In late December, Prince Shaobao and Zhang Fengyi, the censor of Zuodu, came to Dengzhou.

The Spring Festival is coming soon, and no one, including Wu Zongrui, expected that Zhang Fengyi would actually come to Dengzhou for inspection.

Zhang Fengyi's visit to Dengzhou was unusually low-key and did not alarm the officials at all levels.

Zhang Fengyi did not want to rest at the Denglai Governor's Yamen Yin Hotel and chose to rest in the Dengzhou military camp. Of course, this was also because Zhang Fengyi and Wu Zongrui had a good relationship.

.

The climate has already become cold and cold. There have been two heavy snowfalls in Dengzhou. Due to the temperature, the snow has not completely melted.

Zhang Fengyi was in high spirits and inspected Dengzhou Fucheng and Penglai Water City, but did not feel the cold at all.

Wu Zongrui has always been with Zhang Fengyi.

Back at the Dengzhou military camp, Zhang Fengyi's face finally showed a look of loss.

When entering the Zhongjun tent, Zhang Fengyi's face showed little expression, while Wu Zongrui's face had a smile.

The Ming Dynasty's evaluation of Zhang Fengyi was that "Fengyi's talent is despicable and cowardly, he knows the dark and is cunning, he works hard to make profits, and he is skillful in avoiding dangers." This evaluation is quite low and can be described as unsightly, but Zhang Fengyi served as the Minister of the Ministry of War for a long time.

For a long time, he served as Minister of War from the beginning of the fifth year of Chongzhen's reign until November of the ninth year of Chongzhen's reign, which lasted five years.

Wu Zongrui, who traveled through time, had long since disbelieved in the History of the Ming Dynasty. The History of the Ming Dynasty was edited by Zhang Tingyu during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, and most of the materials collected were left by the Donglin Party members. Zhang Tingyu and the editors were already biased against these.

The information has been significantly revised again. Thanks to the Spring and Autumn Period writing skills of the compilers, the evaluation of the emperor and ministers of the Ming Dynasty has long been changed beyond recognition.

In fact, when it comes to historical research hundreds of years later, many scholars also do not believe in Ming history.

Wu Zongrui used his own feelings to become familiar with many historical figures in the late Ming Dynasty, including Zhang Fengyi and Wen Tiren.

After sitting down, Zhang Fengyi picked up the tea cup and looked at the black tea inside, feeling a little surprised.

"Master Zhang, black tea can nourish the stomach and warm the body. It's good to drink a cup occasionally."

Zhang Fengyi smiled bitterly and took a sip of black tea.

"Master Wu said that I should also pay attention to health preservation. I should have a lot of time to maintain health in the future."

"Why, Mr. Zhang plans to retire."

"It goes without saying that the emperor and the court have this intention. This time the emperor asked me to patrol the areas of Beizhili and Denglai to comfort him. After returning to the capital, I will take the initiative to serve in order to avoid encountering

The impeachment of others.”

Wu Zongrui smiled slightly and nodded.

"It's not a bad thing for Mr. Zhang to return home and take a rest. If I remember correctly, Mr. Zhang left his hometown during the Wanli period and became an official abroad. After so many years, he rarely has time to return to his hometown. The young and eldest son left home.

Come on, it’s very good.”

Zhang Fengyi smiled self-deprecatingly.

"Master Wu, it is in front of you that I dare to complain. If I were in court, I would not dare to say anything."

"It's always cold at high places. Everyone knows that Mr. Zhang must be cautious in court."

The personal guard brought the hot hot pot, as well as meat rolls, vegetables, old vinegar, and a whole jar of daughter's red wine.

Zhang Fengyi's eyes lit up when he saw the old vinegar. He is from Dai County, Shanxi, so he naturally likes the old vinegar.

A pot of old wine and a pot of vinegar are the equipment of many Shanxi men.

The meat rolls were put into the hot pot, cooked, taken out, put into a bowl filled with mature vinegar, mixed with the flavor and put into the mouth. Zhang Fengyi's face showed a look of satisfaction.

"Master Wu, this aged vinegar tastes good, you should try it too."

Wu Zongrui shook his head and picked up the wine glass.

"Master Zhang, I want to toast you. When you come to Dengzhou, let go of everything. Don't think about anything. Eat and drink enough. Leave after the Spring Festival. Some things cannot be explained clearly. It's a blessing in disguise."

"Master Wu, thank you for your comfort. I'll drink this glass of wine."

...

After drinking a few glasses of wine, Zhang Fengyi's face turned slightly red.

"Master Wu, I offer you this glass of wine. Several months have passed and I haven't had time to say thank you. Thank you for leading the Denglai New Army, teaching the Houjin Tatars a lesson, and allowing me to survive.

..”

Before Zhang Fengyi could finish speaking, Wu Zongrui spoke quickly.

"Master Zhang, there is no need to say it so seriously, it is all in the past."

"Master Wu, don't interrupt me. I have a lot to say, and I won't be able to say it quickly. If I wait until tomorrow, I'm afraid I won't dare to say it anymore."

Wu Zongrui looked at Zhang Fengyi, with a smile still on his face, but he stopped talking.

"The Tatars of the Later Jin Dynasty are raging in the capital. As the Minister of War and the commander-in-chief appointed by the emperor, I should lead the army to attack the Tatars of the Later Jin Dynasty. But I don't dare. I really don't dare. Lords of the court.

Impeach me and say that I am afraid of death. When I was fighting against the Jin Tatars in Ningyuan, I sent my wife and children back to my hometown and stayed in Ningyuan. At that time, I was not afraid of death, let alone in the capital."

"I am afraid that the army under my command will be completely wiped out by Hou Jin's Tatars. At that time, my sin will be unforgivable."

"Many of the adults in the court knew how to open their mouths and speak out any impassioned words. They didn't know the weakness of the reinforcements coming from various towns. They didn't know the bravery of Hou Jin's Tatars. They didn't even know how the reinforcements and reinforcements were related to each other.

What kind of situation will the Tatars face when they go to war in the Jin Dynasty?"

"In the Battle of Daling River City, the Liaodong Frontier Army was almost completely lost. The Liaodong Frontier Army was the most courageous army in the court. It was defeated by the Houjin Tatars. At that time, I felt that Liaodong was in danger, and there was no one in the north.

Fight against the army of the Hou Jin Tatars."

"The rise of the Denglai New Army was beyond my expectation. I really didn't expect that in Miyun County, I witnessed with my own eyes the great defeat of the Denglai New Army General Jin Tazi. For a long time afterwards, I

I thought it was all unreal."

"The emperor appointed Mr. Wu to be the governor of Jiliao and lead the Denglai New Army to defend Liaodong. I felt lucky for Mr. Wu. What I was most worried about at that time was that the emperor asked Mr. Wu to go to the capital and join the Sixth Ministry or the cabinet."

"Master Wu is still young. It is best not to go to the imperial court, a place of right and wrong."

...

Zhang Fengyi drank the wine in the cup in one gulp and picked up the wine jar.

"Master Wu, I once served as the governor of Liaodong. It was during the Tianqi Years. At that time, the situation in Liaodong was much stronger than it is now. During the Tianqi Years, in order to strengthen the walls and clear the country, the DPRK and the Central Government still insisted on two suggestions and argued for a long time. Apocalypse II

In the tragic battle outside the Pass, the imperial army was defeated and all eight cities outside the Pass were lost. The situation in Liaodong was precarious. At that time, the army led by me was stationed at Shanhaiguan. Later, Sun Chengzong, the governor of Jiliao, ordered me to leave the Pass and repair the Eighth Route Army.

The city was built and the city was fortified. Later, these eight cities, including Daling River City, Shanhaiguan City, etc., formed the Guan Ning Jin defense line of the Ming Dynasty."

"Nowadays, the eight cities outside the pass, Jinzhou, Ningyuan, and Qiantun are still defended by the Liaodong frontier troops. Tashan, Xingshan, and Songshan cannot be defended. Youtun has been completely destroyed, and Guangning has been completely occupied by the Tatars of the Later Jin Dynasty.

.”

"The Tatars of Houjin have not yet launched a full-scale offensive in Liaodong. If they do launch an attack, the eight cities outside the pass will not be defended at all."

"Master Wu is appointed as the governor of Jiliao. My suggestion is that the governor's office of Jiliao should be set up in Shanhaiguan, so that comprehensive coordination can be achieved. With Master Wu and the Denglai New Army in Liaodong, the Tatars of the Later Jin Dynasty will definitely suffer."

When Zhang Fengyi looked up at Wu Zongrui, his eyes were already a little red.

"During the battle of Daling River City, the Liaodong frontier army almost suffered a devastating blow. Lord Wu must know that."

Wu Zongrui nodded. He remembered clearly that in the Battle of Daling River City, the Liaodong Frontier Army lost nearly 40,000 sergeants, accounting for about 70% to 80% of the total strength of the Liaodong Frontier Army.

"Master Wu, do you know that after the imperial court learned about the losses of the Liaodong frontier troops, there was not much reaction."

Wu Zongrui stared at Zhang Fengyi with his eyes widened.

"Master Zhang, I really have never heard of this matter. The Liaodong Frontier Army is the most brave army in the Ming Dynasty. It is impossible for the court to ignore it after suffering such heavy losses."

A look of hesitation flashed across Zhang Fengyi's face, but she finally gritted her teeth.

"The Liaodong Frontier Army can be said to be the army of our Ming vassal. The Zu family and the Wu family are the two major vassal families in Liaodong. The entire Liaodong border army is almost controlled by the Zu family and the Wu family. The emperor and the court have always been very cautious.

The Liaodong managers and Liaodong governors who are often dispatched are quite powerful and can control the vassal towns such as Zujia and Wujia."

"Although the Liaodong Frontier Army is powerful, if they are not loyal to the imperial court, even if they suffer heavy losses, there will not be much repercussions in the court. Maybe some people wish that the Liaodong Frontier Army is completely wiped out."

"From the Tianqi period to the present, officials who have served as governor of Ji Liao, Liaodong manager and Liaodong governor rarely died well. I was lucky. If Ding You hadn't returned home back then, I wouldn't necessarily be here now.

Eating meat and drinking wine.”

...

Zhang Fengyi's words surprised Wu Zongrui. He thought that he was the only one who could see the clues about Liaodong, but he didn't expect that Zhang Fengyi had already noticed it.

The situation in Liaodong was extremely dangerous. The reason why Huang Taiji did not make up his mind to attack Liaodong and seize the eight cities outside the pass was simply because he did not want to increase his own burden, because Hou Jin could not capture Shanhaiguan in a short time, even if he captured the eight cities outside the pass.

, we must also disperse our troops to garrison them, not only consuming money and food, but we must also always be alert to the Ming army launching an attack.

Houjin's economic strength was very weak, and it could be said that it was unable to defend the eight cities outside the pass.

The Ming Dynasty made huge investments in the areas outside the Pass, consuming countless money and food. Unfortunately, after so many years, the eight cities outside the Pass were still hanging on by a thread. Wang Zaijin, the governor of Liaodong at that time, suggested strengthening the walls and clearing the country, abandoning the eight cities outside the Pass, and sticking to Shanhaiguan. It was also because of the eight cities outside the Pass.

The consumption is too great, and it often fails, so it seems that the gain outweighs the loss.
Chapter completed!