Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 843 Turning decay into magic
As Zhu Yong left the tent, a man approached him; it was Wang Shouren, whom he had met before.

Wang Shouren held Zhu Yong in high esteem.

After all, for a young man who had no official rank, it was a great honor for Wang Shouren to be able to accompany the army as a staff member and participate in such a major event as pacifying the grasslands.

When Wang Shouren met Zhu Yong, he sensed that the renowned Duke of Baoguo was different from others. At least Zhu Yong did not have the perfunctory attitude of someone with generations of military merit; he was very pragmatic in many ways.

"Guo Bao Gong."

Wang Shouren clasped his hands in a respectful greeting and said, "I have something I would like to ask you."

Zhu Yong held a respectful but distant attitude towards Wang Shouren, and said with a smile, "If you have any questions, you should ask General Wang. His control over the army is unmatched by ordinary people."

Wang Shouren shook his head and said, "There are some things that General Wang will definitely not answer."

"Oh?"

Zhu Yong immediately became interested.

This young man was recruited by Wang Yue as a consultant, yet he distrusts his benefactor who hired him? He actually thinks that Wang Yue won't answer his questions?

How annoying must Wang Yue be? People admire you and are willing to offer you advice, and this is how you treat their trust?

Wang Shouren inquired: "May I ask the Duke of Baoguo, are the firearms used by the new army only available in the last two years, or has the imperial court initiated the manufacturing project many years ago?"

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "It's hard to say. After all, I wasn't the one who actually handled the manufacture of firearms."

Wang Shouren noticed that Zhu Yong was avoiding the question and continued, "Then, Duke Baoguo, is this the only force the court has sent out so far? Or has a complete plan been devised to pacify the grasslands, and we are merely bait..."

"Oh? Young Master Wang, why do you think that way? What's your opinion on this?"

Zhu Yong didn't answer but asked a question in return.

“In my opinion, the Tatars couldn’t possibly be unaware of such a conspicuous army traversing the heart of the grasslands,” Wang Shouren said, frowning. “The Tatars are prepared and know that the morale of our Ming soldiers is currently high, so they would definitely not rashly come to fight at this time.”

Zhu Yongdao said: "But what General Wang means is that the Tatars have no reason to avoid war. Putting aside everything else, if it weren't for the Xiaohei River blocking their way, how could the Tatars have so easily given up the already established Dabansheng City?"
"Furthermore, even if the Tatar army marches faster, they are tied down by the elderly, weak, and livestock of their tribes, so they cannot possibly travel faster than us."

Wang Shouren asked, "So, this group of people is the entire force of the Ming Dynasty in this expedition to the grasslands?"

This question left Zhu Yong speechless.

Before the battle, Zhu Yong keenly sensed that the emperor intended for Zhang Yanling to participate in the war.

However, Zhang Yanling stayed in Datong to open factories and mines, and never mentioned coming to Yansui with him, which led to a certain deviation in Zhu Yong's judgment of the current situation.

But if we say that Zhang Yanling stayed in Datong so that he could launch a campaign nearby and directly attack the Tatar royal court...

It doesn't make sense from a logical or emotional standpoint!
Because Zhang Yanling had too few troops under his command, he could have kept more of the new army around him, but the young imperial uncle was so selfless that he transferred almost all of them to Wang Yue.

Furthermore, all of Zhang Yanling's current positions are nominal, so it is unlikely that he will be directly appointed by the court as the governor of Datong, unless the emperor sends troops from Datong to attack, with Zhang Yanling assisting him from the side...

But now that Wang Yue has sent troops, it has caused a great uproar in the court, and even the emperor himself has had to order Wang Yue to stop while he is ahead.

How could Datong possibly send troops?
Zhu Yong pondered for a long time without finding a clue, then asked, "What did Young Master Wang notice?"

Wang Shouren said, “In my opinion, since the court has decided to conquer the grasslands, it may be able to rely on a strong army, with all forces coming out at once, and hundreds of thousands of troops sweeping all before them, forcing the Tatars to fight! Or it may be able to use a method of concealment, making the truth unknown to others, so that there is a chance.”

Zhu Yongdao: "So... you think that while we are in the open, we should at least have one large army operating in the shadows?"

"I dare not make such a conclusion rashly," Wang Shouren said. "It's just that the military capabilities that Commander Wang displayed in this battle were somewhat... below par!"

Zhu Yong laughed upon hearing this: "Is it possible that your vision is too advanced... or do you think that you would have a better choice if you were to make the decision?"

"However, no matter what, as an advisor, one should provide the person in charge with more opinions to choose from, rather than criticizing them in secret."

Wang Shouren said, "I wish to lead one force out in a separate route to coordinate with the central army. I wonder if Your Excellency would..."

“Young man, do you have any actual experience in leading troops? Even if you really have such ideas, you should mention them to the prince.” Zhu Yong became serious.

This kid actually wants to lead the troops himself?
If you have such ambition, wouldn't it be better to talk to Wang Yue about it?

Wang Shouren smiled shyly and said, "I would like to ask Your Excellency to help me mention this matter to General Wang! There are some things I would like to verify personally. Moreover, I have heard that there are your troops in the vanguard, and their fighting spirit is very high! If we are to fight the Tatars, your troops will certainly be the strongest force!"

"Young man, it's not good to be reckless and impulsive."

Zhu Yong first shook his head, then changed the subject and said, "However, your determination to do things is commendable. I will speak on your behalf when the opportunity arises, but it all depends on whether General Wang is willing to give you this opportunity!"
"However, we can't let you command the troops directly, since you're not a general, just a commoner. But giving you the opportunity to assist from the side and accept your plans is not a bad idea."

Wang Shouren cupped his hands and said, "I am willing to follow your arrangements, Your Excellency. I will do my utmost to help our army achieve victory!"

……

……

In the capital, Zhang Luan lived in a villa outside the city.

On this day, a very special guest arrived, one of the few people Zhang Luan allowed to visit. It was Pang Qing, who had been sent back to the capital by Li Zisheng.

Pang Qing's purpose in meeting Zhang Luan this time was simple and direct: he hoped that Zhang Luan could transfer Li Zisheng back to the capital, or even go directly to Datong to take up his post, and assist Zhang Yanling in completing the northern war.

After listening to Pang Qing's request, Zhang Luan frowned and asked, "Bingkun, who told you and Minister Li that my son Yanling is going to fight on the grasslands? He was making money mining in Datong, and Minister Li's river repairs and the allocation of military funds for the three border regions were almost all raised from this source... Could it be that someone in the public is spreading rumors?"

Just then, Qi Niang arrived at the small flower hall with tea.

The steam rose gently, and the aroma of tea filled the air. She had intended to offer Zhang Luan and Pang Qing some hot tea to ward off the chill, but she unexpectedly overheard something she shouldn't have, and froze on the spot.

"It doesn't matter."

Zhang Luan glanced at it, then smiled and instructed, "Qi Niang, sit down and listen."

"How dare I?"

Qi Niang quickly put down the tea and was about to turn and leave when Zhang Luan seemed quite insistent, pressing down with his left hand, "Since you're invited to sit, then sit. Bingkun isn't an outsider. Why be so formal?"

"Yes."

Qi Niang then sat down on the stone bench next to Zhang Luan.

She immediately stood up and asked, "Shall I have someone send over a few prayer cushions or soft mats?"

"no, I'm fine."

Zhang Luan said, "I only exchanged a few words with Bingkun before I had someone send him home. He came all this way and hasn't even had a chance to rest yet, so it's not like I was trying to kick him out... haha..."

Pang Qing said, "Sir, you flatter me. I shouldn't have come here so abruptly. However, this was personally instructed by my master. He said that the imperial plan to pacify the grasslands must be overseen by the young master Zhang, the second son of the emperor. Even if Wang Shichang is capable, he must submit to the overall situation."

Zhang Luan was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Is this just a deduction made by Minister Li based on mere conjecture in Southern Zhili? It's not very reliable! My son Yanling has no practical combat experience. How could he possibly lead troops to directly invade the grasslands? And he wants to fight the Tatars? Don't dream about it!"

“This is what my master said,” Pang Qing said confidently. “According to him, you and the second young master were able to assist someone who knows almost nothing about military affairs, from thousands of miles away, to strategize and make him establish military merits outside the pass, and even completely subdue the Tatar prince, making him take the initiative to come to the capital to pay tribute! With such ability, if the second young master personally leads the troops, he will surely succeed.”

"is it?"

Zhang Luan shook his head and sighed, "Minister Li really thinks highly of my son. Even so, Minister Li is currently in charge of river management in the local area. Winter is coming soon, and there are only a few months left before the spring flood season. Does he want to be transferred at this time because he is unwilling to take responsibility?"

"Absolutely not! Sir, you must understand that my master has always been concerned about the world!"

Pang Qing earnestly defended himself, “My master has devoted himself to the Yellow River management for the past year, without a moment’s slackening. This has made the Yellow River project progress very quickly… In my master’s opinion, even if he abandons everything and returns to the capital, the Yellow River project will definitely not be delayed until next spring!”

Zhang Luan exclaimed in surprise, "So, the Yellow River's course change can be completely completed before next spring? How is that possible...?"

Pang Qing said confidently, "There are absolutely no problems with the first phase of the project. We only need to raise the dam to ensure the safety of the Yellow River!"
"The Yellow River diversion plan you and the Second Young Master provided was quite comprehensive. It took us through low-lying areas, and only required slightly raising the banks to allow the Yellow River to flow swiftly into Hongze Lake. Downstream, it would directly access the East China Sea via the Huai River channel, requiring only a slight raising of the lower riverbanks..."

"is it?"

Zhang Luan then gave a perfunctory reply, "That sounds strange. My son Yanling has never been to the Central Plains. How would he know which places are suitable for digging waterways?"

Pang Qing countered, "So, the selection of the new river site wasn't Mr. Zhang's idea; it was all thanks to the Second Young Master, right?"

Zhang Luan shrugged and nodded, saying, "You could say that. There are no outsiders here. In matters like this, do you think I'm the kind of person who hides things and likes to take credit for myself?"

Pang Qing and Qi Niang were both thinking to themselves, "You used to take credit for your son's achievements quite a bit."

You were honest with us, but the question is, did you tell the truth to outsiders?

Don't others still attribute all the credit to you?
Pang Qing said, "The Second Young Master is well-versed in astronomy, geography, and calendar systems. Perhaps that is why he was able to find the best river flow direction and use it to plan the location of the new river channel."

"Oh."

Zhang Luan nodded as if he suddenly understood, and then said, "In that case, I really need to ask him about it later. I've never paid attention to these things before, and I've overlooked them."

"Oh, by the way, didn't the Ministry of Works send people to investigate on-site during the late emperor's reign and provide many alternative routes? Bingkun, this isn't right. You're deliberately praising me and my son here just to bring your Taoist priest back?"

Pang Qing was startled and thought to himself, "Are you Zhang Laizhan a dog? How could you bite me like this?"
He hurriedly explained, "This is not flattery without reason, but a heartfelt praise... It was only because my master personally oversaw the river works that I understood the secret."

"Whether it was my master, or the local officials, laborers, and servants, everyone who personally experienced this matter marveled at the ingenuity of the river channel selection. It was simply a matter of making a simple excavation at the lowest point of the surrounding terrain, and then reinforcing the riverbanks on both sides! It was truly a one-time solution!"

Because the river channel chosen by Zhang Yanling was the one through which the Yellow River would flow for hundreds of years to come, his site selection can be said to have followed the natural course of events.

The difference is that, originally, after several major floods in the second year of the Hongzhi reign and thereafter, the Yellow River flowed naturally from high to low according to the terrain, first forming a large flood plain. When the dry season came, the imperial court organized people to reinforce both sides of the narrowed Yellow River channel, build high dikes, and relocate people to new settlements...

Only in this way can the new channel of the Yellow River be formed, which diverts the Huai River into the sea.

This time, the imperial court took the initiative to organize millions of people to repair the river and excavate the river channel before the Yellow River breached its banks, making the riverbed wider and lower, so that the riverbanks on both sides would not need to be built too high right from the start... Basically, it was a process of measuring, excavating, transporting soil, and reinforcing the riverbanks, which was repeated over and over again.

For Zhang Yanling, it was just something on paper.

However, for Li Zi Province and the people who were actually working on the river, once they arrived at the actual location, conducted preliminary explorations, and began excavating according to Zhang Yanling's detailed planning drawings, they discovered just how brilliant the location of this river channel was.

After all, it is the best channel for the Yellow River to enter the sea that it has chosen independently in history. In some places, there seem to be better options, and even the planning drawings show a situation with many bends and turns. However, after simple excavation, people found that the soil in the places that needed to be excavated was extremely soft, and the excavation was not very strenuous. After the river channel was bent, the flow velocity was greatly reduced. If the river flowed in a straight line, the dam built would be easily washed away by the turbulent current.

It's really not as good as Zhang Yanling's more tactful choice of river repair direction...

One time could be considered a coincidence, but after it happened several times, even those who were actually repairing the river believed that it was God's blessing, that He could foresee the future direction of the water flow before large-scale repairs and choose the river channel accordingly, and that they were simply following God's will to complete the repairs...

It really is twice as effective with half the effort!
This is also why Li Zisheng felt he could speed up the construction schedule and wanted to be transferred back early to participate in the Northwest War.

Although Zhang Luan was impressed by his son's extraordinary abilities, he still politely declined Li Zisheng's request: "Going to the Northwest to fight is not a good thing. Why must Minister Li make such a fuss?"

"Besides, I don't know what Yanling is thinking. What if he's only focused on mining in Datong and doesn't plan to lead troops into battle? Besides, with the renowned Wang Weining around, what use is my son?"

Pang Qing laughed and said, "My Taoist master is quite good at judging people. He said that although Wang Weining is famous, he has become impatient and opportunistic in recent years due to a series of setbacks in his life."

"Pacifying the grasslands is a major undertaking that requires planning and strategizing. While experience in leading troops is necessary, even more important is unfathomable vision and great wisdom! These qualities... are not possessed by Wang Weining."

"hehe."

Zhang Luan curled his lip in disdain and said, "According to Minister Li, if Wang Weining doesn't have it, how could my son have it? This isn't praise, but rather... he's deliberately elevating him, intentionally praising him to the heavens, and then waiting for my son to fall from that height, isn't that right?"

Pang Qing asked, "Then, Mr. Zhang, do you think your son's abilities are above or below Wang Yue's?"

"This one……"

Zhang Luan was speechless for a moment.

He wondered to himself, "Who is Wang Weining?"
Should I be assigned to carry my son's shoes?
My son has little experience in military affairs, but he helped his sister successfully choose the empress, and he was right about several prophecies. He makes money faster than he robs, and he successfully helped my Zhang family achieve its current success. He has also done so many practical things for the court... What is Wang Yue good at?

Pang Qing wasn't in a hurry and said with a smile, "Wang Weining can indeed stand on his own, but to say that he can form his own school of thought and doesn't need the help of others... is to overestimate him!"
"But the Second Young Master is different... The Second Young Master is the kind of person who can turn the rotten into the miraculous. In this world, the only ones who can compare to him are probably you... and His Majesty."

"No, no, no!"

Zhang Luan quickly waved his hand and said modestly, "You can talk about His Majesty, but as for me... let's not!"

Pang Qing quickly pressed his advantage: "Then...would you be willing to let my Taoist master return and help the Second Young Master achieve his great goal?"

"Not suitable."

Zhang Luan said, "Let me put it this way, even if that kid Yanling really wants to lead troops to conquer the grasslands, he will definitely want to do it quietly and without outsiders knowing."

"If we were to suddenly transfer Minister Li to Datong at this time, everyone in the court and even the Tatars would know that something fishy was going on! You know it will cause trouble, so why would I send Minister Li there?"

Pang Qing quickly said, "You could ask His Majesty for a secret decree to secretly transfer my master to Datong to take up his post... Wouldn't it be easier to coordinate with the Second Young Master's military expedition if my master were appointed as the governor of Datong?"

"Is there enough time?"

Zhang Luan stroked his chin and frowned, saying, "Minister Li is managing the river works properly. Once the project is completed, he will be remembered in history. Why would he take such a risk? If the people in the court find out that he has been transferred to Datong, there will be an uproar... We know that Minister Li is confident of victory, but outsiders will think that he is shirking his responsibility for river management."

Pang Qing stood up, took two steps back, knelt on the ground, and cried out, "Please, sir, give my master this chance. I have come with a pledge of honor to help my master realize his grand ambition. If you do not agree, I will kneel here forever!"

"I……"

Zhang Luan was completely dumbfounded by Pang Qing.

I thought to myself, "Your way of issuing this military order is really unconventional."

Are you trying to save Li Zi from having to sign a pledge, or are you using this to pressure me?
Why would I be coerced by you?
Qi Niang stood up and said, "Master, why don't we... give it a try for Mr. Pang's sake? Perhaps His Majesty and the Second Young Master also have this idea?"

Zhang Luan said with difficulty, "Bingkun, to put it bluntly, you're threatening me! I could have spoken to them for you, but you..."

Pang Qing continued to kowtow: "Please grant our request, sir. We, the Daoist, will be eternally grateful... We have also prepared a generous gift, which we will present to you immediately if the matter is resolved."

(End of this chapter)