Qin Hong arrived in the capital on the night of May 16th.
After a brief rest, he entered the city on the morning of May 17th and entered the palace to participate in the court meeting.
Although Qin Hong was an old minister of the Ming Dynasty, he had not been on duty in the capital for a long time. After his arrival, many ministers in the court did not recognize him, but they saw that he was wearing a simple and plain official uniform, which did not look like a new one. He also had He was somewhat dusty and old, and he didn't look like a coach about to go into battle.
The ministers are also thinking about it.
Wang Weining is still more majestic and more caring about his feathers, and he looks more like a Ming Dynasty general.
This... is simply a bad old man. Do you expect him to be able to defend a ruined city at Piantou Pass?
"I have five strategies for defending against enemies in the northwest."
As soon as Qin Hong arrived, he did not follow the routine and directly addressed the emperor.
Zhu Youtang was still waiting to arrange the northwest military affairs rules for Qin Hong, but he did not expect that Qin Hong would be more assertive than him as the emperor. However, since he chose to use Qin Hong, he had to be patient and let Dai Yi go. Take Qin Hong's memorial.
Dai Yi got the memorial and first showed it to Zhu Youtang, who frowned.
Probably because Qin Hong's strategy was not in line with his wishes.
Zhu Youtang said: "Read it out."
Dai Yilang said loudly: "The most important thing about the defense of the northwest of the country is to prepare for the deserted border and train troops first to calm the people. I have received the holy will of Qin Hong and dare not neglect it. I have decided on five strategies to drive away the enemy..."
Just reading this, some ministers were snickering.
When Qin Hong said "driving the enemy", he obviously did not intend to fight to the death with the Tatars. This was contrary to the emperor's previous strategic thinking of taking the initiative to drive the main force of the Tatar Chinese Army out of the Hetao.
"...The first is about setting up temples, the second is about strict laws and regulations, the third is about caring for the border people, the fourth is about recruiting, and the fifth is about using time..."
Five strategies.
The first is to report to the ancestors first. This is very important because it tells the world and the people what the emperor wants to do.
Qin Hong took this as his priority, and also wanted to remind the emperor that the stability of the Ming Ancestral Temple must be our top priority in everything. If we start a war on the grassland, it is better for you to have more sons... Let's not bother.
As for Articles 2, 3, and 4, they are general measures to calm the people, and there is no essential difference from the memorials given by ordinary civil servants.
The fifth article is relatively new. Probably Qin Hong also knows that annexation is taking place within the Tatars, and is ready to use the contradictions within the grassland to complete "the snipe and the clam compete for the fisherman's profit", but ideals are always beautiful, no matter Dayan Khan and Huo Si No matter how much conflicts arise among the tribes, it will not be easy for the Ming Dynasty to fish in troubled waters.
Five items down.
Basically it is all theoretical knowledge, which is the so-called paper talk.
…
…
Dai Yi finished reading Qin Hong's Five Strategies for Defending the Enemy, placed the memorial back in front of the emperor, and stood behind the emperor.
The ministers thought that the emperor would be annoyed and might even dismiss Qin Hong from his post on the spot, but the emperor seemed to be very tolerant and not as knowledgeable as Qin Hong.
Some people also thought that the emperor probably couldn't find the reason.
"...Qin Qing's family, the military affairs of Piantou Pass are very urgent. However, in the past few years since you left the court, the frontier army has been equipped with new gunpowder and artillery, and their power has been greatly improved. If there is something you don't understand, in After the dynasty is over, I will go to Qianqing Palace and ask Zhang Zhou and Zhang Qing’s family who are responsible for preparing this matter to explain it to you in detail..."
The emperor wanted to build a relationship between Qin Hong and Zhang Zhou.
It was understandable to the ministers present. The emperor originally wanted to replace Wang Yue with Zhang Zhou, but Zhang Zhou himself did not agree and recommended Qin Hong instead.
If Qin Hong and Zhang Zhou were at loggerheads, wouldn't Qin Hong's matter mean that the emperor and Zhang Zhou were digging a hole for themselves?
Qin Hong raised the wat board, his body felt trembling and unsteady, and he said in a hoarse voice: "Your Majesty, since the military affairs in the northwest are urgent, I want to leave immediately without any delay."
Even when the emperor wanted to bring him into good relations with Zhang Zhou, Qin Hong refused to accept it.
This also made the minister realize that Qin Hong deeply hated the "near sycophants" around the emperor.
Qin Hong was almost tortured to death by the emperor because of Liu Jing, the Marquis of Anyuan.
Your Majesty, you have made a mistake.
Do you actually believe that Qin Hong and Zhang Zhou can cooperate well this time?
Zhu Youtang said in a calm tone: "There is no rush, you still need to experience more about using cannons."
Qin Hong said: "I have heard about the use of cannons. I heard that your Majesty has sent people who know how to use cannons to go to the remote pass first. If I have any questions, please ask for advice."
After all, I just don’t want to have close contact with Zhang Zhou.
"But they don't understand some of the ways to use cannons. Qin Qing family, have you misunderstood my good intentions?" Zhu Youtang's voice dropped slightly.
Don't be so shameless, okay?
I just asked you to communicate with Zhang Zhou about using cannons. You are so pushy and obstructive. What are you avoiding?
Qin Hong saw that his objections were ineffective for a long time. The emperor wanted him to contact Zhang Zhou before going to the northwest. He could only give in and saluted again: "I accept your order."
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The meeting ended.
In addition to Zhang Zhou, Qin Hong was summoned to the inner court of the Qianqing Palace to speak. Ma Wensheng, Liu Jian and Li Dongyang also went there at the same time.
The emperor did not ask Xie Qian to go, because he wanted to punish Xie Qian.
You old boy always likes to make jokes, even when you get to Qianqing Palace, you don't change this problem. Today I want to bring Zhang Zhou and Qin Hong into good relations, and I can't let you cause trouble with your nonsense.
"Yu Qiao, what do you think your Majesty means?"
After the court meeting ended, the civil servants were in a good mood.
Finally a "normal person" came.
Qin Hong replaced Wang Yue, which is simply wonderful for us.
Is that guy Wang Weining a serious scholar who only has to carry a chamber pot to a nearby servant every day?
Look at Qin Hong...this is called a model civil servant.
Xie Qian went to take a look at Zhang Mao and others in the distance, but none of the nobles there turned around to pay attention to him. Xie Qian then deliberately raised his voice and said: "Your Majesty used Qin Shiying with really good intentions. A calm veteran can regulate the deployment of troops and be able to strike steadily. The future of Pianguan will be safe."
Tu Yu asked: "Are you going to search for condoms?"
"Haha." Xie Qian laughed, "Who knows?"
The civil servants around him were also laughing.
It seemed that he was deliberately laughing at Wu Xun.
You guys with military skills, you thought you were going to be awesome two days ago. The emperor is going to use your military skills to send troops to the grassland. You are going to take off, right?
Now I will rub your restless hearts on the ground and let you know that even if the emperor wants to send troops again, he must assess the situation. Don't think that all the ministers in the DPRK and China will support the use of troops in the northwest, especially if you want to find a reputable civil servant. The old minister came to preside over all this... There is no way!
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Wu Xun left the palace gate.
Zhu Hui, the Duke of Baoguo, held it in for a long time. After leaving the palace, he finally walked up to Zhang Mao and said, "Brother Tingmian, those civil servants are simply bullying others too much. How can you bear it?"
Zhang Mao glanced at him sideways and said, "What do you want to do?"
The tone was mocking him.
Don’t you really want to take off if you can’t bear it?
Zhu Hui said angrily: "The Ming Dynasty relied on horseback to determine the country. Since then, all the distinguished ministers of all dynasties have played a role in guarding the country. But now they are being ridden by a group of civil servants. This is intolerable."
"Hmph." Zhang Mao was naturally dissatisfied, but he was not as out of character as Zhu Hui. He said, "Unless Your Majesty chooses someone else for military affairs in the northwest general system, it will be the same no matter who you replace him. There is only one Wang Shichang in the Ming Dynasty. , it seems that there won’t be a second one at the moment.”
It is also reminding Zhu Hui.
It is really rare for Wang Yue to be a man who "lives in Cao's camp but his heart is in Han" and yet always wants to be a military hero among civil servants.
Just like Qin Hong, he doesn't have such ambitions.
And Qin Hong would not be like Wang Yue, who would cling to Yu Yuan for nothing.
Zhu Hui asked: "Can't we let that Zhang Shi speak and go to the northwest to lead the troops in person?"
"You often come in and out of Yanwu Hall a few days ago and follow him around. Don't you know what his character is like?" Zhang Mao asked rhetorically.
"He..." Zhu Hui couldn't answer.
Zhang Mao was also a little angry and said: "He went to the northwest, what good will he do to you and me? Treat him as the governor of the capital, the military affairs of the two capitals, and what are your and my business?"
"ah?"
Only then did Zhu Hui realize that Old Man Zhang was still much higher than him.
When it comes to currying favor with Zhang Zhou, Zhang Mao is obviously on the front line.
But when it comes to guarding against Zhang Zhou, Old Man Zhang still walks in front of others.
"No matter who controls the troops in the northwest, it is the best policy to take care of the overall stability of the country if he can stay safe and not advance, without making any achievements or mistakes. If he has to take risks and advance, no matter whether he succeeds or fails, he will cause trouble to you and me. If you continue to If you don’t understand this, just go back and study more about the art of war. Please ask His Majesty to send you to the three sides and other places as soon as possible. Come back soon after you have made great achievements! I’ll leave without sending you away!”
Zhang Mao was equivalent to scolding Zhu Hui.
If you really don’t want to antagonize civil servants, what if you highlight your military status? Should you be Baoguo Gong or Baoguo Gong? Do you still want to be a king with a different surname? Or do you want to be an emperor?
The soldiers in the iron-clad camp and the flow of water, as nobles, just watch them fool around. Anyway, it has been passed down from generation to generation, and we are the ones who have the last laugh.
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Inside the Qianqing Palace.
Zhu Youtang summoned Qin Hong, Zhang Zhou and others, and also told Qin Hong that he would send troops to search for Tao, which could even be called "suppression", to drive the Tatars out of the Hetao and rebuild the fortress in the Hetao. thing.
Qin Hong didn't say a word about this.
Ma Wensheng and Liu Jian were both thinking.
Your Majesty, isn't this a waste of your breath? With Qin Hong's stubborn mind, can he listen to what he said to him?
"The Qin Qing family is in charge of the military affairs of Xuanda and other places, and they must also coordinate with the three sides. In the future, I may also select someone to go to the three sides to take care of the military affairs there." Zhu Youtang mentioned.
These words also made Ma Wensheng and Liu Jian realize.
The emperor may have felt that talking to Qin Hong about sending troops was playing to the bullshit, so the emperor had given up on Qin Hong and was preparing to leave the matter of sending troops to the potential new governor of the three sides.
Zhu Youtang said: "By the way, Qin Qing's family, I have a military policy here, which was written by the prince. I have been studying it since last night, and I am deeply touched. Please give it a detailed look."
"Um?"
Qin Hong looked up at the emperor with a confused expression.
Not to mention him, even Ma Wensheng and Liu Jian didn't understand what the emperor was trying to do.
Liu Jian saw that Dai Yi had delivered a booklet and hurriedly reminded him: "Your Majesty, the situation in Pianguan is urgent. Why don't you wait until the Qin General Zhi returns to the DPRK from the northwest before we can discuss it?"
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "This is written by the prince. Regarding the current military strategy in the northwest, I agreed to let Bingkuan and Qin Qing's family take a look. Qin Qing's family doesn't need to be too concerned about it. What do you think after reading it? You can say it or not say it."
Is it just to fulfill my son’s wish?
Why does it sound so... nonsense?
Qin Hong took over the military policy from Dai Yi with a look of contempt at first, but when he carefully read the words on it, he realized...the military policy in front of him was like a child describing a scene in the northwest in simple language A grand war.
The narrative mode is like making up a story, but it seems reasonable.
The key point is how to use cannon and new gunpowder, which also contains the strategy of using troops, virtual and real...
"Qin Qing's family, what do you think?" Zhu Youtang couldn't help but want to ask Qin Hong's opinion.
Ask the civil servants...the civil servants have never supported the prince's study of military affairs.
Ask Zhang Zhou. Zhang Zhou is his son's teacher, so his opinion is always a bit biased.
It seems that only Qin Hong can give a relatively fair judgment.
After Qin Hong read it, he came back to his senses and said in a daze: "Back to Your Majesty, I think... the prince has real knowledge and insights on military affairs, but when it comes to military strategy... he may be a little stubborn and biased."
Zhu Youtang smiled and said: "You mean he is stubborn about using cannons and mighty gunpowder, right?"
"Uh...yes." Qin Hong had never seen these two things before.
Although the previous two battles of the Ming Dynasty relied on new firearms to kill all sides, Qin Hong felt that the foundation of everything still lay in the single-mindedness of the generals... The concepts used in running the army in the traditional cold weapon era were still used.
As for firearms... they are just embellishments at best. How can you place all your hopes on firearms?
Firearms have their advantages, but don’t they have great disadvantages?
Firearms are prone to moisture and cannot be used in rainy days. Firearms are generally prone to explosion at range, and are slow to load... Qin Hong's understanding of the Shenji Camp is also limited to traditional knowledge.
Zhu Youtang asked: "Do the Qin Qing family think that this military strategy has a chance to be used on the battlefield?"
"This..." Qin Hong wanted to say yes.
But after thinking about it, just as the civil servants were worried about the emperor's martial prowess, he chose to shake his head, "I believe that it is just the words of the prince's family and it is difficult to have practical use."
"Um."
Zhu Youtang didn't seem disappointed at all.
But then Zhu Youtang took out another thing and handed it to Xiao Jing who was standing aside: "Qin Qing's family, take a look at this again."
Qin Hong frowned.
Why do you still have it?
Just now, the prince showed me the strategy. It was all about artillery and gunpowder. Are you going to show me Zhang Zhou’s military strategy next? Can I choose not to read it?
Zhu Youtang said: "In the northwest, there have been very few improvements in ordnance over the years. Although the Zhang Qing family has improved their firearms, good firearms and supporting ordnance, such as chariots, can be effective. Here is An opinion on improving the chariot, involving drawings and parameters, etc. Qin Qing’s family has been in the military for many years, please give me some reference opinions."
As soon as this statement came out.
Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng both frowned secretly, wondering, what is the emperor doing?
Ask Qin Shiying to help build a chariot? Does he have a talent in this area? Or does he have a hobby in this area?
Ma Wensheng said: "Your Majesty, you might as well bring this proposal to the higher-ups, or let the Ministry of Works... hmm? Let the Ministry of Works decide on it."
Ma Wensheng was halfway through his speech when his eyes glanced at Qin Hong.
This sweep doesn't matter.
He suddenly realized something was wrong.
At this time, Qin Hong was holding the drawings that Xiao Jing passed to him. After opening them, he was looking at the drawings in his hands in a daze. The intoxicating obsession in his eyes was a mixture of surprise, a little enlightenment, and admiration and love. The excitement, the feeling... seemed to make Qin Hong find the meaning of life.
It turns out that tanks can still be built like this...
"What Ma Qing's family said makes sense. The Ministry of Industry should indeed discuss the chariot matter, but it is also right to let Qin Qing's family take a look first. After all, he is about to go to the northwest to generalize military affairs." Zhu Youtang also found out. Noticing the obsession on Qin Hong's face, he asked, "Qin Qing's family thinks that the chariot designed in this way has merit?"
"Okay, okay." Qin Hong's voice was trembling as he spoke.
Then Ma Wensheng and Liu Jian discovered that this old boy actually had a smile on his face?!
Liu Jian frowned and asked, "I don't know what General Qin means by being good."
He wanted to use his stern voice to bring Qin Hong back to reality.
We are all civil servants and have agreed to advance and retreat together. You also adhere to your principles. How come the emperor shows you a drawing of a chariot and you can lose your temper to this extent?
On the other side, Zhu Youtang and Zhang Zhou exchanged glances.
This look was precisely caught by Ma Wensheng.
This is clearly saying... you succeeded!?
Qin Hong finally collected his attention, held up the drawing and asked, "Your Majesty, I wonder if the construction of this chariot has begun?"
Zhu Youtang said: "It has not yet been officially built. If we want to mobilize the chariot from the capital, it will be a long way. It is better to use local materials to build it. If the Qin Qing family thinks that this chariot is still feasible, then they might as well bring the drawings with them." When we go to the northwest, the Ministry of Industry will also send people to coordinate the construction, and Bingkuan will also be responsible for setting up cannons and muskets on it... I forgot to tell you that this chariot was designed by Bingkuan."
"Oh." Qin Hong looked at Zhang Zhou with a gentle kindness in his eyes.
Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Mr. Qin, I'm just starting out, and I'm pretty good at firearms. But there are some things I'm not familiar with when it comes to the design and operation of chariots. I hope you can give me more advice."
Qin Hong nodded, seeming to be very satisfied with Zhang Zhou's humble attitude, and said: "Shi Zhang, you are being polite. This chariot of yours should have its own unique features in terms of design and actual use. As for how Improvement requires more details.”
Ma Wensheng and Liu Jian realized instantly.
Old Man Qin is "rebelling"!?
He was actually bribed by Zhang Zhou and the emperor with a blueprint?
What's the point?
As a planner, Zhang Zhou was very confident.
Others don't know.
As a person with experience in history, how could he, Zhang Zhou, not know Qin Hong's obsession with engineering design, especially chariots?
Historically, after this old boy was transferred to the northwest as the governor of the three sides in the 14th year of Hongzhi, the first thing he did was to build fortresses, one fort every twenty miles. He built more than 14,000 forts on the three sides and 6,000 trenches. Dori.
Later, the chariot was improved and the "Victory Chariot" was invented. It is an original wheelbarrow. It is used to defend against enemies in war. It has gunmen and archers on both sides, equipped with spears. After firing one gun, it is immediately replaced by the second vehicle.
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This kind of victory vehicle is usually used to transport supplies.
Who said that to win over a civil servant, one must have mutual interests?
For an "engineering maniac" like Qin Hong, Zhang Zhou felt that the results would be more direct if he did what he liked.
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, this is not a realm that your traditional civil servants can understand.
