"It is said that being an official needs an opportunity, what is an opportunity? It's just that I met a boss who appreciates myself and appreciates myself. There are very few such opportunities, so it's called opportunities. ”

When the order came out of the palace, Yang Sichang couldn't help but think secretly.

Seeing that he was just looking down and thinking about things, the personal slave paused for a moment, but still stepped forward and said: "Master Qiqi, the house has been arranged, but there are many people here, and I ask the master to decide." ”

Whenever I perform my duties, there must be a lot of people coming to the door. Most of these people don't have much to do, but they just come to make friends. Yang Sichang has always been too lazy to take care of it, so he ordered the slaves to keep an eye on it, report it in time, and receive it according to the situation.

Today, Yang Sichang was really tired, and said: "Let's go through the back door, wait a while, and tell them that I haven't come back yet, let them disperse first, and get together again when they have a chance." ”

When the personal slave heard this, he turned around and left, but Yang Sichang said again: "Is Yao Minggong, the waiter of the Ministry of Rites, here?" ”

Yao Minggong, whose name is Xuanqing, is called Kundou, a native of Bahe in Qishui County (now Xishui County, Hubei), and is a close friend of Yang Sichang. Because of his kindness, whenever there is something, Yang Sichang always likes to discuss with him.

The personal slave knew it, and said busily: "I have already come, and I have entered the master's study." ”

Yang Sichang nodded, turned around and went straight to the study from the back door.

Yao Minggong, the waiter of the Ministry of Rites, was looking through the books on his desk, and when he saw him coming back, he was not polite, and asked, "Has the emperor allowed it?" ”

Yang Sichang said: "The emperor said that I will increase the number of troops by 120,000 according to Aiqing's words, increase the salary and training salary, and the rest will be handled by Aiqing." ”

Yao Minggong sighed and said, "The emperor is no more experienced than a few years ago, and he knows the difficulty, so he is shirking responsibility." ”

Yang Sichang said: "No matter what, he finally agreed, people, what do you ask for in this life, isn't it just to realize your long-cherished wish?" ”

Yao Minggong said kindly: "But the risk is too great, if there is any case, it is enough to crush you." ”

Yang Sichang said: "However, this is fine, at least he can stay out of the matter, if there is an emergency, he can also maneuver." Besides, for his long-cherished wish, Sichang is willing to take risks. ”

Yao Minggong wanted to say more, but Yang Sichang had already said again: "Don't talk about the risk, let's talk about what we should do." ”

Yao Minggong said: "You are right, in order to completely solve the current predicament, we must take comprehensive measures. In other words, these things must be done simultaneously. ”

Yang Sichang said: "Yes, I have thought about it, it can be divided into two lines of peace talks and suppression of Kou at the same time, even if the peace talks fail, as long as they are discussed, at least they can buy time for suppressing Kou."

And the more thoroughly the crackdown, the more capital will be won for the peace talks. When the suppression of Kou is successful, it will be easy to look back and compete with the Qing Dynasty again.

Now the problem is people, no one to do things, isn't everything empty talk? You help me to take care of the staff officers, where can I find someone? ”

Yao Minggong said: "Minggong believes that it should not be two lines, but three lines, and Yang Gong just ignored the most difficult line. ”

As he spoke, seeing that Yang Sichang was puzzled, he said: "The courtiers will definitely not agree to negotiate peace, and they will oppose it fiercely, Yang Gong must prepare in advance." ”

Yang Sichang was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Yes, I'm afraid that's what the emperor is worried about." ”

Yao Minggong nodded, and continued: "As for people, Minggong has thought of a few, but Yang Gong has to consider it himself. ”

Yang Sichang said: "Although the emperor has reopened Enke, the most lacking person in the imperial court now is still available, Ming Gong might as well say it and listen to it." ”

Yao Minggong said: "To negotiate this line, you can order Fang Yizao, the governor of Liaodong, to do it, but you have to win the support of one person." ”

Yang Sichang hurriedly asked, "Who?" ”

Yao Minggong said: "High dive." Although this person is just a eunuch and does not have much ability, he is favored by the emperor. In extraordinary times, we have to use extraordinary means to employ people. ”

said, obviously afraid that Yang Sichang would not believe it, and continued: "After the emperor re-activated the internal supervision army, Gao Qiqian immediately followed the eunuchs Chen Daquan, Yan Siyin, Xie Wenju, Sun Maolin, etc. as the internal army.

Last year, the emperor once again sent eunuchs Li Guofu and Xu Jinzhong to guard Bauhinia and reverse the horse passes, and Sun Weiwu and Liu Yuanbin to defend the Mashui River. Although Gao Qiqian only knew how to cut off the head of the dead and pretend to admit credit, the emperor gave him more bounties and reward cards than Zhang Fengyi, the secretary of the Ministry of War.

This year, Gao Qi sneaked into all units to inspect and ordered all personnel below the superintendent to salute him. Liu Jingyao of Yongping Dao and Yang Yuyu of Guannai Dao argued in the country and were both dismissed.

From this, it is not difficult to see his status in the emperor's mind. With his support, at least the pressure on Yang Gong can be reduced. ”

After speaking, seeing Yang Sichang nodding contemplatively, he said again: "On the battlefield of suppressing bandits, Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting in the northwest are both ruthless characters, and they must not be changed."

Wang Jiazhen in the southeast is a mediocre talent, he actually withdrew the net set up by Lu Xiangsheng, so that the rogue escaped again, if it weren't for Sun Chuanting, he would almost have caused a big disaster.

However, Wang Jiazhen was also loyal, and after the mistake, he did not blame, but actively sent troops to deploy the formation and exterminated Yang Si and other troops. It must be because he was too involved that he caused chaos in the family, and he set fire to the West Gate of Kaifeng.

How so? Wang Jiazhen is a piece of purlin material, he has to let him be the beam, he designated to do it badly, coinciding with the resignation of Henan Governor Chen Biqian, you might as well let him be the governor of Henan. Henan is also the main battlefield, and he will have nothing to say. ”

Yang Sichang said: "I also thought of this, but there is no one available now." ”

Yao Minggong smiled: "There are two people, one is called Chen Xinjia, and the other is called Xiong Wencan, what does Yang Gong think?" ”

Yang Sichang said happily: "Yes, Xiong Wencan is a native of Yunjin Town, Lu County, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, a Jinshi in the thirty-fifth year of Wanli (1607), awarded the Huangzhou Push Official, the director of the Ministry of Rites, Langzhong, Shandong Left Politics, Shanxi According to the Inspection Envoy, Shandong Right Bu Political Envoy, and the Soldier of the Ministry of War.

In April this year, Xiong Wencan was appointed as the secretary of the military department and the right deputy governor of Fujian, and the pirate Zheng Zhilong attacked Tongshan from Xiamen.

Chen Xinjia was a native of Changshou County, Chongqing Prefecture, Sichuan Province (now Changshou District, Chongqing, Sichuan Province), and was appointed as the governor of Dingzhou (now Dingzhou, Hebei) in the 36th year of Wanli.

Famous for his talents, he experienced the battle of the Daling River, although there were ups and downs during the period, until 1634, he was promoted to the right of the imperial history and succeeded Jiao Yuanqing as the governor of Xuanfu.

Because of the long-term laxity of armaments, after taking office, Xinjia personally inspected the border forts, walked through places where his predecessors had not been, and comprehensively grasped the casualties of soldiers and horses, the collapse of castles, and the damage to weapons such as bows and arrows.

At that time, Sichang served as the governor and worked with Chen Xinjia, which saw his talent. Unfortunately, his mother died in May last year, and he quit his job and went home to mourn. ”

Yao Minggong said: "What's the pity? If the emperor can win his favor from you, can't he take his favor from him? ”

Yang Sichang said: "What is said is very true, Chen Xinjia joined the military department to assist Sichang, Xiong Wencan presided over the military affairs of the five provinces on behalf of Wang Jiazhen, Gao Qiqian, and Fang Yizao, the governor of Liaodong, presided over the peace talks. ”

Yao Minggong said: "Yang Gong should not be happy too early, others should be able to follow the order, only this Xiong Wencan is afraid of complications, and also, don't write about peace talks anymore." ”

Yang Sichang thought for a while and said: "According to what Minggong said, but I Yang Sichang will rely on this Xiong Wencan, and he can't take office if he doesn't want to." ”