Chapter 736 Chen Xiao: Did you already have a plan to be soft and strong?
The next day, the Ministry of War Yamen
Since the Chen and Han Dynasties established the capital in Shenjing, the Six Ministries of Nanjing have still retained the personnel and government configurations. The Ministry of War has jurisdiction over four divisions: military selection, staff, chariots, and arsenal.
Because of Shaobao, Nanjing's Minister of War, Jie Yue, was old and basically in a state of retirement. The two assistant ministers of Nanjing usually took charge of the daily affairs of the yamen.
Early in the morning, Jiang Sucheng, the left minister of the Ministry of War, and Meng Guangyuan, the right minister of the Ministry of War, came to the official hall to sit down and take care of things.
In the summer morning, the cool breeze blows, bringing with it a light rain last night, which subsides the heat and makes it cool and pleasant.
Jiang Xucheng is a thin old man in his early fifties, wearing a scarlet robe official uniform and a black gauze hat. He is sitting behind a bookcase in the southwest corner of the official hall. He picks up the official document handed to him, looks slightly surprised, and says: "Jiangbei University.
Lao Meng, what do you think about the camp deposing so many generals and commanders at once?"
As the Jiangbei Camp was in full swing to investigate the past corruption cases of the generals and eliminate the remaining villains such as Huang, Yan, and Hu, a large number of generals were dismissed and demoted due to embezzlement of military pay and violation of military discipline in the past. After that, the rosters were naturally reported to the Ministry of War.
Meng Guangyuan was a fat official in his fifties, with a short beard under his chin. He smiled and said: "He is the Minister of Military and Aircraft, and he carries the imperial edict. Even if he moves the school later, he doesn't have to look at our faces."
, just letting you know."
Jiang Sucheng nodded, smiled and said: "I heard that Jiangnan Camp will also eliminate the old and weak recently and reorganize generals. Now, Jiangnan and Jiangbei are all excited and promising, and the weather has changed. It's really a matter of celebration.
.”
This was actually said with a bit of joking. Both of them had been at the Nanjing Military Headquarters for a long time, and they were well aware of the combat power of the soldiers and horses in the camps south of the Yangtze River and north of the Yangtze River.
Organizing military equipment is not that simple.
Meng Guangyuan smiled and said: "We will make plans when Master Shen comes over. These generals are all old generals from the Annan War. Without the Annan Marquis, who can handle it?"
Many of the generals in the Jiangnan camp were veterans who had conquered Annan during the Longzhi period. Nowadays, most of them are in a state of retirement in Jinling. Now that Shen Fang has shown a posture of serious rectification, he naturally needs to have a fight with the leader of the generals, Annan Hou Xian.
At this moment, the clerk outside the official office came to report that Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang, led a group of retinues to the Ministry of War.
Jiang Sucheng and Meng Guangyuan looked at each other, secretly said that he was here, got up from their seats, and came out of the official hall to greet them.
Not long after, Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang, entered the official hall of the Yamen of the Ministry of War, surrounded by the chief clerk Bai Sixing, general judge Lu Chaoyun and other secretaries.
Because the Governor of Liangjiang and the title of Youdu Censor were added to the rank of second-rank official. If he were to be added to the title of Minister of the Ministry of War, for example, the original Governor of Henan Province, Jia Heng, who was given the title of Minister of the Ministry of War, would be from the first rank, which is one level higher than the two ministers.
The two ministers treated each other with the courtesy of a lower official, saying "low official" verbally and then leaving.
The two parties sat down, the scribe offered tea, and then slowly withdrew.
Jiang Sucheng turned to look at Shen Fang and spoke first: "Sir Shen, the ordnance required for the reorganization of the Jiangnan Camp was escorted by Zhang Langzhong of the Chariot and Driving Department yesterday. In terms of military pay, the Ministry of Household Affairs has not reissued money and food. It still needs to wait.
It will take some time to get everything ready."
The two ministers of the Ministry of War were both veterans who had been immersed in officialdom for many years. In addition, Jiang Sucheng and Shen Fang often interacted with other high-ranking officials in the border areas, so they usually had a good relationship.
Shen Fang put down the tea cup, with a leisurely look on his old face, and said: "In the Ministry of Household Affairs, Mr. Pan Ruxi was reprimanded for selling a piece of official grain, and Mr. Qian Shuwen Qian, the assistant minister, was dismissed from his post and questioned. He is still waiting in the jail of the Ministry of Punishment.
The Holy Inquisitor, the relevant military salary cannot be raised at the moment."
It was still caused by Jia Heng's crackdown on hoarding goods in Huai'an Mansion. Pan Ruxi, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, was ordered to go home and reflect behind closed doors because he was implicated in his grandson's case.
When he passed away, he was dismissed from his post and questioned.
When Jiang Sucheng mentioned the reselling of official grain, his eyes became darker and his expression became unnatural.
His younger brother Jiang Tingyu also resold grain to Huai'an Fucheng and Huainan, but due to the bad deeds of Uncle Yongning, he returned home with a loss.
"The military pay will be paid sooner or later, so there is no need to worry. The land south of the Yangtze River is rich, and during the autumn grain harvest, there will be no worries about leaving one to two million dan to provide military supplies to the Jiangnan camp."
Jiang Sucheng seemed relieved and said.
"This year's autumn grain, the imperial court's demand is the same as in previous years. It is not so easy to withhold." Shen Fang frowned and said in a deep voice.
The governor of Liangjiang supervises the civil and military affairs of Liangjiang. He is responsible for collecting taxes and grains from Jiangnan, Jiangxi and other places. After the taxes and grains are delivered to the Ministry of Household Affairs, he must also assist in delivering them to Beijing. Only if the errands are done well can he be in charge of the government.
Only when the center attracts the attention of Emperor Chongping can he hope to join the cabinet.
Jiang Sucheng did not dwell on the matter and just chatted with Shen Fang, while Meng Guangyuan answered from time to time.
While everyone was talking, suddenly a clerk from outside came to report again, saying: "Sir, the Minister of War, Minister of Military Aircraft, Uncle Yongning is here."
The expressions of the several scarlet-robed officials present, as well as the several civil servants brought by Shen Fang, all changed. Jiang Sucheng and Meng Guangyuan confessed to Shen Fang, then stood up from their seats and hurried to the Yimen.
However, at the threshold of the opened courtyard, a large number of imperial guards wearing flying fish robes and hanging embroidered spring knives were sent to guard them first, and then a young man in python robes walked into the courtyard with a majestic look, looking at Zixiong.
Such a grand scene...it's nothing more than going out to the police, right?
The two ministers of the Ministry of War and several principals behind them, Ling Shi, mostly felt a solemn feeling in their hearts.
Of course, it’s reasonable for Jia Heng to travel in such a vigilant manner, because wasn’t he just assassinated by King Lu in Yangzhou?
Jiang Sucheng took a few steps toward the young man in the python suit, cupped his hands and said, "I've seen Mr. Jia before."
Meng Guangyuan also came forward and bowed his hands to Jia Heng in the same way.
This is the etiquette for a lower-ranking official to meet a superior official. No matter what he thinks in his heart or how he stumbles secretly, at least on the surface, no one will find fault with him.
Jia Heng stretched out his hand for support, his face was as calm as water, and his voice was gentle: "Please get up, both ministers."
During the greetings, accompanied by two ministers, and among the guards of Jinyi Mansion, they walked into the official hall. When they saw the old man Shen Fang sitting on the pearwood backrest chair in the official hall, he smiled and asked: "Master Shen
Are you here too?"
Only then did Shen Fang stand up. A smile appeared on his majestic and solemn face, and he said, "Uncle Yong Ning, long time no see."
Jia Heng nodded, sat down, looked at Jiang and Meng, explained his purpose, and said: "Master Jiang, Master Meng, I am here for arms, food and salary. Now the Jiangbei camp has a new order, and there is a shortage of food and weapons."
, the Arsenal Department of the Ministry of War needs to allocate a batch of ordnance to meet the economic and military needs of the entire army."
When Jiang Sucheng heard this, he hesitated for a moment and said: "This... Mr. Jia doesn't know something. The Arsenal Department of the Ministry of War has insufficient ordnance reserves. It has been allocated to the Jiangnan Camp before. Now the Arsenal Department does not have much ordnance allocation. Will Mr. Jia continue to do so?"
Wait for some time?"
In fact, it is not Jiang Sucheng's excuse, but it is indeed the case. The Jiangnan camp has 60,000 troops and so many ordnance changes. The quantity is huge. After giving priority to supply, the supply of the Jiangbei camp will naturally not be guaranteed.
.
Of course, if they really want to solve it, the Nanjing Ministry of War still has a way.
Jia Heng looked at Shen Fang on the side and said, "Master Shen is also here to ask for the allocation of ordnance armor?"
"Originally, the ordnance was several years old. Jiangnan has abundant rainfall and a humid climate, and many of them are rusty. Now the Jiangnan camp has been reorganized and is in urgent need of replenishment." Shen Fang did not avoid it, looking at it.
Looking at Jia Heng calmly, he explained in a subtle way.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "Jiangbei will be organized first, and the official documents will be delivered to the Ministry of War first. Can it be distributed to Jiangbei Camp first? Jiangbei Camp does not need much."
Shen Fang also smiled and said: "I don't agree with Master Jia's words."
Because in terms of real rank, Jia Heng is a military officer of the imperial court. When it comes to civilian titles, Jia Heng is the military minister and the second-rank minister of the Ministry of War. Shen Fang neither wants to call himself a subordinate official nor can he call himself an official.
He is criticized by others because he is ashamed of himself, so he calls himself old and decayed.
Shen Fang made a face and said calmly: "The Jiangnan camp is related to the safety of the old capital. The ancestral temple and the country need to replace armored troops as soon as possible. Previously, the Donglu king actually sneaked into Yangzhou, which shows that the Donglu forces have hidden in the south of the Yangtze River. They want to
To stir up trouble, if the old capital of Nanjing is lost, the consequences will be disastrous! Yong Ningbo is the Minister of Military and Aircraft and often plans military and national affairs. Isn’t it possible that he doesn’t know the importance of this matter?"
This was actually the reason why Jia Heng used the excuse to rectify the river defense, but before Jia Heng could say anything, Shen Fang grabbed it first and blocked it.
Jia Heng smiled faintly and said: "I never said that Jinling was not important. It was just that the soldiers of the Jiangbei camp were sent out. The Ministry of War sent out a group first. As soon as there was police in Jiangnan, Jiangbei would also send troops and horses to reinforce. Because I
After listening to Privy Council, I realized that the south of the Yangtze River and the north of the Yangtze River are connected as one. If the north of the Yangtze River does not exist, where is the safety of the south of the Yangtze River? Lord Shen should know this when he is planning a side."
He didn't want to argue with Shen Fang about who was more important in the south and the north of the Yangtze River. He was just falling into Shen Fang's rhetorical trap, that was all important.
After Jia Heng finished speaking, he stared at Jiang Sucheng who was not far away and said softly: "As far as I know, the Nanjing Military Department has 32 ordnance workshops. If they are fully operated, they can guarantee the supply of 200,000 armored soldiers."
Chen Xiao was standing behind Jia Heng, looking at the quarrelsome scene in the official hall. His eyes first fell on Jiang and Meng, and then he looked at the face of the young man with heroic features.
The lazy and lazy atmosphere in Nanjing's government offices is exactly the same as it was many years ago. In other words, the entire Han Dynasty has been like this for hundreds of years since the founding of the country and has been in peace for a long time. The only difference... is him.
The girl's clear eyes under her heroic brows glanced at the clear and cold young man, but her heart was somewhat complicated.
Because every time a girl thinks about such a young man with a bright future, who can be a wise king for the Holy Lord, wandering around in beauty, she feels schizophrenic and heartbroken.
Look, who are they hanging out with? A wife, a princess, a viper, a poisonous woman, a girl without long yellow hair, what else is there?
It’s almost as if meat and vegetables are not taboo…
Hmm, it seems like it’s gone?
No, even an ordinary boy, how can he know so many tricks? He is also the seed of a foolish king who is extravagant, extravagant and licentious.
Should she do something?
Hearing Jia Heng mention the workshops under the Ministry of War, Jiang Zucheng couldn't help but said: "That's how many years old... Well, Nanjing has been in peace for a long time, and the soldiers have no desire to fight. In the ordnance workshops, the craftsmen are scattered.
There isn’t much that can be produced now.”
Meng Guangyuan also said: "Jinling is no longer the same as it was in Taizong's time. Even if we start working at full strength, we can't build many armored soldiers in a month."
At this time, Shen Fang picked up the tea cup and took a sip. He just glanced at Jia Heng sideways with his old eyes and sneered in his heart.
If you think that the officialdom of Nanjing is the sacred capital and you can do whatever you want with axes, axes and knives, you are totally wrong!
The entire Nanjing Sixth Department has this undisciplined and extravagant atmosphere. If you push too hard, give up your choice, dare to show off your power and act tyrannically, you will only encounter concentrated resistance from the Jiangnan officialdom, making it difficult for you to move forward.
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "So, once there is a war and the armaments are not fully prepared, how can the Nanjing Military Department deal with it?"
In fact, I had already predicted before coming here that coming to the Ministry of War to ask for ordnance would not go smoothly. Not to mention Jiang Sucheng's previous affairs with the Huai'an Mansion, the Nanjing Ministry of War would probably be delayed. This was due to the laziness of the Southern Kingdom of Jinling.
Meng Guangyuan answered: "Mr. Jia, apart from the time of the founding of the People's Republic of China, there has been no war in Nanjing for nearly a hundred years. Now that the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps are reorganizing military affairs, the Nanjing military department is bound to help each other. It is better to wait for another half month for the Jiangbei camp.
Xiaguan and Mr. Jiang will think of another solution."
Jia Heng looked at Shen Fang, who was drinking tea and laughing at the side, with his eyes as sharp as a sword, and asked: "Does Mr. Shen mean this too?"
Shen Fang sighed and said: "It is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. I can understand Uncle Yongning's concern, but now the weapons are not available and the Ministry of War cannot produce so many weapons. We can only wait and see."
Jia Heng's face paused and he said: "Let's do this first. The Ministry of War needs to deliver the ordnance as soon as possible to prepare for the need for reorganization. I will send someone to contact the Ministry of War later."
Originally, he wanted to use Emperor Chongping's approval to take over the affairs of the Ministry of War with the Minister of War, but he decided to wait, otherwise these birdmen would become vigilant and huddle together, which would be difficult to deal with.
Whether it was because of a lack of weapons or because they secretly put the money allocated by the imperial court to the Ministry of War every year into their own pockets, it was probably another bad debt.
The ordnance matter can be investigated secretly. Now we should concentrate on dealing with the Jiangnan Salt Affairs matter.
Jia Heng made up his mind and had no intention of staying any longer, so he left the Ministry of War official office.
As soon as Jia Heng left, Jiang Sucheng and Meng Guangyuan looked at each other, then looked at Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang, with a solemn expression, and said: "Master Shen, from the perspective of Uncle Yongning..."
Shen Fang said righteously: "Don't worry, you two, the old capital of Jinling is related to the safety of the ancestral temple. I have sent a memorial to Shenjing the day before yesterday to reorganize the Jiangnan camp and reorganize the river defense. This matter is certain."
Meng Guangyuan pondered for a moment and said in a low voice: "I'm afraid that Uncle Yongning will not be willing to accept it and think of other ways to impeach the court..."
Jiang Zucheng narrowed his eyes and smiled and said: "Then let's get together the weapons first. I remember that there are still five thousand Yanling knives from Chongping 3 years in the arsenal? Send them to the Jiangbei camp first, don't let them go.
People find opportunities for attacks."
Meng Guangyuan nodded and said: "That's the only way."
It's not easy to say it in front of Shen Fang. It has been recast not long ago. Although a batch of old swords that are more than ten years old have not been rusted, according to the system of the Ministry of War, it is time to recast them. They can be recast to the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Ask for a withdrawal fee.
But it was said that Jia Heng left the official hall of the Ministry of War and got on his horse. It was only half an afternoon, and the horse's hooves were stepping on the wide and clean bluestone road of Jinling City.
"Are we still going to the household department now?" Chen Xiao tightened the reins in his hands and asked the young man with a calm expression.
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Go and see what the people from the Ministry of Finance will say."
Seeing that the young man's face was as calm as ever, Chen Xiao felt relieved a little, and followed Jia Heng to the Ministry of Household Affairs with a large number of retinues in brocade robes.
The Hubu Yamen is actually only two stone's throw away from the Warbu Yamen. It was nearly noon when Jia Heng arrived outside the Guanyamen.
At this moment, Tan Jie, the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing, was in charge of the ministry. He was in his forties and had a black beard. Hearing that the clerk came to announce the arrival of Uncle Yong Ning, he was slightly startled and led several officials.
The doctor, the chief, came to Yimen and greeted Jia Heng.
"I have met Mr. Jia." Tan Jie and all the household officials behind him bowed their hands in greeting to Jia Heng.
Jia Heng stretched out his hand to hold him up and said, "Master Tan, no courtesy."
The two of them exchanged pleasantries and entered the official hall. The guests and hosts took their seats, and the clerk served them tea.
Tan Jie looked at the youngest earl in the history of the Han Dynasty, not daring to ignore him, and asked: "I don't know what Master Jia has to say when he comes to the Hubu Yamen."
Jia Heng said: "Sir Tan, the Jiangbei camp is being reorganized. Food and wages are scarce. The Ministry of Household Affairs has been in arrears with Jiangbei soldiers' wages for half a year. I wonder when we will be able to reissue them?"
As soon as he said this, Tan Jie suddenly looked embarrassed and said: "Master Jia, the Ministry of Revenue is not well off now. Besides, in the past, the timely disbursement fell into the hands of those corrupt military generals. Now Jiangbei Camp is letting military personnel who are corrupt with military pay
It will be recovered, which shows how much more military pay our household department has given to the Jiangbei camp every year. Now the household department is indeed in some difficulties. When the Xiajiangbei River entered the flood, Mr. Zhao Ge and the Liangjiang Governor's Yamen requested to allocate some."
Jia Heng looked sullen and said: "Now that newly recruited soldiers need to be paid with money, should the Ministry of Household Affairs distribute a military salary? After all, this is a permanent system."
Tan Jie said: "The Jiangbei Camp is still under preparation, and there are varying numbers of troop vacancies. Uncle Yongning, how about this? After the Jiangbei Camp's troop quotas are determined, I and my colleagues will raise all the pay and money, and then send them to Jiangbei Camp."
how?"
Jia Heng stared at Tan Jie with burning eyes and shouted: "At that time, will your Ministry of Household Affairs continue to delay the transfer of autumn grains from the south to the north?"
The ordnance could not be collected, because he did not want to openly quarrel with the governor's office of Liangjiang, but the food and salary of the Ministry of Household Affairs must be raised in place.
Otherwise, if you delay like this, you will not know the full moon of the Year of the Monkey. When the subsequent grain and tax payments are made, the Ministry of Household Affairs will have another excuse.
Seeing the other party's harsh words, Tan Jie's complexion changed slightly, and his heart was shocked.
Jia Heng stared at Tan Jie and said in a deep voice: "Half-year military pay for 30,000 soldiers and horses. The Ministry of Household Affairs must reissue it within half a month. Otherwise, as the Minister of Military Aircraft, I am ordered by the emperor to raise the Emperor's Sword to rectify military affairs in the north of the Yangtze River."
, I must punish you for neglecting the military aircraft! I will give the envoys as scheduled, and I will also go to Shu to ask for merit from the imperial court. Now that there is a vacancy in the Ministry of Household Affairs in Nanjing, you should all encourage me."
As he spoke, his eyes wandered around all the doctors, including Yuan Wailang.
When Tan Jie heard this, his expression changed. The anger in his heart for forcing the cow's head to drink water gradually dissipated, and his mind began to come alive.
Is this spending money to buy an official position?
Now, no one in the world knows that the holy scroll of Yong Ningbo is so grand that it will turn red and purple in front of the emperor. If we can handle this matter well and get a copy of his recommendation, there will be a lot of official vacancies in the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Would not it be……
If he continues to delay the payment of military pay, I am afraid that he will be impeached with all his strength using the Holy Paper. Even if he will not be dismissed from office, he will be transferred from such a good job that is hard to find in the world.
However, at this time, it is not easy to change one's ways when you are in a hurry. You need to slow down before being arrogant and then being respectful.
Several other officials were also shocked.
Tan Jie said hesitantly, "Master Jia, I'll let you and your colleagues think of something else."
Jia Heng looked at all the household officials, stood up, and said, "Think quickly, the soldiers' pay must be paid within five days, and that's it."
With that said, he stood up and left. When Jia Heng left, the household department started talking about it.
Jia Heng left the Hubu Yamen, got on his horse, picked up the reins, and headed towards Ningguo Mansion.
Chen Xiao looked at the young man who had taken advantage of the opportunity and asked, "Did you already have a plan to be soft and strong?"
He was not strong in the Ministry of War, but he was overwhelming in the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Jia Heng looked at Chen Xiao and whispered: "Get the silver first. Henan Dusi still has a lot of other ordnance. The Nanjing Military Department cannot move it yet, but if it moves, it will be a big move."
On the contrary, if the household department is anxious and does not listen to the greeting, then it will be moved again.
Chen Xiao thought about the pros and cons and said, "I originally thought you..."
"You think I'm going to force everyone in the Ministry of War?" Jia Heng's eyes became darker and he said, "Now is not the time."
