The Prosperous Era of Longwan

Coming out of Chen Yiqin's house, Wei Guangde leaned on the carriage and couldn't help but think of Ge Shouli.

I am afraid that this Minister of the Ministry of Revenue did not even realize that he had been abandoned by the Ming Dynasty's cabinet before he knew it.

In fact, judging from Ge Shouli's work performance since he took over as Minister of Household Affairs, he is a person who wants to do things, but things are unpredictable.

As soon as he took office, he encountered two cabinet bosses who were at loggerheads with each other, and he also took the blame.

Maybe in his heart he just wants to avoid right and wrong, but some rights and wrongs cannot be avoided.

In particular, he is already in a high position, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and his ranking is not low among the six departments.

The staff department had been putting off doing the things Ge Shouli had told him. In the first few days, he thought the staff department was going through normal procedures, so he didn't think much about it.

But as time passed, and Wei Guangde didn't give him any news for more than ten days, Ge Shouli couldn't sit still.

But at this time, it was a little difficult for him to see Wei Guangde in the official department. When he got outside the duty room and looked in, the door was closed tightly. It was obvious that he was not in the yamen.

After asking someone, it turned out that he had gone out to do some errands.

Unable to do so, Ge Shouli had no choice but to ask Yang Bo, the Minister of Civil Affairs, to ask him to urge him. So a few more days passed.

But what he didn't know was that when he stepped into the door of the staff department, even if Wei Guangde was on duty and doing errands, he would immediately change places.

It was really hard for him to refuse in person, because Ge Shouli's request was routine and it was also a very small matter.

But someone above him wanted to trick him, especially Chen Yiqin, who wanted to replace him, so he couldn't refute this person's intention.

Even though he was already a third-rank minister in the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the Ming Dynasty, he was also considered a high-ranking official in the court, but he was still far behind compared with cabinet ministers and six ministers.

After more than ten days, Ge Shouli felt something was wrong, and the officials below also secretly spread the news, and they all laughed at him behind his back for overestimating his capabilities.

How could he, the Minister of Hubu, swallow such a sigh of relief? Now it was only spread in the yamen. If it spread, would he still have the dignity of being the Minister?

When he came to the official department again, he still didn't see Wei Guangde, so he had to go find Yang Bo.

But this time, the answer he got from Yang Bo was that the Merit Examination Department had reviewed the performance appraisals of the Ministry of Household officials over the years, and there were no low-level officials. At present, all official positions in various places were full, and there was really no way to transfer them from outside.

Only then did he realize that the Ministry of Personnel had no intention of changing the people in the Ministry of Household Affairs from the beginning. This was because they did not take him seriously as the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs.

Although the Ministry of Personnel is known as the Heavenly Official and manages the official titles of officials all over the world, it really has no control over the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Vice Minister.

But his household department is not a vegetarian. If the officials want to withdraw money from the household department in the future, just dream.

Ge Shouli was still thinking about suppressing the official salary and Zhitang silver for three months to kill Yang Bo's prestige, but after getting on the sedan chair, he realized that he could hardly see the more important official documents now.

It was only at this time that Ge Shouli realized that he was not stable internally and it was difficult to retaliate against the officials.

If this matter is impeached, it may not necessarily be effective.

After all, two ministers from the household department were involved, as well as the minister and minister from the official department.

The most important thing is that if they do this, aren't they afraid of being held accountable by Xu Shoufu?

Xu Jie?

Thinking of this smiling tiger, Ge Shouli shivered for no reason.

When I arrived at the Ministry of Household Affairs, everything was normal at first, but things changed drastically after that memorial.

And he didn't sign the memorial, so he wouldn't be resented by Xu Jieji because of it, right?

Would Mr. Xu Ge be so petty?

Or was his previous generosity all a disguise?

Ge Shouli was a little unsure, so he stopped the sedan bearers and instead of returning to the Hubu Yamen, he went to the cabinet instead. He wanted to confirm Xu Jie's attitude towards him.

If the people in the household department dared to do this to him, it was obviously not their own idea, but someone above them was adding fuel to the fire.

He has not had any grudges with anyone since he arrived in the capital. Logically speaking, no one should be targeting him.

If there must be one, it can only be Xu Jie.

After a cup of tea, Ge Shouli walked out of the room, his steps still a little frivolous.

Xu Jie's attitude towards him did not change at all. He was still gentle and soft-spoken. Regarding what he reported, he patted his chest and told him to go back and wait for news, and he would communicate with the officials.

However, he has encountered this situation several times in the official department, and it is another tactic of procrastination.

Although Ge Shouli has only been a Beijing official for a short time, he has rich experience as a local official. He can roughly judge the situation through his natural observation of people's behavior and contact with the officials.

Xu Jie and Yang Bo are in the same group. It is no wonder that when Xu Jie was impeached, Yang Bo would contact some veterans to jointly support Xu Jie.

Ge Shouli knew that he could no longer stay in the Ministry of Household Affairs.

If the six ministers cannot get the support of the government officials and the cabinet, how can they do anything?

After coming out of the cabinet, Ge Shouli went straight home and locked himself in his study, not even bothering to go to the Yamen.

At this time, he was a little discouraged, thinking that he had seen through all the conspiracies, and that it was the old man Xu Jie who was causing trouble, and he regretted that he refused to side with him to deal with Gao Gong.

After thinking about it for a night, for the sake of protecting his own safety, Ge Shouli hurriedly submitted his resignation a few months after taking over as Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He asked Emperor Longqing to allow him to go home to support his mother on the grounds that he had no one to support him at home.

The memorial was sent to the cabinet, and Xu Jiepiao planned to praise Ge Shouli's filial piety. He also repeatedly mentioned that his mother was old and frail, and Ge Shouli should be allowed to return to his hometown to honor his filial piety.

Emperor Longqing didn't know what the purpose was, maybe he was in a bad mood after Gao Gong left, but he approved it directly, and asked the cabinet and the Ministry of Personnel to select a candidate for the Minister of Household Affairs as soon as possible.

According to the usual practice, such a resignation letter must be carefully considered, rejected twice first, and then approved when the third time is sent.

After all, Ge Shouli was not punished for making a mistake.

Last time, Xu Jie discovered that he wanted to release the people placed by Xu Dang in Ke Daoli and stopped him. But to deal with some people in the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Wei Guangde took action directly.

With Wang Ting, the imperial censor of Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, acting as internal correspondent, a few backbones of the Xu Party would be directly dispatched to the outside world. Finally, the official department would just make a report to the cabinet and the emperor.

The agreement does not require the approval of the cabinet or the emperor. After all, it is only arranged by officials below the fifth rank. Even the cabinet has no right to interfere with the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel.

Regarding Wei Guangde's move, Xu Jie just frowned. Although he didn't like it, he didn't want to break up with Yu Zhuan's old friend in a short time.

Because he also thought that behind Wei Guangde's action, there should be the tacit approval of Chen Yiqin and others, and perhaps the purpose was to vent his anger on Emperor Longqing.

He had offended the emperor and his ministers and made them angry. It would not be a bad thing if he could end the matter of forcing Gao Gong away.

This is what Xu Jie thought. As for whether Emperor Longqing can express his resentment, it is unknown.

However, at this time, the court's attention was once again attracted by the Datong Battle Report.

On the 10th day of the fifth lunar month in the first year of Longqing, more than 10,000 people from Anda's tribe invaded Rendagou and other places in Datong. General Liu Guo led troops to resist and fought in Xishan and Xiejiawa. Anda led them back.

In the following months, the Anda tribe continued to linger near Datong, repeatedly sending troops to harass the military forts in Datong, and even large groups of captive cavalry appeared outside the Xuanfu Great Wall.

All signs show that Anda Khan has a big plan this time, and he seems to be planning to find the weak points in Xuanda's defense line and break through again.

After discussion, the Ministry of War reported the military situation and allowed the Datong Army to redeploy the troops originally deployed back to the frontline fort defense. At the same time, the Ministry of War ordered Ma Fang of the Xuan Prefecture to assemble a large army and be ready to support Datong at any time.

According to past military information, the Ministry of War analyzed that it was unlikely for the captives to invade the Xuan Mansion. In fact, the previous attacks on the Xuan Mansion had not yielded any benefits. Especially after the Wanquan battle last year, Anda Khan should not dare to raise troops to invade the Xuan Mansion again.

Of course, based on previous intelligence, the Ministry of War also issued orders to other border towns to strengthen vigilance to prevent raids by cavalry.

However, such an order actually has no meaning at all for the border town where wars have been going on all year round.

It's just an errand for the Ministry of War.

Everything that needs to be done is done, and the next step is to wait for the general in Bian Town to send back the battle report.

Regarding the war, with the current speed of news transmission, it is impossible for the capital to remotely control the war. It can only make arrangements in advance, and the final decision is made by the commander-in-chief of each town based on the situation.

On the fourth day of September, the capital finally received an urgent report from the border town. Anda Khan led an army of 60,000 cavalry and divided into three groups to attack Shuozhou, Laoying and Piantou Pass.

Among the positions of these three troops, Shuozhou belongs to the defense area of ​​Datong Town, while Laoying and Piantouguan belong to the defense area of ​​Shanxi Town. It can be said that Anda Khan’s purpose is very clear. He wants to defend the weak defense areas of Datong Town and Shanxi Town. Troops everywhere.

Tian Shiwei, deputy general of the Laoying Guards, defended the city and sent guerrilla general Jun Zhen to lead his troops to fight. After the defeat, he retreated to the city and did not dare to leave the city. Anda Khan then led his troops south.

When the Governor-General Wang Zhi heard of the change, he sent 6,000 cavalrymen to Yanmen Pass on a starry night journey. 20,000 cavalrymen from Datong and Yansui also arrived, but they all looked at each other and dared not move forward.

At this point in the battle report, the Ministry of War analyzed the focus of Anda Khan's advance, that is, the attack on Laoying was the main force of Anda Khan, while the attack on Shuozhou and Piantou Pass was a feint, with the purpose of distracting the Ming army. troops.

In the following days, battle reports continued to come in from various parts of Shanxi. The main force of Anda Khan went all the way south. Although it did not conquer important cities, it looted and defeated many guard posts along the way. The Ming army suffered heavy losses.

"This is a map of Shanxi. What do you think Anda Khan has in mind?"

In Chen Yiqin's study, there was a map of Shanxi spread on the desk. Chen Yiqin stood in front of the map and informed Wei Guangde that the imperial court now knew the route of Anda Khan's advance.

After Laoying went south, Anda Khan did not attack Yanmen Pass as most people expected. He did not even reach Daizhou, but went south along the Fen River.

When Shanxi officials panicked, thinking that the purpose of Anda Khan's march was to attack Taiyuan, no trace of Anda Khan's army was found around Taiyuan Prefecture.

"Up to now, no military report has been sent from Shanxi, and we don't know where Anda Khan's army has arrived. It's really making people sleepless and sleepless. Your Majesty has pressed us many times today."

Chen Yiqin no longer had the grace and calmness of the past at this time. You must know that this was the first time Emperor Longqing ascended the throne. If he received a major blow at this time, it would be a provocation to the emperor's prestige. The emperor would lose face, and officials like them would have a hard time.

"The largest city in Shanxi is Taiyuan Prefecture. The Tatars are attacking thousands of miles away. If they don't take Taiyuan Prefecture as their target, what's their plan?"

Speaking of this, Wei Guangde's finger stopped at Yangqu in the north of Taiyuan Prefecture, and then slid eastward, all the way to Meng County, and finally to Guguan.

"According to the military report, there are only 30,000 soldiers on this route to attack Guguan. Do they want to attack Zhending Mansion!"

When Chen Yiqin thought of this, he was so shocked that he didn't dare to say anything anymore.

But he soon shook his head and said, "Anda Khan does not have enough troops, so he should not dare to invade the capital again.

Someone from the Ministry of War has analyzed this route, although this is the most reasonable explanation given by Shanxi Military News at the moment. "

After breaking the solid pass, the captives can reach Zhending, and then go north to Baoding and other prefectures until they approach the capital from the southwest.

This route is a bit far, but it can bypass important passes on the Great Wall such as Yanmen Pass, Daotou Pass, and Zijin Pass, and reach directly to the foot of the capital.

The appearance of such a scene during the new emperor's enthronement ceremony was a big blow to Emperor Longqing's domestic prestige.

And precisely because the distance is too far, there is a lot of opposition within the Ministry of War. Once the Luqi is defeated in a battle, it may lead to the annihilation of the entire army.

Fighting is actually fought with momentum. Lien Zhan and Lianjie's momentum is high. Once defeated, if this kind of expedition with troops is blocked, it is very likely to be surrounded and annihilated by the swarming Ming army.

"Are you sure the Tatars have passed Jingle?"

Wei Guangde asked with a frown.

"Yes, Jingle has discovered traces of Luqi."

Chen Yiqin replied.

Wei Guangde pointed to Lan County to the west of Jingle and asked: "Are there any traces of Tatars in Lan County?"

"No."

After receiving Chen Yiqin's affirmative answer, Wei Guangde shook his head, and then his face turned gloomy: "The Tatars entered the pass and attacked for hundreds of miles. They have already entered the hinterland of Shanxi, and they can actually disappear."

Yes, according to the final military report, Jingle is only two hundred miles away from Taiyuan Mansion.

"The army marches in concealment, doesn't it?"

Chen Yiqin asked, not knowing what was going on.

"You can still hide when you enter the hinterland. The only thing you can do is kill everyone along the way, otherwise the scouts sent by the surrounding cities will find out the news."

Wei Guangde just replied in a low voice, "It has been a few days. Has the Ministry of War sent a message to Zhenwu, Baoding and other prefectures to urgently mobilize the garrison posts in Northern Zhili to support Shanxi?"

Then, he quickly found Yanmen Pass by sliding his finger up and said: "The army here should give an order to send one of them to the west to station at Ningwuguan, and the Yansui Army will station in the old camp to block the Tatars' retreat."

"Last time, the Ministry of War received news. It is said that the traitor Zhao Quan once told Anda Khan that Shizhou and Xizhou were rich and rich in iron. Do you think the target of the Luqi was there?"

Chen Yiqin suddenly said.

Wei Guangde soon found Shizhou to the west of Taiyuan Mansion, and Xizhou was to the south of Shizhou.

After determining the locations of Shizhou and Xizhou, Wei Guangde suddenly discovered a problem, that is, if Anda Khan's goal of entering the customs this time is really the two places mentioned by Zhao Quan, after the Yansui Army marches eastward to support Shanxi, the Tatars can completely After looting, we also headed west and entered Yansui Town. From Yansui to the border wall, the distance seemed to be closer than the way we came.

"The official road to the west of Shizhou leads to Wubao, Suide, Mizhi, and you can reach the Yansui border wall."

Wei Guangde slid his fingers and looked at Chen Yiqin and said, "Where are Yansui's 10,000 horses?"

"It should be at Piantou Pass. Someone suggested before that they should follow and pursue us, but you also know that the orders below may not be carried out."

Chen Yiqin replied.

The Ming army was able to defend the city but had little chance of winning in the field.

"It's over, it's over."

Wei Guangde shook his head and sighed.