Chapter 390: God-given? Min Yu also said
that the good news for Zhang Juzheng was that the Southeast New Army entered Wuchang, and he could get what he wanted and continue to stay in Huguang.
The bad news is that the situation is getting worse.
Zhang Juzheng was unwilling to leave Huguang because he did not want to conflict with Gao Gong.
However, the relationship between Gao and Zhang is not just a fight for power as Xu Xuemo guessed.
Both of them are people who want to do things. Gao Gong wants to implement the New Deal, and Zhang Juzheng also wants to implement the New Deal.
But even if they are both New Dealers, their ideas are different.
During this period of time, in the private correspondence between Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, this difference became increasingly apparent.
To put it bluntly, the two are not only fighting for power, but also fighting for "orthodoxy".
Gao Gong put forward the slogan, "Teach the thieves to learn skills to control the thieves", and carried out new affairs reforms in the Ming Dynasty, so as to strive for strength against the southeast.
Setting up large-scale workshops and establishing new armies are all high-profile reform measures.
However, Zhang Juzheng did not agree with Gao Gong's approach. He believed that Mingting could not catch up with Southeast China just by learning technology.
Zhang Juzheng pointed out in a private letter to Gao Gong, "The southeast already has the advantages of industry, commerce, and colonization. If the imperial court imitates the southeast in setting up new affairs, can it catch up with the southeast?" Therefore, Zhang Juzheng believed that the first thing the imperial court had to do was to carry out the new affairs movement
. Instead of learning new things and opening workshops, we should reform the system of the Ming court.
Zhang Juzheng believed that the Ming Dynasty was completely backward, and the most important thing was its institutional backwardness.
This disagreement made Zhang Juzheng unwilling to return to the capital now. He knew that he would definitely conflict with Gao Gong, and he would definitely suffer from the current situation in the capital.
But I didn’t expect that until now, King Jing would surrender the city to the southeast!
Wuchang fell into the enemy's hands, and the situation in Huguang immediately deteriorated. Now he could not leave in Huguang.
Zhang Juzheng wrote to the court to apologize while continuing to strengthen Hanyang's defense.
The fall of Wuchang had a huge impact on the morale of the Ming army in Huguang.
Even more angry was Xu Xuemo, the prefect of Jingzhou. He continued to write a letter to impeach Zhang Juzheng, saying that it was precisely because Zhang Juzheng "supported the bandits' self-respect" and "wasted the opportunity to fight" that King Jing surrendered.
Zhang Juzheng was not polite. He also listed Xu Xuemo's twelve crimes, wrote a letter to impeach him, and asked the court to remove him from the post of Jingzhou prefect.
The two Ming armies in Hanyang were in such a quarrel that Xu Xuemo simply ignored Zhang Juzheng's orders and directly led the Jingzhou soldiers back to Jingzhou.
Zhang Juzheng was greatly disgraced because he lost Wuchang's face. After all, Xu Xuemo was also the prefect appointed by the imperial court. He had no choice but to sit back and watch Xu Xuemo leave Hanyang.
Fortunately, there is a natural barrier on the Yangtze River between Wuchang and Hanyang, and the Southeast New Army has no intention of attacking Hanyang rashly.
Zhang Juzheng could only continue to recruit civilians, build gun towers near Hanyang, and set up a gun factory in Hanyang to build artillery, preparing to rely on the Yangtze River for defense.
Zhang Juzheng didn't feel any sense of security. He had fought with Su Ze many times and knew Southeast's military style.
Su Ze always used his troops in a steady and steady manner. Once he occupied a place, he would fully digest it instead of blindly expanding the territory.
As long as Southeast Asia digests Wuchang, the next step will be a thunderous offensive.
The more upright you are, the more flawless you are.
Zhang Juzheng also felt bitter in his heart. Southeast was a rebellion and everything was starting from scratch. It could be completely overthrown and started over without any entanglement of interests.
On my side, my hands are tied, all forces must be balanced, and I can't overturn the table when encountering someone like Xu Xuemo.
Inexplicably, Zhang Juzheng became even more pessimistic about the future of Gao Gong's New Deal.
As Zhang Juzheng expected, the Third Brigade entered Wuchang City and immediately took over the government offices in the city to maintain order in Wuchang City.
As for King Jing, he was taken under guard by the soldiers and boarded the ship in embarrassment to Nanjing.
Traveling with King Jing was Zhao Zhenji from Xiancheng. However, he was not detained, but he also took the same boat to Nanjing with King Jing.
When King Jing saw Zhao Zhenji, he cursed regardless of dignity and even spat at Zhao Zhenji.
"Dog thief! Perfidious dog thief!"
After all, King Jing grew up in the royal family, and there was not much newness in swearing.
Zhao Zhenji was still a little embarrassed. It was he who instigated King Jing to rebel and finally betrayed him.
After this incident, Zhao Zhenji knew that his career and reputation were over.
In the future history books, I will definitely be recorded in "The Biography of Cheng Chen".
Zhao Zhenji just wanted to save his life. In response to King Jing's curse, he just got out of the way, and the soldiers escorting King Jing immediately stepped forward and pulled him away.
Lin Deyang sealed Prince Jing's Mansion and moved into the Wuchang Guard Command Post. He said to Zhu Huaye:
"Good boy! This time you are the first to persuade people to surrender. The document expressing your merit has been sent to the Governor's Mansion by speedboat! The Governor I will definitely reuse you!"
Zhu Huaye smiled. Now that the Southeast New Army system has gradually been completed, there are fewer and fewer opportunities to make great achievements, and there are more and more promotion requirements.
However, the promotion and promotion of the Southeast New Army has always been based on merit and personal ability. Every merit and assessment result will be included in the file. When promoting, not only everyone's resume must be published If you fail to convince the public, you will be investigated by the military judge.
Zhu Huaye's contribution to persuading Wuchang to surrender provided a solid foundation for his promotion to high positions in the future.
"It's just that tough guy who refuses to come out and do something. Can you go and persuade him?"
Zhu Huaye also showed a troubled expression.
The hard nut Lin Deyang mentioned was You Jujing, the former governor of Huguang in the Ming Dynasty who was imprisoned by King Jing.
Youju Jing is an honest official, strict in enforcing the law, and does not show favoritism for personal gain. He is very popular in Huguang.
Moreover, You Jujing is from Nanping, Fujian, the same hometown as Su Zelin Deyang.
Before coming to Nanjing, Xu Wei recommended You Jujing to Su Ze, believing that he was a capable and moral Ming court official. After Wuchang was captured, he could be allowed to continue serving as an official, which would help stabilize Wuchang's people more quickly.
Su Ze personally wrote a letter persuading him to surrender and asked Lin Deyang to bring him to Wuchang.
Unexpectedly, after Lin Deyang rescued You Jujing from King Jing's prison, You Jujing didn't care about the friendship with his fellow countrymen at all. He even cursed him and started a hunger strike to die.
Lin Deyang was in trouble now. You Jujing was fifty-five years old. He had been imprisoned by King Jing for several months. Now that he was on hunger strike, it would be difficult to explain that he was really dead.
Zhu Huaye still said: "Brigadier, I'm going to give it a try. As for whether it can work, I can't guarantee it."
Lin Deyang immediately said: "Just give it a try! Even if You Jujing refuses to serve as an official for me in the southeast, don't Let him die in Wuchang."
Zhu Huaye came to the place where You Jujing was placed. The skinny old man lay on the bed, and despite the crying and persuasion of the people around him, he still refused to eat anything.
You Jujing had three sons, none of whom had the talent to take the imperial examination. You Jujing was afraid that they would do evil under his own banner in his hometown, so he took them all with him.
Lin Deyang asked his family to persuade You Jujing to eat, but he even ignored his family's persuasion.
Seeing this scene, Zhu Huaye felt even more troubled. He asked people to invite You Jujing's family out and sit down next to the straw mat where You Jujing was lying.
You Jujing still closed his eyes, Zhu Huaye said:
"Master You, if you are unwilling to serve in the southeast, there is no need to die for the Ming Dynasty."
You Jujing still said nothing.
Zhu Huaye said: "Master You, the Governor wrote to you personally because he pities a talent like you. It's not that no one in the southeast of me can be an official." "
Zhao Zhenji who presented the city was sent to Nanjing and will be processed after waiting for inspection. , what the Governor values is your character, not the friendship with fellow countrymen." You Jujing opened his eyes, looked at Zhu Huaye and said: "Rebellious ministers and traitors!" Zhu Huaye said with a smile:
"
Rebellious ministers and traitors? Master You, do you know my surname? What?"
You Jujing didn't say anything. Zhu Huaye said:
"My surname is Zhu, and my father is the general of Fengguo in the Ming Dynasty, a descendant of Taizu."
Now You Jujing looked at Zhu Huaye, and he remembered the clan who presented the city in Fengyang. , it turns out that this young officer is actually a descendant of the Ming Dynasty clan.
Zhu Huaye said: "In terms of blood, my father and son are members of the clan." "
The Governor is a meritocracy. He does not discriminate against us because we are members of Zhu Ming's clan. He also entrusts my father and son with important responsibilities." You
Jujing said, "Wait. The clan is supported by the royal family, but it turns out to seek
refuge with rebellious ministers and traitors." Zhu Huaye said: "That's wrong. Let's not explain how the court supports the clan. We are not supporting the Ming Dynasty, but the people of the world." You Jujing said: "
Without a court, Where do you have rice? We eat the emperor's salary, and we should be loyal to the emperor."
Zhu Huaye said: "You eat your salary because the people support you." "
The governor has said it very well in the "New Commentary on the Three Classics" Understand, during the time of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the people did not pay taxes. The right of the court to collect taxes was not given by God, but given by the people." "In order to collect grain and money, the court must
protect the environment and the people, build water conservancy projects, defend against foreign enemies, and protect the country from foreign enemies during disasters. To provide relief to the people every year is a contract made between the people and the government by paying taxes." "
But what did the Ming court do after receiving so many people's salaries?" "
King Jing asked for Fan De'an, and the Ming court gave him With a land of 40,000 hectares, what contribution does King Jing have to the court and to the people?"
This sentence made You Jujing silent.
Huguang is the granary of the world, and all land has its owner.
In order to raise the 40,000 hectares of vassal land for King Jing, You Jujing spent a lot of effort.
Much of the land was snatched from the hands of ordinary people.
Huguang originally had many vassal kings, and these many vassal kings originally had a lot of land, and they wanted to occupy more land. You Jujing had written a letter back then, requesting that King Jing not be allowed to vassal Huguang.
Of course, the emperor could not reduce his son's fiefdom just because of a small letter from the governor of Huguang.
"A person who has done nothing for the country seizes a high position because of his blood. How can such a Ming Dynasty survive?"
Zhu Huaye stood up and You Jujing said:
"This general, does he have the "New Notes on the Three Classics" ?" I'll take a look."
Zhu Huaye smiled and said, "I'll deliver it to Mr. You right now."
When Zhu Huaye went out, You Jujing shouted to his son: "Bring rice soup."
Naturally, there was another filial son crying with joy in the house. .
Three days later, You Jujing announced his defection to Southeast China, which shocked Wuchang official circles.
Unexpectedly, people like You Jujing had joined Southeast, so the remaining officials would naturally have no psychological pressure.
Immediately afterwards, You Jujing came up with another list. These were all capable officials in Wuchang. Lin Deyang accepted them all and entrusted Wuchang government affairs to You Jujing.
This incorruptible minister was indeed capable. He quickly eliminated the negative influence caused by King Jing and Zhao Zhenji in Wuchang. He first dismissed the ordinary people they had forcibly recruited into the army, and then arrested several officials who had followed King Jing and worked as a provocateur.
After dealing with the officials in Wuchang, Lin Deyang brought people to the door again, searched the palace of the King of Chu, and confiscated the palace of the King of Chu.
The King of Chu was driven out of his mansion. Hearing that Zhu Huaye was a member of the Ming Dynasty clan, he took the old and young of the Chu King's clan to find Zhu Huaye.
Zhu Huaye looked at the fat King of Chu, frowned and asked:
"We are all relatives who have moved out of the fifth service. I don't know what you want from me?"
King Chu cried and said: "General Zhu! I will be punished by King Jing first. We were exploited by our fellow servants and confiscated all the property of the palace, and now Master Wang has confiscated our property and mansion. How will we, a large family like us, live in the future?" Everyone in the King of Chu's family burst into tears, and some people came forward to ask for help
. Pull Zhu Huaye.
Zhu Huaye immediately said:
"According to the order of the Governor, the Ming Dynasty clan, like ordinary people, is not restricted in their choice of career. They are granted land according to their orders. Do you have land grants?"
The King of Chu stammered: "There are indeed land grants, every day Ding is only granted three acres of land, how can he live like this!"
Zhu Huaye sneered and said: "You tenant farmers in the palace manor, each Ding is less than three acres of land, you have to bear high taxes, and you have to go to the palace every year to serve you. . The tax on my southeastern land is very low, and the labor service is also discounted. Why can’t I survive on three acres of land?”
King Chu said again: “But I don’t know how to farm at all! General Zhu, can you tell General Lin? As soon as he said it, let us do something for the governor."
Zhu Huaye said: "Is there anyone who can do arithmetic in the accounting room?"
Only two young members of the Chu royal family came forward.
"Is there anyone who is familiar with the law?"
No one stepped forward at this time.
"Are there any skilled craftsmen?"
After a moment of hesitation, three members of the Chu royal family stood up.
"Is there anyone who can join the army and fight?"
Now no one stood up, and most people even took a step back.
Zhu Huaye pointed to the few people who stood up and said: "My southeast rule is that everything must be assessed. I will point you to a place. You go and try it. Whether you can use it depends on your own level." Then Zhu
Huaye He said to the obese King of Chu:
"It is already a great grace for the Governor to grant you fields. This is because you have not done much evil." "You don't know
anything, and you still want the southeast. " Will I provide for you?"
"If you don't go farming quickly, you will be hungry in autumn and winter if you miss the farming season."
Zhu Huaye pushed away the King of Chu and walked away. The King of Chu sat on the ground and cried loudly.
The rest of the Chu King's clan, look at me, I look at you. Those distant clan clans thought for a while and left the team directly. Now they are going to learn a craft. Remember, they have hands and feet. Is it possible that they can starve to death? ?
There were also a few young clan members who simply gritted their teeth and rushed to the recruitment point in Wuchang to take part in the military assessment.
When the people of Wuchang saw the king of Chu being so rude, they laughed one after another, and many people clapped their hands and applauded.
Although the contemporary kings of Chu did not commit many evil deeds, the Ming vassal kings also did many things to oppress the people.
Moreover, the daily use of these vassal kings was provided by the common people, and they were greedy to rob official and private fields.
When King Chu saw more and more people watching, he could only stand up immediately and leave in a hurry with his family.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
Fat Bird doesn't like to write poems, so he can only send his blessings in a pale way.
I wish all readers a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and good health to their families!
One update today and tomorrow, to spend time with my family, and two updates on National Day.
Everyone, please go out more!
(End of chapter)