Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 161 Nurhaci’s arrangements before leaving
"After talking about Yang Yinglong, let's talk about Nurhaci now. Since Nurhaci took charge of the Jianzhou Department, the Jianzhou Department has continued to grow bigger, and after defeating the nine-minis coalition, it became the Jurchen overlord. How should the court deal with it now?" asked the emperor.

"No matter what, Nurhaci is still very loyal to the court. As long as Liaodong has strong troops and capable generals, he can cope with all changes without changing. Your Majesty does not need to worry too much." Zhang Xiao replied.

"Having said that, Nurhaci's ambition to defeat the nine-tribe coalition is probably not small. So what should the court do now? To support other Jurchen tribes such as the Yehe tribe? Or to support Shuerhaqi and Nurhachi to fight against each other?"

"Your Majesty, it is indeed feasible to support the Ye He tribe, but the method of support is debatable. If it is just a sideshow, I am afraid it will only deepen the resentment of the Jianzhou tribe, and even make Nurhachi look down on the court. As for supporting Shuer Haqi, although the Jianzhou tribe is not an inseparable one, Shuerhaqi is still far behind in terms of prestige and military exploits compared with his elder brother. If it is just words but no real words, even Shuerhaqi If you want to compete with Nurhachi, you can't win, and it will only increase the resentment of the Jianzhou Department in vain."

"Then what strategy should be more suitable?"

"Your Majesty, Nurhachi has already made a statement and said that he would pay tribute. We can find out the truth then. From the current situation, after Nurhachi defeated the nine-tribe coalition, he did not immediately fight with other Jurchen tribes. Instead, he attacked various princes. They have sent envoys, and they have personally demanded tribute from the imperial court, so there is no need to worry about any changes in the Jianzhou Department in the short term. After all, the most dangerous time has passed now. If the army is still in North Korea, or if the army returns, When retreating to Liaodong, if Nurhaci launched an attack, the situation in Liaodong and North Korea would be very bad. But Nurhachi did not take the opportunity to wreak havoc, which shows that Nurhachi's knowledge is much better than that of Wang Gao and Wang Wutang, and much better than Yang Yinglong. "

"You have spoken about Nurhaci many times in the past, and I thought you were exaggerating. Now it seems that Nurhaci still has his own tricks. If he were to unify all the Jurchen tribes, it would be difficult for the court to handle it."

"Your Majesty, even if Nurhachi can defeat the nine coalition forces, it is because the nine coalition forces are fighting on their own and have no determination to fight to the death. Now if Nurhachi goes all out to attack large tribes like Yehe tribe and Ula tribe, he will not be able to defeat them. came down, because if these big tribes fought desperately, the Jianzhou Department would not be able to withstand the losses because they only had so many strong men. Of course, after this battle, the small tribes that originally belonged to the Jianzhou Department were stabilized, and the Jianzhou Department The strength will indeed increase greatly, but it will not reach an uncontrollable level."

"Then according to what you said, how to deal with the Jurchen tribes. Nowadays, it is difficult to deal with the Jurchen Jianzhou tribe with the military strength of Liaodong Town alone. Sometimes I think about whether to let Li Chengliang go back to guard Liaodong. "

"Your Majesty, Wu Qi once said to the Marquis of Wei that the affairs of the world depend on virtue. If you do not cultivate virtue, everyone in the boat will become an enemy. The so-called virtue is nothing more than literary and military virtue. As long as Liaodong can have ten thousand cavalry , there can be 50,000 elites in the Gyeonggi area, then the barbarians everywhere will naturally obey their virtues. Of course, a navy must also be established. As long as a strong enough navy can be established, the Japanese will naturally not dare to make any changes, and North Korea will be dead set. , the Western Yi countries no longer dare to send any adventurers or conquerors, but should be careful about having their own territory taken away."

Zhang Xiao said goodbye and left. Chen Ju's figure emerged from nowhere.

"Okay, I understand. You have been at home enough now. It's time to go out and do some things. You have to follow up on the Tongwen Museum matter. Since it needs to be done, it must be done well. Don't be timid."

"Everyone, the imperial court has agreed to my request to pay tribute. In a few days, I will lead a team to Beijing. The situation is different now, Shuerhaqi, you and I cannot go out at the same time. Since I have to travel far away , you should stick to the Jianzhou Department to avoid unexpected events. Now, although we have temporarily made peace with the various departments, we still need to be careful of fraud. After all, the various departments have returned in defeat. With such huge losses, it is impossible not to be resentful, especially It’s because Ye He’s tribe hasn’t been able to make peace yet, so they need to be on guard,” Nurhaci said.

"Your Majesty, otherwise we cannot deter the Mongolian and Jurchen tribes."

"The minister obeys the order."

"You dare to think about ten thousand cavalry in Liaodong."

"Brother, don't worry. I will take good care of your family. It's Bu Zhantai. How should we treat him? Have we sent someone to keep an eye on him?"

"Your Majesty, I know that the national treasury is tight now, but no matter what, we must not save armaments. As for mutual trade, I don't know much about Chang'ang and Xiao Baiqing. Even if the imperial court does not open mutual trade, it can still send envoys Go to the two departments and investigate Buyan Khan’s movements.”

"Brother, if not, can you ask Menggu's sister-in-law to write a letter to Ye Hebu to see if we can make peace?" Shuerhaqi said,
"If Bu Zhai hadn't died, this would have been a good idea. But since Bu Zhai is dead, our Jianzhou Department and Ye He Department will fight to the death. Even if we can temporarily make peace, it's hard to say that we are sincere. There is no need to mention this matter again. ”

"Your Majesty, ministers dare not speak nonsense about major matters in the DPRK, especially personnel matters. However, the land of Liaodong is indeed exhausted at the moment. It is indeed not a good time to leave Liaodong at this time."

In Foala City, Jianzhou Department, Nurhachi was discussing important matters with Shuerhaqi.

"Shulhaqi, when I go to Beijing this time, I will take Chu Ying with me. Don't leave the city rashly during these times when I'm not here. If a small group of enemies comes, just drive them away. Be careful of fraud. If there are large groups of enemies, When the enemy attacks, just defend. If there's something big and difficult to do, just do it directly. If there's something big and difficult to do, just write a letter and send it to the capital. No, don't send the letter. If there's anything important, just take care of it. If If you think it can only be done after I come back, then wait until I come back."

"The minister obeys the order."

"So, you also agree with Zhang Xiao's steady approach?"

"Okay then. Then I have no other ideas."

"What do you think of Zhang Xiao? Are his ideas too exaggerated?"

"I know, let me think about it again,"

"It seems that you are not a householder and don't know that firewood, rice, oil and salt are expensive. You should really go to the Ministry of Household Affairs to practice and see if you have the ability to turn stone into gold. Well, there is one more thing. Ji Town and Liaodong Town are coming The newspaper said that Minister Duoyan and the young gangster Qing from the Aohan tribe wanted to trade with me, the Ming Dynasty, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, according to inside information, the Jianzhou Ministry is now renovating its armaments and making good relations with various ministries. Even North Korea has sent envoys. If the main force of Liaodong Town goes out to fight, there will be no changes on the Jurchen side. It’s easy to handle.”

"There is no need to send people to keep an eye on him. Now he can only be in the Jianzhou Department. Where else can he go? Which tribe will take him in? If he really runs away on his own, let him run away. I must have misjudged the person. "

"Brother, our daughter is married to him."

"You are married, and now you can't regret it. Now that you are surrounded by enemies on all sides, you should not care too much about your children, so as not to miss important events." "Okay, brother." Shuerhaqi looked at the man who was becoming more and more prestigious. Brother, he agreed unconsciously.

That night, the Jianzhou Ministry held a banquet and was in high spirits. Nurhaci picked up a pipa from the side and started playing and singing. Everyone cheered.

"Master Gong, why do you look so low-interest? Is it because I don't play well? Or the food and wine of Jianzhou Department is too hard to swallow." Nurhaci looked around and saw that his master Gong Zhenglu looked like he was not into it. He looked a little unhappy and asked.

"Great Khan, Gong just remembered something and was distracted. Please forgive me, Great Khan." Gong Zhenglu came to his senses and quickly apologized.

"Father, I guess Mr. Gong is homesick. I have only been in North Korea for a year and a half, and I miss my father very much. Mr. Gong has been in the Jianzhou Ministry for several years, so it is not surprising that he suddenly feels homesick. Yes." Chu Ying said.

"Oh, is this true for Mr. Gong?" Nurhachi asked.

"Yes, Dahan, Gong was indeed homesick just now."

"Mr. Gong, this is my oversight. Well, after being busy for a while, Mr. Gong can also write a letter to his family. How about that?"

"Reporting to the Great Khan, Gong's parents have passed away, and his sister has married far away. I have nowhere to deliver the letters I wrote home. I just miss my hometown a little. Gong, a down-and-out scholar, traveled to Liaodong. The Great Khan valued me and asked me to take on the important task of writing. , and there are family treasures, and now Gong is a darling wife and concubine in the Jianzhou Department, with many children and grandchildren, how can Gong be willing to leave the Jianzhou Department? Please rest assured, Khan. "

"It doesn't matter. When I arrive in the capital, I will bring back some specialties from my hometown for Mr. Gong."

"Great Khan, my hometown is in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, which is thousands of miles away from the capital. It may be difficult to buy specialties in the capital, but thank you to the Great Khan for taking the trouble. If possible, Gong hopes that the Great Khan will come to Beijing this time, no matter how much Bring back some books and the Four Treasures of the Study, otherwise Gong will feel that his knowledge is becoming increasingly insufficient, and now I cannot answer many of the questions asked by the eldest son."

"Oh? Chu Ying, what question did you ask Mr. Gong? Mr. Gong is also my teacher. He is usually very busy with official duties, so you can't embarrass him with tricky questions."

"Khan, Gong is still very knowledgeable. We can't blame the eldest son for asking tricky questions." Gong Zhenglu hurriedly came out to explain.

"Mr. Gong, please don't explain yet. Chu Ying, tell me, what questions did you ask? How did you think of these questions, or where did you hear them." Nurhachi looked at Chu Ying and said.

"Father Khan, when I was in North Korea, my uncle asked me to serve under Zhang Qinchang. At that time, Zhang Qinchang told us that the earth under our feet is actually a round ball called the earth. The moon and the sun are also one ball. The moon It revolves around the earth, and the earth revolves around the sun. I wrote it down silently at that time. I didn't dare to ask at that time. When I came back, I wanted to ask Master Gong whether the earth is flat or round, but Master Gong didn't answer. Come up. Anyway, Envoy Zhang also told a lot about his experiences, saying that there are many magical animals on an African continent, such as a kind of neck with a very long neck, and a horse with black and white stripes on its body called a zebra. He also said African people are all black, have strong bodies and run very fast," said Chu Ying.

"Zhang Qinqian is a great talent who came back from overseas. Gong has also read his books. It's really quite extraordinary." Gong Zhenglu said.

"Master Gong is also a great talent, but he is just modest. Your question is like a childish question. Why bother Master Gong? Have you done well in your studies? Do you recognize the characters of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and the names of the people on it? Already?" Nurhachi scolded.

"Father Khan, you are holding a copy of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and reading it. I heard that all the famous generals in the original country read "Six Tao", "Three Strategies" and Sun Tzu's Art of War. It is Father Khan who is holding a copy of the novel. Come and fight.”

"It's really unreasonable. Don't underestimate "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The essence of the Central Plains' art of war is in it. That's all. It's useless to tell you now." Nurhachi said with hatred.

There was such a small episode in the banquet, but soon it was time for everyone to eat and drink. But when the banquet was over, Nurhachi quickly summoned Gong Zhenglu back alone.

"Master Gong, it is indeed late today, but there are some things I still want to talk to you about. Master Gong is not drunk too much."

"Please tell me, Dahan. Gong drank a few drinks, but it doesn't matter. On the contrary, Dahanhai drank so many drinks and he didn't get drunk. Gong also admires him very much."

"The Jianzhou Department is located in a bitter cold land, surrounded by rugged mountains, and there is no place for recreation. It is just hunting and drinking. Especially in this long winter, it is not fun if you don't drink. Mr. Gong, you I’m still too polite every time I drink, and it’s not fun to drink with you.”

"The Jianzhou Department is located in the mountains and forests. They farm when they are busy and pick and hunt when they are free. No matter men, women, old or young, they are all brave warriors. Gong admires them very much. When Gong is in his hometown, he just drinks a few glasses of rice wine. .”

"My husband lives in Shaoxing, right? I'm going to Beijing this time to see if there is anyone selling Shaoxing rice wine in the capital. I'll bring back some jars for you, sir."

"Thank you, Khan."

"Mr. Gong, how effective is the army of the Ming Dynasty, especially the army in the south? How does it compare with Liaodong Town? I heard that Japanese pirates ravaged the south of the Ming Dynasty in the past, and the army in the south of the imperial court could not stand behind. The Japanese pirates were just rogue bandits, and they were We, the warriors of Jianzhou, have also seen the army. Apart from the fire blunderbuss they are equipped with, the rest is not surprising. Are the elites of the Ming Dynasty army in these nine sides?"

"Gong is just an ordinary scholar. How the imperial army is equipped is not something I, a scholar, can know. Why does the Great Khan suddenly want to ask about this?"

"Nothing, just curious to ask. After all, the army of the imperial court, I am more familiar with, is the army of Liaodong Town. The Liaodong Army is still good at cavalry, and I don't know what the army in the south of the Ming Dynasty looks like."

(End of this chapter)