Xiong Wencan and Zheng Zhilong finally agreed that they would spend more money as long as they could drag Yan Yingyuan into the water.
Zhong Jinwei, the instigator of the panic that frightened them both, did this because he was worried that Yan Yingyuan would go to Zheng Zhilong's territory and disappear inexplicably.
Since he went to the navy, he must go to sea. There are too many accidents at sea. If Zheng Zhilong had harmed Yan Yingyuan, there were many ways to let Yan Yingyuan die normally, so he wrote that letter.
At this time, Zhong Jinwei had just returned to the capital. It was smooth sailing when he went to Zhangzi Island, but it was definitely not smooth when he came back, so it took him some extra time.
It was already afternoon when he arrived at the capital. However, according to custom, Zhong Jinwei had to pay the imperial edict first. Therefore, he first went to the Forbidden City to see Emperor Chongzhen.
As soon as Emperor Chongzhen heard that Zhong Jinwei had returned, he immediately summoned Zhong Jinwei. He had been worried about the war in Denglai and didn't know what the outcome would be.
As soon as Zhong Jinwei entered the Wenhua Hall, before he could see who was in the hall, Emperor Chongzhen asked anxiously: "Master Zhong, how is the war?"
On the way, Zhong Jinwei had already thought of his words, so even though he was questioned by Emperor Chongzhen just after entering the palace, he did not rush and just replied solemnly: "I congratulate your Majesty, Governor Denglai
Lu Xiangsheng has passed the test and is indeed a good commander."
When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief. So, the Denglai War was won?
Liang Tingdong, the Secretary of the Ministry of War in the Wenhua Hall, immediately laughed and said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, I had predicted before that this battle would be won, and today it turned out to be true!"
Emperor Chongzhen smiled and was about to speak when he heard Zhong Jinwei speak again: "Your Majesty, this battle is unwinnable. The scale is very large. Denglai has lost almost half of its troops."
The hall immediately fell silent. The first assistant, Wen Tiren, asked with a puzzled look: "Does that mean you have failed?"
Zhong Jinwei turned to Wen Tiren, shook his head and said, "It's not considered a defeat."
"Marquis Zhongxing, what do you mean by this? How is the situation of the war?" Cao Yubian, the censor of Zuodu who was standing next to the Minister of War, asked with a sullen face.
He also just arrived in the capital in the morning because he solved the major case of restoring society and confiscated the properties of the salt merchant alliance for the imperial court. Compared with the assets of the eight major Shanxi merchants, the amount obtained was only a lot more, and the imperial court would be waiting for a long time.
There was no need to worry about running out of money within a short period of time. He thought that with the capital, he would become stronger and speak more arrogantly.
Although Emperor Chongzhen knew that Dongchang had actually cracked the case of restoring society, he presided over the matter, so Zhong Jinwei was praising him before he arrived.
Zhong Jinwei turned to look at Cao Yubian and saw that he was back, knowing that the Jiangnan incident should have an outcome.
Although he was concerned about the outcome of the matter, the war in Denglai was still the main focus at the moment, so he answered first: "Master Cao, please be calm and calm. I will explain it in detail from the beginning."
Therefore, Zhong Jinwei told the whole story from beginning to end about how Huang Taiji was worried about Denglai and asked the traitor Ning Wanwo and Sun Degong to rebel against Zu Dale first, and then made a plan to lure Lu Xiangsheng into a trap, and finally almost annihilated Denglai's Ming army.
once.
As for the fact that the New Army rescued the Den Lai Ming Army in the end, he only briefly mentioned it, briefly mentioning it. Because he wanted to achieve his goal first, and then talk about the New Army later.
Emperor Chongzhen frowned when he heard this. This was obviously a big defeat. Why did Master Zhong still congratulate himself?
He has never expressed his position because he believes that Master Zhong must have a reason for saying so.
Liang Tingdong's heart sank when he heard this. This battle was completely different from what he expected. Jianlu actually sent out so many people. Not to mention that all the Denglai Ming army was sent out. Even if the Guan Ning army was added, it might not be possible.
Win.
After Cao Yubian listened, he asked the doubts in Emperor Chongzhen's mind: "Zhongxing Hou, this is obviously a big defeat. Although there are traitors who rebelled, it was also caused by Governor Denglai's negligence. After losing so many troops, why are we still there?
I want to congratulate Your Majesty, are you trying to defend Governor Denglai?"
Zhong Jinwei knew that someone would say this, but he didn't expect it to be Cao Yubian. However, he didn't mind, turned to face him and explained: "Master Cao, have you ever seen a Ming army commander who was so valued by Jianlu? Jianlu
The four Jurchen banners and the eight Mongolian banners were dispatched, and their total number was only much larger than that of the Denglai Ming army, let alone the effort to dig traps."
When Zhong Jinwei said this, he ignored Cao Yubian and turned to Emperor Chongzhen and said: "Denglai has never received such attention from the slave chief before. All this is because Lu Xiangsheng became the governor of Denglai. It can be seen that slaves
The chief is afraid of the Denglai Ming army, but he is actually afraid of Lu Xiangsheng."
Emperor Chongzhen listened to Zhong Jinwei's explanation and did not speak, but carefully considered what Master Zhong said.
"Besides, victory and defeat are common matters for military officers. If the commander is punished because of a defeat, who will go to war again in the future and shrink into the city and do nothing like some places do? Then all generals will do more things than less things in the future, because who
There is no guarantee that we will win the war."
Zhong Jinwei's words struck Emperor Chongzhen's heart. There were too few ministers who were capable of doing things and dared to take up the responsibility.
Wen Tiren said at this time: "Hou Zhongxing, that's what I said, but the loss in Denglai this time is too heavy."
Hearing this, Zhong Jinwei turned to Wen Tiren, nodded solemnly and said: "Master Wen is right, the losses are indeed quite large. Under the siege of Jianlu's heavy troops, even Lu Xiangsheng himself was injured in many places, and his uniform looked like it had come from blood.
It's as if they were fished out of the pond. Even so, the Denglai Ming army, led by Lu Xiangsheng, still fought to the death with the Jianlu and never surrendered. It's really amazing and admirable!"
Wen Tiren was a little stunned when he heard this. He said it correctly. In fact, he still believed that Lu Xiangsheng must be held responsible. But after Zhongxing Hou explained it, the court had to commend Lu Xiangsheng.
Zhong Jinwei turned to Emperor Chongzhen again and said: "Your Majesty, the victory of a war should be determined by whether the purpose of launching the war is achieved, not by who loses more people."
Once this is said, everyone will understand it, but if it is not said, it is often ignored.
"In this war, Governor Denglai's purpose was to rob food. This purpose was not achieved, so it can be said to have failed..."
When Zhong Jinwei said this, he was interrupted by Cao Yubian: "Marquis Zhongxing..."
Zhong Jinwei raised his hand, turned his head and said, "Please listen to me, thank you!"
After finishing speaking, he turned back and continued to explain to Emperor Chongzhen: "But the Jianlu were the initiators of the war. Their purpose was to completely wipe out the Denglai Ming army, but this goal was not achieved. Therefore, I said that this war
It’s an invincible situation.”
As soon as Zhong Jinwei finished speaking, Cao Yubian finally got the chance and immediately expressed his opinion: "That's true, but Denglai's losses are indeed too great, and Governor Denglai must be responsible for this."
When Emperor Chongzhen heard what Cao Yubian said, he felt a little approval in his heart, but when he looked at the Minister of War in the palace, he had something to think about.
Zhong Jinwei couldn't help but feel a little annoyed when he saw Cao Yubian biting Lu Xiangsheng tightly. He asked with a stern face: "What do you want?"