The Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was extremely rebellious

Chapter 331 Li Chengliang Enters Beijing

It was a scorching summer in Beijing in August, and people were sweating profusely.

The waters of Liaodong Bay are very cool with gusts of sea breeze.

Early in the morning at about noon that day, a fleet of dozens of speedboats appeared in the sea northwest of Ningyuan City.

The big flag of the patrol sea route fluttered in the wind, and standing under the flag was Yang Hao, the deputy envoy of Liaohai Road.

At this moment, Yang Hao was in high spirits and full of energy.

He was originally a third-class Jinshi, and was at the bottom of the third class, ranked outside the top 220.

A Jinshi with this kind of background is definitely destined to be a county magistrate, and it is difficult for him to get promoted.

However, he seized the opportunity and became a disciple of Shen Yikuan, the former Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

As a result, his official position soared like a rocket.

He passed the imperial examination in the eighth year of the Wanli reign, and served as a county magistrate for two terms until the fourteenth year of the Wanli reign. At that time, he was still a seventh-rank county magistrate. Seeing that there was no hope of promotion, he racked his brains and became a disciple of Shen Yikuan.

This time he became rich.

My mentor Shen Yiquan's methods were simply unbelievable. He was soon transferred to the Inspectorate as a censor, and then inexplicably transferred to the Dali Temple. In three years, he went from being a seventh-rank county magistrate to a fourth-rank right councilor of Shandong!

Then, he went out of the border with the army and gained some merits. After only one year as the Right Councillor, he was promoted to the fourth rank of Deputy Envoy of Judicial Inspection!

He was a Jinshi who ranked at the bottom of the third class, but he was promoted from the seventh rank to the fourth rank in just four years!

This mentor is such a great guy. If he continues to be promoted like this, he may even become the Minister of one of the six ministries.

Of course, the reason why he was promoted so quickly was not only because he had a good master, but the key was that he listened to his master very much, just like a dog, and he did whatever his master asked him to do.

His mentor asked him to win over Li Chengliang and take over Liaodong Town, so he flattered the Li brothers, sending them beautiful women and treating them to a life of luxury.

At this moment, he has become a close friend of the Li brothers. Once Li Chengliang joins his mentor's camp, he will definitely be promoted again.

Next up is the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, the Governor of Liaodong!

I have a great mentor. In less than six years, he was promoted from a seventh-rank county magistrate to a vice-minister of six ministries. Hahahaha.

He was secretly feeling proud of himself when they arrived at Ningyuanwei Wharf.

The kid Li Rumei was waving at him excitedly.

After his deliberate flattery and enticement, the boy really treated him as a brother.

At this time, he didn't notice that several people on the dock were secretly staring at them, and the secret guards in the city also received the news.

Moreover, the news here was reported back to the capital in less than two days.

Upon receiving the news, Wanli immediately ordered someone to send an urgent message over 800 miles to summon Li Chengliang, the general of Liaodong, to discuss the matter.

Li Chengliang didn't notice anything wrong because the young emperor often summoned him to the capital to discuss matters.

However, when he arrived at the imperial study to see the emperor early in the morning at around noon, he clearly felt that something was wrong.

Because there were no other generals from the border towns this time, there were only two masters behind the little emperor in the imperial study who were staring at him.

After the emperor and his minister exchanged greetings, Wanli did not say anything, but just stared at Li Chengliang.

At this moment, Li Chengliang felt a little panicked.

Could it be that the young emperor knew about his friendship with powerful officials in the court?
Wanli stared at this guy for a long time before asking, "Do you know Yang Hao?"

Finished!

The little emperor really knew it!
Even though Li Chengliang had been through hundreds of battles, he couldn't help but tremble in his heart.

He lowered his head, his eyes rolling around for a while before he said carefully, "Lord Yang is the Deputy Envoy of Liaohai Road. I know him."

This means that he is responsible for the defense of Deng Liaohai Road. How could he not recognize him?
Wanli said coldly: "It seems that your sons have a very good relationship with Yang Hao, as close as brothers."

You sent someone to monitor me!

Li Chengliang nodded helplessly and said, "Yes, my son has a good relationship with Lord Yang."

Wanli continued coldly, "On the morning of the Dingchou day of the eighth month, around the hour of Chen, you actually asked Li Rumei to personally go to Ningyuan Wharf to meet Yang Hao. He brought you a lot of goodies, didn't he?"

No matter how brave Li Chengliang was, sweat began to appear on his temples.

Everyone saw this, how could he make excuses?
He thought for a moment and said simply, "Yes, Your Majesty, he heard that I was planning a birthday celebration, so he sent a lot of birthday gifts."

Wanli suddenly picked up a list and threw it at him, saying angrily, "Birthday gift? Have you ever seen anyone give a birthday gift like this?"

Li Chengliang took the list and looked at it, his face changed with fear.

The young emperor must have planted someone in his palace, as the list of things Yang Hao sent clearly stated it.

He didn't know how to argue.

Seeing this, Wanli asked sternly, "What did you talk about with him? You talked for more than an hour."

You know this as well?
I have someone close to you who trusts me!
Li Chengliang could only bite the bullet and say, "Your Majesty, they want to do some illegal overseas business. I'm not sure if it's with Korea, a vassal state, or with the Japanese pirates in Japan. They just want me to do them a favor and turn a blind eye."

Do you think I don’t know what the Zhejiang Party wants to do?

Wanli snorted coldly and stared at Li Chengliang without saying anything.

Li Chengliang was stared at so hard that sweat began to appear on his forehead.

He couldn't tell the truth about what Yang Hao told him, so he could only talk about the illegal business that Yang Hao boasted about, because that was none of his business.

The problem is, what he said is clearly deceiving the emperor.

If the young emperor arrested Yang Hao and tortured him, his crime of deceiving the emperor would be proven. He didn't know what to do.

Can the little emperor forgive him easily?

I’m afraid not!

In fact, Wanli had no intention of punishing this guy.

This guy hasn't done anything wrong so far. It can be said that apart from being a little bit arrogant, everything else about him is okay.

Being tsundere is not a sin. This guy hasn't even had time to indulge in extravagance.

The reason why the Zhejiang Party gave so much gold, silver and precious gifts to this guy was probably to cultivate his bad habit of extravagance.

It is said that it is easy to go from frugality to extravagance but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. If this guy gets used to excessive extravagance, he will be controlled by the Zhejiang Party using money.

However, this guy hasn't started to live a life of extravagance yet.

It can be said that Li Chengliang was harmed by the Zhejiang Party.

He was originally a general with outstanding military achievements. His men were good at fighting, and his sons were even more outstanding and all had the potential to be great generals.

If the Zhejiang Party had not corrupted him with money, causing him to become extravagant and greedy for pleasure, history would probably have been changed by him.

As long as he continues to train his troops, work hard, and educate his sons well, the Jiannu will be nothing in front of him!
This is no joke.

Not to mention his early achievements, just his sons alone are all truly talented generals.

For example, his eldest son Li Rusong suppressed the rebellion of Haobai in history, fought a bloody battle at Biti Pavilion, and was feared by the world.

His second son, Li Rubai, was actually quite capable as well, but he was later corrupted by the Zhejiang Party and became addicted to alcohol and sex, which drained his body so much that he couldn't even lift a knife.

Historically, after the great defeat at Sarhu, Li Rubai was so ashamed that he committed suicide!

Such a talented general comparable to Li Rusong was ruined just like that.

What a pity, what a pity, what a pity.

Wanli sighed inwardly, then his expression softened. He said solemnly, "General Li, you have made great contributions. I really don't want to kill a meritorious official in vain. I won't ask what you talked about. Just obey my instructions and I will spare you this time."

Can you still forgive me?

Upon hearing this, Li Chengliang hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please tell me what you want me to do. I will go through fire and water and do it for you."

Why are you still messing around at your age?
Wanli said seriously, "Li Rusong, the son of the Ningyuan Marquis, should be transferred to the position of deputy commander of the Shenwu Left Camp."

Is this to send Rushong to Jingying as a hostage?

Not like ah.

How can a proton lead troops?
And he was leading the cavalry of the Shenwu Camp.

The cavalry of the Shenwu Camp are the elite among the elite and are almost invincible on the grassland.

Among all the armies of the Ming Dynasty, the cavalry of the Shenwu Camp has the most opportunities to make meritorious service and the most titles and ranks.

Little Emperor, oh no, Your Majesty, what does this mean?
Li Chengliang was stunned for a moment, then he quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Wanli sighed again and said, "General Li, there are some people you cannot make friends with. If you do, it will not only harm you, but also your descendants. Do you understand?"

Yang Hao, you bastard, you are really killing people!
And Shen Yikuan, what the hell are you trying to do by trying so hard to curry favor with me?
I used to be a meritorious official, but after what you have done to me, I don't know how to live my life anymore.

Li Chengliang said with some shame, "I acknowledge my guilt. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your forgiveness."

I can spare you, but don't even think about controlling the military power again.

Wanli shook his head slightly and said, "Tell me, can I still trust you with the important city of Liaodong?"

I'm afraid this is impossible.

It turned out that His Majesty wanted to exchange the Deputy General of the Left Camp of Shenwu for the General of Liaodong.

Can I not change it?
If you don't change it, it will be a disaster for your descendants.

Li Chengliang thought about it carefully, then said with a look of dejection: "I am already over sixty years old, and it is time for me to retire and return home. I beg Your Majesty to grant me permission."

At this moment, he seemed to have aged dozens of years, and the strong iron-blooded aura seemed to have suddenly left his body. Almost in the blink of an eye, he turned from an invincible warrior who roamed the battlefield into an ordinary old man.

At this moment, he just wants to return to his hometown.

Unexpectedly, Wanli still shook his head and said: "There is no need to retire and return home. I will grant you a mansion in the capital, and I will also transfer your fiefdom to the capital.

You should call all the remaining sons here and teach them well so that they will not be exploited by those civil servants with ulterior motives.

If they can repent, they can still be talented generals. If they still stubbornly refuse to change, then they can just be their playboys."

You also want me to recruit my other sons to come to the capital?
Are you afraid that they will mess around in Liaodong?

Okay, I'll call them all over and give them a good lesson.

These little bastards will definitely ruin the Li family if they continue like this.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengliang nodded repeatedly and said, "I understand."

Wanli nodded slightly, then raised his hand and said, "General Shan, send General Li to his residence to rest, and let the servants take good care of him."

He had prepared everything long ago. Now that Li Chengliang had come to the capital this time, he could forget about returning to Liaodong.

Liaodong has nothing to do with Li Chengliang anymore.

(End of this chapter)