Ming politicians

Zhu Youjian was unlucky enough. After ascending to the throne, he worked conscientiously and only wanted to revitalize the Ming Dynasty. For this reason, he did not dare to slack off in the slightest, nor did he dare to have the idea of ​​pleasure. It is a pity that such an approach did not completely change Daming's decadence, especially in the first few years of his accession to the throne, it can be said that he encountered too many hardships, so that for a while, he thought about being able to abdicate up.

In the ninth year of Chongzhen, Houjin's Huang Taiji officially proclaimed himself emperor, and the country was named Qing Dynasty. At that time, the angry Zhu Youjian had nothing to do, because the Houjin Tartars were too powerful, and the Ming army was no match at all, and that At that time, there were rogue riots in Ming Dynasty, so it could be said that there was no peace inside and outside. Fortunately, Su Tiancheng appeared and wiped out the rogues.

It's a pity that in the 16th year of Chongzhen, Su Tiancheng also proclaimed himself emperor, occupying half of the southern part of the Ming Dynasty, established the country as the Great Jin, and became the emperor of the Great Jin. This is really a rare thing in ancient times. In the territory of the Ming Dynasty, Three emperors appeared.

What made Zhu Youjian even more angry was that the vassal states to which Daming belonged actually sent out envoys to express their congratulations when Su Tiancheng held the enthronement ceremony. .

The battle in Nanzhili ended in that way, which Zhu Youjian never expected. The army of more than 30, plus the army of the local guards, turned out to be such a result. All of them were wiped out, or surrendered directly. Only Huang Degong made Zhu Youjian sigh. Unfortunately, the former Zhu Youjian.He didn't notice generals like Huang Degong at all.

The atmosphere in the imperial court is already very delicate. For such a long time, Jin Yiwei and Dongchang cleaned up many people. It can be said that all the officials related to Su Tiancheng were thrown into the prison.Including Su Tiancheng's former mentor, Weng Tongzhang, the left servant of the Ministry of Officials, and Fu Youliang, who was promoted from the Ministry of Industry to be the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, because he was once Su Tiancheng's mentor during the provincial examination, and was also thrown into the prison. up.

As for those who were related to Su Tiancheng but not implicated, they were the Great Eunuch Wang Chengen, the Bingbi Eunuch Qin Sande, and the Imperial Guard Governor Qian Dong Chang. These people presided over the clean-up matters.There is definitely no problem in itself.

The imperial court reacted strongly to this cleansing operation. Many civil and military ministers had too much resentment and resentment towards Jinyiwei and Dongchang in the early stage of the cleanup, and even spoke out directly in the court, but later , This kind of sound gradually decreased.Because it doesn't do much to say it.

In fact, Zhu Youjian's mind has also gone through a process of transformation, in the early stage of cleaning.He also felt that this was a bit too much, and it might affect the stability of the court. However, with the increase of resentment towards Su Tiancheng, especially Zhu Shenxun, Yang Sichang, Fan Jingwen, and Lu Xiangsheng who took refuge in Su Tiancheng, aroused Zhu Shenxuan's resentment. You check the anger in your heart, and this anger has nowhere to vent.It can only be transferred to the civil and military ministers of the imperial court. All the civil and military ministers who had contact with Su Tiancheng were regarded as the same as Zhu Shenxuan and the like, even Qin Liangyu who had already retired from office was not spared.

Following Su Tiancheng's victory in the battle of Southern Zhili, he completely controlled the entire southern territory of Ming Dynasty.When preparing to attack the north, the atmosphere in the court changed. Some civil and military ministers no longer talked about resisting Su Tiancheng, and did not propose to wipe out the Jiangning battalion. Even the cabinet had the same attitude.

The current cabinet is not very tidy. Qian Qianyi was captured by Su Tiancheng, Fan Jingwen directly took refuge in Su Tiancheng, and the rest of Zhou Yanru and others were worried all day long, without any suggestions or solutions. They are waiting for Su Tiancheng to attack the north and finally occupy the capital.

Such a situation is not acceptable to Zhu Youjian.

There are also ministers in the imperial court suggesting whether to make peace with Su Tiancheng and persuade Su Tiancheng to surrender to the imperial court. The imperial court can make Su Tian king and govern the south and other places. The fiefdom can also be specified in a certain place in the south. The imperial court will not interfere, but This kind of naive suggestion hardly got any response. Who doesn't understand that Su Tiancheng's purpose is to unify the Central Plains, and he has enough strength. There are people, under such circumstances, people will willingly surrender to Daming, isn't it just a dream.

Zhu Youjian also felt that such a suggestion was too naive, so he categorically denied it. At this point in the situation, he was ready to gamble. The victory and defeat depended on one action. Although many civil and military ministers in the court opposed it, he We must insist on issuing the imperial decree, which can be said to use the power of the whole country to destroy Su Tiancheng.

Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Zhou Yanru, Chen Xinjia, Liu Zunxian, Zhang Guowei, Liaodong Governor Shi Kefa, Datong Governor Wang Daozhi, and others were all here. Zhu Youjian's face was very serious, with strong grief and indignation.

"I have already decided to mobilize the Liaodong Frontier Army and the Datong Frontier Army to station in Baoding, Taiyuan, and Kaifeng. Didn't Su Tiancheng occupy Nanzhili and proclaim himself emperor in Nanjing? I will personally lead the army and directly Attacking Nanzhili and Nanjing, I don't believe it anymore, could it be that my people will follow the traitor Su Tiancheng..."

While Zhu Youjian was still talking, the expressions of Zhou Yanru and others changed, and even Wang Chengen, who was standing behind Zhu Youjian, also changed his expression.

The emperor had put forward this point of view long ago, but encountered strong opposition. Even if the emperor was ambitious, the cabinet unanimously disagreed. Even Wang Chengen, Qin Sande, Dong Chang and others were not optimistic about this plan. After all, the Houjin Tartars have not yet encountered a devastating blow, and the Mongol Tartars are also eyeing. If the Xibe and Daur tribes hadn't guarded the border, the direction of Datong would have been in danger for a long time. With Tian Cheng's rebellion, the situation in Liaodong is already very unoptimistic, and it is not too much to say that it is in dire straits.

Dorgon, who was stationed in Yaozhou and Haizhou, had already moved his army in the direction of the Liaohe River in Liaodong. When he was defeated and unable to stabilize the south, he crossed the Liaohe River and set up camp at a place less than a hundred miles away from Guangning. The purpose of doing this was very clear. Those who want to lead a large army to attack must occupy Guangning, Xipingbao, Heishang, Dalinghe City and other places, directly threatening the Guanning Jin line of defense and directly threatening the capital.

If large-scale troops are transferred from Liaodong, I am afraid that the attack of the Houjin Tartars will be unstoppable, and the capital may really be in danger. The Tartars broke through, Liaodong was also lost, and the Ming Dynasty really had no hope.

All these possibilities have been analyzed by many civil and military ministers. Judging from the current situation, even though it is said that Su Tiancheng has occupied the south, Nanzhili, Shandong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Huguang, Sichuan, Guangxi and other places , but the imperial court can also rely on the north to see if there will be any changes in the situation, and Su Tiancheng has to spend energy to stabilize the south and occupy Yunnan, Duogandusi, Uzangdusi and other places to make it possible Completely stabilize the south, otherwise these places are very troublesome places, with a majority of ethnic minorities who like to rebel and become kings on their own.

This kind of analysis is also reasonable, but Zhu Youjian doesn't see it that way.

Looking at the silent crowd, Zhu Youjian spoke again, with a slightly gloomy tone.

"I know what you are thinking. You think that the Liaodong Frontier Army and the Datong Frontier Army cannot be mobilized. If the Houjin Tartars and Mongolian Tartars take the opportunity to attack, the capital may be lost. It's not that I don't understand this truth, but you guys Let me tell you what I should do, should I wait for Su Tiancheng to come to attack, wait for Su Tiancheng to occupy the capital? When that time really comes, what can the Liaodong Frontier Army and the Datong Frontier Army do? How can I drink poison to quench thirst? I don't know, but if I don't mobilize these troops, what will I use to deal with Su Tiancheng, how can I suppress Su Tiancheng's rebellion."

Still no one spoke. This atmosphere made Zhu Youjian feel suffocated. In fact, he knew the meaning expressed in it, and he was even more aware that the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty believed that Su Tiancheng was irresistible. The Jiangning camp is invincible in the world, and it is a matter of time to attack the capital. Many ministers of civil and military affairs suggested that the frogs be stewed in a slow fire, so that the court will slowly die out, but the result is the same.

It's just that the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty have different views on Su Tiancheng and Huang Taiji. After all, Huang Taiji is a foreign race. It's just a change of dynasty, and the world is still Han.

Zhu Youjian's face turned livid, and he was about to make a decision. When the fire was imminent, he didn't care so much.

At this time, Zhou Yanru spoke.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the Liaodong frontier army cannot be mobilized for the time being. If the emperor wants to mobilize troops, he can adjust the Datong frontier army. The emperor gave the leaders of the Xibe and Daur tribes an imperial decree, asking them to guard the border to prevent the later Jin Tartars. Datong has a total of 15 frontier troops, and it is not a big problem to mobilize all of them. In addition, the Northern Zhili Guards Army, as well as some soldiers from the Beijing Camp, can form an army of more than 20. of."

Zhu Youjian stood up and did not give everyone time to discuss and argue.

"According to what Zhou Aiqing said, mobilize 15 frontier troops in Datong, and at the same time recruit 25 troops in Henan, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Ningxia and other places to form [-] troops. My request is clear. Within one month, the army must To recruit properly, the Ministry of Officials, the Ministry of Households, and the Ministry of War will go all out, and if the task cannot be completed on time, I will definitely punish you.” (To be continued..)