Northwest, Ningxia.
Zhang Mao’s garrison did not move for two days because of the heavy snowfall. The Tatars had long since disappeared. Chasing them out of the pass would be almost like death. Even Wang Qiong came back with his troops. He felt that There is no need for him to go out and die.
In the camp, the charcoal fire was burning brightly. Zhang Mao was dressed in heavy clothes and his armor had been put there for a long time. He was wrapped like a rice dumpling, but he kept rubbing his hands against the brazier.
"It's really cold today," Zhang Mao was still complaining.
Zhong Decai said, "My lord, you have been living in a privileged position for a long time, and you don't know the environment in the north."
Zhang Mao glared at him and said, "What do you mean by that? I am not qualified to be the commander of an army now, but I am the only one who has made meritorious deeds. Isn’t that enough?”
When he said this, Zhang Mao’s tone was hard.
Even Zhong Decai couldn't help but think that the person who was afraid of being questioned by the emperor for slacking off on military operations a few days ago had forgotten who he was.
"Hmph, even Wang Dehua came back defeated. I thought he was very capable. I heard that Wang Bo'an didn't continue to join the army. Hey, they were famous before, but in the end, they are not just like me. He is much better than them, at least those dozens of heads outside of the head-turning barrier are genuine."
Zhang Mao continued to brag, as if this matter was enough for him to brag about for a lifetime, and he would need it in his later years. Live by this thing.
Zhong Decai reminded, "Master, it's a few, not dozens."
"Aren't they all the same?" Zhang Mao said coldly, why is there another person next to him? This is my guest who is causing trouble
Zhong Decai said, "It's different. If others ask you, if you say so, your majesty will definitely send someone to question, where are the remaining heads?" "It's the source of trouble."
Zhang Mao looked very unkind, but he used the tongs to add two more pieces of charcoal to the brazier, and said as if to change the topic, "It's cold, so this charcoal is pretty good, too." There is no smoke, and the burning is very good. If I had replaced the charcoal, I am afraid that many pots would have been burned. After returning to Beijing, I will get more, especially this good charcoal."
Zhong Decai. Asked "Where to get it?"
"Of course Datong." Zhang Mao said, "I asked, Datong is famous for its coal. Zhang Bingkuan mined a lot this time. We marched by and got some. Do they still have opinions when Shitan goes back?"
Zhong Decai couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Now Zhang Mao is already thinking about searching on the way back to the capital.
For a nobleman like Zhang Mao, there are not many opportunities to lead troops in his life. It is rare that he encounters a good opportunity to plunder this time. Of course he has to seize it, and he still "wins the battle." "The victorious general accepted some filial piety on his way back and obtained some benefits from the local area, as soldiers in all dynasties have done.
"There has been no news from the young master," Zhong Decai seemed to have mentioned it intentionally or unintentionally.
"He"
Zhang Mao’s expression became solemn.
It has been nearly ten days since Zhang Rui and Ma Yi went on the expedition, and they have also lost contact with Zhang Mao for ten days. Now he has no idea where the two men have led their troops and what the situation is.
Zhong Decai said, "Logically speaking, we should send troops for reinforcements now. If the young master and the others are caught in a tight siege, and Mr. Ma and the others, please don't say that this matter has nothing to do with you. You are in Ningxia, We are here to fight against the foreign barbarians, but under your eyes, people and horses along the Ming Dynasty will be damaged, and you will be indifferent."
Zhang Mao said angrily, "When will I stand still with Crow's Mouth? It's so big in the north now." Snow, how could you ask me to go explore it without collecting it all night? They can't get out for fifty miles. They are so brave that they dare to send troops for hundreds of miles without my consent. Now I am trying to defend the territory and prevent the Tatars from invading. What do you think? Is it because I don’t want to leave seclusion?"
"But that's it"
"What do you want to say again"
"Your Majesty doesn't know if he will understand you"< /p>
Zhang Mao took a breath.
Suddenly he realized that if the emperor wanted to punish him, he would naturally change his ways. Even if it made sense to him, when it came to the emperor, as long as the emperor felt that there were flaws in what you did. , will make a big fuss. < /p>
"Yes, yes, he is now considered to have lost his family. I heard that his family members have all been sent to Yongping Mansion, so I am afraid of you."
"Humph"
Zhang Mao snorted and did not want to talk to Zhong Decai.
Obviously Zhong Decai was hinting to him that you might end up like Zhu Hui. His family was broken up and his wife was separated. His family was scattered and he didn’t know who to sell it to. Maybe he would work as a coolie for Zhang Bingkuan. .
"Wait a little longer."
Zhang Mao added another piece of charcoal to the brazier. "It really doesn't work. When the snow stops, we can send more people to the grassland." Within a hundred miles, inquire about the whereabouts of that scoundrel. This scoundrel is also ineffective. I told him not to make arbitrary decisions, but he probably led all these young people astray. I don’t know why. "
Zhong Decai said, "The soldiers below are already thinking of returning. You see"
"If the imperial court does not issue an order to let us go, can we retreat and continue to wait? Let the local government bring enough military rations. We don’t have many people, but the local government doesn’t care about eating, drinking, and diarrhea, and then sends people to urge Wang Dehua to send military rations here."
"Didn't you want to negotiate with him before and let him speak to you?"
"Now it's him who begs me for that moment. Now I can give him face and ask him to send some military rations." , if I don’t like it, I’ll read it when I get back.”
Zhong Decai just wanted to give him a thumbs up after hearing this.
You are still awesome.
The military exploits outside the Biantou Pass are not as good as those of Zhu Hui.No matter where you go, you dare to claim to be a hero of the Ming Dynasty.
"Master, we can't take it lightly. If someone really wins, let's compare it with you."
"It's impossible, there won't be Yang Yiqing this time, and there won't be Yang Yiqing this time." Without Cui Yuan, that reckless boy, even Wang Dehua and Wang Bo'an couldn't solve the problem, is there anyone else who can do it? You look up to this group of people, I have finally figured it out. Before I came here, I thought there were heroes everywhere in the northwest, but here I come. Only then did I realize that everyone is a bear, and no one is better than anyone else."
Zhong Decai smiled.
The smile was a little narrow.
Zhang Mao could tell that this old boy was laughing at him, maybe he was saying that your bad evaluation was only for him
"Go away, you are here to mess with me." The heat has made my body almost fall apart in the past two days. Please ask someone to come over and massage my body."
"Who?"
"Can I find it at the nearest county seat or health center? Can I elaborate?"
Zhong Decai shook his head helplessly, cursing secretly in his mind, how long has it been, and you still think about making your body and bones comfortable? The soldiers below are all waiting for you, and not everyone is Just like you, there are so many pebbles added one after another to the brazier.
The capital is located in Fusi, Beizhen.
It was also snowing in the capital that day, and it was very cold in the prison. Governor Liu Yu, who was escorted from Santun Camp to the capital, ushered in the day of his second interrogation. He was being held in shackles. When they arrived at Fusi's courtroom in Beizhen, Liu Yu's energy had long been gone, and his whole body exuded an almost deathly aura.
Guo Ang, the envoy of Fusi Town in Jinyiwei North Town, looked at this person who was once aloof and untouchable with cold eyes.
"Liu Zhongcheng, I'm offended."
Guo Ang was polite and came down personally to remove Liu Yu's shackles.
Liu Yudao: "Your Majesty pardoned you."
"No, today is the day of interrogation. Are you okay in the cell these days? No one is giving you a hard time, right?" Guo Ang asked .
When Liu Yu heard this, he thought there was something going on. He had long heard that civil servants who went to prison would not have a good end. Besides being in prison, he had no one to give him a killing stick, and no one to kill him. People whip themselves, but no one uses torture. They can even eat enough every day, although food and sleep are not good.
"Let's get started."
Guo Ang walked back to the desk and sat down.
Liu Yu asked, "Mr. Guo, I would like to ask, I heard the brothers outside making noise yesterday, saying that Mr. Xie Ge from the cabinet also came in, but this is the case."
" This has nothing to do with you." When Guo Ang heard Liu Yu call himself "sir", he knew that this was a master who liked to please.
Liu Yudao, "If you have anything to ask, I'll tell you the truth, but don't make false accusations. You should also search my property. There really isn't much. If you say I'm corrupt and perverting the law, you should also find evidence." If it weren’t for you, Jin Yiwei, you wouldn’t be willing to beat me into submission.”
Guo Ang frowned upon hearing this.eyebrow.
I thought this guy was sensible just now, but now he seems to be a bit tough
The contrast is huge.
Guo Ang said, "Now I'm not talking about you being corrupt and perverting the law. Now I'm asking you, during the more than a year since you were the governor of Jizhou Town, has anyone secretly written to you, given you instructions on how to do things, or even treated you?" You're telling me what to do."
"What do you mean?" Liu Yu didn't understand for a moment.
Now we are not talking about corruption and perversion of the law, this is about talking about what "nest case" he committed
Whether it is to attack Zhang Zhou or to let him testify against Xie Qian or those traditional civil servants
Guo Ang reminded again, "You'd better say something. If you are found out, or you admit it later, it will be too late."
Liu Yu said, "On official business. When you first mentioned it, I couldn’t remember it for a moment. You asked me to recall it carefully, but it seems that there was indeed a personal letter from the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of Personnel recently.”
This is the temptation.
The Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Personnel are nominally in charge of traditional civil servants.
If Guo Ang says yes, then he will know the direction.
But if we talk about the Ministry of War, it is Zhang Zhou's Yamen. This is a problem of the direction of attack.
Of course it cannot be said to be the cabinet. The cabinet itself will not send him personal letters. Even if the cabinet interferes in local affairs, it will go through intermediaries. There will also be many senior cabinet ministers. The "middlemen" who work for them include, in addition to court guests, officials and party members at all levels who flatter them. Basically, these people are not on the bright side.
It is said that they are not involved in cliques and seek selfish interests, but officials of all dynasties, including those from the township party, family members, and fellow sects, all achieved enlightenment and ascended to heaven.
Guo Ang is very familiar with Liu Yu's tricks. He will not be tricked into talking casually. He said, "It's okay if someone writes to you."
Liu Yu said, "Say When I got up, there were a lot of letters from officials to me, but they were all old fellow villagers, asking for help. Some of them, for the sake of friendship, I had to write a letter to respond, but if it was said that it was for me There really aren’t any people who do things.”
If you don’t tell me, then I’ll just pretend to be confused.
Guo Ang said coldly, "Do you remember what you said now? Have you written it down?"
"Yes, I have written it down." The scribe next to him raised his head and said.
Liu Yu is also wondering, what does this mean to convict me, and he can’t use these ambiguous words to make the case
“You are the governor of Jizhou, are there any local officials? Gentleman gave you a gift." Guo Ang then talked about Liu Yu's financial problems.
Liu Yudao, "Gifts are given, but I know that I have to work for the court and will not make that kind of mistake. If it is a personal gift, especially from relatives and friends, sometimes it is indeed I can't refuse."
"Liu Zhongcheng, you don't think that Jin Yiwei only has such a few tricks to do things, and he doesn't even know how you hide money," Guo Ang said with a sneer.
Liu Yu seemed to be very sure, and said arrogantly, "As a scholar, I still have integrity and will not do anything that is unacceptable. If there is evidence, just kill my head."
Guo Ang said, "Who do you think captured you and who wants to hold you accountable?"
Liu Yu's heart thumped.
It seems that I was captured by Zhang Zhou. If it were anyone else, Zhang Zhou would have let him out, but now I am clearly Zhang Zhou’s disciple. How come Cai Guogong still likes to attack his own people? It’s because I was not considerate in the welcome etiquette
“Now Mr. Cai Guogong is in Yongping Mansion. I heard that the people who sue you have been waiting in line for dozens of miles. Now you have reached your death limit. , You are still here with a strong mouth, don’t you want to leave a whole body?”
Guo Ang is not a vegetarian either.
There are ways to scare people.
Liu Yu was obviously targeted.
He also realized that if he even felt that being taken down by Zhang Zhou would be very dangerous, those who had offended him or been offended by him would also jump out and throw him into the fire pit. If you kick me in the face, it will only add insult to injury.
“You don’t have much property in Yongping Mansion, but your disciples have bought you a lot of property outside, and a lot of the property you have collected is hanging in the governor’s house. There is no less than 20,000 yuan of silver in the name of the yamen, not counting various land deeds, etc. Everywhere you go, you will be like this. As long as you find someone to ask carefully about the places where you have been an official, they will know everything. Chu."
When Guo Ang said this, he seemed to have sentenced Liu Yu.
"Liu Zhongcheng, do you know who can save you now?"
"Cai Guogong" Liu Yu asked.
"You are the only one," Guo Ang sneered. "Based on your experience in officialdom, you should know that although your crime is quite serious, at least you did not go astray, and there is no chance of making a comeback. But Now it depends on whether you can walk out of this door.
Liu Yu said hurriedly, "Please enlighten me." "
Guo Ang said, "You'd better know the truth and say everything you need to say. This will save me trouble and allow you to walk out of this door and continue to be your official. "Please remember to bookmark this chapter when you finish it. The latest and fastest website is free to read without anti-theft