My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 952 Eunuch Xi Ning
Zhu Qizhen went on a personal expedition and prepared to withdraw his troops as soon as they arrived in Datong. Although almost all the ministers opposed it, the power was now in the hands of Wang Zhen, and Wang Zhen strongly supported Zhu Qizhen's decision.

Therefore, after only two days of rest, the army set out again. After leaving Datong, it headed southeast, preparing to pass through Yuzhou and then pass through Zijing Pass. As soon as it reached the pass, the army would be safe, and there was no way the Wala cavalry could fly across the Great Wall to intercept them.

However, Wang Zhen is now very distressed. Zhu Qizhen is in low spirits because of his unsuccessful expedition, and has no intention of staying in Yuzhou. This makes Wang Zhen's idea of ​​returning home in rich clothes and regaining face in front of his father and fellow villagers disappear. Tang, Wang Zhen has been thinking about this for the past two days, how to let Zhu Qizhen stay in Yuzhou for a few more days?

That night, the army camped on the road to rest. When leaving Datong, the 200,000-strong army finally brought enough tents and dry food, but it also consumed most of Datong's food supplies.

Wang Zhen had someone prepare a table of Zhu Qizhen's favorite meals, and then personally delivered them to the other party's tent. While serving Zhu Qizhen's meal, he tested the other party's attitude.

As a result, Wang Zhen was disappointed to find that Zhu Qizhen was still not very interested and didn't even take a few bites of his favorite food, so Wang Zhen wisely shut up and didn't mention anything about Weizhou again.

After serving Zhu Qizhen to sleep, Wang Zhen came out of the tent. When he was about to go back to his tent to rest, he saw an acquaintance walking towards him.

"My lord, you have traveled all day and still have to serve your majesty personally. It's really hard for you!"

The person who came was in his thirties, with a round face, long eyes, and a smile that looked like a smiling tiger. This person was Xi Ning, who was in charge of the Royal Horse Prison, and he was also the most important person in the palace after Wang Zhen. eunuch.

"It turns out it's Eunuch Xi. You're still up so late. Do you want to stand guard for His Majesty in person?"

Wang Zhen saw Xi Ning and replied calmly.

The relationship between him and Xi Ning is both enemy and friend. They are both great eunuchs in the palace. In order to compete for Zhu Qizhen's favor, the two of them naturally compete. However, as they are both eunuchs, they have to be consistent with the outside world. In this regard, the two of them can be regarded as cooperation. In the meantime, Wang Zhenquan was in charge of administrative power, while Xi Ning seized military power.

But in general, Wang Zhen had more power. For example, in this personal expedition, Wang Zhen had the final say in all troop movements, while Xi Ning could only be responsible for the guards around Zhu Qizhen.

"My lord, you are just joking. I came here to see you, but I am actually looking for you specifically!"

Xi Ning laughed and said again.

"Find me?"

Wang Zhen also glanced at Xi Ning in surprise when he heard this. Although the two of them were in agreement, their relationship with each other was not very good. They even had many fights overtly and covertly because of the competition for favor.

"My lord, I heard that you are from Yuzhou. This time His Majesty led his troops to pass through Yuzhou. I believe you will be able to take the opportunity to return home in fine clothes. It is really enviable!"

I saw Xi Ning cupping her hands to Wang Zhen as she spoke, seeming to be really happy for Wang Zhen.

"Eunuch Xi, we don't talk secretly. If you have anything to say, you'd better say it directly, otherwise I will have to go back to rest!"

Wang Zhen, however, didn't accept Xi Ning's tactics at all. He had been fighting with the opponent for so many years and had already figured out the opponent's temperament. He would never compliment him so kindly.

Sure enough, Xi Ning saw that Wang Zhen couldn't fall for the trick, so he stopped beating around the bush and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, you are indeed a smart man, so let me tell you the truth. In my opinion, your Majesty, please lead the army back to Beijing via Weizhou." , is really not a wise choice!”

"What do you mean?"

Wang Zhen's eyes narrowed, and he stared at Xi Ning with an evil look and asked.

"My lord, you are a smart man, why are you so confused about this kind of thing?" Xi Ning did not answer immediately, but asked again with a smile.

"what do you want to say in the end?"

Wang Zhen was a little impatient at this time and even wanted to turn around and leave.

"My lord, you are so smart, but you were confused for a moment. Our army of 200,000 people is short of food and grass. On the way here, we had to collect food from everywhere, and all the prefectures and counties along the way were looted. Now, although the army has brought We need some dry food, but after arriving in Yuzhou, we also need to collect food and grass.”

Xi Ning paused for a moment before speaking again, and then continued.

"Now is the time when the crops are ripe. The people of Yuzhou have worked hard for half a year and are finally ready to harvest the grain. As soon as you arrive with your army, not only the grain stored in the state and county will be withdrawn, but also the newly mature grain in the fields. I’m afraid it will also be expropriated, and the people of Yuzhou will probably go hungry in the second half of the year.”

"Hiss~"

Wang Zhen also took a breath when he heard this. He finally understood what Xi Ning meant.

There is an old saying: thieves pass by like a comb, soldiers pass by like a grate. The military discipline of the Ming Dynasty is not very good now, especially when the soldiers are hungry and don't care about military discipline. There have been many armies looting places along the way. Now that Wang Zhen brings 200,000 hungry soldiers to Yuzhou, I am afraid that he will The misfortunes in Weizhou caused public resentment to boil.

Although Wang Zhen is not a good person, he still has great affection for his hometown. Moreover, he just wants to gain reputation in front of his father and fellow villagers, and does not want to harm the fellow villagers.

Thinking about the tragic situation after 200,000 hungry soldiers crossed the border, I am afraid that Wang Zhen will be scolded to death by all his fellow villagers. Although Wang Zhen does not have a son, he does have brothers and nephews. Now these relatives are prominent based on their own relationships, but when he waits Without him, I'm afraid their Wang family will be torn into pieces by the angry villagers.

"No, you absolutely can't go to Weizhou!"

Wang Zhen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and made an immediate decision.

"Eunuch Wang, this can't be done. After all, we have already left Datong and walked dozens of miles. We can't turn around and go back, right?"

When Xi Ning heard that Wang Zhen changed his mind, he asked with a sly smile.

"Of course I can't go back to Datong, but I can definitely turn around and take the Xuanfu route. I took that route anyway when I came here. The road conditions are more familiar and it's much better than taking the Weizhou route!"

Wang Zhen replied firmly.

"The army turned around in the middle of the battle. How can you explain it to Your Majesty, Prince?"

Xi Ning asked again deliberately.

"His Majesty has long since entrusted me with full authority over the march. It is natural for me to decide which route to take. Who dares to object?"

Wang Zhen snorted coldly, turned around and left. Now that he had made a decision, he would immediately notify the entire army and ask them to turn to Xuanfu early tomorrow morning.

Looking at Wang Zhen's leaving figure, Xi Ning suddenly showed a proud smile. In the eyes of others, Wang Zhen was cunning, cunning, and powerful, but in his eyes, Wang Zhen was an out-and-out fool. With just a few words, he let the other party fall into his trap, completely unaware that because of his decision, Ming's hundreds of thousands of troops would be led to death!

(End of this chapter)