Chapter 234: Promotion to a higher position

On the morning of the first day of April, there was a meeting at Meridian Gate.

Zhu Youtang was sitting there, and his mind did not seem to be on what the minister said. From his point of view, the Ningyuan battle had not yet broken out, but everything had been expected by Zhang Zhou. Although he now feels that the combination of Zhu Feng, Zhang Yanling and Chen Rui is a bit unreliable, at least he is still full of expectations.

Even if you lose, don’t lose too ugly

“There has been a lot of waste in water transportation in the past two years, especially the transportation of money and grain to the northwest. The price of grain has doubled. The number of people fleeing from the land is increasing day by day, and the local government has done nothing about it."

Zhou Jing, the Minister of Household Affairs, is listing the difficulties encountered in farming in the northwest today.

This is a commonplace question.

After the change from grain kaizhong to silver kaizhong, that is, after the color folding method, the merchant villages in the northwest basically no longer exist. Growing grain in the northwest is unprofitable. The focus of border defense has changed from reassuring the people to defending the city. , the Tatars come to plunder every now and then, who can ordinary people stand it?

At first, the people thought that when they were growing grain, they would be protected by the government and the army, so that when the Tatars came, they could retreat to the city fortress, but when they came out of the city, they found All his own seedlings were destroyed, and there was no way to replant them. As time went by, no one wanted to grow food.

The problems in the northwest are not only the result of neglect of government, but also the result of changes in the grassland situation. Natural disasters and man-made disasters have caused the land in the northwest to be abandoned for years. Gradually, everything can only be transported from various parts of the capital, which has brought about The freight and losses in transit will increase exponentially.

Zhu Youtang was not in the mood to hear this.

Now we only talk about the results of the problems, not the solutions. We blame everything on the northwest local government for not stopping the migration of refugees. This pot is a bit dark and a bit big.

It’s just in the court meeting. Halfway through, Zhu Youtang wanted to stop the court meeting at any time.

From outside the Meridian Gate, Xiao Jing came in a hurry with two young eunuchs. When Xiao Jing passed by Zhou Jing, Zhou Jing had to stop his tirade. Something that looked like a battle report was presented to Zhu Youtang.

"Okay"

Zhu Youtang was still drowsy, and the ministers present were not very energetic either.

The emperor roared, and everyone present seemed to be excited. They didn’t know what the emperor was.

But when he saw Zhu Youtang standing up, clenching his fists and waving his arms as if he had been given a shot of chicken blood, as if he had forgotten that he was an emperor discussing court affairs with his ministers, Zhu Youtang looked excited. Se said, "He should be promoted to Anbianhou"

After hearing this, many people's first impression was that something was broken and something had happened.

This kind of "accident" is not due to any threats to the Ming Dynasty's frontier, but because some things are beyond their control.

Liu Jian came out and said, "Your Majesty, there is progress in the battle of Ningyuan."

Zhu Youtang then remembered that there were a bunch of confused ministers in front of him who were watching him dance. , but he also ignored Liu Jian's question and asked, "Where is Bingkuan?"

Sure enough.

VeryMany ministers realized that this matter was a bit big.

Xiao Jing smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhang took a break today and did not go to court."

If he took a break, he would not come to court if he didn't take a break. He is not the History Museum of the Hanlin Academy. Does Xiuzhuan have much to do with him? Is there anything he needs to discuss?

"Send someone to invite him to the palace." Zhu Youtang said.

"Yes." Xiao Jing accepted the order and immediately retreated. However, he did not go to invite him personally, but sent someone to go.

Liu Jianli looked very embarrassed there.

I came out to ask questions, but His Majesty just ignored me

Zhu Youtang seemed to remember to explain to the minister at this time. He said, "Yesterday, too. On the 29th, a fierce battle broke out at the west gate of Ningyuan City in the morning. The good news was sent back at noon yesterday. Bo Anbian, Bo Jianchang, and Bo Pingjiang dispatched bombardments on the Di Yi cavalry formation from a distance at the top of the city. After defeating Di Yi, six groups of soldiers and horses were sent to pursue them. Preliminary calculations show that we have at least six to seven hundred enemy leaders."

In the past, this kind of thing would cause an uproar at the scene.

But this time when the emperor finished speaking, the group of civil servants present were completely silent.

I was shocked before.

Now

I am numb.

Liu Jian took a few quick breaths to calm down as much as possible, as if to suppress the anger in his heart, and asked, "Your Majesty, I don't know what kind of long-range cannon it is, what its range is and how powerful it is. ”

Of course he didn’t feel that the victory of the Ming Dynasty frontier army was so infuriating, but he felt that he seemed to be being teased.

Artillery

It turned out that this was what Zhang Zhou had "no comment on" at that time, and was supported by Zhang Mao, who said it could defeat the enemy

Zhu Youtang pointed it out Referring to Xiao Jing who had just dispatched men to invite Zhang Zhou, Xiao Jing returned to him and said, "You said it." Ningyuan, this cannon has a range of two miles on the ground. If it is set up at the top of the city, the range is even longer, and if the cannon shells bloom after they hit the ground, there will be almost no grass growing within a hundred steps around."

"Ah"

Even if the civil servants present could endure it any longer, they did not want to express emotion, lest they inflate other people's ambitions and destroy their own prestige.

But after hearing Xiao Jing’s words, their jaws almost dropped.

When Xiao Jing saw that the effect was achieved, he continued, "During this battle, An Bianbo deliberately stayed within the city fortress, attracting the Hulu to camp close to him, and used his cavalry to form an array outside the west gate of the city, and then the Hulu Thousands of cavalry arrived in a surprise attack, trying to push back Ningyuan's generals with bows and crossbows. When the Hulu cavalry rushed halfway, twelve alphabet divine cannons fired in unison, firing five consecutive salvos and exploding with sixty explosive bombs. The Hulu cavalry formation was overturned. Immediately, An Bianbo and other generals personally led the troops into the battle and started a battle to chase and kill. Jianchangbo himself killed a Hulu captain in the battle."

Hearing Xiao Respectfully.

The civil servants present could not stand anymore. A group of people wereThere was much discussion in private.

This tone is like a replica of the battle at Piantou Pass

He is also an inconspicuous general who was despised by them. Last time it was Zhu Feng and this time it was Zhang Yanling, but he could actually do it with his own hands Capture the enemy personally on the battlefield

How smooth it is to allow Zhang Yanling to go into battle to kill the enemy

Does it mean that anyone who can ride a horse can go into battle to kill the enemy< /p>

Zhu Youtang was in a good mood at this time. He looked up at the Meridian Gate and said, "I didn't expect that this battle would go so smoothly. The first success should be Bingkuan. Because of his clever calculation, he guessed that Di Yi To further invade the territory, he also suggested that I dispatch troops to make arrangements, and he even made the powerful long-range cannon with his own hands. This battle can be said to be another monument to the border army's display of divine power against Di Yi."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Last time, Xu Qiong came out to congratulate him first, but this time, it was Xie Qian who came out to congratulate him first.

Xie Qian took the lead, and the rest of the ministers all knew each other and came to congratulate Zhu Youtang, which could be regarded as flattering the emperor.

The emperor has said before that heroes are judged by their results. Now even if the results are questionable, for example, the results of the follow-up pursuit battle have not yet been released, there may be false claims of military exploits, but now we care about these trivial details. Does it still make sense? It is estimated that Zhu Feng and others would not dare to risk the world's disapproval and falsely report their military exploits

If this merit was reported by Ren Liang and other local generals, the water injection factor would be very large.

But Zhu Feng and others were sent by the emperor himself, and Ningyuan was not far from the capital. If the report was a great victory, how could the imperial court not send people to investigate

"My dear friends, I have always insisted on employing people with no doubts. I hope you can understand me more in the future."

At the critical moment, the emperor became humble.

This seemed to be an explanation for him to use Zhu Feng and Zhang Yanling, but to the ministers' ears, it was more of a preparation for listening to Zhang Zhou.

Look, I listened to Zhang Zhou twice on the Nine Sides issue, and I won both times.

No matter what kind of killer weapon someone uses, I can win. That's fine. On the contrary, you have nothing to do to pick on him. Does that make sense?

Li Dongyang came out and said, "Your Majesty, I don't know what the further movements of Liaodong will be, but we must use Liaodong as a breakthrough to send troops to the grassland."

Li Dongyang couldn't help but glance at Liu Jian next to him. It seemed that he understood Liu Jian's previous move of nominating Zhang Zhou as the number one pick now.

If the enemy can't stop it, then it's better to "complicitly".

Zhu Youtang did not ask the minister to wait for Zhang Zhou with him.

Even if he wants to express his merits for Zhang Zhou, he will prepare a decent reward in front of the civil officials, Wu Xun, princes and nobles when he comes to the Fengtian Palace to let othersKnowing how right he was to use Zhang Zhou.

When Zhang Zhou entered the palace, all the ministers had already dispersed. Zhang Zhou only needed to go to Qianqing Palace to see Zhu Youtang.

"Bingkuan, Zhijie will live up to your expectations and my expectations."

Zhu Youtang did not wait at his seat, but stood on the In the Palace of Qianqing, after waiting for Zhang Zhou to arrive, he came up and grabbed Zhang Zhou's arm and spoke to Zhang Zhou with excited words.

Zhang Zhou first lowered the fire to Zhu Youtang. He said, "Your Majesty, the big results have not yet come out. Don't forget the overall strategy just because of temporary strategic advancement."

" "Yes, yes."

Zhu Youtang nodded, "Bingkuan, please be considerate. Someone, please show Bingkuan the map."

The map is here. Spread out in front of the assembled table.

Zhang Zhou drew the map himself. Zhang Zhou thought it was superfluous. Could it be that the emperor meant for him to analyze the war situation here

Fortunately, Xiao Jing The arrival of the emperor's head cooled down again. "Your Majesty, Mr. Liu Ge and others, as well as the British Duke and others are here."

"Let them come in."

Zhu Youtang doesn't even use the word "please" anymore. Maybe he thinks it's unnecessary.

Then Zhang Mao, Ma Wensheng, Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, Xie Qian and Zhou Jing appeared in the Qianqing Palace.

When they entered the palace and saw two tables with maps on them in the middle of the palace, and Zhang Zhou and the emperor standing almost side by side, they felt like "Doesn't this kid not understand the rules?" ", but then they figured out that what happened to Zhang Zhou could not be inferred using common sense.

"The Qing family came just in time. Bingkuan is about to analyze the current situation in Liaodong with me. You can come and listen together. No need to salute."

There is Zhang Zhou. Now, the etiquette of monarchs and ministers is exempted.

A few people moved forward.

When they see that map, they will feel dizzy. Those who have never studied geography will feel like a book from heaven when they see this kind of thing at first glance.

Zhang Zhou then pointed out a few areas on it and gave some explanations such as distance comparison. All six ministers present became "understood instantly".

“The terrain of Ningyuan is very special. If you chase us from here for only forty or fifty miles at most, you will encounter mountains and so on, and you must retreat.” Zhang Zhou said, “From this point of view, many results will be achieved. Under Ningyuan City, we want to make further progress unless we lead troops to attack the grassland."

Li Dongyang raised the previous question again, "In your opinion, should we let the Ming Dynasty border troops recover the grassland?"< /p>

Zhang Zhouyi knew he was testing himself, and he smiled and said, "It's not impossible."

Li Dongyang glared at him.

It seems to be saying, you kid, give you a pole and you can climb up, right?

Zhu Youtang asked seriously, "Bingkuan, do you think we are sending troops into the grassland now?" If so, what are the odds of winning?"

"Your Majesty" Liu Jian wants to give the emperor another chancecooling the mind.

Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, the so-called chance of victory should be limited to one moment and one place, and should not be the overall battle situation. At present, it seems that marching into the grasslands will do more harm than good, and our three armies are currently equipped with fewer new artillery pieces. , The new weapon I want to bring out next is still under development and cannot be used yet."

"Yes, that's right."

Zhu You. Zang seemed to be full of expectations about sending troops to the grassland before, but after hearing Zhang Zhou's words, he suddenly felt that not sending troops was the right thing to do.

Several ministers looked at each other.

They all seemed to see that the current emperor seemed to have no independent opinion and was completely led by Zhang Zhou.

But the problem is that they haven't been able to remind the emperor that this is wrong. Even they themselves feel that Zhang Bingkuan is really a bit evil. It doesn't matter if Wang Weining is there in the battle at Piantou Pass. You can win with a famous general. It's not a matter of skill, but Ning Yuan used a group of shrimp soldiers and generals, and he was able to achieve a great victory

Zhu Youtang said, "My intention is to allocate money and food to supervise the construction of more powerful long-range cannons. What do you think?" How?"

Liu Jiandao, "Your Majesty, should these matters be discussed in court?"

Zhang Maoze said with a smile, "Things that benefit the country and the people, should the government or the government There are still people in the inner court who will object."

This left Liu Jian speechless.

No matter how much it costs to build an artillery piece, judging from the effectiveness of the artillery piece in the Ningyuan Battle, it must be built. It depends on how much it is built. This depends on the Ming Dynasty’s abundant financial resources. It also depends on the ability and level of the designer Zhang Zhou. Without technical support last week, it would be impossible to build a cannon.

Zhu Youtang did not intend to discuss this in detail with the ministers. He said that he wanted to create true creation.

As Zhang Mao said, do you ministers have to find reasons to object to this kind of thing?

"I mean, Bingkuan is responsible for making new cannons. The imperial court does not interfere with how he builds it. According to the cost, the imperial court can buy it from him." Zhu Youtang put forward his own opinion.

"Your Majesty"

Now even Zhang Mao felt that the emperor was giving Zhang Zhou both power and money.

The remaining civil servants will naturally oppose it together.

Dai Yize explained from the side, "The craftsmen used are all from the imperial court. How to build it is decided by Mr. Zhang, and the cost will naturally be calculated. Mr. Zhang has no intention of moving the cannon." For other purposes, no craftsman can leave the capital. If the court does not use Mr. Zhang to cast steel, no one in the court can complete it."

Xie Qian said with a smile, "It means that in this world, Except for this Zhang Zhuangyuan, no one else can accomplish it even with his guidance."

Zhu Youtang said, "Xie Qing's family, are you opposed to this?"

"I don't dare."

Xie Qian originally wanted to continue to question a few more words.

But the emperor’s tone was wrong, and he would give up as soon as he got good.

"From the mighty sky gunpowder to the mighty long-range cannon, they were all made by the Zhang Qing family. His role in the two battles of Pianguan and Ningyuan was irreplaceable. I will He has recorded his meritorious service in the Battle of Pianguan. Now if I want to grant him a title, several ministers will have objections."

Zhu Youtang was also unambiguous.

In the first battle at Piantou Pass, you still think that Wang Weining’s tactical use contributed more, and Zhang Zhou only played a supporting role.

In addition, Zhang Zhou was just a civil servant at that time and did not participate much in the big discussion of that battle, so you still don’t trust him.

Now that he is a Jinshi, and he has made two consecutive meritorious achievements, it is not too much to give him a title

"I second the proposal." Zhang Maoxian expressed his opinion.

But no matter how you listen to it, Zhang Mao’s tone sounds sour.

Before he wanted to form an alliance with Zhang Zhou, he felt that there was no conflict of interest between him and Zhang Zhou. There would be no conflict if one was a civil servant and the other was a martial artist, and each got what he needed. But if Zhang Zhou If you also get a knighthood, the result may be different.

But in this situation, Zhang Mao had to side with Zhang Zhou.

At the critical moment, Ma Wensheng chose silence.

Because he has no reason to object.

Liu Jiandao, "Your Majesty, matters of merit should have been discussed in the court. Regardless of Zhang Zhou's credit in this battle, he did not personally lead his troops there, fought hard with the enemy, and did not show up in front of the battle. This is a first for meritorious service."

"The Liu Qing family wants to oppose it." Zhu Youtang looked unhappy.

Why do you target whoever I want to use?

Liu Jian said helplessly, "We still need to discuss it again."

"Haha." Zhu Youtang He sneered and said, "I understand what you mean. Ningyuan's battle results will have to wait for further reports, and people will be sent to check to see if there are any false reports. As for killing good people and taking merit, Zhu Zhijie should not be able to do it. ."

This was also recognized by several civil servants present.

The killing of good people and taking credit for their merits is usually done by local veteran Youzi.

The local generals have been in business for many years and are sure that no one will report them. They have high security and can find a scapegoat to do this kind of thing.

If Zhu Feng has made great achievements, he still goes to kill good people and take credit for his merits unless Zhu Feng is tired of living.

It seems that Zhu Feng is too stupid to do such a thing.

Zhu Youtang said, "The pursuit of Ningyuan in the first battle is of little value. All the results of the battle should be reported before tomorrow morning. At that time, I will discuss the merits and reward them. I will first confer Zhu Zhijie as Marquis Anbian, if you continue to discuss merits for Bingkuan, you will probably have no objections."

Even Liu Jian and Li Dongyang fell silent at this time.

Even if it is just for the current achievement of killing and capturing six to seven hundred Duoyan cavalry, it is enough to confer a marquis title on Zhu Feng, not to mention that there may be more in the future.

As for Zhang Zhou, it’s not about whether there is a precedent for Zhang Zhou’s meritorious reward, but that the emperor insists on setting a precedent.example.

The emperor insisted on awarding someone, but the ministers really couldn't stop him. Please remember to bookmark, the latest and fastest website is free to read without anti-theft