Emperor Chongzhen arrived at the Wenhua Hall in an imperial chariot, where his cabinet minister Yang Sichang was already waiting for him.
After Yang Sichang respectfully paid the usual court ceremony to Chongzhen, he heard Chongzhen ask him: "Sir, what do you want to report?"
He knelt down again and then replied: "I am asking to see your Majesty about the affairs of the great scholar Liu Yuliang, the governor."
Chongzhen was sitting on the throne, looking at Yang Sichang with a confused look, and said: "I have read his memorial. Sir, do you have any opinions?"
Yang Sichang did not dare to raise his head, but instead lowered his head lower and said: "Your Majesty read Yuliang's memorial, and immediately issued an edict to encourage him, ordering him to rush to the front enemy to replace the reinforcements of Governor Lu Xiangsheng, Zhu Zhen, and King Qin to fight against the captives. This shows that the Emperor is serious about
Yu Liang's reliance is heavy and his expectations are high.
However, Yu Liang supervises the armies with the dignity of chief assistant and the power of the false emperor. His status is actually above that of the governor.
If Lu Xiangsheng were to serve as governor-general of military affairs, his status would be no more than that of a governor-general, and the people he would command would be no more than Lu Xiangsheng's existing over 10,000 exhausted troops. This would have lost the original intention of being the first assistant to serve as the emperor's supervisor."
After listening to Yang Sichang's response, Chongzhen asked with some doubts: "Don't you let him go to supervise the division?"
Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen had been persuaded, Yang Sichang continued to play softly and unhurriedly: "What Liu Yuliang played was a request to supervise the armies, not to appoint himself as governor.
Although Lu Xiangsheng failed to launch the army and missed the opportunity to fight, he was deeply responsible for the emperor's commission. However, the current military situation is urgent and it is not appropriate to change commanders in the face of the enemy, so as not to affect the morale of the army. Please ask the emperor to punish Lu Xiangsheng lightly so that he can still be the governor, and he will be punished.
Let’s see the aftereffects.”
After listening to Yang Sichang's replay, which confirmed his view of Liu Yuliang's thoughts, Chongzhen asked further: "What about Liu Yuliang?"
Yang Sichang then replied: "Your Majesty, please still follow Liu Yuliang's original request and send him to supervise the armies."
Chongzhen leaned back on the throne. He thought about it carefully in his heart and felt that Yang Sichang's words made sense. He regretted his impulsiveness and issued the edict in a hurry.
"Okay." He said to Yang Sichang, who was kneeling in the palace, "I will follow Aiqing's instructions, discard the previous edict, and send Liu Yuliang to supervise the armies."
"I obey the decree!" Yang Sichang kowtowed again.
Emperor Chongzhen said with some earnestness: "Now the captive cavalry is getting deeper and deeper into Jifu Prefecture and County, and the watch wind has collapsed, which makes me very worried. Now that the chief assistant Liu Yuliang is willing to inspect the division for me, I am deeply pleased. I hope he can make the trip as soon as possible and don't delay.
Yes. Sir, please get up!"
After hearing Chongzhen's words, Yang Sichang did not get up. He still knelt on the ground and said, "My lord, I have something to report to your majesty."
"What else is there?" Chongzhen looked at Yang Sichang with doubts on his face.
Yang Sichang knelt down and recited: "Yang Tinglin's bullets were handed over to the cabinet by the emperor, and I have already seen them. I am a dull man and have failed to bear the weight of the emperor's commission. I really deserve death."
The emperor is so kind and generous that he cannot bear to kill me. I am not a tree, so how can I not shed tears of gratitude! As long as it is beneficial to the country, I will be shattered to pieces, and I am willing to do so."
After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen cherished Yang Sichang even more, and comforted him with gentle words: "I have my own opinion on this matter, so please don't take it to heart."
Yang Sichang said softly and unhurriedly: "I was born in the Holy Dynasty and was deeply blessed by the knowledge and encounters. Not only do I not mind this, but I am also willing to take this opportunity to recommend talented people to your Majesty and serve the country."
Chongzhen's face became more confused and he asked: "Who do you want to recommend?"
I saw the cabinet minister Yang Sichang lowered his head to the bluestone bricks on the ground, and then whispered: "I intend to recommend Yang Tinglin to be the head of the Department of Military Affairs of the Ministry of War. Zuo Lu Xiangsheng praised the military affairs to show what he has learned in his life."
.”
"Does he understand how to march and fight?" Chongzhen looked suspicious again.
Yang Sichang respectfully knelt on the ground and continued to play: "Yang Tinglin pays close attention to the study of world affairs and is very familiar with ancient and modern military strategies. He is not comparable to ordinary Confucian officials. The current military situation is urgent and we need talents.
If he can be sent to the front of the army to help Lu Xiangsheng strategize and assist in military affairs, he will be able to use his talents and serve the country better than if he works in the Hanlin Academy."
Emperor Chongzhen saw that Yang Sichang was very sincere and had no intention of revenge. He couldn't help but praise him in his heart. He said with a smile on his face: "You are able to put aside personal grudges and recruit talents for the court. You are like the ancient ministers."
The wind is really a blessing. I know that Yang Tinglin is a stubborn minister who dares to speak, but he is just a little extreme."
Seeing that the matter was done, Yang Sichang said more respectfully: "Your Majesty is wise and knows Tinglin well, so he will not accuse Tinglin of criticizing him. In fact, Tinglin just misheard the rumors and did not know the truth. His intentions are very good.
"
Chongzhen nodded and said with a kind face: "Okay, according to Ai Qing's advice, I will give him the post of head of the Fang Division and send him to Lu Xiang to praise the painting in front of the army."
"I obey the order!" After receiving the order, Yang Sichang knelt down to thank the emperor for his kindness.
…………
After exiting the Wenhua Hall and passing through a narrow passage, Yang Sichang returned to the Cabinet Office.
Instead of going back to his official apartment, he first walked into the room of Liu Yuliang, the chief minister of the cabinet, and told Liu Yuliang in detail what had happened when he just met the emperor.
After hearing this, Liu Yuliang was very happy and thanked Yang Sichang repeatedly.
Especially, after Yang Sichang told the emperor about his recommendation of Yang Tinglin, Liu Yuliang and several other ministers who came to inquire about the news all praised Yang Sichang for his style as an ancient minister.
Xue Guoguan, the second assistant, was a very scheming person. Although he had already seen through Yang Sichang's real purpose of recommending Yang Tinglin, it was to drive this daring Hanlin official out of the court and send him to a dangerous place.
But he smiled and cupped his hands to Yang Sichang and said: "Brother Wen Ruo, it's rare, it's rare! As the saying goes, 'The prime minister can make a boat in his belly'. This is what it means."
Yang Sichang replied humbly: "The student has a family relationship with Boxiang, and has no grudges in his heart. Moreover, he has always admired his knowledge and character.
People in their thirties will inevitably be a little angry. Not only will students not take it to heart, but they will also borrow a lot from him in the future."
"Rare! Rare!" Colleagues in the public office praised in unison.
Yang Sichang bid farewell to everyone and returned to his own room. Under the service of the Changban, he changed into court clothes, sat in the Taishi chair, took a cup of fragrant tea, took a sip, and showed an unusual evil smile at the corner of his mouth.
He said silently in his heart:
"Yang Huzi, go to Governor Lu's army to praise the painting. Don't fire cannons randomly in the court. Go to the army to ask you to learn from me. Fighting against the Manchu Tatars is not easy!"
…………
After Yang Sichang resigned, Emperor Chongzhen was still in the Wenhua Palace, waiting for Wang Chengen to draft an edict for him.
Not long after, Wang Chengen brought up the draft of the edict.
This manuscript contains two things:
First, the chief assistant Liu Yuliang was sent to supervise the armies; second, Yang Tinglin was appointed as the head of the Ministry of War's Staff Department and went to Lu Xiang to praise the paintings before he was promoted to the army.
Emperor Chongzhen leaned on the throne tiredly, looked at the manuscript carefully, and said to Wang Chengen: "Send it out immediately, don't delay!"