This is equivalent to letting Daming use silver to help him raise a reserve army of the Bao Army, a reserve at the level of the Bao Army Garrison Headquarters.

Wei Bao actually knew very well what Wei Zhongxian thought, and Wei Bao actually didn't care about the withdrawal of all the soldiers and horses outside the Guanxi and the further reduction of the Ming army.

With the strong strength of the Bao Army, stationed in Shanhaiguan, and backed by Liaoxi and Weijiazhuang as strong logistical support, Jiannu had no way at all.

What's more, in the original history, Houjin was not able to take Shanhaiguan until the collapse of the Ming Dynasty, or Wu Sangui sent Shanhaiguan out, and Jiannu entered the customs.

Therefore, Wei Bao doesn't care about Wei Zhongxian's strategy, he will not lose his own interests, and he has already controlled Shanhaiguan, and the army at the level of the Bao Army Garrison Command in Shanhaiguan is irreplaceable by others.

Since it won't cause any damage to himself, Wei Bao doesn't want to participate.

As for the Donglin Party's desire to increase troops outside the Guan, to expand the Guanningjin defense line, and to shout the slogan of eradicating Jiannu, Wei Bao is even more indifferent.

Anyway, the Ming Dynasty is not the Ming Dynasty alone, and if he wants to increase the army, it is nothing more than to increase military spending, and without military spending, it is nothing more than to increase taxes.

Anyway, the people of Daming are already so pitiful, and increasing taxes is nothing more than even more pitiful, and they will hand over all the taxes in hundreds of years in advance.

It is one thing to collect it or not, and if the Donglin Party has the ability to collect it, it is nothing more than forcing the people to rebel on a large scale in advance.

Wei Bao doesn't care!

I even think it's better that way.

Wei Bao found out that the more chaotic Daming is, the more benefits he will have for himself.

Now Wei Bao is anxious, knowing that Jiannu likes to launch an attack on the Ming army in the New Year, the traditional festival of the Han people.

And I know that now as long as I go to guard Ningyuan City, I can pick up a great merit, with such a great merit as repelling Jiannu and seriously injuring Nurhachi, a small official like Yuan Chonghuan can become the governor of Liaodong in one leap, and even become the deep qualifications and decisive conditions of the Jiliao Governor in the future.

If this credit falls to Wei Bao's head, it will be even more incredible, not to mention a governor of coastal defense, or the governor of Jiliao, and even directly entering the cabinet at the age of sixteen is just around the corner.

But the problem now is that the emperor has promised to hand over the affairs of the Yamen, the governor of Haiphong, to Wei Bao, and Wei Bao has also handed over six million taels of silver to the imperial court.

Although the imperial court has not officially removed Wei Bao from the title of director of Ji Liao, the matter of Ji Liao is estimated to have nothing to do with him Wei Bao.

Even if Wei Bao participated in the discussion of whether to withdraw troops from outside the Guanwai, at most he would participate, and Wei Bao couldn't tell others that Jiannu was going to use troops against Liaodong this month!

You can't say that you are a reborn giant, and you can predict everything.

Even if he can say that he has obtained the news and intelligence, even if the emperor believes his words, he is a civil official who supervises the army, and it is impossible for the imperial court to send him Wei Bao to guard Ningyuan City.

It is estimated that if the emperor knew the truth, he would be reluctant to let Wei Bao take the risk.

What to do?

How can I hurry to Ningyuan City to squat on this great achievement?

Wei Bao really racked his brains.

Wei Bao wrote and drew on paper, and he couldn't come to a conclusion for a long time.

In order to change his mind, Wei Bao decided not to think about it alone, and called Zhang Meiyuan, Wu Xuexia, Wang Qiuya, Princess Zhenming, and several main confidential secretaries of the President's Secretariat, as well as two liaison staff officers of the President's Secretariat to Baojun.

Wei Bao gave a general account of the situation.

A group of people were puzzled, not knowing why President Wei could assert that Jiannu would attack Ningyuan City in the first month.

Even, President Wei can assert that Jiannu will attack in the middle of the month, according to which it will take half a month.

Such accurate information, but Wu Xuexia and the two liaison staff officers have no news at all, it must not be news from the Statistics Bureau.

They don't know if President Wei has a separate source.

Wei Bao didn't bother to explain, just said: "The news is very accurate, basically 100% will be realized, now the key is how to put this big credit in my pocket." ”

So, the crowd fell into deep thought.

Wu Xuexia's thinking was more agile, and after about half an hour, Wu Xuexia spoke first.

"We have figured out what the Donglin Party and the Eunuch Party want, the Eunuch Party wants to withdraw the army in order to further downsize, their purpose is mainly to save money and weaken the strength of our Bao Army stationed in Shanhaiguan, and want our troops to only be enough for defense, unable to pose a threat to the Beijing Division. Their difficulty is that the army outside the gate is all the generals of the Liaodong family, and after being laid off by the president for a round, the current 30,000 soldiers and horses are already people they can't reduce anymore. We mainly have to consider the eunuch party that has grasped power, and the Donglin Party can basically ignore it, because they are purely contrarian, and it is impossible to expand the army on a large scale, and the Ming court can't get so much military salary, and now it can't get it. They shouted about the expansion of the army, but it was just disgusting eunuchs, it seemed that they were politically correct, for the country and the people, to win eyeballs, to win fame, and they didn't need to spend money shouting anyway. If they do what they say, they will only increase taxes, and they will immediately be silent. Therefore, the more they shout that they cannot give up the slightest bit of the Ming land, the more they can disgust the eunuchs. Even the emperor had no way to refute the slogans of the Donglin Party. Wu Xuexia analyzed.

Wei Bao nodded: "That's very good, just say what you can do." ”

"If anyone can solve the Donglin Party's claim at the same time not to give up the land that is inherent in the Ming Dynasty and has already controlled. And it can satisfy the eunuchs' request to cut off a part of the army, which is most in line with the emperor's wishes. Wu Xuexia said.

Wei Bao was a little impatient, "I don't care about this, what I care about is that we will arrive in Ningyuan City within half a month and put the credit for defeating the Jiannu army in our pockets." Now the problem is that there is no good way for me to go to Ningyuan City. ”

"Don't worry, the president can propose to withdraw another 10,000 troops outside the border to keep the land outside the border, so that it not only satisfies the demands of the Donglin Party, but also gives the eunuch party a step, and both sides can be satisfied. As for the president having a reasonable reason to go to Ningyuan City, he can let the people of the Statistics Bureau spread the news that the imperial court is going to dismiss all the soldiers and horses in Liaodong to the armies in Liaodong. In addition, the special service personnel of the Statistics Bureau were dispatched to instigate and lead the various armies in Liaodong to mutiny! Let our secret service personnel spread the news, only the president has the ability to quell the mutiny, and the various armies in Liaodong will propose to see the president. In this way, the imperial court can immediately feel a huge pressure! Gaudí would immediately report the situation to the imperial court and ask the president to come and appease him. The president can summon Ningyuan City and the Liaodong soldiers and horses north of Ningyuan City to the area of Gaotai Fort, and the president will take 20,000 treasure troops to Ningyuan City, is this okay? Wu Xuexia said.

When everyone heard this, they all nodded and said yes.

"It's still Xuexia smart, how could I not think of it." Zhang Meiyuan exclaimed.

"Xuexia has always been resourceful, I think this method is good." Wang Qiuya said.

Princess Zhenming also nodded: "Xuexia's idea is very safe, but I'm afraid that it will be too late." ”

"It's not a big question of time." Wei Bao said: "It's just a little complicated, there are too many links, and if one link is not smooth, it will be troublesome." The Liaodong Army may not be able to listen to me, so they all retreated to Gaotai Fort and obediently ceded Jinzhou and Ningyuan City. There is also that Yuan Chonghuan, he is Ning Qiandao, it is also troublesome for him not to leave, and now that Sun Chengzong has left office, he may not listen to me. ”

"It's very simple, please send the president, the emperor asked the president to go to Liaodong, he will definitely give Shang Fang the sword, he will definitely give the holy decree, the president asked the emperor for the holy decree in advance, saying that when the disarmament is completed, the Liaodong armies will be pacified, and then the Liaodong armies will be sent back to various places. Let the officials under the command of the Jiliao Governor's Mansion in Ningyuan City withdraw to the Jiliao Governor's Mansion in Shanhaiguan first, and then you can. Wu Xuexia said.

Wei Bao nodded: "Yes, I can ask for the Holy Decree!" Yuan Chonghuan and everyone obeyed the holy decree. ”

Wei Bao laughed and patted his head, feeling much more stupid than Wu Xuexia.

Wei Bao walked back and forth a few steps and asked the two liaison staff officers, "What do you think?" ”

The two liaison staff officers said that they could not think of a better way than Mrs. Wu.

"Okay, you plan immediately, and do what Mrs. Xuexia said! Remember, the speed must be fast, this matter must be confidential, and no one must know that I am planning it behind my back, and the internal must also be kept secret, it is absolutely confidential! Wei Bao said.

The two liaison staff officers hurriedly agreed and went down to do business.

From now on, the Statistics Bureau has to race against time, because the stakes are so high, Lin Wenbiao personally returned to Liaodong the next day to plan.

The next day, Zhu Youxiao really summoned Wei Bao and several cabinet ministers in the afternoon.

This time, Zhu Youxiao did not call Zhang Weixian, in fact, Zhu Youxiao did not call Zhang Weixian every time he held a meeting, and Zhang Weixian brought Wei Bao to find the emperor last time.

Gu Bingqian, Wei Guangwei, Huang Liji, Feng Quan and Ding Shaoshi looked at Wei Bao with a strange look.

It is true that Wei Bao has been crowned a knight, but Wei Bao is still far from being in the officialdom, and now Wei Bao is only a positive third grade in the officialdom, and has not yet reached the provincial level, let alone the level of governor.

But looking at the emperor's meaning, it seems that he has treated Wei Bao as a minister.

Several ministers knew that it must be the emperor's intention to discuss matters with Wei Bao, and Wei Zhongxian did not have the ability to decide who the emperor would talk to, in other words, if the emperor did not speak in person, Wei Bao could not come.

Moreover, everyone knows that Wei Zhongxian has had a disagreement with Wei Bao recently.

Now Gu Bingqian, Wei Guangwei, Huang Liji, Feng Quan and Ding Shaoshi have a somewhat delicate relationship with Wei Bao.

Gu Bingqian, Wei Guangwei, Huang Liji and Feng Quan are eunuchs, or biased towards eunuchs, they see that Wei Bao and Wei Zhongxian have a disagreement, and they dare not associate with Wei Baotai.

Especially Gu Bingqian, Wei Guangwei and Huang Liji are all at an age when they can return to their hometowns at any time, they originally thought that Wei Bao was very promising, and they also wanted to attach themselves to Wei Bao in order to seek shade and descendants.

Who knew that Wei Bao was hated by Wei Zhongxian this time.

This made the three of them very embarrassed now, and these days they were still thinking about how to show loyalty to the nine thousand years old, indicating that they were not Wei Bao's people.

And Ding Shaoshi originally wanted to take advantage of the disagreement between Wei Bao and Wei Zhongxian and take the opportunity to win over Wei Bao, but Wei Bao was not close to the Donglin Party, which also made Ding Shaoshi very irritable.

Last time, many people attacked Wei Bao, and the Donglin Party also participated, and there were quite a few people, although Ding Shaoshi did not take the lead, but Ding Shaoshi did not prevent the Donglin Party from impeaching Wei Bao.

Feng Quan didn't say anything at all when Wei Bao launched the new deal last time, but Feng Quan is a relatively shrewd person, and he is secretly attached to Wei Zhongxian, so naturally he will not associate with Wei Bao at this time.

It can be said that these ministers are very embarrassed to see Wei Bao now, and they can't ignore it, and they can't say anything.

"Lord Wei, Your Majesty came to me today, probably for the withdrawal of troops from Liaodong, what do you think of this?" Gu Bingqian asked Wei Bao in a low voice.

Several people didn't speak, they listened with their ears pricked up, and they also wanted to know Wei Bao's opinion on the major matter of the withdrawal of troops from Liaodong.

In this matter, in fact, not only a few cabinet ministers, but also the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty actually knew about Jiliao's military affairs, and most of them had been controlled by Wei Bao, and the soldiers and horses of the Wu family were not your Wei Bao's soldiers and horses.

And last time you Wei Bao went to Liaodong, the withdrawal was also led by you, and now the military layout of the entire Jiliao is actually from Wei Bao's handwriting.

It now belongs to the era of Later Sun Chengzong.

Jiliao military affairs belong to the era of Later Sun Chengzong.

Therefore, Wei Bao has the most right to speak.

The entire Ming Dynasty wanted to know how Wei Bao would speak, whether it was biased towards the plan of the Donglin Party or the plan of the Eunuch Party, which was a major event for the Ming Dynasty.

It can even be said to be the biggest thing in Daming.

Domino effect.

"I can't say it, because what I mean has already been manifested." Wei Bao Road.

Several people nodded, Wei Bao's meaning was obvious, his meaning had indeed been reflected, and the current Jiliao military layout was not Wei Bao's handiwork.

"But Your Majesty will definitely let you say it later." Gu Bingqian asked.

"When Your Majesty asked, I said that I had the same meaning as a few elders, and I could do it." Wei Bao smiled: "It's definitely not my turn to say it first." ”

Several ministers couldn't help sweating, you are too cunning, but there are Wei Zhongxian's party and Donglin party's party among the ministers, which cabinet minister do you mean the same?

Gu Bingqian saw that Wei Bao refused to say, and he didn't bother to ask again, he would know later.

In fact, everyone doesn't want to be involved in this matter, and they don't want to speak.

Even the officials of the entire Ming Dynasty know very well that there is no harm in the practice of the eunuch party, but everyone will shout slogans, shout about increasing troops, shout about reconquest, shout about destroying Houjin, anyway, shouting doesn't cost money, and it can be looked down upon.

Therefore, in this matter, the eunuch party is naturally at a disadvantage, and it is inconvenient to speak out.

According to Wei Bao's analysis, Wei Zhongxian must have been discussed by the emperor for a comprehensive withdrawal of troops, and it is estimated that this is what the emperor meant, and Zhu Youxiao, the emperor of the Apocalypse, wanted to reverse the financial predicament of the Ming Dynasty in one fell swoop.

Everyone arrived at the warm pavilion of Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youxiao did not talk to the ministers while playing carpenter work today, but sat upright and dressed very formally, as if he was in the court.

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live." Several ministers saluted with Wei Bao.

Zhu Youxiao said: "Zhongqing is flat, this is not the court, no need to be restrained, come, take a seat." ”

Immediately a eunuch brought a chair.

Several ministers and Wei Bao, after Xie sat down, they all sat down.

"Originally, today is a big year, and when the Chinese New Year's Eve reunion is time, everyone should not be called, but there is one thing that I can't understand, and I want to discuss it with the Zhongqing family." Zhu Youxiao got straight to the point and said: "The six million taels of silver raised by Wei Aiqing in the name of the Yamen, the governor of coastal defense, were not left by the imperial court, and all of them were sent to the soldiers of the border army. I wondered if the soldiers outside the customs could be withdrawn from the customs because they had worked hard all year round. Last time, Wei Aiqing disarmed, and only 30,000 of the 100,000 soldiers and horses outside the Guanxi were dismantled, and there were still 50,000 soldiers in Liaoxi, and 20,000 troops in Jizhou, a total of 100,000, isn't it? ”

Gu Bingqian nodded yes, "The book given to the cabinet by the Ministry of War is written like this, it just so happens that Lord Wei has been serving as the chief army of Jiliao, and the matter of disarmament is also done by Lord Wei, Your Majesty can ask Lord Wei directly." ”

Zhu Youxiao nodded and asked Wei Bao directly: "Wei Aiqing, is what I just said right?" ”

"It's generally good, but there was just a big battle with Jiannu in the last two months, and there were dead and wounded in all departments, and there may not be so many people. However, most of the armies in Liaodong are family generals, and they are replenished very quickly, and it is estimated that they have also been supplemented, so it is generally good. Wei Bao replied.

"I was negligent at the time, in fact, I don't need to supplement, since the soldiers and horses of Shanhaiguan can fight, there is no need for so many people." Zhu Youxiao said.

Several cabinet ministers and Wei Bao, when they heard this, they all sighed in their hearts, and secretly thought that the emperor was going to get down to business.

Zhu Youxiao continued: "The bitter cold land outside the gate has now evacuated all the people, and only a few lonely cities remain. I felt that it was better to take a step back, stick to the Shanhai Pass on the one hand, and send a large army out of the customs from time to time, so that Jiannu could divide the troops at the same time, it was easy to take care of one and lose the other, and lengthen the route for Jiannu to transport grain, so that our army would find opportunities more easily. At the same time, it can also reduce the military expenses of 20,000 or 30,000 soldiers, and 30,000 soldiers, 60 taels of silver per person a year, is 1.8 million taels, nearly 2 million taels of silver! If you lose 40,000 soldiers, you will save 2.4 million taels of silver, and the court will be relaxed. ”

"Your Majesty, by all means, before the withdrawal of the army, half of the soldiers and horses have been cut, if it weren't for Inspector Sun and Lord Wei who were good at using troops and repelled Jiannu, this year, it's not good, just imagine, the whole country knows that a large piece of land has been lost outside the border, how to have the heart to celebrate the New Year." Ding Shaoshi said: "Now most of the officials of the Manchu Dynasty advocate increasing troops outside the pass, taking advantage of the victory to pursue, and recovering the lost territory. ”

Ding Shaoshi's righteousness was strict, sonorous and powerful, and he was very imposing.

Even Wei Bao, who was listening, was a little moved by Ding Shaoshi's spirit that seemed to be willing to sacrifice his life for Daming at any time.

"Lord Ding, it's not appropriate for you to say that, right? When did Your Majesty say that you were going to give up the land outside the Guanwai? His Majesty meant to reduce some of the troops and horses, but he did not say that he would give up the land outside the Guanxi! Feng Quan immediately said.

Gu Bingqian, Wei Guangwei, and Huang Liji immediately echoed Feng Quan's words.

Kebaba and Wei Zhongxian, who were behind Zhu Youxiao, also nodded again and again.