The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 418
Qianqing Palace.

Members of the Beijing Listening Office, Li Dongyang, Ma Wensheng, Zhang Mao and Wei Bin, participated in this inner court discussion.

Xiao Jing, as the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, is no longer in the upper hearing office, and Li Dongyang is still the representative of the cabinet in the upper hearing office.

Zhu Youtang asked Wei Bin to hang a map of the north in the Qianqing Palace for several people to see clearly, and then asked Wei Bin to roughly mark the direction of Wang Shouren's march on the map... In this way, several people from the listening office The members knew how Wang Shouren detoured behind the enemy's rear, and how he would force the little Tatar prince to retreat.

Wei Bin marked several points on the map at the same time, and explained: "...the Tatars have deployed heavy troops in Xuanfu, Pianguan, Yansui, etc., and the number of soldiers and horses is in the tens of thousands. The frontier army of the Ming Dynasty marched northward..."

"The main force of the Little Tatar Prince on the Ningxia West Road has been determined to be between [-] and [-] troops. Xinjian Bo leads [-] troops, and the schedule has already passed the capital. This is where the Tatar Little Prince Chahar is stationed. The surrounding defenses are empty..."

Yidu is not an unfamiliar term to Da Ming, although in the past hundred years, Da Ming's army basically has not traveled so far.

But this is the place where Zhu Di, the king of Yan in the 23rd year of Hongwu's Northern Conquest, recruited and surrendered Naier.

From what Li Dongyang and others heard, Wang Shouren had killed all the way to the hinterland of the grassland, and even went to Mobei, a little too big and easy to be dragged, and he was afraid that his feet would never come back.

After Wei Bin explained, Li Dongyang said bluntly: "It's so deep, I'm afraid [-] soldiers and horses are not enough to retreat completely."

Zhu Youtang asked: "Li Qing's family, are you worried that Uncle Xinjian's [-] soldiers will be left alone and helpless?"

Li Dongyang said: "This is exactly what I mean."

Zhu Youtang sighed: "In the past, I don't agree with such a lonely army going deep, but I remember Bingkuan said that since he wants to pull with the tribes in the grassland, every whip must hit the vital points of these wolves. They are the ones who are afraid, if they are the ones who wave their whips every time and Da Ming dodges them, they don't know how to be afraid, and they won't be able to tame the king's way sincerely."

Li Dongyang obviously didn't want to hear whether he was the main attacker or the main defender.

For civil servants, what is needed is stability, and everything must be kept within a controllable range, instead of going deep into adventurism alone.

"Your Majesty." Li Dongyang said seriously, "Even though most of the main force of the Tatars are close to the Daming pass, if the Tatars find out about Xinjian Boyu's movements in the hinterland of the grassland, all the Tatars will rush north to help. In front of Xinjian Bosuo, there is the main force of the little Tatar prince, and there are reinforcements from various Tatars in the south, and when they retreat to Liaodong, they will be intercepted by Duoyan's three guards, and [-] soldiers and horses will easily fall into a tight siege."

"At this time, Xuanfu, Datong, Pianguan and other places in the Ming Dynasty were unable to deploy more troops and horses in time to help when they did not know the movement of people and horses from all walks of life in the grassland, nor did they know the location of Xinjian Bo's headquarters."

Zhu Youtang asked: "So Li Ge always wants to say that the six thousand soldiers of the Ming Dynasty will go and never return?"

Li Dongyang cupped his hands, and he didn't say anything ugly.

In order not to be felt by the emperor again, he was deliberately singing the opposite tune and confronting Zhang Zhou.

Zhu Youtang said: "Then what is the strategy now? Let me send someone to call back Uncle Xinjian?"

Li Dongyang said nothing.

It's too late to say anything now. Since the emperor ordered Wang Shouren to lead troops into the grassland, he should have considered all the adverse consequences.

"What I can do now is to let Xuanda's front line not close at night and spy on the Tatar intelligence. If the main force of the Tatar is detected going north, we will send troops from all directions to form a deterrent, so as to ensure that Xinjian Bo can bring his troops back safely."

Zhu Youtang was obviously not unprepared.

Since he felt that Wang Shouren might fall into isolation and helplessness, then give him reinforcements.

As long as the various troops of the little Tatar prince retreated, Daming would follow suit, and the two sides would start a tug-of-war on the basis of the Daming pass, so that Batu Mengke had no intention of devouring the [-] soldiers under Wang Shouren's troops.

Zhang Mao came out and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Li Dongyang originally thought that Zhang Mao had some high-level remarks, but he never thought that such unconstructive speeches. He was about to say something more, but he saw that Ma Wensheng had also walked out of several people.

Seeing Ma Wensheng coming out, Li Dongyang knew that it was inconvenient for him to come out and object at this time.

Ma Wensheng said: "Your Majesty, in this battle, Uncle Xinjian marched westward into the grassland with the elite troops of Nuer Gandusi, and he brought a large number of new cannons and flint guns. If he rashly uses other troops to reinforce him, I am afraid that he will be returned by the little prince of Tatar. The soldiers and horses of Xuanda, Sanbian and other places in the Ming Dynasty are not suitable for confrontation with the main force of the Tatars in the grassland."

Zhu Youtang looked over and said: "Ma Qing's family, do you want to say, or just sit back and watch Uncle Xinjian be surrounded and ignore him, and let him and his six thousand soldiers fend for themselves?"

Ma Wensheng said resolutely: "If you lose a corner, you can't lose everything."

I'm probably saying, I mean what His Majesty said, giving up Wang Shouren's people will not let all the people of Ming Dynasty suffer together.

Zhu Youtang's face was gloomy, obviously angry.

Zhang Mao immediately said again: "The old minister wants to come, what Ma Shangshu means is that Uncle Xinjian has the strength to break through the siege and go south without the need for reinforcements from other people. If there are too many reinforcements, it may be a disservice."

Now even Zhu Youtang frowned and looked at Zhang Mao.

You old man Zhang, I was caught off guard by the flattery just now, and now defending Ma Wensheng, it seems that you are very sensible.

Are you out of your mind?Don't you know where you should have a clear position?
Zhu Youtang said: "I think that when the Tatars retreated, all the troops of the Ming Dynasty took the initiative to attack, in order to show that the Ming Dynasty had the ambition to level the grasslands, and the gains and losses of a corner are indeed irrelevant to the overall situation, but if Uncle Xinjian cannot retreat completely , in my opinion, it’s a small loss that makes a big difference.”

In fact, Zhu Youtang didn't want to say that.

Saying this is tantamount to admitting that if Wang Shouren's team suffers a big loss, the overall strategy will still lose.

Wang Shouren himself went deep alone, and he would definitely be encircled by several groups of Tatars, and there was no guarantee that Wang Shouren would be able to retreat unscathed.

But the emperor still couldn't give up Wang Shouren and his six thousand elite soldiers.

Ma Wensheng asked for instructions: "Your Majesty, if Uncle Xinjian is attacked by the enemy several times, and the stalemate causes huge losses in the army, and he cannot even break out of the encirclement and return to the territory of Daming, who should bear the responsibility?"

Zhu Youtang frowned and said: "Ma Qing's family, you used to work with Bing Kuan in the Ministry of War, and I think you are a sensible person. Although you and Bing Kuan have conflicts in some details, your ideas are not contrary. Now you Are you going to stand against Bing Kuan?"

The emperor saw it.

Ma Wensheng is going all out.

The vanguard who fought against Zhang Zhou in the past were Min Gui, Yuan Shouzhi, and Bai Ang. When they jointly impeached Zhang Zhou, Tu Yu jumped out.

Now that this group of people has retreated, Ma Wensheng, who had always been in harmony with Zhang Zhou, seemed to be the vanguard against Zhang Zhou.

In the past, Zhu Youtang was still very polite to Ma Wensheng. Even when the cabinet was fighting with Zhang Zhou, Ma Wensheng kept his face neutral... But now Ma Wensheng seems to be "offended".

Ma Wensheng said: "Rushing forward with light soldiers has always been a taboo for military strategists. Recently, the veteran has studied the marching route of Uncle Xinjian in detail, and believes that the Huaxia Dynasty has never been so aggressive and ignorant of the grassland since ancient times. The strength of soldiers and horses is far away." It is unwise to detour behind the enemy's rear if it is too late."

Zhu Youtang asked: "Ma Qing's family, do you mean that someone wants to push Uncle Xinjian to die? Since ancient times, no one in China has had such courage?"

Ma Wensheng tried his best to argue: "Even the champion Hou and others in the Han Dynasty marched into the grassland under the premise of sufficient preparation, and the various people and horses can cooperate, but today, with less and more, light soldiers rush forward and take the initiative. Seeking to be besieged by the main force of the Tatars and form a stalemate is indeed unprecedented since ancient times."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang didn't refute, he nodded and asked, "Then Ma Qing's family, and you all, come and judge together. Since ancient times, has there been someone like Bing Kuan who can produce sky-high powder and mighty cannons?" ? Even if you haven’t seen the power of these two weapons, you should have heard about it, right?”

Ma Wensheng said: "Even if the firearms are powerful, someone should bear the consequences for improper strategy."

Whether the firearm is powerful or not, it is meaningless to discuss it with you, an eccentric emperor.

It is time to find someone who is responsible for Wang Shouren's alone going deep into this matter, and I can't say that I am targeting Zhang Zhou... The main reason is that Zhang Zhou has gone too far. If you do such an excessive thing, the army will be defeated. , only Wang Shouren, who leads the troops, will bear the responsibility, and it is still uncertain what tricks he will play in the future.

Zhu Youtang asked: "Then Ma Qing's family, do you object to this dispatch of troops?"

"I have nothing to object to." Ma Wensheng said, "But this proposal was not made by me."

Zhang Mao said with emotion: "Your Majesty, the old minister seems to understand what Ma Shangshu means. This wrong has its head and its debtor has its owner."

"Mr. Ying, please pay attention to the occasion!" Zhu Youtang seemed to be polite, but in fact he almost cursed.

You old man Zhang, this is very capable of stirring up muddy waters. What does it mean that I use you to remind him of Ma Wensheng?I know very well.

The person surnamed Ma wants me to regulate Bingkuan, and use the "failure" that may be encountered in the war to regulate Bingkuan's unconstrained military plans in the future, so as to avoid the situation of rash advances like today.

"I have no objection."

Zhu Youtang said, "It is true that Bingkuan is making plans in this battle, but then again, if Xinjian Bo can retreat unscathed, and even get enough military merits, what should we say?"

Ma Wensheng cupped his hands and said, "If this is the case, the old minister is willing to push the virtuous and let the capable."

"Ok?"

Now even Li Dongyang frowned and looked at the past.

Are you, Ma Wensheng, targeting Zhang Bingkuan?Or give Zhang Bingkuan a chance?

Or... a bit of both?
Ma Wensheng said in a neither humble nor overbearing tone: "This battle is extremely dangerous. If the strategy is right, Xinjian can achieve brilliant results in the hinterland of the Tatar tribe and successfully withdraw to the Ming Dynasty. Get stability. The old officials are old, and there is no need to stay in the court anymore, so they should be given to young and promising people."

"If not, the old minister is also willing to give up his position, but please choose another talented person, not just the Duke of Lai. The Ming Dynasty is far above the Tatars in terms of national power and military strength. If you rely on tricks every time To win, there will always be a situation of improper strategy and wet shoes, and the veteran really does not want to see such a result."

If I win, I will hand over the Minister of War to Zhang Bingkuan.

If I lose, I will let it go, but instead of giving it to Zhang Bingkuan, His Majesty should promise to choose someone else.

It's not that I just don't like Zhang Bingkuan.

It's Zhang Bingkuan who never talks about the rules, and always plays those heart-pounding conspiracies... This kind of conspiracies is okay once or twice, and he plays every time... Great understanding has the advantage of national power, doesn't it mean that every time Giving the Tatars a chance?

Zhu Youtang said: "Ma Qing's family, I don't object to your claim that the Ming Dynasty is superior in national strength. After all, the country has a vast territory and abundant resources. But you say that the Ming Dynasty has superior military strength, and I cannot agree. In the battle of Helan Mountain, the Ming Dynasty and the Tatars were unable to confront each other on the frontal battlefield, and they always had to use cleverness to win. The stability of the past few decades was not achieved by the aggressiveness of the soldiers, but more by relying on the enemy by relying on the pass Raging persistence. This is not what I want to see."

Ma Wensheng lowered his head, and he expressed everything he wanted to say. At this time, the emperor wanted to persuade him, but he pretended that he hadn't heard anything.

At such times, it is useless to reason with people.

Just like the difference between Wang Yue and Ma Wensheng, Wang Yue advocates attacking, while Ma Wensheng advocates sticking to it.

The two sides disagree on the concept.

Ma Wensheng was half buried in the ground, and his thinking had long since solidified. Even the emperor could not convince him with reason.

Zhu Youtang said: "Now Bingkuan has exchanged the military advantage of the nine borders for Daming, and even created a good opportunity to calm the grassland that has not been seen in decades. I want to seize the opportunity and make good use of him to completely solve Ming's northern troubles." .in this way……"

Speaking of this, Zhu Youtang originally wanted to say that the victory is due to Bingkuan, and I will bear the loss.

But it seems that Ma Wensheng used his own future to fight Zhang Zhou in the final battle.

Zhu Youtang's words came to his lips, but he was a little speechless.

No matter how good Bingkuan is, there is only one... and Ma Wensheng and others are also people who have devoted themselves to Daming, and if they don't care about their feelings at all, they are not helping Bingkuan, but making Bingkuan hate him.

"I agree with Ma Qing's family's proposal. This battle is a touchstone for testing Bingkuan's strategy. If we win, I will send him back to Beijing to take on important tasks. If we lose, he will stay in Nanjing. I will not send him back within two years."

Zhu Youtang finally came to a conclusion.

……

……

Zhu Youtang's voice fell.

The main hall of Qianqing Palace fell into silence for a while.

The monarchs and ministers seem to be angry, and they seem to be making a bet, and the bet is Zhang Zhou's future... winning the "entrustment of important tasks", it may be given to the Minister of War, but it does not rule out the coquettish operation of letting Zhang Zhou enter the cabinet.

If you lose, let Zhang Zhou stay in Nanjing.

As a "bystander", Li Dongyang can probably understand what the emperor meant.

He thought to himself, if Bo'an was defeated, Zhang Bingkuan might really be ashamed to come back in a short time, and all parts of the north will inevitably enter a state of defense. In fact, it does not make much difference whether Zhang Bingkuan, the main attacker, returns to the capital, unless Daming can forge enough. With more firearms, Zhang Bingkuan can use his skills.

But if he wins, Zhang Bingkuan will have a reasonable and legal basis to take charge of the military administration of the Ming Dynasty.

However, the two sides are not completely without room, after all, this was brought up during the inner court's deliberations.

Even if Zhang Bingkuan won, the court officials could deny it; conversely, if Zhang Bingkuan lost, the emperor could renege on his debt.

But at any rate, it can be regarded as a certain relaxation for the tense relationship between the monarch and his ministers.

"My dear family, I will inform you as soon as possible about Uncle Xinjian's move to enter the army. Regarding the use of troops in the north, I will rely more on the members of the Supreme Audit Office... Bing Kuan is still a member of the Supreme Audit Office now. , so if anything happens, I will send someone to notify him."

Zhu Youtang resigned from Zhang Zhou's official position before, and only retained the title of Duke of Lai.

Later, Zhang Zhou was restored to his official positions as Minister of the Ministry of War and Bachelor of Attendance, but he did not mention the matter of "walking at the listening office".

Now the emperor has made it clear that even though Zhang Zhou lost all his official positions at that time, since he was not an official position at all, I never deprived him of it, and he still has the qualifications to participate in the planning of major military affairs... So I said I didn't break the rules, and it was reasonable and legal to adopt his opinion before and use Xinjian Bo Wang Shouren to send troops to the grasslands from northern Liaoning.

For this.

Li Dongyang has no temper.

It's probably like...you can figure out who your Majesty wants to listen to. You don't need to ask us. If something goes wrong, find out the person who suggested it to you and take the blame.

……

……

The inner court meeting is over.

Li Dongyang, Zhang Mao and Ma Wensheng came out, and the little eunuch led the way to send them away.

The three of them were surprisingly quiet on the road, even the talkative Zhang Mao was silent and didn't say a word.

After the three separated, Li Dongyang went to the cabinet to be on duty. He told Liu Jian and Xie Qian about the matter. Liu Jian seemed very annoyed and slapped the table and said, "I don't think Ma Chengtu is restricting Zhang Bingkuan, but he intends to help him." .”

Xie Qian chuckled and said, "But is it reasonable for him to help?"

Li Dongyang said: "You can't say that. In front of His Majesty, Ma Xiangtu was quite annoyed by Zhang Bingkuan's use of troops. Maybe he didn't think that Boan would return smoothly this time. Or he intended to ease the monarch and his ministers." rift."

Monarchs and ministers have suspicions, and these words come from Li Dongyang's mouth, which is almost a conclusion.

In the past, even if the ministers knew that the emperor had an opinion on the civil servants, they would deny it flatly, or they would keep silent.

But now Li Dongyang has nothing to hide.

There is a estrangement between the monarch and his ministers, can we still deny it?The emperor now trusts Zhang Zhou alone, and does not trust the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty. If we cannot face up to this problem, this problem will intensify.

Liu Jian looked at Li Dongyang and said, "Binzhi, what do you think is the chance that Uncle Xinjian will send troops smoothly and withdraw successfully in this battle?"

"Nine percent!"

Li Dongyang made no secrets.

Liu Jian said: "So you also think that Zhang Bingkuan is not aimless, and even... he will not do things he is not sure about?"

"Yes." Li Dongyang nodded.

Xie Qian said with a smile: "Then Binzhi, do you still think that Ma Chengtu is on our side? Or maybe he just wanted to retreat, but he always suppressed it and showed that he was in step with us. But in fact, he In my heart, I don’t know how much I want Zhang Bingkuan to gain momentum...Wang Bo’an marched into the grassland, and walked along the pass of Daming. ?"

(End of this chapter)