But now, Guo Dajing is counting the time. It seems that his Pingliao strategy can be submitted to Chongzhen's imperial case before Governor Yuan arrives in the capital, as long as Founder does not waste time.
You have five years, and I have five years, but there must be someone who comes first! Besides, my strategy is so detailed and yours is so rough. Who does Chongzhen believe in?
Even if we can't change anything, we won't lose anything. It's just a few pieces of paper and staying up late at night.
But Guo Dajing believes that if he does it, his hard work will not be in vain.
At least, instead of bragging with Governor Yuan, we should let Chongzhen become more familiar with him and know that there is a talented and unparalleled general who can defeat the Liao Dynasty for several years.
Moreover, with the founding of the People's Republic of China, Guo Dajing was also preparing to file a black case against Yuan Chonghuan. There is no need to make up this matter. When Yuan was in charge of Liaodong, he would seek money and negotiate peace with the Jianlu, Gaotaibao and sell grain supplies to the enemy, etc., and they would catch a lot of them.
Even if he could not sue Governor Yuan, there would still be no loss for Guo Dajing.
When the Jianlu invaded the capital, or attacked Jinzhou and Dalinghe, the performance of Governor Yuan would also make Chongzhen realize how he had been deceived by lard and how blind he was.
His thoughts were flying, some of which had been deduced countless times in his mind, and some of which were new ideas. Guo Dajing couldn't help but purse his lips slightly, revealing a vague sneer.
When Liu Xingzuo and Liu Qishi saw it, they couldn't help but look at each other and rolled their eyes in unison. This guy has thought of another way to harm people!
There is no need to guess too much, it is probably the Eunuch Fang whom I just met. A eunuch from the palace, he should not be the opponent of the ghostly Guo Dajing.
"Shall we treat Eunuch Fang and others to a banquet tonight?" Liu Qishi suddenly said, and deliberately licked his lower lip, "The boiled mutton is good, and it tastes good. I guarantee that none of them have eaten it."
Liu Xingzuo nodded with deep sympathy and said to Guo Dajing: "Dajing, you have received the imperial edict and received the reward. It is normal etiquette to entertain the imperial envoy to a banquet."
Guo Dajing thought for a while and said: "If I don't give them such a good meal, I won't invite them tonight. I still have the Ping Liao strategy to write, so I have to stay up late!"
After a pause, he smiled again: "As for the mutton-boiled meat, let's eat it ourselves, and eat it secretly, and we will starve them to death."
"Don't be so stingy, right?" Liu Qishi felt helpless at his brother's stinginess. He originally wanted him and Eunuch Fang to change their relationship, but he didn't expect his brother to be reluctant to part with the mutton.
Liu Xingzuo smiled and said: "Don't listen to Dajing, let's do it tomorrow! At noon, not at night."
Guo Dajing shrugged his shoulders and said, "Okay, I'll invite him at noon tomorrow. I just got the silver reward, so I'll spend some money."
"This -" Liu Xingzuo hesitated for a moment and said: "Leave some room for everything, and don't talk too much. The time for Ping Liao should be as long as possible, and some more prerequisites should be added."
Guo Dajing understood the idea and nodded in agreement, but he didn't agree in his heart.
It's better to brag than to hold back. Of course, he is taking advantage. He knows that Yuan Chonghuan has five years of Pingliao, so let's do it for four and a half years, and we will always overpower him.
………………….
Capital.
A small restaurant named "Laishun" opened amidst the sound of firecrackers. Before all the red confetti was blown away by the wind, two charcoal grills were set up outside the restaurant door.
The mutton skewers and chicken wings were quickly sizzling under the charcoal fire, and as soon as the ingredients were sprinkled on, the aroma spread in the wind, immediately attracting the attention of many passers-by.
"Big opening bonus, half-price skewers, two cents a skewer, each person is limited to five skewers!" The guys held fans, fanned the fire, turned over the skewers, and shouted loudly.
Two cents was not expensive for most people in the capital. If you were working at that time, your monthly salary would be around one tael, which was one thousand cents, and you could make up to thirty cents a day.
"Brother, let's try a bunch." Finally, someone couldn't resist the temptation and came forward with the attitude of giving it a try.
"Okay!" The waiter agreed enthusiastically, sped up the flipping, and asked politely: "Excuse me, sir, do you want it to be a little spicier?"
The customer thought for a moment and said, "Okay, add more!"
The waiter carefully took some red powder out of a small bottle, sprinkled it on the mutton skewers, flipped it twice, then handed it to the customer, and said with a smile: "Sir, please taste it."
The customer took it over and looked at it. The meat was roasted to a crisp and tender, and an alluring aroma penetrated his nose. He couldn't help but twitch his throat and swallowed.
A mouthful of hot mutton enters your mouth, and the aroma fills your lips and teeth. I don't know what spices were added to marinate and roast it. The taste is unique and fragrant, and the slightly spicy feeling makes every taste buds cheer.
Well, well! After finishing the meat skewers in several bites, the customer nodded repeatedly and shouted to the waiter: "Not bad, delicious, some more skewers."
The waiter nodded and bowed, his service attitude was impeccable, and he said with a smile: "Sir, our store is open today, and each person is limited to five skewers of half-priced meat skewers. But if you come into the store to buy wine and drink, there is no limit to the amount of meat skewers."
The customer blinked, walked into the store, and said, "Then I have to check out the wine in your store. Don't make it ridiculously expensive. You can get back all the money you paid for the meat skewers on the wine."
"The wines in our store are all genuine and clearly marked, which is basically the same as other restaurants." A waiter smiled and introduced the customer into the store, asked him to look at the price list posted on the wall, and gave an introduction.
After seeing it, the customer nodded, sat down at the small table next to him, and said, "It's indeed fair. Then I'll have a pot of Yuanshenghao's soju, and ten skewers of mutton skewers. Well, let's have grilled chicken wings too."
.”
"Okay, please wait a moment. I'll be here soon." The waiter loudly announced the amount to the barbecue stall outside the door, and then served the customer wine attentively, along with a plate of salted peanuts.
Customers are quite satisfied, not just because they give more or less, but this attitude makes people feel comfortable.
The aroma of the grilled skewers is strong and attractive, drifting farther and farther away, attracting customers to taste it from time to time. Many customers are also introduced into the store by the waiters to sit down with a drink, and the atmosphere in the store becomes more and more lively.
The area of the small shop is not large, with only about ten tables, which are small tables that can seat four or six people, but the design is very innovative.
There are four tables in the middle of the hall, which can seat seven or eight people. On the table is a strange copper utensil, surrounded by some ingredients.
If customers are curious, they can ask the waiter. If you are literate, it will be more convenient. Just look at the sign on the table and you will know that this is a new way of eating, called "shabu-shabu mutton".
He Guizhong was sitting behind the counter, smiling like a shrewd shopkeeper. Looking at the many customers coming in, his eyes became slits when he smiled.
It has been more than a month since I arrived in the capital, and I finally set up a shop and opened a shabu-shabu restaurant.
Although Guo Dajing gave him enough money and did not ask him to make money immediately to support himself, He Guizhong still tried his best and made preparations as quickly as possible.
Accompanying him to the capital were two sentinels, both of whom he personally selected as shrewd and capable assistants.
Finding a store owner, making tableware, purchasing ingredients, decorating, etc. can be completed in less than a month. He Guizhong is indeed fast enough, and it is indeed very hard.
"Boss, it looks like business is going well." A waiter came up and flattered with a smile: "It's a good start. Our secret barbecue is so delicious!"
He Guizhong said with a signature smile: "That's right, this is our ancestral secret barbecue. If the ingredients are complete, it can satisfy your tongue."
It makes sense to say that it is a secret recipe. Guo Dajing used all the barbecue ingredients and procedures that he could remember several times before finally settling on it.
In addition to cumin, which was difficult to buy at that time, and even peppers that were not used as seasonings on the market, Guo Dajing prepared a lot of them. He also asked He Guizhong to bring some seeds and rent a garden outside the capital to plant them.
.
A delicious dish can be eaten all over the world. The temptation of barbecue and the desire of people's tongues were the same in ancient times.
Especially in the capital, there was no shortage of wealthy people. The extravagance that was prevalent in the middle and late Ming Dynasty also made restaurants and brothels the most popular places for banquets and enjoyment at that time.
He Guizhong watched the customers coming in one after another with a warm smile on his face, but in his heart he was thinking about the task assigned to him by Guo Dajing.
Guqian
Next year, Guo Dajing once again gave a deadline and mentioned this time again next year.
First establish yourself in the capital, and then try to find out as much information about the nobles and ministers in the capital as possible and compile it into a book.
Obviously, Guo Dajing will make big moves next year, most likely to create some public opinion in the capital and set off some kind of public opinion trend.
This was just He Guizhong's guess, but he felt that it was inseparable. Therefore, he finally decided to open a tavern and develop it into a restaurant depending on the situation.
People were densely packed and moved around frequently. After drinking two glasses of wine, some talked nonsense and many spoke the truth. Do not talk about state affairs. There were not many taboos at that time.
If it weren't for the huge cost required to open a brothel, the backstage, and the unreasonable nature of it, Guo Dajing would have thought about getting one and gathering all kinds of information.
Moreover, He Guizhong is only the first station in the capital. Guo Dajing will continue to place his own eyes and ears in the capital in the future depending on the situation.
Using public opinion and news in society to influence the policy direction of the court, or to influence Chongzhen's decision-making and thinking, was Guo Dajing's ultimate goal.
Historically, when the Jianlu captured the capital, there was a widespread rumor in the capital that it was Yuan Chonghuan who lured the enemy into the country. This could not be unfounded news, and it was most likely spread intentionally by some people.
Guo Dajing didn't want to care who it was, but he was very fond of this method. Chongzhen was suspicious, and the specious rumors should have a great impact on him.
In Tianjin, Li Haidong opened a small shop. For this reason, Guo Dajing also gave him some Liaodong specialties.
Li Haidong originally wanted to open a tavern, but after learning about the actual situation in Tianjin, he temporarily gave up the idea.
Although Tianjin Guard was established as the gateway to the capital, guarding the sea route and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, in terms of administrative divisions, it was mostly called Jinghai County or Xiaozhigu at that time.
In Tianjin, which only started to build cities and forts in the second year of Yongle, although the population was increasing and commerce was developing, Tianjin was still far behind the capital.
"How do you eat this mutton shabu-shabu?" Some diners noticed the shabu-shabu on the middle table and the rich and varied ingredients, and couldn't help but curiously asked.
He Guizhong recovered his thoughts and glanced around the store. Seeing that there were many diners, he nodded to the waiter.
The waiter hurried forward and explained with a smile on his face: "This is another way to eat mutton. Now heat up the pot. In a moment, any guests who are willing to taste it will come forward and try it for free."
Taste it first, then eat it. I believe that the sesame paste, chive flowers, garlic and other condiments will make diners' mouths full of fragrance and praise.
He Guizhong smiled and watched the waiters at work, while the diners watched and discussed with interest. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed and he saw his men walking in.
The men came straight to He Guizhong and whispered: "Zhao Guang has been found, in Nanhaizi."
He Guizhong nodded, and the joy on his face flashed away. After more than half a month, he finally found the old eunuch according to Guo Dajing's instructions.
……………………
Fang Zhenghua is not old, but he is still a eunuch.
Unlike Zhao Guang, who was sent to Nanhaizi in despair, although he was not in high spirits at this time, he was quite content and content drinking wine and eating boiled mutton.
"General Guo's Ping Liao Strategy has been read three times by Zajia." Fang Zhenghua's face was already red, and he seemed to have drank a lot of wine. He stretched out his finger and emphasized: "Three times, it is really like enlightenment and I have benefited a lot.
ah!"
Guo Dajing was thinking about whether it was time to replenish the ingredients and seasonings in the space. When he heard Fang Zhenghua's words, he hurriedly said: "Eunuch, this Ping Liao strategy was not decided by Guo, but by Mao Zedong from Dongjiang Town.
Shuai, down to the collective wisdom of the soldiers, it is just sorted out by Guo."
When formulating a targeted strategy for Ping Liao, Guo Dajing would definitely give full play to his greatest advantage and quietly take out some of Governor Yuan's strategies and make detailed analysis and criticism.
For example, "Use Liao people to defend Liao soil, and use Liao soil to support Liao people" seems very smart, but it is a hotbed for the breeding and development of warlords in western Liaoning, and it does more harm than good.
After Yuan Chonghuan took office, he quickly squeezed out Man Gui and Zhao Lijiao, and showed full malice towards Mao Wenlong of Dongjiang Town.
The reason is probably that in order to gain the support of the native Liaodong generals such as Zu Dashou, Yuan Chonghuan deliberately helped them crowd out other generals, so that the local Liaodong generals could monopolize the money, food and other resources that the court poured into Liaodong.
The native generals of Liaodong, who can be called the leaders of the Liaodong army, have a long history of ostracizing foreign generals. After the rebels rebelled against the Ming Dynasty, these guys often betrayed and cheated their teammates.
There were also many foreign generals who were excluded and suppressed. Man Gui and Zhao Lejiao were just the more famous ones.
As for the later Wu Xiang, Wu Sangui's father, as a foreign general, he was able to gain a foothold in western Liaoning because he married Zu Dashou's sister and became the son-in-law of a general in western Liaoning.
Therefore, this "Liao people guard the Liao soil, and the Liao soil supports the Liao people" is too simple. Whether it is an advantage or a disadvantage depends on how to operate it.
The composition of Dongjiang Town is relatively complicated. The soldiers and civilians are from Jianghuai and Shandong, and more are natives of Liaodong. In fact, it is the same as "Liao people guard Liao soil, and Liao soil supports Liao people".
Similarly, Dongjiang Town also has the problem of excluding outsiders, such as Liu Xingzuo. But he was installed by the imperial court, which is different from his native place.
Mao Wenlong himself was from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and most of his subordinates were natives of Liaodong. It was a strange combination, but there were far fewer cases of exclusion and suppression than those military leaders in western Liaoning.
In fact, employing people in this way is also a constraint, and it is a preventive measure taken by the court to prevent the emergence of warlords.
A group of Liaodong native generals is enough, but the highest commander must be from outside. The appointment of Yuan Chonghuan and Mao Wenlong was all based on this consideration.
Judging from Yuan Chonghuan's behavior of squeezing out foreign generals after taking office, he has tied his own interests to the Liaoxi generals and became their spokesperson.
Obviously, this was contrary to the original intention of the imperial court to send him to take charge of western Liaoning. Similarly, after crowding out the foreign generals in western Liaoning, it was time for Dongjiang Town, which was also under Yuan Chonghuan's command.
Who else is the biggest outsider besides Mao Wenlong? Go home and enjoy your retirement. Yuan Chonghuan once said this to Mao Wenlong, but he was rejected.
If you are too soft, you have to be hard. There are many reasons why Mao Wenlong was killed. Governor Yuan wanted to bring Liao Town and Dongjiang Town under his actual control, which was undoubtedly one of them.
So what if the control is in his own hands? Is it a collaborative effort to quell the Liao Dynasty and destroy the captives? It is estimated that Governor Yuan does not have the confidence or courage.
Being able to completely control Dongjiang Town is just a bargaining chip for Governor Yuan to negotiate peace with the rebels. Either giving up southern Liaoning or moving the town to western Liaoning, Huang Taiji can fool Governor Yuan who is eager to negotiate a peace to save his life.
Know yourself and the enemy, and you will never be in danger in a hundred battles. Guo Dajing not only knew the actions of Governor Yuan, but also knew the details of Jianlu.
You must know that after fighting with the Jianlu for so many years, the ministers and even the emperor really don't have a very clear understanding of the Jianlu's population, military strength, politics, economy, etc. You say it's weird or not.
When it comes to Jianlu, he is sometimes afraid of the enemy like a tiger and dare not go out to fight lightly; sometimes he despises Qingzhu and boasts that he can win in a single battle. It is difficult to formulate a long-lasting and single-minded strategy when he fluctuates between the two extremes.
As for Chongzhen, who had grown up in the palace and had no experience at all, but felt that he was very capable, the sources of information he relied on were all the civil servants, generals, and internal eunuchs of the imperial court.
Regardless of whether it was civil servants, military generals or internal supervisors whom Chongzhen trusted more and more, for the sake of their own wealth, life and group interests, they were able to "hoodwink Sheng Cong", lie or fail to report, and mislead Chongzhen into making wrong decisions.
Therefore, Guo Dajing's Ping Liao strategy was completely opposite to that of Governor Yuan. One was rough and concise, while the other was elaborated on.
For a layman like Chongzhen, perhaps such meticulous analysis and judgment could help him clearly understand the situation of the battle between Ming and Jin and stop messing around.
"In addition to the general strategy of Ping Liao compiled by the late general, there is also a sand table of the situation in Liaodong. I also ask Eunuch Fang to submit it to the imperial review." Guo Dajing regarded Chongzhen as a child, and he could only talk about it by looking at pictures. It was most suitable for such a novice.
.
"Good, very good." Fang Zhenghua nodded his head and said with a smile: "This mutton-boiled meat is very delicious, and it doesn't look complicated to make. I don't dare to keep it to myself, so I will present it to Long Live."
real or fake?
Guo Dajing blinked his eyes and said: "This method was accidentally obtained from the people, and it should be available in various places. It is just that the reputation is not obvious and the method is slightly different. It is said that the most authentic one is passed down from the Yuan Dynasty, and it is called 'Laishun'."