The secret report sent by Wu Ming was sent to Beijing two days ago, but it was detained by Wang Chengen and not sent to Emperor Chongzhen's case.

Coincidentally, a day before receiving this official report from Wu Ming, Wang Chengen received a person who claimed to be Cao Yue's subordinate. This person named Cao Neng, in addition to presenting Cao Yue's handwritten letter, also brought 50,000 taels of silver.

Cao Yue said in the letter that he violated the interests of Wu Ming, the deputy commander-in-chief, because of his strict management of the army, and the other party held a grudge. Two days ago, he found out the news, saying that Wu Ming was preparing to unite with the deputy generals Zhu Yang and Gao Gao, and wanted to falsely accuse him of rebellion in front of the emperor. Gao Gao and Zhu Yang had already reported the matter to him because of their righteousness, but Wu Ming's false accusation may have been sent to Beijing, and Cao Yue hoped that Wang Chengen could help and let the imperial court send someone to find out about the matter. What he did in Datong was all for the sake of the imperial court, for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, without any selfish interests, let alone any rebellion, this matter Gao Gao and Zhu Yang were willing to testify, and he and all the generals under his command were willing to cooperate with the investigation.

Of course, Wang Chengen didn't believe that Cao Yue would rebel, although Cao Yue's performance in the surprise attack on Shengjing was very good and he was very strategic, but Cao Yue only stayed in the army for a while, and he didn't have too many troops, and he wanted to rebel as soon as he arrived in Datong, which was very unrealistic.

Moreover, Cao Yue gave him generous gifts several times, and this time he also gave 50,000 taels of silver, and he always wanted to take people's money.

But Wang Chengen also knew that Emperor Chongzhen was suspicious, and if this "false accusation" was seen by the emperor, maybe Cao Yue would be in trouble. Therefore, he boldly kept this piece privately, hoping to present it when the opportunity was right. Cao Yue's letter stated that he was very confident, and Wang Chengen had already made up his mind that this was a special mission given by the deputy general army relying on the imperial court, and he wanted to take the opportunity to take revenge and replace Cao Yue.

Wang Chengen will not get involved in the fight between Cao Yue and Wu Ming, but Wang Chengen will definitely not help Wu Ming, because the benefits that Cao Yue gave him are far better than Wu Ming, Wu Ming is an insignificant person to him, but Cao Yue is different. The emperor wants to marry his baby daughter, and he also thinks that Cao Yue is a rare talent, and as long as he does not go the wrong way in the future, the future is limitless.

Therefore, in this matter, Wang Chengen will definitely help Cao Yue and step on Wu Ming's feet.

Today, Datong sent an emergency military report, which was sent by the eunuch guarding the town, the prefect of Datong, and Cao Yue, the general soldier, and Wang Chengen immediately guessed that there was an abnormal situation in the direction of Datong, or that there was a war. At this time, it is impossible for the imperial court to punish the generals of the town, that is, even if someone else impeaches or accuses Cao Yue of having any problems, the emperor will not immediately issue an edict to investigate and deal with it.

If he took the opportunity to say a few words for Cao Yue in a while, then the emperor would consider this matter carefully, and it was likely that he would send someone to investigate, instead of dismissing Cao Yue and investigating him according to his temperament. If that's the case, then things will be easy. It is even possible that the emperor thought that Wu Ming, the deputy commander-in-chief, wanted to take the opportunity to replace Cao Yue, and Cao Yue was innocent.

Wang Chengen, who knew Emperor Chongzhen's temperament, stood quietly aside, waiting for Chongzhen's inquiry.

After only a while, Emperor Chongzhen watched the secret music, threw it aside expressionlessly, took a sip of tea, and asked Wang Chengen without a little emotion: "Chengen, do you say that the attack of the Jiannu by Cao Yue is true?" Is it possible that for a special purpose, he colluded with other officials to report the military situation in a panic, so as to achieve the goal of not waiting for anyone? ”

"Long live, this kind of thing, whether it is Cao Yue, Wei Datong, or Zhang An, they dare not report it blindly, the slave maid thinks that it is indeed a thing, and the imperial court should strictly order all the prefectures near Beijing to be on strict alert, so as not to be attacked by Jiannu!" Wang Chengen said very surely.

"Look at this secret performance presented by Wu Ming, the deputy chief soldier of Datong!" Emperor Chongzhen pointed to the secret music on the case.

Wang Chengen answered, walked over and picked up the secret music and looked at it carefully, and then put it down, revealing a very surprised look. "Long live, Wu Ming, the deputy chief soldier of Datong, actually played the chief soldier Cao Yue to rebel? Cao Yue recruited so many soldiers and horses for this purpose? ”

"Do you think that's possible?" Emperor Chongzhen asked Wang Chengen rhetorically.

Wang Chengen didn't answer immediately, but after thinking about it seriously, he slowly shook his head: "Long live, it's unlikely that the slave and maid will admit it." ”

"Why?"

"If Cao Yue has any objections, and he takes away the jade seal of the country, will he still present it to you, Your Majesty?" Wang Chengen said very seriously: "The one who has passed on the jade seal of the country is the destiny of heaven, if Cao Yue has the idea of plotting the world, he will have this thing, and he will hide it, and will not give it to His Majesty." Also, if Cao Yue really had the intention of rebelling, he couldn't have just gone to Datong, and he didn't even have a firm footing, so he had some plans, he would definitely wait for a few years, and when everything was under control, he would have some attempts. The slave didn't think much, but felt that these two points alone were enough to show that Cao Yue could not have a rebellion attempt now, and what Wu Ming played must be a false accusation. As for the reason why Wu Ming falsely accused Cao Yue, the slave couldn't figure it out. ”

"That's right!" Emperor Chongzhen nodded slightly, his face looked a little better, he stood up, and began to pace again with his hands behind his back: "He got the jade seal of the country in Shengjing, I believe that there are not many people who know about it, even if he doesn't hand it over to the imperial court, he won't make a fuss." But as soon as he returned to Songshan, he told Hong Chengchou and personally escorted the jade seal of Chuanguo into Beijing. ”

"Long live, if you don't send someone to investigate this matter strictly, I believe it will definitely come to light, and if Wu Ming falsely accuses Cao Yue, it will be severely punished. If Cao Yue really has this intention, the imperial court will send someone to strictly investigate, which can also play a deterrent role, and after a year or two, the imperial court will transfer him to another place, then he will lose the basis for rebellion," After saying this, Wang Chengen felt that what he said was too much, and asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, what do you think?" ”

"That's right, just do it according to your suggestion, after a meeting, I will appoint a member to go to Datong in the name of the labor army, and investigate the matter by the way," Chongzhen made up his mind, and his mood was a little better, and he sat back by the fire, and sighed: "Alas, when the jade seal of the country enters Beijing, I should lead a hundred officials to greet it in person, so that it will be grand." I made a mistake! Alas!"

At this time, the summoned ministers had already reported outside the palace, and Emperor Chongzhen also stopped sighing and ordered the palace people to lead them in.

While Emperor Chongzhen's current ministers were discussing the urgent military situation presented by him and several other important officials of Datong, Cao Yue was at the head of Datong City, personally commanding to resist the upcoming siege of Jiannu. According to Cao Xin's report, Jiannu accelerated his speed and came in the direction of Datong, and he could arrive outside Datong as early as tomorrow morning, and Cao Yue did not dare to have any carelessness.

But Cao Yue didn't have too much to worry about, Cao Xin led more than 100 famous people to recreate slaves twice in a row, and Cao Yue already knew about the almost zero casualties in his own battle. In the ice and snow, Cao Yue could win the fight with Jiannu so easily, Cao Yue was a little unimaginable. These two small victories also gave him a lot of self-confidence, and he felt that this time he could not only resist the siege of Jiannu, but also possibly inflict great damage on Jiannu. Therefore, instead of being afraid, he was very much looking forward to the coming of the big war!