The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Chapter 468 Who is supporting the overall situation?

In front of ordinary generals, Zhu Feng was still a standing tall person.

But he also knew how good he was, not to mention the decision-making level, even at the execution level, there would be big problems if left to him, so he just dealt with Chen Xiong casually, and then found an opportunity to go to Zhang Zhou to ask clearly. .

With the warmth of spring and the blooming of flowers, preparations for war in the DPRK are in full swing.

On this day, Zhu Feng took advantage of the fact that he was in the Yanwu Hall to ask Zhang Zhou about his evening arrangements, and shamelessly went to the theater where Zhang Zhou was meeting his guests at night. He said it was to have a meal, but in fact he wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with Zhang Zhou.

Zhu Feng was also afraid that he would suddenly be sent out by Zhang Zhou to carry out some kind of mission to go behind enemy lines and deal with the little Tartar prince. Moreover, based on his understanding of Zhang Zhou, it seemed that this was not beyond Zhang Zhou's many tricks. scope.

In the theater private room.

There were simple refreshments on the table. Zhang Zhou actually came over after dinner, but Zhu Feng didn't have dinner.

Zhang Zhou let him deal with it casually, and specially asked someone to give him some snacks to fill his stomach.

"Ask if you have anything to do. If you have nothing else, you can go next door and listen to the show. You also know that every time I come out, the people I see are very diverse, from those who make artillery and muskets to those who mine coal and build ships. There are all kinds of people, you may not want to meet them, and there is no point in meeting them..."

What Zhang Zhou meant was that you should not disturb my visitors, and I would regard you as one of the people who came to annoy me.

Zhu Feng roughly paraphrased Chen Xiong's words, and also expressed his own views: "...if only Yansui sent troops all the way, even if they marched to the land of Hetao, the possibility of a frontal battle between the Tatars was unlikely. The Ming Dynasty is now in The troops in the northwest are short of food, fodder, and baggage. If we fight knowing that we can't fight, what's the point?"

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "As long as it's not the Battle of Ping Prairie, what's the point of all these previous battles? Aren't they just pulling and consuming?"

"Uh?"

Zhu Feng thought for a while, and it seemed like the same, so he nodded.

Zhang Zhou said: "When fighting the Tatars in the northwest, if you have to calculate the sacrifice and reward in every battle, it would be meaningless. The Ming Dynasty has spent so much money on the Nine Borders in the past hundred years, and the meaning is not to ensure the Ming Dynasty. The stability of the people on the border? The stability of a country is not measured by the cost of using troops. After Chenghua, I searched for traps several times, and it does not necessarily mean what kind of results will be achieved. The reason is probably the same. "

"But... the people below have great expectations now." Zhu Feng said.

Zhang Zhou shook his head and said: "Expectation is one thing. If you want to level the grassland, you have to find the opportunity."

"When?" Zhu Feng asked directly.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty's hope is to have the opportunity to pacify the grassland in three to five years, but this is still a bit idealistic. If we invade the grassland in a large scale, we will also encounter the situation where the Tatars avoid fighting. The grassland is not a city. Waiting for you to fight, if you are strong, the Tatars will avoid the edge.”

"But that doesn't mean that it will continue like this. As long as our Ming army is strong, the Tatars will be defeated every time they fight against the Ming Dynasty. At that time, they will not dare to invade. Then we should fight earlier or later. Grassland, is there a big difference?"

Zhu Feng was surprised and said: "Does that mean you have to drag it on?"

Zhang Zhou did not answer Zhu Feng this time.

"Know your integrity and put your mind at ease. I won't let you attack the grassland unexpectedly. You are not suitable for doing this. Even if you do, Uncle Xinxin is more suitable, or I can go there myself, but you also know that I am not suitable now. I want to live a peaceful life for a few days. Your Majesty has not even forced the outcome of this war in the spring of this year, so why should you worry about it?"

When Zhang Zhou said this, Zhu Feng looked a little embarrassed.

He also wanted to explain to Zhang Zhou that he was not incompetent, but when he spoke, he knew that Zhang Zhou knew him too well, so he smiled awkwardly and dismissed the matter.

……

……

Originally, someone in the military was talking about Zhang Zhou's special plan.

It was also the military who had high expectations for this raid, believing that in this battle, the Ming Dynasty should not only establish stable cities and other camps in the Hetao area, but also directly cause a substantial blow to the little Tatar prince and other tribes.

Gradually, this discussion also moved to the middle of the court. In addition, the war itself revealed some evil. The emperor obviously had better Zhang Zhou, Wang Shouren, Wang Qiong and others, so he had to use Zhu Hui and others. This makes people wonder if there is some secret behind the scenes that cannot be made public, and it will be announced after the outcome of the war...

This kind of thing has happened before, which has led to more groundless speculations.

This is the day of the meeting.

Zhang Zhou appeared at Fengtian Gate. The focus of the court meeting that day was on river construction. The use of troops in the northwest had nothing to do with it. However, when the meeting was about to end, Hu Ke Yanguan spoke about the use of money and food in the northwest. And based on the costs of the Yellow River spring flood and other events that year, he planned to deduct some of the money and food used in Datong.

Zhu Youtang didn't have any reaction after hearing this. He wouldn't agree to it anyway.

And because the matter happened suddenly, the emperor could not agree to it just because of what the official said. In the end, the court meeting was dissolved without any resolution.

Just treating it as a minor incident, Zhang Zhou clearly felt that this incident was a bit directed at himself. After all, he did not often appear in court meetings. When he was there, there must be one or two issues involving northwest affairs. , probably to show him, the newly appointed Minister of War, the anti-war attitude of the DPRK and China.

The emperor did not summon Zhang Zhou alone, so Zhang Zhou left the palace with the ministers.

The three cabinet ministers did not have any communication with Zhang Zhou, but Ma Wensheng, the Minister of Civil Affairs, deliberately came closer, nodded to Zhang Zhou, and handed over their words.

"Bingkuan, the most talked about thing in the Ministry of War and the Governor's Mansion recently is the use of troops. I wonder how the preparations are going?" Ma Wensheng, as the former Minister of the Ministry of War, has outstanding influence in the Ministry of War system. This is also because Zhang Zhou, the Minister of the Ministry of War, does not interfere with the ministry. The result of court affairs.

Zhang Zhou is not like the traditional minister who sits in the ministry hall. He is more involved in communication and decision-making with the emperor. Ordinary officials in the Ministry of War have few opportunities to communicate with Zhang Zhou.

It's not that Zhang Zhou Leng Ao doesn't want to get in touch with these people. In fact, it's just a random person in charge of the Ministry of War. In terms of qualifications, he is much better than Zhang Zhou. Apart from the matter of fighting, who will obey whom?

But Ma Wensheng is different. He needs seniority and merit, and more importantly, Ma Wensheng is more in line with the "values" of the official system of this era.

Zhang Zhou also answered seriously: "I have not been too involved in preparations for war. I have rarely had any involvement in grain, grass, troops and horses. Recently, I have been focusing on the transportation of baggage, mostly in Liaodong."

The implication is that my current focus is not on the northwest, but on Liaodong.

Ma Wensheng asked curiously: "Didn't Bo'an already stay in Datong? Are there any follow-up arrangements in Liaodong?"

Zhang Zhou said: "Nu'er Gandusi's war cannot be abandoned halfway. With spring approaching, it is time to continue using troops in Liaodong. The scale of the war is not large. It is necessary to support the war with war and ensure that the war progresses. Because the tribes and terrain are complex, it is necessary to The troublesome and laborious part is more cumbersome and complicated than using troops to set up rivers." "Yes." Ma Wensheng nodded, "The use of troops in Liaodong is indeed much more complicated."

Zhang Zhou asked: "But I have heard that Duke Baoguo is about to order some troops to go to the northwest recently. Should the officials know about this?"

Ma Wensheng smiled and said: "The officials will not ask about this arrangement, and it will not be mentioned in the court. How can it be known?"

Zhang Zhou said: "We know each other, and the Ministry of War doesn't know much about them."

"What about the listening office?" Ma Wensheng meant that the emperor would not decide everything alone. There should always be ministers involved, right?

Since you, in the name of Minister of the Ministry of War, did not get more inquiries from the emperor, but in your capacity as minister of the Ministry of War, you should be busy with this, right?

Zhang Zhou sighed: "There have been too many things recently, and I haven't seen your Majesty ask me about it. However, I heard that Wang Dehua and others are often summoned by His Majesty's inner court. Regarding related matters, Your Majesty has not talked to me about it, and he is considerate of me." I’m usually too busy...Ma Shangshu, please don’t think that I am behind the deployment of troops in the northwest. His Majesty may really want to...use more old people in the court."

"Oh?"

Ma Wenshang frowned and looked at Zhang Zhou.

He didn't believe Zhang Zhou's statement.

The emperor wants to go to war, and his expectations are so high. He doesn't take your opinion first, but Wang Qiong and the others take the lead?It goes against the emperor's complete trust in you over the past two years.

Zhang Zhou did not answer in detail. He said no. Ma Wensheng could not verify it. Even if Zhang Zhou was not summoned alone in the past few days, Zhang Zhou still had many more opportunities to meet the emperor than ordinary ministers. Who knows whether he secretly Has everything been discussed?

or...

Just to hide it from the ministers of the DPRK and the entire grassland tribe, what kind of "thousand-mile attack" is going to happen?

……

……

In the past few days, Zhu Youtang moved out of Xinuang Pavilion and returned to Qianqing Palace. It was also because the spring was warm and the flowers were blooming, so Zhu Youtang went out for walks more often.

Occasionally I come out to take a look, which feels a bit like a spring break.

Among the eunuchs in charge of rites, the person who has been accompanying him the most recently is not the eunuch Xiao Jing, but Li Rong. Zhu Youtang did not mention beating Xiao Jing to death with a stick. This is because Zhu Youtang is too kind-hearted. , he showed maximum tolerance to the old people in the palace, especially those who had been kind to him.

"Your Majesty, in four days, Duke Baoguo, Princess Consort Yongkang and others will lead their troops to Pianguan. Now that I have not given any instructions to my subordinates regarding matters such as the farewell party at the court, should I inform the government and the public? "

Li Rong was among the first people in the palace to learn about the plan to send troops.

It was just to send troops from the capital to the northwest. Instead of going to Yansui and other three sides, they went to Piantou Pass first, led some troops from Piantou Pass, and then cooperated with Yansui to march into the Hetao area.

Zhu Youtang said: "We are leaving in several batches, so there is no need to make any publicity. Just transport the food, grass, baggage and other things up first."

It doesn't matter whether people go or not. What matters is getting the weapons and equipment there first.

In Li Rong's view, the emperor probably also knew that it might be better to rely on the guns and blunderbuss invented by Zhang Zhou than to rely on traditional ministers like Zhu Hui. Counting on those things is more powerful than counting on people.

Li Rongdao: "Recently, the Minister of War... Cai Guogong has not given any military strategy for this battle. Should I ask?"

"No need." Zhu Youtang walked to the palace houyuan near the stone bench. The stone bench had been covered with soft cushions for a long time. He wanted to sit down but restrained himself because Zhang Zhou said that walking is the best way to exercise. The body must walk a long way, and it is best to take some "aerobic exercise", but Zhu Youtang can't go for a jog or anything. He wants to rest when he is tired. He thinks this is not possible.

Li Rong originally thought that Zhu Youtang had any further instructions. After waiting, the emperor said nothing, he continued to ask: "If Cai Guogong is strategizing in this battle, it may be possible to get twice the result with half the effort."

Zhu Youtang said: "Of course I know Bingkuan's ability, but do we have to count on him for everything?"

Li Rong didn't understand for a while.

Is this... a reservation of trust in Zhang Zhou?Believe it or not!You must be afraid that your family Bingkuan will work too hard, right?

as predicted……

"Bingkuan has been busy with too many things recently. Since I have already said that this battle will be fought by those veteran generals and ministers, there is no need to embarrass Bingkuan too much. In fact, I originally wanted Bingkuan to plan something unexpected. , but in fact, my purpose of this battle is to arouse the enemy!"

"I want to show my determination. Even without Bingkuan's planning, I will not let the Tatars do whatever they want under the eyes of the dynasty. Even if this kind of war has no big results, I will push out the soldiers and horses. , The late emperor fought against the Tatars so many times and often achieved good results, because even the late emperor knew that the Tatars can only be suppressed by intimidation, not by mercy."

When Li Rong heard this, he knew that Zhu Youtang was not as cowardly and incompetent as others usually said.

Zhu Youtang could not only govern the country with peace of mind as a benevolent and righteous king, but also be unconservative in foreign policy.

"What I'm worried about now is that my body won't last a few years." Zhu Youtang suddenly started to feel sorry for himself about his body.

Li Rong said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, may you be blessed with a healthy dragon body and a long life."

"Wanshou? No need." Zhu Youtang said, "I can't have anything happen to me now. The prince and the second son are still too young. Even the prince's personality is uncertain. If something happens to me in the past few years, everything will be lost." All the plans may come to naught.”

Li Rong originally wanted to say that the prince also trusted Cai Guogong, but this indirectly meant that your majesty might be in bad health.

Zhu Youtang himself added: "The prince treats military and political matters as child's play instead of governing the country. If I am gone, I don't know what kind of nonsense he will get into. Although Bingkuan can often suppress it, He sometimes follows the prince's wishes too much. I know that Bingkuan gradually adopts the prince's preferences to cultivate his character, but I am also afraid that... this will indulge the prince's character and make him get out of control."

Li Rong thought to himself, Your Majesty, you are really knowledgeable.

Did Zhang Bingkuan just take advantage of the prince's preferences to make the prince sincerely convinced of him?
That this is a bad thing?
Are you father and son different?
"But in the future, the only one who can help the prince is Bingkuan. It depends on who has the ability to support the overall situation of the court."

　Bilirubin dropped from 144 to 97, which was better than last week.Thank you all for your encouragement.Update slowly.Based on my typing update speed, I can actually write 6000 words in one hour. Now I can complete 4000 updates in batches of one hour a day.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)