The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 298

Yanghekou.

This day, Wang Shouren went to Zhang Zhou after setting up his military affairs at night. The reason for the inquiry was two-fold. How to resolve the confrontation.

After all, Yanghekou was just a pass of Daming, and it was just a military fortress. For Zhang Zhou, it was far less comfortable than Xuanfu.

Most of the soldiers camped in the fortress, and it would be good if he could have a tile to cover his head.

"Brother Bo'an, have something to eat?"

Zhang Zhou was still writing something, Wang Shouren thought that Zhang Zhou was writing a play, so he didn't bother too much.

It was Zhang Zhou who pointed to the food on the table, including wine and meat. Wang Shouren was startled when he saw this scene. Zhang Zhou's living environment in the army was very luxurious, and he thought that if you want to enjoy life, don't come here.

Zhang Zhou finished writing what he had on hand, then called Sun Shangqi in and said, "Send it back to the capital."

It was only then that Wang Shouren noticed that it was not a performance, but more like a personal letter.

When Zhang Zhou approached Wang Shouren, facing Wang Shouren's suspicious gaze, he explained with a smile: "As a doctor, I need to write a prescription for someone. After entering Yanghekou, I asked someone for some mercury and arsenic, and made some new medicine... ..."

Naturally, it was prepared for the one from Li Dongyang's family.

He promised to improve the arsenic agent, and Zhang Zhou said he must do it. Anyway, he is not very interested in the decisive battle with Huosie now, so he will set up camp in Yanghekou while returning to the state in the capital...Anyway, he will know all kinds of things Do.

Wang Shouren didn't ask who Zhang Zhou prepared the medicine for. From his point of view, Zhang Zhou didn't look like a leader of the army, and everything he did was a part-time job.

Then Zhang Zhou invited Wang Shouren to the dinner table.

"Song Xian, commander of Yanghewei, sent it to me. Don't insist on giving it to me. As a military officer of the Xuanda Command, all the officers and generals will want to cling to him after he takes office. It's very annoying." Zhang Zhou With emotion.

Only then did Wang Shouren know why Zhang Zhou was on the front line and lived in a very ordinary place, but he was so "exquisite" in terms of food.

It's elegant, but it probably can't compare with the free life in the capital.

"The wine is gone, let's have a meal together." Zhang Zhou said.

Wang Shouren said: "No need, I had dinner before I came down."

Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "Okay, then let's finish talking first, and I will eat later. Brother Bo An is here to send troops to Maoerzhuang?"

"Yes."

Wang Shouren had mentioned a strategic plan to Zhang Zhou before, including how to sneak attack, including a head-on decisive battle with Huozhai, etc., but he didn't get a reply from Zhang Zhou. He always felt that this was a missed opportunity for the fire screen.

Zhang Zhoudao: "I've read it, and what you mentioned is very good. When people from all walks of life gather together, we won't be afraid to fight head-on, and we can even take his back. But you have to know, it's not whether we want to fight now, but whether we want to fight or not. Eight or Nine will not fight us."

Wang Shouren nodded and said: "But if you delay sending out troops, the fire will sieve Chen's soldiers outside Datong Town, or the court will criticize."

"Ha ha."

Zhang Zhou smiled.

It seemed that suddenly, Wang Shouren understood the "essence" of running an army in the Northwest.

That is, regardless of the strategic situation, whether to fight or not is not the point.

The point is not what you, a frontline general, think, but how the courtiers and ministers see it. Once what you do is different from the expectations of the courtiers and ministers, they will criticize you, and even pick your faults and dismiss you, or even hold you accountable. your sin.

You don't send troops when the Tatars violate the border, and just sit back and watch the Tatars plunder and go away. This is a serious crime in the eyes of the ministers of the court.

"It's okay, the Huoshai people are in Maoerzhuang, it doesn't mean they came in by knocking on the gate, no matter how much others criticize, they can't tell the truth, who let you have the good news of Bo'an, we are so rich?" Zhang Zhou Still laughing.

Unlike Chen Bing, a Tatar who was outside the pass, this time Zhang Zhou was in the northwest, and the people in the court didn't seem to make irresponsible remarks about it.

Zhang Zhou's mode of fighting is unique, and he seems to have privileges in Chen Bing's formation.

The court ministers also seem to understand that Zhang Zhou's military strategy cannot be judged by common sense. The situation between Da Ming and the grassland tribes has reversed. Now to attack Zhang Zhou... In the future, if Zhang Zhou wins a battle for you, it will be for himself. Face smeared.

No one was willing to bring their faces closer and ask Zhang Zhou to slap them.

"I came up with the idea of ​​sending troops, but the current lack of food, grass and supplies, if we use light troops to attack, the advantage is not ours, it is better to have such a stalemate, to give the soldiers around Datong a sense of urgency, and at the same time, it is better to follow the court. Gossip." Zhang Zhou made his words very clear in front of Wang Shouren.

"Tricking?" Wang Shouren frowned, this word did not sound so formal.

It doesn't seem like it came from the mouth of a commander in chief of the Northwest Army.

Zhang Zhou sighed: "It's just nonsense. Brother Bo'an, you also know that this time, if the rewards for meritorious deeds follow the previous standard, the imperial court will not be able to provide so much money to reward the three armies. My Xuanfu opened the iron mine. No progress has been made, and if you want to stabilize the morale of the army, you need financial support, but do you think that the DPRK and China have so much money transferred over now?"

"It's difficult." Wang Shouren also knew that Northwest wanted to use troops, and it was not simply a question of whether the monarchs and ministers agreed.

It also depends on whether Daming can afford to use troops for a long time.

The objection of the ministers is not simply because they are afraid of trouble, but because once the Northwest wants to prepare for a large-scale war, it will involve the problem of wasting people and money, and the civil servants of the Hongzhi Dynasty, especially the cabinet ministers after Xu Pu, are all about one. "Anmin".

To calm the people, we must reduce expenditures, which is contrary to the grand strategy of using troops in the Northwest.

"Without the army of fire screening, I would not be able to ask the imperial court for money. I also know that the imperial court will not meet our needs, and we can't cut down on expenditure. The only way is to increase income. But the way of open source will inevitably be different from the imperial court's existing methods. There is a conflict in the system, so I can apply to His Majesty just now."

Zhang Zhou once again showed his side that is different from ordinary people.

Wang Shouren, who was born in a traditional civic force like Wang Shouren, would naturally find it unacceptable for a while when he heard such words.

If this had changed before, if Zhang Zhou said such things in front of him, he might have left in a huff.

You proclaim the general system, and you actually think about how to calculate the court?
But it's different now...

It is precisely because the incompetent family does not know the price of firewood and rice. Wang Shouren led his troops to the grassland and returned to Yanghekou. in a meadow.

And all of this comes from the conservatism and paranoia of the courtiers.

Wang Shouren asked: "If it takes years and months to prepare for the war, it will cost a huge amount of money. If you don't rely on the deployment of the Beijing Reserve, but rely on the Xuanfu's accumulation over the past few years, it will be a drop in the bucket."

"Well." Zhang Zhou nodded, "so my strategy, on the one hand, is to take advantage of the current situation in the northwest to strengthen the army, and then change the grain opening mode, let merchants come to farm, recruit soldiers and civilians to reclaim wasteland, and at the same time speed up mining. .After all, His Majesty gave me the authority, we have to make good use of it."

"Go back to Xuanfu?" Wang Shouren frowned.

When Wang Shouren wanted to come, Zhang Zhou said that he wanted to open mines, and he meant to open the iron mines around Zhangjiakoubao, some of which were still outside the Great Wall.

But you Chen Bing is in Yanghekou, what are you talking about mining?
"No, no, there's no need to go back to Xuan Mansion. It's good to stay in Datong Town. I can't open iron mines. I'll open a few coal mines first. I just happened to have accumulated some experience in Xishan and can be familiar with the road." Zhang Zhou smiled. said.

Wang Shouren froze there for a moment.

Your way of mining is very magical.

Originally we were talking about opening iron mines, let alone the imperial court, even if the Tatars knew your intentions, they thought you were focusing on Xuanfu, but you turned around and went to Datong to open coal mines?
You think the world is full of mines, where do you want to open?

Wang Shouren said: "With the existing coal mines around Datong Town, it may not be easy to open up new mines."

Zhang Zhou shook his head with a smile and said: "On the contrary, it's easy. The coal mines around Datong are rich in reserves. You know I'm good at Fengshui... It's easiest to use the method of Kanyu Xuankong to find mines. I have asked Your Majesty to let you Stay in Datong Town as the governor, and the matter of opening coal mines in the local area will be handed over to you."

"..."

Wang Shouren was speechless.

I came to talk to you about dispatching troops, but you told me that I would stay in Datong to help you mine?
Although what Zhang Zhou said was in line with his expectation of running the army, being the governor of Datong gave him a great stage to play, and he could just realize his ambition.

It has been less than half a year since he entered the court, and Wang Shouren did not expect to achieve any great achievements as an official in the capital. If he could not enter the Imperial Academy, he might as well stay in the Northwest and run the army for a long time. At least this is his hobby... Learning to open forums and give lectures, etc., are all things he likes in his middle and old age.

"Originally, I planned to keep you in the Xuanfu, but Ma Zhongxi has a bit of a temper, but he still has abilities. A capable person, even if he has a disposition different from ordinary people, can do things better than those who don't." Well, the neglect of military affairs in the northwest of Ming Dynasty in the past few decades is due to the inaction of many people!"

Although Zhang Zhou didn't criticize Hong Han, the governor of Datong directly, he belittled Hong Han to nothing in every line.

After hearing this, Wang Shouren felt a kind of "admiration" in addition to empathizing with him.

He was also thinking, this Zhang Zhitai looks young, and he is still a sycophant in the eyes of others. He used to look competitive and care about Ma Zhongxi, but he is also open-minded. Obviously Ma Zhongxi has treated him as a sycophant. He is obviously qualified to replace Ma Zhongxi, but Zhang Zhou can still be tolerant.

Instead, it was Hong Han...

This kind of inaction official, even if he flatters and fawns again, will still be ordered to leave early.

Originally, Wang Shouren was not very confident about being a governor in the Northwest, but seeing Zhang Zhou's determination, he would also be encouraged, thinking that he could do a big job.

"As for sending troops to Maoerzhuang, forget it." Zhang Zhou said, "Unless we can transfer a large number of artillery and gunpowder from the side pass, but this does not meet the strategic needs. Now I just want to see what the fire screen can do." pattern."

Zhang Zhou is very leisurely.

Wang Shouren also obeyed.

Obviously, after Zhang Zhou arrived in the northwest, he didn't fight a tough battle in person, and ran errands when he moved his mouth, but he didn't fight in person, and avoided the battle when he obviously had the opportunity to fight Huosai, but Wang Shouren was convinced by Zhang Zhou.

Wang Shouren said: "No wonder Marquis Wei Ning recommended to His Majesty many times before he died, saying that the future of Ming Dynasty's Northwest military affairs rests on the shoulders of Zhang Zhitai."

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Boan, you don't have to compliment me. We will work together in the future. How long can I stay in Northwest? You may not be able to return to Beijing in the next few years. It is more appropriate to say that the burden is on your shoulders. Let's work together."

"Ah."

Wang Shouren did not say to be humble.

Wang Shouren is also willing to accept the idea of ​​working together.

……

……

As Zhang Zhou expected, a report came after Ye Ye did not accept it, saying that Huozhai withdrew his troops from Maoerzhuang and left in a hurry.

As for the reason for the withdrawal, it is also very simple...

Zhang Zhou sent [-] cavalry to leave the pass at Yanghekou. They did not go north, but went west along the northern edge of the Great Wall pass to Fangshan, where Huoshai fled in despair.

When Wang Shouren got the battle report, he couldn't help but smile wryly.

Isn't this all in line with what Zhang Zhou predicted?

It wasn't whether Da Ming wanted to fight a decisive battle, but because of the fire... his confidence was lost.

In other words, even if Huozhai still has confidence, Huozhai should know how to assess the situation. How can his soldiers have the confidence to fight against Daming?
Obviously, the internal grassland is being merged, and most of its tribes are still captured. One of them will represent the grassland to fight against Ming Dynasty?Even without the rise of Zhang Zhou, the yellow gunpowder and those advanced artillery, the power of Ming Dynasty would have far surpassed that of Dayan Khan...

Now with Zhang Zhou, it is even more impossible for Huosie to take the initiative to touch eggs with stones.

Then an imperial edict was sent to Yanghekou.

Zhang Zhou was promoted to be the censor of the left capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the right servant of the Ministry of War, and the right governor of the military governor's mansion. Military affairs everywhere... The emperor almost handed over all the important towns on the nine borders to Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou's civilian position is temporarily at the second rank, and his military position is at the first rank, which means he has become the most powerful man in Northwest China.

Although Zhang Zhou has not yet received a title, everyone seems to know that Zhang Zhou will be able to obtain a title when he returns to the capital. Now that he has not been awarded a title, it is just for the convenience of Zhang Zhou to control military affairs in the Northwest as a civil servant. If he becomes a military officer, then Maybe Zhang Zhou will listen to Qin Hong's orders.

This is a matter of priority.

Although the emperor could also issue an edict to order Zhang Zhou to control military affairs in the Northwest as a military officer, it would set a bad precedent, just like Wang Yue had to step down from his post as minister of war after he was promoted to Weining Bo in Chenghua.

The emperor is trying to gag other people's mouths.

Wang Shouren was promoted to be a doctor of the Ministry of punishment, concurrently the censor of Zuoqian capital, and governor of Datong's military affairs.

Hong Han, the former governor of Datong, was dismissed on the spot and transferred to the capital for employment...

Everything was done on the premise that Zhang Zhou had never met Hong Han.

After the decree is made, the next step is to perform their duties.

Huosi withdraws troops, and Zhang Zhou does not have enough firearms to send troops. What Zhang Zhou wants to do is to open mines and secure the people. This needs someone to help him carry out... Pianguan is more like a military station, and there is no way to mine around. There is no way to go to the fields, and the basic task of Anmin is to put it all on Wang Shouren.

Zhang Zhou was about to see Wang Shouren as a farewell party and send him to Datong Mansion to take over.

"You're not in a hurry, are you?" Tang Yin still seemed a little apprehensive after learning about it.

Obviously, I am Zhang Banxian, your younger brother, why did all the good things fall to him?
It is also the head of the six departments, why was he promoted to governor?

Wang Shouren next to him seemed to feel that even if he became the governor of Datong, he didn't have to go to Datong to perform his duties. .

Being the governor of Datong is much more complicated than being the governor of Xuanfu and Pianguan.

Wang Shouren felt that he was powerless to deal with the local government and other yamen.

He is confident in the military, but if you want to manage such a complicated system as a new scholar like him, no matter how confident you are, if you can't do it in terms of seniority, you just don't have the confidence.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Bo'an, I will let Jin Yiwei Sun Qianhu accompany you there, and at the same time I will send you a thousand soldiers from the Jingying Shenji Battalion and a thousand soldiers from the Xuanfu Township, and try not to cause conflicts after passing. Wait until everything settles down. Afterwards, these people withdrew one after another.”

In addition to Wang Shouren's political pressure, Zhang Zhou also had to consider his personal safety.

A young governor goes to office, or to carry out rectification and reform, and it is easy to be dissatisfied by local bosses.

The two thousand soldiers and horses were regarded as Zhang Zhou's personal soldiers for Wang Shouren, and there were talented people around him to handle things.

Wang Shouren also understands that Datong is now a dragon's pond and a tiger's den to him, and he will not refuse to accept it like a stunned young man. On the contrary, he may feel that... 2000 people are a bit small.

"In addition, I will give you another 1 taels of silver." Zhang Zhou said, "This is the start-up capital, and you can deploy it yourself. Don't worry, these silvers are all obtained from mine mining and self-raising, and do not involve imperial court transfers. You can use them however you want. "

It was Wang Shouren's turn and Tang Yin beside him were speechless again.

Tang Yin asked: "Zhang Zaitai, didn't you give the imperial court more than 1 taels of silver as a color salary?"

Zhang Zhoudao: "At that time, I almost contributed all of my wealth, but recently I made a lot of money from opening coal mines in Xishan, and the business of the workshops in Beijing is also very good. I made a little more and used it."

Tang Yin frowned.

He wanted to say that he has seen others move money from the court to his house, but he has never seen you move money from your house to the court like this.

"There is no return without investment, and 1 taels of silver is not enough to do many things. The key point is to recruit some people and open the coal mine. I will find someone to communicate with the specific location, and I will go there in person when I have time."

Zhang Zhou continued, "As for the rewards for military merits, the imperial court is already implementing them. If the first merits are not enough to cash in, they will be cashed in with Yanyin, garrison fields, houses, military positions, etc., which are not within the scope of the 1 taels of silver. If it is really not enough, maybe after the mining is opened in the future, some of the mining income will be used to give some rewards to the soldiers. Make the best use of everything.”

Tang Yin said: "Does the imperial court let us raise money by ourselves, even the military rewards?"

Zhang Zhou shrugged and said, "It doesn't mean that we need to raise money by ourselves, so we owe it first? It's not good for us to manage the army. The treasury is short of money. Let's help find a way to keep the army stable. There's nothing wrong with it."

(End of this chapter)