Chapter 989 Ji Zijuan is cold
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 dark shadows in the room through the lattice 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 imperial 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 entered the cabinet.
However, he has no time to think about joining the cabinet now. The more cruel and difficult reality in front of him is the crisis of the empire coming from all directions.
At this time, the emperor's health seemed to be deteriorating. He had not been in court for several days, which made the cabinet and the six ministers a little anxious.
This uneasiness has even spread to the people. The most obvious reaction is 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 that Yang He came back 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 have spread in the mountainous areas of Ankang and Hanzhong, but the Procuratorate of Punishment in Huguang and Shaanxi Province know 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 Tixing Procuratorate.
But is now the time to focus on investigating the negligence of these officials? Even Zhang Jingqiu felt that Yang He's letter was substandard. Of course, this may be Yang He's gesture to shirk responsibility for the future outbreak of the White Lotus Rebellion in Jingxiang.
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 a problem is, 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 camps in the future. It is difficult to directly go to the battlefield to replenish troops.
But can it deal with the chieftain army of Yang Yinglong in Bozhou? Zhang Jingqiu was deeply worried.
Zhang Jingqiu didn’t quite trust Wang Ziteng, nor did he trust Denglai’s army.
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 Jingying camp. This is the emperor's biggest worry. Now that the hidden dangers in the Jingying camp are gradually receding, this time we will mainly focus on these gangs. Whether it's coaxing, luring, or deceiving, getting out of the capital is a big problem solved.
What should I do over there in Kebozhou?
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 way 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 thoughts, and Chai Ke came in.
"Zishu, come and sit down. How is the situation?" Zhang Jingqiu motioned for Chai Ke to take a seat.
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: "There are probably many tribes in Outer Khalkha." How many people are there? 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 Tang River, where the river valley 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 felt like he didn’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, it 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 tribes in Outer Kharkha 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 along the Chaohe River. You Shigong has asked his brother You Shilu to personally take charge of Shixia Camp, so that he can coordinate the response from Baima Pass to Gaojiabao -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 be used, why is it like this?”
Chai Ke chuckled, "Sir, if the capital camp can be used, the emperor will probably not let the capital camp leave the capital."
The two of them smiled tacitly.
The emperor's various dissatisfaction and dislike of the Jingying camp are no secret to the two of them. The generals are unreliable, the soldiers are lazy, but the number is so large, and food and money are wasted. It can be said that the biggest burden of the Ministry of War is the Jingying camp.
In the eyes of Zhang Jingqiu and Chai Ke, there is no problem even if all the abolitions are carried out, and they even want to applaud, but they can only think about it. Without this power, the entire capital city will become blank, and no one can accept it. Of course, it's not realistic either.
“Zishu, if this happens, 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 city. He is very anxious now 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 you 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 focus of the Chahar people is still 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 wood carvings, 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 and garrison at the front line of Zunhua and Santunying. If the Neikhalk 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 won't 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 should move to the south." If An’s side cannot 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 cold 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 is a bit cruel to let Yongping Mansion do so, although Chai Ke also admitted that the existing troops are indeed difficult to support the defense system of Yongping Mansion.
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.
(End of this chapter)