Late May, approaching midsummer.
The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty sent troops from all three sides.
Tang Yin led 38,000 troops along the way, which was the largest and most complex group of troops. In addition to cavalry, there were also infantry and other arms, and they transported a lot of baggage. , including various artillery and new firearms, plus various tanks invented by Qin Hong when he was on any three sides.
This group of people can be said to be the most elite of the Ming Dynasty's frontier army.
Xu Jing was riding on a horse. This was his third official expedition. This time it was very different from the previous two expeditions. He was very satisfied. It seemed that he had never fought against such a wealthy man. battle.
"Bohu, look at this long line of troops. The people and horses from all walks of life are echoing each other. Each of the artillery cannons. Every soldier can be equipped with flint muskets. Shoot wherever you point. Look at the equipment on me. , if we really meet the Tatars, it will really be like three times five divided by two..."
Xu Jing drove his horse to Tang Yin's horse and boasted to Tang Yin about his own experiences.
But in fact, what Tang Yin saw was more than him.
Tang Yin said: "So what? Isn't it always like this when sending troops to the northwest?"
Xu Jing waved his hand and said: "Wrong, I asked the soldiers in the northwest, and they said that they sent troops to the northwest before. I have never been so well prepared. Your predecessor, Wang Junmen, who is now the General Constitution, did not lead troops to fight a decent war when he was on the three sides, but he was very good at accumulating sides. After he took care of it for a year, it can be said that the three sides have sufficient granaries and are fully prepared for this battle."
This talks about Wang Qiong's saving of money and food. ability.
Although the emperor was somewhat dissatisfied with Wang Qiong's previous performance, it was only because Wang Qiong failed to make a breakthrough in the battle situation, and the responsibility for the battle at Huamachi did not lie with Wang Qiong.
Although Wang Qiong was transferred back to the capital, he was promoted and stayed in his post. Now he is the censor of Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, which can be said to be among the seventh ministers.
The valuable resources left by Wang Qiong became an indispensable foundation for Tang Yin's march.
Tang Yin said: "Even if we are fully prepared for this battle, no one can guarantee victory. Don't say that the Tatars may not fight us. Even if it is a battle, if they concentrate their superior forces, We may not be able to get any bargains on the grassland. In the previous battle on the Ningxia border, the Tatars also started to use firearms to fight against us.”
“Haha, forget it.”
Xu Jing said with a look of disdain, "This reminds me of the Koreans' firearms. It's not just about bringing these people into North Korea, it's just about casually deploying a thousand taels of troops. Didn't you just take over North Korea? Just say the Jurchens... Liaodong's resources are rich enough, and there is still a huge gap between the soldiers, horses, and food and grass equipment compared to the northwest."
When Tang Yin. Hearing this, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Because of the battle in Liaodong, he returned in vain, but he himself could understand what Xu Jing said, and it was indeed as he saw, although the people from all walks of life in LiaodongAlthough they are also equipped with a large number of firearms, compared with the regular, complete and even sufficient firearms on the three sides, the various troops in Liaodong will still appear to have insufficient resources.
This is because Ming Dynasty has always supplied the three sides first in terms of military equipment. After all, this is the focus of Ming Dynasty's border defense.
"Bohu, I have another idea. You said that the equipment of the Ming Dynasty's frontier army is becoming more and more complete. After a year or two, the military equipment of Liaodong will also become stronger, and the firearms will also be like There are so many in the northwest, even if I lead an army, I can still win the battle easily," Xu Jing envied.
Tang Yin said: "Do you think the court will let you lead the army in battle?"
Xu Jing was embarrassed after hearing this.
Others didn’t try to undermine me, but you started to undermine me. Are my friends so disrespectful?
Tang Yin also seemed to feel that what he said was not pleasant to the ears. He said: "If you can indeed achieve military merit in this battle, I will also report to the court to commend you for your meritorious service and let you Starting from a low level, the Ming Dynasty promoted people to become officials, and there were many people who reached high positions."
Xu Jing sighed: "Originally, I hoped that in a few years, the court would allow me to rejoin. Let me pass the imperial examination. Now that I think about it, I have no intention of taking the imperial examination. It is better to promote people and become your right-hand man. With the help of Cai Guogong in the future, there is no need to worry about having no future in the army. What?"
When Tang Yin heard Xu Jing mention Zhang Zhou, he felt a little disappointed.
Because he himself feels that the success in recent years seems to be the result of his own efforts, but Zhang Zhou is also indispensable behind the scenes.
It is precisely because of Junior Brother Zhang Zhou’s status that he is at ease in the officialdom.
……
……
Beijing.
The northwest took the initiative to send troops, and the emperor temporarily established a military intelligence research institute in addition to the Shangting Department, which was attended by the Shangting Department, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and specially designated officials. There was no limit on rank, and all of them were Temporary, established during wartime and disbanded afterward.
It does not mean that only those who are admired by the emperor or Zhang Zhou can enter. Some new scholars can observe the government, especially some new scholars who watch the government and the Ministry of War can enter the Military Intelligence Research Institute. , this is also an experience for them.
To the ministers of the DPRK and China, this is just another "Hanlin Academy".
It’s just that the Hanlin Academy is a place for studying knowledge, while the Military Intelligence Research Institute is a place for military research. In the eyes of many people, future generations who have never been to the Military Intelligence Research Institute will not learn anything from it. If you break through, it will be impossible to enter the Shangting place in the future.
This is a bit like not joining the cabinet without being an official.
The establishment of the Military Intelligence Research Institute in the Ming Dynasty seemed to be in line with the Hanlin Academy.
Although the current name is that the Military Intelligence Research Institute is only a temporary organization, it is not sure whether it will become the military and political yamen of the Ming Dynasty in the future like the Yanwu Hall.Standard configuration, and even a more complete system will be established in the future to cultivate more talents.
As the Minister of War of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Zhou also served as minister of the Shangting Department, consultant of the Military Intelligence Research Institute, and was also a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy.
His errands are too complex, so there is no need to focus on any one. The affairs of the Military Intelligence Research Institute are usually handled by Lu Wansuo, who has resigned as minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, but is still posted as the left minister of the household department. , and he is also responsible for supporting the underachievers.
In a short period of time, Lu Wan had accumulated a high reputation among some new scholars and even some unsuccessful scholars. Many people also regarded him as the actual leader of the future military and political affairs of the Ming Dynasty. Executor.
The reason why he is the executor is because everyone knows that the military and political affairs of the Ming Dynasty still rely on Zhang Zhou to make decisions, and there is an emperor above him to coordinate everything.
No matter how awesome you are, Lu Wan, you can only rank behind Zhang Zhou. Even above you, there are probably two strong opponents, Wang Shouren and Wang Qiong, who may not obey you.
As a result, within Zhang Zhou’s camp, there seemed to be some overt and covert struggles due to a power structure. However, because of Zhang Zhou’s strength, these struggles were only carried out secretly, and even some The struggle is not exposed on the surface.
At this time, Zhang Zhou was still living a comfortable life.
There is no need to go to court every day. In terms of court affairs, it would be good if he can fish for three days and dry nets for two days. He usually does not stay in the capital, but occasionally goes there. Xishan, after coming back, he might also perform art outside the venue. After returning to the capital, he would occasionally go to the Yamen for a walk, spend the rest of the time visiting the palace, and then go out to watch a show and go home to spend time with his wife and children.
He spent more time in the laboratory.
It is not necessarily that he is conducting experiments, because now he is conducting some relatively dangerous experiments, and he has trained a group of "students", and he has taught basic chemistry to this group of people. Based on this group of people, a specialized weapons research institute has been formed.
These people are in charge of different projects, led by one or two people, each responsible for the research, development and promotion of their own projects.
At the same time, they are only responsible for the progress of their own team. If there is no progress, Zhang Zhou may give them some guidance, or cut off the project and piece together a new one.
By the summer of the fifteenth year of Hongzhi, there were already more than twenty such teams around Zhang Zhou. Each team already had a dozen to dozens of people, and it was still expanding. Among them There are also many people who will be picked out to work alone and re-form their own teams.
This is also because the advancement of these projects will generate more branch projects. Just the manufacture of a chemical substance can be divided into hundreds of branches. Of course, many of them will not be used for the time being. Zhang Zhou I also know which one is more important.
Right now, he is studying chemistry mainly to improve weapons and bring some benefits to people's livelihood. No matter how much research he does, it is for the development of chemical industry, and more of it will be used in Xishan and Xishan.Marina City.
He finished everything that day and returned to the theater. At this time, the play on the stage was still very lively, and the theater was full of people.
Zhang Zhou did not stay in the private room of the theater, but went to the newly built viewing platform behind the theater.
In this way, the distance to watch the theater is farther, but you can see more street scenes in the capital. Because of the prosperity of his theater, many supporting projects have been opened around it. There are many restaurants and teahouses, and they are also lit up at night. Tongming, and Zhang Zhou is already studying hydroelectric power and wind power, and he is preparing to bring electricity to the capital of the Ming Dynasty.
"Sir, the Duke of Chengguo has sent someone to deliver a gift. She is downstairs, and she seems to be the wife of Marquis Anbian."
Liu Gui appeared on the third viewing platform The door of the building.
Zhang Zhou said: "Let someone come up."
"Okay."
Not long after Liu Gui went down, he brought Zhu Chen up. She was holding a small wooden box in her hand, while the two maids behind her were just holding lanterns.
You can tell at a glance that the gift in this wooden box is not simple, otherwise Mrs. Zhu Chen would not be so worried, and she would need to hold it in person.
"What brought my siblings here?" Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "Zhijie left Beijing and I haven't heard from him for several days. You are not here to inquire about his affairs, are you? Please sit down. "
As he spoke, Zhang Zhou greeted him, and someone immediately brought a chair.
Because this observation deck is relatively high, and the surrounding area is relatively open, the cool breeze can dilute the summer heat.
Zhu Chen sat down, put the wooden box on the table, and said: "This is a gift from Duke Chengguo to Cai Guogong. It is a house and some supporting facilities. Concubine I don’t know what’s inside, but I think it can be a place of pleasure for you.”
“What a place of pleasure. My favorite thing is pleasure, after all. I'm too busy with things, and if I don't find something to relax, I will be so tired that I can't find anything."
Zhang Zhou said, waving to Liu Gui who was standing beside him.
Liu Gui just walked over and picked up the wooden box. Then Liu Gui stood aside and did not move away.
Zhang Zhou asked: "The brothers and sisters are just here to give gifts?"
Zhu Chen said: "Recently, news came back from the northwest, saying that Duke Cheng Guo and Marquis Anbian separated their troops. The father and son are not of the same mind, and your father-in-law has not given any advice on military affairs in the northwest recently, which makes the family very worried, fearing that... something unexpected will happen."
Zhang Zhouxiao. He smiled and said, "It's Zhijie's grandmother. Is Mrs. Cheng Guo too worried? The northwest war is advancing smoothly now. People from all walks of life in the Ming Dynasty are attacking in order to avenge their invasion at the beginning of the year and let them feel the dynasty etiquette." They are well prepared for sending troops this time. If anyone needs help, how can they show the majesty of the Ming Dynasty soldiers?"
It's not that I don't want to help Zhu Fu. But he shouldn't ask for help.
Otherwise, get results, othersThey will also say that he is a loser. If he can no longer achieve results, they will even say that mud cannot hold up the wall.
Don’t understand this?
Obviously, you, the people in Duke Cheng’s government, have no confidence in Duke Cheng.
You think that if he has no one to help him, he will really die in the northwest.
Zhu Chen said: "This is the truth. I am just telling the family to explain. Normally, people in the family would not be able to see you. I have been here with the Marquis before I know about you." Here."
"You are Zhijie's first wife, why do you still call him Lord Hou?" Zhang Zhou said, "You are also a stranger to me. If you need anything, just come. , but you may not be able to see me every time. Just like today, I am very busy and rarely come back to take a rest." As he was talking, Zhang Lushui and Xiao Jangjin were already carrying the basin. Come up or something.
Following behind were several graceful women.
When Zhu Chen discovered all this, she probably felt that it ruined Zhang Zhou's "good deeds", so she immediately stood up and left.
Zhang Zhou said: "Don't worry, something happened, and I want you to take a message back."
Zhu Chen sat upright again.
After Zhang Lushui and other women came up, they could only stand in a row on the corridor outside the observation deck.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "Your Majesty has made a decision regarding Nanjing's military affairs. The matter of Nanjing's military admiral cannot be pending for a long time. Therefore, Wei Guogong is asked to go back and temporarily take charge of the military affairs. He has been in charge of coastal defense in Zhejiang for two years. It can be regarded as a contribution to the Ming Dynasty."
When Zhu Chen heard this, he immediately frowned.
This shows that Duke Cheng’s government’s efforts to curry favor with Zhang Zhou have failed so far.
Nanjing's military affairs fell from Zhu Fu's hands to Xu's.
It is equivalent to reincarnation.
Zhang Zhou said: "Don't put any pressure on Duke Cheng. After he performs meritorious service, more important tasks may be entrusted to him. He does not have much experience on the battlefield, which is precisely his advantage. There is always something unfinished in the rough, and often without so much worry, it can lead to great things. "Recently, the transcoding has been serious, which makes us more motivated and updates faster. Please use your little hands to exit the reading mode. Thank you