Jiajing Chengming

Chapter 141 Yan Song: What’s wrong with being loyal to Your Majesty?

Hang Xiong was stunned after hearing this.

then.

Hang Xiong looked at Liu Zhen with a disappointed look on his face: "This can't even scare the emperor?"

"The Ministry of War replied that the little prince's tribes were not yet united, so it was impossible for a large-scale invasion by bandits. Therefore, they believed that there was no need to mobilize troops to defend the king, and that we should just guard against the invaders."

"I guess the emperor accepted the advice of the Ministry of War."

Liu Zhen replied.

After hearing this, Hang Xiong said, "I understand!"

"This is because I am Wang Yangming. He calmed your Majesty down and made him less afraid of the invaders entering the pass."

Hang Xiong then replied.

Liu Zhen said: "It should be. This person has always been knowledgeable about military affairs and good at making plans. It is easy for him to convince Your Majesty and the court officials on military matters. Now that he chooses to advise Your Majesty to refuse to come to the King's defense, it only shows that he really supports the reform!"

"Your Majesty is indeed not an ordinary emperor."

"After hearing that the enemy invaded the country, they were willing to listen to the Ministry of War and chose to use calm to control movement."

"This shows that our Majesty is truly not afraid of the power of the invaders."

talking.

Hang Xiong held his forehead and said, "This is a headache!"

"Back then, the late emperor was not afraid of the power of the invaders, which caused great headaches for the nine frontiers."

Hang Xiong continued.

"General Wang Butang has just sent troops to deliver a letter, asking us to send troops to attack Jinang's tent. How do you plan to reply?"

Liu Zhen then started talking about other things.

Hang Xiong couldn't help but feel even more depressed: "It is because Jinang and Altan are not strong enough that the imperial court is not afraid of the enemy's power. Now General Wang wants to take advantage of this opportunity to let us use our troops. Isn't this simply leaving us, the border officials, with no support at all in the future?"

"He was also forced into a corner."

"The emperor asked him to be the commander-in-chief of Jizhou, Datong and Xuanfu, which was clearly to let him win a victory over the enemy for the world to see."

"Let those who oppose the reform know that the Ming Dynasty has always suppressed the invaders, so don't think of using the invaders' power to threaten the court to stop the new policy!"

"It is said that Wang Dongping (Wang Xian) originally wanted to recommend Yang Anning (Yang Yiqing) to be the general manager of the three sides, so that the national tax reform could be postponed."

"But Yan Song, the recorder at the time, mentioned this to the emperor, and Wang Dongping became the chief governor."

After Liu Zhen said that, Hang Xiong couldn't help but grit his teeth and said, "Is Yan Fenyi also a member of the Yili Reform Party?"

"That's not clear."

Liu Zhen replied.

Hang Xiong said: "No matter whether it is clear or not, if it is an order to defend the pass, I will obey it, but if we go deep into the pass and attack the enemy camp, there may be an ambush, so I cannot obey it."

"Just reply to General Manager Wang."

Hang Xiong got up and went outside, calling his trusted servants and saying, "Send someone to inform the Jinang spies in the city to tell their Jinong to be careful these days!"

"Yes!"

Hang Xiong really doesn't want to fight anymore.

Historically, in the second year of Jiajing, when Jinang launched a large-scale invasion, Zhu Houcong issued an edict to criticize Hang Xiong for his cowardice because he did not take the initiative to fight back.

Hang Xiong simply asked to resign from his official position because of this.

However, because his seniority was second only to Ma Yong, the general of Jizhou, Zhu Houcong did not dismiss him from his post in history.

It was only in the eighth year of Jiajing that Hang Xiong was dismissed from his post after being defeated by the enemy and impeached by Wang Qiong while serving as the general commander of Ningxia.

As the commander-in-chief, he was not very interested in fighting against the Tartars, but was very interested in building relationships with the literati.

That's why.

Although he was impeached several times, he was also recommended for important positions by civil servants several times.

In terms of political views, he naturally tends to be conservative and protects rituals.

exactly.

Wang Xian was also not liked by the civil servants who protected rituals.

Hang Xiong was not afraid of offending Wang Xian.

He believed that even if he did not obey Wang Xian's order, there would be people in the court who would protect rituals and speak for him.

As for the emperor's attitude, he didn't care even more.

Because his understanding of the capital was that after Yang Tinghe took office, he abolished the Emperor's personal army, the Weiwu Camp, and also abolished a large number of Jinyiwei flag schools. Now the capital only had the former Dongguanting's Beijing Camp.

Therefore, he knew that even if he disobeyed Wang Xian's military orders, the emperor would still need him and his men to guard the border.

All he had to do was maintain a good reputation among the civil servants, and it would be even harder for the emperor to do anything to him, not even Wang Xian.

Bang!
However, after receiving Hang Xiong's reply, Wang Xian still slammed his fist on the table.

Although Wang Xian did not want the emperor to pay too much attention to military aggressiveness.

But he did have a great talent for combat command, otherwise, history would not have mentioned that he made great contributions in the Battle of Yingzhou, and even achieved four victories in five days.

Therefore, since Wang Xian had determined that he could attack Jinang, he was naturally 100% sure that it would be a great victory.

But now, Hangxiong doesn't listen to his orders.

This made Wang Xian lose his composure and slam the table.

As a commander, the most unacceptable thing is that his subordinates do not obey orders, especially when the subordinate is a military general.

This was the first time that Yan Song, the grain supervisor, saw Wang Xian lose his composure since he followed Wang Xian to Jizhou, and he was very curious.

And this time.

General Zhou Shangwen suggested to Wang Xian: "Minister, why don't you let me lead the Yongwei Battalion to attack Jinang's camp! Even if we can't wipe them out, we can at least make them dare not peek at our border wall!"

Zhou Shangwen's troops were a group of troops selected by Zhu Houcong from the inspection team. The roster of officers and soldiers was temporarily placed under the Four Guards Camp under the Imperial Stables, and was named the Yongwei Camp by Zhu Houcong.

Therefore, Zhou Shangwen used the name of the Yongwei Camp to refer to the troops he led.

"Since Hang Xiong is unwilling, the opportunity to fight has been lost. If you go again, you will only be ambushed."

Wang Xian replied with a wry smile.

Yan Song was quite puzzled after hearing this, and wanted to ask Wang Xian why he felt that Hang Xiong would be ambushed if he didn't go.

But after thinking about it, he understood and believed that since Hang Xiong did not obey orders, he deliberately prevented others from winning the battle.

"Is this matter just over?"

Yan Song couldn't help but ask this question inwardly, and then looked at Wang Xian.

But Yan Song discovered that Wang Xian was actually sneering at this time.

This puzzled him.

At this time, Wang Xian suddenly looked up at him.

Yan Song hurriedly cupped his hands: "Minister!"

"Go find Yang Zhongcheng and discuss the issue of converting this year's military pay into silver."

Wang Xian then asked Yan Song, "Do you know how to discuss this?"

recently.

Yang Shangxue, the governor of Datong, reported to Wang Xian that the grain market in Datong was much more prosperous than before, and proposed to increase the military pay to a discount rate.

This kind of thing naturally requires the participation of Yan Song, the doctor who supervises the grain and salaries. Because Yan Song came to the border town to supervise the grain and salaries on behalf of the central court.

That's why Wang Xian asked Yan Song at this time.

Yan Song thought for a moment and said, "Of course, we should consider the fluctuation of grain prices, so that after the soldiers' salaries are reduced, they will not go hungry because of the peak grain prices, which will make the border soldiers dissatisfied!"

"wrong!"

“They should be dissatisfied!”

Wang Xian directly denied Yan Song's proposal.

Yan Song was not angry, but bowed respectfully and said, "Please enlighten me, Minister!"

"If you ask more soldiers in the border towns, you will know whether the ones who can get the salary are the border troops of the imperial court or the servants of the border generals!"

"So, you think you are considering the soldiers, but you are actually considering those arrogant and disrespectful border generals."

"You have won over the border generals by doing this, but you are using the court's money to support the vassal states!"

Wang Xian's words left Yan Song speechless.

Yan Song thought for a while before saying, "Minister, if I do this, will the border generals rebel and kill me?"

“Others may not.”

"But it's hard to say about you, Yan Weizhong."

Wang Xian said with a smile.

After hearing this, Yan Song's face suddenly froze.

then.

Yan Song resolutely prostrated himself before Wang Xian and said, "Please help me, Minister!"

"Even though I did not consider that the minister was too old to work hard when I recommended him to the emperor, I was still recommended by him. If I were to die at the hands of arrogant soldiers and brave generals, I would not be able to explain to Your Majesty!"

Yan Song said in pain.

Yan Song knew that Wang Xian hated him because he had ruined things for him in front of the emperor, so he wanted to punish him and wanted to see him begging him.

People have to bow their heads under the eaves.

Yan Song did not hesitate and begged Wang Xian according to what Wang Xian wanted to see.

Wang Xian glanced at Yan Song.

In a good mood.

He didn't expect that Yan Song was not only flexible, but also could find the key reason to save himself.

then.

Wang Xian also said earnestly:

"It is human nature for you to want to make progress and gain divine grace."

"I'm not really angry with you."

"I recommended you to come to my side to supervise the food and money, and I also intend to train you."

Wang Xian asked Yan Song to stand up first, then looked at Yan Song and said with a smile:

"But you should know that currying favor with the emperor can certainly help you advance faster, but it will also offend many people. So, from the moment you recommended me to be the commander-in-chief of the three borders, you have offended many people. And you did not offend me, but the Huli faction. They also have people in the border towns. This Hang Xiong is probably from their faction. So if there is a chance to incite a mutiny and let the chaotic soldiers kill you, they will naturally not let go of this opportunity."

"The humble position knows."

"But I am loyal to the emperor and work for the country. What can be wrong?"

"I have heard that you are a man of extraordinary talent and can save good people. Please let me go. I will be grateful to you in the future and will never forget your kindness."

Yan Song replied with a look of panic.

Wang Xian was even more pleased after hearing this, and he began to speak his mind to Yan Song: "His Majesty sent me to command the three frontiers so that I could win a beautiful victory and bring happiness to his new dynasty."

"Your Majesty will not let me go if I don't complete this mission."

"And to complete this mission, it seems that the key lies in you. As long as you do as I say, your life will be saved and you may even have a bright future. I will also be able to complete the mission assigned to me by His Majesty."

After Wang Xian said this, Yan Song also came to his senses and asked, "What does the minister mean?"

"Don't say too much."

"Military aircraft must be cautious!"

Wang Xian replied.

Yan Song had no choice but to agree.

then.

Yan Song went to Datong and met with Yang Shangxue, the governor of Datong. Together with Yang Shangxue, they set the silver price for Datong's border pay at six coins per dan.

As expected, the servants under Hang Xiong and Liu Zhen were dissatisfied and came to Hang Xiong to complain.

Hang Xiong also discussed this matter secretly with Liu Zhen.

"Does Yan Song, who came from the capital, really not understand that grain prices in border towns fluctuate greatly, or is he deliberately trying to anger the border soldiers?"

Liu Zhen couldn't help but ask Hang Xiong.

Hang Xiong said: "No matter which one it is, we can take this opportunity to kill Yan Song and teach those pro-war and ritual factions in the court a lesson."

Liu Zhen nodded and said, "Okay, I'll send someone to contact Jinang and ask him to pick up our rebellious soldiers when the time comes."

Hang Xiong nodded.

For veteran border generals like Hang Xiong and Liu Zhen, how to launch a mutiny and even deal with the aftermath of the mutiny with the help of the enemy invaders were already a piece of cake.

But what Hang Xiong and Liu Zhen didn't know was that when their people sneaked out of the border wall to contact Jinang, Wang Xian also sent out a large number of elite Night Guards, who followed them by hiding during the day and moving at night.

These Yebushou were veteran soldiers carefully selected by Wu Wendi, the governor of Ji and Liao, at the request of Zhu Houcong.

Many of them had a blood feud with the Tartars, and many were even people who fled to the Ming Dynasty after failing in internal strife among the Tartars.

They are particularly skilled at lurking in the wild and know how to deal with wild wolves and how to hide themselves.

Therefore, when Liu Zhen contacted the Jinang tribe and agreed to let him lead his troops to a marshland not far from Datong to wait for the rebels who launched the mutiny, Wang Xian asked Zhou Shangwen and Ma Yong to lead their troops to hide here first.

When Jinang's troops arrived here and were setting up camp, the Ming army, which was well-rested and waiting for the opportunity, suddenly came galloping with thousands of cavalrymen, and the sound of gunfire was like thunder.

The Jinang tribe was instantly defeated.

Jinang himself cursed Hang Xiong for being cunning and playing with his trust in Hang Xiong.

In the end, Jinang himself was captured alive.

Wang Xian also arrived at Datong Prefecture almost at the same time and met Yang Shangxue, Yan Song, and other officials and generals such as Hang Xiong and Liu Zhen who were in Datong.

"You bastard official Yan Song! If he doesn't let us have a full stomach, we will kill him!"

A few days after Wang Xian arrived, a mutiny broke out in Datong Prefecture.

Hundreds of riotous soldiers brazenly rushed towards the governor's office, each holding a knife or a gun, and loudly shouting words blaming Yan Song.

After Wang Xian learned about this at the General's Mansion, he said in a deep voice, "How shameful! General Hang, I order you to force these rebels to surrender immediately!"

Hang Xiong immediately bowed and said, "Please allow me to report this to you, Minister. This is because the salary offered by Minister Yan and Minister Yang was too low, which aroused the resentment of the soldiers. It was not because the border soldiers intentionally caused chaos!"

"nonsense!"

"As far as I know, they are all deliberately causing trouble because they are colluding with the enemy to rebel!"

Wang Xian replied.

Hang Xiong was shocked when he heard this.

(End of this chapter)