In the small hall of the Ningxia City Army Yamen Hall, standing in front of Zhang Yanling was a short, middle-aged man with twinkling eyes and a respectful expression.
This person's name is Ma Qiang, and he is a member of the Jinyiwei Qianhusuo Qianhusuo in Ningxia Town. The Jinyiwei Yamen of the Ming Dynasty has developed rapidly in recent years, and Qianhusuo Yamen have been set up in important state capitals. The land of Jiubian is obviously the top priority.
, how could there not be a government office here?
The nine-border town of the Ming Dynasty was a place where the enemy was connected and defended. Officials and generals needed strict supervision. The Jinyiwei Yamen was located here. Even if it did nothing, it was a deterrent force.
Moreover, the Jinyiwei Yamen uncovers a large number of cases of collaborating with the enemy in border towns every year, uncovering some collaborating generals and officials in the military. Regardless of whether the things they investigate are true or whether the people they uncover are unjustly accused. But this is at least enough to create a sense of existence.
Stealing the limelight.
The establishment of the Jinyiwei Qianhu in Ningxia Town is actually not long, only more than ten years. However, the Qianhu who have served as the Jinyiwei Yamen are all very high-status figures in Ningxia Town. The small Qianhu is actually a middle-class person in the military.
There are so many low-level officers. But because of the special status of Jin Yiwei, he is the honored guest of many people.
Ma Qiang, who took office three years ago, has been a guest of Anhua King Zhu Chixiu since he took office. This fact is actually known to everyone.
"I have met Lord Zhang. If I had known that Lord Zhang would lead his army to conquer Ningxia City, I would be delighted and admired him. I have long wanted to come and see him. Unfortunately, the Marquis has been busy with official duties these days, and General Qiu said he would wait for the news. I had no choice but to hold back.
Admire anxiously
I am eager to wait for the Marquis to summon me. I have admired Zhang Hou for a long time, and today I finally met the Marquis. I am really excited. The Marquis is indeed as young and promising as the rumors, rich and handsome. I am full of admiration for him.
.”
This series of compliments came out of Ma Qiang's mouth as naturally as breathing and drinking water. Others may feel a little embarrassed when they say it, but when he said it, he did it without blushing and his heart didn't beat, and he seemed extremely sincere.
Zhang Yanling laughed: "Hahaha, Ma Qianhu, I am neglecting you. I am indeed very busy these days. General Qiu has said several times that I am indeed busy with official duties and cannot escape. I hope you are not surprised."
Ma Qiang bowed and said: "How dare you humble your position. Today, the Marquis is willing to meet your humble position. It is already a great joy and honor for you to humble your position."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Ma Qianhu, you said that you have admired my name for a long time. It seems that you and I have never met. I have never seen you in the capital. How can you say that I have admired you for a long time?"
Ma Qiang said sternly: "Master Hou, although I have never met you, please don't forget that Mr. Hou is a member of our Jinyiwei Yamen. When Mr. Hou served as the governor of Nanzhen Fusi, Beizhi knew this.
You are welcome. I’m afraid the Marquis himself doesn’t know it. From that time on, the Jinyi Guards all over the Ming Dynasty heard the name of the Marquis like thunder.”
Zhang Yanling laughed loudly and said: "Really, I almost forgot about this. I was once a member of the Jinyiwei Yamen. Although it was not a glorious experience, it is a fact."
Ma Qiang was stunned for a moment, with an awkward smile on his face.
"It is natural that Lord Hou is overqualified for his position in Jinyiwei Yamen, but for Jinyiwei Yamen, the fact that Lord Hou once served in Nanzhen Fusi is the glory of our entire Jinyiwei Yamen." Ma Qiang said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling looked at Ma Qiang and sneered in her heart. This guy seemed to have honey on his lips and was as smooth as a loach. He knew that what he was telling was a lie, but it sounded soothing.
This kind of person is the kind of person who seems to be the most sincere in the officialdom, but is actually the most hateful person.
Zhang Yanling didn't want to gossip with him and listen to him pouring ecstasy soup here.
"Ma Qianhu, do you know why I asked General Qiu to call you here today?"
"I know, I know, how can I not know about Bei Zhi? Lord Hou wants to ask why Bei Zhi is attached to Zhu Zhixiu, right? Bei Zhi is waiting for Lord Hou to see Bei Zhi in order to explain this matter to Lord Hou." Ma Qiang was confused. The way to change color.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Oh? It seems that you are quite self-aware. Then you can explain."
Ma Qiang let out a long sigh, with a sad look on his face, and said in a deep voice: "Master Hou, I must first confess my guilt to you. I am guilty. As a member of the Ningxia Town Jinyiwei Qianhu, I shoulder the responsibility of auditing and undercover investigation, but... The failure to detect in time Zhu Zhixiu's intention to commit rebellion, and the failure to detect He Jinyi and others' collusion with Zhu Zhixiu's intention to commit rebellion, were dereliction of duty. For this alone, Bieji should be jailed and punished. Bieji himself should also be punished I feel so heartbroken over this, and I can’t sleep because I blame myself.”
Zhang Yanling looked at him with a smile and said nothing. Ma Qiang secretly glanced at Zhang Yanling and saw that Zhang Yanling had no reaction, so he hurriedly continued.
"Zhu Zhixiu raised his troops suddenly. After the incident, I immediately thought of leading my brothers to fight to the death. However, the situation in the city changed quickly, and they were well prepared. In a short period of time, the soldiers in the city The horses all defected to the old traitor. At that time, Beizhi thought that even so, even if we died in the battle, it would be considered loyal to the court. But later, one of Beizhi's brothers said, even if we all died in battle, it would not help the matter. What's the difference? The rebels pretended to be submissive and attached themselves, so that we can remain useful and do something to counter the rebellion."
Ma Qiang glanced at Zhang Yanling's face again and saw Zhang Yanling frowning in thought, so he continued: "When I think about it, what he said may not be unreasonable. The imperial court will definitely send people to suppress the rebellion. If we pretend to be attached, we will have a lot of potential in the future. .It is better to pass on the inside information of the rebels, or to cooperate inside and outside to counter the rebellion in the future. Even if you die, you cannot die in such a lowly position. You must make some contributions to the court's plan to counter the rebellion, so as to live up to the court's favor. , so that you can atone for the mistakes you didn’t notice before you humbled yourself.”
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "But you chose to do this, right?"
Ma Qiang nodded and said: "Exactly, Beizi chose to do this in the end. Although Beizi knew that doing this would be misunderstood by some people, thinking that Beizi had surrendered. But Beiji couldn't care about that anymore. Beiji was so cold-hearted, just for the imperial court. He couldn't care anymore. Others misunderstood.”
Zhang Yanling laughed loudly. He stood up and walked to Ma Qiang's side and said, "Ma Qianhu, I was a little touched after listening to your words. You are so loyal and endure humiliation for the counter-rebellion plan. The court should give you a reward." That’s right. Let’s see. Soon, I will go to the court to ask for credit for those who have contributed to suppressing the rebellion. Do you want me to give you a big reward? Let the court praise you greatly?”
Ma Qiang said hurriedly: "I don't need the credit. As long as the court can understand my sincerity, I will be satisfied."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "No, no, no, I have to take credit. You have made such a big sacrifice for the counter-insurgency plan, how can you not praise me? General Qiu, don't you think so? A loyal person like Ma Qianhu does not care about individuals. Reputation, should people who endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens be rewarded?"
Qiu Yue, who was standing aside, said with a strange smile: "I deserve the praise."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Look, General Qiu said that he wants praise. It seems that this credit cannot go away. However, Ma Qianhu, if you want to report the credit, you must have something specific. Ma Qianhu just said that you must endure the humiliation and bear the heavy burden.
I must be patient and deliver the news to the rebels, so that they can cooperate inside and outside after the imperial army arrives. However, why didn’t I see any information you reported? When I led the army to attack the city, I didn’t see you, Ma Qianhu, either.
Woolen cloth?"
Ma Qiang hurriedly said: "This... Mr. Hou, you also know that your humble position is Jinyiwei Qianhu. When the intelligence information is passed out, it is also sent to Jinyiwei Yamen. Mr. Hou is not a member of Jinyiwei Yamen now, so naturally he has no way of knowing. You,
You can ask Yang Yu for confirmation. The humble job sent out many copies.
The intelligence was given to him. As for when the Marquis attacked the city a few days ago, he was ill and bedridden. After learning the news, the Marquis had already captured the city of Ningxia. I was really ashamed. I missed such a thing.
It’s a big event. I’m ashamed of my humble position and can’t help the Marquis.”
Zhang Yanling clapped her hands and said with a smile: "It's perfect. Ma Qianhu's ability to lie is really good. I'm afraid I've been thinking about this story for many days. Are you kidding your Marquis? Right?"
.”
Ma Qiang's expression changed and he said, "What do you mean, Lord Marquis? How dare you play tricks on Lord Marquis in such a humble position?"
Zhang Yanling sighed and said: "Ma Qianhu, I called you here today because I actually wanted to give you a chance. But since you entered the door, you have been full of lies and deceived me without a word of truth. It is really disappointing. Ma
Qianhu, I know that after Zhu Zhixiu's rebellion, many people had no choice but to become thieves, which was a last resort. As long as they don't harm the heavens,
I have no intention of pursuing any wrongdoings. Even if I have done something wrong and have the courage to confess and expose it, I can make up for the past. I have asked General Qiu to issue an announcement on this point. But three days have passed.
Not only did you not take the initiative to explain, but you came here and lied in front of me. I am very disappointed. Extremely disappointed."
Ma Qiang turned his head in shock, looked at Qiu Yue and said, "General Qiu, what did you say? What did the Marquis mean?"
Qiu Yue sneered and said: "What does the Marquis mean? Can't you hear it? Ma Qiang, don't you understand what you did? I wanted to give you a chance and bring you to see the Marquis, but you lied.
You are seeking death yourself."
Ma Qiang's eyes were horrified and angry, and he suddenly knelt down and said: "Master Hou, Master Hou, I am loyal to my humble position and have never been a thief. I am indeed a fake surrender. Isn't it the same for General Qiu? Isn't General Qiu also a fake surrender? Why?"
Can the Marquis trust him, but not his humble position?"
Zhang Yanling scolded: "I won't shed tears until I see the coffin. At this moment, you are still quibbling. How do you deserve to be compared with General Qiu? You are a thief on your own initiative, and you also make suggestions for Zhu Zhixiu. You are willing to fall. General Qiu is the one who endures the humiliation. I enter.
Behind the city, General Qiu ignored his own safety and cooperated with me. And you, with your men, were among the soldiers and horses attacking General Qiu. Don’t think that no one knew about it. General Qiu even saw you.
You are still making excuses."
Qiu Yue said coldly from the side: "Ma Qiang, that night in Zhuangyuan Lane, you led more than a hundred of your men to attack the east wall. Although you did not show up, I saw you standing on the outside directing the attack.
Don’t you think I’m blind? You didn’t see me, but I saw you.”
Ma Qiang opened his mouth in shock and was speechless. He stammered for a long time: "I... I was forced to do that. I didn't know that General Qiu was in Zhuangyuan Lane that night. They said there was a mutiny..."
Zhang Yanling couldn't bear it anymore, interrupted Ma Qiang's sophistry, waved his hand and shouted: "Qiu Yue, I told you before that such a person should have been killed with a single blow. You have to say that this person still has humanity and can be saved. Look, this He is simply a stubborn guy. I ordered him to be imprisoned, and in a few days he will be publicly interrogated and executed in front of the military office along with other heinous criminals. I don’t want to see this man again."
Qiu Yue bowed and said: "It is the fault of the last general that the Marquis calmed down his anger. The last general thought that he had no bad deeds before, but he was forced by Zhu Zhixiu and had to rely on the old thief and had a desire to save him. He did not expect this. This guy is stubborn and refuses to realize it. It is the general who is wrong. The general will imprison him and deal with him together in a few days."
Ma Qiang knelt on the ground in a daze. Qiu Yue came forward and shouted in a deep voice: "Ma Qiang, it's time to go."
Ma Qiang suddenly screamed like a pig, kowtowed crazily and said: "Spare your life, spare your life. Lord Hou, General Qiu, I was confused and afraid of death, and followed the old thieves to cause trouble. I deserve death. I should not have deceived Hou." Lord, I also wanted to confess, but I was just thinking of luck. Lord Hou, please spare my life. I will confess my sins, make meritorious service, forgive my sins, and change my past. I just ask Lord Hou to spare my life."
Zhang Yanling frowned and said, "Pull it out. It's making a lot of noise."
Several personal guards nearby dragged Ma Qiang and walked out. Ma Qiang shouted: "Master Hou, spare your life, I will report and I will expose. I know that several military generals are Zhu Chixiu's people. They are not in Ningxia City now. Later, Definitely pretending that nothing happened. Zhenshan Fort is guarding Liu Daneng, Shizui Shanzhai Fort is guarding Huang Xiande, and...and..."
Zhang Yanling shouted: "I have known this for a long time, why do you need to tell me?"
Ma Qiang shouted at the top of his voice: "There is one more thing that the Marquis must not know. This is a big secret. Someone in the court wants to take this opportunity to let the Marquis die here. Marquis, do you want to know this?"
A sneer appeared at the corner of Zhang Yanling's mouth. What she wanted was for him to take the initiative to explain the matter. In order to save his life, this guy finally agreed to speak up. To make a big deal about this matter, he needed this guy's strong cooperation. He opened his mouth and finally It couldn't be better.