Qianqing Palace.

The members of the Beijing Hearing Office, Li Dongyang, Ma Wensheng, Zhang Mao and Wei Bin, participated in the proceedings of the Inner Court.

Xiao Jing, as the eunuch in charge of the seal, is no longer on duty at the Shangting Office, and Li Dongyang is still the representative of the cabinet at the Shangting.

Zhu Youzhu asked Wei Bin to hang a map of the north in the Qianqing Palace for a few people to see clearly, and asked Wei Bin to roughly mark the direction of Wang Shouren's march on the map...... This also let several members of the Shangting Office know how Wang Shouren made a detour behind enemy lines, and how he would force the little Tatar prince to withdraw his troops.

Wei Bin marked several points on the map at the same time and explained: "...... Tatar in Xuanfu, Biguan, Yansui and other places, all with heavy troops, the number of soldiers and horses are thousands away, in order to prevent the Ming border army from moving north......"

"The main force of the little Tatar prince on the western road of Ningxia has been determined to be between 40,000 and 50,000 soldiers and horses. Xinjian Bo led 6,000 troops, counting the schedule has passed the capital, which is where the little Tatar prince Chahar is stationed. Perimeter Guards Emptiness ......"

Huidu is not an unfamiliar term for the Ming Dynasty, although in the past hundred years, the Ming army's army has basically not reached so far.

But this is the place where Zhu Di, the king of Yan, did not spend the twenty-third year of Hongwu to conquer Naier.

In the ears of Li Dongyang and others, Wang Shouren was killed in the hinterland of the grassland, and even went to Mobei, a little step is too big and easy to pull, and he is afraid that his feet will never be recovered.

After Wei Bin explained, Li Dongyang said bluntly: "If you go so deep, I'm afraid that with 6,000 soldiers and horses, it will not be enough to retreat." ”

Zhu Youzhu asked: "Li Qing's family, are you worried that the six thousand soldiers and horses of Xinjian Bo will fall into the point of isolation?" ”

Li Dongyang said: "That's exactly what the minister meant. ”

Zhu Youzhu sighed: "In the past, I don't agree with such a lonely army, but I remember that Bingkuan said that since you want to pull with the grassland tribe, you must hit the vital point of these jackals with every whip, so that they will be afraid, if they wield the whip every time and the Ming dodge, they don't know how to be afraid, and they won't be truly tamed by the royal road." ”

Li Dongyang obviously didn't want to hear anything about the main attack or the main defense.

For civilian officials, what they want is stability, and everything must be under control, rather than going deep into adventurism alone.

"Your Majesty." Li Dongyang said seriously, "Even if most of the main Tatar forces are close to the Daming Pass, if the movement of Xinjian Bo in the hinterland of the grassland is known to the Tatars, the Tatars from all walks of life will definitely gallop to the north, and then there will be the main force of the Tatar little prince in front of the Xinjian Bosuo Department, and there will be Tatar reinforcements from all roads in the south. ”

"At this time, the Ming Xuanfu, Datong, Biguan and other places could not timely deploy additional troops and horses to help when they did not know the movements of people and horses in the grassland, nor did they know the location of the new Bosuo Department."

Zhu Youzhu asked: "So Li Ge always wants to say, will the six thousand soldiers and horses of the Ming Dynasty go and have no return?" ”

Li Dongyang arched his hand, and he didn't say anything ugly.

lest the emperor think that he was deliberately contradicting Zhang Zhou.

Zhu Youzhu said: "Then what is the strategy now?" Shall I send someone to summon Xinbo? ”

Li Dongyang did not speak.

Now it's too late to say anything, since the emperor ordered to send Wang Shouren to lead troops into the grassland, he should have considered all the adverse consequences.

"What I can do now is to keep the night on the front line of Xuanda, spy on Tatar intelligence, and if I detect that the main Tatar force is heading north, I will send troops from all directions to form a deterrent, so as to ensure that Xinjian Boneng will return safely with his troops."

Zhu Youji is obviously not unprepared.

Since he felt that Wang Shouren might fall into isolation, he would give him reinforcements.

As long as the little prince of Tatar retreated, the Ming Dynasty followed suit, and the two sides started a tug-of-war based on the Ming Pass, so that Batu Munch had no intention of devouring the 6,000 soldiers and horses of Wang Shouren's department.

Zhang Mao walked out and said, "Your Majesty is wise. ”

Li Dongyang thought that Zhang Mao had something high, but he didn't think that it was such an unconstructive speech, and he was about to say something more, but he saw that Ma Wensheng had also walked out of several people.

Seeing Marven rise out of the ranks, Li Dongyang knew that it was inconvenient for him to come forward and oppose anything at this time.

Ma Wensheng said: "Your Majesty, in this battle, the elite soldiers of the new Bo Yi Nuer Gandu Division entered the grassland westward, and the number of new artillery and new flint guns was large, if you rashly reinforced with other people, I am afraid that it will be blocked by the return of the little prince of Tatar, and the soldiers and horses of the Ming Xuanda and the three sides are not suitable for confronting the main Tatar force in the grassland." ”

Zhu Youzhu looked over and said, "Ma Qingjia, do you want to say, or sit back and watch Xinjian Bo be surrounded and ignore it, and let him and his six thousand soldiers fend for themselves?" ”

Ma Wensheng said with a resolute face: "If you lose a corner, you can't lose the whole picture." ”

Probably saying, I am what His Majesty meant, giving up Wang Shouren, and not letting all the people of the Ming Dynasty suffer together.

Zhu Youji's face was gloomy, obviously angry.

Zhang Mao immediately spoke again: "The old minister wants to come, Ma Shangshu's intention is that Xinjian Bo has the strength to break through to the south on his own, and he doesn't need reinforcements from other passers-by, and the reinforcements may become a disadvantage." ”

At this time, even Zhu Youzhu frowned and looked at Zhang Mao.

You old man, I was caught off guard just now, and now you are defending Ma Wensheng, and it seems that you seem to be sensible.

Don't have a bright head? I don't know what to do?

Zhu Youzhu said: "I think that when the Tatars retreated, the people of all walks of life in the Ming Dynasty took the initiative to attack, in order to show that the Ming Dynasty had the ambition to level the grassland, and the gains and losses of a corner really have nothing to do with the overall situation, but if Xinjian Bo can't retreat with his whole body, in my opinion, it is a big loss because of a small loss." ”

In fact, Zhu Youzhu didn't want to say that.

Saying this is tantamount to admitting that if Wang Shouren's people suffer big losses, the overall strategy will still lose.

Wang Shouren himself is alone, and he will definitely encounter the encirclement of several Tatars, and he cannot completely guarantee that Wang Shouren can retreat with his whole body.

But the emperor still couldn't give up Wang Shouren and his 6,000 elite soldiers.

Ma Wensheng asked: "Then Your Majesty, if Xinjian Bo is committed by several times the enemy, and he can't hold each other, and the army suffers huge losses, and he can't even break through to the territory of Daming, who should bear this responsibility?" ”

Zhu Youzhu frowned and said: "Ma Qingjia, in the past, you and Bingkuan worked together in the military department, I think you are a reasonable person, although you and Bingkuan have conflicts in some details, but the concept is not contradictory. Are you now going to take a stand against Bingkuan? ”

The emperor saw it.

Ma Wensheng is on the fence.

The pioneers who used to fight with Zhang Zhou were Min Jue, Yuan Shouzhi, and Bai Ang, and when they jointly impeached Zhang Zhou, Tu Tu jumped out.

Now that this group of people has retreated, Ma Wensheng, who had always been inseparable from Zhang Zhou, seemed to be the vanguard against Zhang Zhou.

In the past, Zhu Youzhu was still very polite to Ma Wensheng, even when the cabinet was fighting with Zhang Zhou, Ma Wensheng maintained neutrality in face...... But now Ma Wensheng seems to have been "provoked".

Ma Wensheng said: "Light soldiers have always been a taboo for soldiers, and the old minister has recently explored the march route of Xinjian Bo in detail, and believes that the Chinese Dynasty has been at war with the grassland since ancient times, and has never been so reckless and disregardful of the back road. The strength of the soldiers and horses is far inferior, but it is unwise to make a detour behind enemy lines. ”

Zhu Youzhu asked: "Ma Qing's family, do you mean that someone wants to push Xinbo to die?" Since ancient times, no one in China has had such courage? ”

Ma Wensheng argued: "Even the champion Hou and others in the Han Dynasty marched into the grassland under the premise of full preparation, and all walks of life can cooperate, but today, with less and more, the light army takes the initiative to seek to be besieged by the main Tatar force, forming a stalemate, which is indeed unprecedented since ancient times." ”

"Hmm."

Zhu Youzhu didn't refute, he nodded and asked, "Then the Ma Qing family, and all the Qing families, you will judge together, since ancient times, has there been a person like Bingkuan who can take out heavenly gunpowder and mighty cannons?" Even if you haven't seen the power of these two killing weapons, you should have heard of them, right? ”

Ma Wensheng said: "No matter how powerful the Daming firearms are, someone should bear the consequences for improper strategy. ”

If the firearms are powerful or not, if you don't discuss it with you, the eccentric emperor, there is no point in discussing it.

should always find the person to blame for Wang Shouren's lone in-depth in-depth investigation, and it can't be said that I am targeting Zhang Zhou...... The main thing is that Zhang Zhou has gone too far, if you do such an excessive thing and the army is defeated, only Wang Shouren, who led the troops, will be responsible, and then he may not be able to play any tricks in the future.

Zhu Youzhu asked, "Then Ma Qing's family, are you against sending troops this time?" ”

"The minister has no objection." Marven said, "But this proposal is not made by the minister. ”

Zhang Mao said with emotion: "Your Majesty, the old minister seems to understand what Ma Shangshu meant, this injustice has a debtor and a master." ”

"English Lord, please pay attention to the occasion!" Zhu Youzhi seemed polite when he spoke, but he almost scolded.

You old man, this ability to muddy the waters is very strong, what do I mean by using you to remind him of Ma Wensheng? I know it all in my heart.

The surname Ma wants me to standardize Bingkuan, and the "defeat" that may be encountered in this battle is to regulate Bingkuan's imagination in formulating military plans in the future, so as to avoid the situation of rash troops like today.

"I don't object."

Zhu Youzhu said, "Bingkuan is indeed making suggestions in this battle, but then again, if Xinjian Bo can retreat with his whole body and even get enough military merits, then what should I say?" ”

Ma Wensheng arched his hand and said: "If this is the case, the old minister is willing to promote the virtuous." ”

"Huh?"

At this time, even Li Dongyang frowned and looked over.

Are you Ma Wensheng targeting Zhang Bingkuan? Or give Zhang Bingkuan a chance?

Or ...... Both?

Ma Wensheng's tone was neither humble nor arrogant: "This battle is extremely dangerous, if the strategy is right, the new Bo in the hinterland of the Tatar tribe can achieve brilliant results, and can smoothly withdraw to the Ming Dynasty, it will definitely make the Tatars jealous, and the Ming border will be stable in the next few years." The old minister is old, and there is no need to stay in the court, so he should give it to young and promising people. ”

"If not, the old minister is also willing to give up his position, but please Your Majesty choose another meritocracy, and it does not need to be limited to Lai Guogong alone. The Ming Dynasty is far above the Tatars in terms of national strength and military strength, and if you win by tricks every time, there will always be a situation where the strategy is improper and your shoes are wet, and the old minister really doesn't want to see such a result. ”

If I won, I will give up the book of the military department to Zhang Bingkuan.

If you lose, I will let it, but not to Zhang Bingkuan, Your Majesty should promise to choose someone else.

It's not that I just don't like Zhang Bingkuan.

It's Zhang Bingkuan, who never talks about the rules, and always plays those heart-pounding tricks...... This kind of conspiracy is okay once or twice, and it is ...... every time Doesn't it mean that the Tatars are being given a chance every time?

Zhu Youzhu said: "Ma Qingjia, you said that the Ming Dynasty has the advantage of national strength, and I will not refute it, after all, the country is vast and rich. But you said that the Ming army was superior, and I can't agree with it. Before the good news, even in the battle of Helan Mountain, the Ming and Tatars could not do it in the frontal battlefield, and they always had to win by skill, and the stability of the past few decades was not obtained by the advance of the soldiers, but more on the stubbornness of the enemy with their backs to the passes. That's not what I want to see. ”

Ma Wensheng lowered his head, he expressed everything he wanted to say, and at this time the emperor wanted to convince him, but he pretended that he had not heard anything.

At times like these, it's useless to reason with others.

Just like the difference between Wang Yue and Ma Wensheng, Wang Yue advocates attacking, while Ma Wensheng advocates sticking.

The two sides do not agree on ideas.

Ma Wensheng was half buried in the ground, and his thinking had long been solidified, even if he was the emperor, he couldn't convince him with reason.

Zhu Youzhu said: "Now that Bingkuan has exchanged the military superiority of the Nine Sides for the Ming Dynasty, and even created a good opportunity for the Pingjing Grassland that has not been seen for decades, I want to seize the opportunity and make good use of him to completely solve the northern trouble of the Ming Dynasty." So ......"

Speaking of which, Zhu Youzhu originally wanted to say that the victory was the credit of Bingkuan, and I would bear it if I lost.

But seeing that Ma Wensheng used his own future to make a final struggle with Zhang Zhou.

Zhu Youji's words came to his lips, and he was a little speechless.

No matter how good Bingkuan is, there is only one ...... And Ma Wensheng and the others are also people who have done their best to shed blood for Daming, if they don't care about their feelings at all, they are not helping Bingkuan, but they are hating Bingkuan.

"I agreed to Ma Qingjia's proposal, this battle is a touchstone to test Bingkuan's strategy, and if he wins, I will transfer him back to Beijing to entrust him with a heavy responsibility. If he fails, he will remain in Nanjing, and I will not transfer him back for two years. ”

Zhu Youzhu finally came to a conclusion.

……

……

Zhu Youji's voice fell.

The main hall of the Qianqing Palace fell into tranquility for a while.

Junchen seemed to be gambling, and he seemed to be betting, and the bet was Zhang Zhou's future...... won the "entrusted task", it may be to give the military department a book, but it is not excluded to let Zhang Zhou enter the cabinet and other snasty operations.

If he loses, let Zhang Zhou continue to stay in Nanjing.

Li Dongyang, as a "bystander", can probably understand what the emperor means.

He thought to himself, if Bo'an is defeated, Zhang Bingkuan may not have the face to come back in a short time, and all parts of the north will inevitably enter a state of stubbornness, and the main attack of Zhang Bingkuan will not return to Beijing There is actually no big difference, unless Daming can cast enough firearms, then there will be a place for Zhang Bingkuan.

But if he wins, Zhang Bingkuan will have a reasonable and legal basis for taking charge of the military and political affairs of the Ming Dynasty.

However, the two sides are not completely out of leeway, after all, this was raised during the deliberations of the inner court.

Even if Zhang Bingkuan wins, the ministers of the DPRK and China can deny this; In turn, Zhang Bingkuan lost, and the emperor could also repay the debt.

But at best, it can be regarded as a certain easing of the tension between the monarch and the minister.

"A few secretaries, I will inform you of the movement of Xinjian Bo's troops as soon as possible, and I will rely more on you in the upper hearing office for the use of troops in the north...... Bingkuan is still a member of the Upper Hearing Office, so if there is anything, I will also send someone to inform him. ”

Zhu Youzhu previously resigned Zhang Zhou's official position and only retained the title of Duke of Laiguo.

Later, he restored Zhang Zhou's official position as a scholar and a bachelor in the military department, but he did not mention the matter of "walking in the listening place".

Now the emperor has also made it clear that even if Zhang Zhou lost any official position at that time, but because he was not an official position in the first place, I never deprived him, and he still has the qualifications to participate in the planning of major military affairs...... Therefore, I did not break the rules, and it was also legal to adopt his opinion before to send troops from Liaobei to the grassland with Xinbo Wang Shouren.

For this.

Li Dongyang also has no temper.

It's like...... Whoever Your Majesty wants to listen to, you can do it yourself, you don't need to ask us, if something happens, just find out the person who proposed to you and carry the black pot.

……

……

The Cabinet meeting ended.

Li Dongyang, Zhang Mao, and Ma Wensheng came out and were led by the little eunuch to see them off.

The three of them were surprisingly quiet on the road, and even Zhang Mao, who was chattering, didn't say a word.

After the three of them separated, Li Dongyang went to the cabinet room, and he told Liu Jian and Xie Qianyi about the matter, Liu Jian looked very annoyed and slapped the table and said: "I don't think Ma Yingtu is restricting Zhang Bingkuan, but he intends to help." ”

Xie Qian chuckled and said, "But it's reasonable for him to help?" ”

Li Dongyang said: "I can't say that, Ma Yingtu is quite annoyed about Zhang Bingkuan's use of troops in front of His Majesty, maybe he doesn't think that Bo'an can return smoothly this time." or deliberately to ease the suspicion of the monarch and the minister. ”

The monarch and the minister have suspicions, and these words came out of Li Dongyang's mouth, which was similar to making a conclusion.

Even if the ministers knew that the emperor had opinions on Wenchen, they would deny it outright, or they would keep silent.

But now Li Dongyang has nothing to shy away from.

There is a gap between monarchs and ministers, do you want to deny it? The emperor now believes in Zhang Zhou alone, and does not believe in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, and if we all fail to face up to this problem, this problem will become more and more intense.

Liu Jian looked at Li Dongyang and said, "Binzhi, what do you think is the chance that in this battle, Xinbo's troops will be smoothly dispatched and successfully withdrawn?" ”

"Ninety percent!"

Li Dongyang made no secret of it.

Liu Jian said: "So you also think that Zhang Bingkuan is not untargeted, and even ...... He won't do what he's not sure about? ”

"Hmm." Li Dongyang nodded.

Xie Qian smiled: "That Binzhi, do you still think that Ma Yingtu is on our side?" Or he just wants to retreat, but he always doesn't mention it, and he has to show a posture that is in step with us. But in fact, in his heart, he didn't know how much he wanted Zhang Bingkuan to get up...... Wang Bo'an marched into the grassland, followed the pass of the Ming Dynasty, and dared to go deep into the hinterland...... Zhang Bingkuan is fearless, why didn't he go on it himself? Didn't Wang Bo'an count it in his heart? ”

(End of chapter)