Zhang Zhou arrived in the capital on August 20th, which was already after August 15th, and more than three months had passed since he set off for the expedition.
Originally, he had the idea of staying in the northwest for a year and a half. Being able to complete the mission and come back in three months was considered a complete achievement for Zhang Zhou. Before he came back, he had thought about returning to the capital. Just live a normal life in peace.
Leading troops to help the three guards of Duoyan
does not exist.
Zhang Zhou returned to Beijing in a low-key manner. On that day, except for Xiao Jing who got the news in advance and went to Xizhimen to greet him, even the cabinet and the Sixth Ministry did not know about his return.
After Zhang Zhou entered the city, he went straight to the palace.
In the Palace of Qianqing, Zhu Youtang had prepared tables and chairs for Zhang Zhou early, and even had a huge sand table moved there, just so that he and Zhang Zhou could deduce the war in the north. .
Before Zhang Zhou came, Zhu Youtang was already scratching his head, which made Dai Yi and other eunuchs feel that the emperor was a bit like his son Zhu Houzhao. Zhu Houzhao usually liked to do this kind of thing.
"Your Majesty."
A person came in from outside, it was Chen Kuan.
Zhu Youtang asked eagerly, "Are you here?"
Chen Kuandao said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Yong is here."
"Oh, let him in." ”
In addition to summoning Zhang Zhou back to the court, Zhu Youtang also summoned Zhang Yong this time. It’s not that Zhu Youtang thinks that Zhang Yong’s stay in the northwest is useless, but he wants to arrange for Zhang Yong. Go to Liaodong to replace the garrison eunuch Ren Liang, and replace Liaodong from the governor to the garrison eunuch and then to the generals below.
Immediately Zhang Yong came in and kowtowed to Zhu Youtang.
Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "It's rare that you worked hard in the northwest. It was Bingkuan who discovered and valued you. You must repay your kindness."
Zhang Yong heard this. I was thinking about who should I repay for the emperor's kindness or Zhang Zhou
"Servants must do their best to serve the Ming Dynasty until they die." Zhang Yong himself is not an educated person. Show loyalty to the emperor.
/p>
"Yes."
Zhang Yong knew in advance that he might be transferred to Liaodong, and he was still very excited.
Compared with the Ming Dynasty’s layout in the northwest that lasted for hundreds of years, and the officials and generals were monolithic, the uncertainty in Liaodong’s organization and territory mainly existed in the Ming Dynasty’s freedom to move some vassal states, which would make Liaodong is more like a kind of unconcerned territory and is very rich in oil and water.
This was Wei Bin's territory before, and Chen Kuan and other eunuchs and eunuchs also benefited a lot from it.
This time it was him, but Zhang Yong felt that he no longer had to listen to the Director of Ceremonies, but only listened to Zhang Zhou alone.
Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "Bingkuan will come soon. Let him guide you on specific matters in the past two days.As for who should be the capital censor to patrol various parts of Liaodong, I will make a decision after discussing with Bingkuan. ”
Originally Dai Yi and Chen Kuan felt that although the eunuch guarding Liaodong was replaced by Zhang Yong, they could still make some efforts on the issue of generals and install more of their own people.
Now they know that the emperor's refusal to make a decision does not mean that he is not prepared to take the decision-making power in his hands, but that he has to wait to discuss it with Zhang Zhou first. This also means that whether it is the ministers in the court or their department, Members of the Rite Supervisor had lost control of the Liaodong general system.
Zhang Zhou immediately followed Xiao Jing to the Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Youtang was extremely happy to see Zhang Zhou in person. He went to the door to greet him, grabbed Zhang Zhou's arm and pulled him inside, "Bingkuan, you're back. I haven't been able to sleep well in the past two days. I can't sleep all night thinking about you coming back." Take a look at what I have prepared for you. ”
When Zhu Youtang went to the Qianqing Palace, what he saw in advance was not the sand table and the map.
It was the antiques that Zhu Youtang asked people to select from the inner treasury. Treasure.
"Your Majesty, what are you doing?" Zhang Zhou looked very embarrassed.
Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "Bingkuan, we are all our own people, and we don't talk too much." . You also know that the imperial court is currently short of money, and there are not many rewards in the treasury. A lot of the expenses in the northwest need to be raised by you personally. Your trip to promote the greatness can be said to be a great achievement, and I cannot directly reward you. If I give you money, I will give you some flashy things. Just don't dislike it. "
Zhang Zhou smiled and shook his head when he heard this and said, "Your Majesty, you don't have to be like this. I have no interest in this." "
Dai Yipai smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang, this is all His Majesty's wish. In order to select these, I spent a long time selecting from some rosters." ”
In fact, Zhang Zhou could tell without Dai Yi’s explanation that the gifts Zhu Youtang gave him were really rich. Antiques, calligraphy and paintings were hidden in the palace and could not be cashed in. When he met those knowledgeable kings Perhaps he would keep it as a treasure for his own enjoyment.
But Zhu Youtang had not been exposed to this kind of cultural influence since he was a child. Before he became emperor, he spent most of his time in fear and did not care about anything other than his own life.
When he became an emperor, he was taught to restrain himself and restore etiquette. He faced such a group of old-fashioned ministers all day long, and he was so weak that he rarely needed antiques, calligraphy and paintings.
Zhu The treasures collected by the emperors before Youtang became "gaudy" things here, but it didn't feel bad to give them to Zhang Zhou, which was a bit like "selling his father's land"
"Your Majesty, you don't have to worry about me, I have brought you something. "Zhang Zhou said.
"Oh!" Zhu Youtang's eyes lit up.
Here, without waiting for the emperor's reward, the ministers still want to give gifts to the emperor. Even the few next to him were not interested in Zhang Zhou. Some of the frightened eunuchs felt ashamed after hearing this.
This state of mind alone is incomparable.
Zhang Zhou said, "In the past few months, I have only been involved in military affairs. , and then to explore for mineral veins and let people mine them.Most of the remaining government affairs were left to the local governors, and military affairs basically did not interfere with the General Military Mansion. What I was thinking about was how to suppress the wolves on the grassland by force. "
Zhu Youtang smiled and asked, "Is it a new firearm?"
"Yes. "Zhang Zhou nodded, "The most important thing is the flint gun, which has already shown its power in the Battle of Weining Sea. In fact, it can be ignited and fired at any time without using a match rope, and the effect is very good. In addition, the fire gun has been further improved, the range has been further increased, and the launch speed has also been greatly improved. "
"Where?" After Zhu Youtang heard what Zhang Zhou said so well, he naturally wanted to see it for himself.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, how can such a dangerous person be placed in the palace? After all, if you bring a firearm with you, there is still a risk of it exploding when you use it. Your Majesty must not take any risks. When I have free time, I will go to the martial arts arena to demonstrate for His Majesty. ”
“Yeah. "Zhu Youtang smiled and nodded, very satisfied with this.
I just felt that yellow gunpowder and new artillery had qualitatively improved the strength of the Ming Dynasty's frontier army.
Still still Worried that Di Yi had learned the new technology of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Zhou kept pace with the times and continued to improve firearms. He also managed the army and improved firearms. This showed Zhang Zhou's great sense of responsibility. < /p>
Not to mention the emperor Zhu Youtang who admired Zhang Zhou so much, even Dai Yi and Wei Bin were wondering in their hearts whether they were really incomparable, so they should not think about how to compete. Thinking about how to please this person, it would be good to live in harmony with him in the future.
Zhang Zhou said, "In addition to new weapons, I also brought back some money, about 20,000 taels. "
"Wealth and silk" Zhu Youtang smiled bitterly.
The emperor was about to reward the minister, but the minister brought money to the emperor. Although twenty thousand taels does not sound like much, it is actually Compared with those ministers who only ask for money from the court, Zhang Zhou's creativity is actually very good.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "This is only the first batch, that is, Datong Coal Mine and Xuanfu Iron." The mining tax paid by the mine. ”
Dai Yi, who was standing next to the “Mining Tax”, stared.
Zhang Zhou had previously said before starting the mine that he would pay part of the proceeds from the mining to the court. In fact, he was paying It was given to the emperor himself and transferred to the inner government.
This was also the regulation of the Wanli mining tax.
At that time, no one would think that Zhang Zhou's collection of mining tax could be done in the future. It took effect in a short period of time, and Zhang Zhou proved with actual actions that if he wanted to open up money for the inner government, it was not just words, but it could bring direct benefits.
"It is only equivalent to one. The monthly mining tax, which is only the income before the current mining operation, is equivalent to 250,000 taels a year. Zhang Zhou said, "If progress goes well, by this time next year, the monthly mining tax should be more than 50,000 to 60,000 taels, or even close to 100,000 taels." "
Zhu Youtang's eyes were shining, probably with the light of gold and silver.
Dai Yi on the side asked in surprise, "Is it true?"
Zhu Youtang said, "Yes, Bingkuan, you don't have to work so hard. These mining taxes should be used more in the northwest."
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, I told you that I want to open a mine. The purpose is to use coal and iron to cast artillery and new firearms for the northwest frontier army. This is what I can do. As for the mining tax collected, it will be used by your majesty. Part of it can be used to relieve the northwest frontier. "The remaining part can also be used by Your Majesty for daily use, and I will not suffer any losses, because the part produced by the minerals will also fall to Your Majesty." In a few years, I will not think about using it to seek personal gain, but more to save for the pacification of the grassland."
Zhu Youtang sighed, "Bingkuan, you don't have to do this. If I didn’t give it to you, why should I ask you to give it to me?”
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, “I actually don’t have anything. Isn’t this mine also a gift from your Majesty?”
Zhu Youtang said "That's a mine you opened yourself."
"Your Majesty, everything within the four seas is royal territory. It's not that I don't love money, but everything must be subordinated to the military and political affairs of the northwest." Zhang Zhou also planned his blueprint for Zhu Youtang, "My idea is that within four or five years, enough firearms can be raised in the northwest, so that the troops and horses are strong, and then troops can be sent to the grassland."
Zhu Youtang asked, "Bingkuan, do you have any decision regarding Duoyan Sanwei's request for Ming Dynasty to send troops?"
I don't even ask you what your opinion is, but directly ask, what decision do you have.
This is actually saying, don’t worry, I will listen to you anyway.
Zhang Zhoudao said, "What I mean is that the three guards of Duoyan usually do not pay tribute to the court and do not follow the king's teachings. Now in times of crisis, they think of sending troops to help from the Ming Dynasty. This is against the principles of a monarch and ministers, so they ignore it. And announced In the world, if you still want to be protected by the Ming Dynasty, you must abide by the righteousness and not make up for it." "Haha," Zhu Youtang said in relief, "It's just what I wanted."
Dai Yi asked in surprise, "Then don't care."
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "I didn't say I don't care at all. Haven't I already mentioned it to His Majesty that we need to strengthen the security in Liaodong. If the Tatars The little prince Tartar defeated the Duoyan Three Guards, or crippled them and incorporated them. Next, they may march to Liaodong. Now there are the Duoyan Three Guards in the east and west of Liaoning, Korea in the east, and various Jurchen tribes in the north. They may become the defense of the Ming Dynasty in the future. Heavy."
"Liaodong is geographically closer to the capital. The defense of the border towns of the Ming Dynasty cannot be top-heavy. Therefore, I want to ensure the defense of Liaodong in the future, and then talk about it. Make progress."
Zhu Youtang looked very trusting, narrowed his eyes and nodded, "Very good, very good. With Bingkuan here, I feel confident no matter what I say or do. ."
Now even Dai Yi and the others had to submit.
Sure enough, some words came out of Zhang Zhou's mouth, which made them feel at ease even if they were said by the ministers of civil and military affairs in the DPRK.
Otherwise, the border affairs of the Ming Dynasty now depend on Zhang Zhou
It’s not that the emperor trusts Zhang Zhou, but that Zhang Zhou does have the ability. The emperor’s trust also comes from Zhang Zhou’s display of strength. If Zhang Zhou only talks about military tactics but does not talk about actual operations, It's strange that the emperor can admire him so much.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, I also plan to open an iron mine around Yongping Mansion. The quality and output of the iron mines around Xuanfu have not yet reached expectations."
"Okay." Zhu Youtang nodded, "It's up to you."
Zhu Youtang asked Zhang Zhou to sit down. The rest of the people stood and listened to the conversation between the monarch and his ministers. < /p>
He now wants Zhang Zhou to unleash his potential as a magic stick.
"Your Majesty, with the strength of Duoyan's three guards, they will not be able to withstand the attack of the little Tartar prince, but their clan will not be destroyed because of this." Zhang Zhou said.
"Oh"
Zhu Youtang asked, "But that Batu Munch will hold back"
Zhang Zhou said, "This is the case with grassland disputes. Batu Meng wants to be the leader of the grassland. If he doesn't attack Huoshai He, he may not be able to kill them all, let alone the tribes like Duoyan, which are not very powerful."
< p>Zhang Zhou is not making a random analysis, he has a basis for saying so."In the spring of the seventeenth year of Hongzhi, the enemy Dayan Khan sent a letter asking for tribute, and promised it. Unexpectedly, before the end of June, the fire swept into Datong, and commanded Zheng Yuli to die in battle. The enemy advanced eastward, and the Duoyan tribe was captured. In the seventh month of Canqiu, Duoyan led the enemy into Datong, killed Dun's army, invaded Xuanfu and Zhuanglang, and defended it with guards Wei Yong, Bai Yu and others."
This clearly shows the history of Batu Munch's method of dealing with the three guards of Duoyan.
While the fire was sifting through the Kou border, they sent troops eastward and crippled Duoyan. After all, Batu Mengk was the nominal Great Khan of the grassland. After Duoyan completely surrendered, he immediately helped the Dayan tribe. Kou Daming border.
Zhu Youtang eagerly asked, "How many days does the little Tatar prince have?"
This question is obviously a foul.
Zhang Zhou told Zhu Youtang that it is impossible to predict fate accurately, but the emperor probably hates Batu Munch so much now that he wants to kill him as soon as possible. Find out how many years the person lived, and preferably how they died.
Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty, I can't answer this question for you."
"Alas," Zhu Youtang sighed, "I don't know whether I should ask, but actually I was just thinking, The Tatars have been respectful to the Ming Dynasty for more than ten years, why are they like this now?"
Zhang Zhouxin said, now you feel pressured
If it weren't for me, Zhang , in a few years, you will be even more stressed.
At the beginning of your son's succession, it was even worse. Historically, after Batu Meng conquered the Mongolian right wing in the fifth year of Zhengde, the invasion of the Ming Dynasty increased day by day, until it reached its peak in the eleventh year of Zhengde.
"The Northern Tartars in the Tenth Year of Zhengde"The Tartar invaded the bandits from Dabaiyang in Xuanfu to Badaling, killing and plundering wantonly. They would spy on Juyongguan in August Bingyin. The little prince invaded Guyuan and Pingliang and killed and plundered the officials and people."
"In July Yiwei of the eleventh year of Zhengde , the little prince divided his 70,000 cavalry into the security capital and ordered Zhu Shou to send troops to help. However, after a while, the enemy cavalry arrived, and they were outnumbered. Shou died in the battle. Hao fought again and was defeated again, and his generals Zhu Chun and Wang Tang died. Zhang Yong met in Laoyingpo and was beaten away to Juyong. The enemy then invaded the Xuanfu, and captured twenty castles, killing and plundering tens of thousands of people and animals."
"In the twelfth year of Zhengde, the little prince came from Yulin with fifty thousand cavalry to invade the enemy. On the second day of Jiachen, Wang Xun, the commander-in-chief of the siege, Equal to Yingzhou. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of Ding Wei, the emperor was lucky to have Yanghe. The emperor personally deployed and supervised the generals to go to the rescue. They fought to the death and the enemy retreated. We will attack again tomorrow, from Chen to You, fighting more than Baihe. On the fifth day of the battle, on the ninth day of the Xinhai lunar month, the enemy led them westward and pursued them to Pinglu and Shuozhou. It was a strong wind and black fog, and the day was dark. The emperor returned and stationed in Datong, ordering the victory to be announced to the court."
" Later, the enemy invaded the border, but did not dare to make a big move. ”
“In that year, Dayan Khan died. ”
In other words, after Dayan Khan unified the grasslands, he harassed the border areas of the Ming Dynasty for many years, killed and looted countless people, and even often occupied and destroyed the border areas of the Ming Dynasty.
Although Zhu Houzhao himself was a nonsense king who liked to play unreliable personal conquests, the biggest difference between Zhu Houzhao and Yingzong was that he used practical actions to suppress Dayan Khan during the period of victory.
The Ming Dynasty's record of the Yingzhou battle was extremely biased. It was clearly Zhu Houzhao who won, but it was said that the fierce battle between the two sides was due to strong winds and black fog dispersing, and it was said that Zhu Houzhao forcibly announced the victory.
As for whether Batu Munch died in the battle of Yingzhou, there is no need to explore. Dayan Khan died more because he failed to win the battle and died in depression after returning.
At least Dayan died. After the death of the Khan, his sons fought for the throne. In the next 20 to 30 years, they were no longer able to march forward like Dayan Khan and pose a greater threat to the Ming Dynasty. The next large-scale invasion will have to wait until the "Gengxu" in the 29th year of Jiajing. "Changes".
"Your Majesty, as long as the Ming Dynasty is strong, the power of the grassland will be weak. This is a process of one ebb and flow. ”
Zhang Zhou said, “We cannot let Batu Monk conquer the grassland tribes as he wishes. We must not only send troops to harass, but also divide and disintegrate them. Just like a sieve of fire, we once obeyed Batu Monk, and now we still obey him. Not in name have I surrendered to the Ming Dynasty." Please remember to bookmark it. The latest and fastest website is free to read without anti-theft