In June of the same year (1633 AD, the sixth year of Chongzhen), Concubine Tian gave birth to the fourth son of the emperor, Zhu Cihuan (later named King Yong).

This fourth son of the emperor, the longer he gets, the more it seems to be printed in the same mold as Chongzhen, but if you look closely, it has the shadow of Concubine Tian.

Therefore, Chongzhen is very fond of it, and occasionally has leisure, he has to come over to enjoy it, admire it, and often laugh.

On this day, just after laughing, Queen Zhou and Concubine Yuan actually came over.

Since the last week, these three have not only reconciled as before, but gradually, they have become like sisters. These two also liked the fourth son of the emperor, and they happened to have nothing to do, so they came to visit together.

Seeing that Chongzhen was also there, these two were about to come over to salute, Chongzhen had already shook his hand and said, "Let's be free of courtesy." ”

Because of this fourth son of the emperor, Chongzhen is often like this, so these two are not polite, and go straight to Concubine Tian.

Concubine Tian didn't dare to miss the number of courtesies, so she hurriedly handed the child to the nurse, greeted her in person, and was about to salute, but she was already held by Zhou Hou, held hands, and came over to tease the child together.

Chongzhen wished they were affectionate, so he habitually hid to the side and looked at them happily.

At this time, a small eunuch hurriedly came over and handed over a note.

Chongzhen stretched out his hand to take it, and looked down to see that it was the escape of the rogue played by Yuan Mo, the governor of Henan. After looking at it, he couldn't help but think: "Although they were allowed to escape, it is a good thing that the areas around Sanjin and the capital can no longer be harassed by them." ”

Thinking about it, I couldn't help but feel a little greedy and insufficient, and continued to think: "It's obvious that the siege is dead, but I actually let them escape again, it's a pity, hmph, it's all to blame on those gelding eunuchs, it's just that, let's let them withdraw." ”

After thinking about it, when he was about to speak, he suddenly realized that this little eunuch was also a gelding, so he hurriedly changed his words and said: "Pass the decree, the prison army will be withdrawn for the time being." ”

The little eunuch responded, but said: "The ministers are all waiting in the Wenhua Palace, waiting for the emperor to decide on the matter of suppressing bandits." ”

After Zhou Yanru returned home from illness, Chongzhen suddenly got tired of the chattering arguments among the courtiers that he had strongly advocated before: "Since I am too lazy to listen to their nonsense, why don't I let them talk about it first, and then I will make a decision when they have pulled out the results." ”

Having made up his mind, Chongzhen said: "Let them discuss it first, and when they discuss the result, I will make a decision, remember to tell them that I only give them three days." ”

That being said, the suppression of bandits is a big deal after all, and after the little eunuch turned around and left, Chongzhen went to sit alone, thinking seriously.

"Decided? That's a nice thing to say, but I'm trying to put the problem on me. I'm not afraid, I'm the emperor, I will approve it if I think it's suitable, and I won't approve it if it's not suitable. Anyway, I have time, so you just have to argue. ”

Thinking about it, Chongzhen actually felt a little gloating. However, this feeling was fleeting, and I had to think again: "This country is mine, you don't feel distressed, I still feel distressed." Hmph, I can let you do small things, but I can't do big things, I have to have a general idea first, and I can't let you lie casually. ”

Justifying himself like this, Chongzhen began to study the music in various places, and he actually got something: "Suppressing bandits, suppressing bandits, isn't it just to exterminate bandits?" That's the goal, and as for the way, we can come up with a few points, but I'm not in a hurry to say it, and let's see what you guys say, otherwise, why am I raising you bunch of wretchedness? ”

Thinking about it over and over again, the three days seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. According to the agreement, Chongzhen arrived at the Wenhua Hall early. Seeing that the courtiers had already gathered, he was satisfied, but he was afraid that they would argue again, so he turned straight to Zhang Fengyi, the secretary of the military department, and said, "Has there been a result in that matter?" ”

Zhang Fengyi said: "This time, everyone's opinions are unprecedentedly unified, and there is already a result, but we have to ask the emperor to decide." ”

"Oh, that's the case, I knew we wouldn't bother to do it, come and hear what they have to say." Thinking secretly, Chongzhen said: "Yes, this is how things should be done, you can tell me about it." ”

Zhang Fengyi paused for a moment and said: "Everyone thinks that the current liukou is not only flowing in Shaanxi and Shanxi, but also affecting Henan, Huguang and Sichuan. ”

"Thinking of this, it seems that they really used their brains this time." Thinking secretly, Chongzhen said: "What you said also has some truth, but I still think that if you can sweep the snow in front of the door, where will those rogues survive?" ”

"Does he disagree with our idea? Alas, the emperor is really getting more and more incomprehensible. What to do? Now that everyone has agreed, we have to speak out, whether the emperor agrees or not, we have done our duty. But what shall we say? ”

Thinking about it, it was impossible to do it, and I couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

Chongzhen couldn't help but glance at him when he saw that he didn't answer for a long time, and when he saw this, he was very strange: "What's wrong with him?" When he asked, he suddenly understood: "Oh, he is because I interrupted his train of thought, alas, I never thought that he was also a man who saw the wind and steered the rudder." ”

sighed, and said, "So, according to your opinion? ”

Zhang Fengyi was in a hurry, and when he heard the words, he relaxed when he heard it, but he was afraid that he would take care of everything, so he hurriedly said: "Everyone's opinion is to set up a minister to be in charge of the military affairs of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Huguang, Sichuan and other five provinces, and specifically punish thieves. ”

"I can sweep the snow in front of the door, of course, but the requirements for officials are high, where can I find so many good officials like Hong Chengchou? Since they can't find it, they can only use their methods. ”

Thinking about it, he let out an "oh" and asked, "Can anyone choose a candidate?" ”

Hearing him ask like this, Zhang Fengyi had a bottom in his heart, and no longer hesitated, and said: "Most people recommended Hong Chengchou, but Hong Chengchou is in charge of trilateral military affairs and cannot be replaced. ”

"This governor is indeed the most suitable for Hong Chengchou, but unfortunately their reasons are quite legitimate, and since Chen Qiyu took over as Hong Chengchou's governor of Yansui, he really has a lot of achievements, and he should be promoted, and those who sincerely serve me are also encouraged and encouraged."

Thinking about it, he pretended not to know, and said, "Is that the governor of Yansui?" ”

Zhang Fengyi hurriedly said: "It's him, he has a lot of achievements." ”

Chongzhen pretended to ask rhetorically, "Is that really the case?" After Zhang Fengyi nodded, he turned to the courtiers again, saw that they also nodded, and said: "The word of the people, this person is not bad, so it is decided." ”

"What does he mean by that? Isn't it saying that it is impossible for Chen Qiyu to bribe so many people? How could he do that? ”

Although they thought so, no one dared to show it, and they all lowered their heads and did not speak.

Zhang Fengyi saw that the matter had finally been decided, and his heart was relieved, and he remembered another incident when he arrived, and said: "Your Majesty, the military department received a joint report from the governor of Henan and Liu Lingyu according to the imperial history, saying that Ma Fengyi's death was purely caused by Cao Wenzhao's ineffective rescue.

The military department unanimously agreed that it must be this Cao Wenzhao who became proud after winning a few battles.

Coincidentally, a few days ago, Tongnu entered Guanxi to investigate Har, in order to prevent harassment when he returned, and because Cao Wenzhao had experience in resisting Tongnu in his early years, the military department decided to transfer Cao Wenzhao to Datong and wait for the dispatch of Governor Zhang Zongheng. ”

This is within the scope of Zhang Fengyi's duties, and the reason why Zhang Fengyi wants to report it is because Chongzhen will ask coldly, once he doesn't know, no matter whether the courtiers exceed their authority or not, it is common to dismiss officials and kill their heads.

Obviously, Chongzhen, like all high-ranking and powerful people, likes to listen to reports, because listening to reports can not only understand information, but also prevent himself from being deceived.

The fact is also that when Chongzhen heard this, he didn't care whether he should take care of this matter or not, and asked, "Is that the one I praised?" ”

Zhang Fengyi nodded hurriedly and said, "It's him." ”

Chongzhen said: "Your military department is right, it is said that this person is unruly and must have offended people." Alas, perhaps the imperial court should have more such generals. ”

As he spoke, he became inexplicably excited, and said: "That Xiong Mingyu, the reason why I dismissed his official was not only because the affairs of Shandong were not done well, but also because he dared to intercede with Shen Di.

That Shen Di, who laughed even more, didn't know that he was the governor of Xuanfu appointed by the imperial court, and actually bribed Tongnu to withdraw from the army, and it was not a pity to die. ”