The Xu Garden on the banks of the North and South Lakes is a very tasteful Jiangnan garden.
The Xu family in Kanpu is a branch of the Xu family in Haiyan. It has been established here for hundreds of years and has been managed by generations, making this garden very grand. There are more than a dozen archways in front of the Xu garden, which the Xu family has worked hard to build for generations.
There are chastity archways and archways for Jinshi and others. The largest one is engraved with the third character of Shangshu.
This means that the Xu family in Kanpu produced a high-ranking official.
Although Xu Min, the contemporary head of the family, only served as a seventh-rank military officer in the Chongzhen Dynasty, the special military system of the Ming Dynasty meant that although the seventh-rank officer was a low-ranking official, he was extremely powerful. However, he was said to be in charge of the six ministers.
For those with great power, court affairs were handled by the six ministers, submitted to the cabinet for approval, and then approved by the chief ceremonial supervisor, and finally sent back to the six ministers for approval.
But in fact, the six subjects have the power to reject the matter.
The six departments are in charge of attendants, admonitions, repairs, relics, and inspection of the affairs of the six ministries and hundreds of departments. All the edicts are announced and implemented, major events are reported, and minor matters are promulgated by the department; if there is any failure, the seal is returned to the executive. All internal and external chapters are reviewed.
Next, copy it out in categories, submit it to the department, and refute any errors.
This is an almost boundless power, and it fully embodies a major feature of Ming Dynasty politics, which is to control the big with the small.
After Zhu Yuanzhang killed the prime minister and abolished the prime minister, six ministers assisted the emperor in running government affairs. Later, the emperor established cabinet bachelors. These cabinet bachelors were only fifth-rank officials. Later, they helped the emperor's power continue to increase, and they gradually checked and balanced the ministers.
After passing the minister's book, he lived above it.
There is something similar in the six subjects of the government affairs. Even the government affairs can not only check the mistakes of the six ministries and hundreds of officials, but also serve as participating officials in examinations at all levels, court discussions, court promotions and other activities that only the superiors of each ministry can participate in.
For these officials, who are only in the seventh rank, to participate, it shows the importance of their duties.
At the local level, the Ming Dynasty later also established patrol governors, who were also served by seventh-grade supervisory censors, but they could become provincial officials on par with the governors.
Essentially speaking, in addition to the low grade of the Ming Dynasty's six subjects, it was more similar to the Menxiasheng in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. It was a central organization with the authority of the prime minister and held extremely high authority. It was just a Ming Dynasty feature that determined their grades.
is very low.
Although Xu Min was only a military officer, there were several people in this position, and there were also military officers, left and right officers, and military officers above him, but he was still an important person with real power in the court.
Later, he was defeated in the party struggle and returned to his hometown, where he could not find a stable position.
"Master, there is news from Ningbo."
A Xu family master came in and said, "Chen Wu was beheaded in Songpu, and all his subordinates were annexed by Lu Jianguo. Dynasty was first attacked by Huang Binqing in Zhoushan, and all his subordinates were annexed. Dynasty first jumped into the sea and escaped with his own life."
, and now he has switched to Lu Jianguo."
Xu Min was in her early sixties at this time, and she was well-maintained, with a rosy face and a little bit of fat.
He has a well-maintained beard and looks very elegant, and when paired with the expensive silk robe he wears, it adds to his elegance.
He stroked his beard and said, "It's a bit unexpected. This Lu Jianguo is coming in a menacing way."
The master smiled and said, "Compared to the supervision of the King of Yiyang, the difference is too big after all. It is difficult to achieve great things with just the soldiers and gentry of Ning Shaotai."
Xu Min shook his head, "Haven't you seen that King Yiyang is not a hero at all? I thought that with the support of many civil servants and military generals, there might be a chance to establish a court again, but you have seen that so far, there has been no splash.
?"
"In this dynasty, Chen Wu and Huang Binqing were all supportive and co-conspirators, but now there is internal strife. The original eight generals who supported the establishment have suddenly lost two. Can't you tell?"
With a wave of his hand, he unfolded the folding fan and swayed gently, "This Ming Dynasty has finally run out of energy and there is no way to save it."
"Master, do we have to make preparations early?"
Xu Min picked up several letters on the table. These letters included letters of appeasement from the prefect appointed by the Tatars in Jiaxing, letters of goodwill from the Kanpu garrison who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, and letters from some of Xu Min's relatives and friends. They
All have been cleared, and many people have been reused.
Of course, there was also a letter from Zheng Jiwu and Zhu Outline of Hainingwei, asking him to join us in resisting the Qing Dynasty, restoring the Ming Dynasty, and fighting against the Tartars.
There was even a letter from Chen Wu who had been killed. Chen Wu wrote to him as the governor of Zhejiang and Fujian, asking him to lead Xujiaying to obey orders.
Looking at these letters, Xu Min laughed.
"Master Qian, please reply to Jiaxing Magistrate Zhao for me and have a good talk with him."
"What conditions do you want, Master?"
"I also served as a military officer in the Chongzhen Dynasty. Not to mention joining the army as an official, at least I have to arrange a prefect or patrol officer at the local level, not to mention I still have a battalion of troops.
Woolen cloth?"
"I understand, little one, go and write now."
"Remember to instruct Butler Liu to take some silver from the treasury and give rewards to the brothers in Xujiaying. The ordinary brothers will each receive one tael of silver, and the officers will be promoted according to their ranks. Now is a special time, so we must win over these people. Also
, let me kill two pigs, raise food for the brothers, and get some wine to reward the brothers."
Xu Min knew very well that in troubled times, he could not protect himself without soldiers, horses, swords and guns.
When the Tatars robbed the Xu family and even raped his daughter-in-law, he understood it completely, so he ruthlessly spent a lot of money and recruited "chivalrous heroes" from everywhere. In fact, he also knew that these people were just scoundrels.
But he still believed that as long as he had money, he could control these people for his own use.
Since he established Xujiaying, although he spent a lot of money to support these people, he quickly sent these people around to raise wages and donations. Not only did he protect his family's safety and property, he also took the opportunity to collect a lot of money.
After calculation, he not only did not lose money, but also made a lot of money.
This is the mind.
These days, if you don’t have swords, guns, and horses, how can you get along?
Now, he has so many people in his hand, which can be a good bargaining chip. He can use it to negotiate with the Northern Dynasty about recruitment, and he must ask for a good price.
"When the talks are almost over, you ask Xujiaying to go to the countryside to recruit some strong men. No matter what, we have to gather three to five thousand people. Then people from the Northern Dynasty will come to check. This will make us more powerful."
"My master is wise."
"Hahaha." Xu Min looked proud.
"Sir, over at Chongming, is there anything else that has been promised to Haining Guard Zheng Jiwu to lead troops to fight against the invaders together?"
Xu Min said disdainfully, "King Yiyang of Chongming is nothing more than a dandy, and those ministers who conspired with Yuan Congxun are actually all deserters and defeated generals who are afraid of death and have a clan in Chongming."
, raised a banner, and then took the opportunity to collect grain and raise donations, legitimately making money and seeking benefits. After so long, look at these guys who claim to have an army of 200,000, have they done anything worth mentioning? Did they recapture Changzhou?
Suzhou or Songjiang?"
"I won't mention those embarrassing things from now on. As for Zheng Jiwu and Zhu Dayou, they are just two barbarians who don't know the heights of the world. They are too lazy to pay attention to them."
Master Qian nodded and bowed, praising him for his cleverness, but secretly despising this guy in his heart. This old man is just a speculator.
Just like when he was an official in Beijing, he was divided between Donglin and the Eunuch Party. At one time, he relied on one, and at other times he flattered the other. In the end, he failed to get a good deal from both sides, and was dismissed from his post and returned home.
There was no limit at home, and even as he got older, he took in many concubines, many of whom were younger than his granddaughter. He married someone in his sixties, sixteen, or even one in his thirties.
However, although the contempt was contemptuous, it was not shown on his face. Although the old guy was a bit despicable and shameless, he was still very generous to his old friend. He gave him a lot of hard-earned money every year. For this, Master Qian was willing to think more.
New words to praise Mr. Xu.
Master Qian's ability to do things was pretty good. He responded to a letter for Xu Min to the prefect of Jiaxing with great literary talent that day, and then he took the silver with the housekeeper without stopping and went to Xujiaying to distribute the reward.
"Master said thank you for your hard work. Now I am trying to help you make a fortune and find a long-term career. If things go well, you will all be promoted and make a fortune."
In the room, a group of strong men with bare chests and midriffs looked at Yinzi and laughed.
"Master Xu is generous, and we are naturally sensible. Please ask Mr. Qian to tell Master Xu that the brothers do not get money for nothing."
"Boss Zhao, the master said that we have to work hard these days and go to the countryside to bring back more food. The summer harvest is over. By the way, we can bring back some strong men. It is best to be able to collect 5,000 from Xujiaying.
people."
"Five thousand? So many people?"
"It's powerful when you have more people. One thousand people, you, Boss Zhao, are a guard. If there are three thousand people, you, Boss Zhao, will be a guerrilla. If you get five thousand people, our master may be able to find a job for you when he arrives."
General, do you think it’s worth it or not?”
The strong man named Zhao laughed and said, "Of course it is necessary. If I recruit ten thousand people, Mr. Xu will not be able to get me a general soldier."
"How can you get 10,000 people from a small place like Kanpu? Even if you get them, you won't be able to support them."
"Haha, just kidding, there are only three to five thousand people, which is no problem. Those country mud-legged people can just bring in more, and there is no need to worry about not being able to feed them. We can afford two meals a day. If it is not possible, then we will
Just drag people to the surrounding areas to rob a few villages and towns, and you can support them."
"Boss Zhao, we need to hurry up on this matter. If things go smoothly, someone may come over soon to inspect the troops."
"rest assured."
Boss Zhao is also a popular person. In his early years, he was a private salt dealer. With his boldness and dark heart, he also made a name for himself on the road. Although he later got angry and failed, he was forced to flee into the mountains and work as a mountaineer for a while.
King, but with the world in chaos, he took the opportunity to come out again and rely on Mr. Xu. Now he is also the boss of Xu who has more than a thousand brothers.
Of course, he is not satisfied with this. Heroes emerge from troubled times. Why can't he just be a defender or a guerrilla?
Within a few days, Boss Zhao set up a recruiting flag, distributed hero posts, and invited heroes from all walks of life to join the army. He also sent his brothers to the countryside to recruit young men. Anyway, he had to gather 5,000 men.
Nanhu Village.
At this time, this small village was already a family of soldiers and civilians, and they were very close friends. Because of the strict implementation of the three major disciplines and eight points of attention, especially after purchasing materials from the villagers at a price, the villagers welcomed them.
Within a few days, many young villagers actively requested to join the army, hoping to earn generous military pay and eat delicious military meals.
Zhang Mingyang has been keeping his troops stationary, sending Ye Bushou in disguise every day to collect military information, and he has become more and more aware of the nearby Xuyuan and Xujiaying.
While they were lurking, Zhu Yihai on Haizhongmen Island finally couldn't hold himself back any longer. Yesterday, he also landed with 200 auxiliary soldiers and arrived at Nanhu Village.
"The Xujiaying camp has a total of more than a thousand and dozens of people, most of them rogues, as well as some deserters from the defeated army and military households in the guard station. They have about ten pieces of armor, hundreds of swords and bows, and the rest are some crude homemade wooden spears and spears.
And shields, and a few shotguns, the equipment is very poor, basically just a rabble."
Yang Boxing introduced the military situation to Zhu Yihai, "After our reconnaissance these days, we found that Xu Papi is discussing surrender with the pseudo-prefect of Jiaxing, and I heard that the negotiation is almost done. Xu Papi is now busy expanding his Xujiaying
, I heard that it was going to be expanded to 5,000 people, so I wanted to ask the Beibei for a price. The leader of Xujiaying, Zhao Dayuan, was a private salt dealer.
They also sent people to the countryside to recruit young men. I think this is an opportunity. We can definitely bring some brothers to Xujiaying to recruit them."
"When the time comes, we will work together from inside and outside to annihilate these scourges."
Zhu Yihai listened carefully. After he came to Nanhu Village, he visited the village in depth and found that the villagers got along really well with the people from the Flagshou Camp. Many young men also took the initiative to join the Flagshou Camp instead of being pulled into adulthood.
, they have been here these days and have not harmed or disturbed the people. From this point of view, it is very good, even very difficult.
It may also be because this team is his most trusted flag bearer, battalion servant and battalion headquarters, but in any case, these changes are carried out according to his plan.
Zhang Mingyang also added at this time, "Now Nanhu and many nearby villages have received notices from Xujiayuan, saying that each village is required to recruit soldiers to enlist in the army. It is also said that there will be generous food and salary. I think this is a good opportunity."
During this period of time, Zhang Mingyang not only got along well with the villagers of Nanhu Village, but also quietly contacted many other villages in the township. Through purchasing and supplementary work, he gradually established preliminary contacts.
Many people in the village are very satisfied with the "Ninghai Yiying", and everyone has even planned to pay money and food to the Ninghai Yishi as protection fees in order to obtain the protection of the Ninghai Yiying in troubled times.
Zhang Mingyang refused everyone's offer to pay tribute, and still spent money to purchase supplies from the people at market prices, but he had also accepted some active young villagers to join the army.
"Are you planning to take advantage of their opportunity to recruit new recruits and bring soldiers from our Bannerman Battalion, mixed with some newly recruited villagers, to Xujiaying to join the army?"
"Your Highness is wise, that's exactly what I mean." Zhang Mingyang flattered him.
"Captain Yang and Vice General Zhang both have good ideas. This Xu Bapi has caused so much trouble to the countryside that God cannot tolerate it and must be destroyed. It's very good that you have been able to collect information without being arrogant or arrogant these days. Now we have found out who he is.
After all, it’s time to close the net.”
Zhu Yihai made a final decision, "Li Yuchun has looted several towns in the past few days and is about to reach Tongxiang. Fortunately, Mr. Zhang and the others are making more noise in Haining. They are almost making trouble in Xiashi Town. They have successfully attracted Li Yuchun.
They turned around and headed south, so we don’t have much time left. We must deal with Xu Bapi immediately, and then gather our troops to capture Li Yuchun, the traitor to the country.”
"Without further delay, let's start today."
Zhang Mingyang said, "I used to be a knight errant in the capital with my elder brother. Ruan Qi and I led some brothers to dress up as scoundrels and join the army."
Yang Boxing proposed that he take some flag-bearer battalion soldiers and disperse them to various villages to recruit with some villagers.
"Then I will take the remaining brothers and respond at any time."
Zhu Yihai raised his head and looked at the sky, "The sky in Kanpu has been covered with dark clouds for too long. Now it's time to lift the dark clouds and see the sun."
Zhang Mingzhen and other officers have made good progress in other places with various battalion posts. They have defeated many local tyrants, evil gentry and local gangsters, opened up many base areas, initially won the trust and support of many villagers, and confiscated a lot of money and food.
Confinement.
Zhang Mingyang and the others have been keeping quiet here, but as long as they capture Xu Bapi, it can be said to be a thunderous move.
