a thing, nor have I left evidence!" Young Master Zhang kept his expression on his face, but he snorted coldly in his heart. Lian Lian, knowing what Hong Chengchou said now, he didn't dare to climb up on himself - if he dragged himself into the water, who else could protect him?Over there, Sun Chengzong looked back at Hong Chengchou viciously, gritted his teeth and said, "Very well, you just admit it, you really dare to do it. I can use this white head as a guarantee. In the current court, you are impeached for being cruel, easy to kill, and indiscriminate." The memorial to Sha Wulian must have piled up into a mountain, you just wait for the imperial court to deal with it!"

"Hong Zhongcheng, don't worry, if the imperial court really wants to hold you accountable, then I will bear it with you!" Young Master Zhang said shockingly, and firmly, there is no room for change.Of course Hong Chengchou was overjoyed when he heard the words, but the Shaanxi-Gansu civil and military officials present were all dumbfounded, they never expected that Young Master Zhang would say such a thing.Sun Chengzong was even more furious, and turned to Young Master Zhang and asked, "Zhang Butang, so you agree and support Hong Chengchou's indiscriminate killing and surrender?"

"Mr. Ge is wrong. The younger generation does not agree with this move, but also very much opposes it." Young Master Zhang shook his head and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Sun Ge, if you think that more than 8 soldiers were killed, I will not be sad, and I will not be sad." Guilty? When the news reached Hanzhong, the junior who was recuperating vomited blood in the lobby and passed out from crying on the spot. On this point, all the officials and servants of Hanzhong Mansion can testify for the junior. Hanzhong consulting."

"Then why did you offer to share the blame equally with Hong Chengchou?" Sun Chengzong asked.Young Master Zhang replied in a deep voice: "First, this matter happened during the period when my junior was handing over the command due to illness. Although I left my post without authorization for a reason, but the court pursued it, and this junior was willing to accept the crime. Second, Hong Zhongcheng He is a subordinate of the younger generation, and he was personally named and appointed by the younger generation to command the whole army and command the battle while the younger generation is convalescing, and gave him all the power to adapt to the situation. Although I do not support or approve of his decision, he is subject to my approval. If he acted on the spur of the moment, this junior must of course be responsible for all his actions."

After all, Young Master Zhang added: "Don't worry, Mr. Ge, although you are Hong Zhongcheng's direct superior, but this time you are in Xi'an, far away from the battlefield. Hong Zhongcheng also did this under the command of the younger generation, so the court Even if the culpability of lax governance leading to the indiscriminate killing and surrender of subordinates is to be borne by the younger generation, it will never be implicated on you, Mr. Ge."

Young Master Zhang's words are like a bitch and set up a memorial archway. He speaks righteously and righteously, and vividly interprets a good boss who shares the joys and sorrows with his subordinates, shares the difficulties, and shares the blessings.Hearing this, Hong Chengchou was so excited that he burst into tears, and the other Shaanxi-Gansu civil and military officials all nodded secretly, and they all had a good impression of Master Zhang, a young boss-what is a good boss, this kind of boss who doesn't push past and doesn't take credit That's the real boss!Sun Chengzong heard the implication of Young Master Zhang, and the old man blushed and quickly argued: "Zhang Butang misunderstood, I am not afraid that the court will pursue the responsibility of the old man, but I just think that Hong Chengchou has done too much this time, and it is too inhumane." gone."

"For merit and demerit, posterity will judge. Guilty or innocent will be judged by the court." Young Master Zhang said lightly, "Okay, let's go to the city. This is not a place to talk. If you have anything to say, we can talk about it after you go to the city."

With the words of Young Master Zhang, Sun Chengzong hurriedly led the officials from Shaanxi and Gansu to welcome Young Master Zhang to Xi'an for the first time.However, the situation in the city is exactly as Young Master Zhang imagined. After the famine and the catastrophe of war, the city of Xi'an is now devastated, the streets are dilapidated, the houses are crumbling, and many blocks are simply blackened after the fire. In addition to the soldiers of the Ming army stationed in the city, there were pitifully few sallow and emaciated ordinary people, and they were also terribly depressed—later Young Master Zhang gradually learned that after the rebel army invaded Xi'an, the population reduction in Xi'an had reached an astonishing [-]% !Seeing such a scene, Young Master Zhang couldn't help but feel sad, knowing that most places in Shaanxi and Gansu are definitely a hundred times more bleak than the scene in Xi'an city.

Young Master Zhang’s governor’s yamen of the five provinces has not yet been built. Sun Chengzong originally wanted to give up the governor’s yamen, which he was lucky enough not to be destroyed by too much war, and let Young Master Zhang live temporarily. However, Young Master Zhang declined Sun Chengzong’s kindness and moved in. There are many prefect yamen in Xi'an, and the court of the prefect is temporarily regarded as the court of the governors of the five provinces.After hastily settling down, Young Master Zhang changed into his official uniform and sat in the courtroom. After accepting the salute from his subordinates, he asked his own soldiers to set up a seat for Sun Chengzong, and finally said: "My lords, no matter what the process is, Gao Yingxiang and Luo Rucai The biggest thieves in Shaanxi and Gansu were finally wiped out, and their accomplices and lackeys were all wiped out. Although there are still as many thieves in Shaanxi and Gansu, their momentum has been greatly reduced, and they dare not be as rampant as they were in the past few years. The thieves disappeared. Daoist Chief, I am returning to Xi'an this time to join hands with you to completely put down the Shaanxi-Gansu rebellion that has endangered the northwest of Ming Dynasty for several years. The entrustment of the Holy Majesty and Nine Thousand Years has failed the hope of the common people."

"I would like to work for the Lord of the Ministry." The Shaanxi-Gansu officials who have not received unified training answered very neatly and loudly-because similar words have almost worn out their ears.Sun Chengzong was even more impolite, and asked straight to the point: "Master Butang, although Gao Yingxiang and Luo Rucai and other thieves have been wiped out, there are still a few large groups of thieves in Shaanxi and Gansu, such as Shen Yiyuan Brothers and Buzhanni, and there are as many small groups of thieves , How to eradicate the rebellion and completely put down the rebellion, I also ask the Lord of the Ministry to explain the strategy."

"Since ancient times, there are no more than two strategies to put down rebellion, one is to suppress, and the other is to appease." Young Master Zhang said indifferently: "Of course, there are also people who use both suppression and appeasement, or both suppression and appeasement—for example, Tong Guanfangla, Or to both comfort and suppression—such as Zhang Shuye's pacification of Song Jiang, but in the final analysis, it is still the word suppression, so the younger generation's strategy of suppressing thieves must also revolve around these two words." After finishing speaking, Young Master Zhang stood up , solemnly said: "Officials at all levels in Shaanxi and Gansu listen to orders!"

"My subordinate is here." All the officials also stood up straight and replied.Young Master Zhang said in a deep voice: "My official's first constitutional decree today, from now on, all the state capitals in Shaanxi and Gansu will offer rewards for the wanted Shen Yiyuan, Shen Yikui, Buwei, Mantianxing, Ge Shaobing, Zuo Mazi , Hai Tianxin, Liu Jiusi and other eight thieves, whoever captures these eight thieves alive or gets the heads of these eight thieves to offer to the government, even if it is the family members and subordinates of these eight thieves, can get a thousand taels of silver. rewards, and forgive all previous crimes, those who are willing to be officials can be appointed on a case-by-case basis!"

"Divorce?!" All the officials from Shaanxi and Gansu Provinces felt awe-inspiring, and quickly agreed in unison.Young Master Zhang said loudly again: "The second constitutional decree is to appease the thieves from the Shanxi and Gansu roads from now on. All the leaders, generals, soldiers and their families who are willing to lay down their weapons will be pardoned for their sins and sent back to their original places to wait for relief. But in the announcement, it is stated to the official that the eight thieves, such as Shen Yiyuan, and those who have surrendered and rebelled once again, will not accept surrender, and they will kill each other if caught!"

"My lord, there are not a few people who have had the experience of being caressed and then rebelled again. I'm afraid it's hard to define." Sun Chengzong kindly reminded.Young Master Zhang smiled slightly, and said to himself that you, a stubborn old man, really know how to get into a dead end, don't I know that it is difficult to define those who surrender and rebel?I deliberately left some loopholes for the thieves who wanted to surrender, and I warned the thieves who were about to surrender, can't you see that?Contemptuous in his heart, Young Master Zhang replied: "Mr. Ge, how to define and distinguish the rebellious thieves who have surrendered and then rebelled can be discussed slowly. There are many ways. For example, encourage the rebellious thieves to report to each other. Every time it is verified that a soldier who has surrendered and repeatedly surrendered will be rewarded with ten catties of food, this is one way."

"Isn't this letting the thieves and soldiers kill each other?" Sun Chengzong muttered in his heart and retreated.Young Master Zhang said loudly again: "My third constitutional decree, the first batch of 50 shi of relief food purchased by the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau that I entrusted will arrive in Xi'an within half a month. , Distributing relief at half a catty of grain per person per day, encouraging the victims to return to their homes, resume farming, and plant high-yielding drought-tolerant crops such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn in the coming year."

After all, Young Master Zhang pointed to all the officials present with bright eyes and warned: "My colleagues, the disaster relief food is coming soon, and your chance to make a fortune is also coming. My official ugly words are up front. It is okay to make a fortune, but it is okay to give it to you." At least half of your food must be sent to the refugees by this official! If you exceed this limit, don’t blame this official Shangfang’s sword for cutting first and then playing, the butcher knife is ruthless!"

"What?" All the officials in the audience were in an uproar, and they never thought that Young Master Zhang would openly allow them to embezzle the relief food.Sun Chengzong was furious, his white beard blew up Lao Gao, and roared angrily: "Zhang Butang, what do you mean by this? The relief food purchased by the imperial court should be distributed to the victims one by one. Here, you actually asked for half of the distribution to be distributed to the common people? Do you want to publicly condone your subordinates to fill their own pockets?"

"Mr. Sun Ge, you are really getting more and more naive when you are old. You want to distribute a lot of relief food to the victims-I'm afraid this was not a good thing during the time of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors?" The senior officials sneered inwardly.Young Master Zhang replied with a smile and asked back: "Elder Ge misunderstood, this junior didn't mean it that way, this junior only considered the various situations during the distribution of disaster relief food and fodder, so he stipulated this restriction - Elder Ge probably didn't let the relief go." ?”

"The old man didn't let the relief go, so what's the matter?" Sun Chengzong asked angrily.Young Master Zhang replied with a wry smile: "Mr. Sun Ge must not know that the food for disaster relief needs to be transported to the disaster area, and the food needs to be transported by peasants and horses. Don't the peasants and horses eat grain during the transport? Loss, Mr. Ge, do you know? Also, rats and sparrows will steal food, moisture in food will be lost, food bags will be damaged and leaked, spilled and leaked during transportation, and people who distribute disaster relief food need to pay wages Lumi, there are countless reasons to consume food, and it is already a great thing to be able to distribute half of the food to the victims." After finishing speaking, Master Zhang turned to Shaanxi Province again. Gan Zhong officials smiled and asked: "My lords, do you think what I said is the truth?"

"Master Butang is thoughtful, that's the truth." All the officials from Shaanxi and Gansu replied with smiles on their faces, admitting that what Young Master Zhang said was very reasonable.Sun Chengzong stood there blankly for a while, and finally retreated helplessly, muttering in a low voice: "Even if there is such a loss, it can't be half as much, right?"

"Master Wang, the acting magistrate of Xi'an Prefecture." After fooling Sun Chengzong, Young Master Zhang suddenly pointed to an official and smiled and asked: "I heard that you spent the night in your third concubine's room last night, did you?" ?”

"Yes..., what's the purpose of asking the humble officer?" the official replied blankly.Young Master Zhang smiled and continued to ask: "If I remember correctly, when your third wife was with you last night, she was wearing a pair of goose yellow embroidered shoes and a red bellyband for playing with mandarin ducks. Don't know, right?"

"Hahahahaha..." All the officials present laughed, but the official was puzzled, puzzled and surprised, and coyly replied: "Zhang Butang, why did you make a joke in the lobby? But , why is the Lord Ministry so clear about the humble position?"

Young Master Zhang didn't answer. After smiling, he pointed to another official and asked with a smile: "Li Futai of Qingyang Mansion, the night you left Qingyang Mansion City to meet me in Xi'an, there seemed to be twelve people for dinner. Is it a dish? I heard that the stewed pigeon with the secret recipe is the signature dish of Dexing Building in Qingyang City. The unique secret recipe is passed down from son to daughter. During the Qingyang Mansion, can you also use this dish to entertain me?"

"Yes..., of course." The official replied in a daze.The other Shaanxi-Gansu officials could no longer laugh, and all of them were sweating profusely.Young Master Zhang smiled, and slowly took out a piece of bone mahjong from his arms, and smiled at Zhang Yanxi, the magistrate of Fengxiang Prefecture, and said with a smile: "Zhang Futai, on the afternoon of the third day of March, you and some friends are playing mahjong in your backyard." , I lost a piece of nine tubes, and the person who found it will give it to me, and now I will return it to the original owner and return it to you, you can take it away."

"Thank you... Zhang Butang." The sweat on Zhang Yanxi's forehead flowed down his cheeks, and he took the mahjong back from Young Master Zhang tremblingly.Except for Sun Chengzong, the Shaanxi-Gansu officials present were all blue-faced and pale-mouthed, and they dared not make a sound. At the same time, they all thought of a major problem-the Zhang Haogu and Zhang Butang in front of him seemed to be in charge of the East Factory at the same time. And the father of Fusi in Nanbei Town!Young Master Zhang asked again with a smile: "Then Mr. Wang, Li Futai and Zhang Futai, after the disaster relief food is delivered to you in the future, can you guarantee that half of it will be distributed to the victims?"

"The officials and others will keep in mind the teachings of the Ministry and promise to distribute the food to the victims in full." Zhang Yanxi and other three officials replied sweating profusely.Young Master Zhang nodded in satisfaction, and asked the officials, "My lords, what about you?"

"The officials and others respectfully abide by the constitutional decree of the minister, and guarantee that at least half of the food will be distributed to the victims!"

(End of this chapter)