Eccentric Pass, inside the town.

The military council continued after dark, and the city was heavily guarded that night, and the night guards inside and outside the city shuttled between the streets and the fortresses, creating a sense of imminent war in the city.

But the main generals in the city knew that the battle seemed to be unfought, because the two sides were only trying to harass sexually, and there was no sign of a decisive battle.

“…… The fire sieve sent three groups of men and horses one after another, and attacked more than a dozen earthen forts around the Yatou Pass, although no one has been reported to have been taken captive, but more than a dozen cattle have been lost, and there are two scouts who have not heard from them after leaving the city, if they sit back and ignore it again, it will be the same as the situation that my father encountered in Yulinwei, and Di Yi will also intensify his ......"

Zhu Feng presided over the military meeting, and Wang Qiong next to him was also listening as the governor of the partial pass, in addition to Liu Jin, the eunuch of the supervising army, and two deputy commanders, Xiangcheng Bo Li Yan and Wuping Bo Chen Xun.

Li Yan and Chen Xun have been following Wang Yuezhen to guard the partial pass, and they are very familiar with the local situation, and if someone else is replaced as the chief military officer, they will definitely not accept it...... Why should the Lord be dead, and shouldn't be replaced by our two knowledgeable lieutenants?

But now it's Zhu Feng here......

The ministers of the DPRK and China looked down on Zhu Feng very much, but Zhu Feng's prestige in the Bitou Pass was still quite high, and even Li Yan and Chen Xun had no opinion on Zhu Feng.

Who let this be a young general that Wang Yue admired very much before he died?

What's more...... Zhu Feng has a background in the court, and this kind of background is what worries the northwest military circles the most.

So when Zhu Feng arrived at the Partial Pass, he did not encounter resistance like when he was in Ningyuan, and the whole army was almost willing to listen to his dispatch, which also indirectly made Wang Qiong enjoy a little convenience.

Originally, Wang Qiong thought that she would encounter all kinds of white eyes after coming to the side pass, and even had to help Zhu Feng wipe her buttocks, but now she found that she had received Zhu Feng's benefits.

After listening to Zhu Feng's opening remarks, Chen Xun said: "An Bianhou, it's not the people below who pour cold water, now the Tartars are a hundred miles north of the Guansai, and their attacks are also based on the camp a hundred miles away, if we push the chariot out, the artillery and so on have not yet reached their camp, they will send cavalry to harass, let me wait for a dilemma." ”

"And I'm afraid that the tartars will go around the back...... Our remote pass is different from the other place, and it is more important than anything else to defend this ruined wall, you say? ”

Chen Xun almost said, we don't care what kind of embarrassment your father encountered in Yansui.

Our opinion is that if you don't go out of the city, you will be able to do nothing.

Zhu Fengzhi didn't know what to say.

Wang Qiong said: "Now that Hu Lu is in transgression, should I just sit idly by?" If one of you is not very kidnapped, and the court will investigate it at that time, will you all have to wait for meritorious service with your guilt? Now An Bianhou is just arranging a surprise attack and harassment...... You also know that this barrier cannot be defended, so why not turn defense into attack? ”

The generals below are cautious, but Wang Qiong is not so timid, as a famous military commander in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the enemy is afraid and does not dare to set up the camp within a hundred miles of the partial pass, if the troops are sent at this time, they are still afraid of wolves and tigers......

Is my Wang going to go back to the DPRK in the future?

"This ......" Chen Xun saw that he couldn't persuade these two airborne bigwigs, and turned to look at Li Yan on the side.

Li Yan asked: "Wang Zhongcheng, dare to ask you, do you mean that this is calculated by the Zhang Immortal Master in the court, saying that it is such a dispatch of troops, can you get a great victory?" ”

"Yes, yes, yes." Chen Xun also seems to be the key to finding the problem.

Not to mention the two of them, even the rest of the generals present looked at Wang Qiong with eager eyes.

Everyone's eyes were urgent, it seemed that in their opinion, only Zhang Zhou's prophecy was the absolute "authority", after all, Zhang Zhou had twice predicted the direction of the grassland tribe's attack, and achieved two hearty victories, and now the army is waiting to make meritorious contributions with Zhang Zhou.

Wang Qiong was really stunned at this time.

No wonder this group of people has been very flattering and stammering to us from the beginning, not because Zhu Zhijie is famous, but because we are with Zhang Bingkuan, they are extremely flattering to Zhang Bingkuan, and they are polite to us.

"Brother Zhang, he ......"

Zhu Feng is an honest and good boy, and in the face of the problems of Li Yan and other generals, he doesn't want to hide it.

But Wang Qiong interrupted Zhu Feng's words and said: "This is indeed what Zhang Shi said, and it was also arranged by the governor of the Houjun Governor's Mansion and the governor of the Houjun Prefecture, do you still have any doubts?" ”

"Huh?" Zhu Feng was taken aback at first.

However, his head is also flexible, and he understands that Wang Qiong deliberately said this in order to inspire people.

So Zhu Feng will not demolish Wang Qiong.

"That's good, that's good, you all hear that, right? We have another chance to make a contribution! Li Yan looked excited.

The generals around the sand table were also talking, and their faces showed joy.

It seems that with Zhang Zhou's guidance, their military exploits are at their fingertips.

Chen Xun was a little suspicious and said: "Even if we send troops, should we wait for Qin Lao to reach the border first?" I heard that he was already on his way. ”

Wang Qiong said: "The opportunity must not be lost and will not come again, we must take advantage of Hulu's unstable foothold, send cavalry to attack it, and then prepare with artillery arrays." Only by driving Hu Lu out of the 200 miles around the partial pass can we ensure the safety of the partial pass. Don't wait for the Hulu to come before you defend...... To take the initiative, this is also His Majesty's entrustment. ”

Li Yanle hugged his fists and said: "The last general will obey the order!" ”

Chen Xun was taken aback, usually Li Yan can shirk it better than him, but this time he looks like he has been beaten with chicken blood, he seems to understand that now the whole army is waiting to grab the merit, and he can only hurry up to receive the order, so as not to fall behind.

……

……

The military council then laid out the policy of sending cavalry that night to surprise the camp of the Fire Sieve Department a hundred miles away.

After the meeting, Zhu Feng was a little annoyed, because Zhang Zhou didn't give him too much advice this time, which made him feel bottomless.

"Zhijie."

Wang Qiong told Li Yan, who was in charge of leading the troops, to come back, and when he saw Zhu Feng sitting there, the whole person was like a depressed big boy, and Wang Qiong was actually speechless.

You're all here to be the chief officer, why are you still like a frosted eggplant?

"Wang Langzhong." Zhu Feng looked up, but still couldn't lift his spirits.

Wang Qiong said: "Zhijie, as the chief soldier, you should also have some momentum, you see how much the army respects you after you reach the partial pass?" Everyone regards you as Wang Weining's second, and they are all waiting to go out with you on the battlefield, why are you still so sluggish? ”

Zhu Feng sighed pitifully: "I may ...... It's not this material. ”

"Alas!" Wang Qiong was a little helpless.

Zhu Feng really dares to think and dare to say, now that the army is about to go on the march, you actually say that you are not the material to be a chief military officer?

But for some reason, Wang Qiong couldn't bring up that kind of indisputable hatred for Zhu Feng.

Wang Qiong thought about it, probably because although this kid is like a melon, he is not ambiguous when he really fights, coupled with his sincere attitude, what he pursues is an ordinary and simple life, and the purity and goodness in his heart can't help but make people hate him.

To put it bluntly, this kid is too honest.

Be honest to cute, not hateful.

"Wang Langzhong, this time the cavalry only carries bows and arrows and firearms, and the firecrackers can only fire one shot, and there are only 3,000 cavalry, in case the main force of the Chinese army of the fire screen is over there, is it possible that the 3,000 cavalry will not return?" Zhu Feng said, "If I, the chief military officer, didn't lead the troops, and the front line was damaged, I'm afraid that the imperial court would investigate it." ”

Wang Qiong said: "You don't have to worry, your task is to guard the fortress of the partial pass." As far as I expected, the Tatars are just putting pressure on us, and then they are more prepared for internal strife in the steppe, and when we are strong, they must be weak...... How do they know how powerful the firearms we bring with us are? ”

Zhu Feng was stunned and asked, "That means...... This time to intimidate them? ”

Wang Qiong sighed and said: "Otherwise, let them harass around the remote pass every day, and grow their ambition to destroy our prestige?" We did this, even if there was a slight loss, but in order to knock the mountain and shock the tiger, the bows and arrows and firearms brought by the soldiers did not necessarily directly knock down the bird after launching, but as long as the guns were released, the bird woke up and flew away, and the intention was achieved. ”

Zhu Feng was stunned when he heard this: "It's still Wang Langzhong's foresight, I'm ...... No way. ”

"Zhijie, you can."

Wang Qiong said, "Don't say it's Wei Ninghou, even I admire you a lot, you dare to act as a young man, this kind of temperament is rare in the army." Even if you want to be an idler in Jingshi in the future, I'm afraid it's not so easy, people with the ability have the ability everywhere, even if you go to the Beijing camp, you can still shine. Alright, get ready, and wait for the surprise attack from tonight to tomorrow! ”

……

……

Wang Qiong was very eager to fight, except that he judged the situation and thought that there was a chance.

also because he knew that Qin Hong would arrive at the partial pass in a few days, and any strategy at that time would come from Qin Hong, and his chances of Wang Qiong's meritorious service in the northwest would not be so great, after all, after Qin Hong arrived at the partial pass, he, the governor, was more to prepare for heavy grain and grass, and he became the person in charge of logistics.

It's rare to have a good opportunity, Zhu Feng still listens to him, and Zhang Zhou's prophecy is a cover, he won't miss this kind of good opportunity.

Of course, he also knew that if he lost this battle, or if his strategic intentions were not achieved, he would encounter what kind of backlash he would encounter if he let the soldiers of the Fire Sieve Department overwhelm the border...... The emperor would not let him go.

It's okay, you dare to use the prophecy I like to deceive people? Bingkuan said that he didn't say this, the officers and soldiers in the army don't know, can't I be clear?

So for Wang Qiong, this battle can only be won and not defeated.

……

The capital, the early dynasty.

On the first day, the inner government folded the money, and the Wenchen and Wuxun in Beijing all got the money they had owed for many years, with a few taels or dozens of taels, and a few hundred taels or thousands of taels.

In the morning, as usual, the ministers wanted to give thanks.

When the ministers met in the morning, everyone had a smile on their faces, and the first thing they said was to ask, "How much did you fold?" ”

"I only entered the court last year, but it was only twenty taels."

"I'm better here, more than forty taels ......"

"Hahaha."

Literati love money, but they can't all show their love for money, and now they have got what should belong to them, so there is nothing to hide, but they want to show off to the outside world.

The middle- and lower-level officials have a small proportion of money, and their monthly income is also small, and they don't get much, but it is enough for them to settle their families.

As for those bigwigs such as Shangshu, Shilang, and Zhengqing, they don't seem to be willing to talk about this directly in front of people.

"Mmmm, don't talk about irrelevance." Xie Qian walked over with a straight face, and saw a group of officials from the six ministries talking about the money, and reminded him in a serious tone.

Someone asked, "Elder Xie Ge, how much did you redeem?" ”

Xie Qian glared at the man viciously, and then walked to the front row.

Waiting for Xie Qian to walk a few steps away, someone said: "Xie Ge Lao, this is not to the silver and rice, so he has such a stinky face?" ”

"Xie Ge Lao has been an official in Beijing for the past ten years, and the money he folded out is less than a thousand, how can you compare with him?"

Hearing this number, everyone present couldn't help but be amazed.

Some people also commented: "If you buy a yard in the capital and buy a few more days, I'm afraid you won't need so much, right?" ”

The house price in the capital, the general courtyard of the single courtyard, is only eight or nine hundred taels of silver, the location is good, the mansion is only one or two thousand taels, Zhang Zhou now lives in the three-courtyard house, can be sold for more than two thousand taels, that lot can be said to be the mansion of the capital's dignitaries.

When everyone heard that Xie Qian could get a capital mansion by exchanging money once, they were naturally envious, jealous and hateful.

But they also know that there are only three pavilion elders in the capital, and not everyone has so many banknotes to fold.

……

……

The court meeting begins.

First by the household department of Shangshu Zhoujing, on behalf of the ministers to thank the table.

Zhu Youzhu said: "It's all what you deserve, you really don't have to feel it." However, it can be folded into ten percent, also because of ...... There is Zhang Qing's family to contribute money and efforts. ”

The ministers present were all suspicious.

The emperor obviously sent Dongchang to fold the colored money, how could there be anything about Zhang Zhou?

Even if Zhang Zhou cooperated, Your Majesty, isn't it a bit too deliberate to transfer favors to Zhang Zhou? Even if he contributes money and effort, to what extent? Don't be greedy for a lot of ink by him halfway, right?

Xiao Jing immediately walked out and said: "This time the banknotes are folded, and the inner treasury has a total of 4,700 taels of silver, Zhang Zhouna has 13,000 taels of positive silver, and His Majesty has promised to transfer 5,400 taels of silver...... and twenty-three thousand one hundred and twenty-two taels of silver. ”

The ministers present couldn't help but look at each other when they heard this.

We thanked the emperor for sending us money, but it turned out that the gratitude was wrong...... The relationship is that Zhang Zhou paid us out of his own pocket?

What are the rules?

He...... He actually has thirteen thousand taels of silver? How many days has he only been in the DPRK? What kind of property is this?

Donate ten sets of houses in the capital and give us money?

Liu Jian walked out and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to convert 10% of the banknotes, so there is really no need to ...... Let Zhang Shi talk about the cost. ”

Zhu Youzhu said: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the personal kindness of Zhang Qing's family, didn't you have a lot of criticism about me asking him to cast cannons before?" And the coal kiln that I gave him in the West Mountain, you also said that you had broken the rules so much. I have given him a lot of rewards, and he has not taken bribes from others, and everything he says and does in Beijing is under my supervision. ”

The emperor sent to tell this group of people that even if Zhang Zhouzhen had any illegal income, I would acquiesce, and even let him do it.

Don't be idle and pick on him.

"Originally, I couldn't do it by folding ten percent, but I added a few thousand taels of silver, and I couldn't live up to Bingkuan's heart." When Zhu Youzhu said this, he was still a little moved by himself.

Look at your group of ministers, who are usually critical of me in every way, and have a lot of criticism of Bingkuan.

But at the critical time, isn't it that the two of us have joined forces to pay you wages?

But for the Chancellor...... They will not be grateful, because in their opinion, it is natural to give money to the court, especially those corrupt officials, and they still don't look down on the silver of folding money.

Zhu Youzhu sighed: "I know that although being an official in Beijing is noble, he is also hard, unlike the magistrate who will set up a name to collect envy, and most of you have to rely on this little money in your hands to survive." The more noble the public house, the more serious the situation. This time, Zhang Qing's family is willing to take out the silver and fold the money for you, and don't find fault with him too much. ”

Although the ministers still had opinions in their hearts, the money they received was real.

Zhu Youzhi hit the railroad while it was hot: "I can't take his silver for nothing, I am going to let him open a few mines around Jingshi, so that it can be regarded as making up for his losses." ”

"Your Majesty......" Zhou Jing used to express his gratitude on behalf of the officials, but now he also came out to oppose it on behalf of the civil officials.

"Zhou Qingjia, you listen to me first." Zhu Youzhu said impatiently, "At present, the situation in the northwest is changeable, and what can deter Di Yi from being subservient is artillery and mighty heavenly gunpowder, and the preparation of these two things depends more on the accumulation of mine veins, with the current output of coal and iron around Jingshi, can it be enough to cope with the expenses?" ”

Zhou Jing suddenly found that his own household secretary had also become a typical example of talking on paper.

He was speechless when asked by the emperor.

Zhu Youzhu said: "I also said first, only gave him coal and iron ore, and at most saltpeter ore, all of which were given to him for the preparation of firearms. And he will not give him the current kiln, but let him dig it himself, and if anyone really wants to donate the kiln, it is not impossible to ......"

"I also consulted with him, and he agreed to give 20% of the mine's revenues as an additional mining tax. The purpose of this batch of mining taxes is to fold money for your family...... If it is feasible, all your banknotes will be discounted by 10% in the next few years. ”

"Huh?!"

The ministers present were in an uproar.

And our share?

Originally, there were already six departments ready to come out to admonish them, but after hearing this, those people took half a step back and immediately regained their minds, and they all watched coldly if they didn't care about themselves.

Ten percent folded!

At least twenty or thirty taels of silver a year, this is only about seven grades of general things, if it is those in the court, outside the Lang, there are forty taels of money every year, if it goes up......

In the past, the banknotes were not converted, just like the banknotes after the sixth year of Hongzhi, didn't they be redeemed until today?

If it was just a blank check, the ministers present would not believe it, the key was that Zhang Zhou had already taken out more than 10,000 taels of silver and paid the full amount of money for nearly six years at once......

Now there are so many more money every year, who is not impressed when they hear it?

In particular, the officials of the noble yamen who did not have the way of corrupting the law were even more moved when they heard this.

Eating people with soft mouths and short hands, in their opinion, this kind of thing is "inconvenient" to oppose.

(End of chapter)