Chapter 36 Section 7 The easiest Spring Festival

Chongzhen's tears were not in vain.On the first day of the first month of the ninth year of Chongzhen, he was surprised to find that he was celebrating the most relaxed Spring Festival since he became an emperor.Hong Chengchou and Lu Xiangsheng took control of the situation in Henan, and both sent him New Year greetings in front of the ancestor's grave in Fengyang.The ministers in the court also knelt down and begged him to return to the palace and resume his usual clothes and meals.Several elderly officials even shed sad tears. Everything is slowly getting better, and everything will be better.Chongzhen had this feeling faintly.However, if the "rogue bandits" are not eliminated, he will not return to the palace.In the past, Goujian, the king of Yue, lived on his salary and tried his best. What is he doing?Chongzhen suddenly felt a sense of tragedy.

In February of this year, another good news came, saying that all the "rogue bandits" in the Central Plains had been driven away and fled to the mountains on the border between Henan and Chu.Chongzhen immediately instructed that the leftovers should be chased after the poor bandits, and the superintendent and the two ministers (Hong and Lu) led the main force to encircle and suppress the mountain.In addition, Zu Kuan, Zu Dale, and Li Chongzhen, soldiers from the Ningbian border of Guan, quickly entered the pass and participated in the suppression of bandits together. If all goes well, it will be completed within a year.Chongzhen thought so optimistically.

But he never expected that the rapid entry of the Guanning border soldiers Zu Kuan, Zu Dale, Li Chongzhen, etc., left him with another fatal hidden danger-the Manchurian cavalry entered the pass. At the end of June, Huang Taiji's troops suddenly broke through the Xifengkou, a fortress on the Great Wall, and attacked Tianshou Mountain where the imperial mausoleum is located. They soon reached Changping, and the vanguard even reached Xishan. Chongzhen was shocked: I thought that Guan Ning's border soldiers would enter the pass quietly without anyone noticing, but I didn't expect Huang Taiji's nose to be sharper than a dog, so he suddenly gave me such a blow, wouldn't this make me fall short? ?

It’s really not a big deal to fail in suppressing the bandits, the big deal is to start all over again, the safety of my capital is at stake.what to do?what to do? The Ministry of War was also in a hurry, and urgently recruited the generals from Shandong, Shanxi, Datong, Baoding, Shanshui, etc. to lead troops to King Qin of Jing. what way?The safety of the capital is more important than anything else. "Liu Bandit" If he wants to die, let him die for a few more days. The 50,000 Qin kings quickly gathered in Beijing, and the simplest question suddenly became the most troublesome one: What do they eat?

As early as the third day of July, Beijing declared martial law.After martial law, the price of rice in the city skyrocketed, and a bucket of rice cost three hundred yuan—how much money does the treasury need to go out to buy rice?Also, the 50,000 people who came here suddenly had to eat at least 50,000 catties of rice every day. How could the huge Beijing city withstand them eating like this for a few days?If there is not enough food, how can it be allocated from other places? The more serious question is, how can the allocated food break through the siege of Huang Taiji troops and enter Beijing safely?

These are all problems, problems that cannot be avoided.However, it is unrealistic to expect Chongzhen to solve all these problems by himself, and all officials must work together.Hundreds of officials have indeed begun to offer advice and suggestions.First of all, Hou Xun, the Minister of the Ministry of household affairs, is mainly in charge of the payment of food and salaries.Hou Xun suggested to control the trading of grain. In this extraordinary period, grain is more precious than gold. Can gold be eaten?Can't.Therefore, it is said that food is the most important thing for the people, and even more so for the army!A country without food is terrible, and an army without food is even more terrible than his grandma's.Therefore, the most urgent task now is to control every grain of grain circulating in the capital city and ensure the supply of military grain.We must do ideological and political work to the common people and ask them to temporarily tighten their belts. They would rather starve themselves than let the officers and soldiers starve!Of course, doing ideological and political work is not the strong point of our household department, and the censors can do a lot in this regard.I sincerely hope that at this time of national crisis, the censors can put down their airs, go to the people, go to the merchants, and persuade them that they would rather not eat by themselves, but also ensure that the officers and soldiers have enough to eat!

Hou Xun's words were impassioned on the surface, but they were gentle cuts, shifting the focus of the current issue to the censors.The censors couldn't help being amused: The Minister of the Household Department is playing lip service with us, isn't that courting death?who are we?What do we rely on to become famous? Isn't it just relying on two pieces of fleshy skin?Immediately, Tang Shiji, the censor of Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, stood up to accept the call: Listen to Hou's words, it is better than ten years of reading.At this moment, I am deeply ashamed of myself, why can't I say such profound words as Mr. Hou?So I said, it's a pity that Lord Hou doesn't become a censor, it's a pity.Maybe Mr. Hou doesn't want to be a censor, because he thinks the censor is disgusting, and it's a hard job, without any oil, how can it compare to the household department guarding a cornucopia, which is inexhaustible every day... But I wondered why such a big cornucopia couldn't support a mere 50,000 officers and soldiers?Is this still my household department in Daming?If this spreads to the ears of the Manchurians, they will think that you, Mr. Hou, are modest...Of course, when I say this, I definitely do not mean to belittle Mr. Hou. Mr. Hou is a rare talent, a rare talent, and he can figure out how to control food at critical moments The idea of ​​buying and selling is high, really high!But I, Tang, was born in a poor and humble family, and my speech is relatively vulgar.To paraphrase a saying that ordinary people love to say, whoever poops cleans up by himself, don't expect others to wipe your ass!

enough! Chongzhen couldn't help but patted the table again: You guys, do you just discuss things like this?What kind of shit and ass, is this a vegetable market or a brothel?Can such a stupid word come out?This is the imperial meeting of the Great Ming, and it is to discuss military and national affairs, and it is to save the Great Ming from danger!Are you just attacking each other and gloating?Does this country still belong to you, do you still recognize me as the emperor... ah? All the officials were submissive. Chongzhen said unwillingly: Next, tell me about everyone, don't take the opportunity to fish in troubled waters and engage in factional disputes?What time is it?How many days can you do it?The roof is about to fall down, and they are still insensitive?Tell me, tell me all about it!Don't eat my Daming's meal if you can't tell a name!

Chongzhen's lesson really worked.Next, the atmosphere of the meeting became more serious, but also more dull.Relevant officials spoke step by step.Attacking each other and gloating about others' misfortune are gone, but it is a thousand words out of the mouth and a thousand miles away from the topic.Zhang Fengyi, Minister of the Ministry of War, reported to Chongzhen in detail the composition of King Qin's troops and the number of soldiers in each town.In order to show his familiarity with the military situation, Zhang Shangshu deliberately accurate the number of soldiers to single digits in his report-as for how to deal with the military rations, he did not mention a word.Zhu Daqi, the left servant of the Ministry of Punishment, asked Chongzhen to lead troops outside the camp city as a special commissioner of the Ministry of Public Security, "to defend the Emperor Chongzhen to the death."Yan Jizu suddenly showed kindness during the official affairs, and asked the imperial court to adopt the old, weak, sick and disabled people in the capital, so as to prevent these vulnerable groups from being harmed during the war...

The imperial meeting lasted for four hours in a row, and all those who should speak spoke, but Chongzhen got nothing. This is the pillar of my Ming Dynasty... Chongzhen sighed. The problem of military rations has not been settled, but people may starve to death immediately. If the court solves the problem quickly, then the problem of military rations will not become a problem.The crux of the problem now is that this patchwork Qin Wang army still lacks a commander of sufficient level and weight to command it. Chongzhen fell into distress. Lu Xiangsheng is back. It seems that the weight is enough, but the level is not enough.He was promoted too quickly in front of the line, and the other most important point, is he loyal enough?This is fighting in the heart of my Daming, if he is the second Yuan Chonghuan, it will be a big trouble.

Getting to know a person takes time.Disrespect for time sometimes has to pay the price of blood.But now the situation is not waiting for anyone, so Lu Xiangsheng should be the governor of Xuanda first.This position is also very important. So, who will take the position of commander-in-chief?Zhang Fengyi, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, should be a suitable candidate.This person can sometimes have some insights.In terms of grasping the overall situation, there are still very means.But the terrible thing is that this time he didn't seem to be very motivated to talk about the ration issue, but he showed me my clumsiness and talked about the number of troops. old fox! Of course, Chongzhen also knew very well that before the military rations were resolved, whoever commanded this King Qin army was looking for a dead end.Zhang Fengyi's attitude at the imperial meeting was obviously implying him - don't let me ask for my own death, I'm not that stupid! The enthusiasm is not high, the enthusiasm is not high. It is very difficult for one person to succeed in one thing if he is not motivated and just copes with it like trying to catch a duck to the shelves. In particular, this matter is so important that it concerns the life and death of a dynasty. Therefore, Zhang Fengyi must do this voluntarily. He has to do it voluntarily! —Feng Zuoshu let Chongzhen find a way to deal with Zhang Fengyi. This is a memorial to impeach Zhang Fengyi.In the incident, Wang Jiayan said that when Huang Taiji came to the south, the Tianshoushan Imperial Mausoleum was shocked, but Zhang Fengyi, Minister of the Ministry of War, sat idly by and did nothing. This was a serious dereliction of duty, and he suggested that the emperor severely punish it. Of course Chongzhen would not severely punish Zhang Fengyi.Everyone in Daming knew that Huang Taiji's iron cavalry was coming, and even the wind couldn't stop it.But being able to stop it or not is one thing, but being able to stop it is another.Chongzhen decided to use this incident to frighten Zhang Fengyi well and scare him out of his enthusiasm. Besides, it is fun to watch a Minister of the Ministry of War trembling with fright.Zhang Fengyi was really frightened, but he didn't tremble all over because he found a reason to relieve himself: Your Majesty, the Tianshou Mountain Imperial Mausoleum has always been guarded by soldiers Zu Kuan, Zu Dale, and Li Chongzhen from the border of Guanning, but later they were Following the emperor's decree, he went south to suppress the bandits, so Huang Taiji took advantage of the loophole... Chongzhen's face was stern: So it's my fault? The old minister dare not. Then let me ask you, who suggested to me that Zu Kuan, Zu Dale, and Li Chongzhen, the border soldiers of Guanning, go south to suppress the bandits?ah? Zhang Fengyi panicked, but he still wanted to shirk his responsibility: This... the old minister didn't think carefully at the time, he just wanted to share the emperor's worries... Share my worries?I think you are embarrassing me! Your majesty, if you say that, you will be wronging the old minister... It is about the suppression of bandits and the deployment of troops.Whether the emperor uses it or not, how to use it, that's all... It's the emperor's business... Zhang Fengyi's meaning is very clear, since you Chongzhen Gangang is arbitrary, then I'm sorry, don't put the shit pot on my head afterwards! Chongzhen sneered: Hehe, are you thinking of picking yourself out now?But have you ever thought about it, as Minister of the Ministry of War, are you competent for making such a ridiculous suggestion with serious consequences?After you let me adopt your suggestion, the situation got out of hand, don't you feel ashamed?Tianshoushan Imperial Mausoleum is shocked, my ancestors of the Ming Dynasty have no peace in the ground, don't you have any sins? ... silence. A suffocating silence. Zhang Fengyi smacked at the emperor's words, thinking that they were words that would punish him to death.Companion king is like companion tiger, this saying is really true. Obviously the emperor made a mistake, but it was the minister who was punished. Life is so helpless sometimes. Location is everything. The ass decides the head. That ass sitting on the dragon chair will determine the fate of many heads. Zhang Fengyi took off his black gauze hat, and raised his hands high: I am guilty, please resign. Of course Chongzhen would not take over the black hat. There are many black hats in Daming, but there are very few people who can do things honestly under the black hats. Chongzhen didn't want Zhang Fengyi's black hat, he only wanted him to do things honestly. Chongzhen said coldly: Is it enough to just take off the black hat? Zhang Fengyi closed his eyes, and hardened his heart: the emperor wants this head of the minister, and the minister has nothing to say. Chongzhen laughed dryly: What do I want your head for?I want you to take the blame and meritorious service. Zhang Fengyi didn't seem to understand, and looked up at Chongzhen. Chongzhen: Put on the black gauze hat, go out to the capital to supervise the division, and command the troops of all walks of life to defeat Huang Taiji's troops in one fell swoop.This is called committing crimes and making meritorious service! Just like a person who fell into the water suddenly found a life-saving straw, Zhang Fengyi didn't care whether the straw could really save his life or not, he grabbed it firmly first.He was grateful to the emperor for giving him such an opportunity from the bottom of his heart. In order to prevent the emperor from regretting and suddenly withdrawing his order, he even kept assuring Chongzhen that he must be utterly conscientious, fulfill his duties, and use all his intelligence and wisdom to not drive Huang Taiji away. Don't give up! Chongzhen smiled, sincerely.To be a leader is to pay attention to the art of leadership.The art of playing and singing is intimidating and intimidating, the art of leadership is complicated, it depends on how to handle the heat. There is no doubt that this time the heat is just right.This fully shows that Chongzhen's IQ is high, which is beyond doubt. Whoever doubts my IQ of Chongzhen is courting death.The smile on the corner of Chongzhen's mouth gradually froze.At this moment, he felt that he was a little non-toxic and not a husband. Such a taste has not been seen for a long time. Zhang Fengyi soon found out that he was taking chestnuts for the emperor. If it is taken out, it is death, and if it cannot be taken out, it is also death. The fire set by Huang Taiji was so fierce that in just a few days, seven or eight counties including Shunyi, Wen'an, Yongqing, and Dingzhou fell one after another. What is Cyclonus?This is called Cyclonus Dash! Zhang Fengyi felt that his claws were not the only ones that were burned in such a fire, it was to burn himself into black charcoal! Chestnuts might not come out even if they were burnt to black charcoal, this was his fate, Zhang Fengyi. And the emperor has always only looked at the result without asking the reason.If the army is defeated this time, the emperor will definitely settle the old and new accounts together.What does it mean to commit crimes and make meritorious deeds?Only those who have done meritorious deeds can be forgiven for their crimes, and if they do not perform meritorious deeds, then there is nothing to say. But at this moment, the impeachment memorabilia of the speech officials has already flown to Chongzhen like a snowflake.They were piled high enough to submerge Zhang Fengyi. Everyone said that Zhang Fengyi was wronging the country. Everyone said that Zhang Fengyi could be killed. But Chongzhen was surprisingly quiet. Zhang Fengyi understands that Chongzhen's calmness does not mean that he has a heart of kindness, he may just be waiting for a miracle to appear.Zhang Fengyi once told him that he should be ruthless, dedicated to his duties, and give full play to his intelligence and talents. Chongzhen should be waiting for Zhang Fengyi's last passion.Such passion may not save Zhang Fengyi, but it can save Zhang Fengyi's Nine Clans. If Zhang Fengyi died on the battlefield, Chongzhen should not punish his nine clans again.This is Zhang Fengyi's final life value. Discovering such a value in life made Zhang Fengyi feel sad and happy.But everyone has their own fate, and it is impossible not to accept fate. Zhang Fengyi decided to accept his fate.He began to eat a little rhubarb every day in a planned way.Yes, he wanted to kill himself slowly.He wants to make sure he dies before the war is over.Of course he can have two choices: die in battle or die from illness.But generally speaking, death in battle is a small probability event.After all, he is the commander-in-chief of Daming King Qin's army, and unless King Qin's army fights to the last man, it is really unlikely that he will die in battle. So dying is the best option.Dying of illness on the battlefield is generally understood as being overworked and exhausted before dying.Such a person will have mourning after death.Of course Zhang Fengyi didn't expect to be mourned, he only hoped to have a whole body when he died, so that his nine clans would not be harmed, so that he would die well. Zhang Fengyi carefully controls the amount of rhubarb he eats every day.He can't die too early, and he can't die too late.If he dies early, King Qin's army has no leader, and there is bound to be chaos. The emperor will definitely blame him for his untimely death, and if he fails, he will whip his corpse and destroy his nine clans; Doubts will be thrown into prison and become the second Yuan Chonghuan.Thinking of Yuan Chonghuan's tragic death, Zhang Fengyi shuddered - at least he can still choose his own way of death, and he can leave a whole body. Zhang Fengyi's efforts were not in vain.On the first day of September in the ninth year of Chongzhen, after eating the last bit of carefully calculated rhubarb, he kicked his legs and then remained motionless.Zhang Fengyi, the Nth Minister of the Ministry of War of the Ming Dynasty, finally passed away forever.But when he died, he didn't smile at Jiuquan, but he was a bit unwilling to die.Because on August 29th, Huang Taiji's troops suddenly withdrew from the Great Wall and stopped playing with him. Zhang Fengyi was not sure whether the war was over, let alone whether he had won the war.But the rhubarb accumulated in so many days has fully exerted its effect in his body, he is already sick, and is only half a step away from the gate of death, even if he stops taking it now, it will not help.Although he really wanted to see the war have a happy ending, but the discomfort all over his body made him want to die quickly.With a confused and determined heart, he took rhubarb for another two days, and finally kicked himself into hell. Zhang Fengyi finally realized the last ideal in life: to choose his own way of death.What Chongzhen did afterwards also confirmed the correctness of Zhang Fengyi's choice: Chongzhen deprived him of his official position after his death, and the crime should be punished, but because the person died, it would not be a big one.At the same time, Zhang Fengyi's nine clans were also lucky enough to survive in the last dynasty of the Ming Dynasty, and they lived in the Qing Dynasty eight years later, but their living conditions went from bad to worse. Count the day. After Lu Xiangsheng became the governor of Xuanda and specialized in defending the capital, Hong Chengchou felt a deep loneliness. It's hard to sing with one hand, it's hard to sing with one hand. He needs a slap, a powerful slap, to match his lonely slap instantly, and hit the victory march of the Ming Dynasty. So where is this slap?Chongzhen did not give it to him.After taking away a slap, Chongzhen put all his attention on the capital. That's right, the safety of the capital is more important than anything else, the emperor can't wait to move both of his hands to Beijing now, and keeping one in the Central Plains is a great overall concept.Hong Chengchou understood that he had to work hard to find another slap. In fact, life is often like this, you have to work hard to find something.As for what that thing is and where it is, God knows. Life is often like that, that's all. Hong Chengchou instinctively set his sights on Shaanxi.That's where he started, and there must be a code of his destiny hidden there. Sun Chuanting, the new governor of Shaanxi, entered his field of vision.