Chapter 1016. The first experience of entering the cabinet and assisting the government (3).
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When he first came to this era, Zhao Junchen, based on his superficial understanding of the historical process, regarded Jianzhou Jurchen as a serious concern.
However, after Zhao Junchen carefully understood the details of the Jianzhou Jurchen, his fear actually decreased.
In the historical time and space that Zhao Junchen is familiar with, the reason why the Jianzhou Jurchens were able to take over the Central Plains was mainly due to three points. First, Emperor Chongzhen made a wrong decision and committed suicide; secondly, there was a problem of rogue bandits within the Ming Dynasty.
, they had too much time to take care of themselves; in the end, the Liaodong military town’s Yang bandits were self-respecting and never killed them all.
Even so, if the Jianzhou Jurchens want to enter the customs smoothly, they still need Wu Sangui's "anger to become a beauty".
In fact, the threat of the Jianzhou Jurchens was not as great as imagined. Later generations regarded the Jianzhou Jurchens as the biggest threat to the Ming Dynasty only because of the success of the king and the defeat of the bandits.
To give a random example, in the historical time and space that Zhao Junchen is familiar with, according to Ming history records, until the funeral of Emperor Tianqi, the Ming Dynasty had always adhered to the tactic of clearing the country in western Liaoning, so that the Jianzhou Jurchens had constant logistical supplies.
If it is stretched, the result is that Jianzhou Jurchen "has a great famine in the country, a fight of rice costs eight taels of silver, and everyone eats each other." It can be said that their vitality is seriously damaged.
This tactic was highly effective, but it was too expensive. Yuan Chonghuan, who was highly controversial in later generations, believed that the Ming Dynasty should finish its work in one battle. He also presented his plan for Ping Liao to Emperor Tianqi, and also put forward the suggestion of building a fortress to trap Nurhachi to death.
However, Emperor Tianqi, who was nicknamed the Carpenter Emperor by later generations, was not a vegetarian. He asked Yuan Chonghuan several professional questions in succession, but Yuan Chonghuan was speechless, so Emperor Tianqi's final conclusion was "win without talking lightly."
It is a pity that after Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne, he was very interested in Yuan Chonghuan's boasted strategy of Ping Liao and he also reused Yuan Chonghuan. So the Ming Dynasty began to repeatedly "send military supplies thousands of miles" to the Jurchens in Jianzhou. The decline of the Ming Dynasty
It also started from here.
But in this completely different historical time and space, Emperor Chongzhen was a capable emperor, and he still continued the practices of Emperor Apocalypse. Even though Jianzhou Jurchen's ambitions remained unabated and she worked hard, she never set off too much trouble.
Big waves.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen has always had a complicated attitude towards the Jianzhou Jurchens. On the one hand, he was vigilant from the bottom of his heart, believing that trouble would sooner or later arise among the Jianzhou Jurchens. On the other hand, he felt that the court only needed to handle its own affairs and not go too far.
Worried about the threat of Jianzhou Jurchen.
*
At this time, Zhao Junchen lowered his head and looked at the several memorials in his hand, and soon his brows knitted together.
There are three memorials, one from Jianzhou Jurchen, Liaodong Military Town, and Xuanfu Military Town.
The first is a letter of surrender from the Jianzhou Jurchen.
In Zhao Junchen's view, the content of this text is more of a transaction than a reduction in the list.
In short, the Jianzhou Jurchens expressed that they wanted to submit tribute to Emperor Deqing. From now on, it would no longer be a start of war, but the prerequisite was that the court must accept a series of conditions for the Jianzhou Jurchens.
One of the conditions is that the imperial court must support Jianzhou Jurchen with three million stones of grain and grass, 10,000 pieces of various iron tools, and a large number of cattle farming tools.
The second condition is that the two sides trade with each other, and it is not the common kind of opening a trading market at the junction of the two sides' territories, but the imperial court must allow the Jianzhou Jurchen caravan to go deep into the Ming Dynasty's territory and purchase supplies on their own in the future... Of course
, based on the principle of equality and reciprocity, the Ming Dynasty caravans could also enter the sphere of influence of the Jianzhou Jurchens.
The third condition requires the imperial court to reduce the troops in the Liaodong military town. Of course, the Jianzhou Jurchens will also reduce the troops deployed on the Liaodong front line to create mutual trust conditions for a truce between the two sides.
The fourth condition is that the imperial court and the Jianzhou Jurchens will not invade each other's sphere of influence in the Mongolian grassland. The Jianzhou Jurchens will recognize the Ming Dynasty's rule in the Hetao area and will not interfere with the imperial court's military operations against the right-wing tribes of Mongolia. However, the imperial court
It is also necessary to recognize the leadership of the Jianzhou Jurchens over the left-wing tribes of Mongolia.
And so on, there are a dozen conditions in total.
Seeing these contents, Zhao Junchen only felt angry and funny. He thought that the Jianzhou Jurchen's conditions were really greedy and wishful thinking, but at the same time he was in a dilemma.
The reason why Zhao Junchen was in a dilemma was due to the two memorials from Liaodong Military Town and Xuanfu Military Town.
Because the Jianzhou Jurchens took the initiative to ask for surrender, the Liaodong military town also submitted its opinions to the imperial court.
The opinions of the Liaodong military town can be said to be contradictory. On the one hand, they strongly opposed the imperial court's acceptance of the surrender of the Jianzhou Jurchens. On the other hand, they suggested that the imperial court could agree to limited conditions for the Jianzhou Jurchens, such as opening up a mutual market within Liaodong territory.
, allowing the two sides to engage in limited trade; on the one hand, they swore to ensure that the Liaodong military town was not afraid of any attack by the Jianzhou Jurchens, so that the court did not have to worry about the Jianzhou Jurchens’ reaction, but on the other hand, they once again cried out to the court for money, food and supplies.
Materials.
The suggestions of the Liaodong Military Town seem to be contradictory, but if one understands the self-respecting mentality of the Liaodong Military Town in supporting the bandits, these contradictions can be explained.
For Liaodong Military Town, once the imperial court agrees to Jianzhou Jurchen's surrender, it will inevitably reduce the military resources, money and food of Liaodong Military Town. This is completely unacceptable to Liaodong Military Town, but because Liaodong Military Town
The raised bandits respected themselves, and it was inevitable that they would have secret contacts with the Jianzhou Jurchens, probably because they received benefits, so they also suggested that the court agree to some of the Jianzhou Jurchens' requests.
However, the combination of these two contradictory suggestions makes people laugh and cry. On the one hand, they do not want the court to accept the Jianzhou Jurchen's request to surrender, but on the other hand, they hope that the court will agree to some of the Jianzhou Jurchen's demands.
Not only do you want the court to pay benefits, but you don't want the court to gain any benefits, does this mean that you are treating all the princes in the court as fools?
It was precisely because he understood the position of the Liaodong military town that Zhao Junchen was in a dilemma, because once the imperial court refused the surrender of the Jianzhou Jurchens, the Jianzhou Jurchens would become angry and there was a possibility of another war, and the court would also
There is no longer any reason to refuse Liaodong Military Town’s request for money and food.
However, according to Zhao Junchen's opinion, the annual military expenditure of Liaodong Military Town already accounts for more than 20% of the national treasury expenditure, and it is really not suitable to increase it further.
At the same time, Xuanfu Military Town sent an urgent military intelligence report, stating that the Jianzhou Jurchen army began to appear frequently north of Datong Military Town. The real purpose of the Jianzhou Jurchen army was not yet understood, but the Xuanfu Army
The town had just repelled the Mongolian right-wing troops not long ago, and then mobilized some troops to participate in the imperial court's battle to regain the Hetao. However, the defensive strength was somewhat insufficient, and they also hoped that the imperial court could provide some support.
This information also made Zhao Junchen wary.
Jianzhou Jurchen sent a large number of troops to the west at this time. Is their target the Mongolian right-wing tribes that suffered heavy losses? Or is it the imperial army that is showing signs of exhaustion?
After Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he slowly said: "There are two points, one is to talk! The other is to delay!"
"Talk? Procrastinate?"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's statement, several cabinet ministers were thoughtful.
Zhao Junchen waved the surrender form in his hand and sneered: "On the surface, the Jianzhou Jurchens are asking for surrender, but in fact they want to gain benefits from the imperial court! As Mr. Li Ge said, in recent years, the Jianzhou Jurchens
The situation is very difficult, and there are also constant natural disasters. It is said that tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have starved to death in the territory, so they took the initiative to ask for surrender, and begged the court to support them with money, food and materials, but their conditions are too greedy, we cannot
Maybe they all agree! So, let’s not refuse directly. Since the Jianzhou Jurchen is asking for a high price, of course we have to pay it back on the ground and negotiate slowly... This is a negotiation! Since it is us who want to negotiate, the Jianzhou Jurchen will also
There is no reason to fall out!
Looking at the intelligence from Xuanfu Military Town, the Jianzhou Jurchens saw the endless war between the imperial army and the Mongolian right wing in Hetao, and they obviously wanted to get involved. At that time, whether the Jianzhou Jurchens would help us fight the Mongolian right wing, or they would help us.
Waiting for the Mongolian right wing to attack us, or sitting on the mountain and watching the fight between tigers, will be an unpredictable variable! Therefore, during the negotiations, the imperial court must also force the Jianzhou Jurchens to retreat and leave, and cannot do anything without authorization! ... This is procrastination! As long as
By delaying the war in Hetao until the end, the court will not have to worry about the variables of the Jianzhou Jurchens. Even if they fall out in the end, they will not have to worry about the pressure of a two-front war. The initiative will be in the hands of the court!"
Shen Changmao was not very optimistic about Zhao Junchen's suggestion and asked instead: "Do you think the Jianzhou Jurchens will agree to the court's negotiation and delay? Especially if you want to use this negotiation to make them withdraw their troops, how can the Jianzhou Jurchens do this?
Compromise easily and obey orders?"
Zhao Junchen said categorically: "The Jianzhou Jurchens will definitely compromise! The reason why the Jianzhou Jurchens sent troops to the direction of Hetao is because they think that the imperial court may not agree to their surrender. This is also a way for them to gain negotiation space for themselves.
They want to force us to agree to their surrender, and then ask the court for food and supplies! Of course, if the court refuses their surrender, they can also take the opportunity to cause trouble as revenge... Hey! This method is considered smart!
But for the Jianzhou Jurchens, the most important thing now is to solve the food shortage problem. However, there is no food in the Hetao area, and there is no food in the right wing of Mongolia. Only after the imperial court's autumn taxes this year are collected into the national treasury can some surplus food be released! So!
, even if they took the opportunity to seize the Hetao from the imperial court, or conquer the Mongolian right wing, it would not help them solve the problem of food shortage at all! Instead, they would have to divide their troops to garrison the Hetao, or raise hundreds of thousands more Mongolian right wings.
People, this is a burden they cannot bear! Therefore, as long as the court takes a tougher attitude and expresses some sincerity, they will definitely compromise, and they have no other choice!"
Li He asked further: "If we want to talk, we must study the bottom line between the imperial court and the Jianzhou Jurchens. What can be talked about and what can't be talked about? That is, there can't be too many concessions, and there can't be too many concessions."
Let this negotiation break down easily, I'm afraid these things will be very difficult to handle!
Also, if this negotiation is really concluded, what should we do then? Do we really have to accept the surrender of the Jianzhou Jurchens and let the Jianzhou Jurchens recover? What if the Jianzhou Jurchens are still the same as before?
If you surrender first and then rebel, you will definitely damage the face of the imperial court. Who will be responsible then?"
Li He's question is very reasonable, especially his last sentence, which is the key.
For any decision, you must first consider the person who will bear the responsibility.
After Zhao Junchen thought for a moment, he smiled and said: "In my opinion, everything can be discussed, especially the mutual trade between the two parties. There is a lot to talk about! As for Mr. Li Ge, he is worried that after Jianzhou Jurchen surrendered to the imperial court,
Will gradually recover, or surrender first and then cause the court to lose face, there is no need to worry, as long as the court surrenders the Jianzhou Jurchen, not only does it not harm its own interests, but it also gains from the Jianzhou Jurchen
With so many benefits, these problems will no longer be a problem!”
Cheng Yuandao frowned and questioned: "If the imperial court recruits and surrenders the Jianzhou Jurchens, in order to show the dynasty's demeanor and sincerity, it is difficult to refuse the requests of the Jianzhou Jurchens. Even if the number is kept as low as possible during negotiations, they must be given a
How can we not harm our own interests by approving grain, grass and materials, but instead reap benefits from Jianzhou Jurchens?"
Cheng Yuandao only focused on questioning Zhao Junchen, but completely forgot that his original position was to get the court to accept the Jianzhou Jurchen's surrender.
Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "In the eyes of you elders, although the juniors have insufficient qualifications and little experience, they should also understand the methods of doing business! The juniors never suffer losses when doing business! Jian
This time, the Jurchens of Zhou wanted to surrender and trade with each other. They just wanted to let the imperial caravan leader drive directly into their territory. This matter only needs to be left to the juniors to handle the details. The final result will definitely make the seniors happy.
satisfy!"
After a pause, Zhao Junchen chuckled and said: "Jianzhou Jurchens have always been aggressive, but when an invading nation understands the benefits of farming, tastes the sweetness of doing business, and learns the fun of walking dogs and fighting birds...
Can you maintain your former aggressive nature?"
As he spoke, Zhao Junchen's eyes shone with interest.
In Zhao Junchen's view, this will be a very interesting social experiment!
On the other side, Zhou Shangjing's old eyes flashed, but he looked at Zhao Junchen with an unprecedented seriousness.
In fact, after reading these memorials, Zhou Shangjing thought carefully and came up with the idea of "talk and delay". However, Zhou Shangjing did not express his position directly. Instead, he asked Zhao Junchen for his opinion, just to test it.
A test of Zhao Junchen’s overall vision and military-state decisions.
But Zhou Shangjing never expected that Zhao Junchen not only had the same idea as him, but the insight and vision shown in his last words far exceeded Zhou Shangjing's expectations.
In the end, Zhou Shangjing quickly restrained his abnormal behavior, nodded slightly and said: "I think Junchen's statement is very reasonable. Let's draft opinions to His Majesty based on this idea."
After seeing Zhou Shangjing sealing the coffin and finalizing the decision, Shen Changmao was slightly stunned, but in the end he said helplessly: "Well, it depends on His Majesty's attitude."
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Seeing Shen Changmao's follow-up statement, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but laugh a little.
After all, there are some differences between the real chief minister of the cabinet and the false chief minister of the cabinet.
"This is the difference between the Cabinet and the Ministry of Household Affairs. This is the place that really affects the court's decision-making. The Ministry of Household Affairs can only decide how much money it can give out, but the Cabinet decides whether the Ministry of Household Affairs should give out a sum of money.
Where should this money be used... If the decision-making is slightly different, the people who reap the benefits and the people who lose the benefits will be completely different!"
"However, if the Jianzhou Jurchens really lower the conditions for their surrender, and the imperial court really accepts the Jianzhou Jurchens' surrender... I can fight for the task of being a negotiator and take the opportunity to avoid the limelight for a while.
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The Jurchen army in Jianzhou is currently near the Xuanfu Military Town. I have also made many arrangements in the Xuanfu Military Town. I have also arranged for a large number of fleeing people to cultivate the land in the defense area of the Xuanfu Military Town. It will also be an inspection tour at that time.
Ichiban...
By the way, I also went to meet the current leader of the Jianzhou Jurchens, that is... Aixinjueluo Xuan Ye!"
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen's lips curled into a smile.