Just when Pang Gang was pondering, Wei Tongtong and the others also finished saluting each other, and everyone also moved their eyes to Pang Gang, but seeing that Pang Gang was still pondering, they didn't dare to disturb him, and they all sat aside and waited. {}

After a while, Pang Gang moved his gaze back to Wu Xiang and the others, and asked with a smile: "Wu Aiqing, Zu Aiqing, you have not done the thing that makes the relatives and enemies happy, you can obey the will of my new dynasty, and resolutely come to Beijing to report on your work, I am very pleased, after all, it is a new dynasty, and the new dynasty will have a new atmosphere, I don't know what you think about the situation in Liaodong?" ”

Pang Gang's voice was not loud, but it made Wu Sangui's back break out in a cold sweat, what does it mean to "not do the thing that makes the relatives and enemies happy", this clearly implies that they may defect to the Manchus, is the emperor suspecting that they are colluding with the Manchus?

The meaning of the sentence "the new dynasty is going to have a new atmosphere" in the middle is to remind them that it is now the Ming Dynasty from time to time, and you all put away the previous shelves, and the latter sentence is to give them exam questions.

As the saying goes, smart people naturally think about a lot of things, Wu Sangui's mind turned like this, but he thought of more things, the more he thought about it, the more he found that it was just the first time they met, this emperor who was about the same age as himself was too deep, and only one sentence expressed several layers of meaning, so that people didn't know how to answer.

Just when Wu Sangui was suspicious, Zu Dashou replied first: "Emperor Qi, although Weichen is the old minister of the previous dynasty, but the emperor is the new son of heaven set by God, and the emperor is naturally the co-master of our group after the throne, how dare the minister go against the will of God, so the ministers and other ministers specially lead tens of thousands of soldiers in Liaodong to return to Dahua, if this oath is violated, heaven and earth will punish it!" ”

Pang Gang was happy when he heard it, but he didn't expect Zu Dashou to look five big and three thick. But he's so good at sycophancy. This is not quite the same as what is said in the history books. But after thinking about it, if this ancestor Dashou is really a big man who doesn't know anything, he can't climb to such an important position as the governor of Shaofu Zuo and the superintendent of Jinzhou in the environment of Daming.

"Hahaha, I'm looking away. I didn't expect Zu Aiqing to be so good at talking, listening to Aiqing say this, it made me feel complacent! ”

Listening to Pang Gang's joking words. The crowd laughed softly.

"Since Aiqing and the others have decided to submit to me, I naturally can't chill the hearts of the soldiers." Since Zu Dashou had already expressed his submission on behalf of everyone, Pang Gang naturally wanted to give them face, and after thinking about it, he said: "Zu Aiqing, I am still waiting for you to come this time, in addition to seeing you and others, in fact, there is one more thing, I am determined to recover the homeland of Liaodong and drive the Tartars back to their hometown. I don't know what Aiqing's good plan is? ”

This time, Pang Gang simply threw out the question, Lao Tzu is going to recover Liaodong, aren't you shouting to return to me? Let's show what you're capable of now.

"Recovering Liaodong?"

As soon as this sentence came out. Including Zu Dashou, Wu Xiang, Wu Sangui and others were dumbfounded.

"Recovering Liaodong?"

They have been shouting this sentence for an unknown number of years. But each time it ended in failure, and now the new emperor began to shout again about recovering Liaodong. Who knows if it was the whim of the newly appointed emperor, besides, the recovery of Liaodong was a matter of great importance, and a bad one would shake the country's foundation, not to mention that they didn't know whether this majesty wanted to weaken their strength by borrowing the hands of the Manchurians.

Zu Dashou hesitated for a moment, secretly glanced at the silent emperor in front of him, and secretly wondered whether this emperor really wanted to recover Liaodong or just talk, although Zu Dashou had dealt with Pang Gang before, but after all, the time was too short, and he didn't know much about his personality, and now he was a little drumming in his heart. …,

Secretly glanced at Pang Gang again, Zu Dashou knew that he couldn't hide this time, so he had to bite the bullet and said: "Your Majesty, if you really want to recover Liaodong, the minister dares to ask how many troops you plan to send, and how many weapons are there?" Whether the grain and grass are properly prepared, these micro-ministers don't know, how dare they speak out. ”

"Hmm!" Pang Gang nodded slightly: "Zu Aiqing, you are quite sincere, you didn't pat your chest and speak." I tell you the truth, this time I plan to divide my troops into two routes, one is to set off from Shanhaiguan, to Daning and Guangning, and the other is to set off by sea, aiming directly at Shengjing, the old nest of the Tartars. Now I just want to ask you, how many troops can you deploy to attack on the front line of Shanhaiguan and Jinzhou? ”

"Hiss"

Everyone couldn't help but gasp, listening to what the emperor said, this time it's true, it's not like before.

Wu Sangui didn't wait for Zu Dashou to answer, so he stood up first and said, "Your Majesty, is what you said true?" ”

"How dare you question Your Majesty?"

As soon as Wu Sangui finished speaking, Ma Gonggong, who had been waiting beside him, had a numb scalp, and this general soldier was impatient, and he dared to question the current saint, and immediately stood up and reprimanded Wu Sangui sharply.

"The emperor atones for his sins, and Weichen deserves to die"

It was only at this time that Wu Sangui realized that the disaster came from his mouth, and he dared to question the current saint, this crime is not small, and he quickly knelt down and pleaded guilty.

"Okay, okay, I'm not a tiger, and I don't eat people, so why be so nervous." On the contrary, Pang Gang waved his hand disapprovingly, stared at Wu Sangui and said seriously: "Wu Aiqing, you have no jokes, my words are naturally true, and I can tell you that I let you Liaodong soldiers go out together this time to see if the Guanning Iron Cavalry under the command of Inspector Yuan in the past still has combat power?" Can you become a sharp sword in my hands to expand my territory? Do you understand what I mean? ”

Speaking of this, seeing that Wu Sangui was still kneeling on the ground, Pang Gang waved his hand to make him stand up, and after glancing around at them, he said: "I also want to tell you one thing, that is, since the soldiers of the Nine Sides are still obedient to Dahua, then the rules of the previous dynasty will not work, and from now on, I will follow the rules of my Dahua." Some bad habits in the past must also be abandoned, such as eating empty salaries, drinking soldiers' blood, and pretending to report and claim military exploits are never allowed, the people spend a lot of money every year to support you, not to let you be the uncle, in a few days I will send a military judge to Liaodong to enforce military law, if you are arrested by the military judge at that time, don't blame me for reminding you before I have nothing to do! ”

Pang Gang's voice revealed a bloody taste. It heralded that a storm was about to unfold in the Liaodong Army.

Wu Sangui, Zu Dashou and others only felt a burst of bitterness surging from their hearts. Eating empty quotas and deducting military salaries are not in any army in the Ming Dynasty, it has long been a tacit unspoken rule, but Pang Gang pierced this layer of tulle today. Is he going to be serious?

Seeing Wu Sangui and the others bowing their heads and being silent, Pang Gang knew what they were thinking in their hearts, and lowered his tone. "Ladies and gentlemen, although things like eating empty quotas and drinking the blood of soldiers are commonplace in Daming, they are absolutely not possible in my Dahua. I also know that your generals' salaries are too thin to support their families, and in a few days I will greatly increase the salaries of the officials of the imperial court, and I will not let the soldiers shed blood and tears. In the future, I will reorganize the army of the previous dynasty, and you will understand in the future. ”

Pang Gang said. The faces of the generals on the opposite side suddenly became bitter, and this time the days were going to be sad.

Pang Gang didn't give them time to reflect, but waved his big hand: "Okay." Go back to the inn and rest. Since you are here this time, I will not let you go home empty-handed. In a few days, I will ask the household department to allocate 500,000 taels of silver and 200,000 stone of grain to you, and you can escort you to Liaodong, and you don't have to worry about the soldiers going hungry. ”…,

"Thank Emperor Longen!"

Wu Xiang, Zu Dashou and others were overjoyed, 500,000 taels of silver and 200,000 stone grain were enough to make up for their more than 100,000 soldiers' salaries, and enough for them to eat for a few months.

They were just happy but didn't notice the malicious smile in the eyes of the boss sitting in front of them, was his silver and food really so easy to take? The mouth of eating people is soft, and the hands of people are short, there is a clear precept in ancient times!

"That's it, what about your official position, I won't make any changes first, our nephew will play the lantern - Uncle Zhao (as usual), but you must be prepared in your heart, I still have to send an overseer to Liaodong. Now let's retreat first, and after a few days of rest, we will return to Liaodong with the new Liaodong Governor! ”

"Obey the order!"

Wu Xiang and the others knelt down and kowtowed, they were not surprised that Pang Gang had sent a new overseer to Liaodong, after all, this was a normal reaction. If the new emperor didn't react at all, and let them bring back a lot of silver and food in vain, it would be a show of brains.

Looking at Wu Xiang and his party who disappeared at the door, Hua Yan asked with some concern: "Your Majesty, are you going to send that lord to Liaodong to supervise the division?" ”

Liaodong was directly facing the front line of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and the new Liaodong Governor had to not only suppress the arrogant generals in Liaodong, but also send troops to attack the Manchu Tartars.

Pang Gang thought for a while and said, "Is there any good candidate for Hua Aiqing?" ”

Hua Yan shook his head, it stands to reason that Pang Gang has an army of 200,000 and a lot of court officials, so it shouldn't be difficult to send a superintendent to Liaodong, but Hua Yan thought about it, and at this moment, he really couldn't find such a suitable candidate for the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty.

Seeing Hua Yan's expression, Pang Gang shook his head with a wry smile and said: "Alas, there are still no generals in the court, our foundation is still too thin, and looking at the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, we can't find a person who can be in charge." ”

It's not that Pang Gang didn't want to let his Da Zhuang, Wang Zhi, or Li Yuan, Cheng Kai and others go to Liaodong, but as soon as this idea emerged, he suppressed it, although these people were all old people who came with him, there was no problem with their loyalty. But these people have one of the biggest characteristics, then it is okay to fight, but if you sit on one side, it is not possible to deal with complex interpersonal relationships, after all, they are all from the lowest military households, and their own cultural foundation is there, you let a person who can barely read and write manage hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Liaodong, isn't it a joke about the entire Liaodong.

After thinking about it, Pang Gang waved his hand a little depressedly and motioned for everyone to retreat, but everyone didn't dare to slack off, so they quickly stood up respectfully and retreated.

Pang Gang thought about it, and finally a candidate came to mind, this person is Yunwen Yunwu, but he has just returned to Shun, and Pang Gang still doesn't dare to be completely relieved in terms of loyalty, but it must not be a problem to go to Liaodong to supervise the war, right?

Pang Gang thought about it while thinking about going to Kunning Palace, but as soon as he walked for a while, he slammed into an old eunuch. I saw the eunuch kneeling on the ground and said loudly: "Your Majesty." The Emperor is invited! ”

Pang Gang looked at it and turned out to be Wang Chengen. Originally, after Da Pang first ascended the throne, Chongzhen's family all moved to live in the Heart Cultivation Palace. Playing cards and fishing in the Yangxin Palace every day, he was also clean and comfortable, and he never disturbed Pang Gang. Unexpectedly, today he actually sent Wang Chengen, a confidant eunuch, to invite him.

Pang Gang naturally couldn't refuse, so he took more than a dozen eunuchs and palace maids and guards to the Heart Cultivation Palace. …,

Soon Pang Gang arrived at the Palace of Nourishing the Heart, and as soon as he entered the Palace of Nourishing the Heart, Pang Gang saw Chongzhen, who was dressed in a pale yellow dragon robe, sitting next to a gazebo, with an emerald green fishing rod at his feet, and a small stone table on the right, on which were placed several fruit plates, on which were placed some melon seeds and fruits and a pot of tea, a good leisurely life.

See something like this. Pang Gang suddenly felt a wave of envy in his heart, the last time he sat in the gazebo so leisurely and fished, I don't know when it happened? I think it was half a year ago.

Hearing the footsteps behind him, Chongzhen, who was fishing, stretched out his hand and made a boo gesture. Intently looked at the small green bamboo floating on the water. Suddenly, the little green bamboo moved, and Chongzhen, who was quick-eyed, lifted the bamboo pole. A palm-wide golden carp jumped up.

Wang Chengen, who was originally walking next to Pang Gang, hurriedly went up and grabbed the carp, carefully removed the bait, and put the carp into the wooden barrel on the side.

"Haha, big friend, I've only been learning for less than a month, and my fishing skills are not bad, right?" Chongzhen, who put down the fishing rod, was very complacent.

Wang Chengen praised without words: "That's, who is Your Majesty, you didn't have time in the past, and it's a pity to use your talent for fishing." ”

At this time, Chongzhen, who turned around, saw Pang Gang who had come behind him. Chongzhen said with a smile: "Pang Gang, you are here, come and sit, and talk to me!" ”

Pang Gang responded with a smile and went to the stone table.

Chongzhen handed over the fishing rod to Wang Chengen, walked to Pang Gang and sat down, picked up the teapot and poured a cup of fragrant tea for Pang Gang himself. ”

"yes!" Chongzhen also sighed, "In the past, when I was still the king of letters, my life was so pure, but since I meditated on that seat, I have never had any free time, and every day is spent in the recitals, the court, and the deliberations, although I am so diligent, not to mention!" ”

Chongzhen put down the teacup, stared at Pang Gang and said: "I know that you are a promising king, I am very relieved to hand over the country to you, I don't want to ask about major national affairs, but there is something I want to ask you, when will you marry you?" The queen mother has been asking me about this matter for several days. ”

Pang Gang's heart moved, looked at Pang Gang, and found that Chongzhen's eyes faintly showed a hint of expectation, Pang Gang then understood that Chongzhen and his family still had no sense of security at the moment, for fear that one day they would change their hexagram again and destroy them, this is the reason why Chongzhen urged him to marry Zhu Yujiao quickly.

"Alas, is it really that there is no family in heaven?"

Thinking of this, Pang Gang's heart suddenly gloomy, but he didn't bring this emotion to his face, but nodded with a smile: "Don't worry, the Emperor Taishang, I know, but at this time, the stakes are very high, how about setting a date after I have asked Qin Tianjian?" ”

Chongzhen saw that Pang Gang agreed, and hurriedly said: "Don't bother, I have already asked Qin Tianjian, and Qin Tianjian said that the eighth day of the next month will be a good day, and I think you will be able to officially marry at that time." ”

Seeing Chongzhen's unquestioning expression and expectant expression, what else could Pang Gang say, so he had to nod and agree.

"Good"

Chongzhen's happy laughter sounded in the gazebo.

"Pang Gang, come, I'm happy today, accompany me for a drink"

This time has been drunk from the time of the unitary time to the top of the moon, both Pang Gang and Chongzhen drank high, Pang Gang was soon helped back to Kunning Palace by the accompanying eunuchs, and Chongzhen also returned to the Palace of Nourishing Heart crookedly.

At this time, in the Palace of Heart Cultivation, Queen Zhou, Concubine Yuan and others were examining the homework of Zhu Cihong, Zhu Cijiong, Zhu Yujiao and others.

Seeing Chongzhen coming back, she hurriedly greeted her, and Queen Zhou said anxiously: "Eh, why did the emperor drink so much, Cui'er, hurry up and cook the sobering soup, Yan'er, you hurry over and help Your Majesty sit down." ”

Chongzhen waved his hand and said, "Hehe, don't help me, I'm happy today." ”

Chongzhen sat on the chair with a big tongue and told everyone that the marriage date of Zhu Yujiao and Pang Gang had been set today.

After listening to Chongzhen's words, everyone reacted, Zhu Yujiao's pretty face was shy, happy, and sad on her face, and Queen Zhou was reluctant, after all, her daughter who had been raised for more than ten years was going to marry another woman, and her mother's heart was naturally very unpleasant.

Seeing Queen Zhou's appearance, Chongzhen shook his head and said, "Okay, women's family, what's so reluctant about this, isn't it in the palace after Yu Jiao and Pang Gang got married?" You two can't meet when you want, as for that. ”

"Your Majesty is also saying that the concubines are too worried."

After listening to Chongzhen's comfort, Queen Zhou burst into tears and laughed