Chapter 664 Birds of a feather flock together

However, the eunuchs lived quite well! Gao Qiqian was the Liaodong Army Supervisor, Wang Kun was the Xuanda Army Supervisor, Cao Huachun was the three camps of the capital, and Zhang Yixian was the Dongchang Admiral. Which of these people’s property is not more than the amount of Taicang silver? Especially Gao Qiqian, the Liaodong Army Supervisor, is the most conservative estimate that his personal private property is also more than one million taels of silver. Where did the annual tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty go? Of course, he entered the private warehouse.

Want Chongzhen to recall all the military supervisors? Haha, it would be easier to let Shi Kefa fight to Chenyang alone. Military supervisors have now become the lifeblood of Chongzhen. This emperor who started his business by defeating Wei Zhongxian now has trusted eunuchs even more than his elder brother Emperor Tianqi. Tianqi only trusted Wei Zhongxian, but Chongzhen trusted a group of people. Of course, a group of people do evil is much more powerful than a person doing evil.

As for adjusting the governor and governor of Liaodong and Xuanda Shanxi, it is even more impossible. Lu Xiangsheng is still in Zhaozhuo, and it is different whether he can come out alive. As for Sun Chuanting, it is impossible. Sun Chuanting is Hong Chengchou's disciple. Could it be that Hong Chengchou is not as good as his disciple? Moreover, there is another powerful figure in it, Yang Sichang.

After Zhang Zhun finished speaking, he was silent for a moment, staring at Shi Kefa with his eyes wide open, and said meaningfully: "How is it? Doctor Shi?"

Shi Kefa said helplessly and bitterly: "Governor, you know that the court cannot agree, why bother to give in to the presidency?"

Zhang Zhun said coldly: "Gao Qiqian, Wang Kun and Cao Huachun lead the army. Do you think it is possible to defeat the Tartars? Since I can't defeat the Tartars, no matter how many weapons I give them, they will end up falling into the hands of the Tartars? Look at Changping! All the military supplies stored in Changping were stolen by Ajige! The Tartars can hold on for at least two more months after obtaining Changping's supplies!"

Shi Kefa was speechless again.

Even if he didn't understand military affairs, he hated the three eunuchs to lead the army. The eunuchs didn't even have any eggs, so how could they have the courage to fight? Of course, they were focused on being a turtle with a head-reducing turtle. Zhang Zhun's judgment was correct. As long as the three eunuchs continued to lead the army, they could only continue to lose their battles until they perished. However, he could not accept it. He always had a slight fantasy, thinking that Chongzhen would suddenly wake up and remove the positions of those eunuchs one day.

Zhang Zhun deliberately made Shi Kefa confused, deliberately made Shi Kefa disappointed the current court, and deliberately made his last hope for Chongzhen fail. He smiled slightly and said slowly: "Three conditions? Can you do it? Don't say that three can be done together, just one is enough."

Shi Kefa said helplessly: "The ability of the officials is limited, and no one can do it."

Zhang Zhun said calmly: "Since that's the case, please! Mo Yu, see off the guests."

Mo Yu came out from the side, made a look of seeing off guests, and said aloud: "Dr. Shi, please come back!"

Shi Kefa had no choice but to turn around and leave helplessly.

When he reached the door, Shi Kefa suddenly turned around, stared at Zhang Zhun with a complicated expression, and asked slowly: "Zhang Zhun, do you really like being an emperor so much?"

Zhang Zhun said frankly: "Qin lost his deer, and the whole world will chase him. I am just one of them. If Chongzhen could not keep his throne, would you want Huang Taiji or Li Zicheng and others to be emperors? Do you think there is a better candidate than me?"

Shi Kefa had no choice but to sigh helplessly and staggered away.

Zhang Zhun's last sentence happened to hit Shi Kefa's heart. There has always been a most taboo topic in Shi Kefa's heart and he never dares to raise it. That is, if, if, just if the court really can't support it, who should be the emperor? Huang Taiji? Gao Yingxiang? Li Zicheng? Zhang Xianzhong? Or... Zhang Zhun?

Shi Kefa didn't know why he had such random thoughts. Such thoughts were really terrible. Could it be that the situation in the court was really disappointing? Alas, judging from the situation during this period, it was really not optimistic! After he arrived at the Ministry of War, he was qualified to come into contact with more secrets. Some things were not known, but after he knew about them, he was simply unable to sleep or eat!

It is incredible that the imperial army was so decayed. In the past, Shi Kefa could not understand that Zhang Zhun's troops were also humans, and the imperial army was also humans. Why was only Zhang Zhun's army able to defeat the Tartars, but the imperial army was defeated by the Tartars. Now, he finally understood.

The military expenditure allocated to Liaodong by the court every year exceeded 2 million taels of silver. According to the cataloging of the Ministry of War, this was enough to consume the 300,000 army. In fact, every time the Ministry of War issued a salary, it was allocated to Liaodong according to the number of 300,000 soldiers. However, through his own understanding, Shi Kefa was shocked to find that there were actually less than 140,000 troops in Liaodong. In other words, there was a 160,000 vacancy. These vacancy money were privately distributed by Gao Qiqian and others.

Shi Kefa was really angry when he drank military blood to such an extent. However, he had no solution. Because among these people who drank military blood, Zhang Fengyi, Liang Tingdong, the Minister of War, and other ministers and doctors of the Ministry of War, all had their share. If he submitted a letter to impeach, it would be equivalent to impeaching the entire Ministry of War, including the second-rank minister, and the officials who were not in the right position.

Even after he arrived at the Ministry of War, he had a share. If he was willing to accept it, he would receive an additional income of more than 300 taels of silver every month. The additional income of 300 taels of silver per month was definitely a huge sum of money for Shi Kefa. His monthly salary should be 24 shi per month (the fourth rank), which was converted into silver, which was only 24 taels of silver.

However, due to the difficulty of the government's finances, the salary is often owed, or only 20% or 30% is paid. Therefore, the silver that Shi Kefa received every month is scattered, never more than ten taels. For an official of the fourth rank, the income of less than ten taels of silver per month is indeed too small. After all, he is an official of the fourth rank!

No wonder other doctors can be so casual and have a wealthy family, and they can often go to brothels. They also have extra money of 300 taels of silver per month. This is more than ten times the salary. Moreover, this is just one of the extra money discovered by Shi Kefa. He believes that there are more extra money that he has not discovered.

Sure enough, Shi Kefa carefully investigated and soon discovered that in the Xuanda Army, there were also soldiers who had blood, which were divided into about 200 taels per month. In other aspects, there were more or less, more than 20 items of extra money. Adding up all the public or semi-public extra money, Shi Kefa could get more than 900 taels of silver every month. In a year, it was more than 10,000 taels.

Ten thousand taels, ten thousand taels! He is a fourth-rank doctor, so he doesn’t do anything or interfere in anything. He can get at least ten thousand taels of silver from his pocket every year. If he interferes in some specific matters, he will have more money income, let alone other people. Thinking of his bulging purse and the empty treasury, Shi Kefa’s heart is really uncomfortable.

The government and officials of the court were so corrupt that Shi Kefa had no intention of impeaching. What did he impeach? Impeach the entire Ministry of War? Impeach all officials in Liaodong? Shi Kefa was honest and upright, but not a fool. He knew very well that his memorial could not reach Chongzhen at all. It would be impossible for the Prime Minister to talk about these dark stories of drinking blood from soldiers. Maybe he would be the biggest winner.

Shi Kefa learned a little from Zhang Shenyan about Qiao Yunsheng's secret resignation with Zhang Shun. Shi Kefa was not a person who talked everywhere, and his mouth was still very tight about this matter. After learning about this, he could only sigh helplessly.

Perhaps, the court is really going to be over, and even Qiao Yunsheng is not willing to stay in the court. The dark court has no foothold at all. Qiao Yunsheng has left, and he can do what he can stay in this dark and hopeless court? Will Emperor Chongzhen really wake up?

After Mo Yu came back, he said in a bit disappointed: "This Shi Kefa is really hard-working and hopeless."

Zhang Zhun nodded.

Shi Kefa is indeed a bit stubborn, and it is difficult to make him change his mind. However, these days, there are too few people who are so stubborn. Too many officials are sloppy, fence-bearers, and they are very capable of changing their minds when they see the wind.

Alas, seriously, Shi Kefa is indeed a talent. As long as he is well trained and has appropriate positions for him to play, he doesn’t have to bury him. But he is determined to be buried with Emperor Chongzhen, then there is nothing he can do.

Suddenly, Lu Yidian came in and reported: "Sir, another envoy from the court has arrived."

Zhang Zhun said in confusion: "Who?"

Isn’t the envoy of the court Shi Kefa? Why are there anyone else coming?

Lu Yidian reported: "It is Wang Qiaonian, Minister of Justice."

Zhang Zhun looked full of suspicion, Wang Qiaonian?

The former Minister of Justice of the imperial court was Qiao Yunsheng. After the Chinese New Year, Qiao Yunsheng made an excuse to retire, and then quietly went to Laizhou Prefecture to serve as Minister of Justice of the Great Governor of the Hu Ben Army. Of course, this matter was handled very secretly and few outsiders knew about it. After him, Wang Qiaonian took over as Minister of Justice.

What should Wang Qiaonian do when he arrives?

"please."

Zhang Zhun said calmly.

Lu Yidian turned around and soon led a second-rank imperial official in official uniform, Wang Qiaonian, the new Minister of Justice.

Wang Qiaonian is from Zhejiang and has a similar style as the Qi family army back then. He is tall and burly, with bright eyes, strong limbs and powerful holes. He doesn't look like a civil servant, but rather a military general. If he changes into a set of armor for a military general, no one will suspect that he is from a military general.

In fact, Wang Qiaonian does have some basic skills such as force, cavalry, bow and knife, and stabbing. When the young man was traveling, he even killed thieves and splattered blood for ten steps. Because he was esteemed for his martial arts, no matter where he went, he had two servants around him, and he didn't even have a guard.

Strictly speaking, Wang Qiaonian and Zhang Zhun were still somewhat destined. When Zhang Zhun was still a fool, Wang Qiaonian was the prefect of Qingzhou Prefecture and was later promoted to the deputy envoy of the Denglai Army. Before Zhang Zhun arrived, he happened to be the Minister of Works. If he left a little late, or Zhang Zhun had traveled early, he would be an opponent with him.

"The lower official Wang Qiaonian met with the governor."

After Wang Qiaonian came in, he saluted Zhang Zhun generously.

In the past, the second-rank Shangshu was already the limit of civil servants. Except for seeing the emperor or the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, there was basically no need to perform the first ritual. Especially when seeing the military officer, it was impossible to perform the first ritual. The serious one was about the same as the military officers who performed the first ritual. However, there was an alternative, that is, Zhang Zhun.

All civil officials in the court, as long as they come to see Zhang Zhun, had to consciously perform their respects first. There is no way, others are first-class military officers or Pingdubo, and if they are truly studied, they are definitely the best ministers. It is very difficult to grant titles in the Ming Dynasty, and only military achievements can be granted titles. It is quite difficult for civil officials to make military achievements. If one is not good, there is a risk of losing their heads.

[Author’s Note: In terms of grade, the Cabinet Grand Secretary is only a fifth rank and cannot work part-time. However, the Cabinet Grand Secretary has very great power, and all the six ministers have to listen to them.]

"Sir Shangshu is so polite, please sit down!"

Zhang Zhun said calmly.

Zhang Zhun still appreciates Wang Qiaonian's actions. He feels that he doesn't have much thought, but he is somewhat similar to Qiao Yunsheng. His position was indeed recommended by Qiao Yunsheng after Qiao Yunsheng retired. Emperor Chongzhen never cared about the Ministry of Justice, so Qiao Yunsheng recommended Wang Qiaonian, so he agreed.

If there were no surprises, Wang Qiaonian should have been appreciated by Qiao Yunsheng. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together, and Qiao Yunsheng's appreciation should not be much worse. Just like Zhang Shenyan and Qiao Yunsheng, they have similar personalities and will come together.

"The Xiaguan came this time and had something to negotiate with the governor."

Wang Qiaonian said straight to the point.

His voice was loud and his speech was quite straightforward, and he would never be dragged on.

"Speaking."

Zhang Zhun said lightly.

"The lower officials want to bring Dorgon and Duoduo back to the capital, and after trial, they will beheaded and displayed for public display."

Wang Qiaonian said loudly.

I see.

Zhang Zhun nodded thoughtfully.

I thought that Wang Qiaonian had something else to do, but it turned out to be for Dorgon and Duoduo. I'm afraid this is not what Wang Qiaonian himself means, but it is mostly the cabinet or the Chongzhen connection. But they were not easy to come forward, so they let Wang Qiaonian stand up.

After the Hu Ben Army captured Dorgon and Duoduo, the court must have known it. Logically, Zhang Zhun wanted to offer prisoners to Jiuque, which was the supreme honor. However, Zhang Zhun had a confrontation with the court, so this skill was saved. However, for the court, it still hoped that Dorgon and Duoduo could be publicly killed to revitalize morale.

The Ming Dynasty has always been at a disadvantage in the battle between the Ming Dynasty and the Great Jin Dynasty. It has repeatedly lost its divisions and territory, and has suffered heavy losses, so the people are numb. Now, the Hu Ben Army has actually captured the two bells of the Tartars, which is definitely an unprecedented booster. Even Emperor Chongzhen himself wanted Zhang Zhun to send the two slave chiefs immediately, and then he ordered the beheading.

Zhang Zhun said frankly: "Sir Shangshu, it is reasonable to say that there is no problem to hand over the two slave chiefs to you. However, this governor wants to use these two slave chiefs to force Huang Taiji to hand over traitors such as Fan Wencheng, so it cannot be handed over to the court for the time being. As for Kong Youde, he can hand it over to you."

Wang Qiaonian couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, but he had to say, "Thank you, Governor, for understanding."

If Dorgon and Duoduo were publicly executed in the capital, it would definitely boost the morale of the military and civilians across the country, which was what the court expected. However, Zhang Zhun's words also make sense. If traitors like Fan Wencheng can be brought back, they can intimidate most traitors, or most people who try to become traitors. This is very important. Even Wang Qiaonian himself thinks that there are too many people in the court, which is really unreliable.

Most upright court officials hated the Tartars even more hated the traitors. If there weren’t so many traitors, the rise of the Tartars would not have been so rapid. Many people deeply believed that if they wanted to completely defeat the Tartars, they must first eliminate the traitors within the Ming Dynasty, or the quasi-traitors.

Of course, Wang Qiaonian is not as good as Qiao Yunsheng, but he is not too bad. Although he is a little greedy, he is really a man. Later, he served as the governor of Shaanxi, but was captured by the rebel army because of his poor combat. The rebel army asked him to surrender, but he refused to surrender. As a result, he was executed by Lingchi. In the history of the late Ming Dynasty, he was one of the two people who were lingchi with a definite record. The other one was naturally the famous Yuan Chonghuan.

Zhang Zhun said: "Shu Wang, the head is temporarily stored in my place. If Fan Wencheng is caught, I will hand it over to you!"

Wang Qiaonian hurriedly bowed and said thanking him: "Thank you for your support from the Governor! Since that's the case, the subordinates will take Kong Youde away, the traitor."

Zhang Zhun nodded and asked Mo Yu to accompany Qiao Yunsheng to go to Dengzhou City to pick up people.

After Wang Qiaonian and Mo Yu left, Zhang Zhun paced back and forth in the conference hall.

The court saw that it was not a few years' time to poach. As long as valuable talents were poaching, they had to dig up as soon as possible. Wang Qiaonian might be able to think too. However, Wang Qiaonian is from Zhejiang, and Zhejiang is one of the base camps of the Donglin Party. His relationship with the Donglin Party is also quite close. If he really poached people, it would be very difficult.

Judging from the information fed back by Ji Yuqing, the forces of the Donglin Party in Jiangnan were very resistant to "Juntian Ling". There is no way, most of the people of the Donglin Party are big landlords and big businesses, and "Juntian Ling" just hit them. No matter how noble and elegant their words are, as long as they involve private property, they will be like hooligans and gangsters, and they will be endless with you. The so-called Donglin gentleman must be understood in the opposite way.
Chapter completed!