Chapter 335: Chen Xinjia's outspokenness

The Ministry of Officials, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Households are the most powerful ministers in the court, and the beginning of Chongzhen year, the Ministry of War is the head of the ministries, and the Chongzhen Emperor relies on it as the heart, although the person in charge is under the cabinet, the intimacy is the head of the ministers.

In addition to the power of the ministers in the central court, it is also reflected in the amount of contact with the emperor, why the eunuchs in the inner court are higher than the ministers in the outer court, and when they meet with the emperor every day, they naturally have a much greater ability to influence decision-making.

Since the beginning of the Apocalypse, the border troubles and civil strife of the Ming Dynasty have become more and more serious, and the chances for the military department to be summoned to the right place are also increasing, and the power is also increasing.

Chen Xinjia, the secretary of the military department, knows how to take advantage of this advantage, and Emperor Chongzhen is famous for his partiality and trust, trusting a person will never doubt it, even if the other party makes a big mistake, Chongzhen will even find a reason to explain to the other party.

As for the current situation in the world, there is a lot of chaos, and even without Chen Xinjia having to find a reason to ask for a meeting, Emperor Chongzhen will take the initiative to summon him for a meeting.

Although Kaifeng City was temporarily safe, the Li and Luo coalition forces swept through the places outside Kaifeng City and Guide Mansion, and Henan Province, except for Weihui, Zhangde, and Guide, as well as Kaifeng City and Kaifeng Prefecture on the north bank of the Yellow River, the rest were all the territory of Li and Luo's combined forces.

Zuo Liangyu, He Renlong, and the rest of the governors gathered officers and soldiers to prepare for a decisive battle in Henan, and this decisive battle was not because of the favorable time and place, but because there was a taste of broken jars, and the combined forces of Li and Luo snowballed in Henan, and became more and more uncontrollable, and the later this battle was fought, the more difficult it became.

And Zhang Xianzhong, the eighth king who was originally rumored to be killed by firearms, began to appear in the eyes of the people of the world after Zuo Liangyu returned to Henan, and led the army to move towards the east of Huguang. Prepare to move towards the south and repeat what he had done a few years ago.

And outside the Guanwai Songshan, Jinzhou, Hong Chengchou and Zu Dashou, they couldn't even send the documents for help, and the two cities were blocked by moats and long enclosures, and they were beaten back several times when they broke through.

The imperial court has been unable to organize an army to come out of the customs to rescue, and the situation is also critical, and the world is in flames. Emperor Chongzhen didn't care about the first month of the Spring Festival, and on the fifth day of the new year, he summoned Chen Xinjia, the secretary of the military department, to enter the palace to discuss matters.

"Your Majesty, Shaanxi Governor Wang Qiaonian has led He Renlong and other Qin generals out of Tongguan, and the general of the Ping thief Zuo joined forces to fight the thieves, and the gathering of soldiers and horses in the imperial court this time is the largest in the past 30 years. Please don't worry, Your Majesty, just wait for the good news from the Central Plains. ”

Emperor Chongzhen, who was sitting behind the bookcase, became thinner and thinner, but the red on his face never receded, and his breathing was a little short. His eyes were bloodshot, and his face was full of anxiety.

Hearing Chen Xinjia say so confidently, although Emperor Chongzhen was still worried in his heart, he was relieved after all. I want to take a long breath, but I'm afraid of losing my temper in front of my subordinates.

But at the age of Emperor Chongzhen, what kind of city is deep, Chen Xinjia over there watched the emperor's body lean forward to leaning on the back of the chair, and knew that Chongzhen's mind was a lot wider and his mood improved.

Pity this Emperor Chongzhen, since he was a child, he grew up surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, and the outside world he came into contact with after ascending the throne. It was all the outside world described to him by the courtiers and eunuchs, he had not seen anything with his own eyes, nor had an intuitive impression, and he did not trust what the eunuchs told him.

As a result, the ministers of the court and the central government spoke in the local language, which became his only source of information, and unlike those eunuchs who relied on the imperial palace and could not do without the imperial power, the interests of the eunuchs and the interests of the imperial power were many the same. But the courtiers were different. The courtiers had their own interest groups and their own places to represent.

At a time when the imperial power was strong. These interest groups are subservient and obedient, but when the imperial power weakens, these groups will turn over and oppress the imperial power.

For example, in order to make up for the financial gap in its own land, the imperial court uses various means to collect taxes in the world, but when the imperial court collects taxes, the income of those industries that are taxed by him will be damaged, and the owners of the properties are local gentry and wealthy families, and they must oppose it.

They are against it, and their representatives in the court, that is, those courtiers, must be opposed, and many times, they are the owners of those estates, and when their own interests are touched, how can they not fight for reason.

However, these people still have the right to speak, and the ministers of the central government, local scholars, and the envoys sent by the imperial court, such as tax supervisors and mine supervisors, are extremely contradictory, but the tax collectors are often portrayed as extremely vicious and shameless people who extort and extort tyranny, while those who resist taxes and do not pay them are regarded as heroes and heroes who ask for their lives for the people.

There has been a very strange phenomenon in the Ming Dynasty since the Jiajing year, what the country wants to do, obedience is ridiculed by the people of the world, if you resist and do not comply, but will be praised as having a strong backbone.

However, these famous men who asked for their lives for the people and were strong and strong, their families were full of money, and they were so rich that the imperial court was weakening day by day, and in order to maintain, they could only collect taxes from those poor ordinary people, making the poor people poorer and the contradictions more intense.

Emperor Chongzhen got the information in the court, which was provided by these famous ministers, who were actually provided by the thieves and others, which was completely distorted, but he was still convinced.

Just after talking about the situation in Henan, Chen Xinjia already had a rough grasp in his heart, it seems that Emperor Chongzhen's summons will not have much to do with Songshan.

On the same day, he urged Hong Chengchou to speed up the march, although he did have a suggestion, but the secret decree was issued in accordance with the emperor's will, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is the emperor's own opinion. If you are held responsible, it will definitely be Emperor Chongzhen who has no light on his face, and the emperor will not be bored, especially Chongzhen, who loves face so much.

Chen Xinjia, the secretary of the military department, cleared his throat and said loudly:

"The thief Zhang Rebellious, was pursued by the imperial court soldiers and horses to Huguang, the end of the road, and now is fleeing towards the east of Huguang, and the army of Nanzhili has been waiting to annihilate this fang."

Originally, the situation of Nan Zhili was dangerous, but when Chen Xinjia changed his words, he immediately gave people a different feeling, but it was the officers and soldiers who deliberately created this situation, waiting for Zhang Xianzhong to send it to the door.

Hearing Chen Xinjia say this, Emperor Chongzhen's mood was even more pleasant, he nodded again and again, and suddenly his face sank again. He groaned and said:

"It's been a few days since there was any news from Songshan, and they were all officers and soldiers of the loyal imperial court, so I can't ignore them like this......"

When it came to the topic of Songshan, even though Chen Xinjia, the secretary of the military department, was calm and calm, he still felt a tightness in his back, swallowed and foamed, but he didn't make a sound. Seeing Emperor Chongzhen's face gradually darken, Chen Xinjia was a little anxious.

Unexpectedly, it was Emperor Chongzhen who spoke first, Chongzhen sighed and said:

"The Tartars are as vicious as this, and I once heard Yang Wenweak say that the national strength of the Ming Dynasty is withering, and there are many natural disasters, so you can't rashly raise troops. There is chaos inside and outside, and you can't engage in war at the same time, so as not to suffer enemies inside and outside, you should first do your best to focus on one side, and Yan Jizu of Shandong also said that 'outside must first be settled inside'......"

Talking and talking. Emperor Chongzhen's eyes fell on Chen Xinjia, but he was silent, Chen Xinjia's forehead was slightly sweaty, he knew that the emperor had something he didn't want to say. I want to wait for myself to say, look at the Hanlin who wrote the living notes on the side, I couldn't help but sigh in my heart, and said helplessly:

"Your Majesty, the human nature of barbarians is the same as that of wild beasts, and their minds are straightforward and careless, if they send someone to know the righteousness, then the Tartars must also know that the court is magnanimous. No more sword soldiers. ”

When these words came out, Wang Chengen, who was standing behind Emperor Chongzhen, and Hanlin, who wrote the living notes, listened with wide eyes, and they also knew that Chen Xinjia's words were instructed by Emperor Chongzhen, but for hundreds of years in the Ming Dynasty, it was really unbelievable to do this kind of thing.

Seeing Chen Xinjia uncover his words, Emperor Chongzhen nodded with satisfaction. Encouragement said:

Chen Aiqing's words are old-fashioned. In that case, it's up to you to take care of it. Remember, don't let anyone know, lest anyone gossip about it, do you hear me? ”

At the end of this sentence, it was addressed to the eunuch and Hanlin who were serving in this study, and of course Wang Chengen and that Hanlin did not dare to say anything, but obeyed the order.

Although everyone is silent, but the heart is like a stormy wave, the Ming Dynasty has been established for three hundred years, even if Yingzong was captured by the tile thorn, the Beijing division was surrounded, and the Ming Dynasty is also working together to resist the enemy, but now this Chongzhen Emperor actually wants to negotiate peace with the Tartars, if this thing spreads, it will definitely be a sensation in the world.

Chen Xinjia was even more bitter, but in this situation, if the matter of peace should not be accepted, I am afraid that the responsibility for the defeat of Songshan will be held accountable immediately.

But in the current situation, after thinking about it, there is only one way to go, but whoever proposes it and who does it, in the future, the scolding will definitely fall on this person.

Chen Xinjia, the secretary of the military department, was calm, and was silent for a while before he spoke:

"Weichen still has something to report to Your Majesty, Shandong General Li Meng has made a lot of contributions in recent years, Weichen thinks that the court should be heavily rewarded, inspire the heart of meritorious soldiers, and let the world see that the court's rewards and punishments are clear."

As soon as he heard Li Meng, the chief soldier of Shandong, Emperor Chongzhen pondered a little, and suddenly became a little irritable, and said impatiently:

"Didn't you give a Zhendong general the official title, and how to reward it, such a rude martial artist who doesn't know how to advance or retreat......"

When Chen Xinjia heard Chongzhen say this, although he was secretly happy in his heart, he still stood up and bent down solemnly and said:

"Your Majesty, General Li does have all kinds of irregularities in his actions, but this military merit is real, and now is the time to employ people, when the rewards and punishments are clear, highlighting the magnanimity of the imperial court, and also making a comparison with the heroes who have the intention to serve the imperial court.

This kind of upright minister's tone is what Emperor Chongzhen admires the most, and Chen Xinjia is very good at grasping proportions, and what he says is also something that Chongzhen does not take to heart.

Emperor Chongzhen just made a plan to negotiate peace with the Tartars, and his heart was a lot more relaxed, listening to Chen Xinjia solemnly, he couldn't help but sit up straighter, this room is really a bit of a Ming monarch and a minister, Wang Chengen lowered his eyebrows and held the dust, standing behind Emperor Chongzhen.

Hearing that Chen Xinjia, the secretary of the Ministry of War, was so "righteous and insistent", he couldn't help but look up, what kind of person is Chen Xinjia, the great eunuch Wang Chengen knows in his heart, if he is an upright minister, he gives himself almost 50,000 taels of silver every year, it is not something that can be earned back.

Such a character, after being smashed by the emperor today, did not go back to ponder the drill camp, but bluntly admonished the emperor. Although it is a deep figure like Wang Chengen. I still couldn't help but look at the sky outside, thinking that the sun was still coming out of the east today.

"Light on the land? This kind of martial artist actually said with red lips and white teeth that the two feudatories had fallen, and the blame lay with Yang Wenqiang, such a loyal minister, this reckless man actually dared to say this, if it weren't for his great contribution to rescuing Kaifeng City, he would have been blamed for arresting and questioning the crime, and he could still stay until today! ”

Chen Xinjia, the secretary of the military department, stood in front of Emperor Chongzhen. With a straight waist and a righteous awe-inspiring look on his face, he said loudly:

"Your Majesty's words are inappropriate, then Li Meng is just a rude martial artist, except for leading troops to fight, where do you know what decent rules you have, but the more such a person, if the court is gracious and rewarding. Such people will definitely serve the court with all their hearts, and be willing to be driven by eagles and dogs. ”

Emperor Chongzhen, who has always been worried, felt quite relaxed after today's conversation, so he could listen to Chen Xinjia's words, and changed his tone at the moment. Wen Yan asked:

"What Aiqing said is reasonable, but the imperial court has already given him the title of General Zhendong, and after so much time, he rashly added a reward. On the contrary, it is a joke for the whole world. “

Emperor Chongzhen acted completely according to his own likes and dislikes, but he was always afraid that he would be laughed at by the world, and in order to protect his face, he often did things more wrongly. This is called absurdity.

"Your Majesty, the minister is in the Ministry of War, and I heard from the chief and Lang Zhong below that the soldiers and horses in Shandong have not been paid a little food and salary for four years, and they must have been poor. Weichen thought that the Shandong soldiers and horses should be given the next year's food and salary, and the Shandong soldiers and horses should be less discounted, and the Shandong soldiers and horses would inevitably be more loyal after a long drought and a rainy day. ”

Hearing this, Chongzhen was a little unnatural, no matter how he didn't like the Shandong soldiers and horses, after all, they were the soldiers and horses of the Ming Dynasty. For four years, a little silver was not issued. In any case, he couldn't say it, coughed and said:

"Thieves and captives are the great danger of the country. This Shandong has always been peaceful, what do you want...... Okay, Chen Aiqing, wait for me to make a will, let the household department give Shandong a year's silver, and send it as soon as possible! ”

Chen Xinjia, the secretary of the military department, knelt down and kowtowed, and said gratefully:

"Weichen thank Your Majesty for the grace of your majesty for the soldiers and horses of Shandong, with Your Majesty's intentions, the soldiers of the world must fight to the death."

Emperor Chongzhen, who said this, smiled, Chen Xinjia stood up and struck while the iron was hot and said:

"Your Majesty, since it is a generous favor, it is simply to do things neatly, since it is the number of approved people to pay military salaries, but the previous court rewards are only rewarded by Li Meng alone, and the subordinates of General Li have not received the grace of long live, so it is better to choose those who have meritorious service and grant official positions."

Since Emperor Chongzhen felt that Chen Xinjia was reasonable, he listened to the natural sentences that were said later, nodded at the moment, and said loudly:

"Wang Chengen, wait a minute, draft the will that Chen Aiqing said, use it to print and distribute it to the cabinet, and let Zhou Yanru take the lead!"

Wang Chengen respectfully bent down and agreed, the old eunuch probably understood what Chen Xinjia wanted to do, and as he expected, Chen Xinjia knelt down again to thank him, and said flatteringly:

"With Your Majesty's grace, General Li and his subordinate soldiers and horses must be grateful, and this Gyeonggi area is so empty, maybe it is also appropriate for Shandong soldiers and horses to come to garrison."

"Aiqing is loyal to the country, and it is also hard, and today I have to do it with my heart, if it is done, it is not impossible to enter the cabinet and concur......

Entering the cabinet as a university scholar and concurrently leading the ministry affairs, that is to say, the post of secretary of the military department is still there, and he is still in the cabinet as a cardinal, which is a rare honor for the Ming generation, and it is also extremely powerful.

What can be done in recent years is Yang Sichang alone, which is already a posture of leaning towards the government and the opposition, Chongzhen and Chen Xinjia made this promise, which is really a big lot.

For a while, the dirty errand of going to negotiate peace with the Manchu Tatars was not a black cauldron, this Chen Xinjia was full of enthusiasm, and hurriedly knelt down, kowtowing again and again to thank him.

Although Wang Chengen, the eunuch of the celebrant and the pen, had quite a city government, he couldn't help but want to laugh at the moment, and turned his head to look at the Hanlin who was writing a living note on the side, and the Hanlin also had a strange face.

Wang Chengen glanced at Emperor Chongzhen in front of him, although he had followed him for so many years, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, this saint didn't know what was going on outside, the ministers and cronies listened to whatever they said, where did they know the inner mysteries.

Of course, Wang Chengen understands in his heart, but he won't say more, this emperor is confused in some things, and only those who do things below have the opportunity to get up and down and make a lot of money, otherwise they all got these filial honors because of something.

The action of "approving the number of military salaries" is probably the only policy of the imperial court to kill and injure the local military leaders, and the military generals below rely on what to make a fortune by, not by eating empty quotas, and the military attachés of the imperial court such as the Shandong General Army have to rely on this to live a good life.

If you go to approve the number of people, don't you want to cut the flesh of this general, who was originally claimed to be 50,000 soldiers and horses, and the imperial court paid a salary of silver, and then ate a vacant amount of 30,000, and the rest of the silver raised 10,000 soldiers, which is considered normal. However, once the number of people is approved, the salary will be paid according to 10,000 people, and the generals will also have to live, and if they eat the empty amount, they can only pay the salary of several thousand people according to the report of 10,000 people.

At this time, the strength in his hands has gone a lot, and when he dismisses the soldiers and horses, he has to prevent the veterans from making trouble, so the number of approved salaries is also called the "Qing Army", which is not to say that the Tartars outside the Guan, the Qing is the meaning of cleaning up.

"Choose their meritorious subordinates and grant them official positions", as for this statement, although it is high-sounding, it is a more ruthless and dirty means, which is to put it bluntly, it is differentiation, for example, to promote Li Meng's subordinates, give him a status similar to Li Meng, once a person's identity and status change, the mood and attitude will inevitably be different.

Even if the subordinate has no ambition, but with that status, the original superior must also be vigilant, and the contradictions between the two sides will naturally arise, and the court is just giving a false name, which is really simple and easy.

Not to mention the means of adjusting defense, the soldiers have everything convenient in their hometowns, they can collect food and pay on the spot, and they have the support of local forces, so they have no worries about the future.

However, if it is transferred to the field, it will suddenly become a rootless duckweed, and logistics and supply must rely on the support of the garrison, and this autonomy will be much worse.

At present, there are only three ways for the imperial court to deal with those military leaders whose strength has not been damaged, of course, there is a premise, that is, the military leaders are not arrogant and domineering, and they are still deferential to the imperial court.

This Shandong general soldier Li Meng really belongs to this kind, Chen Xinjia uses these methods, and the soldiers and horses under Li Meng are probably in chaos and contradictions, and it is possible to damage the vitality.

Wang Chengen wondered in his heart, what kind of hatred did Chen Xinjia, the secretary of the military department, and Li Meng, the chief soldier of Shandong, have to tear their faces and frame them by such means, but if they don't do their own business, let him toss it.

Daming has the current situation, Wang Chengen's mentality is not one of the reasons, the eunuchs of the inner court, the officials of the outer courts, and the scholars in the opposition are all such ideas, anyway, it has nothing to do with me, and I see it.

Chen Xinjia's plan is good, but the situation in Shandong is completely different from the situation in the whole world, and no one dares to guarantee what will happen according to his plan.

However, everyone is watching, this world is the world of the Zhu family, what does it matter to me, just watch......