The imperial army was defeated!

A group of mud-legged rebels actually occupied the entire Gansu and Shaanxi!

Is there such a magical thing in this world?!

When Zhu Youjian heard that the noble army had returned with a disastrous defeat and that the rebel armies had tried to send troops to Shanxi and Henan, he was completely confused.

The imperial court has 50,000 elite troops from the capital, plus 30,000 Gansu and Shaanxi border troops. This is the most capable army in the Ming Dynasty. The 80,000-strong army sweeping up Gansu and Shaanxi should be as refreshing as the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. How is it possible? How is it possible?

The battle may have been lost!

Zhu Youjian is a good emperor. He knows how to reflect: First of all, as an emperor, he cannot make mistakes. After all, he has to collect enough money and send food to him. Secondly, the cabinet should not have any

Problem, after all, the cabinet is responsible for logistics and strategic layout, and the layout is very good. Logistics support has no problems. And then, ordinary soldiers should also be fine. Although the Qiu Ba uncles often have trouble with their pay, these Qiu Ba uncles have made enough money.

He also really dares to fight and fight hard.

Moreover, the battle report from the front line also said that the imperial army fought very bravely. Facing double or even triple the number of enemies, it was still able to keep the military formation motionless and advance and retreat like the wind.

So who is at fault?

Zhu Youjian could only blame the nobles. It was the nobles who had command problems. It was not the nobles who had the problem. It couldn't be the emperor's fault, right?

Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty is famous for his non-stick pans!

So Zhu Youjian first issued an order to warn these nobles who were unwilling to die. If they were unwilling to die, their loyalty was not absolute. If their loyalty was not absolute, that was absolutely disloyal.

The Chongzhen Dynasty did not need these absolutely disloyal nobles. Then Zhu Youjian deposed more than a dozen nobles with an edict and asked them to go to prison to reflect on why they lost the war. Although the imprisonment of the nobles was barely considered a deal.

But facing the uprising army currently spying on Shanxi and Henan, Zhu Youjian still had no good solution.

There are still 230,000 people in the Beijing camp, of which 180,000 are young men who have only been established for two years, and the remaining 50,000 are elites of the imperial court. There are local Shanxi frontier troops and no less than hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses in various guards.

Zhu Youjian was a little worried, but the cabinet academicians had full confidence in him.

Especially Wen Tiren, Yang Changsi, Shi Fenglai and others, don't look at their extensive organization of party members, don't look at their ***, let alone their crooked upper beams and crooked lower beams, making the world full of corrupt officials, but they are really

Those who love the Ming Dynasty love the current imperial court.

Whether these cabinet bachelors or nobles, they were shocked by the failure of the imperial army to suppress the rebellion, and then they had to do whatever they wanted to do. Compared with Zhu Youjian, who was shocked three times a day, these Donglin Party members

The honorable men and nobles who are the pillars of the country are all calm and gentle, highlighting one who has full confidence in Zhu Youjian.

Yes, the civil and military officials of the Ming Dynasty, as well as the noble gentry, are very confident in the Chongzhen Dynasty's ability to counter rebellion. The current failure to counter the rebellion is just a mistake.

The Ming Dynasty was rich from all over the world, embraced the world, and had so many talents and materials?

There are tens of millions of people and countless resources in the thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty. The court can continuously build armies. The Ming Dynasty can fail once, twice, or three times, but as long as it succeeds once, the rebel armies cannot afford to fail.

price!

This was not only said by Wen Tiren and others, but also by Sun Chengzong, a big boss with rich experience in guarding the border. With the guarantee of these important ministers, Zhu Youjian finally felt more at ease.

Your Majesty, it is just a rebellion of the people, this is a disease like scabies! The Ming Dynasty is so vast and has experienced so many turmoils, but now, how many people can really threaten the imperial court?

In the past, thieves in the four southern provinces had caused trouble for decades, but they were still destroyed by the imperial court every day. King Ning rebelled, and the imperial court destroyed the enemy in ten months.

Even if slaves were established in Liaodong to bring trouble to the border, and Monan boots were raging in the north, they still could not shake the Ming Dynasty in the slightest.

How does the rebellion of the people in one province compare to the centuries-old border troubles of the Ming Dynasty? How does it compare to the establishment of slaves in Liaodong?"

Listening to the impassioned speeches of Wen Tiren and others, Zhu Youjian was also excited: "Not bad!"

In the 270 years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, we have experienced so many ups and downs. I am underestimating myself!"

See Zhu Youjian regained his confidence, Wen Tiren and others

Mr. Ge also breathed a sigh of relief. To put it bluntly, the Ming Dynasty really didn't care about the people's rebellion once or twice. After all, it has experienced this kind of thing a lot. Since the Ming Dynasty, from Emperor Taizu to the present, which dynasty has not experienced several people's rebellions?

ah?

As long as the emperor has confidence and determination to suppress the rebellion, and gathers the manpower and material resources of the Ming Dynasty, nothing is impossible.

But before Wen Tiren and the others could breathe a sigh of relief, they heard Zhu Youjian say: "The most serious problem in the Ming Dynasty is not the rebellion of the people but Zhang Haogu of Liaodong and his Datong Party!"

This beast has replaced the Liaodong Jiannu and the Northern Boot Target and has become a serious problem for the imperial court. I want to get rid of this beast more than the people rebelling!"

The Ming Dynasty was rich and powerful, and it spanned the world. I don’t believe that I can’t defeat Zhang Haogu!”???

Wen Tiren, Shi Fenglai, Yang Changsi and other cabinet academicians were all stunned.

Little brother, what's the matter with you?

To increase your confidence is not to allow you to have delusions!

Except for Zhang Haogu, where do you get the confidence to say this?

Not to mention Wen Tiren and others, even Sun Chengzong had no confidence in Zhu Youjian's delusion.

Is the current imperial court capable of going to war with Liaodong?

When the fight really breaks out, it won't be that the king's army sweeps across Liaodong's courtyards and clears holes, but that Liaodong's tigers and wolves will enter the pass, and the world will change color!

Therefore, Sun Chengzong euphemistically made a suggestion: "Your Majesty's top priority is to eliminate the troubles between Gansu and Shaanxi.

The so-called war against foreigners must be peaceful. The injustice in Gansu and Shaanxi threatens Shanxi and Henan. Once the refugees flood into Shanxi and Henan, the Ming Dynasty's inner circle will inevitably be destroyed. By then, if the court wants to quell the rebellion, it will have to use tens of thousands of soldiers.

, it can be done with hundreds of thousands of taels of silver."

Liu Hongxun also said quickly: "Now, what Cifu said is true. The imperial court should now focus its energy on Gansu and Shaanxi. Only by quelling the rebellion between Gansu and Shaanxi can the imperial court be free to concentrate on dealing with Liaodong. Otherwise, the imperial court will start a war on two fronts.

It's easy for both lines to get corrupted.

Neither Sun Chengzong nor Liu Hongxun supported Zhu Youjian's attack on Liaodong. Zhu Youjian was very unhappy.

But Zhu Youjian had to admit that what Sun Chengzong and Liu Hongxun said made some sense: "According to the two elders, the court should now deal with the northwest instead of the northeast?"

Then how to quell the rebellion in the northwest, do you two cabinet ministers have any suggestions?"

Liu Hongxun was stunned for a moment and said dryly: "I believe that the rogue bandits in the northwest have become a strong force. The current plan is to gather the imperial army and plan for it slowly."

Sun Chengzong knew more than Liu Hongxun. Even if he only looked at the battle reports, Sun Chengzong could infer a lot of things through his decades of experience in horse racing and border guarding.

Therefore, Sun Chengzong was keenly aware that behind the seemingly simple people's rebellion, there must be a powerful force supporting it. Otherwise, these rebellious people would not be able to sweep across Gansu and Shaanxi so quickly, let alone be as unstoppable as they are now.

momentum.

After all, a group of illiterate farmers with their faces facing the loess and their backs to the sky, how do they understand the overall strategic situation and the formation of troops?

But now these farmers have managed the Gansu and Shaanxi areas well, and they can train a large number of elites and even start a head-on military confrontation with the elites of the imperial court and the border troops. What the hell can the peasant uprising army do?

Sun Chengzong understood immediately that the forces in the world could have such power.

What Sun Chengzong could understand, Qian Qianyi could naturally understand too, and he even took a longer-term view.

Therefore, Qian Qianyi didn't say a word. Zhu Youjian was planning to ask him to leave the cabinet anyway, so why did he say all this?

Zhu Youjian didn't get anything useful from Liu Hongxun, so he looked at Sun Chengzong again. He very much hoped that Sun Chengzong could use his rich border experience to come up with a practical plan.

But Sun Chengzong didn't know what to do now, because simply dealing with the rebels was of no use. The looming shadow behind the rebels was the most critical. Obviously, this was still a conflict between the Datong Party and the court.

Seeing that these important cabinet ministers could not give an answer, Zhu Youjian waved his hands irritably and asked them to leave.

At night, Zhu Youjian was still in the Wuying Hall approving reports from various places. Queen Zhou saw that her man was working so hard.

So I personally delivered the lotus seed soup.

After all, Zhu Youjian was really angry during this period and had sores in his mouth.

Seeing that his queen was here, Zhu Youjian also sighed. Although his queen Zhou often disagreed with him, there was no doubt that queen Zhou was a qualified and virtuous housekeeper. She had a lot of experience, understood the general situation, and knew how to help herself. Zhu Youjian

Like his brother Zhu Youxiao, he was not very obsessed with women. One queen was enough, and there were very few concubines in the harem.

"Your Majesty, why are you so troubled?" Queen Zhou rubbed Zhu Youjian's head, a little puzzled.

Prosecutor Zhu You sighed: "I'm worried about Liaodong."

Liaodong, Master Zhang? But isn't there a problem in the northwest now?" Queen Zhou asked.

Zhu Youjian snorted coldly and said irritably: "The elders didn't say it, but I also know in my heart. How powerful can a group of ordinary farmers be if they break the sky? How long did it take to sweep through Gansu and Shaanxi and even spy on Shanxi and Henan!"

Who would believe them if they said there was no one behind them?"

Not to mention that the rabble organized by these farmers can actually compete with the elites of the imperial court, and even defeat them in battle, even if there are more people, but since when are there more people in the rabble? "

"Thirty thousand border troops turned against each other at the most critical moment. Is there no mastermind behind this?"

This must be Zhang Haogu who is stumbling upon me. He just wants to see me fail so that he can ridicule me that the Chongzhen Dynasty is not as good as the Tianqi Dynasty! I know it must be him!"

This live Cao asked me to give him a prince title, give him nine tins, make him a lieutenant, let him go to the palace with swords and shoes, praise him and worship him when he enters the court."

As he said that, Zhu Youjian's expression became distorted: I am determined to destroy this beast!"

Queen Zhou was a little worried: "But don't the cabinet ministers not support the war against Liaodong?"

Zhu Youjian said: "I also understand what the cabinet means. It is a taboo for the imperial court to fight on two fronts, but once the imperial court starts a war with Liaodong, will Liaodong still have the strength to support Gansu and Shaanxi? By then, the imperial court can easily solve the northwest problem, and it will

You can free up your hands to deal with Liaodong!"

These elders are all calm and composed, but how many of them really understand military affairs? Do they really think that I don’t know how to fight?

So your Majesty's intention is to start a war against Master Zhang?" Empress Zhou was still worried. She was not ignorant of the major affairs of the court. She knew very well that if the court really broke up with Liaodong, how terrible the consequences would be.

Definitely not the result anyone wants to see.

But Zhu Youjian had already made up his mind at this time, and he said slowly: "I have thought clearly. If you want to deal with the living Cao Cao, you must start from his confidants. Only those who are familiar with him know his weaknesses!"

"

I already know what to do.

Seeing the confident Zhu Youjian, Queen Zhou was silent. Who is Zhang Haogu's confidant?

Who is the person who is familiar with Zhang Haogu?

Perhaps the princes of the imperial court can give many answers, such as Zhang Ruitu, such as Lu Xiangsheng, such as Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu, who are known as Zhang Haogu's direct descendants

But there was another person who gave Zhang Haogu a huge help when he was still young. He was the first person who helped Zhang Haogu rise to power. That person was the Chief Supervisor of the Inner Palace of the Tianqi Dynasty.

, Dongchang Factory Supervisor, Wei Zhongxian, the great companion of Tianqi Emperor Zhu Youxiao!

At that time, Zhu Youjian deliberately kept Wei Zhongxian, and still entrusted him with important responsibilities. He also made him serve as the errand manager of the inner palace and the supervisor of etiquette, and also asked him to bear the burden of the East Factory.

Over the years, Zhu Youjian has successively withdrew Wei Zhongxian's subordinates one after another, and the director of rites has also been replaced by his confidant Wang Chengen. He has also divided the errands of Dongchang, and even Jin Yiwei

He and the factory guards were also constantly suppressed by him. It can be said that Wei Zhongxian's power has been weakened to the extreme.

What's more, in order to show his loyalty to Zhu Youjian in recent years, Wei Zhongxian has often acted as a black glove for Zhu Youjian. When dealing with disobedient local officials and gentry, and attacking those who were displeased in the court, Wei Zhongxian behaved like a loyal dog, howling and barking.

Upward punch.

It can be said that Wei Zhongxian is still so unpopular in the past two years, especially since the Datong Party has withdrawn to Liaodong. He, the former core of the Datong Party, is still jumping up and down in the court without any idea in his heart, which has seriously affected Donglin.

the party's justice

Gentlemen make money and buy real estate.

Now that Zhu Youjian is going to attack Zhang Haogu, Wei Zhongxian is naturally of no use.

Although Wei Zhongxian has indeed done a lot in the past two years, the good birds have hidden themselves, and the cunning rabbits have died and the lackeys have cooked him. Wei Zhongxian has only one role left now, and that is to take the blame for Zhu Youjian and then be killed justifiably!

Soon, Zhu Youjian issued an edict, claiming that Wei Zhongxian had deceived the emperor, brought harm to the world, excluded dissidents, and interfered in politics with ten major crimes. He also said with sorrow that he had served Wei Zhongxian for many years in the imperial court and was his brother's confidant.

He still entrusted him with important responsibilities, regardless of past grudges, but he did not expect that Wei Zhongxian did not know how to restrain himself, bullied officials wantonly, and committed many evil deeds.

Even the local people's rebellion, the world's economic turmoil and local unrest, the northwest uprising, the border army's pay disputes and many other issues were all placed on Wei Zhongxian's head by Zhu Youjian!

It was all him, it was all him who deceived the superiors and deceived our Emperor Chongzhen!

Covering up the fact that all the border officers and soldiers were his, and it was he who embezzled military pay, which made the border unstable!

It's all him, it's him who wantonly causes trouble and bullies officials, which makes the court so chaotic that the gentlemen can't manage the country with peace of mind.

It's all him, it's him who collects bribes and fabricates all kinds of exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes, which makes the people's lives more and more difficult!

It was all his doing, and it had nothing to do with Emperor Chongzhen or the gentlemen of our Donglin Party!

Under a serious charge, with the blessing of being the core of the New Party and the eunuch party, no one in the civil or military circles of the Manchu Dynasty spoke for Wei Zhongxian. Wei Zhongxian was caught off guard by the Han general, and was later killed by the factory guards of his East Factory.

Put in jail.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Youjian sentenced Wei Zhongxian to death without hesitation.

In the prison, Wei Zhongxian was put into a cold, damp cell that was full of fleas and could not see any sunlight. The guards were also rude to the once majestic factory supervisor, beating and scolding every one of them, which was very unpleasant.

Let Wei Zhongxian taste what it means to be in a cold world and what it means to be a prisoner.

But in the conscience of heaven and earth, Wei Zhongxian has really not done much in these years. Even in the third year of Tianqi, Wei Zhongxian became a good man. What can he do? He is just a eunuch.

But the emperor said that there is something wrong with Wei Zhongxian, so there must be something wrong with Wei Zhongxian. If he doesn't tell the truth now, he must be hoping to get away with it!

So the jailers beat Wei Zhongxian, tortured him with whips, sticks, and soldering irons, etc., and tortured Wei Zhongxian, who had been pampered for so many years, until he almost died.

Finally, Wei Zhongxian couldn't hold it any longer. He didn't know why Zhu Youjian treated him like this, but he really couldn't stand it anymore. He begged the jailers to speak and tell him what he should say.

In this case, Wang Chengen, who had not been seen for a long time, appeared in place of Wei Zhongxian as the Supervisor of Ceremonies, Eunuch Wei, and said: "

Wei Zhongxian reluctantly raised his head and looked at Wang Chengen, crying and asking: "My lord, I am loyal to Your Majesty. I am really unjust."

Wang Chengen said, "Eunuch Wei, if you are really loyal to His Majesty, why do you want to join the Datong Society?"

"What's more, Eunuch Wei, are your actions over the years really a crime?"

"Do you really think that Your Majesty doesn't know who has been sending people to monitor Your Majesty while you are hiding in your residence? Do you really think that Your Majesty doesn't know who keeps giving gossip to the late Emperor?"

Eunuch Wei, you are a sensible person, you know what His Majesty wants, you will do what you need to do, and you will end up with a good end, otherwise hehe!"

Listening to Wang Chengen's words, Wei Zhongxian's tears kept flowing down. He finally understood that Zhu Youjian was a mean and unkind emperor, far worse than the late emperor!

Not only is he mean and ungrateful, but he also burns bridges, which is simply callous and heartless to the extreme!

But now people have to bow their heads under the eaves, and Wei Zhongxian has no choice but to be sorry for Zhang Haogu in order to survive.

You can't blame yourself for this. It's because Zhu Youjian was too cruel. He was also trying to survive. In addition, Zhang Haogu and himself have been old friends for so many years. He should be able to understand himself, right?

While excusing myself subconsciously, I seek psychological solutions.

While taking off his clothes, Wei Zhongxian slowly spoke: "Old slave, I know something about the imperial examination situation in the second year of Tianqi.
Chapter completed!