Chapter 742: More haste than speed

"The troops are divided into five groups, I go to the west, you go to the east... Even Ma Yi has to form his own group... The soldiers and horses of each group are not subordinate to each other, and they have to bear their own merits and demerits... It seems that your grandmother is not honest. You deceived me, and you really didn’t greet Mr. Cai Guo well. He didn’t give any face to anyone, and he asked you to come to the northwest, probably just to see his father make a fool of himself.”

Zhu Fu knew about Tang Yin’s plan. , especially after knowing that this was the intention of the imperial court, his heart felt cold.

Originally, having his son by his side was somewhat of a guarantee, but in the end he insisted on asking Ma Yi to follow him into the army... In the end, Ma Yi did not invite him, and even his son was sent to another route. The result is...

He, Mr. Zhu, will probably end up fighting alone.

"Father, what did you say? I didn't understand." Zhu Feng's brain is not that quick, and the old father is criticizing his good friend Zhang Zhou. Of course, he will say it from the bottom of his heart. He was unwilling to accept his father's relevant statement, so much so that his mind couldn't turn around.

Zhu Fu said: "You know nothing! Let me understand, the day lily is cold! Do you know what your biggest problem is? It is that you trust that Cai Guogong too much, and you were sold back." How many people are there?"

Zhu Feng lowered his head and said, "Father, my family didn't agree with my son coming to the northwest. It was Brother Zhang who asked me to help you."

"That's helpful." Zhu Fu said, "Now you lead the troops to Pianguan, how can you help?"

Zhu Feng said: "I think there will be good arrangements for Tang Junmen. If father, you If I think this matter is inappropriate, I can also apply to Tang Junmen to see if I can go with you."

Zhu Fu also became angry at this time and said angrily: "You are just looking at it. I can't do it without you, right? Isn't it just to move forward bravely, fearless of life and death, and fight forward? What else can you do besides this?"

"Uh..."

It seems that the achievements he has made on the battlefield in recent years are basically based on the formula spoken by his old father.

That is, don’t be afraid of death...

But it is easier said than done. When the Tatars charge head-on, and then pursue a long distance, they are determined to go. When it comes to fighting the Tatars, it takes a lot of people to muster a lot of courage.

His father used to feel quite capable, but now... Zhu Feng didn't think his old father had the courage to rush forward at critical moments.

"Father, although the war is about moving forward bravely, there are so many changes on the scene that it can't be summed up in one word?" Zhu Feng said.

Zhu Fu sneered and said: "You don't mean to say that my father is completely inferior to you in the art of war and strategy, right? Have you only studied for a few days? Do you think you are the only one who has entered the Yanwu Hall? My father has been there too! And you think that the military generals of the Ming Dynasty have no place for further training except the Yanwu Hall?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Zhu Feng discovered. My father is now in a state of demonic disorder.

Probably because he dislikes everyone and thinks everyone is trying to harm him.

So much so that even if he said something casually, his old father would be able to catch some speech errors.

"I don't need you to pity me." Zhu Fu said, "As the head of a family of meritorious generals, don't you even have the courage as a father? Isn't it just to lead the troops to attack? Hum! Earlier! I have also concluded that if you march quickly, you can’t delay, or you may end up marching day and night! As long as you get out of this grassland, you don’t know who gets the credit!”

…

...

In the Qianqing Palace.

The plan to send troops to the northwest also appeared completely in front of Zhu Youtang, and the person sitting next to Zhu Youtang was Zhang Zhou.

Even Chen Kuan and Wei Bin could only stand there and wait for orders. This internal meeting of the Qianqing Palace discussed a question: how to "take care of" Zhu Fu after the northwest battle. .

"What I want is momentum."

Zhu Youtang said, "The troops are divided into five groups. Originally I just said it, but I didn't expect that Tang Yin could actually implement it. He This memorial was sent to the capital a few days ago. From what I can see, he made such a plan so early in order to traverse the grassland before the autumn harvest."

Zhang Zhouxin said, you are really confident in Tang Yin.

As for Tang Yin's position, although he was recommended by Zhang Zhou, it was more in line with Zhu Youtang's wishes.

Zhu Youtang himself is very optimistic about Tang Yin.

Although from the court's perspective, many of Tang Yin's past achievements cannot be praised.

For example, if you lead troops to Duobi City to be trapped for several months, or if you lead the North Korean army to send troops, most of the army will be lost... This is a case of accidental damage to a friendly country, but it is very in the interests of the Ming Dynasty. .

The most unspeakable thing is that Tang Yin instigated a rebellion in North Korea and succeeded in the rebellion.

In Confucianism, this is the following crime. Even within a vassal state, it is unacceptable. And as a scholar, you, Tang Yin, actually engaged in a conspiracy and coup. What is your intention?

Even if Zhu Youtang thinks that Tang Yin is more capable, he must be used quietly, so that when choosing the candidate for the trilateral system, Zhu Youtang does not mention it, and even the DPRK and China The most experienced veterans did not expect that there would be such a candidate.

Zhang Zhou said: "This plan is very large. The loss in sending troops alone may be hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. If we add the losses on the battlefield, it is very likely that... it will require six to seven hundred thousand taels. We can't even defeat it."

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Didn't Wang Qiong say that the most urgent thing in the northwest is food?"

"But I'm afraid. , there will be some turmoil in the hearts of the soldiers. After all, many soldiers have been on various fronts in the past two years. Military merit rewards should be implemented as soon as possible, instead of waiting for a year and a half as in the past. Just openedStart counting slowly. "Zhang Zhou expressed his worries.

There is food in the northwest, but there is not much silver stored in it.

The Ming Dynasty produced too little silver, and this time it sent a ship to sea. America has not returned yet, which means that the second batch of silver has not been shipped back, and the first batch has basically been exhausted.

Strange to say, even if there are hundreds more in the Ming Dynasty out of thin air. Ten thousand taels of silver, but after it was used, the price of goods in the Ming Dynasty did not rise. In other words, this batch of silver was absorbed by the people... This also made Zhang Zhou feel the power of the people's savings in the Ming Dynasty.

So much so that Zhang Zhou felt that no matter how much, It would not be a bad idea to bring back tens of millions of taels of silver to dilute the private wealth.

After all, the economy of the Ming Dynasty was too conservative. It was mainly based on agriculture, and handicrafts and commerce were basically not formed, let alone. It is said that there is no market economy, but the end result is that there is no money to spend, and there seems to be no other better use than storage.

Want to buy land?

Also read. Is anyone selling land?

In this era, buying and selling land is a very complicated matter. If you buy a land, you will be accused of usurping the land, and the land itself is linked to taxation, and all levels of the imperial government are involved. Due to the strict household registration system, people in the Ming Dynasty could only hold on to one-third of an acre of land, and it was difficult to start any side business.

Of course, Zhang Zhou also knew this situation. It will continue for hundreds of years.

Zhu Youtang said: "I think these five groups of people are enough to scare the Tatars, but it is still a bit difficult to conquer the grassland at once. Bing Kuan. If possible, I would like to be the sixth man, with you cooperating with me. ”

Zhang Zhou immediately remembered that when Zhu Youtang recruited him back years ago, he had mentioned that he would go on a personal expedition in the spring.

Zhu Youtang was ill at the time, and The wars in the upper northwest and Liaodong were not going well, which gave Zhu Youtang the idea that I should come in person.

But as Zhu Feng, Cui Yuan, Ma Yi, and Zhang Rui came from the northeast respectively. After winning a great victory in the northwest, Zhu Youtang put down his thoughts, and Zhu Youtang seemed to realize that it would take some years to completely pacify the grassland, so he temporarily gave up his plan to conquer personally.

But now...

Zhu Youtang will inevitably feel itchy again when he sees such a huge plan from Tang Yin, which costs money and requires soldiers and horses from all walks of life to enter the grassland together. Unbearable.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, even if there are troops from the Sixth or Seventh Route, shouldn't they be sent from Datong, Xuanfu, Jizhou, or Liaodong? There are still many people suitable to lead troops today. "

Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "Bingkuan, you should know that I want to witness all this in person. But I also know that haste makes waste. ”

Zhang Zhou said: “If at the right time, Your Majesty wants to set foot on the grassland in person,This is also appropriate, after all, the heroic deeds of Emperor Taizong are there. But from what I see, it is possible to achieve some partial victory in this war, but overall, the stalemate will remain. ”

“Yeah. "Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "The Tatars will avoid our attacks now, but now it is summer, and the pastures everywhere have been destroyed by them. They want to avoid them, but in the end they don't even have any pasture. There will be no place for the sheep to graze, and then... it will be difficult for them to survive. ”

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: “I will come to snatch it again when the time comes. "

Zhu Youtang said: "It seems to be a cycle of cause and effect, but from my point of view, they are the ones who suffer the loss. The inability to grab things means that they may not even be able to eat. Haven't the three guards of Duoyan now begun to surrender and accept their deployment? This time we have to rely on the three guards of Duoyan... Even if they watch the fire from the other side during this battle, it is still good. But don't be like when Emperor Taizong went on an expedition, they met with different thoughts and moved towards Qin, Mu and Chu. "

Zhang Zhou said: "Then there is a reason to kill the three guards of Duoyan at once. ”

“Alas! "Zhu Youtang sighed, "Perhaps as you said, we have to eat one bite at a time, and we have to fight this battle one by one. If the weapons are not updated, it will be difficult to maintain the advantage on the battlefield, Bingkuan... I will have to work hard for you. ”

……

……

Zhang Zhou was led out of the palace by Chen Kuan himself.

The two of them did not discuss anything on the way. After leaving the palace gate, Chen Kuan smiled and said: "It seems that the eldest princess Yongkang is determined to invite you over. I'm afraid you will ask for more."

Zhang Zhou said goodbye to Chen Kuan, and then walked towards Yongkang. Yongkang also greeted him with a smile, like a demure woman.

"Zhang Shangshu is really difficult to invite. Several times I sent people to invite him, but he was not invited to the house. Today, I have no choice but to come in person." Yongkang said with a smile, "Zhang Shangshu will reward you." Right?"

Zhang Zhou said: "The prince-in-law has not returned from Liaodong, is it really okay for me to come to the door like this?"

Yongkang said with a smile: "You are a powerful official, how can you be afraid? Others make irresponsible remarks about your character? Or does Zhang Shangshu think that your reputation in the court is better?" Zhang Zhou shrugged and said, "I always feel that it shouldn't be worse."

Yongkang squinted his eyes to one side and said: "You are so boring. Faced with such a noble princess inviting you to come to her house, you have to refuse, and you say it is for reputation. Dare I ask? Is my reputation important? Even I don’t care, so why do you care?”

Zhang Zhou nodded and said, “That makes sense.”

“Then please. ?" Yongkang said.

Zhang Zhou asked curiously: "You are not going to let me ride in Her Majesty the Princess's carriage, are you?"

Yongkang glared at Zhang Zhou and said: "Zhang Shangshu, must you do this? Do you want to introduce me to the little lady? "

Are you the little lady?

Zhang Zhouxin said, why do I not believe it so much?

Communicating with you is pure wasteIt's a waste of time, but you are so considerate that you insist on inviting me to your house. May I ask what you want to do? Aren't you trying to get more opportunities for your prince-in-law to make meritorious deeds? Or maybe you want something from me?

Doing things for others... Zhang Zhou seems to dislike it.

Of course he doesn’t like asking others to do things.

Yongkang said: "For those who don't know, I think Zhang Shangshu is indifferent to others and can't even carry out the most basic conversation. Only I understand that you are a busy noble and want to treat others with a cold attitude." , let me retreat. I have already come here to invite you. Do you think I will just leave?"

"Please."

Zhang Zhou said, "I'll get in the car, you're in front, and my driver will follow. Just do your thing, don't worry about whether I follow. I know exactly where the gate of the eldest princess's house is."

......

......

Zhang Zhou drove his party towards Princess Yongkang's mansion.

In terms of momentum, even though Yongkang was the eldest princess and a member of the royal family, she still lost.

Because Zhang Zhou was a first-class official in the imperial court, and all the retinues he brought were sent by the emperor, but if Yongkang wanted someone to open the way or accompany them, they would have to spend their own money. Those who hire people will pale in comparison.

Waiting until we arrived in front of the princess mansion.

After Zhang Zhou got off the carriage, Yongkang finally got out of the carriage.

From this point, Zhang Zhou knew that Yongkang seldom went out, but even so, she still went to Jizhou... This shows that Yongkang cares about Cui Yuan very much. For her husband, she You can travel hundreds of miles.

"I have not been out for many days, so I am rude in front of others."

"Zhang Shangshu, please."

Zhang Zhou followed Yongkang in Within the gate of the mansion, someone immediately opened the way and led all the way to a flower hall. The table had been set up early, but there was no food and wine on it, only some simple melon seeds and snacks.

"I don't know if I can invite someone here. I just asked the kitchen to make preparations. It is also very hot in the summer. Zhang Shangshu would like to have a cup of tea first?" Yongkang said.

"No need." Zhang Zhou said, "This courtyard is quite nice."

Yongkang smiled and said: "It's not the first time here, why does it look so lively? Do you want it? Would you like me to take you around?"

"I don't want it," Zhang Zhou said. "It's better to talk about things at the wine table. It's the best time to chat with the princess when there's lots of greenery. "Recent transcoding has been serious, which makes us more motivated and updates faster. Please use your little hands to exit the reading mode." Thank you