Although the hereditary position of the Yang family in Bozhou has been called the Xuanweishi since the early Ming Dynasty, and the official name of the government office is also called the Xuanweisi, the locals still like to call it Tusi Mansion according to the old saying.
The Yang family has a history of more than 700 years since they became the rulers of Bozhou in the late Tang Dynasty. During this period, the Tusi Mansion was moved and rebuilt several times. When it was passed to Yang Yinglong, it was already a building covering an area of more than 100 acres and consisting of hundreds of buildings.
However, anyone who knows the situation in Bozhou knows that this beautiful Tusi Mansion is not the real nest of the Yang family. Their nest is in a building called Longyan Mountain 30 miles away from Bozhou.
The castle of Hailongdun and the Tusi Mansion were just places where the Yang family enjoyed their glory and wealth in peacetime.
At this moment, an important meeting is being held in the front meeting hall of the Tusi Mansion. Yang Yinglong is sitting on the chieftain's seat in the middle of the hall. On the upper seats on both sides are his brother Yang Zhaolong, his two sons Yang Chaodong and Yang Kedong, and further on.
Below are his close civil servants and military generals, totaling more than 20 people.
Yang Yinglong glanced at the room full of cronies and said in a deep voice: "You all already know, right? Guizhou Inspector Chen Xiao reported to the imperial court, enumerating twenty-four major crimes of this king and demanding severe punishment from the imperial court. The current imperial court also
We are undecided. Let’s discuss it and see how we should deal with it.”
Yang Zhaolong asked: "Brother, we send so many filial piety to the important ministers of the court every year. Now that something happens, doesn't anyone say a word for us?"
Yang Yinglong said: "He En, a traitor, reported to the court about my king's garrison of troops in Hailong, which made Wanli suspicious. This kind of thing is very different from ordinary things. The important officials in the court must also think of ways to deal with it.
Who would dare to come forward to intercede for us if we picked it all ourselves? However, a few courtiers were beating drums and recounting my king's achievements, which made Wanli hesitate. This can be considered as a sign that they still have some conscience."
Yang Yinglong's self-proclaimed general Zhang Rang clasped his fists and said: "Chitose, what does the imperial court mean by this matter now?"
Yang Yinglong was actually just a chieftain, but he proclaimed himself king and asked his subordinates to call him Qiantose. Even his son Yang Chaodong was also called the "House Master". He En and others reported to the court that Yang Yinglong had the intention of treason.
In fact, it is not groundless.
Yang Yinglong said: "According to the news from the capital, the imperial court has three considerations now. One is to return Bozhou to its native land and subordinate it to Chongqing Prefecture. This is the idea of the old thief Ye Mengxiong."
"It's a beautiful thought to change one's native land and return to one's current state!"
"When the Zhu family didn't conquer the world, Bozhou belonged to the Yang family. Why should they change their land and return to their hometown?"
"Ye Mengxiong, an old thief, has been plotting against Bozhou for more than a day or two. We must find opportunities to teach him a lesson!"
Before Yang Yinglong finished speaking, the followers below started making noises, and their faces were all red with excitement, as if their own ladies had been given unspoken rules by Ye Mengxiong.
The so-called change of local officials to return to local officials is a policy that has been implemented since the mid-Ming Dynasty. The so-called local officials refer to hereditary officials in minority areas; the so-called Liu refers to official officials directly appointed by the central government.
In the early Ming Dynasty, due to the limited ability of the government to control border areas, a large number of local officials were appointed to exercise jurisdiction over local areas on behalf of the central government. In these places where the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, the power of local officials is very powerful, almost
The local emperor managed the areas under his jurisdiction into states within states.
Starting from the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the government gradually realized the hidden dangers caused by the system of native officials, and began to implement the policy of converting native officials to local officials, gradually taking back the power of native officials, and reassigning local officials to rule. Some weaker native officials,
Unable to compete with the central government, they can only accept this policy, give up power, and become a rich man. But local officials like Yang Yinglong who support the military and respect themselves are not so easy to talk to, and the court does not dare to reduce their power easily.
, so they have not yet been affected by the policy of returning natives to rural areas.
This time, Zhang Shizhao, He En, Song Shichen and others from the Bozhou Division reported to the court that Yang Yinglong was suspected of treason and were caught by the court. Therefore, a group of officials headed by Ye Mengxiong put forward the proposal to return Bozhou to its native land.
.In fact, Ye Mengxiong and others also know that it is impossible to carry out land-guiliu reforms in Bozhou without weakening Yang Yinglong's power. The suggestion they put forward is not so much a proposal as a false signal, used to
To test Yang Yinglong's reaction.
"Don't make any noise, listen to what Chitose is going on." Yang Zhaolong ordered.
Everyone calmed down, and Yang Yinglong continued: "The second item is to ask me to leave Bozhou and go to Chongqing or Guiyang to go to court."
"If Chitose goes to Chongqing or Guiyang, wouldn't it be a sheep entering the tiger's mouth? Who is right and wrong will be decided by the people of the imperial court. We can't go." Lou Guo, a subordinate, shouted.
"If I refuse to go to the register, that will be the third point. The imperial court will send troops to attack." Yang Yinglong said.
"Go in and suppress, fight them!" Another general, He Hanliang, shouted arrogantly, "The Mongolian soldiers were so powerful back then, couldn't they have nothing to do with us in Bozhou? The officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty were so stupid, our soldiers in Bozhou were as good as ten.
Not only that, as long as we strictly guard all the passes and ensure that the officers and soldiers can't come back."
Zhang Rang said: "At that time, we can also mobilize local soldiers from Shengmiao and Blackfoot Miao to help out. If you piss me off, I will raise five thousand elite soldiers and I will be able to bloodbath Chongqing Prefecture."
When everyone was clamoring for force, Yang Chaodong stood aside without saying a word, only showing a contemptuous smile at the corner of his mouth. Yang Yinglong turned to look at Yang Chaodong and asked: "Chaodong, what do you think?"
Yang Chaodong said: "Father, in my opinion, we have not yet reached the time to fight the Ming army. It is too early to anger the court at this time."
Hearing Yang Chaodong's words, all the close followers hesitated for a moment, and Lou Guo asked cautiously: "Why did the empress say this? Does the empress think that our Bozhou Army cannot defeat the Ming Army?"
Yang Chaodong smiled and said: "Uncle Lou, the Ming army has been weakening for a long time, but our Bozhou soldiers are extremely brave. If there is a battle, our army should have a 100% chance of winning."
"Then what the empress means is..." Lou Guo said in surprise.
Yang Chaodong said: "Uncle Lou, does he know the saying that a pack of wolves eats a tiger? Although the Ming army is weak, it still has millions of people. If our army goes to war with the Ming army with its current strength, we will be able to defeat one or several groups."
If the Ming army continues to increase its troops, how will our army respond?"
"No matter how many people they come, how can they get in if we guard the passes?" Zhang Rang said.
Yang Chaodong said: "If we guard the pass, we can naturally block the Ming army. But our own transportation has also been blocked. At that time, food, salt, iron and other supplies will not be able to be transported in. If the siege lasts for a long time, our army will collapse without a fight."
"
"This..." Lou Guo, Zhang Rang and others were speechless. They all thought about the problem from a short-term war perspective. How could Yang Chaodong think so long-term. Bozhou is a place with high mountains and dense forests, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack.
It is an advantage. But at the same time, its weakness is also very obvious, that is, it cannot be self-sufficient in food, and iron, salt and other goods need to be transported in from the outside world. If the Ming army besieged but did not attack, and the siege lasted for ten or eight years, Bozhou would really be
collapsed.
He Hanliang asked: "Then according to the Queen's wishes, how should we respond?"
Yang Chaodong said: "This matter is so important, how can I, a young man, dare to speak nonsense? My father is wise and wise, and he must have given careful consideration to this matter. All we have to do is follow his wishes."
Everyone cursed secretly in their hearts, but no one dared to show it on their faces. It was obviously Yang Yinglong who asked everyone to come up with ideas. He turned around and said that Yang Yinglong was smart and wise and did not need anyone to come up with ideas. This was not a joke to everyone.
?
Yang Yinglong had no objection to Yang Chaodong's words. He nodded and said: "What Chaodong said is reasonable. We are not strong enough now. It is too early to break up with the court at this time. I invite you all here today mainly to inform you.
Everyone has a good understanding of this matter, so don’t panic if something happens.
I have thought about it, the matter of reforming the land and returning it to the countryside is not something that happens overnight. As long as we persist, the court will not be able to do anything to us for a while. It is possible that this matter will be discussed for ten or eight years.
I am prepared to agree to go to court, but I will only go to Sichuan and not to Guizhou. Li Shangsi, the governor of Sichuan, wrote to me a few days ago, asking me to send Bozhou soldiers to defend Songfan. At this time, it is impossible for him to agree with me.
It's embarrassing. When the time comes, I promise to find some big trees for him and pay some ransom, and I think I can escape."
"Thousands of years old is not a risk." Lou Guodao said, "Chongqing prefect Zheng Lian is a slippery man. I heard that he also has contacts with Ye Mengxiong. What if he attacks Qiantui at that time? What will happen if he attacks Qiantai? A son of a rich man cannot sit down in court.
Don’t take personal risks.”
"If you are going to achieve great things, how can you be afraid of this small risk?" Yang Yinglong said, "If the imperial court wants to go against me, you can instigate the Miao people to revolt and let the imperial court see how they can pacify the Miao territory without me, Yang Yinglong.
.”
"This matter will be taken care of by the general." Zhang Rang responded, patting his chest. He was responsible for contacting the Miao people under Yang Yinglong. The local Miao people who like to cause trouble are called Sheng Miao and Blackfoot Miao. Zhang Rang and these Miao people
The leaders of the village have contacts and can incite them to rebel at any time and cause trouble for the Ming court.
"As for the response to the attack by officers and soldiers, everyone must hurry up. Military stores everywhere must be strengthened and stockpile food and grass to prevent unexpected events. In addition, we must be on guard against spies to prevent officers and soldiers from finding out our details." Yang Yinglong
said.
"Speaking of spies, Beizhi reminds me of something." Lou Guo said, "A few days ago, Beizhi heard rumors from several locals that a group of surveyors came to the mountains, and they said they were looking for coal or something in the mountains. I don't know.
Is there something fishy about this matter?"
"A surveyor looking for coal?" Yang Yinglong frowned, "Have you ever seen these people? Where did they come from?"
Lou Guo shook his head and said: "Beizhi only heard about it. If Chitose hadn't mentioned taking precautions against spies today, Beizhi would never have thought of this."
Yang Chaodong said: "I would rather believe that it exists than that it does not exist. Uncle Lou, tell me where the native people came from to spread the news, and I will take people to find out." (To be continued. Please search for Piaotian literature and novels. Better updates faster!)