Several horsemen flew into the Beijing Division.

They brought the news of You Shilu's defeat to Emperor Chongzhen, who was in the deep palace.

The government and the opposition shook.

Under the plaque with "Nine Thoughts" written on it, Chongzhen took the newspaper and said to the ministers:

"You Shilu is also a veteran general on the battlefield, how can he easily fall for the enemy's plan to lure the enemy, lose his troops and lose his generals, and the deputy general Luo Dai died in battle!"

"Your Majesty, there is another inside story in this matter, and Rong Chen will play it."

Wen Tiren stepped forward.

"Speak!"

"Your Majesty, the 2.8 million taels of silver allocated by the imperial court to Xiong Wencan, Xiong Wencan did not issue it to You Shilu's corporal soldiers, which made the soldiers resentful.

In addition, the roads in the mountains are difficult to travel, and food supply is not easy. Xiong Wencan did not wait for the arrival of the grain ship in the south of the Yangtze River, and forced You Shilu to enter the mountains to encircle and suppress.

Heavy snow covered the mountains, and food could not reach the army. The food in the army was only enough for the whole army for two days, and it soon ran out of food.

The thief was extremely cunning, and ordered his son Zhang Kewang to deceive and defeat two battles, luring You Shilu deep into the mountains, and then ambushing the troops in all directions, which led to the fiasco of Fang County. ”

Wen Tiren understood it so clearly because You Shilu, who had lost the battle, played the court at the first time to explain the reasons for the defeat.

You Shilu should not have bypassed the governor and played the court without authorization.

But there was no way, this battle was lost too badly.

Of the more than 10,000 soldiers, there were only more than 1,000 left, and You Shilu's general soldier seal letter and banner were lost, and he was wounded.

If Xiong Wencan is allowed to unilaterally play the court and talk nonsense in the recital, then he will fall into a place of no return.

As for why Wen Tiren believes in You Shilu's performance so much.

That's because the "power gate" that Xiong Wencan bribed was actually not him, but Yao Minggong, the Zhan Shi of Zhan Shifu.

To put it bluntly, Yao Minggong and Xiong Wencan are in-laws. And Yao Minggong's close friend is Yang Sichang, the secretary of the Ministry of War!

Yes, Xiong Wencan was introduced to Yang Sichang by Yao Minggong.

However, Yang Sichang wanted to think about it again, and was recommended by Wen Tiren first.

Wen Tiren wants to take this opportunity to bring down Yang Sichang.

"Xiong Wencan is so useless, but Wen Qing's family recommended it to me at the beginning!"

Chongzhen was furious.

"Your Majesty, the minister only mistakenly thought that he was a great talent after seeing his achievements in Liangguang. He himself said in his recital that he would live up to the expectations of the saints. ”

Wen Tiren shook the pot: "Chen never expected that he would be so useless. The Ministry of War did not seriously investigate Xiong Wencan and reported it to Weichen. ”

This matter was pulled to Yang Sichang's head.

Yang Sichang had to stand up: "Your Majesty, the minister is indeed guilty of negligence. It's just that the minister can't figure it out, 2.8 million taels of silver, Xiong Wencan didn't send anything. ”

Chongzhen was also puzzled, so he said: "This matter must be investigated clearly, and immediately order the Jinyi guard to put Xiong Wencan in prison." Yang Aiqing, you can find a suitable person to play again. ”

"Minister, obey the order." Yang Sichang bent down to receive the order, "However, learn the lesson of the last time, and ask Your Majesty to allow Xiong Wencan to accept his guilt in office until the new governor takes office." ”

Chongzhen nodded in agreement.

Wen Tiren was dumbfounded, how could this matter be taken lightly by the emperor and not hold Yang Sichang responsible.

After thinking about it, it dawned on him that he had made a mistake!

Xiong Wencan was assessed by eunuchs sent by the emperor, and after passing, he appointed the governors of the five provinces.

Yang Sichang is giving the emperor a blame, and the emperor naturally turned a big thing into a small matter.

"Chen Baoju Xuanda Governor Lu Xiangsheng was promoted to the governor of the five provinces and presided over the encirclement and suppression."

Yang Sichang played.

"Hmm. Lu Xiangsheng is talented and talented, and he is a suitable candidate. ”

Chongzhen nodded, agreeing with Yang Sichang's words.

At this time, Wen Tiren stood up: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that Lu Xiangsheng is not suitable to be the governor of the five provinces. ”

"Why?" Chongzhen asked.

"Since Lu Xiang was promoted, the people have been stable, and the army has opened 300,000 mu, storing more than 200,000 stone grain rice, and Xigu more than 40,000 stone."

Wen Tiren said: "What is even more commendable is that he obtained war horses from Tumut and Transkhalkha through various horse markets, and co-opted them to contain Yang Chengying.

Such a great talent should continue to be placed on the northern border defense line, and work with Hong Chengchou to ensure the tranquility of the northern border of the Ming Dynasty. ”

Chongzhen thinks it makes sense.

Yang Sichang's heart sank for three points, and his brows furrowed, but he didn't dare to protect Lu Xiangsheng anymore.

"Actually, there is one person in the cabinet who is very suitable to serve as the governor of the five provinces."

When Wen Tiren said this, his eyes glanced at Yang Sichang.

Yang Sichang shuddered, isn't it embarrassing for me!

But he didn't dare to say "I can't do it", but stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the minister has been in the center for a long time, and I don't know the situation on the front line. ”

"Sun Chuanting's qualifications are too shallow, and being appointed governor of Shaanxi is already an exceptional promotion." Wen Tiren said.

Yang Sichang has to recommend again.

Chongzhen interrupted him: "Yang Aiqing, you go down first." After thinking clearly, I will play again, and I will make a decision after considering it all. ”

"Minister...... Obey! Yang Sichang had no choice but to retreat.

In fact, he had already sensed the emperor's intention - let him go to the military affairs of the five provinces.

People are self-aware, and Yang Sichang knows how capable he is. Live in the center, dispatch the Quartet, you can! Commanding the troops on the spot, no.

After returning to the mansion from the palace, Yang Sichang locked himself in the study and wrote a song.

But there has been no good idea to shirk this matter, so the writing stopped.

At this time, people from the house came to report that Yao Minggong came.

Yang Sichang got up and greeted the close friend.

As soon as Yao Minggong came in, he bowed his head and bowed: "Brother Fat Weng, I hurt you." ”

The fat man is Yang Sichang's number, and Yao Minggong is five years older than Yang Sichang.

"Hurry up, please get up, Xiong Wencan is to blame for this matter, what do you have to do with your brother?"

Yang Sichang held Yao Minggong and invited him to take a seat.

After Yao Minggong sat down, he sighed: "I was also deceived by him. On that day, he preached in front of me that the strategy of the thief was the way, but he was talking exaggeratedly. ”

"Wen Tiren has bad intentions, so he specially picked out Xiong Wencan and generously recommended it to His Majesty the Emperor, with the intention of harming me."

Yang Sichang said helplessly.

On that day, who succeeded Hong Chengchou as the governor of the five provinces, there were several candidates for the military department.

Among them was Wang Jiazhen, who was the left attendant of the military department at the time, and participated in the encirclement and suppression of the thief army with Hong Chengchou.

Yang Sichang thought that Wang Jiazhen was a mediocre talent, but he did not veto him, but just put his name and Xiong Wencan's together and prepared to perform it at the court meeting.

Who knew that Wen Tiren took the lead.

"I heard that Wen Tiren recommended Fat Man to be the governor of the five provinces, is there such a thing?"

Yao Minggong asked.

Yang Sichang nodded and said, "This is indeed the case." And looking at His Majesty's expression, it seems that he wants to agree. ”

"Wen Tiren's intentions are really vicious, he wants to take the opportunity to drive you out of the court."

Yao Minggong said: "Why not recommend others to serve as governors of the five provinces, such as Lu Xiangsheng, the governor of Xuanda, it is very suitable." ”

"The first person I recommended was him, but His Majesty rejected it."

"Why?"

"Lu Xiangsheng governs Xuanda and has quite a lot of political achievements. He also sent people to contact Transkhalkha and some small leaders in the Tumut tribe, and spread the news that Yang Chengying's Zasak was not recognized by the imperial court.

However, if they abandon the darkness and turn to the light, then he can ask the court for a reward, and he can be the sweat of the steppe! ”

"Lu Xiangsheng is very skilled, no wonder His Majesty refuses to let him take over the governors of the five provinces."

"It's just appearances, not real."