First Minister of Ming Dynasty

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said with a smile: "Senior ordered, we naturally have nothing to say...Mr. Zhang, what do you think we should do?"

At this time Zhang Ximeng also came over, and first saluted Zou Pusheng.

The old man looked at Zhang Ximeng carefully for a long while before nodding his head and saying, "What a young hero, he really is extraordinary!"

Zhang Ximeng smiled indifferently, "Senior is overrated... I dare to ask, what do you want to do, or what are you interested in?"

"This... before the uprising, this old man was considered a half-carpenter. He opened a carpentry shop and was able to build houses. It's just that he's old, so I don't know if he lost his craft?"

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "Senior, there is nothing difficult in the world. If you want to resume your old business, I can arrange manpower to help you restore your skills. When you think it's okay, I can also arrange a loan to support you and start your business. Please Don't worry seniors, we will treat seniors' property as we treat ordinary businessmen, and try our best to provide all assistance."

After Zhang Ximeng finished, Zhu Yuanzhang actually nodded, agreeing with Zhang Ximeng's opinion.

To Zou Pusheng, these words were a bit outrageous.

He wants to return to his old business, although it is not polite, but Zhu Yuanzhang should not agree so easily, especially if he discusses seriously, provides technical support for himself, and provides loans... The old man is also the prime minister of Tianwan, if even the carpenter's If you can't drive it, you might as well die.

It is especially unacceptable that they look down on the old man so much?

Don't want to get something from the old man?

At least you should increase the price, otherwise the old man will feel that he is very useless!

It's a pity that no matter what Zou Pusheng thought, Zhang Ximeng and Zhu Yuanzhang had no intention of doing this. They were just talking about business with him, especially Zhang Ximeng, who even asked Zou Pusheng about business policies and tax incentives... Zou Pusheng felt that he had become a peddler.

Finally, the old man couldn't bear it any longer, and he muttered: "Mr. Zhang, I heard not long ago that you wrote an article and mentioned Patriarch Peng?"

The old guy didn't survive the young man, so Zhang Ximeng won a small round.

"Senior, I did write articles. In fact, I not only wrote about Patriarch Peng, but also about Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, the Yellow Turban, the Uprising at the end of Tang Dynasty, and the Fangla Uprising."

Zou Pusheng nodded, "Indeed, Zhang Xiang's structure is lofty, and there is heaven and earth in his writing, and I am an old man. I should keep my name incognito and be an idler in the mountains. But when I think that my life is not long, and this life passes by in a hurry, I can't help but sigh. This old man really wants to talk to Zhang. Ask me, what are we people like?"

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "Senior, in fact, the lord has already understood very well just now. He regards you as seniors and pioneers. You raised your swords to resist and rise up, and inspired the people with lofty ideals. It is the lord, who is also one of them, and I admire you very much. "

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded vigorously, agreeing with Zhang Ximeng's words.

Zou Pusheng pondered for a while, thinking in his heart.

Zhang Ximeng said again: "But there are some things that cannot be ignored... For example, you preach that Maitreya came to the world, talk about a bright and great harmony, and wishes are good, but in our opinion, it may not be appropriate. To rise up against the Yuan Dynasty, conquer the country, seize the world, It depends on thousands of soldiers and the support of the people, and the hearts of the people are more important than anything else. If the gods and Buddhas were truly merciful, there would not be so many tragedies in the world."

Zou Pusheng's complexion gradually became serious, and it was not so pleasant to be accused of inappropriate belief by a junior.

"What Zhang Xiang said is reasonable, but the people are ignorant and ignorant. They don't understand the big principles. Only by attracting people's hearts with the spirit of gods and Buddhas can they gather power. This is also impossible."

Zhang Ximeng smiled and said: "Senior is indeed calm, please allow me to say a few words about late life, senior. The common people are not ignorant. In my opinion, the common people are quite smart. If they can get by, they will definitely not believe the words that King Ming is born and Maitreya is reborn. The common people. In their hearts, they have already made up their minds. The reason why they are not interested in many seemingly logical things is because they have been deceived for too long, they have been fooled too much, and the lessons they have suffered are too painful. They have Obsessed with stubborn prejudices and unwilling to trust anyone."

Zou Pusheng said sullenly: "In this case, how can we move people's hearts if we don't rely on gods and Buddhas?"

"Rely on sincerity, rely on patience!" Zhang Ximeng said frankly: "Only by studying the people's thoughts with heart, touching their greatest hope, and solving their most fundamental problems, after everything is done, you will not worry about not getting it." The people support it."

At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang also had a deep understanding, and said with a smile: "Senior, let's take what we have experienced in the past few years! We first made a solid effort to divide the land among the people, and then got tens of thousands of strong soldiers. The big guy never gave up, we crossed the river and took Jinling, and fought stronger and stronger until today. We understand one thing, that is, to be sincere, and to exchange sincerity for sincerity. The people will not forgive you occasionally Criminals, or reduce the cost a little, I will trust you and work hard for you."

"It's not that simple to win people's hearts. The only way is to do it yourself and be consistent in appearance and inwardness. This is the most fundamental way." Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

Zou Pusheng listened carefully, then looked at Zhang Ximeng and Zhu Yuanzhang, chewing on the words of these two people, and seemed to have some insights, he suddenly said: "Is it true that the old man will be able to spend his old age in peace if he surrenders to the King of Wu?"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, "Senior, let's go, we must be the same outside and inside, and don't deceive the people. Senior is willing to be the people under our rule. We can't ask for it. How can we not treat each other with sincerity?"

Zou Pusheng lowered his head and gritted his teeth.

"His Royal Highness, since you are like this, the old man will tell you frankly that I am familiar with the situation in the army, and I may be able to help you. Chen Youliang killed the lord and seized power, and the attack was too cruel, even us people can't tolerate it." , he deserves to die. It’s just that at this age, I don’t want to continue causing trouble, so I hope King Wu will understand.”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded without hesitation, "It's natural. Senior is willing to help us, and we can't ask for it. After the war, senior can do whatever he wants, and we won't stop him."

Zou Pusheng paused for a moment, and then said: "King Wu, I have another request. I plan to build a temple for Patriarch Peng to offer sacrifices to. I wonder if King Wu is willing to agree?"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly, "Senior, we agree to offer sacrifices to Patriarch Peng and commend him for his anti-Yuan feat... It's just that Maitreya's rebirth is something that we can't agree to."

"Naturally." Zou Pusheng agreed.

In Zhu Yuanzhang's camp, there is an extra prime minister Tianwan.Chang Yuchun went all the way, overcoming obstacles, Zhu Yuanzhang marched smoothly, and finally reached the other side of the lake mouth.

Zhu Jiajun confronted each other, set up a camp, and confronted Chen Jun across the river.

Turning around the sky, the sun is hanging high, the river is calm and calm, and you can see it from afar.

Accompanied by Zhang Ximeng, Zhu Yuanzhang looked south, and Zou Pusheng was among them.

"Since the start of the war, Ding Pulang and Fu Youde surrendered and took Anqing lightly. Now that the army has attacked, it seems that our journey is going smoothly. But the main force of Chen's army has not moved, and the outcome is hard to tell. If we fail in the end, all the previous things will happen. They are all tricks of a villain, and they will only be laughed at. But if Chen Youliang wins, all the above will become his way of luring the enemy and his strategy of arrogant soldiers, and he will be praised." Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "Although we don't judge heroes by success or failure. , but whether you are a hero or not depends on your success or failure!"

Zhang Ximeng nodded secretly, Lao Zhu was always calm.

He raised his eyes and looked around, and at this moment, the land south of the Yangtze River was connected by boats and boats, stretching for tens of miles.The huge building boats are like giant beasts, layer upon layer, like continuous mountains.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Ximeng couldn't help but be terrified. Lao Zhu's words were not modest. After all, Chen Youliang's hundreds of thousands of troops and the advantages of boats and ships were not blown out.

At this time, Zou Pusheng suddenly said leisurely: "Chen Youliang likes building boats. He loves giant ships. Whenever there is a big battle, he will connect the boats like iron chains, across the river, advance and retreat, like walking on flat ground, and can't be broken at leisure."

Zhang Ximeng took a breath suddenly, and asked, "Senior, do you have a way to defeat the enemy?"

Zou Pusheng didn't hesitate, he just said indifferently: "If the iron chain connects the boat, it will be burned by the fire!"

3 Chapter Fifty

After Zhu Yuanzhang observed the enemy's situation, he immediately returned to the big tent of the Chinese army. He didn't call any more people, but let Zhang Ximeng, Xu Da, and Zou Pusheng come forward, facing the map, and the four of them sat around to discuss the military situation.

Xu Da was the first to say: "Superior, linking boats with iron chains was originally a trick of the Yuan army, and Chen Youliang attacked it. At that time, the Chaohu navy broke into the Yangtze River, even if they used fire boats to attack, this method is not too clever... just for fear Chen Jun will not kill at the neck."

As a warrior, Xu Da doesn't need to give Zou Pusheng face, what's more, what's more, he is telling the truth. Water battles and arson are common things. Don't think that you, old Zou, have made great contributions.

But Zhang Ximeng hurriedly said: "Xu Da, the situation was different at that time. The Yuan army was connected by large ships, blocking the narrow Ruxukou. We just need to go down the river and set fire to the boats. Now Chen Youliang is at the mouth of the lake. Chen Bing, the river is wide, with buildings and boats in the middle, and there are continuous escort ships outside, and they have many soldiers and horses, and they have rich experience in water warfare. Waiting for a fire boat, it is impossible to get close to Chen Jun. And if we can set fire, Chen Youliang will also use the wind to set fire In the end, who can seize the opportunity and win the battle, we can't judge hastily, we must plan carefully."

After Zhang Ximeng finished, he turned to Zou Pusheng and said, "Senior, it's the same way of setting fire, and there is a difference between high and low. If you want to defeat Chen Youliang this time and win a complete victory, I'm afraid it will be on the old man."

Zou Pusheng pondered these few words, and he understood that the idea of ​​setting the fire had been known for a long time, and it was Zhang Ximeng's old wisdom. It was rare for someone to be so humble, which made Zou Pusheng feel a little comforted.

The old man thought for a while, and then said: "As Zhang Xiang said, it is not easy to set off a big fire with hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses. The fire must rely on the wind to sweep across the river, and the result is twice the result with half the effort. Within ten days, there will be a north wind, and when the time comes, set the fire with the wind, and you will win a big victory!"

north wind!

Isn't it Dongfeng?

Could it be that he stole Prime Minister Cao's script?

I hope the ending will not be the same as Prime Minister Cao!

A thought flashed in Zhang Ximeng's head. Although the Battle of Chibi in history is very famous, the details are not so rich. When Lao Luo wrote the Three Kingdoms, he borrowed a lot from the experience of the Battle of Poyang Lake, integrated it, and wrote a great decisive battle. There are many ups and downs.

In other words, the Battle of Chibi applied the experience of the Battle of Poyang Lake, so if the Battle of Poyang Lake is to be fought now, can it be arranged according to the Battle of Chibi?

You use our tactics, and we borrow yours... Who is copying who?

Zhang Ximeng couldn't figure it out for a while, anyway, he wanted to bring Lao Luo to his eyes later, squeeze this guy well, let him use his brain more, and write the battle better.

In particular, we must pay close attention to the code words, not be lazy, and be as hardworking and reliable as a certain gray...

"Senior, even with the help of the wind, it may not be so easy to break through Chen Jun's guard?"

Zou Pusheng nodded, "That's right...so we have to relax Chen Youliang's guard, I think, can I send someone to feign surrender?"

Fraud!

Is it necessary to play a yellow card?

Really follow Lao Luo's Red Cliff!

"Senior, Chen Youliang is suspicious, cunning and treacherous by nature, I'm afraid he won't be fooled?"

Zou Pusheng nodded slightly, "Ms. Zhang is right, but the old man also has something to say...Chen Youliang is narrow-minded, and he must take revenge. Ding Pulang and Fu Youde surrendered, which made him worry about it. Now, now that the old man is here, it will make him feel even worse. He was furious. If someone is willing to take refuge in the past at this time, Chen Youliang must be willing to believe it from the bottom of his heart, and it seems that it will be easy to succeed."

Zhang Ximeng's eyes lit up, and he looked at Zhu Yuanzhang subconsciously. Old Zhu also had a solemn expression, which was to suit his preferences and prescribe the right medicine.

With Chen Youliang's temperament, he is absolutely unwilling to believe that the Zhu family's army is monolithic. If that is the case, then he will resort to a trick of feigning surrender.Anyway, there was already a suitable candidate here, and he even wrote a secret letter to Chen Jun, so it couldn't be more suitable.

Beifeng, feint-surrender, has two tricks in a row.

There is one most important thing left, which may even be the key to the ultimate success or failure of arson.

"My lord, we still need to figure out the strength of the Chen army, find out the situation of their buildings and ships, how they will deal with an attack, and how they will rescue a ship if it catches fire... What is the morale of the army, how will the soldiers respond?" Will risk their lives to fight the fire... Also, it is best to capture a few buildings and see how fireproof they are. Knowing ourselves and the enemy, we can design the way to set fire, whether to use gunpowder, kerosene, or firewood, and what needs to be done? How many ships are prepared, how many waves of attacks..."

Zhang Ximeng asked more than a dozen questions, and Zou Pusheng was a little surprised. Even an old fox like him didn't think things through so carefully.

When Xu Da heard it, he suddenly understood why Zhang Ximeng didn't seem to be so proficient in military affairs, but any famous general might not get a bargain when he met him. This is the mystery.

Zhang Ximeng has an almost morbid obsession with some things... For example, the size and weight of the shovel used for digging trenches, how much soil to dig each time, and how long to rest after continuous work. Zhang Ximeng will study these things repeatedly, and finally formulate standards.

This was also Zhang Ximeng's daily life in the army before and after crossing the river. He personally formulated many regulations and details, laying a solid foundation for Zhu's army.

Like Xu Da, although he is naturally handsome, he can't reach the level of Zhang Ximeng, he can only be rough.

And it was his grasp of details that allowed Zhang Ximeng to be invincible. No matter how strong the general was, he could only do nothing in the face of an impeccable opponent.

Xu Da asked himself, he might not be able to beat Zhang Ximeng, but fortunately Zhang Xiang is on his side, otherwise he really doesn't know who belongs to the world?

After some brainstorming discussions, Zou Pusheng went to rest, and the rest of the specific issues were discussed by Zhu Jiajun himself.

"Tomorrow, the fleet will be divided into [-] teams, led by each general, carrying water warfare equipment, testing the details of Chen's army, and taking the opportunity to capture the Louchuan."

Xu Da came up with his own plan, and both Lao Zhu and Zhang Ximeng agreed.

"We'll leave it to you how to fight. Take up this burden for us." Zhu Yuanzhang stretched out his hand and patted Xu Da's shoulder hard.

Xu Da nodded vigorously, and he also went down.

Now only Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Ximeng were left, and old Zhu suddenly smiled and said, "Sir, who should you ask to feign surrender?"

Zhang Ximeng was about to speak when Old Zhu said, "Farewell, let's write it on the palm of our hand and see if we are thinking of the same person?"

Zhang Ximeng was taken aback, do you want to do this?

He could only pick up the pen and write a word in the palm of his hand. When he and old Zhu Yidui, no accident, it would be a word of Kang!

……

"I have seen the king of Han, and I am guilty."

Zhang Bixian bowed and saluted, his face full of annoyance, he didn't catch Zou Pusheng and let this old thing run away, damn it!

Chen Youliang didn't blame him very much. In fact, Chen Youliang, an outsider, was often mean, cruel and cunning, but he was very kind and tolerant to his confidantes and generals.

Zhang Dingbian quarreled with him, but Chen Youliang didn't blame him, and Zhang Bixian did something wrong, so Chen Youliang wouldn't pursue it too much... After all, as the leader of one party, he still understands this truth.If even Zhang Bixian and Zhang Dingbian couldn't tolerate him, wouldn't he really be a loner?

"The old man is very cunning. It's reasonable that you can't catch him. But don't worry, he won't escape this time. When the time comes, I will let him die in the river with Zhu Yuanzhang!"

Zhang Bixian was shocked, and said angrily: "The old man has taken refuge with the young monk?"

Chen Youliang heheed twice, "That's right, he didn't find a hole to hide, but he dared to jump out and deliver it to my mouth, he really wanted to die! No wonder others."

Zhang Bixian rolled his eyes, and said again: "The old man should have died a long time ago, but how did the King of Han know?"

Chen Youliang pondered for a while, then took out a letter from his bosom, and handed it to Zhang Bixian.

"Look!"

Zhang Bixian opened it, and it was Kang Maocai who wrote the letter.

He told Chen Youliang all about the situation in Zhu Yuanzhang's army, including Zou Pusheng's surrender.

After Zhang Bixian read it, he was overjoyed, "King of Han, the little monk Zhu Chongba, the King of Han knows every move he does?"

"Well, including his arrangement this time, how many soldiers and horses, how much food and grass, I know everything. You know yourself and the enemy, can we still lose?"

Zhang Bixian let out a long sigh, and he was also elated, but Zhang Bixian soon hesitated again, "King of Han, this Kang Maocai, will he deceive us? Can the news sent over be true?"

Chen Youliang smiled slightly, "Zhu Yuanzhang is very mean to his subordinates. As far as I know, Kang Maocai served as a field envoy, which is equivalent to a command envoy. This time, he is the quartermaster responsible for transporting grain and grass. His annual salary is only two hundred shi Food!"

Zhang Bixian couldn't help shaking his head when he heard it, so much?

Raising an eagle, raising a dog, can't do that?

Chen Youliang ascended the throne of the Han Dynasty, but rewarded him with 1 taels of gold and [-] bolts of silk and satin. What does it mean to be generous!Why is our old Zhang willing to work hard for him? Isn't it because he has enough!

Zhu Yuanzhang is so stingy, how can he get the loyalty of his subordinates!

"King of Han, I think this little monk is from a humble background, he is used to begging, he is really stingy, he can't achieve great things!" Zhang Bixian said contemptuously with his mouth curled up.He naturally didn't know that a rich family who raised a dog might eat ten thousand times better than the poor.But a dog is a dog after all, some are favored, and some are not able to eat.

But here at Zhu Jiajun, they are just trying to make every ordinary person live a good life, without having to be slaves of cattle and horses, eagles, dogs and livestock, that's all.

Chen Youliang smiled slightly, not much, he knew that Zhu Yuanzhang was not that simple, but Zhang Bixian thought so, so there was no need to explain it clearly to him.

"There is one more thing under Zhu Yuanzhang's command. He uses old people from Huaixi. Kang Maocai has a different background from those people. He is a fellow countryman with us and has been in contact with us... He has been unhappy with Zhu Yuanzhang for so long. It’s only a field envoy, so it’s reasonable to want to find a good position.”

Chen Youliang gritted his teeth again and said: "Ding Pulang and Fu Youde, these two things are nothing. Zhu Yuanzhang dared to fight me decisively after winning the surrender of these two animals. He is looking for his own death! Kang Maocai is now in charge of food, pay and supplies. If he is willing to surrender, he will By the way, send these vital things over, when Zhu Yuanzhang's army will be in chaos, we can fight to determine the world!"

"No matter how much Zhu Yuanzhang took advantage of, as long as we win, he will be finished! At that time, Fu Youde, Ding Pulang, and Zou Pusheng will all be captured, hacked into pieces, and thrown into the Yangtze River to feed the fish!"