By this time, the layout of the border town has been initially completed.
In the rear, Zhu Houcong was in the Forbidden Palace. Under the protection of the imperial guard and the Beijing camp, the military general staff was the military prime minister, and the prime minister and minister of state were the literary prime minister.
In the hinterland of Xuanda, General Zhenshuo, Commander-in-Chief of Xuanzhen Fu Duo, Marquis Wu Ding, and Commander-in-Chief of Datong Guo Xun are the two vehicles that can gallop through Xuanda without any hindrance according to their authority.
Although frontier generals like Li Jin and Yu Dayou have constraints, they are just like the horse that will burst out of nowhere at any time.
"Am I the cannon?"
Now pointing to the chess pieces, it was Tang Shunzhi who asked this question.
Since the Song Dynasty added one soldier and two cannons, and the Ming Dynasty changed one of the generals to the general, the rules of this elephant play have become very mature.
Tang Shunzhi was puzzled: "Is it possible for a lower official to have two cannons in one person?"
The headquarters of the Governor-General of Xuanda is located in Huailai.
Huailai is now a guard. In the river valley south of Woniu Mountain, the largest army of the Xuanfu is hoarded. Around Huailai Acropolis, there are not only the famous Jiming Post, but also the famous civil fort.
In the official hall of the Governor-General of Xuanda, Wang Xian no longer doubted Tang Shunzhi's talent and talent, so he answered with a smile: "As the governor of two towns, I am also in charge of the food and salary of the two towns."
"...the artillery can kill the enemy, and it can also escape before crossing the border."
"That's why we have to cross the Chu-Han border to eliminate all enemy troops." Wang Xian's horse came over.
Tang Shunzhi pondered for a moment and moved one of the cannons: "Food and wages are the lifeblood of the border town. This cannon shot by Xiaguan can help the generals of Datong kill the enemy, which can also be regarded as meritorious."
But he clearly made a bad move and was immediately trampled by Wang Xian's horse: "Food and wages are indeed the lifeblood of the border town. Especially in Xuanda, the price of food is higher."
Wang Xian's horse took a shot, but also sent himself into danger. Tang Shunzhi got out of the car and paid his dues: "Now that the war has started, food and grass are more urgent. But the lower official still has the responsibility of supervising the construction of the ordnance park."
, this Xuanda has more than ten thousand craftsmen, I’m afraid the price of food will be even higher.”
"More than that?" The soldier at the end of Wang Xian arched forward.
Tang Shunzhi silently pulled his car back, and Wang Xian made another move on the other side. Tang Shunzhi jumped onto his horse, and then Wang Xian's car also crossed the boundary.
"Dutai, this chess game is dangerous. I may have to lose many pawns. Can the remaining two rooks, one horse and one cannon support the situation?"
He stopped his hand, and Wang Xian also stopped his hand, and only looked at Tang Shunzhi: "The envoys sent by this governor are also in charge of food and wages. In Tang Futai, you should listen to my instructions regarding food and wages. You should only take care of the food and wages.
That’s all these craftsmen need.”
It sounds like the two are actually competing for Xuanda's salary authority.
Tang Shunzhi stared at Wang Xian, and then nodded: "I understand. After summer, we can't prepare to build a dam. Before winter, this ordnance park is planned to be built south of Shacheng Castle and on the north bank of the confluence of Yang River and Sanggan River.
, this labor ration cannot be delayed."
"Nowadays, food and salary are discounted in silver. The governor can only ensure that there is no shortage of silver."
Tang Shunzhi was silent for a long time, and then sighed: "Is border town so difficult?"
"If the border troubles are not eliminated, it will become more and more difficult to control the border." Wang Xian just responded lightly, "Uncle Jingbian has a pure heart, which I admire very much. However, the enemy is cunning, and he will not have the kindness of a woman. My governor
Let’s distribute the food, wages and reward money first. Now that the winter wheat harvest is coming, in March and May, the soldiers and the people will still have food to eat.”
Tang Shunzhi stopped playing chess and stood up and bowed: "Then I will go back to Datong. From Taiyuan Town to Datong via Shuozhou, the food road should be smooth."
Wang Xian nodded: "I am looking forward to the good news about Tang Futai."
…
In the spring, a large number of people in the capital were preparing to leave the country.
There was also the Enke Provincial Examination last year, but there was no general examination this year. However, various companies have been recruiting new people and recruiting employees. Naturally, the biggest news this year is that the Construction Bureau is recruiting 10,000 workers and going to Xuanfu.
"Building a dam to block the water of the Yongding River and form a lake will permanently eliminate floods? I think it is a fantasy! Such a major undertaking will waste people and money."
"What a nonsense! Ladies and gentlemen, let alone whether the dam can be built, even if it is built, the forts in Huailai are all at the bottom of the valley, won't they be flooded? If it is built again, what if the Tatars attack again?
Huailai, as long as the dam is breached, the capital will be flooded!"
"Which one of you is so proud of such a thing that is causing a lot of harm but no benefit at all? Why don't you, counselors and ministers of state, stop this matter?"
Building dams to store water is not uncommon among the people.
But they are all small rivers and streams. In order to irrigate the fertile fields, it would be great to build a small dam.
And how big a river is this Yongding River? How big of a dam must be built between those high mountains and ridges to stop the excess river water and slowly release it during summer floods?
The power of water is both soft and strong!
Many people's faces turn pale when they imagine that if the dam is built, the Tatars will burst the dam and flood the capital.
Zhang Wenjin, who had just returned to the capital, was even more shocked and angry when he heard these discussions.
He only knew that Tang Shunzhi was the envoy to supervise the construction of the Ordnance Park. Who would have thought that he would build a dam into a lake at the confluence of the Yang River, Sanggan River, and Yongding River?
This is a strategy to subjugate the country!
Having made up his mind, he directly knocked on the door and knelt outside Chengtian Gate to ask for an audience.
Someone from Liubu Yamen watched the fun again: It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a knocker. Last time, hundreds of officials were arguing about the ceremony of worshiping Kong Que. As a result, several people were beaten to death with the imperial staff.
This time there was only one person knocking on the door, and they soon saw the red-robed official being brought into the palace.
"Your Majesty! Who asked you to build that Guanting Reservoir? This person harmed the people and the country and should be cut into pieces!"
Zhang Wenjin was not polite at all. Gu Dingchen, Jiang Rubi, and Wang Shenzhong couldn't help but look at the emperor together.
Zhu Houcong frowned: "This is my will."
Zhang Wenjin's expression froze, and then his head was filled with blood: "Your Majesty, I have withdrawn my invitation to you to die! Firstly, it is impossible to build this dam, which will waste people and money! Secondly, the northern invaders are powerful and the declaration is empty, so there is no guarantee that they will not be attacked.
Xuanda hinterland! Thirdly, Xuanda is a border town, where soldiers will be stationed, reinforcements will be sent, and food and grass will be transferred. They are not used to boats, and the water is slow due to the dams, and it is difficult for boats to reach the border walls and fortresses; fourthly..."
Zhu Houcong just sat there and listened to him spouting eight reasons in a row.
In a word: The dam cannot be built! The Ordnance Park cannot be repaired!
"What about the personnel affairs of Xuanda? According to Wang Xian's report, Anfu has some objections to Jingbian Bo's appointment as governor of Xuanda, and wants to return to Beijing to remonstrate."
Gu Dingchen, Jiang Rubi, and Wang Shenzhong looked at Zhang Wenjin: Another stubborn remonstrator?
"I have already drafted my remonstrances along the way. Unexpectedly, when I arrived in Beijing, I heard about the construction of a dam on the Yongding River to turn the water into a lake!" Zhang Wenjin took out the memorandum from his sleeve and knelt down to raise it. "I have been governor of Datong for more than three years. We are well aware of the hidden dangers in the border towns! Your Majesty changed the old system and made the governor-general and governor-general both responsible for food and salary. There were already many problems with the rights and responsibilities between the governor-general and the commander-in-chief, and now I am afraid it will become even more chaotic! Now Jingbian Bo is young and energetic, In the border town, the soldiers are arrogant and the generals are strong, the officials are oily and the officials are slippery, and the merchants and the people are cunning. In the old days of Jingbian Bo, how can new ministers convince the public?"
He raised his head and looked at the emperor with sorrow and anger: "Does your Majesty think that with the great victory of Shuozhou, Xuanda will be stable for a few years?"
Zhu Houcong sighed and asked Huang Jin to take the memorial first: "Didn't I appoint Marquis Wu Ding to guard the border, and also sent good ministers and generals to strengthen border defense?"
"...Wu Dinghou participated in the national policy but was incompetent. The commander-in-chief Huguang failed to make any achievements. He guarded Nanjing and interfered with the law. He even asked himself to guard the border because of his crime and feared punishment. I dare to say that your majesty entrusted you to an unworthy person!"
Zhu Houcong felt that Guo Xun had something to say.
He looked at Zhang Wenjin and could only read his advice carefully.
There was no problem. Everything was done for Daming's border defense. He was indeed very familiar with the problems existing in border towns like Datong.
But the methods he suggested were also very crude and traditional: replace good ministers with good generals, strictly supervise the distribution of grain and wages, severely beat up the government and merchants who colluded with the border towns to keep grain prices down, and build more forts to defend the border walls to keep the capital safe.
He is a loyal minister with integrity and dares to criticize others, but he is also a rigid and somewhat stubborn official.
Zhu Houcong could not remember in detail that this piece of Wenjin had also advocated the construction of the Xuanning Five Forts in history, and was too accepting of the generals in the border town and did not understand the methods, which finally triggered the Datong Mutiny in the third year of Jiajing.
This mutiny lasted for several months. The reason was that Zhang Wenjin insisted that the construction of the five forts could be completed with thirty thousand taels. The method was to directly let the soldiers go to work to repair it. There was no oil and water, and it was painful. The end result was that Zhang Wenjin was killed. In the end Cause a mutiny.
Now, because Yang Yiqing was in charge of all three sides at the time, the imperial court did not agree to the original construction plan of Xuanning's Five Forts. Later, Wang Xian was sent to governor Xuanda, and the conflict has been suppressed until now.
Zhang Wenjin was able to run up to Zhu Houcong alive and well and "remonstrate to the death".
"... Anfu, do you really want to remonstrate to death?" Zhu Houcong could only say to him, "Now the arrangements for Xuanda are a military affairs meeting. The ministers of state are aware of it and have discussed it in detail for several months."
Zhang Wenjin's eyes widened, his lips trembled, and he fired the map gun at last: "Of all the princes in the court, none of them are old enough to seek the country, and they are greedy for position and flattery. I am ashamed to be associated with them! I will never change my determination to remonstrate today!" "
This sentence made everyone laugh, and by the way, the connotation is Zhu Houcong: The so-called "everyone has been discussing it for several months", to put it bluntly, doesn't it mean that you are an emperor who is very proud of hearing a great victory, and is so happy about his success?
The bachelors eating melon in the imperial study lowered their heads: How will it end? The old rules?
The three of them only knew very limited information. Even Gu Dingchen, who was attending the national policy meeting, only needed to be brought to the national policy meeting to discuss plans for the Huailai Ordnance Park and the Guanting Reservoir.
He did know that this matter would actually take a long time to complete, and the Guanting Reservoir was actually an experiment in controlling floods in the Huanghuai River.
The Ming Dynasty is so big, where is the best place to conduct experiments? At the national policy meeting, the minister of state and military advisers all agreed, and everyone felt like they were in the clear mirror. There are still articles in this. It can’t be revealed at the national policy meeting for the time being.
, apart from military affairs for reasons such as secrecy and confusing the enemy, what else can it be?
The important task of military aircraft is independent of many regular topics in the National Policy Conference. The seats in the National Policy Conference have been expanded a lot and the military affairs conference. After the establishment of the State Affairs Hall, the imperial court is changing from one center of the National Policy Conference to several centers under the leadership of the emperor.
Taking part in strategies has gradually become a platform for entering one of these centers.
Now Zhang Wenjin, who is not qualified to know the slightest bit of information, is remonstrating with death. He is not the first to do this these days.
Zhang Wenjin seems to be serious. He has been holding back his anger for too long.
After Zhu Houcong looked at him for a while, his face slowly darkened: "This decision will not be changed, how can I remonstrate with you? What does it mean that all the princes are greedy for position and flattery? You might as well explain it clearly!"
Zhang Wenjin has a bad temper, especially now that he believes that he is dedicated to serving the country and the king, and there is nothing wrong with him.
Hearing this, he was so angry that his beard trembled: "Since your Majesty took the throne, you have been diligent and diligent in handling affairs, which is really rare for a wise king. It has only been six years since Jiajing, and the Ming Dynasty is not rich and its military is not strong! There are still internal and external troubles, but there is chaos.
One after another!”
Then the old man burst into tears: "A dead remonstrance is a dead remonstrance! Your Majesty will not take back your life, but you will use your old body as a drum to inspire caution in heaven's heart and call on loyal ministers and conscience! Let me make it clear: the prosperity of Kaiyuan and the chaos of Anshi are all due to Xuanzong
Your Majesty! Your Majesty has not even created a prosperous age, so why are you so arrogant and refuses to be remonstrated and is so stubborn?"
There is one more person who is clearly criticizing the emperor.
Zhu Houcong sighed: "Although Zhang Wenjin is loyal, he does not distinguish between right and wrong and has an angry temper. This is a sin committed above. I remember the merits of your hard work in Datong, so I won't care too much about it. I will not give you a new position for the time being.
Let's go to Xiyuan to stay for a while with the other ministers who have remonstrated to death."
"...Other ministers who are remonstrating?" Zhang Wenjin was stunned for a moment. After all, he had just sprayed him, and all the princes were greedy for position.
It seems that there are still loyal ministers in the court.
But the emperor actually locked everyone together?
So he became even more sad and angry: "Your Majesty thinks that I have committed the crime above, and it is the crime of punishing me! I am the governor of Datong, and the Five Forts of Xuanning have not been built, and the northern barbarians plundered Shuozhou last year. I am ashamed.
Kudos to you!"
Before Zhu Houcong said anything, another report came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Yang Shen, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, please see me."
"...Here we go again." Zhu Houcong was so numb that he waved his hand, "Then I will punish you. Call Lu Bing to come and take Zhang Wenjin to Xiyuan to stay. He has been traveling all the way, so let him take a bath and calm down.
.”
"Your Majesty! There can be no chaos in the border town, no way!"
"You loyal ministers should come together and make a careful calculation. Just think about it. Is there a possibility that the fate that I and the princes in the court have ordered is not a random one?"
At this time, Lu Bing, who was currently on duty in the palace, came over. He glanced at Zhu Houcong sympathetically, and then took Zhang Wenjin out, who was still shouting.
Outside the Imperial Study Room of Yangxin Hall, Zhang Wenjin saw Yang Shen, who was also kneeling there with a serious face, holding up a memorial.
"Yong Xiu! Yong Xiu! But Yang Getai also knows about this? I must advise His Majesty and take back his orders!"
"Zhang Futai!" Yang Shen saw Zhang Wenjin, who was dusty, with tears in his eyes, and a face full of worry and anger. He already knew what he was doing, so he was very moved.
After a while, he entered the Yangxin Hall and saw the emperor looking at him helplessly: "Are you tired? Come here once a day, do you really think I'm not angry?"
"I beg your Majesty to take back your order! The Ordnance Park and the dam cannot be repaired!" Yang Shen was not annoyed at all.
"I know, I know, leave it here."
"This is the fifth time that I have resigned. Has Your Majesty forgotten the rules set by Your Majesty?"
"...Yang Shen, have you forgotten that you were in Guangdong and your father wrote to you later? Did you ask your father this time?"
Yang Shen shook his head: "I am no longer the self-proclaimed Qingliu I used to be. I can make my own judgment!"
"... Then you wait for a while, and when Lu Bing comes back, you can calm down." Zhu Houcong's head was a bit big, "I really think the household department can't do without you, right?"
Yang Shen was very calm: "I have no intention of threatening you. I'm sorry for my stupidity, but I really don't know why your Majesty would approve such a policy that would do a lot of harm but not bring any benefit. Since Your Majesty is unwilling to explain the reason to me, I naturally have to fulfill my duties and advise you."
Admonish Your Majesty."
Zhu Houcong gritted his teeth: "I told you, it's a matter of border defense. Aren't you very smart? Why are you missing a muscle this time?"
"This kind of prevention of border troubles is something I have never heard of. That Wu Dinghou is not a champion, and that Jingbian Bo is not Ganluo. Your Majesty is becoming more and more like Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty."
"...You bully me!" Zhu Houcong looked at Huang Jin, "Go and declare General Yang! Didn't I order him to persuade this guy to stop bothering me every day?"
Yang Shen looked at Zhu Houcong: "He has persuaded the ministers. He persuaded the ministers to believe in your majesty like him."
Zhu Houcong's anger suddenly disappeared a lot, and he looked at Yang Shen with a strange expression.
Why is Yang Yiqing's way of persuading him a bit strange?
Yang Shen's eyes were calm and firm.
After a while, Zhu Houcong thought of the unusual number of officials who had come to remonstrate with him these days, and suddenly felt that something was even more wrong.
Yes, the problem is, after so many years, why are they still so tough?
It can’t be said that it’s not good. The complete lack of opposition is not what Zhu Houcong wants to see.
But this time everyone seems to be very brave. For this reason, Xiyuan has locked up five officials who were so excited that they wanted to commit suicide.
"...Elm head! Since General Staff Yang has advised you, why are you still here?"
"Your Majesty, if you don't allow it today, I won't be here in the Yangxin Hall tomorrow to remonstrate. If Zhang Futai knocks on the que and remonstrates directly, I am willing to follow his example!"
Zhu Houcong asked: "Are you serious?"
Gu Dingchen and the other three also looked at the emperor with confusion: Why did his tone seem a little wrong from just now?
"Of course, since Your Majesty cannot convince me, I will try my best to be killed by Your Majesty, but I still have to be loyal to others!"
"...Love so much!"
The bachelor in the imperial study lowered his head: Why does your majesty suddenly have such an accent?
The emperor was so angry that he left the Imperial Study Room to relax. He took a walk to the Wuying Palace and walked to Yang Yiqing.
"what happened?"
Yang Yiqing only said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, how smart is Yong Xiu? He is young."
"...As for it?" Zhu Houcong asked.
Yang Yiqing replied solemnly: "That's natural. Didn't His Majesty say that the outside factory came to report that something is wrong in the north this year. The situation is changing, so we must adapt to the situation. Now it is getting more and more complicated. It just depends on which side has misjudged the situation.
.In this case, except for the border towns, if everyone in the court is united and has no objections, how can the Tatars fall into the trap?"
"...Yang Shen is actually Huang Gai?"
Yang Yiqing laughed: "He will not pretend to defect. Besides, this is a letter from Jie Fu, asking me to give Yong Xiu some advice. If Yong Xiu hits His Majesty's side, the Yang family will feel more relaxed."
"...How many other people did General Staff Yang order?"
Yang Yiqing saluted: "Your Majesty, forgive me. I have been admonishing and remonstrating for many days. Your Majesty is unbearable, so I will show it to the ministers at the court meeting. It is necessary for the government and the public to discuss it. Tomorrow, if you want, your Majesty
I would like to remind the ministers to use the imperial staff to strike more lightly."
"...How do you want to confuse the enemy like this?"
Yang Yiqing sighed: "I and Bo'an are worried about Marquis Wu Ding, and Jingbian Bo is not familiar with Xuanda, so we have to think of more ideas in the capital."
"By the way, can some future ministers of humerus have more reputations in the government and the public?"
"After the success, they were even more impressed by His Majesty's calculations."
Zhu Houcong lowered his head and shook his head: "Ai Qing has finished speaking. Whatever, let's give them this reputation."
The reason for his annoyance was that the situation on the grassland seemed to be changing, and Beiyuan seemed to be planning an overall situation.
This is not a good change. If it is implemented across the board, it can hardly be said to be a 50-50 approach.
He had a higher opinion of An Da's forbearance and style. That guy was worthy of being the one who would later get the title of Khan.
Now, do they need Yang Yiqing and others to plan a trick to make Bei Yuan misjudge the situation?
The next day was the day of the court meeting. Yang Shen was the leader, and many people kowtowed at Chengtian Gate.
Although Yang Shen's imperial staff arrived late, it was not absent.
But there will be no exile, and "Linjiang Immortal" has been prostituted by Zhu Houcong for nothing.
Zhu Houcong was very annoyed: It seemed that he owed him more now.