national surname chiming

Chapter 366 Of course you have to accept the gift of the head

Although Zhang Huangyan swore to be loyal to Daming to the death, and Nanyang City had already made full preparations, when it came time to watch Azig's Qing army slowly besiege the city, inner tension was unavoidable.

After all, this is his civil servant, the first time he is in the enemy's rear, surrounded by heavy siege, and there is no rescue outside.Although he had been in the army for several years before, he had never encountered such a dangerous situation.

If Azig attacked fiercely as soon as he came up, Zhang Huangyan would have no time to be nervous, and he would forget about everything as soon as he started fighting, leaving only his blood boiling.

However, Azig was very calm, so he slowly moved the noose to the Ming army's neck first, but did not really make a move, which was really a test.

After this, as long as they can survive, the psychological quality of Zhang Huangyan and other civil servants under Zhu Shuren's command will probably be able to rise to a higher level.

However, just as Zhang Huangyan was gradually calming down, Li Dingguo came to report: "Zhang Daotai! There is a person outside the city who claims to be the emissary of Azig's persuasion to persuade him to see him. Did he shoot it? Or did the two armies fight without beheading?"

According to Li Dingguo's original intention, of course he wanted to shoot directly at this time, but he couldn't make the decision, and he was afraid of ruining Zhang Huangyan's strategic plan, so he could only ask for instructions step by step.

"The Tartars actually tried to persuade me to surrender without even hitting me?" Zhang Huangyan couldn't help being stunned when he heard the words, subconsciously thinking it was a little funny.

But after all, he is a person with real ability and practical work. He soon realized that the problem is not that simple, and pondered:
"In the eyes of people like Azig, it's probably not a big deal to kill a boneless Han literati. Therefore, even if there is a chance that he may succeed in persuading surrender, he is willing to give it a try.

And since he sent someone here, he probably didn't just have the idea of ​​persuading him to surrender, maybe he also wanted to take the opportunity to find out the truth about our army—by the way, did you reveal your identity when they came to call the door?Are they shouting and accosting? "

Li Dingguo's heart trembled, and he sweated quietly, thinking to himself that luckily he didn't talk too much just now, otherwise if he said the wrong thing and leaked the military plan, wouldn't it be to spoil the master's plan.

He quickly expressed his position: "The last general didn't dare to say a word, just let him wait, and said that he would report to the superior——As for who the superior who informed the report was, the final general did not say, the Tartars probably still don't know about us. anyone's identity."

After Li Dingguo observed it a few days ago, he also participated in the discussion of military aircraft. He knew that before the governor left, he ordered to carry out strategic deception, otherwise Zhu Wenzhen would not have allowed Zhu Wenzhen to pretend to be Cao Bianjiao in the previous scout raid.

Since Cao Bianjiao wanted to pretend, other people might also need to pretend. Without knowing Shangguan's intentions, Li Dingguo, who is cautious by nature, would naturally not say a single unnecessary word.

Zhang Huangyan was also very satisfied with his state of mind, thinking to himself that this general who had been the adopted son of the bandit chieftain was a man to be made, not just a reckless man with pure courage.

So he made some calculations, and ordered in a polite and deliberative tone: "Good job, since that's the case, you ask your reliable officers and men to bring the envoys to me, and don't let them talk to outsiders along the way, and the guides don't talk to others. Don't talk too much——

Don't show your face yourself, after all, you were Zhang Ni's adopted son, led troops for several years, and had dealings with Zhang Nijun's countless enemies, it would be bad to be recognized. "

Li Dingguo was inevitably a little ashamed when he heard the words, but he knew that Zhang Daotai was not ashamed of his previous identity when he said it bluntly. shame.

It is sometimes easier to win the trust of military commanders when they tell the truth and face the civilian leaders who are not right.

Li Dingguo was just a little unwilling, and took the initiative to suggest: "The Daotai is afraid of leaking military information, why not kill them all?"

Zhang Huangyan smiled and shook his head: "We have an excuse for killing envoys, it's nothing more than looking down on those dog civil servants who bow their knees and subjugate Tartars, and they have read all the books about loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, righteousness and saints into the dog's belly.

But the sage didn't ask ordinary people who don't read to stick to their loyalty. We can't even kill all those servants and soldiers who don't know how to read, right?That would make us feel guilty, and the Tartars would instead doubt the reality of the city.

And if I want to reveal false news to the Tartars, someone has to come back with a message, right?If they were all killed, it would be superfluous for me to send someone to answer, maybe the people we sent would also be killed.

That being the case, the old rule is that after the meeting, he will be punished and the leading official will be killed, and he will be beaten back.Along the way, just let people see what they should see. "

There is a detail of ancient military diplomacy that laymen often don't notice. Even if the two armies are at war, even if the envoys are beheaded, they will only kill the envoys. Everyone was killed—otherwise, no one would bring anything back, and it would not be convenient to express one's determination.

Paying a little attention to "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms", it is not difficult to find that even Zhou Yu beheaded the envoy of Cao Cao's persuasion, saying that he wanted to "behead the envoy to establish prestige", and in the end he also wanted to "pay the head to the follower to hold it back", otherwise the follower Kill them all, who will help you lead the head.

Li Dingguo had never dealt with these negotiating matters before, so he couldn't help but make a low-level mistake. When Zhang Huangyan pointed it out, he felt ashamed and realized that he had to study harder.

To be a good general, one must not only be brave, cautious, and rely on talent, but also have to learn a lot of details.

……

After a while, a group of envoys sent by Azig forcibly, led by Li Dingguo's confidants, came to visit the "Lord Governor".

The defenders were very cautious. They hoisted the mission up with a hanging basket, and then descended from the ramp on the inside of the tower.When passing by, those envoys glanced at the city gate naturally, and found that the city gate had been completely blocked.

Of the main city gates on at least four sides, this side is definitely not used for retreat. The other three sides are not known or seen for the time being, but the other three sides are not close to the Baihe River, and it is estimated that they will only be more tightly closed.

The civil envoy seemed to have a flickering look on his face. He inquired here and there along the way, and the guard who led the way got an explanation, so he didn't say anything that shouldn't be said.

There was only one question that was answered very simply—the envoy asked them if the "Lord Governor" in the city was Zhu Shuren, the governor of Huguang, and the guards leading the way immediately answered no.

After hearing this, the envoy finally breathed a sigh of relief, not knowing what he was lucky for.

The guards who led the way saw that sneaky look, and they only thought that the other party was doing it carefully, and didn't think about anything else.

This question was specifically told by Zhang Huangyan to Li Dingguo, so it can be answered.

Because he didn't want to act too fake, Zhu Shuren was the governor of one side after all, even if he defended himself in the Huguang war zone, at most he would stay in Xiangyang or Wuchang, and it was impossible for him to go into the enemy's siege alone.

If you lie to the other party about this question, or don't say it, it is easy to be self-defeating, and the effect of strategic deception will become worse.So Zhang Huangyan allowed his subordinates to just say that the governor is not there if they are asked about this, but who is the highest commander in the city will be kept secret for the time being.

……

After a while, the envoy was sent to the former Nanyang magistrate's yamen, which was temporarily guarding the shogunate.

Zhang Huangyan himself didn't show up immediately, but first asked one of his subordinates, Gui Zhuang, to come out for an interview - Gui Zhuang and Gu Yanwu were best friends, from the same hometown and the same age.

After Gu Yanwu became an official with Zhu Shuren as an aide, his official career was not smooth in the first few years of returning to Zhuang. The imperial examination in Chongzhen in 13 years was unsuccessful, and then the country's situation declined. They estimated that the country in Chongzhen's 16th year must be in turmoil, so they didn't bother to take the exam again. After failing the rankings in 13, I came to work as an assistant to Zhang Huangyan the following year. Anyway, everyone knows each other well, so there is nothing to be ashamed of.

When Guizhuang met the envoy, the scene was handled naturally and decently, and then asked about the identity of the other party.

The emissary looked at the age of thirty, his expression flickered slightly, but he quickly controlled it: "Your official Cao Rong, the first emperor was the censor, and Zhou Yanru was demoted. After I entered the Qing Dynasty, I promoted Youyin and pardoned him. The first emperor was a crime official, and he felt that Prince Rui knew him for a while, so he promised to continue to be the censor and patrol the South Road."

This wording was very cautious, so that even if the guard would not surrender, he would not be ashamed to kill the envoy directly-according to his words, he was not too disloyal, it was the emperor who was stupid and forced in Chongzhen, He participated in exposing the traitor Zhou Yanru, and he was imprisoned by Chongzhen, and later history also proved that Zhou Yanru was indeed a traitor.

That being the case, "a good bird chooses a tree to live in, and a virtuous minister chooses a master to do things." Chongzhen did not distinguish between loyal and traitorous, and abused torture. He is not as wise as Dorgon, and it is nothing if he surrenders.And according to what he said, he managed to avoid surrendering to Li Zicheng, which shows that he has a certain choice of master. He doesn't recognize whoever comes.

Later, as if to save his life better, he talked about his own experience, saying that he was from Xiuzhou (Jiaxing), Zhejiang. talented scholars.

As soon as this air is put on, the guarding civil servants of the other party will be even more embarrassed to kill him-the current Nanjing court is full of famous scholars and talented officials from Donglin Fushe. If they kill their friends indiscriminately, it will definitely spread in the future. It will be hard, right?Maybe others don't tell you clearly, but secretly put on shoes for your official career!

Guizhuang is of course also in that circle, and he also knows some Donglin celebrities in the Nanzhi area, although not too many.Among the names and deeds reported by "Cao Rong", Gui Zhuang had heard about three or five cases, so he knew that the other party was indeed an insider.

The two sides chatted with Wei Snake for a while, testing Azig's conditions, and by the way, spying on Azig's military strength and preparations for the siege.

After inquiring about it, Gui Zhuang was thinking about how to tear his face apart, which would not damage the future official relationship of his boss Zhang Huangyan.

But at this moment, Zhang Huangyan himself finally appeared from behind the screen impatiently, and there was no one in sight.He heard his voice and scolded the other party first.

"Hahaha, 'Cao Rong', you have a good resume! If we hadn't met you in Nanjing Guozijian, I would have been fooled by you!"

The envoy didn't realize who the voice was when he heard it for the first time, but when he looked closely, he felt slightly familiar. After he was convinced that he had been spotted, he immediately sat down in fright:

"You are... Zhang Cangshui? Zhu Shuren's cousin Zhang Cangshui?! He is willing to put his own relatives and siblings in Wancheng to supervise the battle? Is he going to fight to the death with Prince Ying?"

Zhang Huangyan smiled grimly: "You can still recognize me, yes, Gong Dingzi, I have heard that you, a scholar, have long been disgraced. You became a family slave of three surnames, and you voted first for the robbers and then for the tartars. Old friends and classmates in Nanjing, which one is not ashamed that our Guozijian once produced a 'senior' like you!
You actually dare to come to persuade you to surrender, you are really not afraid of death.Azig sent you, and you really came?If he can kill you, I can't kill you! "

It turned out that the slaves of the three surnames colluded with Zhu Dadian, Hou Fangyu, Ruan Dacheng, and Zuo Liangyu when they were in Nanjing, and offended Gong Dingzi of Zhu Shuren (who was still called Shen Shuren at the time).

(Note: At that time, each of these groups had their own interests, and each had conflicts with Zhu Shuren. They only occasionally dealt with Zhu Shuren, but they were not necessarily familiar with each other. not allies)

Because of this butterfly effect of grievances, Gong Dingzi's official career was also quite unsatisfactory. After arriving in Beijing, he wasted two years in his position in the military department and was not promoted.Even Gu Mei, who was supposed to be his concubine in history, did not follow him by mistake.

The officials in charge of the evaluation knew that he had no one above him, so he had offended Zhu Shuren.With Zhu Shuren's status rising and becoming very popular, who would take the risk of offending Zhu Shuren and force a poor literati to stand out?

Therefore, Gong Dingzi in this life did not rise to Taichang Shaoqing until the fall of Chongzhen, and always moved around in the positions of Bingke and Yushi.So after entering the Qing Dynasty, he still sat up from the affairs of the military department.

Azige went south this time, and he brought some demoted officials from Donglin in the south of the Yangtze River, such as Gong Dingzi and Cao Rong, the censor of Henan Province. The Ming army can let them come forward to soften and persuade them to surrender.

Considering the governor in Nanyang City this time, even if it is not Zhu Shuren, he may be a dignitary from Jiangnan Shilin and an acquaintance of Zhu Shuren.So Azige forced Gong Dingzi, who has a wide range of people, to disguise himself a little bit, to find out the truth, and go back so that he can report the personnel arrangement of the Ming army to Azige. Who made Zhang Huangyan do a good job of keeping secrets? .

Of course Gong Dingzi was terrified at the time. He knew that he knew a lot of people, which also meant that the probability of him being known by the other party would be greater.But Azig threatened him directly, and he couldn't help it.

After thinking about it, he felt that as long as he didn't meet Zhu Shuren's close relatives, other people should not care about the little grievances between him and Zhu Shuren, and they might not know the inside story. Even if they recognized it, their lives might not be in danger. Nanjing knew a lot of people, promised some favors to go out, reached some dirty deals and escaped safely.

To be on the safe side, he also deliberately assumed the name and resume of his colleague Gu Rong, and decided to take a gamble.

Unexpectedly, it was such a bad luck that they bumped into Zhang Huangyan, who was most familiar with Zhu Shuren's private affairs!Zhu Shuren's cousin!
After confirming the identity of the other party, Zhang Huangyan certainly had a plan in his mind. He knew that this kind of slave with three surnames would definitely be killed, but there was no need to rush, as long as he was detained first and not let go, he could be killed slowly. Maybe it can also help my cousin solve a few political enemies in the future court, and there are other wonderful uses——

This is a good tool to bite, although the trick of "colluding with Beijing to surrender the rebellion" is a bit disgraceful and can easily lead to panic. Historically, it was only used by despicable people like Ruan Dacheng to control Chao Gang.But the quality of a knife depends on how people use it, so it is always right to keep it first.

(Note: Historically, Ruan Dacheng’s infighting tactic was to thoroughly investigate “Which Beijing civil servants voted for Chuang/Tartar when Chongzhen died, and they are traitors.” Then check to see if those traitors have any Relatives and friends, and then the relatives and friends of these apostates were massacred and dismissed in batches.

This kind of selective entanglement is very despicable. In fact, it is to avenge private revenge and completely kill those who offended the eunuchs in those years. It also played a very bad role in the internal separation of the Nanjing court in history. Resist, I am afraid that I will be imprisoned and questioned because I have relatives in Beijing that day.

Zhu Shuren and Zhang Huangyan definitely couldn't do this, they just kept a limited hole card temporarily. )
After thinking about it, Zhang Huangyan also said righteously: "Gong thief, for your crime, he should have been killed! But now that the battle is imminent, let's save your life first, and maybe when the Tartars attack the city, they can put you on the city wall. Sacrifice the flag in public and boost morale!
Haha, when I watched "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms", we also praised Zhou Lang for his elegant act of beheading Cai Zhongcai and offering sacrifices to the flag when Chibi was about to fight. Today we will learn from Mei Zhoulang, and you will be Cai Zhong Cai is reconciled!
Save your nonsense about persuading surrender to Lord Hades.Come, detain this guy, and pull out his clothes and stick for thirty!Don't kill me!Then kill all the deputy envoys!Only the servants were left behind, and they went to see Azig with the deputy envoy's head and reply letter!
Just tell him that there is a way to attack Nanyang, just come!There are not [-] troops in my city, but there are [-] to [-], and there are countless military equipment in Xiangyang. When your army is exhausted, Shuren Shuren will naturally lead the army to make him look good!

In Wuchang in the rear, and my brother-in-law Fang Daotai, the supervisors and trainers supervised the manufacture of ordnance, and they continued to reinforce the front!Want to take my Nanyang, let Azig be careful like the old slave, and save his life! "

(End of this chapter)