Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 844 Addicted to Self-Humiliation
Zhang Luan entered the palace to persuade the emperor.

Qianqing Palace.

When Zhang Luan met Zhu Youcheng, he even felt a little ashamed, after all, his son-in-law and son were extremely busy, while he had been avoiding leisure.

Zhu Youcheng was very pleased with his father-in-law's arrival and talked to him about many matters of state.

"I have heard about these situations to some extent."

Zhang Luan didn't really want to listen, so he just gave a perfunctory reply.

But when Zhu Youcheng heard these words, he felt that his father-in-law was a man of great wisdom. Not only was he a hidden man in the court, but he could also keep abreast of court affairs even while hiding. If he didn't have some supernatural powers, could he really control everything in secret?
Zhu Youcheng said with emotion, "I knew my father-in-law was very insightful about court affairs. No wonder everything has been going smoothly lately. It turns out that my father-in-law was taking care of things behind the scenes."

"minister……"

Zhang Luan was filled with shame.

I'm just lazing around doing nothing, but people insist I'm incredibly capable. Who can I reason with? I keep repeating that I'm just an idle person, but people just don't believe me.

Everyone else is desperately trying to climb the ladder, doing everything they can to prove their abilities, showcase their talents and character, and gain recognition.

He was the only one who always avoided trouble, and perhaps that's why others thought he was different and regarded him as someone with real skills.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Zhu Youcheng said, "Father-in-law, please speak freely."

Only then did Zhang Luan truthfully tell Zhu Youcheng about Li Zisheng's intention to transfer back to the capital, or even directly to Datong to assume his post and assist Zhang Yanling in his expedition to the grasslands.

"Father-in-law, do you really think Lizi Province is suitable?"

Zhu Youcheng asked with concern.

Zhang Luan blushed slightly and stammered, "I have some personal reasons for recommending people. I also consider the relationship between Li Zisheng and me. If he goes to work in the Northwest, he will definitely cooperate more with my son... This is ultimately different from the attitude of people in the court towards my son."

"hiss……"

Zhu Youcheng took a deep breath and said, "That makes sense. To be honest, father-in-law, Yanling had also considered this issue before going to the Northwest."

Zhang Luan asked in surprise, "What have you considered, my son?"

Zhu Youcheng truthfully stated, "He had considered having Li Zi Province assist him in sending troops, and even thought about transferring me to Li Zi Province to take up a post in the Northwest, but he considered that the impact would not be good..."

"After all, the people in the court have too much opinion about Lizi Province, and Lizi Province has already achieved a victory at Piantou Pass. Going to the northwest in this way might arouse the Tatars' suspicion, so it has not been implemented."

"He... he actually considered it?"

Zhang Luan found it hard to accept at first.

Feeling belatedly realizing the truth, he tried to recall the numerous conversations he had with his son before he left, but couldn't get to the point.

Zhu Youcheng said, "According to what my father-in-law said, Li Zisheng seems very confident that he can complete the Yellow River diversion project before the spring floods next year?"

"Correct."

Zhang Luan nodded and said, "It's because the construction drawings provided by Yanling, after on-site inspection and subsequent construction verification, showed that the progress was extremely smooth, and even the project costs were reduced significantly."

"I didn't expect that... Did Yanling personally go to the south to investigate?"

Zhu Youcheng was quite interested.

After all, he was in the capital and had never been to the Yellow River, so he didn't know the specifics of the diversion project.

Zhang Luan pondered for a moment and said, "He must have gone to see it when he went south this year."

Zhu Youcheng laughed and said, "So that means Yanling never went there before drawing the blueprints? That's really strange... How did he know which direction the Yellow River would be more suitable to flow through if it changed its course?"

"There should be some element of secret assistance from people in Lizi Province involved... I'm not entirely clear on this either," Zhang Luan said.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youcheng's goodwill towards Li Zisheng deepened even further.

After all, it seems that Li Zisheng is using his connections and abilities to help his father-in-law and brother-in-law, as well as the imperial court and the royal family, solve problems.

While Li Zisheng certainly has many flaws, his goodwill towards the Zhang family alone is enough to forgive and forget.

Emperors don't place as much importance on right and wrong.

In the eyes of those in power, those who are capable and worldly-wise are definitely talented people, and can be promoted even if they have some shortcomings.

"Since my father-in-law thinks Li Zisheng is suitable to take up his post in Datong, then let's transfer him there."

Zhu Youcheng immediately agreed to Zhang Luan's request.

Zhang Luan asked in surprise, "Won't Your Majesty reconsider?"

Zhu Youcheng stood up and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back: "I have thought about this before. Li Zisheng did make a lot of mistakes during the reign of the late emperor, and he was not tolerated by most of the civil officials in the court. But after the battle of Pianguan, coupled with his help in Yu'er's selection of empress, and his merits in river management, he can now be said to have exhausted his family fortune and done his best... What mistakes cannot be offset?"

Zhang Luan quickly nodded: "That's right, that's what I think too. No one is perfect, who can be without fault?"

Zhu Youcheng laughed and said, "But it seems that it will not be easy to convince the ministers in the court. They take right and wrong too seriously, and it seems that Li Zisheng has a history of controlling the government and blocking the channels of communication. Many people hate him to the bone."

"This one……"

Zhang Luan was at a loss for words to explain.

Even Zhang Luan himself noticed that his son-in-law seemed to have changed.

I used to think my son-in-law was like a pushover, and I always put his opinions first when I was with him.

but now……

Although his son-in-law agreed to his suggestion without hesitation, his every move gave him a feeling of being pulled back and forth...

This is the art of rulership, the kind of scheming and manipulative tactics that he can't quite fathom.

This made him unconsciously feel awe towards the young emperor before him.

Zhu Youcheng said, "The transfer of Li Zisheng to the Northwest must be done secretly. It cannot be too publicized, otherwise it may affect Yanling's deployment of troops."

Zhang Luan quickly asked, "Your Majesty, when will Yanling send out his troops? If we recall Li Zi Province from the south now, will it be enough time?"

"Probably at the end of the year."

Zhu Youcheng shook his head and said, "It's not currently happening, so there shouldn't be any problem."

"What?"

Zhang Luan asked in surprise, "Wang Weining has been in the grasslands for quite some time now. The battle lines are so far from the capital. Perhaps somewhere on the grasslands, Wang Yue has already started a war with the Tatars... Is it possible that my son will set out from Datong in the next few days...?"

Zhu Youcheng smiled and said, "Father-in-law, are you not very familiar with Yanling's military plan?"

Zhang Luan said, "I haven't asked in detail. Besides, there are too many variables. Yanling is in Datong and will make further plans. In addition, he can't just write letters home casually, can he? Even if he does write letters home, he can't mention this. What if he gets kidnapped on the way? Wouldn't the news leak out?"

"Ah."

Zhu Youcheng said, "It's like this. Yanling's idea is to first distract the Tatars, making them focus all their attention on the three border regions, on Yansui, or Ningxia... That way, when Yanling leads his troops into the grasslands from Datong, they will think it's just a raiding force, a detachment, and won't realize that this is the main force for pacifying the grasslands." "With just... a little over two thousand men?"

Zhang Luan stared wide-eyed, asking incredulously.

Zhu Youcheng smiled and said, "The quality of soldiers is more important than their quantity. In history, Huo Qubing roamed the grasslands and deserts with only eight hundred cavalry under his command. In my eyes, Yanling is in no way inferior to the ancient sages."

Seeing that Zhang Luan was about to express a different opinion, Zhu Youcheng waved his hand and said, "Father-in-law, please listen to me... Perhaps you do not know the power of the firearms that Yanling has created. Let me put it this way: each of Yanling's men is equipped with three fine warhorses and carries new firearms. They can take the lives of Tatars from hundreds of paces away, and no armor is of any use."

"What!?"

Zhang Luan was even more surprised.

Zhu Youcheng said, "Moreover, firearms can be fired in hand, with six or more rounds in quick succession, and reloading doesn't take too long. If the Tatars come out in full force, there are also various lightweight shotguns that can be mounted on horseback and assembled at any time to meet the enemy in battle, killing them from different distances at long, medium, and short ranges! Tell me, do we need too many of these troops?"

Zhang Luan said, "It's always better to have more people."

"otherwise."

Zhu Youcheng shook his head and said, "With more people, such as Wang Yue leading tens of thousands of troops, the Tatars will be on guard and will not take the initiative to fight. Even if they do fight, they will hold back."

"But if the Tatars had only two thousand troops from the Ming Dynasty entering the grasslands from the direction of Datong, and had no reinforcements from the rear, would they have used their superior forces to launch a full-scale attack and achieve a quick victory?"

Zhang Luan asked in surprise, "So my son wants to lure the enemy? To use a small number of troops to make the Tatars lower their guard?"

That's probably it.

Zhu Youcheng said, "In that case, when you have some free time later, Father-in-law can come with me to see the training process of the new firearms. Li Zisheng is going to Datong to take up his post, so he can return to the capital first. I want to have a chat with him."

Zhang Luan asked, "If His Majesty summons me, won't it become known among the court officials, or even leak the news?"

Zhu Youcheng laughed and said, "Father-in-law, as I've already said, Yanling only plans to bring a small number of troops into the grasslands. It's best if the Tatars don't know about Lizi Province's movements. Even if they do, it won't be a big obstacle for Yanling to send troops. Anyone would find it hard to believe that two thousand men can pacify the grasslands, wouldn't they?"

……

……

Zhang Luan was still somewhat shocked when he left the palace.

"That kid said he was going to risk his life, I thought he was just joking, but I never expected he would actually do it!" Zhang Luan said as he boarded the carriage.

Even after returning to the villa, he was still sighing.

He was terrified of losing his son, Zhang Yanling.

When Qi Niang saw Zhang Luan return, she hurriedly went to greet him and said, "Master, Mr. Pang hasn't left yet. Shall we invite him over for a chat?"

"What? He hasn't left yet? He's just hanging around here?"

Zhang Luan was furious when he heard this.

This is where I keep my mistress hidden away!
All the women here are my personal possessions. Even if you, Pang Qing, have Li Zisheng behind you, who is the rightful owner of the women I sent, why do you stay here and refuse to leave when the master is not here?

Qi Niang quickly explained, "Mr. Pang has been waiting outside the back door, saying that he would kneel there until you come back."

"What? He's waiting outside? Hey, this guy is really... so stubborn."

With a great weight lifted from his heart, Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "Very well, I have already petitioned His Majesty on his behalf, and His Majesty has agreed to transfer Li Zi Province to be the governor of Datong. He will return to the capital soon. His Majesty will also secretly summon him to give him some instructions, and then assist my son Yanling in completing the grand plan to pacify the grasslands."

Lady Qi looked delighted: "Master is truly capable and kind."

"Save it!"

Zhang Luan waved his hand: "This is not out of kindness, but simply because I covet the gift that Pang Bingkun said he would give me."

"..."

Qi Niang was speechless.

If I flatter you, you won't appreciate it, but why do you insist on putting the blame on yourself?
Is self-humiliation addictive?
Zhang Luan leaned closer and whispered, "He and Li Zisheng both know exactly what I need, so I know perfectly well what they'll give me."

"Did you send too few before?"

Qi Niang frowned and asked.

Are you lacking in women around you?
Or do you think that Li Zisheng and Pang Qing didn't send the gifts they should have sent before, and that they are still hiding something from you?

Even if you don't help them, they'll still give you gifts in the future...

Zhang Luan, with a smug look on his face, smiled and said, "I have a feeling that what they're going to give me this time is definitely different from before. Didn't you hear him say that he'll only give it to me if I succeed in getting what I want? What does that mean? It means that what I get is absolutely one of a kind in the world! It will definitely not disappoint me!"

Qi Niang smiled helplessly.

It's as if to say, "You really are resourceful."

I wonder if Pang Bingkun, who's as cunning as a monkey, is just trying to fool you?
……

……

on the grassland.

Due to the swelling of the Xiaohei River, which blocked the army's path, the Ming army had to turn north and prepare to climb the Daqingshan Mountain in the middle of the Yinshan Mountains again, pass through the valley roads, and go straight to Wengguan Mountain, the sacred mountain in the hearts of the Mongols, bypassing the Xiaohei River and the Dahei River, and reaching Guanshan.

As soon as Wang Yue led his troops into the southern foothills of Yinshan, they clashed head-on with the armed forces of the main tribes of the grasslands.

The Tatars clearly did not expect Wang Yue to be able to advance so easily. The nomadic tribes in the vicinity were not the Chahar tribe of the Tatar royal family, but the Tumed tribe.

At this time, Wang Yue led his troops along the southern foothills of Yinshan Mountain, heading east along the Great Wall inside Yinshan Mountain that existed during the Qin and Han dynasties.

At this time, the Tumed tribe was composed of twelve large tribes, including the Mongol Lejin and Duolun Tumed on the right wing, as well as several smaller tribes. They were collectively known as the Twelve Tumed, and were led by lords who were not descendants of the Golden Family. Due to war, they migrated continuously and were currently stationed in the vast area between the Great and Small Black Rivers, north and south of the sacred mountain.

Upon discovering the approaching Ming army, the Tumed tribe mobilized five to six thousand elite troops. While trying to draw away Wang Yue's forces, they also moved herdsmen and livestock such as cattle and sheep to the north of Yinshan Mountain, attempting to wage guerrilla warfare against the Ming army by utilizing their familiarity with the terrain.

Only then did Wang Yue's Ming soldiers realize that a great battle was imminent.

On this day, Wang Yue's vanguard was less than twenty miles away from the Tumed cavalry camp, and it was expected that the battle would begin that night or the next morning.

At the pre-battle mobilization meeting, Wang Yue summoned almost all the battalion commanders, and especially emphasized the pre-battle formation with firearms units as the main force.

Previously, Wang Yue highly valued surprise attack tactics... He disliked large-scale head-on battles, flanking maneuvers, and so on... He only liked to catch the enemy off guard.

However, with the Ming army in the open and the Tumed tribe's forces in the shadows, it was difficult for Wang Yue to make a move without being able to locate the Tumed herders.

After the pre-battle mobilization meeting concluded, two groups of troops advanced towards the central army of the Tumed forces from the northeast and southwest directions respectively.

The Ming army had very poor mobility. Because they were facing the enemy head-on, Wang Yue relied heavily on firearms, especially heavy artillery. He hoped to quietly deploy heavy artillery in what appeared to be a lightly advancing army, so that when the Tatars attacked, they could directly use it to inflict a devastating blow on the Tatar cavalry.

At this point, Wang Yue finally let down his guard against Zhu Yong and appointed him as the commander-in-chief of the vanguard to deal with the enemy.

(End of this chapter)