My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 945 The imperial commander’s personal expedition
Datong was in crisis, the capital was shaken, and the court was noisy, with endless debates over the main battle for peace.

But at this critical moment, Zhu Qizhen suddenly had a whim. He actually wanted to imitate his great-grandfather Zhu Di and lead the expedition himself.

When Zhu Qizhen announced the news of the imperial conquest in person in the court, the entire court was also silent. The civil and military officials were unable to react for a while. Everyone looked at each other and didn't know what to say.

After a while, someone in the court finally woke up and immediately stood up to object. Even cabinet ministers such as Hu Hui and Wang Zhi firmly disagreed. After all, they all knew that Zhu Qizhen was not Zhu Di. Palace, the emperor has no experience in leading troops at all, so asking him to lead troops on an expedition is simply a disaster.

However, Zhu Qizhen did not have any clear understanding of his abilities. Instead, he believed that the civil and military officials' opposition to his personal expedition was hindering his achievements.

Many people have a rebellious mentality. For example, the more others don't let them do something, the more they will do it, even if they go against everyone.

This was the case with Zhu Qizhen. The more the civil and military officials refused to allow him to lead the expedition in person, the more energetic he became, and finally he broke up with the ministers at the court meeting on bad terms.

If there is someone close to him at this time, after Zhu Qizhen calms down, he may be persuaded to give up the idea of ​​​​conquering the emperor personally.

But it happened that the only person around Zhu Qizhen who was qualified to persuade him was Wang Zhen, and Wang Zhen had no idea of ​​thinking about the overall situation. In his heart, nothing was as important as making Zhu Qizhen happy.

Therefore, Wang Zhen not only did not object to the idea of ​​​​Zhu Qizhen's imperial conquest, but strongly agreed with it. He even encouraged Zhu Qizhen to go out with the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty to let them witness Zhu Qizhen's feat of conquering the Hulu in the north.

Wang Zhen's words also scratched Zhu Qizhen's itch, so the two hit it off immediately, and directly issued the order for the imperial commander to personally conquer, and asked Zhang Fu and other nobles, as well as Wang Zhi and other ministers to accompany him.

As soon as this order came out, the whole court was in a state of excitement again. It could even be said that everyone was going crazy. Especially Wang Zhi, who was the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and all the civil and military officials jointly submitted a letter requesting Zhu Qizhen to take back the imperial commander's personal expedition. The command.

However, Zhu Qizhen insisted on going his own way and refused to listen to anyone's advice. Coupled with Wang Zhen's support, Wang Zhen was now so powerful that few people in the court dared to oppose him. Therefore, after Wang Zhen expressed his stance, many weak-minded people The ministers also turned around and began to support Zhu Qizhen's personal expedition.

Zhang Fu was seventy-five years old, and he had stopped going to court in the past few years and focused on taking care of his old age at home. As a result, Zhu Qizhen actually asked him to go with the army.

Of course, although Zhang Fu was old, he was not confused. He also wrote to Wang Zhi and asked Zhu Qizhen not to go on the expedition, but it was of no use. Zhu Qizhen directly issued a military order asking him to go with the army, and Zhang Fu had to deal with it. Packing up, dragging his old body to prepare for the expedition.

Originally, when a large army goes on an expedition, it will definitely take a long time to prepare in the early stage. Sometimes it may even take a year or even several years. If time is urgent, a month or half a month of preparation time is still needed. After all, the army needs to be mobilized and food and fodder are also needed. Leave early.

But to everyone's surprise, Zhu Qizhen only gave him two days to prepare, because he was afraid that the army from Datong would also escape first.

"Mr. Zhang, the army hastily set out to fight. Do you think this battle is safe?"

Hu Xi asked Zhang Fu, whose beard and hair were all white, anxiously.

For such a big thing, the court was in chaos. Because Hu Hui was old and a civil servant, he was not on the list to go with the army. However, he was still worried about this expedition, so he came to the British government to express his gratitude. Zhang Fu, who was preparing to go out with the army, asked for advice.

"Mr. Hu, I have been fighting all my life, and I have never heard that it takes two days to prepare before hundreds of thousands of troops are sent out. Now the army has not even prepared food and grass, so I am very worried that the army may not be able to reach Datong." Zhang Fu also replied with a wry smile at this time.

In two days, it was very difficult to even mobilize troops, let alone prepare food and grass. Even if the entire army brought dry food, they could only survive the first few days. Although Datong is not far from Beijing, dry food alone cannot do it. , if the food is gone halfway and the officers and soldiers are hungry, then why fight?

"Alas, Your Majesty is so willful and turns a blind eye to our opinions. Going out with hundreds of thousands of troops is like child's play. I'm really afraid that this expedition will lead to a catastrophe!"

Hu Xi became more and more anxious as he spoke, and in the end he stamped his feet angrily.

As the emperor, Zhu Qizhen was concerned about the safety of the world. He used to favor Wang Zhen and only bring trouble to the government, but now he actually regards military and state affairs as trivial matters. This is something that the mature Hu Hui has already noticed. An unknown smell.

"Hu Gong, it's too late to say this now. As ministers, we can only fulfill our duties loyally. This time I will accompany His Majesty on the expedition, and I will leave the capital to you!"

Zhang Fu also sighed at this time, and then solemnly saluted Hu Hu.

As a veteran general in the army, Zhang Fu also had a premonition that this expedition might be a disaster. If something happened to their army outside, it would definitely be affected here in the capital. Therefore, people like Hu Hu who stayed in the capital, The burden on my body is equally heavy.

"Mr. Zhang, don't you have anything you can do?"

When Hu Hu heard what Zhang Fu had entrusted to her, she couldn't help but feel sad, and immediately asked again.

"I am old and have long since become useless. What's more, His Majesty will not allow me to interfere in the affairs of the army this time. So even if I have the will, I am powerless!"

Zhang Fu smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Based on his age, he should have been unable to go to the battlefield for a long time, but Zhu Qizhen specifically ordered him to go with the army. In fact, he did not want Zhang Fu to command the army, but to use Zhang Fu's reputation in the army to appease the soldiers. In later generations' terms, Zhang Fu is more like a mascot, he just looks very important.

"This... I understand, Mr. Zhang, thank you for your hard work!"

Hu Hui also sighed after hearing this, and then saluted Zhang Fu again, and then said goodbye and left. After all, Zhang Fu was going to go on an expedition with the army, and there must be a lot of things to arrange at home.

After seeing off Hu Hui, Zhang Fu ordered his family to pack their bags. According to Zhu Qizhen's request, they would set off the day after tomorrow. Zhang Fu seemed a little hasty just to pack up his things, let alone the soldiers in the army. They probably even prepared dry food. insufficient.

However, that night, Zhang Fu was studying the map from Beijing to Datong in his study. Although he could not intervene in military affairs, he still wanted to make more preparations so that he would not panic if it was needed.

But at this moment, a servant suddenly came to report: The mysterious Mr. Jin came to visit!

(End of this chapter)