Zhang Jingqiu stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, his brows full of worry.
The afterglow of the setting sun fell lightly on the window lattice, leaving mottled shadows in the room through the window paper.
Zhang Jingqiu was slightly disappointed that he failed to enter the cabinet, but he also knew that the emperor had tried his best.
The indifference of Ye Xianggao and Fang Congzhe to him became the biggest obstacle on his way to the cabinet, and similarly, he failed to gain the firm support of northern scholars like Qi Yongtai.
Qi Yongtai even supported another person with the same surname, Zhang Huaichang, the censor of Zuodu, to join the cabinet. Of course, Zhang Huaichang was neither recognized by Ye Xianggao nor Fang Congzhe, nor was he favored by the emperor, so his chances of joining the cabinet were even slimmer, so in the end it was Li Sancai who joined the cabinet.
However, he no longer has the mind to consider the issue of joining the cabinet. The more cruel and difficult reality before him is the crisis of the empire coming from all directions.
At this time, the emperor's health seemed to be showing signs of deterioration. He had not been in court for several days in a row, which made the cabinet and senior officials in the six ministries a little anxious.
This uneasiness even spread to the people. The most obvious reaction was that in the capital city, "Today's News" published some content with obscure semantics, but the rumors were immediately refuted. However, Zhang Jingqiu knew that this was after the Ministry of Rites put pressure on "Today's News"
the result of.
The news Yang He received from Yunyang Renzhang was very bad.
The refugees in Jingxiang are far from being as docile as they imagined, and their lives are not as peaceful as local officials reported. Conflicts and conflicts with local officials arise one after another, with undercurrents surging.
With the cooperation of Long Jinwei, the Yunyang Governor's Yamen had discovered secret contacts between Bozhou and the leaders of some refugee groups in Yunyang Mountain, which frightened Yang He.
Another disturbing sign is that even the White Lotus Sect seems to be spreading in the mountainous areas of Ankang and Hanzhong, but the Procuratorate of Punishment in Huguang and Shaanxi Province knows nothing about it.
This made Yang He very angry, and he had already written to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, requesting the Metropolitan Procuratorate to send a censor to thoroughly investigate the dereliction of duty in the Huguang and Shaanxi Procuratorate.
But is now the time to focus on investigating the dereliction of duty of these officials? Even Zhang Jingqiu felt that Yang He's petition was of a low standard. Of course, this may be a gesture by Yang He to prepare for the future outbreak of the White Lotus Rebellion in Jingxiang.
Make arrangements to shirk responsibility.
Zhang Jingqiu recalled Feng Ziying's reminder to leave Beijing and return to Yongping. The other party paid special attention to the threat of the White Lotus Sect. At that time, both himself and Chai Ke felt that it was a bit exaggerated.
But now it seems that the other party's worries are correct. The more likely there is a problem, once the White Lotus Sect is involved, the intensity of the crisis may increase exponentially.
The news from Geng Ruqi may have comforted Zhang Jingqiu a little.
After he took office, he immediately began to organize the Minzhuang, and quickly established a Minzhuang with up to 8,000 people. However, there was a shortage of weapons and armor, and these lack of training could only be used as battalions in the future.
It is difficult to directly go to the battlefield to replenish troops.
But can this deal with Yang Yinglong's chieftain army in Bozhou? Zhang Jingqiu was deeply worried.
Zhang Jingqiu didn't trust Wang Ziteng very much, nor did he trust Denglai's army very much.
Letting Wang Ziteng go to Denglai is actually a compromise, otherwise it will not be enough to reduce the influence of Niu Jizong and Wang Ziteng on the Beijing camp. This is the emperor's biggest worry. Now that the hidden dangers of the Beijing camp are gradually receding, this time the main focus is to reduce the influence of these gangs in the Beijing camp.
Whether it's coaxing, luring, or deceiving, getting out of the capital is a big problem solved.
But what should we do over there in Bozhou?
Zhang Jingqiu's headache is getting worse. He is not sure whether Wang Ziteng is willing to sincerely put down the Bozhou Rebellion. From the fact that the other party is marching slowly like a snail in Huguang, he can sense his resistance and dissatisfaction with this matter.
patient.
"Sir." The sound of footsteps woke Zhang Jingqiu out of his deep thoughts, and Chai Ke came in.
"Zishu, come sit down, how's the situation?" Zhang Jingqiu motioned for Chai Ke to take a seat.
"It's not good." Chai Ke didn't talk nonsense. "The news from the Shanshan-Shaanxi Chamber of Commerce and the Zhongfang Division are similar. The Outer Khalkha tribes should be heading west. It is said that they have passed the Hala Hetao and are heading towards Hushi.
Heading towards Ha and Xiaoxingzhou, we will probably arrive north of Chaohe Suo soon." Chai Ke's tone was a little low.
Zhang Jingqiu stood up, walked to the big wall, opened the covering curtain, and saw a huge map hanging on the wall. His eyes searched directly above, and finally locked on: "The tribes of Outer Khalkha probably have
How many people? Where are they planning to break in?"
"It's hard to say." Chai Ke also walked to the wall. "There are no signs of the division of troops in the Outer Karkha tribes yet, but the information obtained by the scouts is also very fragmentary, and the situation is changing at any time. If they cross Hushi, haha
Along the line with Dongzizidian, it is possible to get in from Huangyakou along the Tanghe River. The valley there is suitable for them to break in, but it is also possible from the Dashui Valley, which is the closest."
"Is it possible to break through from the Xuanfu side?" Zhang Jingqiu frowned deeply, "I have repeatedly reminded Niu Jizong that although the possibility of their side is relatively small, we should not be careless and ask him to come and take charge of Yongning in person, but I
It feels like he doesn’t take it seriously.”
"The possibility is indeed relatively small. The tribes in Outer Karkha are not familiar with the situation here, and when entering from the Xuanfu side, they have to break through the Inner Great Wall. Logically speaking, the possibility is unlikely. However, the Xuanfu troops should be appropriately strengthened on the eastern front.
It should be no problem." Chai Ke also relieved Zhang Jingqiu, "Niu Jizong is also a veteran, so he doesn't even understand these rules. I see that he often returns to Beijing. Now is a tense time, so he should go back and take charge.
.”
"I hope so. I always feel that he is a little absent-minded. He feels that the people in the Outer Karkha tribes are unfamiliar and it is impossible to go to the Xuanfu. Let me be careful about the Chaohe River."
Zhang Jingqiu recalled the conversation with Niu Jizong with some unhappiness. Wu Xun and Wu Xun were really different. People like Feng Tang were much more humble, while people like Niu Jizong and Wang Ziteng were extremely arrogant and difficult to deal with.
"What he said is right." Chai Ke smiled, "The most dangerous thing is the front line of Chaohe River. You Shigong has asked his brother You Shilu to personally take charge of Shixia Camp, so that he can respond to Baima Pass-Gao Family
Fort - Fengjiabao - Huangyakou - Shitanling line, but Dashui Valley is too far away, I asked You Shigong to gather heavy troops at Bohai Station and Huairou to prevent being broken through."
"That's all it can do." Zhang Jingqiu couldn't help but sigh, "If the Beijing camp can use it, why is it like this?"
Chai Ke chuckled lightly, "Sir, the Beijing camp can be used. I'm afraid the emperor will not let the Beijing camp leave the capital."
The two of them smiled tacitly.
The emperor's various dissatisfaction and dislike of the Beijing camp was no secret to the two of them. The generals were unreliable, the soldiers were lazy, and their numbers were so large. Food and money were wasted. It can be said that the biggest burden to the Ministry of War was the Beijing camp.
In the eyes of Zhang Jingqiu and Chai Ke, even if all the abolitions were carried out, there would be no problem, and they would even applaud, but this was just a thought. Without this power, the entire capital city would become blank, and no one could accept it.
Of course, it's not realistic either.
"Zishu, if this happens, I'm afraid the pressure on the east side of Ji Town will be great." Zhang Jingqiu seemed to have remembered something.
"There is indeed a lot of pressure on You Shigong. The emperor gave him an edict, asking him to ensure the defense line of the capital and not allow the Mongols to attack the capital city. He is now very anxious and has been complaining that the Denglai army should not be allowed to go south, but should
Put it here in Ji Town." Chai Ke smiled bitterly, "The main force of the Chahar people is not moving very fast now and is still on the Luanhe River. However, our scouts have seen small groups of Mongolian cavalry on the Luanhe River tributaries Baihe and Liuhe.
,…”
"The Chahar people are divided into two groups?" Zhang Jingqiu was a little confused. The Baihe River and the Liuhe River are the two major tributaries of the middle reaches of the Luanhe River. One flows into the Luanhe River from west to east, and the other flows into the Luanhe River from southwest to northeast. "Have we reached the Baima River?
?”
"It shouldn't be here yet." Chai Ke shook his head, "But I'm worried that the Chahar people are paralyzing us. Once we reach the Baima River line, it will be difficult for us to judge their main attack direction."
"When the soldiers came to cover up the water and earth, I told You Shigong to throw the Beijing camp to the east. His main focus should be on the line from Qiangziling to Da'ankou. I feel that the Chahar people's focus is still on
We will break through at this line." Zhang Jingqiu pressed his hand on the wall, his eyes wandering.
"Sir, are you really planning to give up on Yongping Mansion completely?" Chai Ke sighed.
"It's hard to tell. There are tens of thousands of people in the capital camp. Even if there are clay sculptures and wooden sculptures, tens of thousands of horses and horses can start to play a role, right?" Zhang Jingqiu pondered for a moment, "Let You Shigong quietly move the defense westward and focus on
The line between Lihe River and Xishui River, the line between Malanyu, Shimen Town, and Yutian must ensure the reasonable deployment of troops..."
"What about Jingying?" Chai Ke was surprised.
"Let them go up. In Zunhua, the Santun Camp will be stationed on the front line. If the Inner Khalkha people break through from Yongping Prefecture, the Jizhen Army will join them to fight." Zhang Jingqiu said coldly.
"This..." A cold sweat broke out on Chai Ke's spine, "Sir, I'm afraid..."
"Zishu, don't think so much. The Inner Khalkha and Horqin people are just here to catch the autumn wind, and they will not have a head-on confrontation with us. They are more likely to go south. I asked You Shigong and Feng Ziying to also tell them that they will move to the south."
If An is unable to be defended, then retreat to Lulong. As long as Lulong is preserved, as for other places, let’s see how the situation develops.”
Zhang Jingqiu's indifferent words left Chai Ke speechless. It seemed that the minister was going to faithfully implement the emperor's decision, completely weaken the capital camp, and at the same time absolutely ensure the safety of the capital city.
There is nothing wrong with abandoning the Beijing camp, but it would be a bit cruel to let Yongping Mansion do so, although Chai Ke also admitted that the existing military strength was indeed difficult to support Yongping Mansion's defense system.
In the end, Chai Ke nodded. He planned to come down and write a letter to Feng Ziying immediately, reminding Feng Ziying that a gentleman should not stand behind a dangerous wall.
