Zhang Mao entered the palace gate in panic and was walking on the way to Wenhua Palace.
He entered the palace under an imperial edict. He had no idea what the emperor asked him to do. Originally, he planned to claim that he was ill. After all, he would probably be arrested on the spot if he entered the palace. , but based on his nearly lifetime experience, it seems that he can only accept this arrangement for the sake of the fate of his family.
"Sir, please hurry up, we are almost here." The little eunuch leading the way urged.
I don’t blame the little eunuch for urging me.
Logically speaking, after Zhang Mao entered the palace, he should walk at a leisurely pace, but when he entered the palace, it was as if he was taking a walk. He even stopped and walked. When asked, he said it was because his legs and feet were not good enough to walk. The little eunuch was speechless.
"Has anyone else been invited in?" Zhang Mao asked again.
"I don't know. You'll find out when you get there." The little eunuch said.
Zhang Mao couldn't help wiping the sweat on his forehead. It was already late August, the eighth month of the lunar calendar. Even the Mid-Autumn Festival had passed. It wasn't that hot, but he still felt My heart felt like it was being roasted by fire.
Finally arriving at the Wenhua Hall, he expected to see other colleagues, but instead of seeing other colleagues, he saw Wei Bin waiting outside the Wenhua Hall.
Wei Bin came forward and said with a smile: "Your Excellency, you are here, please keep your Majesty waiting."
Zhang Mao thought to himself that he finally met someone who knew the truth. , he hurriedly asked: "Your Majesty summoned me here, but I don't know why?"
"You will know if you ask Your Majesty?" Wei Bin replied with a smile.
Zhang Mao looked very embarrassed.
"Hurry up, your Majesty and your ministers have been waiting for a long time." Wei Bin said.
When Zhang Mao heard this, he felt as if he had received an amnesty. So it turned out that I was not the only one summoned? Then I'll be relieved.
At this time, he seemed to have no pain in his legs and was in better spirits. It was as if the sweat on his forehead had evaporated on its own. He followed Wei Bin to the Wenhua Hall with brisk steps.
……
……
In the Wenhua Hall.
Zhu Youtang sat on the main seat,
and
Li Dongyang and Wang Hao came from the cabinet, and those from the upper chamber were those who had just joined the post. Wang Qiong, plus Xiong Xiu who had been in the Shangting Office before, Lu Wan, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Xiong Chong, the left minister of the Ministry of War, stood in front of a hung map. In addition, there were also the Hanlin Academy The representatives are Yang Tinghe, a Hanlin scholar, and Wang Hua, who has just been promoted to a lecturer.
As for the representative of the Dudu Mansion, besides Zhang Mao, there is another person, Xiangcheng Bo Li Na, who has been working in the northwest for many years but has no reputation.
Zhang Mao was somewhat confused by such a formation.
He looked and saw that there wasn't even an empty seat next to him, which meant... Zhang Zhou probably wouldn't be coming today.
In what looked like an internal military meeting, there was actually no sign of the current military and political leaders.Zhang Bingkuan, the most powerful person in the world, Zhang Maoxin said, today's scene is not simple, it is best to discuss how to kill Zhang Bingkuan.
"Young Master, you are quite late." Zhu Youtang frowned and said when he saw Zhang Maolai.
Zhang Mao knelt down and kowtowed: "I have been recuperating at home recently and am unable to support myself. I hope your majesty will forgive me."
"It's the same excuse every time. Come down and talk." Zhu Youtang said coldly.
When Zhang Mao heard this, he couldn’t help but beat his heart.
Your Majesty, it seems that you are very angry with me, but it seems that it is not directed at me today, so I can sit down and see what you are going to do.
"Tell him again and let him know what is going on. There is no need to explain the complicated things. Just tell him the situation briefly." Zhu Youtang said.
"Yes."
Xiong Chong prepared something like a pointer for him, pointed at the map and said: "The marching routes of the five soldiers and horses have been roughly marked on Above, with Guanshan as the center, five groups of soldiers and horses are looking for the main force of the Tatars in one direction. But so far, it has been more than two months, and judging from the current frontline battle reports, there is no large group of Tatars. The figures of soldiers and horses."
"The Tatars probably moved north here...or further north."
"In addition, there are soldiers and horses searching in the west and east. The soldiers and horses patrolling Datong, led by Uncle Xinjian himself, have been out of Maoerzhuang for three hundred miles, and there is no trace of the Tatars."
What Xiong Chong said was very simple, just to explain the situation to Zhang Mao.
Everyone present, including Zhang Mao, seemed to know a fact at this time.
That was the large-scale troop dispatch planned by Tang Yin. Although it was massive and had no way out, and more than 10,000 troops were subsequently added to it by Wang Shouren himself, the Tatars were still not found on the vast grassland. Traces of the main force.
As the battle line lengthened, the army's consumption increased, and the supply line became longer, or there was no supply line at all.
We must consider issues such as the food, grass and baggage of the officers and soldiers.
Is it worth continuing to search, or should we withdraw our troops appropriately and end this massive military operation?
Wang Qiong stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the Shangting Office has just received a report from the General Administration of Military Affairs to Tang Yin, requesting that troops be withdrawn and returned to the pass. After the autumn grain is stored in the warehouse, the troops can be dispatched. "
"Yes." Zhu Youtang said with emotion, "It's already the autumn harvest season in a blink of an eye. It's still hot in the middle of summer when we send out troops. How come it's cool in a blink of an eye? Where are the Tatars hiding? Where? Do you think the mood of the Tatars will depend on sending troops to the grassland? "
This is a question for Zhang Mao and Li Wei.
With Zhang Mao’s cunningness, how could he speak out?
Of course he chose to pretend to be deaf and dumb.
Li Nuo glanced at him sideways, because heHe felt that as long as Zhang Mao was around, the person representing the Governor's Mansion should be Zhang Mao, but seeing Zhang Mao's appearance... he knew that even if he was roasted on the fire today, he would still have to come out and top the vat.
Li Tao said: "Your Majesty, from what I can see, since the Tatars choose to passively avoid the war, they will station troops and horses in the hinterland of the grassland and build forts there, imitating the Tang Dynasty when they established capitals on the grassland. Protect the mansion and build a garrison, so that it will be more convenient to send troops or reinforcements."
Hearing this, Li Dongyang and Wang Hao both looked over.
Li Dongyang frowned and said: "Uncle Xiangcheng, do you think it can be solved by stationing troops and horses in this way just to supply food, military supplies and soldiers every year? If you fall into this situation again, Can you see clearly the meaning behind a heavy siege, whether the Tatars besiege the city and not fight, or besiege the city and fight for reinforcements?"
Li Nao said with a puzzled face: "Now it doesn't mean that the Tatars are unwilling to take over. Do you want to fight? Then put a nail in their hearts. This is the general’s opinion. Mr. Li Ge, don’t worry too much.”
“You...”
Just. When Li Dongyang was about to continue to accuse Li Wei.
Zhu Youtang raised his hand and said: "There is no need to talk about unnecessary quarrels. Today we are all expressing our opinions. In this situation, we should make a choice whether to continue fighting or withdraw our troops. If this continues , In less than half a month, all the soldiers and horses on the grassland will have exhausted their food and grass, and they will have to withdraw even if they don’t withdraw by then." Li Dongyang said: "Your Majesty, this battle has not been won. The expected result, should it be..."
"Li Qing's family, what do you want to say? Who are you trying to hold accountable?" Zhu Youtang asked sharply.
Li Dongyang became silent immediately.
Except for his two cabinet ministers and Wang Qiong, the censor of Zuodu, there were not even six ministers present. They seemed to be civil servants, but they had the confidence to really fight with the emperor head-on. It is insufficient.
Originally, Li Dongyang wanted to use his majesty as the second minister to let the emperor follow the direction set by traditional civil servants, but then he realized that the emperor was no longer the submissive person he used to be and let them decide. .
The emperor is now very assertive and even has a way of choking others.
Zhu Youtang said: "A few years ago, every time the Tatars invaded, the frontier soldiers could only stick to the city fortress, let them plunder, and then let them fly away. Now At this time, the soldiers went out to the grasslands to seek a battle, but the Tatars avoided fighting. They became war-fearing people. Isn't this a change? "
The emperor said? Here, his face still looks very proud.
This battle, although there was no victory on the battlefield, made the emperor very embarrassed.
Zhang Mao stood up at this time and said: "The old minister also thinks so. It will definitely be recorded in the history books in the future. Our soldiers of the Ming Dynasty became famous in the sea and went to the grassland. The wolves in the grassland bowed their heads and refused to fight. Feng Langjuxu encompasses the grassland in the land of China..."
"Enough!" Zhu YoutangHe frowned and said, "Mr. British, have you forgotten that the Tatars invade the border every now and then? What's the use of just saying this? Avoid the war now. When they take the initiative to invade, it may not be the case!"
Zhang Mao flattered the horse and sat down again in disgrace.
Zhu Youtang pointed at Xiong Chong and said: "Continue."
Xiong Chong said: "Now the border army officers and soldiers have the intention of slacking off in the war. After all, they also take into account the autumn harvest and other matters. With the Ministry of War Internal discussion..."
"Is it an internal discussion within your Ministry of War?" Zhu Youtang asked coldly.
Xiong Chong glanced at Li Dongyang and then said: "It was a decision made by several military and political colleagues specially arranged by the imperial court to discuss it together."
This is a helpless admission. Now When it comes to military matters, the emperor already has a special military advisory system. There is no need to go to the court to discuss matters. Matters can be discussed directly in a small circle.
But obviously this small circle does not include Liu Jian and Li Dongyang, as well as those so-called traditional civil servants.
Zhu Youtang said: "Since the result of the discussion is that it is better to withdraw the troops than not to withdraw the troops, then let's withdraw the troops first."
Hearing this, Zhang Mao was the first to be puzzled. .
When I was fighting, even death pinned me down in the flower pond and refused to let me go.
How come it was Tang Yin’s turn to lead the army this time? In such a huge battle, he didn’t even let out a fart, and didn’t even hear a muffled sound, so he just withdrew his troops?
Still speaking so righteously, as if it is a matter of course?
Who will bear this responsibility?
"Gentlemen, do you have any opinions?" Zhu Youtang asked.
Li Dongyang said: "Your Majesty, if you withdraw your troops hastily, you may cause the Tatars to come back. Shouldn't you... also withdraw your troops step by step? Moreover, this war has no results, and it will be a waste of troops and troops, which is not good for the soldiers on the border." Explain. It should be..."
"Who do you still want to hold accountable?" Zhu Youtang said coldly, "It was the Tatars who invaded before, and the Ming soldiers did nothing, and they will be held accountable now. Troops were sent to the grassland, but no trace of the Tatars was found. Soldiers from all walks of life were also advancing. No one was passive and idle in the fight. Who should be held responsible?"
Li Dongyang was full of things to say, But he was suddenly speechless when asked by the emperor.
Think about it.
This battle was... so strange.
It stands to reason that if a war starts, there will be results. This kind of war, where the troops have to be withdrawn if there is no result, and there is not even a responsible person, has never been encountered before.
Chen Kuan smiled and said: "Your Majesty, this battle still has results. For example, when the soldiers and horses from all walks of life marched into the grassland, some tribes on the grassland took the initiative to move south, and even formed a line with the Duke. They have received more than two to three thousand Tatar herdsmen. Now the reputation of the Ming Dynasty has spread far and wide in the grassland, and those small tribes want to be protected by the Ming Dynasty.”
“This is a good thing.” Zang said, "Everyone, you should also take a look. In the past,They are all aiding the emperor. When they invade the Ming Dynasty, they will follow the cavalry of the little Tartar prince to invade our territory and kill my people. Now they are like docile sheep. I think this is enough. "
Li Dongyang said: "But things on the battlefield must always have a result. If the people and money are wasted without any scruples, then even those who send troops to the grasslands will find opportunities not to fight the Tatars and choose... to withdraw their troops afterwards. "
Zhu Youtang said: "Li Qing's family, you are probably worrying too much. The Tatars are unwilling to fight, so we can only find ways to make them fight. There is some lack of preparation for this war, but it can only be said that they do not have a clear understanding of where they are hiding..."
Zhang Mao suddenly thought of something and said in surprise: "Your Majesty, at this time Why don't you let Cai Guogong do some calculations and find the hiding place of the Tatars? "
"British Sir, are you daydreaming again? "Zhu Youtang said sternly.
When Zhang Mao heard this, he screamed in his heart.
Your Majesty, in front of so many people, can't you care about my face? How unpleasant are these words?
Zhu Youtang said with a puzzled face: "Battles rely on divine calculations! ? What are you thinking? The Tatars are extremely familiar with the grassland, and there are many places to hide. They can even cross the desert to Mobei. Our Ming soldiers have many artillery, and the road on the grassland is uneven. The march will not be too fast, and the Tatars have to avoid it. Is it really that difficult to fight? "
Wang Hao said: "But if this is the case, I am afraid that if we send troops to the grassland in the future, we will not gain much. Maybe... I should really drive a nail into the grassland. "
Zhu Youtang nodded and said: "This is also a good policy, but it will take some time to implement it. How could it be so easy to build a fortress on the grassland? Even if they build a fortress and station a heavy army, the Tatars will avoid the station and go to other places. One city cannot cover the entire grassland. To build too many forts would waste people and money, and would be impractical.
Li Ao said again: "From what I can see, there is no need to build a fort. If we can station troops on the grassland for a long time, as long as there are artillery, the Tatars who dare to come will be throwing themselves into a trap!" "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