Back to the end of Ming Dynasty to be a warlord

Chapter 371

"The Department of Shige is the supervisor. When Fuwei is in charge, the power is arbitrary!"

Yang Chao said directly to Shi Kefa, who had no masters, that he was the governor of Yangzhou, but he was cornered by the warlords of the four towns.

Even so, Yang Chao couldn't help but sigh in his heart, this is really not an arbitrary person.

Since Zhang Juzheng, it seems that the civil official group has no such people. In fact, regardless of loyalty and treachery, the Ming Dynasty really lacks a powerful official. Even if Yan Song is present, it is much better than the current situation.

It's a pity that Yan Song, Gao Gong, and Zhang Juzheng were more powerful than each other, but they appeared together. By the end of the Ming Dynasty, they could only be people like Wen Tiren and Zhou Yanru.

"But the three towns are aggressive, how should the governor appease them?"

Shi Kefa sighed.

Yang Chao said: "Master Shi doesn't need to appease them, you just order them."

Shi Kefa couldn't help shaking his head: "Yang Chao, you are still too young, if you can give orders, that would be great."

The warlords of the four towns are rebellious, of course it has something to do with their strength, but it has nothing to do with the court's inaction.

The reason why the imperial court does not act is because it does not know how to act. Civil officials can despise military generals and suppress military generals, but because of this kind of contempt, they cannot understand military issues at all. , suddenly at a loss.

To be honest, the worst thing to do is to give the warlords of the four towns the power to raise their own military pay. This is tantamount to letting the warlords break away from the control of the civilian court.

But even so, the imperial court still has the ability to control them. After all, although the warlords of the four towns have searched endlessly, they are still unable to be completely self-sufficient. A Jianghuai area that has lost the grain transportation industry to the north will definitely reduce its economic benefits. They are not people who are proficient in business, so the court can still get stuck with them in terms of logistics.

It's just that the imperial court indulged blindly, fearing that the four towns would rebel, blindly win over and appease, and finally created a domineering situation for the four towns.

Moreover, the civil servants were short-sighted. Ma Shiying, who had been quite effective in controlling the warlords of the four towns, immediately went to Beijing after the formation of the Nanjing court.

In the eyes of civil officials, even now, they know the importance of military power, but they still want to compete for the title of a prime minister.

"I want to protect Gao Jie's remaining troops, but the three towns want to be annexed. If I insist, what if the three towns mobilize troops?"

Shi Kefa asked.

Historically, Shi Kefa was trying to protect Gao Jie’s remaining tribe. The three towns wanted to be annexed. Unfortunately, Shi Kefa did not manage properly. He did not win over Gao Jie’s remaining tribe. The other two towns also surrendered to the Manchus.

Yang Chao didn't know the detailed history, but he knew that it was necessary to win over Gao Jie's remaining troops, and Shi Kefa did the right thing.

"Your Majesty Shi clearly learned that since your lord has made up his mind, he should stick to it to the end, and there is no need to worry about the attitude of the three towns."

Shi Kefa nodded.

His purpose of keeping Gao Jie's remaining troops was simple, because the Qing army went south, and he tried his best to keep every military town in combat.

"Yang Chao, come with me to Gao Jie's barracks."

Yang Chao nodded.

In Gao Jie's camp.

At this time, it was dull, and a feeling of hopelessness permeated the hearts of every officer and soldier.

They suddenly realize that they are enemies in the whole world, and everyone seems to be their enemies.

These people were born in the peasant army, and others privately called them rogues, and they knew it well.

When Gao Jie was around, no one dared to provoke them, but now that Gao Jie had just died, the warlords of the Three Towns were about to annex them. Although Shi Kefa spoke out, they couldn't feel at ease at all.

It was this Shi Kefa who, when he was the chief assistant, urged Gao Jie to go north to recover Henan many times, but at that time they were greedy for the comfort of Jiangnan, and they didn't want to enter the ruined Henan at all.

When the Qing army went south, it was already too late.

Gao Jie led them to really want to fight against the Qing army, but they didn't expect the Qing army to be so strong in fighting power. As soon as they came up, they fought and rushed, and they were beaten up all at once, and they collapsed and were chased and killed all at once. For dozens of miles, the loss was heavy.

The most important thing is that all the fighting spirit has been lost, it is not an exaggeration to describe it as frightened.

"What are you doing with such a sad face! Although your elder brother is gone, his seed is still there. His army is still there, so what are you afraid of!"

A still charming Xu Niang said majesticly, she is Gao Jie's widow and once Li Zicheng's wife.

"Sister-in-law, it's not that we are discouraged. The brothers suffered heavy losses, and Liu Zeqing robbed all the food, grass and military equipment. Now the three towns are aggressive and want to annex our tribe. It is impossible for our troops to compete with the three towns!"

Li Ben, Gao Jie's first general, frowned deeply and sighed.

Although Gao Jie is dead, everyone still respects Gao Jie's wife Xing at this time. This is not because of Gao Jie's remaining prestige or old love for Gao Jie, but Xing's own majesty.

When this woman was still Li Zicheng's wife, she helped Li Zicheng in charge of grain and grass logistics, and held great power. She was a strong woman.

Later, she eloped with the tall and handsome Gao Jie, and she was still very prestigious in the army, so after Gao Jie died, these officers could still unite around her.

"If you run out of food and grass, you can still find the imperial court. Now that the Tartars are going south, the imperial court is using their troops. They will definitely not watch our tens of thousands of troops collapse due to lack of food. Master Shi is concerned about the overall situation, so he will not spend these few days. Some rations?"

Xing said to a group of frightened subordinates, these people fought with Gao Jie for so many years, they had no food before, and they all followed Li Zicheng to become rich. At that time, no one took their own lives seriously.

Later, after Gao Jie returned to the court, he became timid, especially in the south of the Yangtze River, where one by one was promoted and made a fortune, and he lost his blood.

"If they dare to come, one will kill one, and two will kill one pair. And Xu Dingguo, I must eat him alive! Avenge my brother!"

Another general, Li Chengdong, gritted his teeth. He was annoyed by the warlords of the Three Towns who took advantage of others' danger, but the traitor Xu Dingguo made him hate him even more. If Xu Dingguo hadn't pretended to join forces and suddenly launched an attack, Gao Jie would not have died. If Gao Jie was not dead, they would have the backbone. If Gao Jie was there, no matter how bad the situation was, they would not panic.

"That's right, tell the brothers, we must avenge our eldest brother. But we are not seeking revenge against Xu Dingguo, but against the Tartars. Xu Dingguo is nothing but a dog of the Tartars."

Xing Shi said, a pair of beautiful eyes showed a cold light.

Brutal men like Li Benshen and Li Chengdong would not understand that as long as they used the banner of seeking revenge from the Tartars, the imperial court would use them to fight against the Manchus, and they would never allow the other three towns to annex them.

"Ma'am, do you think that Shi Kefa is reliable? When the elder brother was here, he often showed his face. He won't be angry with us, and he will be controlled by food and grass?"

Although Shi Kefa temporarily gave a batch of food and grass, Li Benshen was still worried. When Gao Jie was guarding Xuzhou, he was extremely domineering and violated the orders of the imperial court. At that time, Shi Kefa was the chief assistant, and many orders were Shi Kefa's orders. Shi Kefa lost face, and later when Shi Kefa came to supervise the teachers, Gao Jie took precautions even more. When Shi Kefa entered his barracks, Gao Jie still refused to let him enter after only a hundred of his own soldiers. Shi Kefa had to go in alone. It's too insulting to look down on military generals, let alone the civilian officials of the army who came from thieves.

Madam Xing nodded.

She knows the current situation best. Originally, they had no shortage of military rations. When the Qing army sneaked in, they still had tens of thousands of carts of food and grass. They were all robbed, and they plundered all the way to Yangzhou, and they all relied on Shi Kefa to help them.

"I heard that Master Shidu has no sons, so your eldest brother will keep this one. I want Yuan Jue to worship Master Shidu as a righteous father. If this can be done, Master Shidu will definitely not rule us!"

As Madam Xing said, she hugged the ignorant young child tightly in her arms.

The other officers nodded when they heard it: "Sister-in-law is still thoughtful."

Mrs. Xing's eyes flickered. They really were a group of rough men. Mrs. Xing's concerns were so simple. Gao Jie died suddenly in battle. Their son was only nine years old. They will still miss their old love, but as time goes by, people's hearts are the most unreliable, if there is a change, maybe someone will tie up their mother and child in exchange for wealth.

Therefore, Mrs. Xing must find a way out for her son, and let her son recognize Shi Kefa as a foster father, killing two birds with one stone.

With Mrs. Xing's mind, she could see that the court still wanted to win over them, so she took the opportunity to let Shi Kefa recognize his son as a foster son, and when the army was defeated for the first time, it was when morale was low, and the officers wanted to find a backer. In their view, their son has become Shi Kefa's adoptive son, and in their view, they have found a backer for them, who will definitely surround their mother and son closely, and will be grateful to their mother and son.

In this way, their mother and son became figures that both the court and their subordinates had to rely on, and became the link between the court and the army. No one could do without them, so naturally they would be as safe as Mount Tai.

The Xing family planned with the officers until the guards reported that Mr. Shi was coming to appease the army. The Xing family couldn't help being overjoyed and immediately invited him in.

According to Xing's plan, she came forward to complain to Shi Kefa, saying that Gao Jie died in battle, her mother and son were helpless, and hoped that Master Shi would recognize her son as his adopted son.

From Xing's point of view, Shi Kefa should go along with the flow of this kind of thing, and even wish to use this relationship to strengthen the win over Gao Jie's remaining troops, but Shi Kefa hesitated to refuse, and instead suggested to Xing that Gao Yuanjue pay the admiral Jiangbei's soldiers and horses. The eunuch Gao Qiqian is his adoptive father.

Yang Chao was by the side. After seeing Xing, he immediately understood why Li Zicheng robbed her back then, and why Gao Jie betrayed his brother Li Zicheng who was born and died for her.

There is only one reason, the Xing family is extremely beautiful!
But when he heard that the Xing family wanted his son to worship Shi Kefa as his adoptive father, Yang Chao immediately praised this woman's scheming. This is a very smart woman who knows how to use her own advantages.

However, Shi Kefa's evasion made Yang Chao even more surprised. Why would Shi Kefa refuse such a thing that can achieve multiple goals in one fell swoop, and his refusal obviously changed the color of the generals who were sitting with him. Going to worship an eunuch as a foster father and accepting the eunuch as a father, isn't that a curse!
Yang Chao couldn't help wondering, did Shi Kefa intend to insult the rest of Gao Jie's family?Because these people were born as bandits in the eyes of civil officials, do you think they are only worthy of accepting eunuchs as fathers?Unworthy of being a godfather like Shi Kefa, a bachelor?
Based on Yang Chao's understanding of Shi Kefa, he should not be able to. This person is not capable, but his conduct is very good. He has the demeanor of an ancient scholar-bureaucrat. The quilt, often standing guard with the soldiers, obviously pays attention to the way of moving people with emotion. I believe that if you treat the soldiers well, the soldiers will work hard.

But why humiliate the rest of Gao Jie at this time?
High dive?
Yang Chao's brain turned quickly, and he immediately realized the source of the problem. Gao Qiqian was the eunuch who supervised Jiangbei's grain and grass. This may be the reason why it was Gao Qiqian. Otherwise, there were so many eunuchs, why would Han Zanzhou and Lu Jiu be ignored? De, I just recognize this Gao Qiqian precisely because Gao Qiqian has food in his hand.

Seeing the faces of Gao Jie's officers were all unkind, drinking one cup after another, Yang Chao immediately stood up with a smile.

"You generals have misunderstood!"

Li Benshen and Li Chengdong looked up, and found that it was Yang Chao who was speaking, and immediately suppressed their dissatisfaction and smiled dryly.

In the past, they were unruly and unruly, and they didn't think much of Yang Chao, but after they personally fought against the Tartars this time, they immediately put away their inherent disdain for Jiangnan soldiers and horses. Tide, in the eyes of them who had just been defeated by the Tartars, seemed to have a certain aura of mystery, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe in their hearts, so they didn't dare to make mistakes.

Seeing that the crowd suppressed their dissatisfaction, Yang Chao continued: "Shi Dushi is a civil servant, so it is inconvenient to make friends with military generals, otherwise he will be impeached by the court officials. With the power of food and grass, if Gao Shizi recognizes Gao Qiqian as his adoptive father, he will naturally have no worries about food and grass. Besides, Gao Qiqian is also surnamed Gao, and they are all family members. Lord Shi also considers everyone."

Shi Kefa couldn't help but nodded.

Sure enough, Yang Chao's guess was right. Historians often criticize Shi Kefa as a nobleman, but they don't see the complicated background behind it. Yang Chao can guess the whole story better if he is on the scene.

Because no matter how you look at it, it is impossible for Shi Kefa, who is determined to win over the rest of Gao Jie's tribe, to humiliate Gao Jie's tribe at this time, but Shi Kefa is too pedantic, and cares too much about the impeachment of the officials. The son of Gao Jie is the adopted son, so as to win over, and then gradually turn the rest of Gao Jie into his cronies. Not only does he not have to worry about impeachment by officials, but on the contrary, he can in turn coerce the civil official group.

It's a pity that Shi Kefa is not a careerist, but an ordinary civil servant with mediocre intelligence. In terms of foresight and foresight, I'm afraid he can't compare with Mrs. Xing, a woman.

After Yang Chao's explanation, although Gao Jie's face softened a little, he was still not very happy. After all, they asked their elder brother's son to recognize a eunuch as his father. Gao Jie had just died. These people's feelings for Gao Jie were actually at the deepest stage. So feel empathy and feel ashamed.

On the contrary, Mrs. Xing's beautiful eyes moved, but her reaction was not so excited, or maybe it was not written on her face. After all, the person who just died was her husband.

"It seems like Meng Lang is a concubine. I didn't think of Mr. Shi's concerns."

Mrs. Xing not only did not blame, but stood up and apologized to Shi Kefa.

Shi Kefa stood up and replied: "Mrs. Xing doesn't need to be too polite. Those who don't know are not to blame. You have lived in the army for a long time, and it is understandable for you not to know the evils of the court."

Mrs. Xing nodded, "It's good that my lord doesn't blame me. Since my lord is a civil servant, it's inconvenient for me to make friends with warriors like me, so Uncle Yang is also a warrior!"

Mrs. Xing said, she suddenly glanced at Yang Chao.

Yang Chao didn't expect that it would involve himself, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart: No way!
But it just happens.

Mrs. Xing quickly looked at Shi Kefa again: "This concubine has an unfeeling request, how dare I ask Mr. Shi to be a guarantor, and let the dog worship Mr. Yang as a foster father?"

Shi Kefa was stunned, Yang Chao should have no worries about asking Yang Chao to be his adoptive father. Although it is not good for military generals to make friends with each other, it is common for military officers to have in-laws, so it should not have any influence to accept the other's son as a foster father.

Moreover, Shi Kefa felt that Yang Chao was a generalist, so he agreed without asking.

"Okay, okay, I've done this good thing, and let the son worship Uncle Zhongyi as his righteous father, and he won't lose his status!"

Yang Chao and Gao Jie are both earls, Yang Chao is the loyal uncle conferred by the Chongzhen Emperor, and Gao Jie is the Xingping Uncle conferred by the King Fujian.

If it is really counted, it is obvious that Earl Yang Chao has more gold content. It is a reward from Emperor Chongzhen's bequest to reward him for his achievements in protecting the crown prince. Needless to say, King Fu failed later, Gao Jie and his titles were even more embarrassing.

It's just that Yang Chao didn't care about these things. Although he was a little uncomfortable, he still expressed his opinion immediately.

"Although Uncle Xingping and I have never met, we have been friends for a long time. Since Uncle Xingping unfortunately sacrificed his life for the country, Uncle Xingping's son is just like my own son, and I am duty-bound to raise the orphans and widows for him!"

After finishing speaking, he bowed to Mrs. Xing as a promise.

Even Yang Chao, the adult of Yu Jiye, has accepted him, not to mention the child Gao Yuanjue. Seeing him timidly hiding in Xing's arms, Yang Chao doesn't feel so embarrassed. After all, this child is only nine years old. , the child is so big.

Mrs. Xing pushed her son out without hesitation.

"Yuanjue, quickly kowtow to your adoptive father."

Gao Yuanjue was ignorant, and under his mother's guidance, he knelt in front of Yang Chao with a confused face.

Mrs. Xing picked up another glass of wine and handed it to him: "Yuanjue, toast your adoptive father!"

After drinking three glasses of wine in a row, Yang Chao helped his godson up.

Although the ceremony is simple, this is just a political transaction, and no one will care.

At this moment, Mrs. Xing urged her son again: "Yuanjue, call me daddy!"

After repeated urging, Gao Yuanjue timidly called Dad, and then hid behind Xing's back.

At this time, Li Benshen was very upset and Li Chengdong suddenly yelled, saying that a father should wrap a big red envelope for his son.

Even Shi Kefa smiled and said that Yang Chao should express himself.

It's a pity that Yang Chao didn't have any preparations. After thinking for a while, he suddenly untied his waist knife.

"This knife was stained with the blood of the warriors of the Tartars, and I left it to my son, just to ward off evil spirits!"

Xing took it with a smile, let her son hold it, and taught him to thank Yang Chao.

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Today is the chapter.

(End of this chapter)