Zhang Zhou arrived in Beijing on August 20, after August 15, more than three months after his expedition.

Originally, he still had the idea of staying in the northwest for a year and a half, and he could complete the task and come back in three months, which could be regarded as a complete merit for Zhang Zhou, and before he came back, he thought that he would live a normal life after he came to Beijing.

Leading troops to help Duoyan Sanwei?

Inexistent.

Zhang Zhou returned to Beijing in a low-key manner, and on the same day, except for Xiao Jing who learned the news in advance and went to Xizhimen to greet him, even the cabinet and the sixth ministry did not know the news of his return.

After Zhang Zhou entered the city, he went straight to the palace.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youzhu prepared a table and chairs for Zhang Zhou early, and even asked people to move the huge sand table over, just to be able to deduce the war in the north with Zhang Zhou.

Before Zhang Zhou arrived, Zhu Youzhu had already scratched his ears and cheeks a little, which made Dai Yi and several other eunuchs feel that the emperor was a bit like his son Zhu Houzhao...... In the past, Zhu Houzhao likes to do this kind of thing.

"Your Majesty."

There was a person coming in outside, it was Chen Kuan.

Zhu Youzhu asked eagerly, "Are you here?" ”

Chen Kuan said: "Back to Your Majesty, it is Zhang Yong who has arrived." ”

"Oh, let him in."

In addition to summoning Zhang Zhou back to the dynasty this time, Zhu Youzhi also recalled Zhang Yong, not that Zhu Youzhu felt that it was useless for Zhang Yong to stay in the northwest, but he wanted to arrange Zhang Yong to go to Liaodong to replace the town guard eunuch Ren Liang, and remove Liaodong from the governor to the town guard eunuch, and then to the military generals below.

Immediately Zhang Yong came in and kowtowed to Zhu Youji.

Zhu Youzhu smiled and said: "It's rare, you have worked hard in the northwest, it was Bingkuan who discovered and valued you, you have to know the kindness." ”

As soon as Zhang Yong heard this, he was wondering, who is this for me to report? Repay the emperor? Or repay Zhang Zhou?

"Slaves and maids must do their best to die for the Ming Dynasty." Zhang Yong himself is not a cultural person, anyway, he is loyal in front of the emperor.

Zhu Youzhu said: "If you can't do your best, you must also know how to obey orders, don't act arbitrarily, the situation in Liaodong is not as good as the towns in the northwest." Jiliao and other places have always been the focus of the defense of Gyeonggi in the Ming Dynasty. ”

"Yes."

Zhang Yong knew in advance that he might be transferred to Liaodong, and he was still very excited.

Compared with the layout of the Ming Dynasty in the northwest for hundreds of years, the officials and generals are monolithic, and Liaodong is uncertain because of the establishment and territory...... Mainly exists in the Ming Dynasty's free collection and release of some vassal states, which will make Liaodong closer to a kind of territorial boundary...... The oil and water are very abundant.

This was Wei Bin's land before, and Chen Kuan and other ceremonial eunuchs also benefited a lot from it.

This time, Zhang Yong felt that he didn't need to listen to the celebrants, just listen to Zhang Zhou alone.

Zhu Youzhu nodded and said: "Bingkuan will come later, let him guide you well in the next two days, as for who will be the governor of Liaodong in the past two days, I will wait to discuss with Bingkuan before making a decision." ”

Originally, Dai Yi and Chen Kuan also felt that although the eunuch guarding Liaodong was replaced by Zhang Yong, they could still make some fuss about the issue of generals and install more of their own people.

Now they know that the emperor's decision does not mean that he is not ready to take the decision in his hands, but that he has to wait for discussion with Zhang Zhou first...... This also means that both the ministers of the court and the members of their ceremonial supervisors have lost control of the Liaodong general system.

……

……

Zhang Zhou then followed Xiao Jing to the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Youzhi was very happy to see Zhang Zhou, and went to the door to greet him in person, and grabbed Zhang Zhou's arm and pulled it inside: "Bingkuan, you are back, I have not slept well in the past two days, and I can't sleep all night when I think that you are coming back." Take a look at what I've got in store for you. ”

Zhu Youzhu pulled Zhang Zhou to the Qianqing Palace, and what he saw was not the sand table and the map.

It is an antique treasure that Zhu Youzhu asked people to select from the inner treasury.

"Your Majesty, what are you ......" Zhang Zhou looked embarrassed.

Zhu Youzhu said with a smile: "Bingkuan, we are all our own people, and we will see the outside world if we talk too much." You also know that the imperial court is now short of silver, and there are not too many rewards in the treasury, and there are many things in the northwest that need you to raise them personally. Just don't dislike it. ”

Zhang Zhou shook his head with a smile when he heard this: "Your Majesty doesn't have to be like this, the minister is not interested in this." ”

Dai Yi said with a smile: "Mr. Zhang, this is all Your Majesty's heart, in order to select these, I have selected them from some rosters for a long time. ”

In fact, there is no need for Dai Yi to explain, Zhang Zhou can see that the gifts given to him by Zhu Youzhi are really rich, and these things are hidden in the palace and cannot be realized.

But Zhu Youzhu has not experienced this kind of cultural cultivation since he was a child, and he almost spent his time in fear before he became emperor, and he didn't have the heart to care about things other than his life.

When he became an emperor and was taught to refrain from self-denial, he faced such a group of old-fashioned ministers all day long, and his body was so weak...... Can you rarity antique calligraphy and paintings?

The treasures looted by the emperors in front of Zhu Youzhi have become "flashy" things here in Zhu Youji, but they are not distressed at all when they are used to reward Zhang Zhou, and they are a bit of "cubs selling their fields".

"Your Majesty, you don't have to worry about the minister's side, the minister will bring you something." Zhang Zhoudao.

"Oh?" Zhu Youji's eyes lit up.

This side does not wait for the emperor's reward, and the courtiers still have to give gifts to the emperor, and even a few eunuchs next to him who were still a little jealous of Zhang Zhou were ashamed when they heard the words.

This state of mind alone can't be compared.

Zhang Zhoudao: "In the past few months in the northwest, in addition to asking about military and political affairs, and then to explore ore veins for people to open mines, the rest of the government affairs are mostly handed over to the local governor to complete, and the affairs of the army basically do not interfere with the general military office, what the minister is thinking about is how to suppress those jackals in the grassland by force." ”

Zhu Youzhu smiled and asked, "Is it a new firearm?" ”

"Hmm." Zhang Zhou nodded, "The most important thing is the flint gun, which has already exerted its power in the battle of Weininghai, in fact, it can be ignited and launched at any time without the use of fire ropes, and the effect is very good." In addition, the range has been further improved, and the speed of firing has also been greatly improved. ”

"Where?" Zhu Youzhi heard Zhang Zhou say it so well, so he naturally wanted to see it for himself.

Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, how can you bring such a dangerous thing in the palace?" After all, when a firearm is in use, there is still a risk of exploding. Your Majesty must not be in danger. When there is leisure, the ministers will go to the martial arts arena to demonstrate for His Majesty. ”

"Hmm." Zhu Youzhu smiled and nodded, very satisfied with this.

I just felt that the yellow powder and new artillery had qualitatively improved the strength of the Ming border army.

is still worried that Di Yi will learn the new technology of the Ming Dynasty, so Zhang Zhou will keep pace with the times and continue to improve firearms, and it is not wrong to govern the army and improve firearms...... This shows Zhang Zhou's great sense of responsibility.

Not to mention Zhu Youji, an emperor who has great respect for Zhang Zhou, even Dai Yi and Wei Bin are wondering in their hearts, whether it is really incomparable or not, or don't think about how to fight, think about how to tie up with this one, it would be good to get along in harmony in the future.

Zhang Zhoudao: "In addition to the new weapons, the minister also brought back some wealth, about 20,000 taels. ”

"Wealth?" Zhu Youzhu smiled bitterly.

When the emperor was about to reward the minister, the minister brought money to the emperor? Although 20,000 taels doesn't sound like much, compared to those ministers who only reach out to the court to ask for money, Zhang Zhou's creativity is actually very good.

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "This is only the first batch, that is, the mining tax paid by the Datong Coal Mine and the Xuanfu Iron Mine. ”

"Mining tax?" Dai Yi on the side widened.

Zhang Zhou said before opening the mine that he would pay part of the income from the mining to the imperial court, which was actually paid to the emperor himself and transferred by the inner government.

This is also the regulation of the Wanli mining tax later.

At that time, no one would have thought that Zhang Zhou's collection of mining taxes could take effect in a short period of time, but Zhang Zhou proved with practical actions that if he wanted to open up the source for the inner government, it was not just lip service, but could bring direct benefits.

"It's only equivalent to one month's mining tax, which is only the income before the current mining is promoted, which is equivalent to 250,000 taels a year." Zhang Zhoudao, "If it goes well, by this time next year, the monthly mining tax should be more than 50,000 or 60,000 taels, or even close to 100,000 taels." ”

Zhu Youji's eyes were shining, probably shining with gold and silver.

Dai Yi on the side asked in surprise: "Really?" ”

Zhu Youzhu said: "Yes, Bingkuan, you don't have to work so hard, these mining taxes should be used more in the northwest." ”

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, the minister told you that the purpose of the minister's mining is to use coal and iron to cast artillery and new firearms for the Northwest Frontier Army, which is what the minister can do. As for the mining tax collected, it will be used for your majesty's dispatch, and part of it can be used to alleviate the expenses of the northwest frontier. ”

"The remaining part can also be used as His Majesty's usual call, and the minister's side does not need to lose, because the part of the minerals will also fall to the minister's side. In the first few years, the minister would not think about using this to seek personal interests for himself, but more to reserve for the pacification of the grassland. ”

Zhu Youzhu sighed: "Bingkuan, you don't have to be like this. I...... I didn't give it to you, did you still let you give it to me? ”

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "The minister actually has nothing, isn't this mine also given by His Majesty?" ”

Zhu Youzhu said: "That's your own mine." ”

"Your Majesty, all the four seas are royal land, and the ministers are not unwealthy, but everything must be subordinated to the military and political affairs of the northwest first." Zhang Zhou also planned his blueprint for Zhu Youji, "The minister's idea is that within four or five years, the northwest can raise enough firearms, so that the soldiers are strong and the horses are strong, and then the troops can be sent to the grassland." ”

Zhu Youzhu asked: "Then Bingkuan, do you have a decision about Duoyan Sanwei's request for Daming to send troops?" ”

Don't ask you what your opinion is, just ask, what do you decide.

This is actually saying, you can rest assured, I will listen to you anyway.

Zhang Zhoudao: "The meaning of the minister, Duoyan Sanwei usually does not pay tribute to the court, does not follow the king's Taoism, but now in times of crisis, he thinks of sending troops to help with the Ming Dynasty, which is against the way of the monarch and the minister, so he ignores it." And announced to the world that if you still want to get the protection of the Ming Sect Master, you must abide by the way of the ministers, not make a temporary decision. ”

"Haha." Zhu Youzhu was greatly relieved and said, "It's exactly what I want." ”

Dai Yi asked in surprise, "What about ...... Then it doesn't matter? ”

Zhang Zhou said with a smile: "I didn't say that I didn't care about it at all, didn't I already mention it to Your Majesty, to strengthen the vigilance of Liaodong?" If the little Tatar prince breaks the Duoyan Sanwei, or cripples them and incorporates them, then they may march to Liaodong, and now there are Duoyan Sanwei in the east and west, Korea in the east, and Jurchen in the north...... In the future, it is likely to become the focus of Daming's defense. ”

"Liaodong is geographically advantageous, closer to Gyeonggi, and the defense of the border towns of the Ming Dynasty can not be top-heavy, so the minister's meaning, in the future, we must first ensure the defense of Liaodong, and then talk about progress."

Zhu Youzhi had an extremely trusting look on his face, squinted his eyes and nodded, "Very good, very good." With Bingkuan here, no matter what you say or do, I feel that I have the bottom in my heart. ”

Now even Dai Yi and they have to obey.

Sure enough, some words came out of Zhang Zhou's mouth, that is, the Minister of Chinese Wu of Bichao said them, making them feel at ease.

How else to say it, now the Ming border politicians look at Zhang Zhou?

It's not that the emperor trusts Zhang Zhou, but that Zhang Zhou does have that ability...... The emperor's trust also comes from the display of Zhang Zhou's strength, if Zhang Zhou can only talk about the art of war and not the actual operation, it is strange that the emperor can respect him.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, the minister also plans to open an iron mine around Yongping Mansion, and the iron ore mine around Xuanfu has not yet met expectations. ”

"Okay." Zhu Youzhu nodded, "It's up to you." ”

……

……

Zhu Youzhu pulled Zhang Zhou to sit down, and the rest of the people stood and listened to their two gentlemen and ministers talking.

The more Zhu Youzhu spoke, the happier he became, but when he got to the back, he couldn't help but ask the doubts in his heart: "Bingkuan, tell me about it, if the little prince of Tatar sends troops to Duoyan Sanwei, what will be the result?" ”

He will want Zhang Zhou to give full play to the potential of the magic stick.

"Your Majesty, with the strength of the three guards, you will not be able to withstand the attack of the little prince of Tatar, but you will not be wiped out because of this." Zhang Zhoudao.

"Oh?"

Zhu Youzhu asked, "But that Batu Munch, will he keep his hand?" ”

Zhang Zhoudao: "This is the case with the grassland dispute, Batu Munch wants to be the co-leader of the grassland, if he does not fight against the fire sieve, he may not be able to kill them all, let alone Duoyan, a few tribes that do not have much strength." ”

Zhang Zhou is not casually analyzing, he has a basis for saying this.

"In the spring of the seventeenth year of Hongzhi, the enemy (Dayan Khan) wrote to ask for tribute, but he did not come...... In June, the fire was sifted into Datong, and Zheng Yuli was killed in battle. The enemy moved eastward, and the Duoyan Department was ...... In autumn and July, Duoyan led the enemy into Kou Datong, killed the Dun army, committed Xuanfu and Zhuang Lang, and guarded the ...... of the generals Wei Yong and Bai Yu

This clearly shows the methods used by Batu Munch to deal with Duoyan Sanwei in history.

Taking advantage of the fire to screen Koubian at the same time, he sent troops to the east to cripple Duoyan, and Batu Munke was the nominal Khan of the grassland after all, and Duoyan immediately helped the Dayan Kou Daming border after he was completely obedient.

Zhu Youzhu asked eagerly: "What is the number of days of the little prince of Tatar?" ”

This is the problem...... It's a clear foul.

Zhang Zhou told Zhu Youzhi that the number of lives is not accurate, but the emperor now probably hates Batu Munch to the core, thinking about killing the other party as soon as possible, and if he can't die, he at least wants to hear how many years the other party can live, and it is best to know how he died.

Zhang Zhoudao: "Your Majesty, this question can't be answered by the minister. ”

"Alas!" Zhu Youzhu sighed, "I don't know if I shouldn't ask, but in fact, I was thinking, Tatar has been respectful to the Ming Dynasty for the past ten years, why is it like this now?" ”

Zhang Zhouxin said, now you feel pressured?

If you don't have me, in a few years, you will be more stressed.

In the early days of your son's succession, even more, after Batu Munke conquered the Mongolian right wing in the fifth year of Zhengde, the encroachment on the Ming Dynasty increased day by day, until it reached its peak in the eleventh year of Zhengde.

"(Zhengde 10 years) the northern Tatars entered the Kou, from the Xuanfu Dabaiyang to Badaling, wantonly killing and plundering, will peep into the Yongguan Pass...... In August Bingyin, the little prince committed Guyuan and Pingliang, killing and plundering the officials and people......"

"(Zhengde 11th year) July Yiwei, the little prince entered the ...... with 70,000 horsemen The security guards all commanded Zhu Shou to go to the aid with troops, but after a while, the enemy rode to the advantage, and the crowd was outnumbered, and Shou died in battle. Hao fought again and was defeated, and Zhu Chun and Wang Tang died. Zhang Yong met in Laoyingpo and was created to be a mediocre person. The enemy then invaded Xuanfu, and if he broke through the castle for twenty years, he killed and plundered tens of thousands of people and animals......"

"(Zhengde 12 years) the little prince with 50,000 horses from Yulin into the Kou, Jiachen on the second day, the siege of the general soldier Wang Xun is equal to Yingzhou. Emperor Xingyanghe, Ding Weichu on the fifth day, the emperor deployed, supervised the generals to help, fought to the death, and the enemy was slightly defeated. Tomorrow will come back to attack, from Chen to You, more than 100 battles. On the fifth day of the war, on the ninth day of the first month of Xinhai, the enemy led to the west, chased to Pinglu and Shuozhou, and the wind and black fog were strong, and the day was dark, and the emperor was returned, stationed in Datong, and ordered Xuanjie to ...... in the court"

"Yes, the enemy is on the side, but he doesn't dare to enter."

"It's the year, Dayan Khan died."

That is to say, after Dayan Khan unified the grassland, he attacked and harassed the border areas of the Ming Dynasty for many years, killed and plundered countless people, and even often occupied and destroyed the border passes of the Ming Dynasty.

Don't look at Zhu Houzhao himself as a foolish king, he likes to play unreliable pro-conquest, but the biggest difference between Zhu Houzhao and Yingzong is that he used practical actions to suppress Dayan Khan during the victorious period.

Daming's record of the first battle of Yingzhou is extremely biased, obviously Zhu Houzhao won, but it is said that the two sides dispersed after the fierce battle because of the strong wind and black fog, and then said that Zhu Houzhao forcibly announced the victory.

As for whether Batu Munch died in the Battle of Yingzhou, there is no need to explore, Dayan Khan is more because he did not win this battle, and he died of depression after returning.

At least after the death of Dayan Khan, his son competed for the throne, and in the next twenty or thirty years, he would no longer be able to drive straight into the Ming Dynasty like Dayan Khan, and the next large-scale invasion would have to wait until the "Gengxu Change" in the 29th year of Jiajing.

"Your Majesty, as long as the Ming Dynasty is strong, the grassland will be weak, and this is a process of eliminating the other."

Zhang Zhou said, "We can't let Batu Munch subdue all the grassland tribes as he wishes, not only to send troops to attack and harass, but also to divide and disintegrate, just like a fire sieve, once bowed to Batu Munk, and now it is not nominally submissive to the Ming Dynasty?" ”

(End of chapter)