A knife in love

Chapter 174

Yang Zhenzhong glanced at Liu Sheng Zongyan, sighed, and said, "Mr. Liu, you are a master of the world, a senior respected by everyone in the world. At your age, why don't you be as carefree as old Mr. Murong Qiushui? What's the point of doing these illusory things?"

Liu Shengzongyan remained silent, and saw him sitting still like a stone sculpture.More than a dozen black-clothed killers of the Liusheng family stood in front of the door, each holding a sword hilt, staring at Yang Zhenzhong and the other Jinyi guards.

Yang Zhenzhong said: "Twelve years ago, the late emperor lost his virtue, and that's why everyone joined forces to assist him in his enthronement. You can think about it, when the late emperor was there, Liu Jin had the power first, killing ministers in vain, oppressing officials, and searching The common people are omnipotent. Afterwards, the misfortune of Qian Ning and Jiang Bin gave King Ning an excuse to rebel and almost overturned the Ming Dynasty. The first emperor condoned Jin Yiwei and Dongchang to be domineering, riding everywhere, and accusing them of crimes. If it weren't for this, all the important ministers would not risk their lives and property to discuss the succession of the general from now on. Since Emperor Jiajing ascended the throne, Mr. Lu Bing took over the position of Zuo Dudu , governing Jinyiwei. Knowing the evil government of the former emperor, he ordered Lord Lu to restrain Jinyiwei, and not to bend the law without authorization and frame ministers. Lord Lu treated the scholar-officials with integrity. Since he took charge, he has never framed a single person, and the government has changed. In the past 12 years , Jin Yiwei and Dongchang no longer have the chaos and chaos that the first emperor did, but this kind of benevolent government, how can the first emperor compare to it?"

Having said this, Yang Zhenzhong looked at Liu Kang and Yang Tinghe, and continued, "Both Lord Liu and Lord Yang are veteran ministers of the three dynasties, and they are the pillar ministers of the Ming Dynasty. In the eyes of the two adults, I am naturally not worth mentioning." Mr. Liu’s protégés and former officials are all over the government and the public, especially the governors of the six northern provinces, most of whom are from Mr. Liu’s sect. As for Mr. Yang, he is the head of scholars in the south of the Yangtze River and the leader of the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River. Although the two are at odds However, Master Lu knows that it is fundamentally for the imperial court and for the sake of the Ming Dynasty. This matter has something to do with the two, or it can be said that it has nothing to do with it. I have already said Master Lu's idea, and neither of them has any Disagreement. So after the matter here is over, the two of you should stop meddling in this matter, and just be the Duke of Chang Le at ease. As for the secret report you received, saying that that person is still alive, this is a rumor and the plot of a traitor , absolutely unbelievable."

Li Qiufeng's heart trembled, he suddenly thought of "that person" that Yang Tinghe had mentioned just now that Liu Kang wanted to find.At this time, Yang Zhenzhong mentioned "that person" again, and the schemes of these people are all related to "that person", but who is this mysterious person?

While he was thinking, he heard Yang Zhenzhong continue to say: "The emperor of Ming Dynasty is Emperor Jiajing. The country of Ming Dynasty is the country of Emperor Jiajing. Just remember this joint, and everything will be easy to handle. It's just the people in the court. Some ministers did not understand this truth, and only cared about their own interests. Deputy Commander Yun wanted to restore the power of Jin Yiwei when the late emperor was in power. When the late emperor was in power, he often used troops outside the Great Wall. Although there were small victories, it cost countless money and food , the national treasury was empty, and the only ones who got the benefits were those arrogant soldiers. After ascending the throne today, among the six ministries, only the military ministries are still controlled by the old ministers of the late emperor. , but also to gain benefits by using troops, even at the expense of falsely reporting the military situation and taking advantage of the bandits. Today, I think these old officials are heroes killed on the battlefield, and I can't bear to add more crimes. Instead, these people have intensified and continued to instigate the border army to mutiny. This In five or six years, there were more than ten mutinies in the important towns on the Nine Frontiers. The imperial court killed several generals, and countless other generals at all levels were convicted, but they never punished the chief officials of the Ministry of War. Now it is time to not clean the Ministry of War The situation of military chaos cannot be quelled. Therefore, we just took advantage of the mutiny of the Sang Liangtian Department to abolish the various divisions of the Ministry of War to eliminate future troubles."

Li Qiufeng sneered and said, "Master Yang has finally got to the bottom of it. Master Liu and Master Yang are in faction disputes, and they have been in conflict since the first emperor was in power. It's just that Qian Ning and Jiang Bin are so powerful that they join hands Come on, the important ministers of internal ties and vassal lords outside the vassal finally supported Emperor Jiajing to the throne. It's just that after ascending the throne today, the old man of the vassal mansion, such as Lord Lu Binglu, etc. was reused. In addition to the dispute over the ceremony, Lord Yang miscalculated and was Lord Cong was defeated, and thus lost his power. The two adults Liu and Yang were forced to retire, how could they be reconciled? His party members and disciples are still running for the two adults. It’s just that after taking power today, the heads of all ministries have been replaced by confidantes The two were hard to shake for a while. As for the officials in charge of the Ministry of War, Emperor Jiajing had no intention of changing them. It’s just that he knew that the former emperor used Qiu Luan to be in charge of the Ministry of War and replaced the original officials, which led to the confusion of the frontier army’s morale and command. Successive defeats have shaken the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, Emperor Jiajing has been patient with the Ministry of War until he has not found suitable officials. Now it is finally time to cleanse the officials of the Ministry of War. How can he miss this opportunity today? Sang Liang Tian was originally a chess piece of Lord Yang Tinghe. Lord Yang wanted to use him to fight for the status of Jiangnan officials and gentry. Lord Liu wanted to borrow this chess piece to gain benefits for his disciples. And you, Lord Yang Zhenzhong, want to use it to fight for the status of Jiangnan officials and gentry. The mutiny of Sang Liangtian's department took down all the officials of the Ministry of War, so that all six departments belonged to Emperor Jiajing. My lords, is Li right?"

Liu Kang and Yang Tinghe remained silent, while Yang Zhenzhong said with a smile: "Li Baihu is right. You have this kind of knowledge, and you can be regarded as a rare talent in Jinyiwei. I chose you to handle this matter. You didn't miss it. It's just that you missed a little bit. Duoyan Sanwei has always been arrogant and domineering, and secretly communicated with the Tartar soldiers outside the Great Wall from time to time, which eventually became a disaster for my Ming Dynasty. When the late emperor was here, he allowed these people to plunder everywhere. Today The superiors hate it deeply, and just took advantage of this Sangbu rebellion to completely disintegrate it."

Li Qiufeng said: "Sang Liangtian's troops have 8000 elite soldiers and horses, plus the luggage team, the total number is no less than 3000 people. The Duoyan Sanwei vanguard has more than 1 people, and the backup troops are estimated to have [-] people. Yong'an City defenders and Jianghu There are more than [-] disciples from each sect. Do you want these [-] people to kill each other in Yong'an City, sacrificing for nothing for your plan?!"

Yang Zhenzhong shook his head and said: "Li Baihu, what you said is wrong. Sacrifice will not be useless! The more fierce the battle, the more people died, the greater the crime of the Ministry of War. The more people there are, the deeper we can pull out the Ministry of War! If you are not in the court, you don’t know how far the Ministry of War has fallen. One-third of Ming’s annual revenue is spent on the Ministry of War. The country is already overwhelmed. The officials of the Ministry of War are greedy and indulge the frontier army to support the bandits for self-respect. The Japanese pirates are becoming more and more rampant in the southeast coast, and the Tartar soldiers in the north are also ready to move. If the Ministry of War is allowed to act indiscriminately, it will cause serious trouble. But if there is no excuse, the dismissal of officials at all levels of the Ministry of War will inevitably Give them an excuse to rebel against the party they planted in the frontier army. But if the frontier army rebelled, and the scale of the rebellion was so large that the chief officer of the Ministry of War had to be punished, then this matter would be much easier!"

Li Qiufeng was dumbfounded by what he said, and there was no way to refute it for a while.Where did Murong Danyan understand these important military affairs, most of what the two said was incomprehensible.It's just that Li Qiufeng is poor in his speech, and secretly worried for him.

Yang Zhenzhong went on to say: "Since ancient times, those who have achieved great things have always been good at calculation and sympathetic to the strength of the people and the army. But if it comes to a critical moment, they must be ruthless and must not have the kindness of women. In the past, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was killed by the Xuanwu sect. The cruelty of brothers butchering brothers, how can there be a prosperous age of Zhenguan rule? Everyone said that Song Taizu did not kill heroes, but there was also the tragedy of looting Kaifeng City after the Chenqiao Mutiny. Right now, the Daming is already in danger. The lives of more than 1 people will be exchanged for the eternal stability of the country. I don’t know how many lives can be saved. Li Baihu, if it were you who were in charge of the big plan, would you do this matter, or not?”

Li Qiufeng was silent for a moment, and said: "Li can't do this, and I don't want to do it."

Yang Zhenzhong smiled and said: "You don't do it, and you don't want to do it. But someone has to think and do it to keep the country safe! Li Baihu, you are a smart person, I can give you two ways to go. First, continue to be your post of Jin Yiwei Hundred Households. With your martial arts and cleverness, within ten years, I am afraid that you will be my seat. Second, leave Yong'an City and be a free and easy hero .Maybe ten years from now, you will be the number one martial arts hero in the world!"

Li Qiufeng looked at Yang Zhenzhong, then looked up again, and saw the four characters "Sanchi Shenming" shining brightly in the candlelight on the plaque in the middle of the lobby.In an instant, he made up his mind, stood up, and said to Yang Zhenzhong: "No one else can give you the road that Li wants to go. Mr. Yang's kindness is appreciated by Li, but the two roads you gave me are not suitable for Li. Don't choose!"

(End of this chapter)