To appease someone is to appease someone if you can't defeat them. If you really can defeat someone, it won't be wiped out in one fell swoop, so why talk about appeasement? The word "appeasement" is just a word game made by brave scholars, which is extremely embarrassing.
The young emperor is a man who cares about face, and does not like to appease. Since he ascended the throne, he has really followed the ancestral motto of "the emperor guards the country, and the king dies in the country". Two years ago, when the Donglu army came to the city, he also refused to negotiate.
, and even killed Yuan Chonghuan, who was good at negotiating peace with the Donglu, and fought bloody battles with the Donglu to the end with the heart of coexisting with the city. When the situation was critical, he was already ready to commit suicide.
The 100,000-strong Donglu army could not force Chongzhen, but they devoted all their efforts to suppress the rebellious generals in order to revitalize the imperial court.
In the past few days, the court had discussed the matter of appeasement many times. Chongzhen had long been tired of hearing the old clichés about appeasement. If the appeasement could be accomplished, he would be optimistic about it.
Dengzhou was lost, and he couldn't bear it anymore!
Xu Congzhi and Xie Lian's excerpt was like a catalyst. It hit Chongzhen's sore spot and touched his heart. "As soon as the envoys are sent out, the thieves will be more anxious to attack the city." This is so right! [
Chongzhen, who was angry that the appointment had gone wrong, slapped the emperor's case with his palm, but he didn't show any kindness to his chief assistant. What he said was very serious.
The emperor's face has been completely humiliated by you, but you still have the nerve to continue to flatter him with such big words!
The emperor was angry. Zhou Yanru remained silent and did not dare to speak out in defense. Wu Zongda and Zheng Yiwei were speechless. They thought most of all that there was a rumor in the capital that the emperor was going to change his first assistant. Yu was panic-stricken.
Xiong Mingyu had a feud with Zhou Yanru, but the Ministry of War tried its best to lead the war, while the cabinet tried its best to support him, which made him have to complain about Zhou Yanru. Just as the emperor thought, if the care can be accomplished, everything will be fine. But now it is not
It was a failure to recruit people and became a laughingstock. The Ministry of War will bear the consequences of the defeat of the army and the city!
Why should I carry the dirty water you Zhou Yanru made for you?
Xiong Mingyu gloated over his misfortunes, and Zhou Yanru's old white face was what he loved to see the most.
Xu Guangqi even said that at this critical moment, the Clay Bodhisattva could not save himself when crossing the river, so how could he dare to speak for Zhou Yanru.
Wen Tiren heard something from the emperor's words, and felt an indescribable excitement.
"There is no need to discuss recruiting and appeasement. Extermination as soon as possible is the best policy!"
Chongzhen came to a conclusion, knocked on the imperial case, and asked Xiong Mingyu: "Have Jin Guochen and the people of the ancestors left?"
Xiong Mingyu hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Back to the emperor, the Liao army has already set off and will arrive in Laizhou in ten days."
"Um."
Chongzhen nodded with some relief. Recently, only the Liao army could reassure his emperor. He took out a memorial from a pile of memorials on the table, held it in his hand and said to Xiong Mingyu: "Jinzhou General Shi Dayong led his troops to capture
In Shahe, we killed the rebel general Chen Youyou and gained a lot. The Ministry of War must describe the merits and discuss the merits so as not to dishearten the meritorious officers and soldiers."
"What?" Xiong Mingyu was stunned after hearing this. Shi Dayong's Jinzhou Army won the battle, why didn't he know about this?
Seeing that he didn't know, Chongzhen didn't say much to him. He just said lightly: "There will be a document reporting the victory tomorrow. I already know about it. There is no need to report it. How to explain it, the Ministry of War will decide."
"I know."
Xiong Mingyu responded and glanced at the memorial inadvertently. He guessed that it was probably someone from Dongchang or Jinyiwei. Otherwise, why had the Ministry of War not received the battle report until now?
"When I summoned you on the platform, I said that Shi Dayong is my general of fat cavalry. Some of you didn't take it seriously afterwards, thinking that I praised my words. Now it seems that my words were not true at all. Shi Dayong only
He led 700 men to the south to quell the rebellion. In the first battle, he used less to attack more, killed the rebel generals, and completely defeated their army. It really impressed me! If there were more such generals in the court, I would not worry about the rebellion.
Well, however, Shi Dayong did act a bit violently, Shahe." At this point, Chongzhen suddenly stopped and did not go on.
Everyone didn't know what the emperor wanted to say, and they were confused.[
Zhou Yanru saw that the emperor was in a better mood, and said boldly: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. We have many generals like Shi Dayong in the Ming Dynasty, such as Ningxia Commander He Renlong, Yansui Commander Cao Wenzhao, etc.
They are all brave enough to be unstoppable, and their troops are also elite. But when fighting with thieves, the thieves will flee from a distance and never dare to take a hit.
Even among the generals in Liao Town, Shi Dayong is not the only one. As far as I know, Zu Dabi, Wu Sangui, Zu Kuan and others who entered the pass with Jin Guochen this time are all illustrious generals who have experienced hundreds of battles."
"Wu Sangui?"
Chongzhen knew that Zu Dabi and Zu Kuan were both from the ancestral family. After Zu Dashou paid the money, although he did not offend the ancestral family members, he still felt that these people could not be trusted. If Wang Dehua hadn't suggested it, he would have
There is no way he would order people from his ancestral family to lead an army to defeat thieves.
When this country employs people, it is good to give people from the ancestral family a chance to prove themselves. But this Wu Sangui sounded familiar, but for a moment he couldn't remember where he had heard it. He looked at Zhou Yanru with questioning eyes.
Zhou Yanru knew what the emperor was going to ask him, so he hurriedly said: "This Wu Sangui is the son of Wu Xiang, the former commander-in-chief of Liaodong. He was a martial artist and was extremely brave. He once rescued his father from an army of 40,000 Eastern captives with 20 servants.
He is brave enough to champion the three armies, and he is filial to all sides." After a pause, he reminded the emperor: "The emperor has forgotten that Wu Sangui stayed in the capital for a while, and the emperor was full of praise for him, calling him the fairest boy in Tonghou."
When Zhou Yanru said this, Chongzhen suddenly remembered it, with a smile on his face, and nodded: "Well, yes, Wu Sangui is indeed a general, a great young general. I hope he can be as loyal to the country as his father.
Peace the world for me!"
Seeing that the emperor was happy, Zhou Yanru breathed a sigh of relief. He was about to say a few more words for Wu Sangui and the people of his ancestral family to impress the emperor more, when suddenly the emperor's voice came to his ears, "This is the end of today's discussion. Retreat."
Get off."
Just retreated like this? Zhou Yanru was startled, looked up at the emperor, and found that the emperor's eyes were also looking at him, but there was no smile at all, and they were as cold as frost.
Zhou Yanru shuddered, lowered his head subconsciously, "I'll take my leave," and took the lead to exit Nuan Pavilion.
Everyone also left, but Chongzhen asked to stay: "Wen Tiren, Xu Guangqi is staying."
Wen Tiren stays?
Zhou Yanru was startled. As the first assistant, he was above the two of them, but the emperor kicked him out of Dongnuan Pavilion and left the second assistant behind. How could this not make him feel sad and regretful at the same time?
Realizing that the emperor no longer trusted him, and thinking of the resignation he had just handed in today, his face became even more gloomy. Knowing that he was in trouble, he sighed slightly, lowered his head and hurried away.
Zheng Yida, Wu Zongwei, and He Ru Chong were also frightened. The moment they left the Nuan Pavilion, they were all in despair. They already knew the emperor's choice. Perhaps, the rumors that had been circulating for several days would become true.
Xiong Mingyu was in a good mood. Looking at the dingy figures of Zhou Yanru and his cronies, he let out a big breath and decided to have a good drink today.
Chongzhen looked at Zhou Yanru's back, was stunned for a moment, and asked Xu Guangqi: "Sun Yuanhua is your student, and it was you who strongly advocated for me to train the new army. Now I ask you, if Dengzhou is lost, how should the firearms in the city be disposed of?
But it’s several million taels of silver!”
"I am ashamed!"
When Xu Guangqi received the news, he was already heartbroken. Sun Yuanhua was the student he had seen since he was a child. He was also the heir to Western arithmetic and Western firearms. His many years of hard work and hard work had been taught to him, but in the blink of an eye, it was all in vain.
Already.
He said with a choked voice: "Your Majesty, those firearms have been purchased since Emperor Shenzong. Even if they don't count the money, they must have been more than ten years of work. Most of the firearms have not been used yet. If they were smashed by the rebels,
It can be repaired, but if it is thrown into the sea, it will be difficult to search for it. It is a lifetime of hard work." Xu Guangqi said with tears streaming down his face.
However, Chongzhen waved his hands and said displeasedly: "I'm not worried about money, I'm worried about them taking firearms and defecting to Donglu!"
Sun Yuanhua was stunned and shook his head hurriedly: "That's not possible. The Hongyi cannon is not easy to operate. It will be difficult for them to transport it to Liaodong."[
Wen Tiren said categorically: "No matter how easy it is for them, we must capture all the people and the cannons, especially the gunners. No one of the gunners is allowed to escape. Without gunners, even if the Donglu got the cannon, they would not be able to use it. It would be a pile of rubbish."
Copper scrap iron.”
"Well, this is the safest way. Order Huang Long, the commander-in-chief of Pi Island, to patrol the sea to prevent the rebels from fleeing north on the sea, and to encircle and annihilate the rebels in Denglai."
Chongzhen's expression finally softened, and he no longer spoke to Xu Guangqi, but to Wen Tiren: "The intruder Gao Yingxiang and several bandits have entered Huguang, looting and killing everywhere. I am worried that the governors in various places will blame each other, and the thieves will not be in their jurisdiction.
If you want to pursue and suppress the thieves, it is not appropriate to cross the border to beg the thieves. Since the powers are different, it is inevitable to wait and see each other. It is better to have a minister to take charge of the affairs. After much thought, I have to have a special envoy to deal with thieves, the governor of Henan.
, military affairs of the five provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi, Huguang, and Sichuan.”
The position of governor-general has always been for one province, one place or one thing. Although the setting up to govern five provinces is routine, it is a good way to adapt to the current conditions. It turns several provinces into one province, and all military and political arrangements are under the orders of one person.
, the responsibilities of the upper and lower levels are much clearer, and there will no longer be conflicts among the provinces, which will be of great help in eradicating the bandits. Both Wen and Xu could not help but nod in agreement, secretly praising the emperor for his wisdom.
Wen Tiren was even more delighted. The emperor left Zhou Yanru alone today and asked him alone about the candidates for the governors of the five provinces. This was an unprecedented thing. Did it mean that his "spring" was coming?
"The emperor is wise. Once the governors of the five provinces are appointed, the bandits will be driven to heaven and earth, but they can escape." Wen Tiren praised the emperor's wisdom from the bottom of his heart.
Chongzhen also showed a complacent look on his face and asked: "In your opinion, who is suitable for this position?"
"This is it"
Wen Tiren was silent and lowered his head in meditation. He was not thinking about his own people, but about who could take on this important task so that he would not be harmed by his business trip. The lessons learned from Zhou Yanru's mistakes in employing people were right in front of him, and he must not let it happen because of it.
Private and public.
The emperor did not ask. Xu Guangqi was not supposed to reply, but he suddenly interrupted: "Your Majesty, I believe that the position of governor of the five provinces must be the governor of the three provinces, Hong Chengchou."
Chongzhen nodded and said: "Hong Chengchou is capable enough, but I just asked him to be the governor of the three sides, but he backed up troops in Shaanxi and watched, causing bandits to cause trouble in Henan, and Gao Ni to Huguang. Only then did I understand Ah, this Thousand Mile Horse cannot be overfed, how can it run when it is full?"
After hearing the emperor's change of words, Wen Tiren knew that the emperor originally wanted to compare Hong Chengchou to a hunting dog. Hunters always starve hunting dogs before hunting, otherwise they will not be willing to hunt their prey.
The emperor did not want to use Hong Chengchou, so Wen Tiren naturally would not insist anymore. Thinking of this person, he couldn't help but feel moved in his heart, secretly thinking that he must be the governor of the five provinces. He speculated and said: "People are not necessarily the same. The emperor looks at the governor of Yansui. How about Chen Qiyu?"
After hearing this candidate, Chongzhen's face changed: "In March, Yansui was defeated, but Chen Qiyu is a general."
"That's why I became Chen Qiyu." Wen Tiren hurriedly echoed.
Chongzhen thought about it again and agreed happily: "Well, I will give Chen Qiyu the title of Minister of War and make him governor of the five provinces. I will ask him to go straight to the post without having to go to Beijing to see you."
After finishing speaking, Chongzhen glanced at the faces of Wen and Xu again and said: "Promote Yang Sichang to the right minister of the Ministry of War and the censor of the right Qiandu, to the governor of Xuanfu, Datong, and Shanxi Military Affairs."
"Then Hong Chengchou..."
Wen Tiren and Xu Guangqi were shocked at the same time. Yang Sichang was the governor of Xuanfu, Datong, and Shanxi Military Affairs. What was the governor of Hong Chengchou doing?
Is it necessary for two governors to be responsible for the military affairs of the same place at the same time? Wen Tiren was shocked and instinctively wanted to ask for more information, but he clearly saw two fierce gleams in the emperor's eyes and hurriedly swallowed the following words alive. .
How could Xu Guangqi dare to ask about Hong Chengchou's affairs when he had not yet cleared up Sun Yuanhua's affairs? Wen Tiren did not open his mouth, and he did not dare to ask.
But Chongzhen said coldly: "Hong Chengchou went back and became governor of Yansui." After saying that, he picked out a memorial and threw it on the table. He sneered and said: "This is Zhou Yanru's apology. Take a look. Let's go." Then he walked out of the palace door, and the eunuch outside the door was so panicked that he put a fur cloak and a snow hat on him.
Xu Guangqi sighed, thinking that the emperor had a problem with Hong Chengchou. He leaned over to look at the case, but saw three large characters written in ink on the fold: Let him go.
Let him go, just three words, and the chief assistant was dismissed from his post in a moment.
Xu Guangqi was shocked and frightened. He was as shocked as when he heard the news about the destruction of Dengzhou City. He looked at Wen Tiren blankly and saw that he slowly stretched out his right hand and quietly put the apology slip into his sleeve. Then he turned back silently and walked towards the door.
Although there was no expression on Wen Tiren's face or a word until the end, the broad sleeves of his robe clearly shook several times, as if he could not suppress his joy.