Chapter 471: Moonlight, don’t panic, be busy with poaching people

Liu Qidong was Liu Zongzhou, now the Minister of War in Nanjing. His courtesy name was Qidong, so he was called Liu Qidong. Speaking of Liu Zongzhou, he was a very amazing person. His greatness was not his official position, but his thoughts and academics. He was the last Confucian master in the late Ming Dynasty, focusing on the study of the heart. He founded a faction called the Jishan School.

There may be many people who don’t know his name, but there may not be many people who don’t know his disciple’s name. Because his disciple was named Huang Zongxi. After the Qing army went south, Liu Zongzhou died of a hunger strike and showed his ambition. Some people later said that Liu Zongzhou’s death caused a crisis in the lifeline of the Chinese nation and the lifeline of Chinese culture, and this crisis has continued to this day.

Zhang Zhun said casually: "Myongshan Duke came from Jiangnan, I wonder what the situation in Jiangnan is like? Will the arrival of the Tartars have an impact on Jiangnan?"

Zhang Shenyan said obscenely: "Not good, quite bad."

With his steady personality, it is not good to repeat twice in a row, but the situation in Jiangnan is really not good. In fact, not only Jiangnan, but also the entire Ming Dynasty is very bad. If the situation before was shaky, now it is dying.

The surrender of Dongjiang Town and the surrender of the Denglai Governor was a bolt from the blue for the entire Ming Dynasty. Shandong was not Liaodong, and Dengzhou City was not Shenyang. Shandong has always been the core hinterland of the Ming Dynasty, an area that the Tatars could not be involved in, and a relatively safe place. Now, the Tatars actually occupy a corner of Shandong, how can they not surprise people?

Since the Tartars appeared in Shandong, the entire Ming Dynasty was spreading related news wildly. The people of the incense savage sect fled everywhere and brought a large amount of real or fake news. In the end, after the spread of these news, all of them turned into rumors flying all over the sky. Since it involved the Tartars and Shandong that was close to them, the spread of rumors was quite fast.

Don’t expect the rumors to be true. If they have true nature, they will not be called rumors. The more exaggerated the rumors, the more people believe them. Some rumors even say that the Tartars have controlled Jinan Prefecture and are about to divide them into two routes, one way north to the Jingji area, and the other way south to the south to the south to the south. For a moment, the whole Jiangnan was filled with people's hearts and panic all day long.

The panic of the poor is still acceptable, but the key is that even the government and gentry can't stand it anymore. The most obvious manifestation is Yangzhou Prefecture. Yangzhou Prefecture gathers most of the wealthy merchants in Jiangnan, and all the salt merchants are in Yangzhou Prefecture. To the south of Shandong, the Yangzhou Prefecture is the first to be hit. Those big salt merchants heard that the Tartars appeared in Shandong and would go south at any time, and they were all so nervous. Some even fled south overnight. The entire Yangzhou Prefecture was in panic.

Liu Zongzhou, the new Minister of War of Nanjing, was shocked when he heard that the Tartars appeared in Shandong. It was no joke that the Tartars controlled Shandong. The north side of Shandong was Northern Zhili. The south side of Shandong was Southern Zhili. It can be said that as long as the Tartars controlled Shandong, it was equivalent to completely separating the north and south Zhili. Shandong was so close to Southern Zhili, the Taurus cavalry could reach the Yangtze River in just one day!

In the past, you may have thought that relying on the natural dangers of the Yangtze River could still stop one or two. However, after Zhang Zhun made a big fuss in Nanjing City last time, everyone saw through the true face of the Nanjing defenders. Zhang Zhun had only a few hundred people, and the Nanjing defenders could not support it, let alone a large number of Tartars. Instead of relying on these defenders, it was like relying on their own servants. If the Tartars really reached the Yangtze River, Nanjing City would definitely not be protected. Nanjing City could not be protected, let alone Yangzhou.

In the past, whether the Tatars fought fiercely with the Ming army in Liaodong, or crossed the Great Wall to plunder and plunder, those who suffered were all the people from Liaodong, or the people from the north of the Ming Kingdom, which had nothing to do with Jiangnan. The people in Jiangnan were basically sitting on the scene when it came to the disasters in the north. Because the battlefield was still far away from them. It was impossible for the Tatars to cross the Great Wall to reach Jiangnan. Therefore, the people in Jiangnan were very calm.

However, after the Tartars controlled Shandong, the people of Jiangnan could not calm down. The Tartars who set out from Shandong could reach Jiangnan in just one step. Everyone was shuddered when they thought of the cruelty of the Tartars. Especially those rich and wealthy families were even more worried and lived like a year. Those with a way were hiding towards Suzhou and Hangzhou, while those without a way had to stay at home and wait for death.

For the imperial court in the capital, the appearance of the Tartars in Shandong was also a bolt from the blue. It was already exhausted to deal with the Tartars in Liaodong. The Tartars were bypassed by the Great Wall and headed south. The court had no way to deal with it. They could only watch the Tartars burn, kill, loot, and return with a full load. Now, the Tartars actually appeared in Shandong. Where can the imperial court still have the ability to deal with it?

I heard that the first person to react to the Tartars came to Shandong was King Heng. He had the experience of being exiled by Zhang Zhun last time. This time, King Heng ran away first without regard for any regulations such as the vassal kings being allowed to leave the country without authorization. King Heng ignored it. If he was caught by the Tartars and had no brains, what else would he talk about?

King Heng ran to Jinan in one breath and hid in King De's home again. Unlike last time, this time, King De could not calmly comfort King Heng. Because he was also in panic all day long. God knew when the Tartars would attack Jinan Prefecture, and even he was taken over. After thinking about it, he had no idea. King De had to write a letter to Emperor Chongzhen with King Lu of Yanzhou and asked to send troops to protect him. After receiving the report, Chongzhen naturally ordered the Ministry of War to send troops to protect Shandong immediately.

However, the current military force of the imperial court was still very tight, so where could there be any extra troops sent to Shandong? Zhu Dadian's war soldiers also dispatched 20,000 to Henan to set up defenses to prevent Shaanxi's chaos troops from entering Henan. This was Hong Chengchou's strong request, and Hong Laojiu decided not to allow Shaanxi's chaos troops to re-enter Henan. However, the main artery of the capital, the Grand Canal of the Beijing-Hangzhou, passed through Shandong. If this artery was cut off by the Tartars, the capital would be finished. Therefore, Shandong must also be defended. Chongzhen was anxious and angry, and ordered the Ministry of War to find a way to solve the problem.

At that time, the Minister of War of Beijing was Zhang Fengyi, who also served as the governor of Ji Liao. He was not a person with particularly strong abilities, but was just obedient. After receiving Chongzhen's strict order, Zhang Fengyi was really overwhelmed. Where could he transfer his troops to Shandong? Unless he didn't want Liaodong, Xuanfu, Datong, or Henan, he couldn't solve it himself, so he simply threw the problem to Liu Zongzhou, the Minister of War of Nanjing.

Liu Zongzhou himself had no military strength, and it was not enough to stop the Shaanxi rioters from entering Nanzhili. How could he have the spare time to take care of Shandong? Now there are chaos in Jiangnan, and rumors are everywhere that the Tartars are about to go from south Shandong. Not only the common people run, but not only the wealthy businessmen run, but even some garrisons are all gone. Many of the heroes and powerful officials in Nanjing have sent people to Fujian to find a place to settle down.

Why go to Fujian? Because there is Zheng Zhilong there in Fujian! According to the impression of ordinary people in Jiangnan, Zheng Zhilong is quite capable of fighting and has many warships under his command. If it really doesn't work, he can only take a boat to go to sea. Some people also send people to Yunnan to check out the spots. In the border areas of Yunnan, the Tatars may not be able to reach Yunnan in a short time. Some people go to Guangzhou and plan to go to Nanyang from there. Anyway, no matter what, first avoid the Tartars' edge.

Liu Zongzhou wanted to discuss with the eunuch Han Zanzhou, the governor of Nanjing, how to solve the problem in Shandong, but found that Han Zanzhou was not in Nanjing. Han Zanzhou was not in Nanjing, where did he go? He went to Fengyang! It turned out that Han Zanzhou had no confidence in the defense of Nanjing City. He was unwilling to stay in Nanjing City and wait for death in vain, so he went to the governor of Fengyang Yang Yipeng. Yang Yipeng had an army of tens of thousands, and even if the Tartars fought, he could stop it. It was always much better than staying in Nanjing City.

Liu Zongzhou, who was in tears, had to stare alone. Suddenly, Liu Zongzhou remembered a person. This person was Zhang Shenyan. Liu Zongzhou immediately sent someone to find Zhang Shenyan and talked about this matter with Zhang Shenyan. Zhang Shenyan immediately thought of Zhang Zhun. Zhang Shenyan felt that Zhang Zhun could save the situation in Shandong at present. No one else could do so.

At this point, all rebels, traitors, etc. must be temporarily put down. Zhang Shenyan was very confident in the combat effectiveness of Zhang Zhun's troops, and felt that as long as Zhang Zhun was willing to fight to the death, the Tartars might not be able to rage Shandong. The key is how to make Zhang Zhun fight to the death. After discussing with Liu Zongzhou for a long time, he volunteered to come to Shandong.

Zhang Shenyan said with some concern: "Yulin, how long can you stay in Huang County?"

Zhang Zhun said a little tiredly: "I can only do my best. The Tartars are so powerful. After a fierce battle, our army suffered heavy casualties and urgently needed reinforcements."

Zhang Shenyan said slowly: "Do you have no other troops?"

Zhang Zhun nodded and said bitterly: "The younger generations also have some non-main troops who are used to guard the people. They can only maintain local public order and are not responsible for the situation in front of the Tartars. According to the information, the Tartars in Dengzhou City have nearly 10,000 people, and more troops are coming one after another. The Jurchens are only 10,000, and they cannot fight. Huang County is the only way for the Tartars to advance westward, and they will definitely make a comeback. If there are no reinforcements, I am afraid that the younger generation will have to give up Huang County."

Zhang Shenyan said with a serious expression: "Yulin, the Tartars are cruel and unruly. If the Tartars enter the hinterland of Shandong, the six prefectures of Shandong, and millions of people, they will inevitably suffer from the destruction of life and thousands of miles of land. You and I should do our best to stop the Tartars from advancing westward."

Zhang Zhun said bluntly: "Myongshan Gong, I am indeed willing to fight the Tartars to the death. However, you also know that the Tartars have limited strength and are isolated and helpless. Even if they are all killed in battle, they cannot stop the Tartars from advancing westward."

Zhang Shenyan frowned and said, "A real man should be loyal to the country, devote himself to his work, and die until he dies."

Zhang Zhun took a deep breath and said slowly: "Since that's the case, when will Zhu Dadian send troops to support his juniors? When will he be loyal to the country?"

Zhang Shenyan said deeply: "Where can't be transferred from Zhu Dadian for the time being, you must rely on your own strength to defend Huangxian. However, the court is willing to show sincerity and support you in fighting against the Tartars."

Zhang Zhun looked at Gao Hong's picture,

Gao Hongtu nodded quietly.

Zhang Zhun said meaningfully: "Since that's the case, I don't know what sincerity the court has?"

Zhang Shenyan said slowly: "The court is preparing to appoint you as the governor of the Later Army Governor's Office, the first rank, and also serves as the general of Dongjiang Town, in charge of Dengzhou and Laizhou military affairs, and the admiral of Dengzhou Navy. Yulin, this is the most powerful governor since the founding of the Ming Dynasty."

After hearing this, Zhang Zhun said with a smile: "I really want to thank the great kindness of the court. It's really a big official position."

Zhang Shenyan realized that the court's actions were indeed a bit stingy, and they were all fancy and disliked. He said apologetically: "Yulin, it is indeed a troublesome now. The country is in a difficult situation and cannot provide too much military strength and money. As a Han Chinese, you can't watch the Tartars rage in the second palace of Denglai, right?"

Zhang Zhun thought deeply for a moment and said slowly: "Okay! As long as the court does not regret it, I will accept this appointment!"

Zhang Shenyan said with a smile: "This is Liu Qidong's proposal, and Shi Kefa wrote a letter, supported by his colleagues. There should be no problem. The relevant edict should be released soon."

Zhang Zhun said with a smile: "Myongshan, I will ask you if you are heartbroken. Actually, the court is afraid that I will surrender to the Tartars."

Zhang Shenyan was told by him, but he did not blush. Instead, he said with some emotion: "The strong wind knows the strong grass, and the country is in chaos and shows loyal ministers. Yulin, now is the time for you to repay the country and repay the emperor's kindness. Ruan Dacheng, such a traitor, will he be infamous for thousands of years in the future. If the Tartars enter Shandong, we will die without a place to die. Yulin, are you willing to cut your hair and braids and live with your long pig tail?"

Zhang Zhun nodded without comment.

Of course, all the titles given to him were blank checks, and no penny was spent. It was just an edict, worth up to five copper coins. Laizhou Prefecture is now his territory, and no one can take them away, and the court cannot take them back. Dengzhou Prefecture, as long as he is willing, can be taken down at any time. The only benefit is Dongjiang Town. In other words, he can now legitimately control Dongjiang Town, Dengzhou Prefecture, and Laizhou Prefecture. From the territory he controlled, he is indeed the largest general in the control area.

Unfortunately, Dengzhou City is still under the control of the Tartars. Dongjiang Town is even more in the hands of the Tartars. If you want to get these places, you can only fight hard with the Tartars. Exorcist wolves and tigers. The tricks of the court are not very clever! Zhu Dadian still has soldiers in his hands, but he refuses to act. He just wants to come out to get a bargain when he and the Tartars are in a defeat. However, Zhu Dadian's wishful thinking is too obvious, and even the blind can see it. I still have five battalions waiting for you to provoke!

After a moment of silence, Zhang Zhun said slowly: "Myongshan, I have a few small requests."

Zhang Shenyan nodded and said enthusiastically: "You might as well speak out."

Zhang Zhun said lightly: "Myongshan, I ask the court how many people I want."

Zhang Shenyan said casually: "Who do you want?"

Zhang Zhun stood up, found a list, handed it to Zhang Shenyan with both hands, and said lightly: "I want these people. I ask the court to help me transfer these people to Laizhou Prefecture within a month. I have arrangements. It is related to the fight against the Tartars, so please transfer it quickly."

Zhang Shenyan carefully looked at the list and found that the ones in front of them were officials who were not very familiar, such as Song Yingxing, Feng Menglong, etc. However, there were also some officials he knew, such as Zhang Huangyan, Qian Sule, Dong Zhining, Chen Tingyang, Zhang Kentang, Zhang Mingzhen, Zhang Mingyang and others. According to his understanding, these people are all Jinshi in recent years, and their official positions are basically under the seventh rank, and some are even not in the class.

After carefully considering the list, Zhang Shenyan suddenly discovered that these people had one thing in common, that is, they were fair in their work and did not stand darkness and corruption. Some wrote to the court many times, demanding punishment of eunuchs and treacherous ministers, so they have never been very proud of their careers. However, there is no doubt that these people are definitely talented and are definitely not people who live in a daze.

I don’t know how Zhang Zhun got this list, but then he thought of Gao Hongtu around him. Perhaps, Gao Gao had noticed these people in the morning. Now, he just happened to bring these people over. Zhang Shenyan also had to admire him. If all of these people arrived in Laizhou Prefecture, it would be amazing. Even if it was not the 21st century, talents would be the most precious.

"Yulin..." Zhang Shenyan wanted to speak but stopped.

He knew very well that once these people came to Zhang Zhun, they would become Zhang Zhun's people. Yes, Zhang Shenyan understood this very well. His biggest feeling in private visits in Laizhou Prefecture was not a change in productivity, but a change in the mentality of the people. In Laizhou Prefecture, the people only knew Zhang Zhun, but did not know that there was an emperor at all. Even very disgusted with the emperor. Zhang Shenyan also knew that what Zhang Zhun lacked now was cultural people. If this group of people came to Zhang Zhun's command, Zhang Zhun would definitely be like a tiger and soaring into the sky.

Zhang Zhun said indifferently: "These officials are only seventh ranks at the highest level. They are not very popular in their original positions. They are really a waste of talents. Now, the officials in the second palace of Denglai are seriously vacant. Isn't it just right for them to make contributions to defeating the Tartars?"

Zhang Shenyan had no choice but to say: "I will force this matter, but I cannot guarantee whether it will succeed or not."

In fact, he knew very well that there would be no obstacles when this list was sent, because these officials and the court were all alternatives and were out of place with the people around him. Many people were eager to kick them away. It would be the best to have the opportunity to kick them under Zhang Zhun's command. Zhang Shenyan could imagine that Zhang Zhun's list was definitely sent to Zhang Zhun with a big stroke of his pen.

Zhang Zhun smiled slightly and said calmly: "Then I would like to thank Mr. Miaoshan. Whether it succeeds or not, I will have no regrets or regrets."

Zhang Shenyan stared at Zhang Zhun with a bright look, trying to see something from his face. Unfortunately, there was no special expression on Zhang Zhun's face, and he couldn't see anything. In desperation, Zhang Shenyan had to get up long and said that he was tired and wanted to rest. In fact, he realized in his heart that Zhang Zhun and the court were getting further and further away. Perhaps this was the last time Zhang Zhun and the court had cooperated. In the future, even if the court had an edict to Zhang Zhun, he would use it as toilet paper.

In May, Zhang Shenyan visited Laizhou Prefecture alone and witnessed the changes in Laizhou Prefecture with his own eyes. Everything that happened there was clearly telling him that Zhang Zhun had firmly stood firm there. The productivity of Laizhou Prefecture, the cohesion of the people of Laizhou Prefecture, and the spirit of striving for progress were far superior to other parts of the Ming Dynasty. This is a land full of vitality and hope.

If this land belonged to the court, Zhang Shenyan would definitely be ecstatic. Perhaps, the fate of the Ming Dynasty could be improved from Laizhou Prefecture. Unfortunately, this land had nothing to do with the court. What's more serious is that other places in the court could not replicate such a piece of land. Even if he knew Zhang Zhun's policies and how Zhang Zhun developed productivity, he could not implement Zhang Zhun's policies in other places.

As time goes by, the terrible productivity of Laizhou Prefecture will accumulate huge combat power for Zhang Zhun, thus sweeping the world. Zhang Zhun's goal, except for the Tartars, is obviously the court. He appreciates Zhang Zhun's ability and Zhang Zhun's unconventionality. Obviously, Zhang Zhun's firm attitude towards the Tartars, but he really does not want Zhang Zhun to attack the court. However, he knew very well that this was impossible. Zhang Zhun would definitely attack the court.

It was precisely with a contradictory mentality that Zhang Shenyan left Laizhou Prefecture without saying hello to Zhang Zhun. When he left Mawan by boat, Zhang Shenyan deeply felt that if there were no accidents, Zhang Zhun's rise would have been an unstoppable fact. Now there is only one key to the problem, that is, how far Zhang Zhun is going to go and how long the court can maintain it.

"Come!"

"Take Miaoshan Gong to rest!"

Zhang Zhun calmly asked someone to arrange Zhang Shenyan's accommodation.

After all, Gao Hongtu is old and feels very tired after running for a long distance. He greeted Zhang Zhun and went to rest himself. He and Zhang Zhun are now completely on the same boat. The communication between him does not require too much language.

After the two left, Zhang Zhun was not sleepy yet. He was walking back and forth in the hall. The news Zhang Shenyan brought him was not shocking. To put it coldly, it actually means nothing. Dongjiang Town, Dengzhou Prefecture, Laizhou Prefecture... These places, regardless of whether the court gave them to him or not, will eventually fall into his pocket. Now the court is just making an excuse to let both sides have a way out.

Of course, Zhang Zhun would not refuse the court's meaning. It was quite convenient to wear the imperial coat. For example, transferring all the people he liked to Laizhou Prefecture. The names of the people on the list actually had nothing to do with Gao Hongtu. Zhang Zhun brought some outstanding officials from the Southern Ming Dynasty to Shandong based on his memory. At that time, these officials had not yet made their mark and were the good seedlings to cultivate. What was the most precious thing in the 17th century? They were also talents!

Zhang Zhun suddenly walked out of the hall and looked at the gray sky in the east. There was the direction of Dengzhou City. I wonder if Dorgon in Dengzhou City could fall asleep this night?
Chapter completed!