Chapter 210: It is better to die as a fellow Daoist than a poor Daoist!
After Zhang Cheng withdrew, Emperor Chongzhen and Minister of War Chen Xinjia chatted for a while about the war in Liaodong. It was just that it was difficult to raise money and food, and the war must be fought quickly.
Finally, Emperor Chongzhen asked Chen Xinjia to control the military affairs in Liaodong at all times. He also asked him to urge the supervisor Zhang Ruoqi to urge Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, to advance the army quickly, and not to deliberately delay the military plan.
After Chen Xinjia also resigned, Emperor Chongzhen dismissed everyone, leaving Wang Chengen alone to serve in Dongnuan Pavilion.
"Wang Banban, what do you think of this sincerity?"
At this moment, Wang Chengen heard that Emperor Chongzhen called him "Wang Banban" again, and he couldn't help but have mixed feelings in his heart.
At the beginning, the purpose of Wei Zhongxian sent to Prince Xin's Mansion was to monitor Zhu Youjian who was still in the presence of Prince Xin. However, Wang Chengen was exceptionally loyal to Prince Xin and helped Prince Xin to save himself from danger many times. Finally, the 9,000-year-old Wei Zhongxian found out and sent him again.
Go to Fengyang to guard the imperial mausoleum.
In this way, it was not until King Xin Zhu Youjian ascended the throne and successfully eliminated Wei Zhongxian and his group that Wang Chengen was recalled to his side from the Fengyang Imperial Tomb.
It can be said that if Wang Cheng'en was not the most favored eunuch around Emperor Chongzhen, he was one of the eunuchs whom Emperor Chongzhen trusted most. After all, he had watched Emperor Chongzhen grow up and was also the eunuch who had saved Emperor Chongzhen's life.
But after so many years, although he returned to Emperor Chongzhen's side, Emperor Chongzhen was busy with government affairs every day. Although he was diligent, the rogue bandits were suppressing more and more, and the Eastern captives were becoming more and more rampant, which made him exhausted.
It’s been many years since I called you “Wang Banban” again.
Tears sparkled in Wang Chengen's eyes, and he replied softly with a slightly choked tone: "Back to Lord Long Live, according to my slave, Zhang Cheng is still loyal and reliable to Lord Long Live. What's even more rare is that he is willing to do things sincerely and go out of his way."
In just a short period of time, Zhenbei Road was able to form a powerful force of 7,000 to 8,000 strong troops.
Although he is greedy for money and lustful, and has disobedience to superior officials, he is just a military commander, not a sage. As long as he can serve the Lord Long Live faithfully, I think I should not be too harsh on his character."
Emperor Chongzhen was surprised to see Wang Chengen's excited expression at first, but later he heard him analyze his views on Zhang Cheng and no longer paid attention to these details. After listening to Wang Chengen's words, he fell into deep thought.
He leaned slightly lazily on the throne and murmured softly: "The prostitutes made trouble, robbed the prostitutes, took concubines in front of the battle, and extorted one hundred thousand taels of silver from the King of Zhou outside Kaifeng City. From this point of view,
, he is indeed a greedy and lustful person."
After all, Wang Chengen was an old man who had been with Emperor Chongzhen for a long time. At this time, he stepped forward and reminded softly: "Long live my lord, it is Zhang Cheng's wealth and good fortune that can be used to win over him and make him brave in front of the battle.
I wonder how many of the generals in the towns are not greedy for money and lust, but how many of them are truly devoted to the king's affairs? A loyal and brave general like Zhang Cheng is indeed rare."
Emperor Chongzhen raised his eyes and looked at the carved beams on the top of Nuan Pavilion. After a long time, he said: "Wang Cheng'en chose an official residence outside Dong'an Gate and gave it to Zhang Cheng as the 'General Zhaoyong's Mansion'. The palace concubine just now also gave it to Zhang Cheng."
He, you choose two more palace ladies to go with her.
I won’t issue an edict on this matter, you can just pass on my oral instructions and handle it!”
"This slave obeys your order."
After Wang Chengen received the order, he waited for a while. Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen had no other instructions, he slowly exited Dongnuan Pavilion and went to follow the order.
…………
Speaking of which, Zhang Cheng was still frightened when he left the palace. It wasn't until he passed Chengtian Gate that he calmed down a little. He couldn't help cursing that he deserved it. How could he be so rude under Chongzhen's nose?
Valley pigeon
Fortunately, he reacted quickly enough and managed to get through by pretending to be his grandson. He thought in his heart that maybe Chongzhen felt that he still had a lot of value, so he didn't blame himself.
Unknowingly, he arrived at the yamen of the Ministry of War. Lin Fangping had been waiting here for a long time. They didn't say anything after meeting. Zhang Cheng handed his waist badge to the guard at the gate for inspection, then entered the Ministry of War and waited for Chen Xinjia in the gatehouse.
It turns out that before Zhang Cheng entered the palace, Chen Xinjia had ordered someone to send a message to Zhang Cheng to visit the Ministry of War after meeting the Holy Spirit. The soldiers had something to explain to him.
While waiting for Chen Xinjia, Zhang Cheng recalled what Chongzhen and Chen Xinjia said in Dongnuan Pavilion, and he couldn't help but curl up with a helpless smile.
Originally, I wanted to take this opportunity of entering the palace to meet the saint to persuade Emperor Chongzhen to change his understanding of the war in Liaodong, and strive to win the emperor's will to be prudent. Such a concerted effort may be able to save the crisis in Liaodong.
But at this critical moment, he committed an act of disobedience before the emperor, so he could only save his life first. As for the war in Liaodong, he could only place his hope on Hong Chengchou.
Thinking of this, the smile on Zhang Cheng's face was even more interesting. He thought to himself: With the current situation, if the war in Liaodong goes well, he will definitely make a great contribution. If it doesn't go well, he will have to blame Governor Hong.
.
"I would rather die as a Taoist friend than die as a poor Taoist!"
Zhang Cheng almost laughed out loud when he thought about this sentence. When he had no choice but to protect himself first, he said in his heart: "I'm sorry, Governor Hong."
…………
"It's so confusing and reckless..."
Chen Xinjia continued angrily: "Do you know where that is? If it weren't for the emperor's grace, you would be dead and in a different place at this moment, and you would even have committed crimes against your family."
Zhang Cheng leaned over and prostrated, and said softly with a fake face: "Zhang Cheng really shouldn't have lost his temper in front of the emperor. Fortunately, my soldiers defended him with all his strength. This kindness is like a new one, and Zhang Cheng will never forget it."
Chen Xinjia sat behind the case and looked at Zhang Cheng. His eyes were very complicated. After a moment, he said: "I am not protecting you, but purely to cherish talents for the country."
Only then did he continue: "Get up and talk."
After Zhang Cheng stood up, Chen Xinjia ordered a chair to be brought for him to sit in and reply. Zhang Cheng bowed and thanked him again before sitting down.
I heard Chen Xinjia say to Zhang Cheng seriously: "Zhang Cheng, what you said just now in front of the emperor to be cautious in occupying Liaodong is not entirely unreasonable. Now all the elites of the Ming Dynasty are in Liaodong. If you are not cautious, once everything is lost,
If it is defeated, it will be unable to suppress the bandits internally and defend the Eastern captives externally.
But have you ever thought about how much food will be consumed every day when hundreds of thousands of troops gather in Liaodong? The requirements are so huge that not only is it difficult to raise, but it is also extremely difficult to transport them.
Although the grain and grass from Liaodong have been transferred to Liaodong now, it can guarantee the needs of the army for half a year, but what will happen in half a year, not to mention the bandits in Chu and Henan are raging, and they also need money and food to sustain them.
Therefore, we have decided on a quick war strategy. It is really a last resort. You must also understand the difficulties of the court. Let me make it clear to you here. The court can only maintain Liaodong's food and grass for one year at most.
If the war in Liaodong drags on for a long time, hundreds of thousands of troops will collapse due to lack of food. I have previously ordered Zhang Ruoqi to do his best to urge Hong Chengchou to advance quickly and strive to relieve the siege of Jinzhou in one battle."