Ming Empire

Chapter 31
Two days later, Emperor Chongzhen summoned Cao Yue alone in Qianqing Palace.

"Cao Aiqing, in a few days you will go to the post of General Army of Datong, and you will not stay in the capital for much time. Today I called you into the palace to tell you about the current affairs in Liaodong!" Chongzhen went straight to the point and explained that he summoned Cao more meaning.

"Long Live Lord, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask, I know everything!"

"Ai Qing thinks, is Governor Hong making a big mistake in deploying defenses in this battle?"

Emperor Chongzhen's direct inquiry made Cao Yue stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

In an instant, he also understood what Emperor Chongzhen meant, and asked him in disguise about Hong Chengchou's behavior in Liaodong. It seemed that Emperor Chongzhen was not satisfied with Hong Chengchou's performance.Although Hong Chengchou was an out-and-out traitor in history, but now this guy has not surrendered and rebelled.

Cao Yue decided not to speak ill of Hong Chengchou behind his back, otherwise he would destroy the Great Wall himself.He touted Hong Chengchou's talent roughly, and said that the battle of Songshan was very good at the beginning. Hong Chengchou was not in a hurry, but Jiannu couldn't help it. In the end, our army gained the upper hand.

If Zhang Ruolin, the superintendent, hadn't died and urged Hong Chengchou to march quickly and fight Jiannu decisively, Bijia Mountain would not have been attacked, grain and grass taken by Jiannu, and the rear road blocked, and there would have been no major soldiers scrambling to escape , The tragedy of the defeat at the foot of Matsuyama Castle took place.

Hearing what Cao Yue said, Emperor Chongzhen's face changed, but he was still patient and asked Cao Yue to explain the battle of Songjin, including the movement of the whole army before the defeat, Hong Chengchou's arrangement, and the supervision of Zhang Ruolin. Words and deeds, after the fall of Bijiashan, Hong Chengchou decided to fight Jiannu to the death, the performance of the major soldiers.Of course, Chongzhen also asked Cao Yue to explain in detail the process of leading the army to attack Shengjing this time, especially how to break through the gate of Shengjing, how to break into the palace, and what he did after breaking through the palace.

Cao Yue didn't understand what Emperor Chongzhen meant for the time being, so he honestly told Chongzhen what he wanted to know.

Of course, there are some things that cannot be said, including looting the wealth of the Manchus, burying them on the spot, insulting the Queen Taiji and other things that cannot be told to others, he will not say.

Cao Yue praised Hong Chengchou's calmness and perseverance in this battle, saying that he was the pillar of the country, and then highly praised Cao Bianjiao.Cao Yue portrayed Cao Bianjiao as a courageous and resourceful general who never panicked in the face of an accident and calmly commanded his troops to counterattack, and finally took advantage of the chaos to attack the Qing army's camp, almost destroying Huang Taiji's imperial tent.

And his troops were able to break out of the siege and attack Shengjing in the chaos, which is also inseparable from Cao Bianjiao's heroic fighting skills.Without the huge trouble Cao Bianjiao caused Jiannu, it would be impossible for his more than a thousand troops to break out of Jiannu's encirclement.

After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen was silent. In the end, he just praised Cao Bianjiao and the Cao Yue brothers for their heroic performance on the battlefield, and said that he would give Cao Bianjiao additional rewards and let him be the admiral of Liaodong. As Hong Chengchou's right-hand man, he was in charge of Liaodong military affairs .

Hearing what Chongzhen said, Cao Yue was also happy for his Cao Bianjiao.He is aware of his cousin's ability, if he is allowed to control the generals in Liaodong, the situation in Liaodong may be greatly improved.

Cao Yue didn't know that his words changed the fate of several people, and one person lost his life because of his words.This person is Zhang Ruolin, the former Liaodong Supervisor.Zhang Ruolin also abandoned the army and fled when several major soldiers fled. Fortunately, he snatched a fishing boat and survived across the sea.Originally, Emperor Chongzhen wanted to let him go, but after hearing what Cao Yue said today, he blamed Zhang Ruolin for the collapse of Songshan City, and planned to sacrifice Zhang Ruolin's life to the flag.

Then Cao Yue made some suggestions of his own. When talking about how to repel Jiannu's attack, he mentioned it. After talking about the Liaodong affairs, he solemnly raised it again, hoping that the court can spend a lot of money to improve the military equipment. , Equipped with a large number of muskets.

Only muskets can improve the combat effectiveness of the Ming army, defeat the slave cavalry, and take the initiative on the battlefield.

However, Cao Yue's proposal did not arouse the Emperor Chongzhen's great interest. In the end, he smiled wryly and said: "Cao Aiqing, I don't want to hide it. Now the treasury is empty. In the past few years, I have to deal with the establishment of slaves in Liaodong and the suppression of civil uprisings. , I have already overdrawn my fortune, the imperial court is unable to provide so much money to improve the armaments, and now even the salaries of the soldiers cannot be paid in time, alas, there is nothing I can do about it!"

Hearing what Chongzhen said, Cao Yue was very disappointed, but he still said unwillingly: "Your Majesty, if I am appointed as the commander-in-chief of Datong, then there is no way to train the soldiers and improve the military equipment of the town of Datong?"

After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen was silent for a while, and finally raised his eyebrows suddenly, signaling Cao Yue to come closer.Cao Yue walked over suspiciously, Chongzhen said in a low voice, "Wang Puqi, the former commander-in-chief of Datong, fled, and will be executed together with Daishan tomorrow. The Wang family is very rich. After you arrive in Datong, you can ask for the wealth of the Wang family and add it to your military salary. It is used for military training. But I will not give you a clear purpose, you can find a way to obtain some military funds, if there are military funds, I will let you get what you need conveniently."

Hearing that Chongzhen gave him such power, Cao Yue couldn't help being overjoyed, and thanked him quickly.

Wang Wei, the father of Wang Pu, the former commander-in-chief of Datong, was from an official position to the governor of the left. He had a wealthy family and was almost the richest man in Shanxi.Wang Pu took his father's shadow and moved to the deputy general of the Beijing camp.In the sixth year of Chongzhen, he became the governor of the right.At that time, Cao Yue's father, Cao Wenzhao, was in charge of military affairs in Shanxi, and Wang Pu was Cao Wenzhao's subordinate.In the seventh year of Chongzhen, Cao Wenzhao guarded Datong and became the governor of the left.In the 11th year of Chongzhen, Prince Taibao was added, and then he was promoted from Governor Lu Xiang to King Jingqin, until now he was defeated and imprisoned.

Most of Wang Pu's Datong soldiers were under the original Cao Wenzhao's command. Emperor Chongzhen's decision to let Cao Yue take the post of Datong General Army was also based on his father Cao Wenzhao's huge influence in Datong soldiers.Cao Wenzhao not only has a great prestige in the Datong army, but also has a high prestige in the entire Ming army. Although Cao Yue is young, but thanks to his father's cuteness, coupled with the huge influence of breaking through Shengjing this time, he is able to control the town of Datong. Soldiers and horses should not be difficult.

Wang Pu was convicted and beheaded, and his family was also convicted. Chongzhen gave Cao Yue the power to beat the Wang family and ask them to contribute some property for military supplies.But Emperor Chongzhen didn't make a clear decree, so Cao Yue had to figure out how to add it.

Cao Yue also knew it well and was overjoyed.As long as Emperor Chongzhen gave him such power, and he had an army under his command, would he still worry that he would not be able to knock out property from the Wang family?Emperor Chongzhen asked himself to find a way to raise military funds, so Cao Yue could use various means to collect property.In the Ming Dynasty, although the imperial court was not rich, the wealth in the Ming Dynasty was huge, and Cao Yue knew this well.

Seeing that Cao Yue understood what he meant, Emperor Chongzhen was also very satisfied. After thinking about it, he ordered Wang Chengen, who was waiting at the side, to come in.

"Cheng En, bring me that sword!"

"Yes, Long Live!"

After Wang Chengen agreed, he went over immediately, took down a sword from the wall, and held it respectfully in front of Chongzhen.

Emperor Chongzhen took the sword and drew out the blade. Cao Yue felt a flash of coldness and couldn't help squinting his eyes.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at the gleaming sword, then inserted it back into the sheath with all his strength, and handed it to Cao Yue: "Cao Aiqing, I will reward you with this sword. When you arrive in Datong, if there is anyone who refuses to accept you, you can use this sword." Behead his head."

"General Cao, Lord Long Live rewarded you with the sword of Shangfang, and gave you the right to cut first and play later, why don't you hurry up and thank you!" Seeing Cao Yue take the sword in a daze, Wang Chengen on the side hurriedly reminded him.

Cao Yue suddenly came to his senses, and immediately bowed to thank him: "Thank you, Your Majesty, my minister!"

"Okay, you go first, I will call you into the palace again if something happens!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! I will take my leave!"

"Cheng En, send Cao Aiqing out!" Emperor Chongzhen smiled slightly.

"Yes, Lord Long Live!" Wang Chengen bowed respectfully, then stretched out his hand to Cao Yue: "General Cao, please!"

Cao Yue returned the salute, and followed Wang Chengen out of Qianqing Palace.

After leaving Qianqing Palace, Cao Yue thanked Wang Chengen again.

Wang Chengen waved his hand to Cao Yue with a smile on his face, indicating that he should not be so polite, and then said: "General Cao, congratulations for receiving such kindness from the Long Live Lord, and even winning the Shangfang Sword. Our family congratulates you!"

"Thank you, Eunuch, for your kind words in front of His Majesty. When you are free someday, please treat your eunuch with a drink. Thank you, Eunuch!"

Seeing that Cao Yue was so sensible, Wang Chengen was also quite satisfied. Seeing that there was no one around, he whispered to Cao Yue: "General Cao, Your Majesty appreciates you very much, and has spoken well of you in front of our family several times. As long as you take good care of your Majesty There must be no limit to what you can do in the future!"

"I would like to ask my father-in-law to help you a lot, and to speak kindly in front of your majesty." Cao Yue saw that there was no one around, took out a prepared golden Buddha from his arms, and stuffed it into Wang Chengen's hand, "Grandpa's great favor, I will pay you back in the future." Cao Yue will definitely be rewarded generously!"

Wang Chengen didn't refuse, took the valuable golden Buddha, and said to Cao Yue with a smile: "General Cao, the court is dangerous, and many people are dissatisfied with your military achievements and the reward you received from Long Live Lord. You have to worry in the future. Some things, our family will speak for you in front of Long Live God, but you have to worry about yourself, and be careful in everything!"

"Thank you, father-in-law, for reminding me!" Cao Yue saluted again, "Thank you very much!"

After Wang Chengen sent Cao Yue out of Qianqing Palace, he also turned back immediately.

"Cheng En, what do you think of Cao Yue?"

"Long Live Lord, this old slave thinks that General Cao is a very capable person. He is loyal to Long Live Lord. He dared to take such risks for Daming's safety. Today he said so many heartfelt words to Long Live Lord. His thoughts are very insightful. , It is really hard for ordinary people to reach, and this old slave thinks it can be of great use!" Wang Chengen's words were partly out of his original intention, partly because of the generous gift Cao Yue gave him.

"It seems that I saw the right person, this son is really useful!" Emperor Chongzhen nodded, took two steps with his hands behind his back, then turned his head and asked Wang Chengen, "Chengen, do you think Cao Yue is the one who made me a concubine?" Consort, how are you?"

"Long Live Lord, this is of course good. General Cao and Princess Kunxing are a good match, but if General Cao becomes a son-in-law, he will not be able to do things for Long Live Lord conveniently. This is a bit bad!" Wang Chengen replied honestly.

"Well, that's true!" Emperor Chongzhen nodded thoughtfully, "However, my son is still underage, and the wedding will take at least two years. Let's talk about it at that time, but you can tell Cao Yue in private. That means, let's see how he reacts!"

"The old slave understands!"

(End of this chapter)