Two days later, Emperor Chongzhen summoned Cao Yue alone in the Qianqing Palace.

"Cao Aiqing, you will go to the post of chief soldier of Datong in the near future, and you will not have much time to stay in Beijing, I summoned you to the palace today to talk to you about the affairs of Liaodong today!" Chongzhen went straight to the point and explained what he meant by summoning Cao Yue.

"Long live the Lord if you have anything to ask, please just say, Weichen knows everything!"

"Aiqing thinks, is there a big mistake in the deployment of this battle Inspector Hong?"

Emperor Chongzhen's direct inquiry made Cao Yue stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

In an instant, he also understood what Emperor Chongzhen meant, which asked him about Hong Chengchou's behavior in Liaodong in disguise, and it seemed that Emperor Chongzhen was not satisfied with Hong Chengchou's performance. Although Hong Chengchou is an out-and-out traitor in history, but now this guy has not surrendered and rebelled, and he is still a minister of the Ming Dynasty.

Cao Yue decided not to speak ill of Hong Chengchou behind his back, otherwise he would destroy the Great Wall. He fiercely praised Hong Chengchou's eloquence, saying that the battle of Songshan was fought very well at the beginning, Hong Chengchou was not in a hurry or impatient, but Jiannu couldn't help it, and finally our army had the upper hand.

If it weren't for the death of the prison army Zhang Ruolin urging Hong Chengchou to march quickly and fight a decisive battle with Jiannu, there would not have been an attack on Bijia Mountain, the grain and grass being seized by Jiannu, and the back road being blocked.

Hearing Cao Yue say this, Emperor Chongzhen's face changed, but he was still patient and asked Cao Yue to talk about the battle of Songjin, including the movement of the whole army before the rout and Hong Chengchou's arrangement, the words and deeds of Zhang Ruolin, the prison army, after the loss of Beacon Mountain, Hong Chengchou decided to fight to the death with Jiannu, and the performance of the major general soldiers. Of course, Chongzhen also asked Cao Yue to talk in detail about the process of leading the army to attack Shengjing, especially how to break through the gate of Shengjing, how to attack the palace, and what he did after breaking the palace.

Cao Yue didn't understand what Emperor Chongzhen meant for the time being, and honestly told Chongzhen what he wanted to understand.

Of course, he will not say some things that cannot be said, including looting the wealth of the Manchurians, burying them on the spot, and humiliating the queen concubine of Huang Taiji and other things that cannot be told to others.

Cao Yue praised Hong Chengchou's calmness and perseverance in this battle, saying that he was the pillar of the country, and then praised Cao Bianjiao very much. Cao Yue portrayed Cao Bianjiao as a brave and resourceful general, who did not panic at all in the event of an accident, calmly commanded the men and horses to counterattack, and finally took advantage of the chaos to attack the Qing army camp, and almost ended the imperial tent of Huang Taiji.

And his men and horses were able to take advantage of the chaos to break out of the encirclement and attack Shengjing, which was completely inseparable from Cao Bianjiao's heroic warfare. If it weren't for the huge annoyance that Cao Bianjiao caused to Jiannu, it would be impossible for more than 1,000 people under his command to break out of Jiannu's encirclement.

Emperor Chongzhen was speechless when he heard this, and in the end he only praised Cao Bianjiao and Cao Yue's brothers for their heroic performance on the battlefield, and said that he would give Cao Bianjiao an additional reward and let him supervise Liaodong, as Hong Chengchou's right and left hand, in charge of Liaodong military affairs.

Hearing Chongzhen say this, Cao Yue was also happy for his Cao Bianjiao. He knew the ability of his cousin, and if he was allowed to restrain the generals of Liaodong, the situation in Liaodong might be greatly improved.

Cao Yue didn't know that his words changed the fate of several people, and one person lost his life because of his words. This person is Zhang Ruolin, the former Liaodong Prison Army. Zhang Ruolin also left the army and fled when several major generals fled, and was lucky to grab a fishing boat and cross the sea to survive. Originally, Emperor Chongzhen wanted to let him go, but after listening to what Cao Yue said today, he blamed Zhang Ruolin for the main responsibility for the rout of Songshan City, and was ready to sacrifice the flag with Zhang Ruolin's life.

Then Cao Yue said some of his own suggestions, when talking about how to repel the attack of Jiannu, he mentioned, after talking about the affairs of Liaodong, he solemnly mentioned it again, hoping that the imperial court could spend a lot of money to improve the equipment in the army, and a large number of muskets.

Only muskets can improve the combat effectiveness of the Ming army, defeat the Jiannu cavalry, and take the initiative on the battlefield.

However, Cao Yue's proposal did not arouse great interest in Emperor Chongzhen, and finally he smiled bitterly and said: "Cao Aiqing, don't hide it, now the treasury is empty, in recent years, in order to deal with the construction of slaves in Liaodong and the suppression of the people's uprising, it has been overdrafted, and the imperial court is not able to come up with so much silver to improve the armament, and now even the soldiers' salaries cannot be issued in time, alas, I can't help it!"

Hearing Chongzhen say this, Cao Yue was very disappointed, but he still said unwillingly: "Your Majesty, if Weichen arrives as the chief soldier of Datong, will there be no way to train the troops well and improve the armament of the Datong town soldiers?" ”

Emperor Chongzhen listened, and was silent for a while, and finally suddenly raised his eyebrows and motioned for Cao Yue to come closer to him. Cao Yue walked over suspiciously, and Chongzhen whispered: "Wang Pu, the former general soldier of Datong, abandoned the army and fled, and he will be beheaded with Dai Shan tomorrow." The Wang family is very rich, and after you arrive in Datong, you can take the wealth of the Wang family and add it as military pay for military training. But I will not give you a clear order, you will find a way to obtain some military funds yourself, and if there are military funds, I will make it easy for you to get what you need. ”

Hearing that Chongzhen gave him such power, Cao Yue couldn't help but be overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him.

Wang Wei, the father of Wang Pu, the former general soldier of Datong, was the governor of Zuodu, and his family was well-off, and he was almost the richest man in Shanxi. Wang Pu moved to Beijing as the deputy general of the Beijing camp in the shadow of his father. Chongzhen six years, into the right governor. At that time, Cao Yue's father, Cao Wenzhao, had presided over Shanxi's military affairs, and Wang Pu was Cao Wenzhao's subordinate. In the seventh year of Chongzhen, Cao Wenzhao guarded Datong and entered the left governor. In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, he was added to the crown prince Taibao, and then promoted from the governor Lu Xiang to the king of Jingqin, until now he was defeated and imprisoned.

Most of Wang Pu's Datong soldiers were under the command of the original Cao Wenzhao, and Emperor Chongzhen asked Cao Yue to lead the general military post of Datong, which was also based on the decision of his father Cao Wenzhao's huge influence in the Datong soldiers. Cao Wenzhao not only has great prestige in the Datong army, but also has a high prestige in the entire Ming army, although Cao Yue is young, but with his father's cuteness, coupled with the huge influence of this attack on Shengjing, it should not be difficult to suppress the soldiers and horses of Datong Town.

Wang Pu was beheaded and his family was also convicted, Chongzhen gave Cao Yue this power, and asked him to beat the Wang family and let them contribute some property for military supplies. But Emperor Chongzhen didn't make a clear decree, how to add it and let Cao Yue figure it out by himself.

Cao Yue also knew it and was overjoyed. As long as Emperor Chongzhen gives him such power, he has an army under him, and he is still worried that he will not be able to knock out the property from the Wang family? Emperor Chongzhen asked him to find a way to raise military funds, so Cao Yue could collect money and property through various means. During the Ming Dynasty, although the court was not rich, the wealth of the Ming Dynasty was huge, which Cao Yue knew clearly.

Seeing that Cao Yue understood what he meant, Emperor Chongzhen was also very satisfied, and after thinking about it, he ordered Wang Chengen, who was waiting on the side, to come in.

"Cheng'en, bring me that sword!"

"Yes, long live the Lord!"

After Wang Chengen agreed, he immediately went over, took a sword from the wall, and respectfully held it up in front of Chongzhen.

Emperor Chongzhen took the sword and drew out the blade, Cao Yue only felt a flash of cold light, and couldn't help but squint.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at the cold and shining sword, then inserted it back into the sheath and handed it to Cao Yue: "Cao Aiqing, this sword, I will reward you, you have arrived in Datong, if there is anyone who disobeys you, you can use this sword to behead him." ”

"General Cao, Long Live Lord rewarded you with the sword of Shang Fang and gave you the right to cut first and then play, don't hurry up and thank you!" Seeing Cao Yue taking the sword in a daze, looking confused, Wang Chengen on the side hurriedly reminded.

Cao Yue suddenly came to his senses and immediately bowed and thanked: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Okay, you go first, I will summon you into the palace again if there is something!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! Wechen retires!"

"Cheng'en, send Cao Aiqing out!" A slight smile appeared at the corner of Emperor Chongzhen's mouth.

"Yes, long live the Lord!" After Wang Chengen bowed, he stretched out his hand to Cao Yue and signaled: "General Cao, please!"

Cao Yue returned the salute and followed Wang Chengen out of the Qianqing Palace.

After leaving the Qianqing Palace, Cao Yue thanked Wang Chengen again.

Wang Chengen waved his hand at Cao Yue with a smile on his face, signaling not to be so polite, and then said: "General Cao, congratulations on being treated so favorably by Lord Long Live for getting the sword of Shang Fang, congratulations to you!"

"Thank you father-in-law for your kind words in front of Your Majesty, he is free in the future, please ask your father-in-law to enjoy his face and drink, and thank his father-in-law for his next good life!"

Seeing that Cao Yue was so sensible, Wang Chengen was also quite satisfied, and seeing that there was no one around, he whispered to Cao Yue: "General Cao, Your Majesty admires you very much, and has said your kindness in front of our family several times." As long as you do things for Your Majesty well, the coming days will be limitless!"

"I also ask my father-in-law to help me a lot, and say more good words in front of His Majesty," Cao Yue looked at no one around, took out a prepared golden Buddha from his arms, and stuffed it into Wang Chengen's hand, "Father-in-law's great kindness, Cao Yue will definitely have a good reward in the future!"

Wang Chengen didn't refuse, he took over the valuable Golden Buddha, and then said to Cao Yue with a smile: "General Cao, the court is dangerous, many people are dissatisfied with your military exploits and the rewards you have been rewarded by the Long Live Lord, you have to worry about it in the future." Some things, our family will say a thing or two for you in front of the Long Live Lord, but you also have to worry about yourself, you have to be careful in everything!"

"Thank you father-in-law for the reminder!" Cao Yue once again saluted and thanked, "Thank you very much!"

After Wang Chengen sent Cao Yue out of the Qianqing Palace, he also turned around immediately.

"Chengen, what do you think of Cao Yue?"

"Long live the lord, the old slave thinks that General Cao is a very capable person, he is loyal to the long live lord, for the safety of the Ming Dynasty, dare to take such a risk, and today he said so many heart-wrenching words to the long live lord, what he thinks is very insightful, it is really difficult for ordinary people to reach, the old slave feels that it can be of great use!" Half of Wang Chengen's words came from the original intention, and one was because of the generous gift given to him by Cao Yue.

"It seems that I didn't see the wrong person, this son is really useful!" Emperor Chongzhen nodded, took two steps with his hands behind his back, and then turned his head and asked Wang Chengen, "Chengen, what do you think of letting Cao Yue be a concubine?" ”

"Long live the lord, of course this is good, General Cao and Princess Kunxing are very compatible, but if General Cao is a concubine, he can't do things for Long Live Lord conveniently, which is a bit bad!" Wang Chengen replied honestly.

"Well, that's true!" Emperor Chongzhen nodded thoughtfully, "However, Jiao'er is still underage, and the big wedding will be at least two years later, so let's talk about it then, but you can reveal my meaning to Cao Yue in private, and see how he reacts!"

"The old slave understands!"