Autumn of the 17th year of Chongzhen

Chapter 121 Controversy, separate plans
No one would believe what Zheng Zhilong said about having no money and no food. When Emperor Longwu, Wang Yan and others heard about it, they couldn't help but feel angry. Fujing, but can't tear the skin apart.

Now that the world is in an uproar because of the hair-shaving order, it is a great time to restore the rivers and mountains. Emperor Longwu has the ambition of rejuvenation, so naturally he is unwilling to give up easily. He said Zheng Zhilong with worry and anger: "Old Shiqing, I have two pains in my heart. One is Daming. In the 270 and six years since the founding of the dynasty, it has entered its twilight years. The government is corrupt, the hearts of the people are lax, and the country is in turmoil. Furthermore, half of the country is lost, both capitals are falling, and the people fall into the hands of the northern captives. The ancestral temple of my ancestors, the mausoleum of the Taizu, also fell into the hands of captives, it has been more than 270 years, and it is an unprecedented shame!"

The words of the emperor moved Wang Yan and others. He felt the same for the current situation of Ming Dynasty. He wanted to wipe out the barbarians for the king and restore the rivers and mountains.

At this time, Emperor Longwu had already got up and walked down to the great treasure, came in front of Zheng Zhilong, and then said: "Old Shiqing, it is Qing who welcomes me into Fujian, and supports me as emperor with all the nobles, but if the country cannot be recovered, old Shiqing will support me as emperor What's the use?"

Emperor Longwu's words were firm. This was no longer the attitude a king should have towards his subjects. Instead, he asked Zheng Zhilong to support the imperial court in sending troops to the Northern Expedition to restore rivers and mountains with the intention of seeking each other.

"Defend Fujian!" Zheng Zhilong replied in a cold voice without being moved after listening.

Zheng Zhilong's words made Emperor Longwu understand that the purpose of Zheng's supporting him as emperor may really be just to "defend Fujian" and preserve his Zheng's foundation, not to help him restore the land of Ming Dynasty.

At a time when the country was in turmoil and the Hulu invaded, the ministers who held the power did not agree with the king, which made Emperor Longwu's face suddenly slumped.

The lord humiliated his subjects to death, Wang Yan was furious when he heard Zheng Zhilong's words, but he knew that turning against Zheng at this time would not be beneficial to the court situation, so he suppressed his anger and said: "Dingluhou, I only have one Fujian in my heart." ?”

"Your Majesty!" Zheng Zhilong looked at Wang Yan and other courtiers with anger on their faces. He didn't want to let the relationship deteriorate completely, so he made a speech as he thought, slightly bowed his hands to the emperor, and said: "Let's not say anything, Fujian has no money and no food. I thought that Fujian was surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on one side, so it was a place to defend and not to attack. When the army went out to fight in Fujian, they would lose their geographical advantage. They might not be able to win, but the Qing army would take the opportunity to attack Fujian instead! I think the most urgent task is to keep Fujian , wipe out the sea barbarians, expand sea trade, and accumulate enough money and food before we can compete with the Qing army!"

At this time, Emperor Longwu had already walked back to Dabao and sat down, his face was full of despair, he heard Zheng Zhilong's words, but did not reply.

Wang Yan heard Zheng Zhilong's strong arguments, but he said angrily: "Looking at the history, has the Marquis Dinglu ever heard that those who lost the Central Plains, lost the Jiangnan, and defended Fujian but did not make progress, can coexist with the Northern Dynasties? Today, we are at a disadvantage in the Ming Dynasty. If we don't This is a heaven-sent opportunity to restore the southeast half of the wall. After the northern captives pacify the volunteers in the south of the Yangtze River and slaughter all the people with lofty ideals who are loyal to Ming Dynasty, how can our dynasty contend with the manpower and material resources of the south of the Yangtze River in the north? Today Fujian has the strength of Xianxia Pass, so we only need to stay If the guards are part of the division, the captive soldiers will never enter Fujian easily, and why should I go out to fight in Fujian against the army?"

Faced with Wang Yan's questioning, Zheng Zhilong's face couldn't help but change for a while. It was just his excuse that he had no money or food.With the current situation, it was time to take the opportunity to make the Northern Expedition, but he just didn't want Wang Yan to get credit for it, and completely overwhelm him in the court, thus hindering his plan to coerce the emperor to order the princes, so he found an excuse to stop it .In theory, Zheng Zhilong couldn't argue with Wang Yan, so he was at a loss for words.

"Huh~" Zheng Zhilong's face was a little embarrassed, he couldn't help waving his sleeves and humming coldly, and then he turned around and left the hall under the eyes of everyone.

Seeing this, Emperor Longwu, Wang Yan and other officials were stunned. Zheng Sen, who was standing beside him, was shocked when he saw Zheng Zhilong go out like this. In the main hall, go after Zheng Zhilong to persuade him.

In the main hall, Long Wu, Wang Yan and other ministers were left looking at each other. The great scholar Huang Daozhou said angrily: "Zheng Zhilong has no father, arrogant and domineering, compared with the four towns, it is worse than it!"

When Emperor Longwu heard his words, he felt helpless and said: "The imperial court is located in Fujian, and Zheng Zhilong controls more than [-] soldiers and horses in Fujian, and his brothers have run Fujian for many years, and their power is deeply rooted, but the imperial court is alone. The only way to avoid it is to persuade me with good words!"

Wang Yanzhi's words made Zheng Zhilong feel bad about his words, and he left the hall in shame and anger, which completely angered Zheng Zhilong, but he didn't regret it at this time, but felt a little lucky that he could see Zheng Zhilong's true face clearly.

Since the Anti-Qing Dynasty, Wang Yan always thought that all the officials in the court were like him, with a heart of innocence, dedicated to serving the country, but in fact, the generals had their own calculations, and the civil servants also had their own little thoughts. Even those who were loyal to serve the country parted ways and even attacked each other because of their different opinions and ideas.

So many kinds, or experiences, or what he saw and heard made Wang Yan's mind gradually mature. He no longer thought about relying on others, but hoped that he could control power himself, so as to realize his will to resist the Qing Dynasty and serve the country.

Wang Yan's plan for the Northern Expedition was unable to be realized due to Zheng Zhilong's opposition, which made the emperor and him feel very unwilling, but he understood that Zheng Zhilong's words about having no money and no food were all lies and excuses After all, he had no intention of helping the imperial court to restore the rivers and mountains, but only wanted to preserve and consolidate the Zheng family's foundation, and completely gave up relying on Zheng Zhilong.

At this time, Emperor Longwu didn't want to talk anymore, so he asked many ministers to retreat first, but Wang Yan walked behind, and finally stayed quietly.

In the main hall, Emperor Longwu did not leave, he saw Wang Yan go and returned, he said with a smile: "The Zheng family is domineering, I know that Qing's family must have advice to teach me, so I am waiting for it!"

"Your Majesty!" Wang Yan saluted Long Wu, and then said bitterly: "Zheng Zhilong is no different from the Four Towns, they are all warlords in nature, they regard Fujian as their private property of the Zheng family, they only want to gain benefits from the court, but they are not loyal to the court. If things go on like this, it will be a disaster for the country, and I think it's the right thing to do!"

Emperor Longwu's expression darkened when he heard Wang Yan's words, and after thinking for a while, he said: "Zheng Zhilong has managed Fujian for many years, his younger brother Zheng Zhibao, and his nephew Zheng Cai are all in control of one side, unless Zheng Zhilong is alone, they can pacify the whole of Fujian. , on the contrary, it is inappropriate, and the Qing family's remarks need to be discussed again!"

When Wang Yan heard the emperor's words, he knew that he had misunderstood what he meant, so he explained: "Your Majesty, I know that the Zheng clan is powerful and their clan lives in Anping City, which is a strong city built by the Zheng clan. The moon cannot be broken, so naturally I will not act rashly. The strategy I want to implement is to divide and disintegrate, and I will do it slowly!"

When Emperor Longwu heard the words, he couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed, "What's your plan for the Qing family, I will listen to you all the time!"

Wang Yan accompanied him and said: "I see today that Zheng Zhilong is domineering, but his son Zheng Sen is indeed as His Majesty said, and his heart is for the court. Your Majesty can recruit him into the court and treat him with high officials and honors. Zheng Sen must be loyal to His Majesty. It can be divided like this." Zheng Zhilong also has the power of the Zheng family! Secondly, Zheng Zhilong refused His Majesty's intention of the Northern Expedition and did not want to send troops out of Fujian, so His Majesty ordered Zheng Cai to lead the troops to live in Quanzhou according to his intention. Zheng Zhibao and Wu Yibo Shi Tianfu guarded Xianxia Pass to divide His army, the strength of the ministers in Fujing can compete with the Zheng family, so that the court has the right to speak. Your Majesty will meet with the ministers to persuade Zheng Sen, and then use righteousness to press back part of the sea tax power. The court It should be possible to re-establish authority and not be hindered by the Zheng family."

"Good!" After listening to it, Emperor Longwu felt that it was very feasible, and praised: "The words of the Qing family are really good strategies!"

"Your Majesty can accept the minister's words, and the Ming Dynasty will surely prosper!" Wang Yan added: "The minister's policy will definitely make Zheng Zhilong feel dissatisfied. Your Majesty must add his title to reassure him!"

"The Qing family's words are reasonable, so I will add Zheng Zhilong as the Duke of Pingguo!" Emperor Longwu smiled again and said to Wang Yan: "The Qing family first helped save the family in Lishui, and then supported me in Wenzhou to supervise the country, and now they offer it again. For a good strategy, I will also reward you, and add Qing as the Duke of Chu, yes!"

When Wang Yan heard the words, he immediately bowed and said: "I thank your Majesty for your kindness, but I cannot accept the position of Duke. When I look at Zheng Zhilong, I seem to regard him as a powerful enemy in the court. Your Majesty added him as a Duke, and I also added him as a Duke. The minister is afraid that his heart will be dirty and cause another change in the court situation, so he is willing to ask His Majesty to take back the award!"

When Long Wu heard about it, he couldn't help sighing, he helped Wang Yan himself, and praised: "The Qing family is really a loyal minister of Ming Dynasty!"

The two monarchs and ministers discussed for a while before Wang Yan left the palace and returned to the barracks outside the city. Emperor Longwu immediately followed Wang Yan's advice and ordered his servants to write down the edict, stamp it with a seal, and send it to Zheng Zhilong's mansion.

Zheng Zhilong had just left the palace for less than half a day, and the decree came out. The servant asked him to prepare the incense table so that he could read the imperial decree, but he didn't do it right away. Instead, he asked the servant about the content of the decree. Only then did people prepare to receive the imperial decree.

Zheng Zhibao saw that Zheng Zhilong was made Duke of the State, and immediately smiled and said, "Brother just left the palace and gave the emperor a little flair, and the emperor immediately named him Duke of Ping. It can be seen that the emperor still depends on our Zheng family!"

"Hmph~" Zheng Zhilong couldn't help sneering slightly when he heard this, "The emperor is just a pawn of my Zheng family, so he will naturally rely on our Zheng family. Today I will be proclaimed the Duke of the State, and in the future I will also be the Leopard Brother and ask for a marquis. Make my Zheng family look like a prince, and give power to the government! But Wang Shiheng is very hateful. He has been in Fujing for a long time, and it is a big obstacle to my Zheng family's control of the court. I must try to get rid of it, even if I can't kill him. If he falls, he must be driven out of Fujian, otherwise he will station more than [-] troops in Fujing, which will really make me sleepless!"

"Fujian is the Fujian of my Zheng family. There are more than 2 Wang Shiheng suddenly. I feel very uncomfortable and very disturbed! Why don't you let me go out and show him some color, so that he can get out of Fujian as soon as possible!" Zheng Zhibao said harshly.

Thanks Danshui Ranger, shyion for the reward.

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(End of this chapter)