Optimus One Pillar of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 151 Seventy-year-old veteran Zhou Shangwen

Wang Daoqiu's original idea was to carry out social reforms moderately, solve problems bit by bit, and avoid huge social turmoil.But after listening to his father-in-law's words just now, he understood that any old force that sucks blood from the people and lives like a god will not be willing to let the blood bags of the people go.

And their power is strong enough to turn your so-called moderate social reforms into a joke.Therefore, the correct way to deal with that evil old force is to eliminate it rather than compromise.

Understanding this, Wang Daoqiu changed his life goal from supporting Ming to destroying Ming.Use force to eliminate the feudal forces on the land of Zhonghua, eliminate the imperial system, and build Zhonghua into the world's first democratic and legal country.

After recognizing the reality clearly, we know that Zhonghua is not a unified large market, but like a small third- and fourth-tier county in a large country, it is an interest territory controlled by local powerful people.The business that makes money in this territory can always only be run by the agents of those local snakes, and no outside businessmen.

Since the so-called tendering cannot be fair, those qualified to operate Caoguan Terminals in various places can only be the spokespersons of various local forces in the front office.Wang Daoqiu was no longer interested in the bidding, and planned to hand over the matter to Lu Fang, the Supervisor of Ceremonies, tomorrow, and ask Lu Fang to use the emperor's face to make those local forces vomit more.

After giving up the fantasy of Caoguan, Wang Daoqiu asked his father-in-law Shen Yishi to contact Shen Yishi's wealthy friends in the Yangtze River Delta to negotiate for the naming rights of the products specially provided by the palace.

The next day Wang Daoqiu entered Xiyuan and apologized to Emperor Jiajing for his simple mind. After hearing what Wang Daoqiu said, Emperor Jiajing was a little disappointed, but he was smart enough to accept this reality.

So as soon as Wang Daoqiu finished speaking, Emperor Jiajing didn't think much, and said, "Wang Qing! If that's the case, then don't worry about the management of Caoguan. I asked Lu Fang to talk to those people. And what you said about King Lu just now, Wang Qing! Although King Lu is a bit naughty, he is young and he is my close relative. I hope that you will not have any conflicts with him when you go to Shandong this time. Wang Sir, do you understand what I say?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey the order. But Your Majesty, judging from the current situation, the Shandong Disaster Relief Center will encounter a lot of resistance. If I don't have a reliable force in hand, I will not be able to suppress the place. Therefore, I ask Your Majesty to order Jin Yiwei to send a team of school captains to follow me to Shandong. The guarding eunuch who is in charge of rituals in Shandong must also obey my orders during the disaster relief period. In addition, I also want to go to Xuanda to recruit a thousand frontier troops. I will follow you to Shandong in case there are evil people who may mislead the public with evil words and cause trouble in an emergency."

The Chief of Ceremony and the Jin Yiwei were both Emperor Jiajing's confidants, so Emperor Jiajing was relieved to let these people go.At the same time, the most feared thing in every major disaster is civil unrest. It is only right to mobilize a thousand border troops to suppress the situation.

Wang Daoqiu's request was very reasonable, so as soon as Emperor Jiajing heard it, he agreed without thinking about it. He also asked Wang Daoqiu to carry out the imperial edict and announce the selection of soldiers himself.

After receiving the imperial edict from Emperor Jiajing, Wang Daoqiu boarded a boat in Wanping County that day and went to Xuanfu along the Yongding River.Early on the next morning, Wang Daoqiu met Weng Wanda, the governor of Xuanfu at this time.

Weng Wanda, courtesy name Renfu and nickname Dongya, was a native of Chaozhou, Guangdong, and a famous official and poet in the mid-Ming Dynasty.He was born in a poor family and was a Jinshi in the fifth year of Jiajing. He was a household official in his youth and served in Guangxi in his middle age.He successively served as the magistrate of Wuzhou, Guangxi, deputy governor of the southern expedition, chief envoy of Shaanxi, governor of Shaanxi, governor of Xuanda, governor of the three sides, and minister of the Ministry of War.

Weng Wanda had both civil and military talents, and was called "the No. 1 minister in Lingnan" by Emperor Jiajing. Zhang Juzheng once commented: "Only Weng Wanda, the border minister of Shizong's court, was inferior to one finger." The record of him in the "History of the Ming Dynasty" is: During the Jiajing period, the ministers on the border acted appropriately and made appropriate suggestions, and Wanda was the leader.

Ong Wanda's reputation is so great that he is famous even in foreign countries. For example, in Thailand, he is known as the "Brave Emperor" and has more than a hundred temples and sacrifices.The Chaoshan people in his hometown call Weng Dada, Chen Beike and Lin Daqin the "Three Heroes of Hushan".

In the 26th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty, Weng Wanda was 49 years old. It was the golden age of men. His body had just begun to decline, but his IQ was at its peak.

When Wang Daoqiu met Weng Wanda, Weng Wanda didn't feel very good about Wang Daoqiu. The man was lean and lean, with a dark red complexion and a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks that looked a bit like a monkey.Especially the official robe that he was wearing couldn't hold up at all, like a robe hanging on a hanger.Governor Weng's image was a bit poor, but Wang Daoqiu still respected his prestigious reputation.So when he saw Weng Wanda, Wang Daoqiu called him "senior" and treated him with absolute respect.

Although Weng Wanda was a little dissatisfied with Wang Daoqiu's official position at a young age, he still gave Wang Daoqiu full respect in person.After Wang Daoqiu read the imperial edict to him, he also actively cooperated, saying that among his soldiers, the soldiers from Datong were the most brave, and suggested that Wang Daoqiu go to Datong to recruit troops.

After Wang Daoqiu agreed to go to Datong to recruit troops, Weng Wanda asked his soldiers to call Zhou Shangwen, the general of Datong who was here to ask for food and pay.

After Weng Wanda's introduction, Wang Daoqiu and Zhou Shangwen got to know each other, and on the morning of the next day, they followed Zhou Shangwen to escort food and wages from Xuan Mansion to Datong.

Riding horses and walking side by side on the road, listening to Zhou Shangwen's introduction to the scenery and legends along the way, Wang Daoqiu suddenly remembered that he had seen a memorial in Xiyuan about the imperial censor's impeachment of Zhou Shangwen.So he said to Zhou Shangwen next to him: "General Zhou, to tell you the truth, although I have just met you, I have a very good impression of you. However, I am on duty as a servant, and together with the Supervisor of Ceremonies, I am helping His Majesty Not long ago, in the memorial sent to His Majesty to criticize you, I saw the imperial censor’s memorial to impeach you, saying that you would not use your full strength every time you go to war, and would leave at least half of your troops in the city. How could this happen? What's going on?"

"What? Mr. Wang, the general has been involved in the censorship? Is it the one named Yang? Mr. Wang, the general is unjust! I dare not hide it from you. Every time the general goes to war, he will indeed leave half of his direct relatives in the city. , but there is nothing the general can do about it! The Tatars are all cavalry, and they move quickly. If you are not careful when you go out to fight in the city, you will be cut off by the Tatar cavalry and surrounded. And if the general does not leave his trusted forces in the city, Then once the general is surrounded by the Tatars outside the city, who will come to rescue him? So, sir, every time the general leaves the city to fight, he only takes half of his troops out of the city and leaves half of his troops in the city to support him. There is no way It's a matter of fact. Otherwise, I'm afraid the general would have died for the country long ago."

Zhou Shangwen was born in the 11th year of Chenghua. He lived through the five eras of Chenghua, Hongzhi, Zhengde and Jiajing. He studied since he was a child and was familiar with righteousness. When he was 16 years old, he succeeded his father as a commander and commander.During the reign of Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty, he guarded the Yellow River ferry and resisted the rebellion of Anhua King Zhu Yuanxiu. Later, he served as the deputy commander-in-chief of Liangzhou. He was a man of many strategies, good at riding and shooting, and was known as the flying general.

Later, he was promoted to Ningxia Commander-in-Chief and Shanxi Commander-in-Chief. Since the army has been in the army for more than 50 years, he has been fighting in the northwest and on the frontline of Shanxi's border defense. He has made many military exploits. He is 73 this year, but he still needs to...!pitiful!

Understanding the reason why Zhou Shangwen always leaves half of his troops in the city every time he goes to battle, Wang Daoqiu said to Zhou Shangwen apologetically: "I know General Zhou's difficulties, and I will report the matter to the emperor truthfully. . In addition, if Zhou Zongbing has any sufferings in the future, he can also pass it to the officer through the Datong garrison eunuch or the Datong Jinyi Guard Baihu Station. Remember, it is a capital crime for an internal minister to associate with a border general, so the future interactions between you and me , must be put on the bright side, in the form of official business. Commander Wan Wangzhou will keep this in mind."

"Yes, I understand. Oh Lord Wang, I am a vulgar warrior, and this is my first time meeting Lord Wang. Lord Wang treats me so well. I really don't know how to be grateful. How about this, Lord Wang?" , The salary that I will escort you this time is 22 taels, and I will take out 10 taels to help you go to Shandong for disaster relief!"

After saying these words, Zhou Shangwen showed Wang Daoqiu that expression that everyone knew.Looking at Zhou Shangwen's expression, Wang Daoqiu also understood what Zhou Shangwen meant when he said that 10 taels would be enough to help you go to Shandong for disaster relief.

So Wang Daoqiu was a little unhappy with Zhou Shangwen at this time, but considering the misery of these border generals who had no one in the court, Wang Daoqiu suppressed his emotions and calmly said to Zhou Shangwen: "General Zhou, this officer I am willing to make friends with you and help you, because you are over seventy years old. You can definitely become an official, or let the court arrange a casual position for you to enjoy light happiness. But you are still willing to fight on the front line of defense here, for The country guards its borders.”

"The old general is commendable for his loyalty. Wang admires him. Wang doesn't want me to be a loyal general in the Ming Dynasty, but end up bleeding and crying, so I am willing to contribute a small amount. If it is for those gold and silver, I will not pay attention to you. After all, there are many people who are richer than you. Well, I know that you generals, no one above is suffering, and I don’t blame you this time. But if there is a next time, from then on, General Zhou, let’s go back to the bridge, and the road will be over. The way back is a stranger."

When Wang Daoqiu spoke, his tone was not serious and he was very calm.However, Zhou Shangwen, who became a commander at the age of 16 and is now over 50 years old, has been in the officialdom for more than [-] years. Zhou Shangwen, who has become a mature man, knows that Wang Daoqiu is not pretending to be clean, but he is really helping for free and does not drink the blood of soldiers.

Knowing this, the 73-year-old white-haired Zhou Shangwen sat on the horse, cupped his fists at Wang Daoqiu with a sad face, and said with a sob: "It is my great fortune to have such a good minister as Lord Wang! The border troops of the Ming Dynasty pay tribute to Lord Wang."

(End of this chapter)