The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Liu Jin is about to be transferred back to Beijing.

The Battle of Ningxia was fought with great force in the early stages, and the main force of the Tatars stationed in Huamachi was destroyed. However, the subsequent pursuit was also a failure due to problems such as lack of food and troops, and no better results were achieved.

In addition, Wang Qiong, the general commander of Sanbian, was transferred back to Beijing, so that the leadership of Sanbian fell into the hands of others. Before Tang Yin took office, it was no longer realistic for Sanbian to complete further military plans.

Ma Yi gave Liu Jin a "generous gift".

"Eunuch Liu, this is a small gift from me. I hope you will accept it." Ma Yi is now the Marquis of Pinglu, but he still remains absolutely humble in front of Liu Jin.

Liu Jin was too embarrassed to open the small wooden box in front of him, as he thought it should contain gold, silver, jewelry or something like that.

Zhang Rui, who was standing next to him, saw this and smiled and said, "I am away from home and have not been able to prepare a gift for you. When I return to Beijing, my father will definitely send you one."

Liu Jin smiled and said, "I am just returning to Beijing to report on my work. Maybe I will be transferred to a place on the border next. Maybe we will work together in the future. Why should I be so polite?"

Ma Yi said: "Eunuch, you are in a high position and you don't understand the thoughts of us frontline soldiers. We also hope to be like you, always remembered by His Majesty, and transferred wherever there is a need. You can return to the capital at any time to serve His Majesty and the Crown Prince. You are still the admiral of the Yanwu Hall, and we will rely on you more in the future."

"Easy to say, easy to say."

Liu Jin was very proud.

He originally thought that he was dead, but unexpectedly he found his way back to life and even won military merit.

Not only did he help his own people, he also treated him like a god. Ma Yi and Zhang Rui both regarded him as a great figure, and reported that he had made the greatest contribution in this war.

If this were to be brought back to the capital, would the imperial court not reward him handsomely?

Even if the reward is not much, when he gets in front of the prince, he can brag about it. Having the prince as his amulet seems to be more important than anything else.

Ma Yi said, "You will set out tomorrow. I have already selected soldiers to escort you along the way. If you have any inconvenience, you can also greet the people in these places. I don't have many connections in the three borders, but if you reach Xuanda's territory, I can find someone to assist you."

"Really?" Liu Jin said with a smile, "Marquis Pinglu, you really have a wide network of contacts. We will rely on you in the future."

"I don't deserve it." Ma Yi once again showed a humble attitude.

At this moment, Zheng Sui had entered the hall.

At this time, Zheng Sui was dressed in military uniform, and it was obvious that he had made all preparations to escort Liu Jin away the next day.

"General Zheng, everything depends on you." Ma Yi looked at Zheng Sui and said, "I will come to visit you when I arrive in Beijing."

"No, no, how dare I trouble you? When you arrive in Beijing, I will pay you a visit."

Zheng Sui felt that he had gained a lot this time. Although he made mistakes in the process, at least Liu Jin forgave him.

Moreover, in the matter of Xu Shen's "rebellion against his superiors", Zheng Sui was the chief meritorious minister. At least now Liu Jin has treated him as his own, and this time he even said that he would take him back to Beijing to enjoy a good life.

Zhang Rui said, "General Zheng was once a captain of the Imperial Guard. He has made great contributions in the northwest. When he returns to Beijing, he will either be transferred to an important position in the Imperial Guard or be transferred to the Governor's Office and promoted a few levels. He is really the envy of others."

Zheng Sui smiled and said, "It is you, young master, that I envy. With your family background, you have made so many contributions in the northwest. You are said to be a son of a general. You are a pillar of the Ming Dynasty. We are willing to serve you in the future."

The few people exchanged polite greetings again.

Liu Jin said: "It's almost time, so we should rest. We have to set off early tomorrow morning. The military affairs of Ningxia will be handed over to you for the time being. I heard that Governor Ma will arrive in Ningxia in a few days, then..."

He had only said half of his words when he saw that Ma Yi's face looked very unhappy.

When Ma Zhongxi was transferred to be the governor of Ningxia, the person who was most worried was Ma Yi, because Ma Yi had been impeached by Ma Zhongxi and almost lost his life.

Although today, Ma Yi is no longer so afraid of Ma Zhongxi, but who knows if this old guy will play tricks on him when he comes?
The person who once had an enemy with him is now the highest defense chief of Ningxia, and he, Ma Yi, has not been transferred back to Datong... Ma Yi feels that he might be defeated by Ma Zhongxi, and he becomes worried when he hears about this person.

Liu Jin said, "Marquis Pinglu, you don't have to worry too much. If we have a chance, we will definitely ask the court to transfer you to another place. With your ability, it is enough for you to be a garrison commander. You don't have to listen to the orders of others."

Ma Yi said, "You are worrying too much, eunuch. No matter where you work, it is still work."

"But in the end, people still have to make choices." Liu Jin said with the look of an experienced person, "Then we will meet again in the future. After arriving in Beijing, we can talk about our farewell. The mountains are high and the rivers are long, and we will meet again one day. Then we can drink and talk happily."

……

……

In the capital city.

Zhang Zhou's theater received a special guest that day.

It was Tang Yin who was transferred from Liaodong to the northwest and went to the capital to report to the emperor.

He originally wanted to bring Xu Jing with him, but Xu Jing was not allowed to enter the city. Only Tang Yin was allowed to enter the city. He was supposed to be called to the palace for questioning, but Zhu Youtang sent someone to convey his order, asking him to meet Zhang Zhou and then send him to the northwest to take up his post.

"Bo Hu, you've worked really hard this time." Zhang Zhou looked at Tang Yin, who was skinny to begin with.

Now it looks more like a reed.

Tang Yin sat there, looking a little haggard. He was in his early thirties but looked like a skinny old man in his forties. He looked half dead. If you didn't know him, you would think there was some major funeral in his family.

"After you arrive in the northwest, your main mission will be to attack."

Zhang Zhou said, "Don't worry about whether the attack is fruitful or not. As long as it is within our capabilities, it is fine even if it disrupts the situation. The Tatars will not give up and will look for opportunities to attack. You may not have elite soldiers and generals under your command, but you have to lead a group of elite soldiers and generals."

Tang Yin raised his head and asked, "So the next plan is to invade North Korea?"

Zhang Zhou was stunned.

Tang Yin's question is actually quite sharp.

"Why do you say that?" Zhang Zhou said.

Tang Yin said, "Eunuch Zhang Yong told me earlier that the Tatars are no longer a big threat. As long as the northwest is properly managed, everything can be maintained as it is, and the Tatars will not be able to take advantage of the situation and invade."

"Oh?" Zhang Zhou looked surprised.

How dare they be so confident? When did the grassland tribes cease to be a threat to the Central Plains?
"And Eunuch Zhang mentioned that the next step for Liaodong is to wait and let the Jurchens become overwhelmed. This will give them the opportunity to send troops to Korea. When Korea is unable to resist, our Ming soldiers will take advantage of the opportunity and take Korea from the Jurchens." Tang Yin said.

Zhang Zhou said, "Is that what Zhang Yong said?"

Tang Yin shook his head and said, "No, some of it was said by him, and some of it was understood by me."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "So Bo Hu is unhappy?"

"I……"

Tang Yin didn't know what to say.

Although the process he guessed did not seem to have much to do with him, he was just taking advantage of Korea and the Jurchens and taking over a small country in passing.

But I always felt like I was the one being cheated. After all, he was the one who was in danger twice, in Duobi City before and in the heartland of Haixi Jurchens this time. Not only did he almost lose his life, but he also had to bear a moral burden.

They overthrew the leader of Korea and replaced him with a new one, who then deceived the Korean people... As a scholar who claims to be a pure person, it seems that I should not take advantage of others.

Zhang Zhou said: "The plan you mentioned sounds very good."

Tang Yin asked: "So there is?"

"Haha." Zhang Zhou asked with a smile, "Is it that easy?"

"This..." Tang Yin didn't know how to answer.

Zhang Zhou said, "According to your assumption, we harass the Jurchens in Liaodong, and then engage in production and become self-sufficient. The Jurchens cannot survive, so they have to attack the Koreans? They didn't live well before, and we didn't see them do anything to the Koreans. How can you think that when the Jurchens are at their wits' end, they will be able to send troops to Korea?"

"Uh?"

Tang Yin thought about it, and suddenly felt that this was just his wishful thinking.

As Zhang Zhou said, no matter how powerful the Jurchens are, their strength is still limited. Isn't it nonsense to directly annex Korea?

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Even if it is true as you said, the Jurchens really sent troops to Korea, then may I ask, was it the Haixi Jurchens or the Jianzhou Jurchens who sent troops? You know, their tribes are in chaos and have not formed a whole. How many troops can one of their tribes send? Ten thousand? Twenty thousand? Can they conquer Korea with this amount?"

Tang Yin said: "We don't have to conquer it. As long as Korea feels in danger, we can ask Ming to send troops."

"That's right." Zhang Zhou nodded. "Doesn't Korea know what it means to drive a tiger to devour a wolf? Are they afraid of the Jurchens or the Ming Dynasty?"

"This……"

Tang Yin couldn't answer again.

Zhang Zhou said: "So, the battle of Liaodong was more for training troops and promoting new crops, further consolidating Liaodong, building more cities, and developing more population. Under this premise, why do we have to engage in conspiracy theories when we slowly defeat the Jurchens?"

"I worry too much." Tang Yin said.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "You think more, which just proves that you are now capable of managing military affairs. Although you have held important positions in the past, your ability to govern the local area still needs to be improved. Speaking of which, the palace examination is just around the corner. Three years ago, we were just candidates."

Tang Yin thought about it.

Also.

He is still here blaming Zhang Zhou. If it weren't for Zhang Zhou's support, how could he have achieved his current status in just three years?

Suddenly, as if he had found the direction of his life, he stood up and saluted, saying, "Now that I have arrived at Sanbian, besides launching an offensive, is there anything else I can do?"

Zhang Zhou said: "Just this one incident is enough to make you exhausted. Do you think sending troops to Mongolia is as simple as sending troops to the Jurchens?"

Tang Yin was startled.

Is it really that easy to send out female soldiers?
If it were really simple, it wouldn't be such a life-threatening situation.

Zhang Zhou said: "Don't worry, someone will help you. Look, Marquis Pinglu and the prince of Duke Ying are both in Sanbian. They will help you to send troops. Besides, you and the Earl of Xinjian have some friendship."

"I don't have much friendship with him." Tang Yin said.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "When you take up your post, you will have a relationship with him even if you don't have any. If you are capable, Xinjianbo will fully assist you. By then, the situation in the northwest will no longer be defensive, but offensive, and you will be the key figure in turning defense into offense."

Tang Yin said, "Duke Cai, you really think highly of me."

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "Who made you my junior brother? Now everyone in the government and the country regards you as my accomplice, you can't escape. Don't say I tricked you this time. Your life will still be in danger after you arrive at Sanbian, but I believe you can... handle it well."

Tang Yin was startled.

Thinking about it again, it seems to be true.

Although he was promoted by Zhang Zhou, the jobs Zhang Zhou gave him were never good ones.

They are basically living on the edge of a knife. If people like Zhu Feng and Wang Qiong rely on head-on confrontations on the battlefield and put their lives in danger, that is also a normal war.

On his side...it's all unequal war.

Either two hundred people staged a coup in North Korea, or a lone troop went deep into the Jurchen enemy's rear...never a good thing.

Thinking of this, he suddenly gained a little more confidence.

I have learned this through the battles, not by anyone else. Who dares to call me a fool? Is there anyone in the Ming Dynasty who is braver than me?

……

……

Tang Yin left the theater with some confidence.

He would stay in the city for one night, reunite with his wife at home, and then leave to take up his post in the northwest.

Zhang Zhou continued to sit by the window, watching the show leisurely.

Zhang Lushui and Xiao Jang Geum came in one after another. Although they were just serving tea and water and doing small things like washing and brushing their teeth, it also delayed some time. After they were all pushed out, Zhu Feng finally came.

"Brother Tang, has he been here?" As soon as Zhu Feng arrived, he seemed to be very concerned about Tang Yin's affairs.

Zhang Zhou said, "How long have you been here?"

Zhu Feng said, "I haven't been here for long. I was not allowed to come up before, so I waited downstairs. Where is the song?"

Zhang Zhou asked, "Why, have you become interested in listening to opera recently?"

"Hey." Zhu Feng smiled, "Come to think of it, I really like listening to operas recently. I didn't think so before, but this time I came back, I felt that Brother Zhang's operas were really good, both beautiful and good to watch. No wonder there are so many amateur opera fans in the capital. It's a pity that I can't sing well, otherwise I will definitely go up and perform a segment."

When Zhang Zhou saw Zhu Feng's look, he knew that this was a person who was not doing his job properly.

Although he held a high position and enjoyed the emperor's trust, he spent all his time thinking about eating, drinking and having fun.

But when he thought that he was actually in the same situation, he felt that Zhu Feng and he had similar interests and neither of them liked to run around and work hard.

"If you want to enjoy, you need a foundation," said Zhang Zhou.

"What do you mean?" Zhu Feng asked.

Zhang Zhou said: "There are many people in the court who are critical of the recent war in Liaodong. Many people even secretly recommend you to lead the troops in Liaodong."

"I can't." Zhu Feng waved his hands quickly.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "I know you can't do it. You just like singing opera, don't you? Recently, many southern opera troupes have come to Beijing. Go and listen when you have time. Also, your family members recently came to me and said they wanted me to help you... From the looks of it, there's no need for help. You don't need my help either. Your Chengguo Mansion has really... won the emperor's favor recently."

"It's all thanks to you, Brother Zhang." Zhu Feng said with gratitude. (End of this chapter)