After Chen Xinjia got the good news, he didn't inform Zhou Yanru, so he came to Chongzhen for the first time.

So much so that Zhou Yanru was shocked when he learned that the emperor had summoned him late at night, thinking that something had happened or that he had received bad news.

Fortunately, Wang Chengen, who came to pass the word, was quite kind, although he did not make friends with foreign ministers, he was also good at observing words and feelings, seeing that Zhou Ge was worried, he couldn't bear it, and prompted:

"Why should Ge Lao be like this? Tonight is a happy event, someone has made meritorious contributions in the war in Liaodong, and His Majesty invites the elder to discuss the reward. ”

Zhou Yanru listened, and then his heart was settled: "Thank you for the order." ”

After a while, when he came to the Wenhua Palace, someone passed it on, and Chongzhen didn't seem to care about it, so that when Zhou Yanru entered, he was still chatting with Chen Xinjia.

Zhou Yanru didn't deliberately eavesdrop, but he also listened inadvertently in his ears. What Chongzhen and Chen Xinjia discussed seems to be the final determination of the culpability for the annihilation of the Liaodong War.

Listening to Chen Xinjia's meaning, it was to blame Hong Chengchou for the main sin of the defeat, in the final analysis, there was no problem with the dispatch of the military department, but the front-line command was not effective, especially Hong Chengchou's lack of command of the troops, and he could not maintain military discipline and morale.

When Zhou Yanru heard this, he also shook his head secretly, but he would not dismantle Chen Xinjia's platform. He has a good relationship with Chen Xinjia, and he can't be a villain.

With Liu Zongzhou and Huang Daozhou, Chen Xinjia was blocked, which was enough for him to drink a pot.

Chongzhen didn't dwell on this issue any longer, so he accepted Chen Xinjia's statement and sighed:

"Alas, I didn't expect that Hong Chengchou dealt with thieves in previous years, and he was also quite able to boost morale and rectify military discipline.

That's it, for the sake of his martyrdom, I will treat the dead as the greatest, pay tribute, and let the courtiers work hard to serve the country with the spirit of a hero. But in private, it is still necessary to sum up his lessons clearly, and the military department will prepare them to warn those who come. ”

Chongzhen's meaning, this is to the common people, the general public, don't preach Hong Chengchou's sins, and publicly mourn the glory. But for those in the circle, there is still a lesson to be learned.

This is to take into account the morale of the illiterate soldiers and to prevent the treacherous people in the DPRK and China from being lazy.

After talking about Hong Chengchou, Chongzhen turned to Zhou Yanru: "Zhou Qing came just in time, and he was about to discuss some promotion matters with you." Chen Qing, tell me about the situation. ”

Only then did Chen Xinjia relay to Zhou Yanru about the meritorious personnel who rescued Cao Bianjiao and Li Fuming in a series of battles, especially the civilian officials involved.

Zhou Yanru listened very carefully, and it can be seen how cautious Wang Chengen was when he called him just now - Wang Chengen just asked him not to be nervous, which is a good thing. But what is the specific battle situation and who has made meritorious contributions, Wang Chengen didn't say a word.

To do things by the emperor's side, all you need is to keep your mouth as tight as possible.

Chongzhen was originally suspicious, and seeing that Zhou Yanru listened very carefully, he didn't rush to answer at all, which was very natural, and he knew that he didn't know anything on the way here.

But if Zhou Yanru dares to show a few traces of "there is already a temple calculation", I am afraid that he will immediately be suspicious of Chongzhen as "befriending the ministers"-

This is really not Hei Chongzhen, Zhou Yanru was in the right and left hand of the Ministry of Officials, and when he was in charge of Langzhong Wu Chang, who was in charge of the Wenxuan Division, in history, he was killed by Chongzhen in a few months because he was looking for friends with his ministers in advance to find out the news.

Thanks to Zhou Yanru's human spirit, this little flaw perfectly avoids the past.

After listening, he cautiously considered and said: "Your Majesty, the promotion of civil officials is supposed to be verified by the Department of Literature and Selection, but Your Majesty inquires, and the ministers can also draft one or two according to the precedents."

This battle involved civilian officials, and the first merit was the work of Shen Tingyang, the servant of the household department in Nanjing, and the preparation of the water protection division. With the scale of rescuing 15,000 officers and soldiers and annihilating the two Jiala, it is not an exaggeration to be promoted to the head of the household department in Nanjing.

However, as far as the minister knows, Qiu Weizhen, the current secretary of the Nanjing household department, is sixty-five years old, and it seems that he has reached the age of retirement this year, so it is better to wait for Qiu Weizhen to tell the old man and take over his post by Shen Tingyang. ”

When Chongzhen heard this, he frowned: "The imperial court will be rewarded, naturally, after the meritorious service is approved, it should be promoted immediately, how can it be postponed?" Where is the letter of the imperial court? ”

Zhou Yanru hurriedly added: "Your Majesty, don't worry, there are also precedents for reference in this matter - in previous years, when the superintendent was released and several towns were controlled, the title of secretary of the military department would be added." Now, you can first give Shen Tingyang the title of secretary of the household department.

However, the addition of the title is not the same as the actual award. can send someone to persuade and comfort him, and inform him that after Qiu Weizhen is appointed to the office this year, let him directly take over as the secretary of the household department in Nanjing. ”

Chongzhen thought for a while, and then nodded: "Okay, then first add the title of secretary of the household department to Shen Tingyang, and coordinate and supervise the affairs of grain, three salaries, and gold in several provinces in the southeast, so as to ensure the financial resources of the south for the imperial court." ”

In the Ming Dynasty, the six Shangshu of the north and south capitals theoretically enjoyed the same level of treatment, but there was a huge difference in real power. Therefore, after the title of Shangshu is added, he can also go to Nanjing to take over in the future, and there is no conflict.

Chongzhen and Zhou Yanru also took into account that Shen Tingyang was promoted too quickly, and only became a waiter in Nanjing last year, and it was only a year before he was sold, and he was rewarded later. If you wait for Qiu Weizhen to retire naturally, it will be better to delay it for half a year.

After getting Shen Tingyang, all that was left was Zheng Chenggong.

Zheng Chenggong is easier to do, after all, it was originally only the Haidao Lift of the Six Grades and the head level of a certain department of the Nanjing Household Department.

After Zhou Yanru's calculations, he believed that according to the old practice, he should be promoted to the local prefect if he counted the military merits of killing a Tartar commander and repelling Kong Youde.

And Zhou Yanru had received a large amount of gold and silver from Shen Shuren and Zheng Chenggong before, and he also promised the "franchise" of the Shen family, so of course he knew that he would find a house for Zheng Chenggong in the jurisdiction of Shen Shuren.

Fortunately, there are many vacancies in the prefect in the jurisdiction of Shen Shuren, or there are many situations where people need to be replaced, and Zhou Yanru easily found two options for the emperor to decide directly-

In fact, even if Zhou Yanru wants to give only one option and repay him directly, it is not impossible. But he can be a man, and he hopes that the emperor will have a greater sense of control, so he gave two.

"Your Majesty, Huguang Xiangyang Mansion, since last year Zhang Xianzhong sneak attack, kill King Xiang and local officials, the prefect has been vacant, all by the same Zhi and other officials to assist Futai, the capital of the imperial history of the government, the minister thinks, Zheng Chenggong can be transferred to the Xiangyang prefect.

In addition, before Zheng Chenggong was promoted to Caoyun, his original position was the investigation of Huguang Salt Law Road, responsible for the collection of taxes and fees between Huguang and Jiangxi and Nanzhi.

If His Majesty thinks that Zheng Chenggong is too young, and Xiangyang has a heavy military plane and is close to the thief Zhang Yi, it is not appropriate to hand it over to such a young person, and it is okay to reassign him to Jiujiang.

However, as far as the minister knows, the Jiujiang prefect has actually approved a candidate a few days ago, named Shi Xuan, who was originally the Shandong Shilang of the Ministry of Households, and is also known for his uprightness and strict money and grain accounts in office. ”

Chongzhen waved his hand, feeling that he had a sense of control: "Let Zheng Chenggong go to Jiujiang!" Stan's appointment hasn't been issued yet, has it? Change him to the prefect of Xiangyang! ”

Anyway, Chongzhen felt that as long as the things reported below were reported, he would not make a mistake by adjusting the order within the list, and he could also prevent the people below from accepting benefits for personal gain.

After getting the two most important promotions, Chongzhen asked a little about other relevant personnel with slightly smaller credits, and those who should be rewarded will also be rewarded, and those who should be promoted will be promoted.

Anyway, after the big defeat now, if there is an occasional small victory, we must do everything we can to promote it to boost morale.

And the Shen family obviously did a good job of homework in advance, and after a little investigation, it can be found that several officials of the Shen family have made meritorious contributions in the process of helping Shen Tingyang "prepare" the Cao Army-

For example, the 5,000 "family members" of the Shen family were partly drawn from the Huangzhou Army on the surface, and Zhang Huangyan, the prefect of Huangzhou, certainly contributed to the early training and supply of this army. There are several more involved in this circumference.

After Chongzhen heard this, he was slightly alert and suspicious, and suddenly asked: "In this matter, the new Anhui Fu Shen Shuren has merit?" ”

When Chongzhen asked this, his tone was already slightly cold, obviously he also had some bad associations, lest the Shen family would do things in the south.

However, after Zhou Yanru inquired, he told him very bluntly:

"Back to Your Majesty, Shen Shuren has no direct credit, it seems that after he took over as Wanfu, he had other complicated official duties, and he was not as good as helping his father. However, Shen Tingyang and Shen Shuren were originally father and son, even if they helped each other a little, it was human nature. ”

When Chongzhen heard this, he was relieved, indeed, there is nothing to blame for helping privately between father and son.

Thinking of Shen Shuren, Chongzhen couldn't help but sigh: "The Ming Dynasty has fallen to this point, and it is rare that there are still a few loyal and good families, and they have lost their will. As far as I know, this Shen Shuren and Zheng Chenggong originally had a friendship with classmates, right? They were all taken by Yang Sichang to Nanjing Guozijian.

Although Shen Shuren did not make meritorious contributions this time, he would not refuse to do things for the imperial court. At the age of twenty-two, he became the governor, and Zheng Chenggong also became the prefect at the age of nineteen. ”

Chongzhen let out a long sigh, obviously thinking that these two heroes were too young.

Zhou Yanru knew that he was in charge of the ministry and had to help the emperor share his worries on these issues, so he said casually: "Your Majesty, why should you worry, it is a good thing that someone shares worries about the country, which shows that the hearts of the people in the world are yearning for the Ming Dynasty."

Shen Shuren had indeed been promoted too quickly before, and he remembered that the edict to promote him to Wanfu had just been issued at the end of last month. The minister thought that if there were any more military exploits in the future, he could make a fuss from the plus sign.

For example, when Zuo Liangyu made meritorious service, there was no military position to reward above the general army, so he added the rank of thief general. Last year, Liu Guoneng cooperated with Shen Shuren to destroy Erhe and add General Kou. Shen Shuren himself will have great achievements in the future, and if it is inconvenient to be promoted to governor, he can also add a sign first. ”

Chongzhen laughed at himself playfully: "Do you want to give Shen Shuren the general number of the thief and the thief?" ”

Zhou Yanru: "Shen Shuren is a civil official, so naturally he can't add the number of general, but he can be knighted, first from the earl, and there is a prince above, why worry about high merit?" The thieves and thieves have already been used, and it is inconvenient to repeat, and the miscellaneous names of the same level since ancient times, only the general of the broken prisoner remains, so it is better to call it the broken uncle. ”

Chongzhen frowned: "How unlucky the words are, the mountains and rivers are broken, the golden ou is missing, I don't like this broken word!" ”

Zhou Yanru hurriedly changed: "Then it's better to call Krupp." When Zuo Liangyu was first given the title, the ancient name of the thief general was changed to the flat thief general, which was the auspicious meaning of the flat word. The word Ke also has the meaning of recovering the time, which is more auspicious than breaking the auspicious. ”

After listening to this, Chongzhen thought it was very good, thought about it for a while, and suddenly laughed dumbly: "What am I thinking, I actually waste time thinking about the way back for the courtiers who have not yet made meritorious contributions, it is really a superfluous move."

That's it, Zhou Qing and Chen Qing, you all step down, and you can do everything you explain tonight as you are told. ”

"The minister retired."

……

Zhou Yanru and Chen Xinjia hurriedly bowed down again. Especially Chen Xinjia, who was still busy going back to deal with matters such as convicting Hong Chengchou and preparing for public memorials.

However, it seemed that Providence did not intend to let them stop, and at the same time that the two of them slowly withdrew from the Wenhua Palace, eunuchs and people from the Ministry of Troops came in.

"Your Majesty! Emergency military intelligence! Henan emergency military situation! Wang Qiaonian, the governor of the three sides of Shaanxi, was besieged by Li Zicheng in the area of Xiangcheng southwest of Luoyang since the middle of last month. Recently, it was reported that Xiangcheng had been breached, and Wang Qiaonian was killed in battle.

The three generals under Wang Qiaonian's command sat back and watched the trap and refused to rescue. Yang Sichang and Zuo Liangyu in Yuncheng and Yexian were also unable to forge ahead and could not be rescued.

According to rumors, Li Zicheng coerced the power of killing the two governors in a row, and the momentum was great among the thieves, far away from Luo and Ma two thieves. A few days after killing Wang Qiao, Li Zicheng actually lured Luo and Ma at the celebration banquet, and killed Luo Rucai and Ma Shouying, and now the three thieves and soldiers have all been annexed by Li Zicheng's family! I'm afraid there are no less than 300,000 people! ”

Hearing this bad news, Zhou Yanru and Chen Xinjia were shocked: "Wang Qiaonian is also gone?" It's only been three months since Fu Zonglong was killed, right? Fu Zonglong, the former governor of the three sides of Shaanxi, was he just killed when he was in Layue? ”

The bad news of the Ming Dynasty is really one after another, Liaodong has just died, and Shaanxi and Henan are going to die again.

The two of them were surprised, but their hearts were extremely desolate: it seems that this Shaanxi is really a bottomless pit, and after more than ten years of disasters, no one who goes to Shaanxi can stop the boundless thieves, alas.

It's just that the emperor is very strong, and he can't say this.

Chongzhen was also shocked when he heard the bad news, but in addition to his grief, he felt a cool breath rising from the spinal marrow: "He really guessed correctly!" ”

Zhou Yanru and the others were stunned for a while, looked at each other, and asked cautiously: "Your Majesty said that you guessed right?" ”

Chongzhen glared at them: "It's a shame that you are still the elders of the ministry and the pavilion, and you don't even study!" Haven't you read Shen Shuren's "Theory of Thieves"? I said that I want all the ministers to read it well!

Shen Shuren said bluntly, saying that the thief Zhang Shun has an advantage that the rest of the thieves do not have, they cut off their children and grandchildren, and they are good at letting others use for their own use, and the thieves will merge sooner or later, and it will inevitably end with Li and Zhang Deli, Luo and Ma being victimized!

I originally thought that this was just an idle move by him to divide the thieves, but I didn't expect him to be right! is such a miracle, it can be described as a knowing soldier. If such a genius is allowed to be the governor of the three sides of Shaanxi, I don't know if he can predict the enemy and destroy the thieves first! ”

Zhou Yanru and Chen Xinjia were dumbfounded when they heard this, and hurriedly persuaded the emperor to calm down: "Your Majesty! Shen Shuren has just been promoted to Wanfu, and His Majesty is already afraid that he is too young and will not be rewarded for his achievements. Now that he has not made new contributions, how can he be promoted to the governor of the tripartite? The responsibilities of the governor of the three sides are higher than that of the governor of a province. ”

Chongzhen thought about it, and it was indeed his impulsive dizziness.

How can you think that whoever is talented will be promoted regardless of everything, the key is to have merit. Now is not the end of Qin, and King Chu Huai can directly make Song Yi a general because Song Yi can guess accurately because of a divine prophecy.

What's more, even if it was a dynasty that didn't talk about officialdom and seniority in the early years, Song Yi, who relied on God's prophecy to parachute into the throne, wasn't he killed by Xiang Yu with a knife?

Chongzhen sighed: "That's the plan for today, what can I do? How to let Shen Shuren contribute to the containment of the thieves? If you don't get promoted, there's always a way to contribute, right? ”

Zhou Yanru and Chen Xinjia thought about it, and after a little total, he first made a compromise suggestion to Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, please also select another minister who knows the soldiers as the governor of the three sides of Shaanxi, and the name is correct and reasonable." The ministers recommended one person: Sun Chuanting, who was questioned and imprisoned a few years ago, may be available.

After Sun Chuanting took over Wang Qiaonian's generals, His Majesty could issue another decree that Yang Sichang and Zuo Liangyu must cooperate with Sun Chuanting, and they should no longer be as timid as when they cooperated with Wang Qiaonian. In addition, you can issue an edict to sink the tree people to assist Yang Sichang. ”

Of course, these people didn't know that Shen Shuren didn't want to fight against Li Zicheng at all, but only wanted to deal with Zhang Xianzhong, so they sold Shen Shuren without hesitation.

Chongzhen also learned to be obedient this time, afraid that he would encounter generals and civil officials and governors who would not listen to the announcement, so he hurriedly said that he could promise benefits first, and let Zhou Yanru find a way to tell Shen Shuren that as long as he helped the war well and had merit, he would be named "Krupp".

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