Chongzhen was anxiously looking forward to the news about Yang Sichang, when he suddenly received a message from Wan Yuanji, saying that Yang Sichang died of illness in Shashi, and that the edict, seal, and sword had been sealed and temporarily stored in the Jingzhou treasury.
Chongzhen hated and pitied Yang Sichang, and felt helpless about the future military "suppression of thieves". After discussing with Chen Xinjia, he ordered Ding Qirui to take over as the governor. He knew in his heart that Ding Qirui was a mediocre talent and could not be compared with Yang Sichang. However,
He looked around the ministers in the court and couldn't find anyone who could supervise the army on his behalf.
Before the news of Yang Sichang's death reached Beijing, some courtiers had already come forward to impeach him, and Chongzhen ignored them. After the news of Yang Sichang's death reached Beijing, more courtiers attacked Yang Sichang.
The memorials were continuously delivered to the palace.
Chongzhen thought about Yang Sichang, whom he regarded as a weakling despite all the opinions of others. He actually paid millions and failed to suppress the "thieves". It was indeed hateful that he lost Xiangyang.
He was impulsive and issued an edict: "The assistant minister Yang Sichang died after two years of hard work. However, his merits cannot be overshadowed, and his crimes will be heard!"
When many courtiers saw this edict, they attacked Yang Sichang more and more fiercely, and their words were even less realistic. Some even requested that Yang Sichang be cut into a coffin and killed.
After reading these memorials, Chongzhen sympathized with Yang Sichang. He often thought of the farewell banquet he gave Yang Sichang on the platform in September the year before last, and it was as vivid as now. At that time, Yang Sichang once said that if the suppression of the thieves failed, he would "follow them with death."
The lingering sound was still in his ears.
What he hated most was the squabbling in the imperial court, where parties were united and opposed by different parties, without right and wrong. This situation was now fully demonstrated in the impeachment of Yang Sichang. He was very angry and ordered the eunuchs to order the six ministries, Jiuqing, Ke, Dao and other officials to come quickly
In the Qianqing Palace.
Chongzhen raised his head from the document and looked coldly at the officials of the six departments, Jiuqing, Ke, Dao, etc., who performed the usual court ceremony three feet away from the throne in batches. After standing in groups, he slowly said: "I am calling you today.
I came here to talk about the affairs of my old assistant minister Yang Sichang. During his lifetime, many courtiers attacked him, but no one could give me a good plan or a good strategy, let alone go out to the capital to supervise the division on my behalf.
"
After Yang Sichang died, the attacks became more intense, and I couldn't even put myself in Yang Sichang's shoes."
He couldn't help but sneer through his nostrils, and continued angrily, "Yang Sichang is my special official. If the troops are ineffective, I will judge myself. What's more, Yang Sichang still has talents, which I know. You officials see what I have."
The purpose of discussing crime is to vigorously attack, and the forum is endless, but there are few honest opinions. I won’t go into it deeply, but leave it alone and let you know it! Go down!"
Seeing the emperor's anger, all the officials trembled. No one dared to say a word, so they had to kowtow and resign. As soon as they walked down Danqi, Chongzhen ordered the eunuch to call several ministers back.
He saluted, fell down on the ground, and waited for rebuke. Chongzhen said: "Gentlemen, get up!"
The cabinet ministers kowtowed and stood up, peeking at Chongzhen, but saw that he looked sad and had tears in his eyes. After a moment of silence, Chongzhen sighed and said, "I dreamed last night that my former assistant minister Yang Sichang knelt down and kowtowed to me here.
I can’t remember many words after I woke up.”
"I just remember what he said: 'I worked hard and died. The ministers in the court were unfair and unfair, and they were slandered one after another, so I will sue the emperor today.' I asked him: 'Are all memorials unfair? Someone's
There seems to be some truth in the memorial, right?" Sichang shook his head and said, "That's not the case. The ministers live in the capital, relying solely on their will, using their pen and tongue, catching wind and shadow, and discussing military affairs. They have not personally experienced the situation or the events, so what?
Can you tell the truth!' I asked him: 'Not only is the Central Plains in trouble, Liaodong is also in danger. What can you do?' Sichang shook his head and did not answer. I asked again, but suddenly a strong wind came and the window lattice shook, waking me up.
."
The cabinet ministers said some words of comfort, but because the emperor had nothing else to do, they withdrew. Only Chen Xinjia, the minister of the Ministry of War, was left in Chongzhen.
Chongzhen was sitting in the Dongnuan Pavilion of the Wuying Hall. He saw Chen Xinjia bowing in. After Chen Xinjia knelt down and kowtowed, he said anxiously: "Ding Qirui was promoted to governor, and there is no one to fill the gap. I thought about it for several days, and I suffered from the lack of support in the court.
Minister of Military Knowledge, although Fu Zonglong is guilty and in prison, it seems that he can still be used. What do you think?"
In fact, Ding Qirui was originally to replace the trilateral governor Zheng Chongjian as a temporary director. The best candidate was to restore Zheng Chongjian to his position as governor of Qin. However, Zheng Chongjian was dismissed originally because when the army searched for Zhang Xianzhong after the Battle of Manao Mountain, Yang Sichang blamed Zheng Chongjian for withdrawing his troops.
Too early will lead to rampant thieves.
Now that Yang Sichang died of illness, Chongzhen felt hatred, pity and love for Yang Sichang, but only hatred and anger for Zheng Chongjian. He hated Zheng Chongjian for not acting as a corner for Yang Sichang and helping the soldiers to defeat the invaders, so he arrested him and imprisoned him, blaming him for "instigating the soldiers"
"Returning without permission" and "ignoring military regulations", Zheng Chongjian has been imprisoned, so he had to find another candidate to serve as governor of Qin.
"Zong Long has experience in leading troops. He was recognized by His Majesty and was appointed as a soldier. Occasionally, he was condemned and sent to prison for minor mistakes. He knows how to repent. Now that the imperial court is in urgent need of employment, Zong Long, if he is a holy family member, is re-employed.
I will do my best to repay the emperor's favor. Zong Long is a simple and loyal man, well known by his colleagues, and also recognized by His Majesty."
Chongzhen nodded and said, "I just want to use his Pu Zhong."
Chen Xinjia knelt on the ground and waited for a while. Seeing that the emperor had no other questions to ask, he kowtowed and resigned.
Chongzhen immediately issued a handwritten edict in the Warm Pavilion of Wuying Hall, releasing Fu Zonglong from prison on the same day and waiting for summons. He then issued an order to punish Yang Sichang after his death, praising him for "two years in the army, and he has repeatedly achieved great successes.
Hard work can never be forgotten even if the body is exhausted."
In the handwriting, he ordered Song Yiniao, governor of Huguang, to send personnel to escort Yang Sichang's coffin back to his hometown and give him an altar for sacrifice. He also ordered the Ministry of Rites to prepare a memorial text on his behalf and submit it for reading tomorrow.
The next day, Chongzhen summoned Chen Xinjia and Fu Zonglong in the Wenhua Hall. When they arrived, Chongzhen was using a red pen to modify the sacrificial inscriptions prepared by the Ministry of Etiquette. After finishing the modifications and putting them down, he said to the eunuchs beside him: "Call them in.
Bar."
After Chen Xinjia and Fu Zonglong kowtowed, Chongzhen ordered them to get up and looked at Fu Zonglong carefully. He saw that although his temples and beard had become much whiter after being imprisoned, he was still in good spirits. He said to him: "I, the former, will be punished because of your guilt."
You are sent to prison as a sign of a light punishment. Nowadays, the country has many crimes, so I will release you and ask you to serve as the governor of Shaanxi and the three sides. This is my special favor. You should know how to be grateful, so that you can make up for the past mistakes by doing your best to suppress the thieves. After success
, I will not hesitate to reward you generously."
Fu Zonglong knelt down and kowtowed again, and said with tears: "The frost and rain are due to the emperor's favor. When I go to the army, I vow to encourage the soldiers, wipe out the thieves, comfort the emperor at the top, and comfort the people at the bottom; I am willing to break my body and bones, and live up to the emperor's fortune."
!”
Chongzhen nodded and said: "Very good. Very good. After you arrive in Xi'an, when do you estimate that you can lead troops into Henan to wipe out the intruders?"
"After I arrive in Xi'an, I will consider the actual situation and formulate a strategy."
Chongzhen was impatient and subconsciously rubbed his hands together and said: "I hope you will rush to Xi'an as soon as possible, take care of things, and lead troops into Henan within two months to join forces with the governor Yang Wenyue to suppress the invasion. Do not stay in Guanzhong.
Staying too long will delay the war."
Fu Zonglong was afraid that the emperor would suddenly become angry and imprison him again, but he also knew that it would be difficult to send out troops within two months, so he had no choice but to boldly say: "I'm afraid the soldiers have to practice the rear so that they can fight well."
Chongzhen looked at him sternly and said: "Shaanxi has ready-made troops. Don't the troops in each town not be trained in peacetime? Don't wait for Li Zicheng to gain a foothold in Henan before sending troops!"
Fu Zonglong knew that most of the military training in various towns was in name only and the amount was insufficient, but when he saw the emperor's impatient look, he had no choice but to kneel on the ground with his head lowered and stop talking.
Chongzhen was silent for a moment, thinking that Fu Zonglong had been persuaded by him, so he turned to a gentle tone and said: "You are a minister who knows the military, and I know it all. At present, the Donglu have besieged Jinzhou for a long time, and I have to send heavy troops outside the customs. Can you do it as soon as possible?
The solution to the crisis in Jinzhou is not yet known. The situation in Henan, Huguang, Shandong and other provinces is very bad, especially in Henan and Huguang. They have lost famous cities and sacrificed their lives for the vassal. Is there anything you can do to alleviate my worries?"
Fu Zonglong kowtowed and said: "When I was in prison, I was often deeply worried about the country. Although I had some foolish opinions, I didn't dare to tell them."
Chongzhen rolled his eyes and said: "If you want to benefit the country, you might as well tell me directly."
Fu Zonglong said: "At present, suppressing bandits internally and defending against powerful captives externally, using troops on both sides is not a blessing for the country. Many civil servants in the DPRK and China are making empty words without practical results, resulting in today's internal and external difficulties. If this continues, in a few years
, the situation in the country will be unimaginable. It is not that we have nothing to do today, but no one dares to say anything to His Majesty."
Chongzhen's heart was moved, he had already guessed it, and he quickly said: "You just say it, don't avoid it."
"Your Majesty is the lord of the ages. Please show me your foolish loyalty before I dare to speak out my foolish opinions to save the country."
"Your Majesty has been released from prison today and is now serving as my minister. If you have any good suggestions, I will listen to them with an open mind. If you are wrong, I will never offend you."
Fu Zonglong kowtowed again and said in a low voice: "In my humble opinion, if we can temporarily appease the Eastern captives, appeasement is the best policy. Only when things in the Eastern region slow down a little can we mobilize the country's military and financial resources to crush the traitors."
Chongzhen groaned softly, as if this opinion did not suit him. He suspected that Chen Xinjia had leaked the news to Fu Zonglong or secretly asked him to make this suggestion. He couldn't help but glance at Chen Xinjia who was standing next to him. After a moment of silence, Chongzhen
He asked: "What do you think is the best policy to appease the Eastern captives? You might as well state what you have seen in detail and let me consider it."
Fu Zonglong said: "For more than ten years, the country has been exhausted due to the use of troops both internally and externally. It is suffering from support and has almost become an incurable disease. Now we want to be at home and abroad at the same time. Even if we have the wisdom of Zhuge Kongming, we are afraid that we will not be able to catch it off guard. Therefore, we are ignorant of the ignorance of the humble ministers.
In view of this, it is better to quickly draw out your hands from outside the pass and use all your strength to suppress the bandits. Once the overall situation in the Central Plains is settled, it will not be too late to launch a large-scale attack on the eastern captives."
"I have ordered Hong Chengchou to lead the army out of the customs and rush to the aid of Jinzhou. It is not my intention to show weakness to the enemy by paying money to the Donglu. After you go out, don't mention the word 'advocate' to anyone. Go down!"
After Fu Zonglong kowtowed and retreated, Chongzhen asked Chen Xinjia: "Fu Zonglong also suggested that temporary pacification of the Eastern captives would be the best policy. Did he discuss it with you beforehand?"
Chen Xinjia knelt down and said: "Fu Zonglong was just released from prison with grace today. I have not talked to him about matters outside the customs."
Chongzhen nodded and said: "It can be seen that everyone who knows military knowledge knows that fighting on two fronts and being trapped internally and externally is not a long-term solution for the country. At present, we should urge the army led by Hong Chengchou to leave the border quickly and rescue Jinzhou. How can we not frustrate the Donglu's spirit?
Fu? We must urge Chengchou to quickly relieve the siege of Jinzhou!"
Chen Xinjia nodded, said yes repeatedly, and said: "What your Majesty sees is very true. If Jinzhou can be relieved from the siege, even if the money is paid, the words will be easy to talk about. What I am worried about is that the delay will last for a long time, and the labor and wages will be wasted. Jinzhou will not be able to relieve the siege, but will suffer the consequences."
Setbacks make it even more difficult to pay. Not to mention the country's limited manpower and material resources. In the future, the imperial court will not be able to mobilize so many people and so much food and salary from outside the customs."
Chongzhen said with a heavy face: "I am also very worried about this. At present, managing the military affairs outside the Pass seems to be more urgent than that of Henan and Chu."
"As for how to suppress Chuang, please go down and discuss with Bo Zonglong carefully. You must ask him to leave the capital tonight."
"According to the order!"
After Chen Xinjia withdrew, Chongzhen felt that he was not sure about the military future inside and outside the pass, and he couldn't help but sigh.
He then picked up the sacrificial text that had been drafted by the Ministry of Rites and had been slightly modified by him, and read in a low voice:
"In the fourteenth year of the reign of Emperor Chongzhen of the Wei Dynasty, the emperor sent officials to pay tribute to Yang Sichang, the former governor and assistant minister, and he wrote this:
Woohoo! But when your ambition is strong, you have the heart to serve the country; don't go into secrets, and come out with armored soldiers. When you return to the court in triumph, you can use the Lin Mingding tripod. The material has passed away, and the ambition is deep. Although the work has not been accomplished, the work is commendable, and the people will die.
But I am pitiful. I will give you an edict and sacrifice, especially the Yi chapter. If the heroic soul knows it, I will obey you!"