Daning.
Cui Yuan and Zhu Feng's troops advanced slowly, and the detour back to Daning seriously delayed the march north.
However, before the soldiers and horses arrived in Daning, they learned that the soldiers and horses of Duoyan's three guards had retreated northward in panic.
Zhu Feng was also very depressed after hearing the news, but he was also a little lucky that Zhang Zhou did not appear in Daning.
"Brother Cui, I personally led the troops to the old city of Daning in the morning. It was deserted. The troops of the Duoyan Three Guards had indeed been stationed there, and there were also things left behind by their panicked retreat. We didn’t catch any Tatars, but it’s a good thing that Brother Zhang is not here. It seems that we are too worried.”
When Zhu Feng said this, his eyes were a little disappointed.
Cui Yuan asked, "Marquis Anbian, do you hope Duke Cai is here?"
This also made Cui Yuan confused. The purpose of our coming is to prevent the Tatars from arresting Zhang Zhou. Let's go, now I'm sure Zhang Zhou is not here, isn't it a good thing?
Zhu Feng sat down and said with a bit of annoyance, "If Brother Zhang is here, he can give us some advice, maybe military success will be achieved. At present, our march is slow, and we even took a trip to the old site of Daning. If we go north like this, it will definitely delay the deadline of our march. "
Cui Yuandian. head.
He seemed to understand Zhu Feng’s difficulties.
Cui Yuandao "It seems that we are indeed worried about how to communicate with the court after we return. We have already alerted the enemy, and the Tatars cannot be defenseless. Although they are sending troops from different directions in this war, But I can only hope that Uncle Xinjian will have a big harvest on the grassland."
Zhu Feng was as nervous as a child and said, "Don't we have a chance to make contributions? It's always a shame to watch others make contributions."
Seeing the bitter look on Zhu Feng's face, Cui Yuan walked over and patted him on the shoulder and said, "Brother Zhu, don't be discouraged. There will always be opportunities in the future. Let's rest today. We will continue to go north tomorrow. Even if we can't kill the enemy, As long as we fight against the enemy, we must bring out the power of the Ming Dynasty."
"Yes."
Zhu Feng nodded.
He doesn't have many ideas, and now he seems to have no choice but to hope that Cui Yuan can lead him to do something big.
Imperial Palace, Xinuang Pavilion.
Zhu Youtang was checking the battle reports coming from everywhere, and Yang Peng, the imperial eunuch and the admiral of the Beijing camp, helped him analyze them.
"Your Majesty, I have just received the report from Xinjian Bo from the grassland. He has penetrated hundreds of miles into the grassland four days ago, but so far he has not found the main force of the Tatars. The Tatars are like It's like they disappeared from the grassland. So far, their main tribe has not been found."
Zhu Youtang frowned when he heard this and said, "What do you mean, all the Tatars are hiding?"
Yang Peng said, "It seems so at present."
Zhu Youtang got very angry when he heard that. He didn't dare to send troops before, but now he can't find the enemy after sending troops. It seems that the Tatars can't even find their own troops. You don’t have to go to the town to get the land.Defend and let Ming's soldiers and horses gallop on the grassland.
The time, place, and people were favorable, and the Tatars seemed to have taken over them all, but they refused to fight.
Zhu Youtang said sternly, "This war was all caused by the Tatars provoking Ningxia border affairs. Now they are said to have disappeared without a trace. Will there be any report in Ningxia?"
Yang Peng didn't dare to answer anything and could only look sideways at Chen Kuan, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony.
Chen Kuan looked very cautious and said in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty, please pay attention to your posture. The Tatars do not dare to fight us head-on. This is also a good thing."
"What? It's a good thing." Zhu Youtang was very dissatisfied after hearing this. "We sent tens of thousands of troops. All the soldiers and horses have penetrated deep into the grassland, but we didn't even see the shadow of a Tatar. However, the British prince found a Tatar outside the pass and came back. Achieve some success. Is this the final result?"
Chen Kuandao said, "If the Tatars just want to hide, the grassland is so big, it will be difficult for us to find his traces."
This made Zhu Youtang very annoyed.
"Cough cough cough"
In panic, Zhu Youtang coughed violently.
"Your Majesty, do you want to find an imperial doctor to consult you?" Chen Kuan asked for instructions.
Zhu Youtang raised his hand and refused and said, "I'm fine. I'll find someone to check on me later. Let those imperial doctors forget it."
Yang Peng said, "Your Majesty, Xin Xin Bo Yu is on the grassland. , I am also trying my best to find the Tatars. If everything goes well, there may be a victory in a few days."
"It is better not to mention this kind of uncertainty in front of me." Youtang said sternly, "What I want is that no one along the way said that they encountered the main Tatar troops. Can the Tatars disappear from the grassland out of thin air?"
Chen Kuan tried to analyze: "Your Majesty , do you think this is the case? The Tatars knew clearly that our Ming army was strong and deliberately avoided our attack. They were familiar with the terrain, so naturally they could migrate to the west or north, and then go south after the spring of the next year. For Monan and Mobei, have they already migrated to Mobei?"
Zhu Youtang said, "Are you talking to me? At what time do you think the Tatars Even their pastures, cattle and sheep were taken away, and they all moved northward, and the climate became colder and colder. Do they want to seek death?"
Yang Peng heard the meaning of the emperor's words, He hurriedly climbed up the pole and said, "Your Majesty, I also believe that the Tatars must be hiding somewhere, or avoiding the battle, or they may be waiting for an opportunity. The most important thing now is to find out where they are hiding." ."
"Cough cough cough"
Zhu Youtang just continued to cough.
Yang Peng continued, "It seems that only Cai Guogong can do this kind of thing." As if grasping a life-saving straw, he said urgently, "Send someone to ask quickly. Let Bingkuan come and give advice. I want the results of the battle as long as I can give the Tatars a severe blow, even if the war period is extended for a few more days, it doesn't matter." But it’s just cough cough cough”
"Your Majesty, take care of the dragon body." Chen Kuan looked distressed.
Zhu Youtang said, "Bring me a bowl of hot tea. Hot milk tea is also fine. I won't go to court for the next two days. If you have anything to do, tell me. I still need to rest."
p>
"Yes."
Chen Kuan hurried over to help Zhu Youtang stand up.
When Zhu Youtang was about to walk to the inner hall, he did not forget to remind him, "Hurry up and tell Bingkuan to find the Tatars. This battle cannot be delayed."
< p>Three Tun Camp.At night, Zhang Zhou continued to process the official documents on hand in the other courtyard.
As the Minister of the Ministry of War, it’s not that he doesn’t care about things, but the emperor allows him not to be in the Yamen. There are many things, especially when there is war in the border areas. As the Minister of the Ministry of War, he will be very busy and has to spare a lot of money. It’s time to finish the official business of the court first.
He didn't care about the red tape, he just wanted to summarize the food and grass that should be allocated, the soldiers and horses that should be allocated, and the needs of various places.
In many cases, money and food transfers do not need to be transferred from the Ministry of Accounts. Money and food can be transferred directly from the inner government. The emperor is also very wealthy now, also benefiting from the more than one million taels of silver he earned from his previous voyages. .
"After winter this year, the price of food in the north has increased a lot."
Zhang Zhou's tone was filled with emotion.
Only Wang Mingshan could talk to him, but Wang Mingshan didn't seem to care.
When Wang Mingshan was doing some writing and writing on the side, her thoughts were simple. Basically, if Zhang Zhou needed her to do anything, just say hello to her. With Wang Mingshan's obedience to Zhang Zhou, Not to mention opposition, there was no resistance at all in my heart, and I was even very happy.
This seems to be a matter of course.
"Mingshan, your father has followed Wang Shouren into the hinterland of the grassland and has not yet encountered the main force of the Tatars. In my estimation, the Tatars intend to wait for us to withdraw our troops this time. We will harass you again, but they will never accept a direct battle."
"Hmm."
"If you are asked to lead the troops, where do you want to lead them?"< /p>
Wang Mingshan looked up at Zhang Zhou, then shook her head naturally.
Zhang Zhou said, "It's a pity that as a daughter, you are not yet qualified to lead troops to kill the enemy on the battlefield. If one day I let you be by my side, let you be a pioneer. You are the mother of my child." , I can just take the risk alone."
Wang Mingshan hurriedly said, "I can fight."
It seems that for Wang Mingshan, the mission of the family is to obtain the title through martial arts. Even though she was a girl, she had no intention of avoiding him.
"Bang bang bang" there was a knock on the door.
Then Sun Shangqi's voice came, "Master, the imperial court has sent someone to deliver a message."
"Yes. Come in."
Zhang Zhourang Wang Mingshan stood up and stood aside while she continued to process the official documents in her hands.
Sun ShangqiHe walked in, stood behind the screen, and said respectfully, "My lord, the imperial court sent a special envoy to convey some of the war situation in various places. Your Majesty also wants to ask where the Tatars are hiding, and I want you to tell them." "Forget it."
"People's hearts are unpredictable."
Sun Shangqi said, "The messenger is still waiting for your reply."
The meaning is obvious. .
Now the emperor leaves all matters such as fighting to Zhang Zhou, and even believes that Zhang Zhou can calculate the specific location of the Tatars, and Zhang Zhou needs to do the calculation.
Although the relationship between monarch and ministers seems to be harmonious, it will also bring many bad consequences. At this time, it is actually difficult for Zhang Zhou to distinguish whether he is working for the Ming court or for the emperor alone. Be a consultant.
As a minister, but in fact more than that, he only serves as the emperor's staff.
From a historical perspective, aren't these the powerful ministers and the sycophants?
"Let me think about it again, you do your thing first." Zhang Zhou said.
"Yes." Sun Shangqi accepted the order and exited.
When only Zhang Zhou and Wang Mingshan were left in the room, Zhang Zhou sighed slightly, "It seems that His Majesty's expectations for me are too high."
Wang Mingshan had a look in her eyes. Somewhat puzzling, she didn't understand why Zhang Zhou said this.
Zhang Zhou asked her to sit next to him again. It seemed that only when Zhang Zhou looked into Wang Mingshan's innocent eyes, he could feel less utilitarian in his heart.
"Maybe I can only try my luck now, but luck may not always be on my side. If I can only rely on continuous victories on the battlefield to consolidate my position, then it seems that the only way to do it is to fight decisively. The date must be advanced in advance.”
Early in the morning.
The ministers all performed their duties and went to their respective yamen early in the morning because they knew that the emperor would continue to leave the court.
As for whether the emperor was pretending to be ill, it seemed to be unimportant to them.
Early that morning, the imperial doctor Liu Wentai went over to diagnose Zhu Youtang. When he came out, Zhu Youtang was still sleeping peacefully, while Chen Kuan hurriedly stepped forward to inquire about the situation.
Liu Wentai shook his head and said, "Looking at the symptoms, it's just wind-cold, or a bit severe."
"Is the wind-cold okay? It's okay." Chen Kuan finally said Relax.
Liu Wentai said, "The three imperial doctors have already treated your Majesty and consulted the classics. The predictions are not wrong. What we can do now is to let your Majesty gradually improve his condition. It is still not appropriate to be tired. Sometimes I'm worried, Eunuch Chen, I would like to ask if your Majesty has been worried about anything recently."
When you are an imperial doctor, you naturally have to be "everything" prepared.
If the emperor's condition really worsens, it is said to be caused by the emperor's worries.
Chen Kuan sighed, "His Majesty is worried about the military situation, and Cai Guogong is not in the capital now. If Cai Guogong is here, Your Majesty may be able to feel more at ease."
Liu Wentai asked "Then why not summon Cai Guogong back to Beijing quickly?"
"This"
Chen Kuan suddenly glanced at Liu Wentai, and his eyes were not friendly.
Probably asking, don't be shameless.
What arrangements does the emperor have? He has to listen to the arrangements of an imperial doctor like you
Liu Wentai also seemed to realize that he had made a mistake. He lowered his head and said, "I will continue to follow the king after I return." The hospital envoys discuss the treatment plan, but they are afraid of His Majesty's side."
Chen Kuan understood what Liu Wentai meant.
In the past two years, the main figures in the palace have fallen ill, and the emperor has chosen to adopt Zhang Zhou's opinions more often. Even if Zhang Zhou is not around, he will still look for the medical girl Ning Tong. The presence of Taiyuan Hospital in the past two years has been Very low.
"Hurry up and discuss it. If it's just a cold, isn't it possible that your hospital can't treat it? You need to use mild medicine. Remember, His Majesty's dragon body cannot withstand the torment." Chen Kuan said.
"Yes, yes."
Chen Kuan saw Liu Wentai and immediately went to Kunning Palace to report the emperor's condition to Queen Zhang.
When Empress Zhang learned that her husband’s illness was just a cold and it seemed to be nothing serious, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, “It’s okay, otherwise I would have to let Bingkuan come back.”
Chen Kuan felt very awkward.
Even Empress Zhang, who used to have a strong opinion against Zhang Zhou, now regards Zhang Zhou as one of her own, which seems very strange.
Could it be that the emperor’s acceptance of the concubine had nothing to do with Zhang Zhou’s behind-the-scenes operation?
Chen Kuandao said, “Your Majesty’s spirit has been good these past two days, but the food is just bland. After eating a little, the food intake was slightly reduced. Your Majesty will also take some nourishing medicine every day."
Queen Zhang said, "I have heard people criticize you, saying that your Majesty's cold is caused by too much moisture. It is said that the heating method used in Xinuang Pavilion is unusual. His Majesty is already weak and cannot withstand the fumigation of water vapor."
Chen Kuan was stunned.
He seemed a little relieved. Sure enough, the queen was secretly competing with Zhang Zhou.
Why else can the emperor's illness be attributed to the heating invented by Zhang Zhou?
Chen Kuandao said, "I don't understand."
Queen Zhang sighed, " But I have arranged it here, and it seems to be fine. Maybe one person has his own constitution. If anyone is gossiping, let him check it out. Your Majesty is sick and cannot listen to this. Please pay more attention to it. I don't know anything about court affairs, so I have to rely on you." Please remember to bookmark this chapter. The latest and fastest website without anti-theft is free to read