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Chapter 1284 "Negotiation" and "Liaoning Remuneration"

"Father, Marshal, do you really want to plead for Minister Chen of the Ministry of War?" asked the middle-ranking officer Zhang Mingyuan with a puzzled look on his face.

"Mingyuan, tell me what you think."

Zhang Mingyuan knew very well that being an officer of the Yongning Earl's rank was not just a simple executor of military orders, nor was it just about managing the affairs of the central army. It was more about thinking and experience. After all, the example of his predecessor Zhang Chengfang was right before him.

Therefore, he would treat every question from Earl Yongning seriously and think carefully before answering.

"Father, Mingyuan thinks that since you are leading the army to suppress bandits in Henan, thousands of miles away from the capital, it would be better for you not to care about the struggles in the court."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "What's more... the current emperor is most afraid of border generals colluding with court officials, especially the ministers in the cabinet. If father writes to the emperor to plead for Minister Chen at this time, wouldn't he be walking into a trap?"

Zhang Cheng did not comment on his words. He slowly stood up from his chair and walked out of the headquarters tent.

After taking a few deep breaths of fresh air outside the tent, he slowly spoke, "Everyone says that my rise to power was all thanks to my support. Even the elders in the cabinet thought that I was a follower of Chen Xinjia, the Minister of War. Now that Chen Xinjia is in trouble, I must help him no matter what."

Zhang Mingyuan had an unconvinced look on his face, and said angrily, "We have achieved what we have today by fighting with swords and guns, and by tens of thousands of men risking their lives. What does this have to do with Chen Xinjia?"

"You don't understand what's going on in the court!"

Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng shook his head and said with a smile: "Although the current court is not as fierce as the party struggles in the previous dynasty, the factionalism within it is even worse than before.

There are at least dozens, or even hundreds, of generals like my father in my Ming Dynasty. Although not all of them hold real power, I think they are almost the same. But which one can reach the status that my father has today?"

Zhang Mingyuan scratched his head blankly, smiled a little awkwardly, and didn't say anything.

Yongning Bo did not blame him, and said to him very patiently: "Even if you have achieved such success as your father, it is inseparable from the support and help of this soldier, Master Chen, otherwise it would not be possible to achieve what we have today.

It is not right for a person to 'forget his roots', especially today everyone in the court says that my father is a disciple of Mr. Chen, and now that Mr. Chen is in trouble, how can I just sit there and ask about it.

If this is true, wouldn't people laugh at me for being ungrateful? "

Zhang Mingyuan looked thoughtful and asked, "Does Father really want to write to the emperor to plead for Chen Xinjia?"

Before Zhang Cheng could answer him, he saw a figure appear not far away. It was the old gentleman Sun Shixiang and Hu Yiwen, who were walking quickly towards him accompanied by Liu Chengzu.

Before the people arrived, the sound had already arrived.

"The court is in a time of turmoil, I'm afraid there will be no time for you to rest!"

The person who spoke was the old man Sun Shixiang. He had already heard Liu Chengzu's retelling of the general course of events, and before he even approached, he had already begun to express his concern for Earl Yongning.

"Mr. Sun, you are joking."

Zhang Cheng continued with a smile, his expression unchanged: "The affairs of the court are taken care of by the ministers of the cabinet. How can a mere warrior like me have the right to interfere?"

Zhang Mingyuan knew that they were going to say something private, so he turned around and wanted to lift the curtain to allow everyone to go in and take a closer look.

However, Earl Yongning stopped him with a smile: "It's very stuffy in there."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed to the high platform not far away, saying, "That's a good place, with good sunlight and ventilation. Go and make some arrangements, brew a pot of tea, and bring some cakes and preserved fruits. Oh, yes... and some dried meat and dried fish. And you, Zhang Guang, and Zhang Jin can serve nearby, and place the sentry farther away so as not to disturb our chat."

Although this is what Earl Yongning said, how could Zhang Mingyuan not understand the meaning behind it!

…………"My Lord, do you really want to make a suggestion to the Emperor regarding the matter of Minister Chen of the Ministry of War?" Sun Shixiang was quite concerned about this matter. He sat down on the high platform and started asking again.

"I guess Mr. Sun doesn't want me to get involved in this mess."

"That's true."

Sun Shiyi did not shy away from his thoughts. He looked at the Earl of Yongning and said, "Since the Prime Minister has decided to follow you, I will naturally make long-term plans for you.

Although Minister Chen has helped you, you have never formally become his disciple. Moreover, this time you have offended the current emperor. I hope you will think twice before acting.

Don't let your momentary softness ruin today's hard-earned good situation!"

Zhang Cheng said gently, "I am not trying to save Chen Xinjia, but to facilitate the matter of 'negotiating with the slaves'."

"My Lord, this matter is of great importance. All the civil and military officials in the court do not agree to 'negotiate with me'. It is best for you not to take the lead for the time being."

Zhang Cheng's expression instantly turned gloomy when he heard this. He put down the teacup in his hand heavily and said in a deep voice, "Humph. This bunch of court parasites are inciting those officials to attack Chen Xinjia just for the sake of 'Liaoning salary'."

He banged his hands on the table and said angrily, "The country is about to perish, but they don't think of ways to save the country. They only care about money. Damn it... Damn it!"

Seeing that the Earl of Yongning was angry, Liu Chengzu wanted to change the subject and asked, "Mr. Sun, what does this 'negotiating with me' have to do with 'Liaoning tribute'?"

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

Zhang Mingyuan, who was serving nearby, also said, "Yes. Elder Sun, can you tell us about the mystery here?"

Sun Shixiang looked at Liu Chengzu, Zhang Mingyuan, and then at the Earl of Yongning. Seeing that he had no intention of stopping him, he smiled and said, "The Liao military pay is more than one million taels of silver a year. Do you really think it's all used to raise troops and repair the city in Liaodong?"

In the puzzled eyes of Liu Chengzu, Zhang Mingyuan and others, Sun Shixiang continued: "I don't know how many court officials were fed by this."

He raised his left hand and pointed upwards, saying, "From the cabinet ministers to the clerks in the Ministry of Revenue, and even in the Ministry of War headed by Chen Xinjia, there are countless people who have benefited from this 'Liaoning salary'."

"But what does this have to do with the negotiation of the price?" Liu Chengzu still didn't react.

Sun Shixiang smiled and said, "Think about it, if the imperial court and Jiannu really succeed in the 'negotiation', will Liaodong still need so many troops and will it still need to continue to strengthen the city defenses?"

"This..." Zhang Mingyuan seemed to have thought of something, but did not say it directly.

Sun Shixiang gave him a meaningful look, and continued, "Of course, this doesn't require so much money, right?"

Zhang Mingyuan nodded heavily to show his agreement.

"Not only will the silver allocated to Liaodong every year be greatly reduced, but even the troops from Liaodong may have to be transferred to the pass to fight the bandits. Just think about it, how many people will be unable to profit from this?

They are used to taking things, but today we are going to cut off their source of income, so won’t they fight to the death?

Moreover, although those Liaodong soldiers and generals are quite capable, they have mostly been hiding in various castles in recent years when fighting against the bandits. It is rare to see them brave enough to go out to fight. But once the terms are negotiated, they will be transferred to the pass to fight the bandits. How can they be willing to do so?"

"what."

Liu Chengzu said in surprise: "In order to profit from this, can you ignore the safety of the country?"

"Hey, you..."

Sun Shixiang showed a trace of disdain on his face, and said: "You have seen too little of the evil of human hearts and the ugliness of human nature!"