weaving

At Xinchengji, the battle was fought at the headquarters of the Yongning Marquis’ central army.

Zhang Cheng looked suspicious. He didn't know what Wang Chengen meant. Although he felt a little scared and doubtful, he had to answer, "Lord Wang, don't scare me."

He turned around and looked at Wang Chengen, and continued with a sincere face: "My Lord, since the Tumu Incident during the Zhengtong period, our dynasty has no longer had the tradition of having military generals lead the army. It has been nearly two hundred years, and I have never seen anyone dare to break this rule.

"In the past two hundred years, all the governors and governors were civil servants, and most of them had to be Hanlin scholars. A barbarian like Zhang Cheng, who was born in a military household, couldn't even think about it!"

Wang Chengen also shook his head helplessly...

In fact, what Zhang Cheng said were all ironclad facts. Since the Tumu Incident in the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty, the civil system was strong and the military system was weak. Both the imperial court and the local governments were ruled by the civil system, and the military system had never ruled the civil system again. It was no wonder that Zhang Cheng said so.

"Although this is the court's custom, there are no more people who are knowledgeable about military affairs and good at fighting available in the court or even among the governors of various places."

Wang Chengen went on angrily, "Hong Chengchou is one, but he is stationed in Ji and Liao to guard against the Jiannu, which is related to the safety of the capital, so he cannot leave easily; Sun Chuanting is also one, but he has just taken office as the governor of Shaanxi, his troops have not gathered, and the situation in Shaanxi has not stabilized, so he dare not leave without permission. So, who else can be considered as a military expert and a good fighter and be used?"

"Perhaps there is a military official who is capable and can be used."

"Who?"

"This person... you also know him, Prince."

Wang Chengen looked at Zhang Cheng, who was smiling, and said hesitantly, "You mean..."

"It's him!"

Zhang Cheng looked at Wang Chengen and continued, "He was the governor of Xuanfu and later the governor-general of Xuanda. He achieved remarkable political achievements and did not make any mistakes in managing the Ministry of War. Last year, the Liaodong War defeated the Jiannu. His contribution in coordinating the operations cannot be erased."

"Absolutely not."

Wang Chengen said hastily, "He is currently in the prison of the Pacification Division, and the Emperor is still furious, so how can he be released?"

"Hey."

Zhang Cheng sighed and said, "Hong and Sun cannot be moved; Fu and Wang have been defeated and killed; and Ding Qirui and Zuo Liangyu have just been defeated in Shuipoji, and it is difficult for them to regroup and fight again. In this case, I really can't think of anyone who can lead the overall situation of suppressing bandits in Henan Province!"

"There is one person who is capable of doing this."

"Who is the prince referring to?"

"Far away, yet so close!"

Zhang Cheng was stunned when he heard this, then he smiled and said, "Prince, I have never failed to pay you tribute during the festival. Why do you want to hurt me?"

"How can I harm you?"

Wang Chengen also smiled and said, "You are the pillar of the country, and everyone in the court and the country knows you. Since the past eleven years, you have fought against bandits and slaves, and have won every battle, with outstanding achievements. In the court, if we talk about the ability to govern the country with culture, you, Zhang Cheng, may have to give way to others, but if we talk about the ability to maintain peace with military force, I am afraid that no one in the court and the country can surpass the Earl of Yongning."

Without waiting for Zhang Cheng to reveal anything, he continued, "Someone has recommended you to the Emperor to lead the suppression of bandits in Henan Province. The Emperor is quite interested in this, but I don't know what you think."

"My lord, there has been no precedent of using military force to command the army in the past 200 years. If I do it now, it will inevitably cause collective opposition from the civil officials of the court. Their impeachment is secondary, and then they will inevitably hinder the allocation of food and wages, military supplies, and the deployment of troops. Not only will the battle on the front line be difficult, but if I fail, I will be impeached and will be put to death." Wang Chengen ignored Zhang Cheng's words and asked him in a deep voice: "Although you are a military officer of the court, you are also the Earl of Yongning bestowed by the emperor. It is your duty to be loyal to the country."

As he was speaking, he stood up abruptly, raised his shrill voice, and suddenly asked, "Zhang Cheng, I am asking you now, 'If the emperor's order comes, can you obey it?'"

Zhang Cheng was stunned when he heard this, but he reacted immediately. He immediately stood up and knelt in front of Wang Chengen, kowtowed and replied: "Your Majesty, I am Zhang Cheng. I will obey the emperor's order and will not dare to disobey. I will use all my loyalty and wisdom to repay the emperor's grace!"

Wang Chengen sat back in his chair after seeing this and said softly, "Zhang Cheng, hurry up and get up and have some tea."

Zhang Cheng's movements were very slow, as if he was taking the opportunity to think about something...

Here, he just sat back in his chair and saw Wang Chengen asking for tea, so he made an excuse: "Lord, it is a very bad idea to appoint Zhang Cheng as the leader of the army to suppress the bandits."

"There is a lack of qualified people in the court, and someone happened to recommend you, so His Majesty came up with this idea."

Wang Chengen turned around and asked him again: "You said this is the worst option, then what is the best option?"

"Prince, the best strategy is to select a governor who can win the support of the people to lead the military operations against the bandits in Henan Province. Zhang Cheng can assist him. This will save a lot of unnecessary trouble."

"Well... I will report your idea to the emperor after we return to the capital. Everything still needs the emperor's final decision. We just need to follow his orders."

"This is natural."

Zhang Cheng seemed to be still a little unwilling in his heart, so he asked tentatively: "Excuse me, sir, who recommended me to the emperor? Can you tell me, Zhang Cheng?"

Wang Chengen smiled mysteriously and said, "There's nothing wrong with this. With your ability, it's just a matter of time. Sooner or later you will know the person who recommended this person."

He lowered his voice slightly and said, "Second Assistant Chen Yan."

Zhang Cheng nodded upon hearing this, but then asked, "I heard that the Prime Minister Zhou recommended Hou Xun to the Emperor to be the governor in charge of suppressing the bandits, didn't he?"

"Hou Xun... has enough experience, and has even done favors for the bandit Zuo Ping, but when it comes to military knowledge and combat prowess, he cannot be compared to you, Earl of Yongning!"

Wang Chengen further revealed: "The emperor is also quite worried about this. That's why he ordered us to come and convey the order to Zhang Fuzhen, mainly to take the opportunity to find out what you think about this matter."

Zhang Cheng smiled and picked up the teacup on the table, and said to Wang Chengen, "My Lord, please give me some tea."

Wang Cheng'en had already figured out Zhang Cheng's intentions at this moment. Having completed the emperor's order, he felt much more relaxed. He also picked up the teacup, said "please", and drank it all with Zhang Cheng.

After the serious business was finished, everyone relaxed and then talked about some military affairs to suppress bandits and various incidents in the capital. Naturally, the two major events of negotiating money with the slaves and Chen Xinjia's imprisonment were indispensable.

These two matters were too sensitive, so neither of them could say anything in depth, and they just exchanged some information.

Of course, Zhang Cheng still trusted Wang Chengen's character, and he asked Wang Chengen to speak well of him in front of the emperor. He also reported to the emperor truthfully his attitude of agreeing to negotiate with the slaves and his idea of ​​requesting leniency for Chen Xinjia.

Finally, Zhang Cheng prepared a banquet for Wang Chengen, but Wang Chengen, appreciating the difficulties of the battle on the front line, asked Zhang Cheng not to make it too grand, and just a simple meal, as he would return to Beijing early tomorrow morning to report. (End of this chapter)