The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

North of Guanshan.

Zhang Zhou personally led his troops to retreat, traveling with Tang Yin. Along the way, Zhang Zhou taught Tang Yin some "secrets", as if he was planning to hand over the task of completely pacifying the grassland to him.

"I don't understand why you, Duke Cai, don't end this yourself?"

Tang Yin seemed tired.

His life in the past few years has been thrilling. This time in the grassland battle, he was able to escape from a desperate situation again. This was the third time he encountered such a dangerous situation after the two times in Duobi City and the Jurchen old land.

"Only those who are indomitable can accomplish all this." Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "Let me do it. It may be possible to take shortcuts, but to maintain peace and governance for a long time, it takes a resilient person to be competent. I think you already have this ability."

Tang Yin couldn't help feeling ashamed.

However, there is one thing that he himself feels is right, that is, he is indeed resilient.

Have you ever seen anyone encounter three dangerous situations and survive each time?

For most people, experiencing it once seems to be enough, but after he experienced it three times... Zhang Zhou wanted to give him a few more opportunities to experience it.

Tang Yin even thought that he would not stop until he tortured me to death.

Zhang Zhou pointed his whip at the grassland in the distance and said, "I leave this place to you, so that you can realize your dream of pacifying the grassland. If anyone mentions it in the future, they will say... you accomplished all this."

"This……"

Tang Yin smiled bitterly.

Are you kidding me? That I did it all? When the world is forgetful, no one will remember you?

……

……

Originally, it was Zhang Zhou who should have escorted Batu Mongke to Zhu Youtang as a prisoner, but he gave this opportunity to Tang Yin.

Because Zhang Zhou felt more and more that he seemed to have completed his mission... He even wondered after the battle of Suosuo River whether a white light should appear and bring him back to the modern era?

Success and fame.

Changing the Ming Dynasty...

It seems like I did it, but it also seems like I didn’t.

He had helped the emperor accomplish many unprecedented achievements, but after all, his impact on the scientific and technological changes in the Ming Dynasty was still limited... Who made him just a liberal arts student, who was only taught some basic theoretical knowledge, and was better at manipulating power and manipulating people's hearts, but not good at scientific inventions and creations?

"Master."

After Zhang Zhou sent Tang Yin and his party away, Sun Shangqi appeared behind Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou was riding on his horse, looking at Tang Yin's troops leaving in the distance, and was also pondering what path he should take in the future.

Zhang Zhou said, "In a few days, we will return to the capital. Your Majesty is leading the army in person only to complete the sacrifice on the grassland. I may not return to Datong with Your Majesty. I will lead the troops directly to Xuanfu."

Sun Shangqi said: "The sacrificial ceremony would lose its luster without you."

"No need." Zhang Zhou said, "The victory of this battle depends more on the power of science. As long as the right equipment is given to the right people, even Wang Shouren or Zhu Fenglai can accomplish it. Maybe I also have a certain obsession and must complete it all by myself."

Speaking of this, Zhang Zhou would feel very tired.

It has been four years since I came to Ming Dynasty. I have completed all the tasks that should be completed, but it seems like there is something that I have not done at all.

He was successful, but his achievements were limited to gaining the emperor's trust and even pacifying the grassland. However, he seemed to be far from changing an era.

"With me here, I don't know how many years of progress I can bring to this world. Or, without me, everything might be better."

Zhang Zhou began to fall into a state of self-doubt and self-examination.

Sun Shangqi seemed to sense that something was not right with Zhang Zhou, so he did not dare to disturb him anymore and let Zhang Zhou ride forward with his few guards.

……

……

Guanshan sacrifice.

This was the second major sacrificial activity personally held by Zhu Youtang, and it was a more grand one after the Weininghai Heaven Sacrifice.

The protagonist of this sacrifice did not seem to be Zhu Youtang, but the little Tatar prince Batu Mongke, as well as many tribal leaders, captives, etc. The Ming Dynasty would even build a Jingguan on the grassland and pile up the Tatar heads to demonstrate the majesty of the Celestial Empire.

Tang Yin, as the commander-in-chief of the troops that went to the grassland, finally came back after going through untold hardships. He represented the troops and completed the surrender of prisoners.

"Your Majesty, it's time to begin."

Xie Qian walked to Zhu Youtang's side.

At this time, Zhu Youtang was standing on a high platform with a lot of open space around him, which allowed him to look down from a high vantage point.

In addition to being able to appreciate the prisoner presentation ceremony more comprehensively, you can also personally review the three armies and see the majesty of the Ming Dynasty soldiers.

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "We can start now. Please, Mr. Xie, please make the announcement."

"Yes."

Xie Qian walked to the corner and handed the command flag to Zhu Feng. For the next surrender, Zhu Feng would use the command flag and flares launched into the sky in broad daylight to deliver the message and complete the ceremony.

A huge bonfire has been lit.

Then, things that looked like Kongming lanterns were released into the air, followed by flares, and then the sound of horns.

The tens of thousands of soldiers present... they had not even had a chance to fight the Tatars, and now it seemed that they had no chance to continue fighting. The Tatars who could surrender were all rushing to Guanshan or Weininghai, knowing that if they ran slowly, they would be lambs to be slaughtered. Even though they knew that the Ming Dynasty would definitely relocate some of them to the Central Plains, they had no choice but to surrender in order to survive, and even offered their wealth and children...

……

……

The ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven lasts from noon to sunset.

Originally, Zhu Youtang wanted to kill Batu Mongke on the spot, but he finally chose to bring Batu Mongke back to the capital and imprison him, so as to keep a backup plan. In case someone came to command the grassland in the name of the Golden Family in the future, Batu Mongke and his sons could be brought out.

Keeping Batu Mongke would not accomplish anything, after all, the grassland's manpower had been basically wiped out in the previous war.

That night.

A grand celebration banquet was held on the grassland. Zhu Youtang returned to the central army tent early, where Tang Yin, Xu Jing, Ma Yi, Zhang Rui and others were waiting to report to him.

"My dear gentlemen, please don't be so polite." Zhu Youtang said with a smile after entering the tent, "What I want to know most is why Bingkuan didn't come? When will his troops arrive?"

Tang Yin said, "Your Majesty, Duke Cai asked me to report that he is still preparing to move eastward to pacify some scattered small and medium-sized tribes. If everything goes well, it will take about half a month to a month to return to the interior of the country from Xuanfu."

Zhu Youtang said with some regret on his face: "I always feel regretful that I didn't see Bingkuan in today's scene. I didn't expect that his plan would be so successful and even prevent the Tatars from standing up again in one go."

Xu Jing smiled and complimented him: "Your Majesty planned and planned, and Duke Cai did it himself. Your Majesty has also made great achievements."

Zhu Youtang said, "I had originally planned to announce during the sacrifice that Bingkuan would be conferred the title of King of Dingyang. This matter... seems to be something we can only discuss after returning to the court."

The people present looked at each other.

This was something they could not have imagined.

No matter how great Zhang Zhou's contributions were, the rules of the Ming Dynasty were that people of other surnames could not be made kings, even if they were princes of a county. As for why Zhang Zhou did not come to participate in the sacrifice, and whether it was related to this matter, they did not know.

But they knew one thing, that is, the emperor would not propose to make Zhang Zhou a king for no reason, and it should have been mentioned before.

"My dear nobles, you were trapped on the grassland before. Even if I didn't come here in person, I was still very concerned about you. You all worked hard." Zhu Youtang said, "I have already drawn up a list of promotions and rewards. Zhijie, you and the Ma family can both be granted the title of Duke after you return. As for the Tang family, you... will be promoted to the title of Earl. I will have someone consider the specifics."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Several people saluted quickly.

Zhu Feng, Ma Yi and Tang Yin all deserved rewards for their contributions, which seemed to have been expected by those present.

But there are two other people, one is Zhang Rui and the other is Xu Jing, which makes people feel very awkward when listening to them.

Zhu Youtang suddenly turned his gaze to Zhang Rui and said, "Mr. Zhang, your father has been leading troops to the sea for some time. I plan to transfer the affairs in Beijing to you first. You will temporarily take charge of the post of the commander of the Three Thousand Battalions. I will confer your title... on you as appropriate. But in the future, you will lead the Dingguo lineage, and this title can be awarded to your descendants."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I serve the Ming Dynasty without asking for any reward."

Zhang Rui also seemed very excited.

Zhu Feng could be granted the title because he had no right of inheritance. But Zhang Rui was different. After all, he was the oldest surviving son of Zhang Mao and would inherit the title of Duke of England in the future.

With Zhang Rui's merits, he couldn't be directly conferred the title of duke all at once. In other words, the Zhang family couldn't produce two dukes, so Zhang Rui's merits could only be rewarded to his son... Not giving it to his brothers also reflected the emperor's rigor.

After all, Zhang Mao himself did not make any other great contributions, and Zhang Rui's brothers did not make any outstanding contributions either.

Zhu Youtang said: "It is necessary to receive it."

Finally, Zhu Youtang turned his gaze to Xu Jing, who was standing there with an expectant look on his face but did not dare to look up.

Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "Mr. Xu, you have been in danger with Mr. Tang several times, and you have always been able to escape danger. It seems that you are a lucky general. I have decided to promote you to the position of Junior Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and you will assist Mr. Tang wholeheartedly in the future."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xu Jing was still a little excited when he heard this.

The Shaoqing of Taichang Temple was at least a civil official of the fourth rank. It was not easy for him to obtain such a high position and generous salary considering his status as a juren.

But compared to Tang Yin and others, this reward sounds a bit shabby.

However, thinking that Tang Yin himself had only been granted the title of Earl, and that he was after all just a follower of Tang Yin, he probably had no right to this title.

Zhu Youtang then added: "If there are suitable ones among your family members, I will arrange them to join the Jinyiwei, at least with the responsibilities of a hundred households. Speaking of which, it's time to replace the Jinyiwei officials."

What this means is that not only will you be given a position in the Imperial Guard with a salary, but you will also be given a real vacancy.

This is a reward for your abilities.

……

……

Rewarding people based on merit was originally the responsibility of the Ministry of War, and it also needed to be discussed in the court.

However, because the Ministry of War is now controlled by Zhang Zhou and the emperor is also in the grassland and cannot hold a court meeting, this matter is done in a way that is almost like a notification. An edict is sent back to the court from the northwest, symbolically allowing the cabinet and the Supreme Court to discuss it, and finally a result will be reached.

When the news reached the capital, the emotions of several people in the cabinet varied.

Cheng Minzheng is still recuperating and did not appear at the cabinet meeting.

Liu Jian simply put the emperor's unpublished edict on the table, meaning that you two can read it yourselves and I'm too lazy to say anything.

"Nothing can be changed." Li Dongyang said, "I have submitted my resignation and plan to return to my hometown to spend my remaining years."

After what happened to his son, Li Dongyang also felt very tired.

In addition, they lost the bet this time, and Zhang Zhou did complete the overall framework of pacifying the grassland, which made the obstacles they had encountered in the previous few years seem more like clowns. They also knew that someone had to take responsibility for this matter, and Li Dongyang took the initiative to take responsibility for it all.

He planned to retire and keep Liu Jian in the court. At least this would ensure that the inheritance of civil officials would not deviate greatly.

Wang Ao said: "I am still young and inexperienced, and I have not been able to do many things with due diligence. I am the one who should resign this time."

Obviously Wang Ao himself did not intend to stay in the court.

You will all think that it was me who brought Zhang Bingkuan into the court and that it was me who harmed you, so I will take the blame and resign.

Liu Jian looked at the two of them and said coldly, "It's not time to talk about who will retreat or not. Have you ever thought about whether His Majesty should be stopped from rewarding the so-called meritorious officials? It's just a trip to the grassland, and many things are done in accordance with the situation. Should we break the law and let some people do whatever they want?"

Wang Ao said, "I don't agree with Elder Liu's point of view. In the past, the rewards for conquering the grasslands were based on military merit. Based on the military merits in the northwest this time, if everything is true, there is no problem with the title."

Liu Jian asked, "Then your majesty is going to grant Zhang Bingkuan the title of king?"

"This……"

Wang Ao was speechless.

"This is just a rumor, and it's not certain." Li Dongyang said, "For such a big thing, His Majesty will certainly seek the opinions of the ministers in the court, and then we can jointly oppose it. If this is true, Zhang Bingkuan will indeed become a hidden danger to the Ming Dynasty in the future. With such a dangerous person in the court... can His Majesty really trust him without reservation?"

It seemed that even Li Dongyang felt that it was time for the emperor to be abandoned.

In the past, Zhang Zhou was used to pacify the grassland. Now that the emperor's dream has been basically fulfilled, the remaining things basically do not need Zhang Zhou to do it himself. So why keep Zhang Zhou in the court?
If three thousand people can destroy the Tatars, does that mean... that in the future, with three thousand people, Zhang Zhou can capture the capital of the Ming Dynasty and even pacify the world?

Wang Ao said, "Since you two have such concerns, I will be responsible for raising this matter in the memorial and making His Majesty distance himself from Zhang Bingkuan. Whoever caused the trouble should be responsible for cleaning it up."

Li Dongyang said: "Jizhi, I don't think that's what Mr. Liu meant. In fact, we all know that we can no longer let Zhang Bingkuan take charge of the military power. If he continues to stay in the army, there is no guarantee that he won't... go astray in the future. I heard that he is still leading troops in the grasslands and has not returned yet. If he really intends to... force the emperor to abdicate, it is indeed... hard to guarantee that he can be stopped." (End of this chapter)