prosperous age

The news of Hei Chun's death in Liaoyang's deputy general spread like wind throughout the official circles in the capital, and the officials of the Ministry of War were also mourning.

He was beaming with joy after receiving the Fujian battle report, and even the memorial hadn't been delivered to Emperor Jiajing. Immediately after that, something happened in Liaodong, and the deputy commander was defeated and killed.

In terms of military rank, the chief soldier is the highest rank, and there is not much difference between the deputy chief soldier and the chief soldier in essence. They both have the right to lead a line of soldiers alone, and they are the highest military attache in the local area.

Those who guard one side of the general town are guards, those who guard all the way alone are guards, and those who guard the same city with the main general are guards.

Liaoyang Deputy Commander is the guard, that is, after the death of Hei Chun, the guards around Liaoyang have no commanders, and the Ministry of War must arrange someone to take over as soon as possible, but before that, they may have to accept Xiyuan's interrogation first.

As for Liaoyang, the commander-in-chief of Liaodong will temporarily take over the defense here.

Sure enough, around noon, Prince Yu's Mansion received the news that Yang Bo, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, was summoned to Xiyuan.

What exactly happened in Xiyuan is unknown to the outside world, but for the Liaoyang Deputy Commander who died in battle, the posthumous gift came out first.

Liaodong lost the book and heard that it was a pity for Heichun to fight bravely and die. He ordered the governor and Zhiyinzi to be hereditary to thousands of households.

In Prince Yu's mansion, Wei Guangde and Zhang Ju were chatting together, waiting to be on duty, when they saw the news from outside, they cheerfully asked: "Shan Loan, is there anyone you want to recommend?"

Zhang Juzheng continued to laugh.

Sure enough, on the second day, during the incident, Zhang Yi impeached his servant Ge Jin for his improper recommendation. When he was serving as the avant-garde commander and guerrilla general in Liaodong, he made many rash attacks and caused the loss of soldiers and generals.

There are two memorials surrounding Xu Jie today, and Xu Jie also went up to ask for cabinet ministers, and it is not known who Emperor Jiajing will let go.

By the way, Shan Loan, I heard that if you lead troops to fight, if you don't pay the money before departure, the military households will not be willing to go to war, is it true? "

"I don't know. It wasn't written on it. It should have been heard yesterday afternoon or evening when His Majesty gave his instructions, but it's coming soon. This memorial should be sent back to the cabinet, and we will know when the time comes."

Yes, since the recovery of Liaodong from the Mongolian Yuan in the early Ming Dynasty, the imperial court has always paid soldiers and food to Liaodong, and it has only been self-sufficient for a very short few years.

I didn't think so before, but these years the imperial court's finances have been difficult, and many people have thought of going to the border of Liaodong, hoping to save the military's salary on the nine sides.

Anyway, I don't have anyone to recommend, so let's wait and see who Zhang Juzheng wants to recommend.

The two have been together for a long time, and Zhang Juzheng probably knows the manpower on Wei Guangde's side. The official circles in the capital are mainly colleagues and the same year, and the military seems to be those two.

After all, at the level of deputy chief soldier, it cannot be decided by the Ministry of War and the cabinet, and finally needs the approval of Emperor Jiajing.

"Yes, it may be that the soldiers in Zhejiang are well paid, but they should all be in Hu Zongxian's Governor's Garden, and in other places, soldiers who don't pay money will not obey orders.

"Shan Loan, have you seen the memorial to Fujian asking for payment?"

When Zhang Juzheng saw this memorial, the inadvertent smile on the corner of his mouth made Wei Guangde understand that Zhang Yi's impeachment memorial might be written by him.

Speaking of which, in the past few years, there were actually only two people working in the cabinet, that is, Yan Song and Xu Jie, but there was also a nominal assistant minister Lu Ben, which could be regarded as meeting the number of three members.

Wei Guangde handed the note to Zhang Juzheng, then turned to Yin Shizheng and asked.

When Wei Guangde saw the note, he also took a look at Zhang Juzheng, wanting to see if the person recommended by Ge Jin was the one Zhang Juzheng was looking for, and also wanted to see if the servant Ge Jin also fell for Xu Jie.

When Wei Guangde heard it, he also knew that Zhang Juzheng might have actually had contact with some general, and he began to know the actual situation of the Ming army.

Wei Guangde didn't know why Zhang Juzheng suddenly seemed to value the position of Deputy Commander of Liaoyang. When the time came, he chose to leave Prince Yu's Mansion immediately. It was fine anyway. Today, Zhang Juzheng was the same as him. The two almost left Prince Yu's Mansion together. .

"If you don't come early, if you don't come late, it's so easy to come here to ask for money after winning a battle, and want to withhold the handed-in silver taels. It seems that life in Fujian is not easy.

But no matter whether it is Ma Fang or Yu Dayou, they are indeed very competitive, which makes him very envious.

At least in Wei Guangde's view, Yan Na, Guo Pu, and Li Chunfang have similar opportunities. After all, cabinet ministers have to choose from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Officials, and the two ministers also have opportunities.

Zhang Juzheng read the news and listened to Yin Shizhen's words, so he just answered casually.

Wei Guangde took all this as a show, and wanted to see how the future ruler of Ming Dynasty would manipulate this matter.

Wei Guangde was curious, why Zhang Juzheng said this to himself today.

Soon, Wei Guangde saw another transcript of Xu Jie's memorial.

Zhang Juzheng read out the money that he asked to leave in the memorial, Wei Guangde laughed.

On the swaying carriage, when Wei Guangde was alone, his thinking was exceptionally clear, and he gradually came to his senses at this time.

Now Yu Dayou is the deputy commander in charge of Shenwei City. Is it necessary to go to Liaoyang?

At this time, Zhang Juzheng suddenly spoke to him.

Shaking his head, he said to Zhang Juzheng: "Soldiers are expensive and there are no more. There are not many generals who can catch my eye. As for Liaoyang Deputy Commander-in-Chief, I really don't think much of it."

On the second day, Ge Jin, the minister of the Ministry of War, recommended Yang Zhaoqian to be Liaoyang's deputy commander-in-chief, which was sent to the General Political Department.

At the same time, Zhang Yi also impeached Governor Yang Xuan, Governor Ji Cheng, and General Wu Ying who were involved in the Liaodong defeat.

"It's really a lot of money, 200 taels of imperial examination silver, 670 taels of temple land silver, more than 40 taels of case silver, 920 taels of silver in 39 years, and 830 years of fruit The discounted silver is 190 six taels, the regular price of wax tea is 380 taels of silver, and the supplementary price of silver is [-] seven taels.

Yin Shizhen was also a little puzzled, not sure what was taboo about such a memorial.

In this era, there is a popular concept in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, that is, the generals who can fight are all from the Nine Sides, so if you want to gather the generals in the army, the first choice must be the generals from the Nine Sides.

"We have many soldiers and generals in the Ming Dynasty, but as you said, there are still not many truly capable generals, otherwise the Nine Sides would not be in a hurry."

If the first memorial fails, the cabinet should present the second and third memorial.

Zhang Juzheng just smiled.

Wei Guangde has roughly figured out Emperor Jiajing's plan now. In order to seek stability in the last few years, he should go to neutral people, preferably obedient people. Xu Jie's influence must be controlled to a certain extent. Maybe there will be some on the side of Yuwangfu. Chance.

Around noon, the news came from the cabinet, and Emperor Jiajing personally instructed, "You know, there are those who are of one mind to assist the government, why don't you know about it."

Zhang Juzheng sighed again.

In fact, these salaries are not rewards, but to make up for the previously arrears of military pay.

"The main reason is that there is no one in the pocket, right?"

Looking at it like this, Zhang Juzheng probably wanted to ask his teacher Xu Jie to contact the Ministry of War to recommend someone the day before yesterday, but Ge Jin preempted him and recommended someone else. That's why today's impeachment happened.

It's just that after Lu Ben became an official, Emperor Jiajing added Yuan Wei to the cabinet. This time, Yan Song's official appointment should indeed be replaced by someone.

But Zhang Juzheng didn't mention this matter in Prince Yu's Mansion, so it means that he planned to ask his teacher Xu Jie to make arrangements.

Wei Guangde wasn't worried about who could enter the cabinet, since he wouldn't promote someone from the strict party anyway.

When a soldier goes out to fight, his life or death is uncertain, so he naturally wants to leave some money for his family.

There were only a few cards in his hand, and Ma Fang was already the chief soldier, so he naturally looked down on the position of deputy chief soldier. Yu Dayou was now the deputy chief soldier, so there was obviously no need to transfer from Fujian to Liaodong.

Wei Guangde didn't have this plan, he made himself look like a broker selling official positions.

He thought that since it was a custom, His Majesty should abide by it, how could he be so perfunctory.

Zhang Juzheng also accepted this concept. After all, Nine Sides had been at war with the Mongols all year round, and the generals there must be the most powerful in Ming Dynasty.

Yin Shizhen, Wei Guangde and others didn't think there was anything wrong, but Tang Ruji had a different opinion.

"Ha ha."

Wei Guangde didn't mention the Liaoyang Deputy Commander, he just wanted to see how Zhang Juzheng would operate, and whether he could succeed in the end.

"The Sacred Heart is unpredictable."

"I see, Fujian has been using troops year after year, so it's normal that the soldiers' salaries are not enough."

It's no wonder that the memorial was sent to the capital in such a hurry, hehe"

University scholar Xu Jie and others acted in the cabinet to handle affairs. They used to use three or four members. Near Yan Song, he begged for the emperor's brief order.

Wei Guangde didn't know what Zhang Juzheng's plan was, but he didn't mention it in Prince Yu's mansion, and he didn't bother to ask, anyway, he had more knowledge than him.

Wei Guangde nodded, what Zhang Juzheng was talking about was the memorabilia they thought was weird, in which the battle process was vague, and it was connected with today's memorabilia, its purpose was obvious.

Well, it can be regarded as learning and learning.

This department of the Ministry of War is a bit special. When Yan Song first became the first assistant, Ding Rukui, the Minister of the Ministry of War, was still Yan Song's person, but after the "Gengxu Change" was killed, the successors of the Minister of the Ministry of War alienated Yan Song, no matter how he showed favor , It's also a bogeyman.

Wei Guangde was stunned for a moment, and immediately understood the meaning of Zhang Juzheng's words, and asked him if he wanted someone to be the deputy general of Liaoyang.

"No, I'm just talking casually."

But Zhang Juzheng has no choice, he is not as lucky as Wei Guangde, he has the opportunity to go to the border town.

When Zhang Juzheng asked about the post of Liaoyang Deputy Commander, it was not because he had someone in mind, but he was afraid that he would also want to recommend someone, so he asked first.

In fact, the Ming army did not have pensions, only rewards. When a person died, his family sent someone to make up for the gap, and he continued to serve as a soldier to eat food. It was just some money for burning and burial and compensation, but it was not really a pension.

Wei Guangde replied with a smile.

Seeing Zhang Juzheng get into his sedan chair and leave in a hurry, Wei Guangde shook his head, got into the carriage and went home.

However, Zhang Juzheng frowned after seeing Ge Jin's copy of Yang Zhao's memorial.

Now there are two more cabinet ministers left in the cabinet, Xu Jie and Yuan Wei. This is a bit against the rules, or it is the usual practice. This is to ask Emperor Jiajing to add one or two cabinet ministers to make up for the old rules.

Wei Guangde didn't say anything in front of him, but just gave Tang Ruji a look like an idiot.

"Did you get any news from there?"

Now Xu Jie is actually the chief assistant of the cabinet. Although he has not been promoted, it is impossible for Yuan Wei to run in front of him in terms of seniority.

As for Xu Jie and Yuan Wei in the cabinet, it is said that they planned to let it go after the discussion. The emperor would not make up if he didn't want to make up someone.

At the beginning, the sea transportation to Jiliao was abolished only because the grain and grass could be self-sufficient, but the money still had to be paid upside down.

Early the next morning, news spread from Xiyuan that Emperor Jiajing was very upset by Xu Jie's memorial.

At the same time, he was promoted to the magistrate of Ningguo Prefecture, Fang Fengshi, to be the deputy envoy of Guangdong's procuratorate. Soldiers are in control.

"Fujian has been plagued by Japanese pirates for many years, and there are rebels this year, and the soldiers' salaries are running out. I'm afraid the money will be gone long ago."

Since they couldn't fall to Yan Song, they naturally didn't dare to fall to Yan Song's biggest competitor, Xu Jie, and became a complete neutral faction, forming the third power in the court together with the Ministry of Rites.

Hearing what Zhang Juzheng said, Wei Guangde just smiled.

In the eyes of these Beijing officials, Liaodong is a place of bitter cold. If there is no ancestral system and huge resettlement pressure, I am afraid that they would like to withdraw all the troops and all Han people in Liaodong.

To be honest, Wei Guangde was still very surprised to see this news. After all, Xu Jie's proposal was in line with the usual practice. Now there are only two cabinet ministers left in the cabinet.

"Recommendation?"

Not long after the opening of the Yamen at the beginning of the year, Xiyuan still agreed to the resolution of the Ministry of War to build a town in the four counties of Xingning, Chengxiang, Anyuan, and Wuping in Jiangxi Province, and named it Shenwei, and changed Yu Dayou, the general of Southern Jiangxi, to assist the guarding of Southern Jiangxi. Tingzhang Huichao Deputy Commander.

The reason why there is the practice of three or four people joining the cabinet is not because they need to brainstorm. Only two people are in the cabinet, even if they are "concentric supporters" as His Majesty said, it is inevitable that they will not think well.

As for the others, Wei Guangde guessed that there was a high probability that those masters of Qingci were still loyal to the emperor and would not be influenced by Xu Jie, which made the cabinet go away from the Yan Song era and ushered in Xu Jie's speech.

"How did His Majesty give the instructions?"

There is no more money, and with one victory, the higher-ups can't care about much, they only think about getting some military pay for military merits.

Wei Guangde explained to Zhang Juzheng what he knew, and let Zhang Juzheng also know the plight of the low-level military households. Maybe in the future, after becoming the master of this era like history, he will consider solving some problems of military households.

In fact, the fact that there were actually only two cabinet ministers in the Jiajing Dynasty is not a matter now, it has appeared before, perhaps for the convenience of management or the emperor just wanted to place obedient people in the cabinet.

Assisting the government with one heart actually means listening to the emperor.

This kind of instruction is actually a good thing for Xu Jie and Yuan Wei. Although there are too many things, the relative power is also concentrated and will not be dispersed to the third party.

However, Zhang Juzheng was not very happy that the teacher benefited, because Zhang Yi's impeachment memorial also had results.

Due to impeachment, governor Yang Xuan's salary was seized for one month, governor Jicheng's general soldier Wu Ying was given two months each, and Yang Zhao was promoted to deputy general of Liaoyang.