Jingming

Chapter 344
The first snow in the sixth year of Jiajing seems to be much later than the fifth year of Jiajing.

This aggravated the worries of the people in the capital, even though three good news had been sent back before: the Jingping victory, the recovery of Yutai Ridge, and the Wang Shi encircling the Lord of the Northern Yuan Dynasty.

"Is that really the case? I don't believe it if I'm talented!" In winter, reading a book freezes your fingers, but drinking tea warms you up.

By the way, blow water, mouth hi, mouth politics.

"Why don't you believe it? Lubu Feijie, can there be fakes?"

"How powerful is the Tartars' invasion of the border this time?" The mouth sneered, "There is nowhere in the thousands of miles of the wall that is not free from the enemy! Yutailing failed to defend for a day, and lost two cities in two days. Datong Bian was also trapped and smashed three castles in a row. In the end, he won so easily?"

The emperor himself is not in the capital, and the atmosphere here seems to be much more relaxed, and some people are more daring to speak.

"Didn't you say the good news? It was Wu Dinghou and General Yu who fought hard to resist the enemy, and Jingping won the big victory. I said that I retreated in a hurry, because I heard that the captives were defeated. Under the Wang Shi's counterattack, they were incapable of fighting. Besides, now I have to go to surround that place." The little prince."

"Hmph!" The man looked at them with compassion, "Either, it's because the imperial conquest is to whitewash the military situation. Or, it's because the Tartars lured the enemy, trying to catch them. Neither is good news! Look at the weather, it won't be this year Good luck like last year. The Tartars are so mobilizing, will they sit and watch the little prince besieged? In my opinion, the little prince will grow up right away, and it is precisely for the master to be greedy for merit! I say that there will be a big victory first, Why did you leave without fighting? The captives are running extremely fast, I'm afraid they are watching from the side, waiting for the opportunity to move!"

After that, he looked worried: "Why hasn't it snowed yet? When it snows, the tartars have to be afraid."

"...If the good news is true, will His Majesty really return with a big victory?"

"Ha..." He was about to make some sarcasm, but fortunately he stopped the car, "...that's a lucky thing, it's a lucky thing for Da Ming."

The discussions around the capital and the status of the officials were all sent to Wang Zuo.

He kept in mind the emperor's instructions before he left for the expedition: it was not the kind of rebellion, no action should be taken, and it would be good to record it first.

The emperor had been away from Beijing for two months, and many people in the capital became bolder visibly with the naked eye.Talking and doing things seem to have less scruples.

On the one hand, Wang Zuo lamented that the emperor already had a strong majesty, and on the other hand lamented the fragility of his prestige.

This is still under the condition that the frontline warfare is going well.When the news of Yutailing's big defeat first came, the people in the capital panicked a lot, and they were not as bold as they were talking about the battle situation now that they had a big victory.

Such a great success, whitewashing the military situation...

Wang Zuo looked at Liu Zhenyuan: "How about the officials?"

Liu Zhenyuan is very familiar with Baiguan. After all, he went south and arrested many people including Meng Chun in Zhejiang and Nanjing.

"Fei Zongfu must have an instruction every day and pass it on to all the officials. The officials are still at ease and perform their duties."

Wang Zuo frowned.

He is just the prime minister and minister of state, is it worth giving an instruction every day?The instructions have been given for a long time, do all the officials only know the chief assistant, but not your majesty?

"The Marquis of Jing'an has entered the palace?"

"Yes, it's in the Palace of National Policy."

Wang Zuo nodded: "I'll see you in the palace."

In the Forbidden City, Sun Jiao is actually not in the Palace of National Policy.

As soon as he entered the palace, he was personally summoned by Zhang Zuo, saying that the Empress Dowager and the Empress were at the Hall of Mental Cultivation and wanted to discuss matters with him.

Seeing his daughter and grandson, Sun Jiao was naturally happy.

"Patriarch." The Empress Dowager Jiang's face was full of worry, "Your Majesty's Northern Expedition has been going on for two months, and it's almost the twelfth lunar month. How will the war be declared? I really can't sleep at night, and worry every day."

Sun Ming also raised her hand and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

Sun Jiao laughed: "The announcement of the Great War is just like a good news. The soldiers of the border town have greatly boosted the morale of the Royal Commander, and now they are going to besiege the Nalu Chief. .”

"...Hey." The Empress Dowager Jiang paused, and then said hesitantly, "I heard some rumors recently that several palaces have sent people to Beijing to check the construction of the palace, and the ten palaces are even more... ... There are a lot of guests."

Now, Sun Jiao restrained his smile.

After a moment of silence, he said: "Your Majesty has approved that the clan will not live in a fief. Some of them come to the capital to see how the new palace is being built. This is also human nature. Over the Tenth Palace... don't worry about the Queen Mother, some businessmen are Rui Rui. It’s just offering some things for the winter in the palace.”

Empress Dowager Jiang looked into his eyes, and then asked bluntly: "Is it really worry-free?"

Sun Jiao shook his head. Although he was old, he said proudly at this moment: "The minister is in the capital, and the Dukes of Jingguo, Yingying, Zhang, and Commander Wang are also in the capital. Naturally, there is nothing to worry about! Empress Dowager, don't worry, Your Majesty will be here before the end of the twelfth lunar month. Can lead the teacher back to Beijing!"

When he settled Empress Dowager An first, and the queen's heart returned to the National Policy Palace, Wang Zuo was already waiting there.

Wang Zuo was not a consultant, and the two met in the small side hall.

"Does the Master know that some people are making plans in case there is another civil engineering change?" Wang Zuo was also very straightforward, and his words were even more astonishing.

Sun Jiao drank his tea calmly: "I know, it's a clown's ear."

"Is this treason?"

"Naturally it's treason." Sun Jiao's eyes flashed coldly, "It's just that there is no need to panic the people in the capital. They hope that His Majesty will be captured, but they also know that news of a major defeat is not really coming to Beijing, so they can't act rashly. Your Majesty is triumphant, so naturally there is nothing to hide."

Wang Zuo was silent for a while, and then said: "If it is the State Affairs Hall..."

"Commander Wang!" Sun Jiao looked at him sharply this time, "I know what you're thinking. What I want to tell you is that the Palace of State Affairs is named by His Majesty, and the Minister of State is given the imperial edict to regard the country as the top priority." Serious! Since your majesty is personally on the expedition, he has naturally thought about the eventuality. The state affairs are all mature and prudent, and they will never be like those clowns, looking forward to civil changes."

After a pause, he emphasized again: "Being prudent for the country and deliberate rebellion are two different things!"

Wang Zuo is a first-class smart person, but now he has to reconfirm: "Your Majesty's oracle, I don't know."

"You are not a counselor, so you don't know." Sun Jiao didn't take it seriously, "In short, I am the head of the country. If you believe in me, you should abide by the sacred orders you heard and do what you should do. Your Majesty replied Before Beijing, don’t act rashly without clear news.”

"...The officer understands."

After finishing speaking, the two looked at each other, and Wang Zuo said goodbye and left.

If there were not one or two ministers of state who pretended to be deaf and dumb, some people would not dare to think about planning in case there were civil changes again.

Is the Minister of State following the imperial edict to put the country first and not ignore any possibility, or is he taking advantage of His Majesty's departure from Beijing to lure some people out before the deadline for the delivery of food from various places in February next year, or is it possible to use chickens to lay eggs? , Really planning something, what Wang Zuo can do is to keep an eye on it first.

But what can you plan?In the palace, His Majesty already has two sons.

Although Xuanda has sent back three good news, none of the important ministers staying in the capital dare to relax.

Among them, those who know the previous strategic planning are more aware of the ever-changing battle situation and unpredictable trends.

I replied that they retreated calmly, did Anzhi use Beiyuan Khan as a bait, and would attack again?
This year's snow has not yet fallen, and everything is still variable.

Yang Shen was busy, supervising the delivery of the last batch of winter clothes from the Weaving Bureau to Zhang Jing and Zheng Xiao, and asked them to arrange escort to Xuanfu, and he had to start the year-end accounting again.

A big battle, whether it is rewards for meritorious service or compensation for casualties, will immediately face huge financial expenses.

Until now, he didn't know where His Majesty's confidence was in planning this great war.

In the 16th year of Zhengde, the money His Majesty dug out from Wei Bin and the others was not more than 400 million taels as he said when he first went to court, but more than 600 million taels, and there were other lands and houses.

For so many years, His Majesty has beaten the ministers, honored ministers, corrupt ministers, etc., and the money has been accumulated bit by bit.For example, when Zhang Fujing investigated the Confucian family in Shandong, according to the rules at the time, the silver that was transported to the internal transport warehouse for stolen goods and fines was...

Let Xunchen take shares in state-owned enterprises such as Huangmingji, let the vassal kings take shares in grain storage companies, etc., and the emperor even coordinated a lot of the money they subscribed for.In addition to the "investment" arranged for various enterprises, there are actually some other money.

In addition, Yan Song asked to open a shipping company in Zhejiang, and the "guarantee deposit" paid by so many wealthy businessmen who wanted to go to sea...

Yang Shen was in admiration for a moment——His Majesty knocked on the most reliable ministers, ministers, and clan around him so hard that everyone became more and more obedient. The arrogant Huianbo Zhang Wei rebelled, and King Ji rebelled.

In short, His Majesty has indeed saved a lot of money.You know, he also lent a lot to the household department before.

But Yang Shen was still very nervous - if this battle continued for a few more months, it would be too tight.

Now he is also looking forward to the snow soon, so that the war will come to an end in advance.

Yan Song was looking at the form of thanks presented by the Liang family and the letter to Yan Song in the official hall of the Ministry of Rites.

Liang Chu was demoted to serve the people because of a crime, but now Yan Song is in the Ministry of Rites, but he has been given a posthumous title of "Wen Zhong", and has been recognized by the emperor. The Liang family is very grateful for this.

Although this "loyalty" is not as good as "righteousness", and Liang Chu has been an official all his life and taught his son, he can't be called "righteous", but he can indeed talk about "loyalty" to Zhu Houcong.Helping Zhu Houcong establish rules, helping Zhu Houcong stabilize power, and helping Zhu Houcong and Zhang Fujing try new laws in Guangdong, it can be said that the last few years have laid the foundation for the Liang family in Guangdong for hundreds of years to come.

But being able to be pursued with the posthumous title of "Wen Zhong" is also inseparable from Yan Song's offering peaches and plums.

In his letter thanking Yan Song, Liang Chu’s son tactfully mentioned that Liang Chu asked Yu Qian to pursue his posthumous title, and Yan Song later asked Yu Qian to share the Taimiao.Yan Songzou asked Liang Chu to pursue his posthumous posthumous title, Wen Zhong, because he was really Liang Chu's confidant.

Yan Song knew that Liang Chu and his son had mentioned the events of the year, which was to let the Liang family show their favor to Yan Song.

At the back of this letter, it was mentioned that the cochin Mo family had usurped the throne. The Liang family fleet was being employed by Huangmingji Maritime Trading Co., Ltd. to inquire in many places in Cochin.

This made Yan Song even happier: The current Liang family is worthy of close friendship.The future Liang family will be very useful.

Putting all these aside, now Yan Song is also thinking about Xuanda's war.

He hoped that the emperor would return in a great victory and present the victory to the Taimiao.If there is an unprecedented victory, he, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, will surely be able to make this great victory ceremony beautiful, and it will be remembered forever in the history books.

Everything about him, Yan Song, needs to rely on the emperor to sit down firmly in his position and implement one new idea after another.

Yan Song's greatest ability is to understand the emperor's mind, be willing to change, and be able to change quickly!

For example, now, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Household Affairs have to study the secret report that Wang Shouren arranged to send to Beijing, and then go to the national policy meeting to discuss it, and wait for His Majesty to come back to make a decision.

The trade strategy of Duoyan Sanwei, and the opening of the market in Liaodong to try to appease Duoyan Sanwei, who has become one of the [-] Mongolian left-wing households in Wulianghawan, all these can allow Yan Song to display his skills.

If the Liaodong market opens, then the goods going back and forth from Liaodong will naturally be inseparable from the Shipping Bureau, which already has a close relationship with Yan Song.

How to open the market, he also has a lot of experience.

But Yan Song was not in a hurry, he didn't know the emperor's clear attitude for the time being.

Wang Shouren decisively created an opportunity to encircle Alak Khan, and His Majesty would not reject the general direction he had discussed with Duoyan Sanwei.

But what about the details?

The officials and people in the capital have different ideas, and they are all looking forward to the outcome of the battle in the border town.Some are looking forward to the emperor's return soon, and some are looking forward to the emperor going to study in the grassland.

From the northwest direction of the capital, several riders galloped towards the capital.

Then, they divided their directions, some to the east of the city and some to the south of the city.Just a few riders, as if they were going to encircle the capital.

Fortunately, everyone recognized them, they were Ming soldiers.

The hooves of the horses passed everywhere, and the sound of their subsequent blasting of the pot was not as fast as the hoofs.

Every city gate rushed into a horse, all the way to publicize, the officials and people in the capital finally heard what happened in Chicheng County, Xuanfu two days ago.

"Great victory in the Xuan Mansion! Your Majesty drove the Sanchakou Fort in Chicheng County, and the king's master killed Beiyuan Khan outside Zhen'an Fort in Chicheng County, and wiped out countless enemies! Great Ming wins!"

This time, unlike the previous victories, it always attracted a moment of silence, followed by incredible noise and discussion.

But this kind of news, you dare not fake it?

"Slaying the Great Khan of Beiyuan... It's over, it's over, the Tartars will definitely take revenge..."

"Return to your mother! You bastard! Daming Wansheng!"

"Da Ming Wansheng!"

The sound of horseshoes galloped all the way to Chengtianmen, and the officials of the five government and six departments all left the Yamen involuntarily. They stared blankly on the street at the soldier who reported the victory in high spirits, listening to what he said, and suspected that their ears were coming out. what's the problem.

The ones who least want to suspect and least need to be suspicious are the Imperial Guards.

"Ming wins! Long live Your Majesty!"

The sound was deafening, and all the officials on duty in front of the Forbidden City ran out.

Gu Shilong went from the Hall of Martial Arts to the gate outside Fengtian Hall, Fei Hong and others came down from the Wenlou where they were having a meeting, and Sun Jiao stumbled from the Hall of National Policy to the inner Jinshui Bridge in front of Fengtian Hall.

The soldiers who reported the victory got off their horses, held up the victory report, and shouted loudly: "Great victory in the Xuanfu! Your Majesty drove the Sanchakou Fort in Chicheng County, and the king's master killed Beiyuan Khan outside Zhen'an Fort in Chicheng County, and wiped out countless enemies! Great Ming Wan Win!"

All three of them were in a trance for a while: Is it really such a great victory?
Who made such an inexhaustible feat?Is it Wang Shouren, or Yang Yiqing, or Li Quanli?

It wasn't until those who were qualified to see the detailed military situation saw the specific process that they all fell silent.

"...That's a good answer." Gu Shilong sighed.

Fei Hong looked at Gu Shilong worriedly: "Mr. Jingguo, in your opinion, can the border town be peaceful for a few years?"

Gu Shilong shook his head: "I don't know. After this war, the Northern Yuan Dynasty will definitely be in chaos. However, whether this kind of chaos will be chaos among the various ministries, or it will be chaos in my Ming Dynasty. It doesn't matter. No matter what, if they want to regain stability, they must seek a big victory over Da Ming."

Sun Jiao said solemnly: "I have already established a solid foundation in the first battle. With the current situation, I don't think there will be great chaos in the Northern Yuan Dynasty, but I will definitely invade the border every year in order to gain more and more prestige and gradually seize the throne."

"Your servant is strong..." Fei Hong said with a big head, "This is to discourage the little prince and make him remember my answer..."

"Don't say that!" Sun Jiaoyi and Lao Yizun glared at Fei Hong, "Such a great victory is so hard to come by! Bian Town has always been in trouble, and now His Majesty's Royal Conquest has won a battle, and Bian Town needs to be reformed." Who would dare to raise the bandits' self-respect after cheating in military training? Fighting and reforming at the same time!"

Fei Hong stopped talking, just read the battle report for the last time: "It's a pity..."

Yan Song knew what he was sorry for, but now Yan Song only had four words in his mind: Xianjie Taimiao!
(End of this chapter)