Just when Shang Yi and Tang Ruowang reached a secret agreement, several cabinet ministers were also in the court, reporting to Chongzhen on the rewards planned for Shang Yi's defense.
Chongzhen frowned and said: "Promoted to general of Dingguo, awarded special honor to protect the army. Granted his wife Ye to be a third-grade lady? Isn't it too little to only receive such a reward for saving the country?"
General Dingguo belongs to the Wusan rank of the Ming Dynasty, and is divided into three levels from the second-grade military attaché to the second-grade Wusan rank. He is initially awarded the title of General of Zhenguo, promoted to General of Dingguo, and then awarded General of Fengguo. Shang Yi is now the commander of the capital. With the same knowledge, he automatically obtained the rank of general of Zhenguo and was promoted to general of Dingguo, which is equivalent to adding one level. Guarding the army belongs to the "honor" category. Generally, only a few civil and military officials who have made special achievements will receive the honor. Ranks, starting from the second rank, the corresponding rank is to protect the army. The imperial orders for the wives of ordinary officials are divided into nine levels. The first and second ranks are called wives, and the third rank are called ladies.
Although these are very glorious official titles, Shang Yi's actual position has not been improved at all, and Chongzhen is quite dissatisfied with this. Chongzhen always followed his feelings when hiring people. As long as he feels right, no matter what he says, Not only is it easy to get promoted, but it also requires conditions and policies. Yuan Chonghuan and Yang Sichang both received this kind of treatment at the beginning. But now Chongzhen also has feelings for Shang Yi, so Chongzhen believes that Shang Yi's official official position At least he should be promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief Military Officer and the Commander-in-Chief of the Capital Division.
Chen Yandao: "The intention of reporting back to the Emperor and others is actually a good intention to protect the loyal and brave generals of the Ming Dynasty and to preserve Shang Yi."
Chongzhen was stunned for a moment and said, "How do you say this?"
Wei Zaode continued: "Your Majesty, although General Shang has made many meritorious deeds, Bi Jing is too young and lacks qualifications. He suddenly gained a high position. Not only is it difficult to obey, but he is also prone to jealousy and slander. Therefore, we should not allow him to continue his training to observe the situation. The aftereffects. Moreover, Shang Yi is still young, and our Ming Dynasty is in troubled times. Are we still afraid that we will not get the chance to be promoted in the future? I hope your Majesty will think again."
Hearing what Wei Zaode said, Chongzhen suddenly realized that Shang Yi was only twenty-four years old this year, and he was already a second-grade military general. With the current situation of the Ming Dynasty, there were still many places to fight, and he would make meritorious deeds in the future. It is also a very normal thing. Isn’t it time to kill the bandits soon? Therefore, to be granted the title of general and marquis is also a matter of time. What should I do if there is no title and no reward?
And now it seems that Shang Yi is indeed very loyal to him, as evidenced by the fact that he risked his life to protect him in the palace that day. But when Shang Yi rises to a higher position and gains greater power, will he still remain loyal to the court? What? And even if Shang Yi has no ambition, who can guarantee that none of his subordinates will have the idea of serving the dragon and becoming the founding fathers of the country. When the day comes when the yellow robe is put on Shang Yi, I am afraid that Shang Yi himself will not be able to do it. . Thinking of this, Chongzhen couldn't help but tremble in his heart, and suddenly felt that he had no confidence at all.
The other three cabinet ministers did not speak, waiting for the emperor's instructions. Chongzhen was silent for a long time, and then said: "Shang Yi seems to have no acknowledgment, right?"
Several cabinet ministers were stunned for a moment, wondering why the emperor asked about Shang Yi's cousin. Wu Zong said: "Reporting to the emperor, as far as I know, there is indeed no such name."
Chongzhen nodded and said: "'Yi' means perseverance. I gave you the word 'Yiheng' as a gift. What do you think?"
Several cabinet ministers understood what Chongzhen meant, and they knelt down together and said in unison: "Your Majesty is wise."
Give the word, give the mansion
Chongzhen said again: "In my will, Shang Yi can be conferred the title of General Fengguo, with special honors to protect the army. He can be conferred the title of Linyi Bo, and his wife Ye can be given the title of second-grade countess. His father can be posthumously given the title of Bo Ping Bo. My mother is a second-grade countess. She was given a mansion in the capital."
It was a very honorable thing in this era for the emperor to present a watchword, and according to Chongzhen's award, Shang Yi's rank was raised by another level, from the second rank to the general of Fengguo, and he was also granted the title of a general. The title of Count Linyi not only has a rank, but also a title, and Ye Yaogui's title has been increased by one level. Because Shang Yi has the title of earl, Ye Yaogui can also be called the countess. At the same time, Shang Yi's parents were given posthumous gifts, apparently hoping to use these many false titles to make up for Shang Yi's regret of not receiving a substantial promotion.
After the three cabinet ministers finished singing their praises, Chongzhen said: "Wu Aiqing, how did your discussion with Shang Aiqing go about going south to quell the rebellion?"
Wu Di hurriedly said: "Reporting to the emperor, General Shang agreed with the scriptures that he will send 10,000 troops and follow him south to quell the chaos. And there will be 5,000 troops to be used later."
Suddenly there were 15,000 troops. Chongzhen was quite satisfied and asked, "Did Shang Aiqing say when he can send out troops?"
Wu Zongdao: "General Shang said that when he returns to Shandong this time, he will need to arrange for the families of the soldiers and prepare food and military supplies. It will take some time. After two months, we can send troops south. At the same time, we hope that the emperor will grant permission to transfer the soldiers to military status. All family members were transferred to military households."
Although Chongzhen wished that Shang Yi would send troops immediately, he also knew that what Shang Yi said was true. It would take time to prepare for launching an army, and he also had to take office and hand over official affairs. At the same time, it would take more than 20 days to get from Shandong to Hubei. It takes two months to prepare for the journey, which is really not much. And it is not a big deal to convert soldiers to military status and family members to military households. It allows soldiers to feel at ease and fight. Maybe Shang Yi thought To make a fortune from these military households, most of the current guardhouses are like this, so Chongzhen thought for a moment and said: "Just follow what Shang Aiqing said, but instruct Zeng Hualong, the governor of Shandong, to try his best to cooperate with Shang Yi's dispatch. So that Shang Yi can send troops as soon as possible."
Wu Di hurriedly said "The Emperor's Holy Ming" and said: "General Shang also said that Huguang is thousands of miles away from Shandong, so a place in Huguang should be selected as a temporary stronghold for troops to station and gather grain and grass." Materials, as well as money and food supplies for the army, I hope the court will remove them."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Yan frowned and said with some displeasure: "Didn't he get a lot of food and supplies from the chief slaves when he regained Jinan? Why did he still ask for money from the imperial court? Now the imperial court can still get it. Here comes the money.”
Wu Zongdao: "General Shang did get some food and supplies when he regained Jinan. However, to resettle the refugees and support the soldiers who died in the war, they all paid for it without using a penny of the court's money. It was almost spent. Now the court wants to transfer him. When Muling's army goes south to quell the invaders, they will naturally receive money and food supplies."
Now Chongzhen was afraid that the ministers would reach out to him and ask for money. But if he wanted soldiers to fight, not only wages, but also money must be used even if people eat and feed horses. After pondering for a moment, he said: "It is natural to set up strongholds in front of the army.
I will authorize you to do whatever is expedient. As for the supply of money and food for the army... Now the imperial court's warehouse is empty, and there is not enough money, food and rice to store. What can I do?"
When Wu Di saw that the emperor was somewhat relieved, he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the imperial court can do its best to deal with the matter of silver and grain. If there is a gap, it should be collected on the spot in Huguang, Jiangxi, and Nanzhili. The Jiangnan area is rich, so it must be able to supply it."
Worth it."
After hearing this, Chongzhen also laughed bitterly, but immediately thought about whether Shang Yi was planning to make a fortune in Jiangnan, and felt a little relieved. Chongzhen was not afraid that Shang Yi was greedy for money. On the contrary, if Shang Yi was not greedy for money, it would make people uneasy.
, it would be better for Shang Yi to make a fortune in Jiangnan and make people angry, so he said: "This is the only way. You can instruct the Ministry of Household Affairs to issue 50,000 yuan in silver, and I will issue another 50,000 yuan in internal currency to pay for the army."
If the balance is insufficient, we can collect it locally, but the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs can assist in handling it. Is there anything else we can do?"
Wu Gang said: "General Shang also said that the Mu Ling army was good at using firearms. This time they send troops to quell the chaos. I also hope that the court can prepare some firearms. They need to use three thousand bird blunderbuss, one thousand Rumi blunderbuss, and two thousand catties and one thousand catties."
Ten Hongyi cannons each, ten No. 1 and No. 2 Fran cannons each, 10,000 jins of charcoal, 5,000 jins of saltpetre, and 5,000 jins of sulfur. We also request two cannon-casting and gunpowder technicians from the Ordnance Bureau and the Military War Bureau.
Hundreds of people.”
Before Chongzhen could speak, Chen Yanyi exclaimed: "With so many, wouldn't it mean that all the artillery and musketry in the capital would be removed? If the capital is in danger again, how will it be defended? Not to mention firearms.
It is a sharp weapon for the military and the country. Cannon-forging technicians cannot give it to border towns. This is still the practice of our Ming Dynasty. This must not be done. Please think twice, Your Majesty."
Wu Di didn't think that if he wanted to do his job well, he should sharpen his weapons first, because he was the one who came to the capital to supervise the division this time. Naturally, he hoped that Chongzhen could fully meet Shang Yi's requirements, with sufficient money and food, and complete weapons, so that Shang Yi's
The army can exert its full combat effectiveness. Besides, now that the Qing army has retreated and the bandits are making trouble in Huguang, the capital is completely safe, so there is no danger. And even if the cannon-casting technicians cannot be sent to the border town, some gunpowder can be prepared
It is still possible for craftsmen to travel with the army. Gunpowder is a consumable item. We cannot let soldiers wait to transport gunpowder from the capital to Huguang. With the slow speed of the capital, it is not impossible to delay the work for a year.
However, Wu Di has also been in officialdom for a long time, and he has a close understanding of Chen Yan's psychology. Now that Zhou Yanru's downfall is imminent, the person most qualified to replace him as the chief minister of the cabinet is naturally Chen Yan, the second assistant.
Once Wu Di went out to the capital to supervise an army and made great achievements when he came back, he was bound to become a strong contender for the position of chief minister of the cabinet. Even if he took the position of chief minister of the cabinet, he was not secure, so Chen Yan didn't want Wu Di to be the chief minister of the cabinet this time.
The supervisor could come back victorious, but he tried his best to hold Wu Di back.
Wu Yan knew this in his heart, but he couldn't say anything else, so he could only scold Chen Yan in his heart for only fighting for power and profit, without caring about the overall situation.
Chongzhen pondered for a long time before he slowly said: "But the Ordnance Bureau has mobilized two thousand bird cannons, five hundred Lumi cannons, six Hongyi cannons, six general cannons, and No. 1 and No. 2 Fran machine cannons."
Eight gates, five thousand catties of charcoal, three thousand catties of saltpetre, and three thousand catties of sulfur were brought to the Shang general's army. As for the cannon-casters and gunpowder technicians, it is of great importance and will not be discussed properly until later."
On the basis of the weapons that Shang Yi asked for, Chongzhen gave him a cut in the waist, which was equivalent to a six-piece attack. However, Wu Di also knew that this was not even the limit that the court could bear. In fact, when making this order, Shang Yi
He clearly told Wu Di that half of it would be enough. Now that the imperial court was able to pull out 60-70% of it, Shang Yi should be satisfied. At the same time, it would be worthy of the 5,000 taels of silver that Shang Yi gave him for the event.