The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Just after the Spring Festival, several Tatar invasions occurred on the Ningxia border.

Although the scale was not large each time, it caused the Ming Dynasty's frontier troops to be overwhelmed, especially Zhang Mao, who was now in charge of the Ningxia defense zone. In addition, he had a lot of dissatisfaction with staying in the northwest. As a result, during this defensive battle, he almost The first time I performed well, I failed every time.

On this day, Zhang Maozheng personally led his troops out of Huamachi. He originally wanted to go in the direction of Ningxia Zhongwei, but before he had left for two days, he heard that the Tatars had withdrawn.

He could only curse and lead his troops back to Huamachi.

After stationing at night, because there was still more than a day to go from Huamachi, Zhang Mao was a little anxious and wanted to march back overnight, but Zhong Decai persuaded him to stop.

"What's going on? Does this army listen to you or me?" Zhang Mao was slightly dissatisfied.

Although he was the Duke of the Ming Dynasty, he could not enforce orders and prohibitions in the army. Even a rank-and-file aide like Zhong Decai often had more say than him.

At the beginning, the soldiers did not notice Zhang Mao's incompetence, but as time went by, everyone in the army now knew that he was a pampered master. It was quite nonsense to follow him to win battles and make contributions. of.

Zhong Decai said: "My lord, don't rush the march. Besides, there are no traces of the Tatars in this hundreds of miles. If you withdraw too hastily, you will be criticized... You have forgotten the Chen Liangjiu." "

Zhang Mao frowned and said, "That's true. Some people say that when Uncle Ping Jiang ran away, he could travel two hundred miles a day."

"Isn't that right?" Zhong Decai said, "The most taboo thing about this march is that it delays during the march, but quickly withdraws the troops."

Zhang Mao was still holding back his anger, but after hearing this, he felt a little relieved. He entered the tent, looked at the foot washing water that had been prepared for him, and said, "Bring in the food."

Zhong Decai said: "Master, we are still cooking in the stove. It may take some time for the meal to be served."

"I really don't know how to hurry up." Zhang Mao sat down and said with a frustrated look, "Is there any news from the capital? What is my son's... title? How does the court determine it?"

Ever since the Battle of Guanshan in early winter, Zhang Mao had been looking forward to the imperial court giving Zhang Rui an official title. This was something of interest to his old Zhang family.

Zhong Decai sighed: "Perhaps because the young master wanted to inherit your title, the court has not paid attention to this matter until now. But I heard that Pinglubo is now going to be promoted to Pingluhou! Ping Lupo takes the lead in this battle, so his title is... determined."

"Isn't this bullying?" Zhang Mao was furious and almost wanted to kill someone.

Zhong Decai hurriedly persuaded: "Master, please be patient. Although you are not convinced, the truth is this. Think about it, those people came from Datong, and you didn't send any troops to coordinate. Even they I still sent troops against your orders, and it just happened to happen. To put it bluntly, if it weren't for the fact that the young master is your son, the court might not have planned to give him credit. "

Zhang Mao's old face showed a bit of embarrassment.

He felt aggrieved because he had not made any meritorious deeds and was still stranded in the northwest. He could not even claim his son's merit.

"But," Zhong Decai changed the topic, "There is good news from the capital. It is said that your grandson, Mr. Zhang Lun, has gone to Liaodong with the soldiers and horses, and he has the opportunity to make contributions."

Zhang Mao thought for a while and asked: "Doesn't that mean that the eldest son and grandson of my three-generation Zhang family are no longer in the capital? This is..."

Zhong Decai also didn't expect Zhang Mao's thinking to be so clear, so he asked, "Is there anything wrong with this?"

Zhang Mao said: "If we were in the army, I would be more worried, but now it seems that it shouldn't be... did he reply to the letter he sent to my son before?"

"No," Zhong Decai said, "At least I haven't received it yet. Maybe...it was delayed due to something."

Zhang Mao was so angry that he slapped his thigh and said, "What does he have to do that is more important than replying to his father? He is in Datong, so he doesn't care about his father's expectations? Could it be that he was bribed by that boy Wang Bo'an? Wang Bo'an is also cunning, he borrowed Did he bribe Ma Yi and his thousands of soldiers and horses, and even my son? "

Zhong Decai saw the posture of old man Zhang and immediately knew that this old man was not happy with anything he saw now.

He angrily didn't reply.

"Have a rest tonight and go back to Huamachi early tomorrow morning. After I came out, my feet were blistered again. After I go back, don't get into a fight over that little trivial matter this time. Even if the inspection censor makes trouble over nothing, I will definitely not do anything. Pay attention!”

"Yes Yes."

……

……

Five days later.

At the Datong Town Station, Wang Shouren summoned Zhang Rui. At the same time, Ma Yi came with Zhang Rui. Ma Yi was preparing to be transferred out of Datong and also came to bid farewell to Wang Shouren.

Wang Shouren took out a battle report and handed it to Zhang Rui.

Zhang Rui didn't know why, but after he finished reading, his face looked very frightened.

Wang Shouren said: "Just five days ago, your father was lured by the Tatars with a little trick and led his troops to leave Huamachi. However, less than two days after leaving, Huamachi was unexpectedly attacked by the Tatars, although your father was also in time. The troops were withdrawn, but there was a delay in the withdrawal. As a result, the area around Huamachi was plundered by the Tatars, killing and wounding dozens of people, and robbed many weapons and supplies. "

Not only was Zhang Rui surprised, but Ma Yi on the side also found this a bit incredible.

Ma Yi said: "Wang Junmen, this matter is a bit strange. Even if the British army sends troops from Huamachi, it won't be overwhelming, right? There will always be... soldiers and horses left behind, why would the Tatars take advantage of the loophole? "

Wang Shouren shook his head, looking helpless.

The methods of victory are basically the same. They all require the right time, right place, right people, or more importantly, courage and courage.

And there are various ways of failure. If this kind of war was placed on him, Wang Shouren, even if he made a hundred mistakes, he would not end up in this situation. He could not even figure out how Zhang Mao's perfect move could lead to him being defeated. Would it stink so bad?

Even if you don't do anything, you won't be reduced to this, right? Is he still known as the most distinguished minister of the Ming Dynasty?

Zhang Rui thought for a while and said with a puzzled look on his face: "Master Zhongcheng, didn't you say that my father left Anyuanhou to guard Huamachi? He also left him thousands of elite soldiers? In this matter, my father should be... …It was already predicted, and it shouldn’t be like this.”

Wang Shouren sighed: "The land of Ningxia is very far away from here. No matter which way you go, it's nearly two thousand miles. I don't know the specific situation. And because of the importance of defense, on the three sides, the three sides will be controlled by the general Wang Shilang will submit the report in person, and we will see the results then."

"Lord Zhongcheng, please intercede for my father." Zhang Rui had no choice. Who allowed me to have an unreliable father?

The plan for now is to use his ability to see Wang Shouren and Wang Shouren's position in the northwest to let Wang Shouren intercede on his behalf. After all, it is Liu Jing's business to stay in Huamachi. It is best to put the blame on Liu Jing's head. .

Wang Shouren looked at Ma Yi first, and Ma Yi also lowered his head.

Wang Shouren said: "I don't want to interfere too much in Ningxia's defense matters, but when it comes to the division of responsibilities, I think it's difficult for your father to be involved. I will report to the court and explain the matter! But whether this matter is The full responsibility of Marquis Anyuan depends on how His Majesty determines it."

……

……

Huamachi.

Zhang Maogang had just attended a military meeting involving the pursuit of the Tatars, but the result was obviously unsatisfactory. When he entered the back hall, he only left Zhong Decai and Liu Jing behind.

At this time, neither Liu Jing nor Zhong Decai dared to look at him head-on, because they had been scolded by Zhang Mao many times on this matter.

Liu Jingxian broke the silence and said: "My lord, you have to explain to the court quickly that we are not to blame for what happened this time. I heard that Wang Zhongcheng, the leader of the Trilateral Council, has already reported to the court, and the next step is to plead guilty to us. He died. Dozens of them were kidnapped, not much. At most, they were just some livestock and weapons, which is nothing.”

Zhang Mao said angrily: "You still have the nerve to say that? Two cannons were robbed by the Tatars! How big a deal is this? Such a big pass, so many soldiers and horses, you can't even defend against hundreds of Tatars Can’t live?”

Liu Jing said with an annoyed look: "If I had known that there were only a few hundred Tatars, I would have gone out to fight with them. But when the news came, it was late at night. When I got up, I heard that the fortress near Huamachi was attacked. , I thought that if the Tatars dared to attack like this, they must have tens of thousands of troops. Without knowing the enemy's situation, there would be something wrong if they attacked, so... wait for the news first, and send someone to send it back. The news said that we will be back in a day or two, I think... this is a long-lasting war, there is no need to rush it. "

"boom!"

Zhang Mao slammed the tea cup to the ground.

Zhong Decai advised: "My lord, please calm down."

"Angry? Angry at you, uncle!" Zhang Mao found another outlet and said angrily, "I had to travel back at night the day before, just because I had a premonition that something was not going to happen, but you didn't tell me that you would be regarded as Chen Liangjiu. Tell me to be slower when withdrawing my troops! I don’t want Chen Liangjiu to be scolded again, but he didn’t make such a big mistake! I just watched the Tatar shit on his head, and after he finished, he Leave arrogantly? Where do you want me to put my face?"

Zhong Decai thought about it and suddenly found a picture in Zhang Mao's words.

Where to put it? Put it wherever you like.

Liu Jingdao: "My lord, now is not the time to get into trouble. You should fight back quickly. This matter is not serious at all. As long as it is hidden, everything will be safe."

"Bullshit!" Zhang Mao said, "Do you know how many people are staring at Huamachi? Ever since I was punished to stay here, the supervisory censor has been making trouble for me every day. Everyone in the court is waiting to see my joke. Now Okay...I have finally figured it out. Mr. Liu, what happened this time was entirely due to you not investigating. If you had learned the news, you had sent troops overnight, or even at dawn...you would have had time, but you delayed it. In the war, the fortress has been lost, the troops and horses have been damaged, the people have suffered, the grain stores have been robbed, and the artillery has been stolen. It is all your responsibility. I want to report it and explain your fault. You clean up your neck. Waiting to be beheaded.”

When Liu Jing heard this, he was shocked and said: "My lord, are you going to kill the donkey?"

Zhong Decai smiled and said: "Master Marquis, please don't take it to heart. My father-in-law is just too angry and said some angry words."

"Do you listen to my words as angry words? Or are you planning to let me prepare to wash my neck? Whoever is responsible will bear the responsibility! I finally understand how Zhu Dongyang suffered in the first place! It's all because of treacherous villains like you. You are the instigator, Liu. If I don’t kill you this time, my surname is not Zhu.” Zhang Mao said angrily.

Zhong Decai quickly pressed his hands and said, "Did you hear that? My father-in-law is already furious. My father-in-law, your surname is not Zhu. We don't have the same surname as Cheng Guo's family."

"roll!"

Zhang Mao pointed to the door.

"Huh!" Liu Jing was also a little unconvinced and started to leave angrily. He seemed to have made a plan to live in ruins rather than live in ruins.

Do you want to impeach me? I still want to impeach you!
Who is afraid of who?

Do you, Zhang Mao, have a strong court background? It's as if someone has no background in the court. I still have the Empress Dowager to support me. I committed such a big thing and didn't die, and I can still be reinstated. Do you think I am a free man?

Just as Liu Jing walked out of the door, he heard Zhang Mao's scolding voice coming from inside: "That's not you, right? If you don't stand here, who's in the eyes? I'll kill you without any discussion..."

Liu Jing now knew that Zhang Mao had completely lost his sense of control and was biting everyone like a mad dog.

……

……

After nightfall.

Zhang Mao was sitting at his desk, preparing to present a memorial, because he also knew that if he did not present a memorial to defend himself, his end might not be any better than Liu Jing's.

When Zhong Decai came in to deliver ginseng tea, he refused to leave because he also wanted to give Zhang Mao some advice.

"What else do you have to say?" Zhang Mao's anger subsided a little. He also knew that sometimes he couldn't analyze clearly and still needed Zhong Decai's help to make suggestions.

Zhong Decai said: "My lord, you are right. This is all my fault. I did not expect the Tatars to be so cunning. But having said that, it is impossible for any leader to understand this matter." . Isn’t it all because Marquis Anyuan is not a thing that we have left our troops behind and made all the preparations?”

Zhang Mao said: "So, you also asked me to put the blame on Liu?"

"It's not a scapegoat, it's the responsibility that he should have shouldered. He has no ambitions. Apart from being corrupt and bending the law, he is also good at currying favor with others. Didn't he rely on his in-law relationship to get where he is today? He relied on his relationship with the Empress Dowager to join the army. , His Majesty expected him to make meritorious deeds, but it seems that he is a disaster," Zhong Decai said.

Zhang Mao suddenly felt that he resonated with Zhong Decai.

In times of imminent disaster, it would be good to find someone to take the blame.

Zhong Decai said: "Since it is his fault, we cannot tolerate him. It is best for us to capture him first and hand him over to the censor, and then let the censor escort him to the capital and hand him over to the court for trial." You can also gain a reputation of being able to distinguish between public and private affairs, but you are just afraid..."

Zhang Mao said: "You are saying that Zhang Bingkuan will add insult to injury, right? I don't think so. If I still had some status at the beginning, Zhang Bingkuan might still take me seriously. But now that I am in such a state of desperation, if I write a letter to plead with you, He, let him have mercy, and I am not a threat to him, how can he refuse to save me? I... I will write to him right away... My great reputation is completely ruined this time!" (End of this chapter! )