Lu Ming

Chapter 465

The day Xue Haiyuan left for the capital was April 4.

On the second day after the Amin tribe was wiped out, Xue Haiyuan set off from Yongping City with a 10-man cavalry team dressed as the Ming army, parted ways with the main force, and went all the way to the capital.

It is more than 400 miles from Yongping to the capital. The 10-person team traveled fast, ate and slept in the open, and finally caught up with the opening time of the capital in the early morning of April 4.

Holding a waist card conveying urgent military information, the cavalry entered the inner city directly from the Chaoyang Gate on the east side of the capital without hindrance.

At the same moment when Xue Haiyuan entered the city, the city gates of Santunying, more than 300 miles away, had been slowly opened, and two big men, Sun Chengzong and Ma Shilong, were also entering the city together.

This is the reason why the time-traversing Zhongfei postponed their meeting at Santunying for one night: to buy more time for Xue Haiyuan who is far away in the capital.

After entering the city of Beijing, since the leading sergeant was a local, the team did not ask for directions in the city, and came directly to the gate of a house in Huanghuafang, Dongcheng.

The lintel of the house is brand new, the paint is shiny, and it looks like it is not a poor family. The plaque on the top of the head has two big characters "Luofu".

After getting off the horse and handing over a name card, the gatekeeper quickly entered the room to report.Not long after, Luo Lishi, the owner of the Luo Mansion, the doctor of the Ministry of Industry and Construction, greeted him out of the door in person.

Luo Lishi was from Jiading, and his brother who was in charge of the family business in Jiading was called Luo Shizhi.The Luo family has a "Luo Garden" in Jiading. When Mr. Xiong first arrived in Jiading, Luo Shizhi used Luo Garden to entertain the old Xiong for a while.

The Luo family is the distributor of Mr. Xiong under Xiong Dao at Shanghai Railway Station. Within the capital, it underwrites various building materials including cement, glass and wood in the hands of Mr. Xiong.

After receiving a secret letter the day before yesterday, as an important node in the business system established by the people, Yuanwai Lang, Mr. Luo, took sick leave at the Yamen. He didn't go anywhere for the past two days, and he "recovered" at home with peace of mind.

Then early this morning, he finally waited for the scheduled name card, so Master Luo hurriedly greeted him out of the house.

After seeing a middle-aged man in a soft home robe with a servant and housekeeper welcoming him out, Xue Haiyuan hurried forward and gave a salute commonly used by soldiers in the Ming Dynasty.When Master Luo saw this small school who came out of the crowd, he immediately understood. The two sides exchanged a few simple greetings and exchanged surnames, and 10 sergeants were introduced into Luo's house.

Because the basic salary that Zhu Yuanzhang set for officials was too low, the stalk of poor Beijing officials was maintained until the end of Ming Dynasty.

There are as many officials in the capital as dogs, but except for those who can get a lot of benefits in a good position, most people still live an ordinary life.In addition to the basic salary, we can only rely on disguised subsidies such as "ice respect" and "carbon respect" from officials from other places to maintain the officials' minimum dignity and entertainment expenses.

In fact, it was the same in the Qing Dynasty. The poor Beijing officials were a real thing, not just talk.When Zeng Guofan was in the capital, he reached the sub-provincial level, but he still owed more than 1000 taels of foreign debt, and he couldn't even go back to his hometown. This is evident.

The Luo residence that Xue Haiyuan entered today is not too big, but the interior is exquisitely decorated and the utensils are gorgeous. It is obviously not the virtue of ordinary poor Beijing officials.

But having said that, all Ming people who deal with time-traversing people will not make a fortune.Since the Luo family is one of the agents in the capital, they must belong to the kind of people who make money every day.

After the group was arranged in the side courtyard, Master Luo first ordered his servants to bring all kinds of food and washing utensils for the guests to rest, and then had a private talk with Xue Haiyuan for a while.

After that, Xue Haiyuan simply ate something, took a quick shower, and then fell asleep—he urgently needs to recover his physical and mental strength now.

After settled the guests here, Mr. Luo changed into a regular black straight suit for visitors, took a group of attendants, sat in a sedan chair, and went out to Xianyifang.

Xianyifang is to the west of the imperial city and north of Xuanwumen.This place, like other square cities in the west city, is the area closest to the imperial city, so it is a place where dignitaries gather together.

After Mr. Luo entered the workshop, the sedan chair turned around and turned around, and finally stopped in front of a mansion in Qingshi Lane.The door frame of this mansion is wide and belongs to the top standard of the Ming Dynasty. The word "Wen Mansion" is written on the door plaque, and the owner is Wen Tiren, the Minister of Rites of the dynasty.

After getting off the sedan chair and ordering his personal attendants to hand over the post, the gatekeeper of Wen's residence hastily invited Master Luo to the living room to watch tea.

Don't look at Mr. Luo as just a member of the Ministry of Fifth-Rank Industry, but officialdom is not a place that only depends on rank.Master Luo Lishi is not only rich, but also has a wide range of contacts, and he is also in charge of the construction of the world's public houses. Even if he is a big boss, he still has to give a little face.

What's more, this old man came to Wen's mansion in person not long ago, and appointed craftsmen to replace the large-format glazed windows for several courtyards in the back house. He also chatted and laughed happily with his own old man.

So Master Luo drank tea in Wen Mansion with peace of mind, and was ranked first in the list of people who asked to see Mr. Wen today.As for Wen Tiren himself?Sorry, Lao Wen is still working in the etiquette department.

Just sat there drinking tea.Because Master Luo was in a hurry, he didn't talk to the guests who came to line up one after another. Although the Ministry of Rites is not as popular as the Ministry of Officials and the Ministry of Households, it is the largest department in name after all, so visitors still come to visit Mr. Wen every day. .

It wasn't until 11 o'clock in the morning that Master Luo waited for Wen Tiren and Wen Shangshu, who got off work, to return home in a sedan chair.

It was another half an hour after that, after Master Wen washed and changed his clothes, and used some snacks to pad his stomach, Master Luo was lured by his servants to the big study that Master Wen usually used to meet guests.

Halfway on the way, Luo Lishi couldn't help calling luck: Today's visit was very abrupt, and he was able to see Wen Tiren "in time", and there was no trouble in the middle, which is already quite lucky.

But he can't help it.Because the information given to him by the crossing crowd was very vague, and the messenger brought a clear request until the day before yesterday, so he has been unable to arrange the layout all the time, resulting in the current situation being a bit passive.

While thinking wildly, the servant opened the door curtain, and Norris stretched his feet across the threshold of the study.In the bright room projected by the glass light, an old man wearing a soft indigo cotton robe, looking thin and energetic, half lying on the wicker chair, turned his head to look at it with a smile: "Is Ben Song okay?"

Luo Lishi quickly stepped forward and bowed to salute, and said in his mouth: "Courtesy see Mr. Zongbo."

"Excuse me, seat." Wen Tiren, who was still smiling, pointed to the empty chair beside him with a jade ruyi in his hand: "But what new things have come to Beijing?"

Luo Lishi's face became serious when he heard the words, he took two steps forward, and said in a low voice: "My lord, I have something to go to Beijing, but it's just the head of a Tartar!"

"Ok?"

"A total of 4000, including Amin and Shuotuo!"

"You hozen, are you out of your mind?"

"My lord, this matter is absolutely true."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"Give away the head!"

Half an hour after Luo Lishi saw Wen Tiren, the steward of Wen's residence suddenly came to the concierge and informed the people who were waiting to be interviewed today: Master suddenly felt unwell, and he will not see any guests today.

At the same time, one of Luo Lishi's servants who stayed in the sedan chair hall of Wen's mansion received the message, and immediately got on his horse and returned to the mansion, and woke up Xue Haiyuan who was still soundly asleep.

After sleeping all morning, Xue Haiyuan felt much better after waking up.After washing and changing clothes, he ate something hastily, and followed the servants of Luo Mansion all the way to the back door of Wen Mansion.Then Xue Haiyuan, who was dressed in a green felt hat and dressed as a companion, was ushered in by the housekeeper through the back door of the Wen residence.

……

Cao Zongbing went to Beijing this time with an important strategic task, which was to win over a cabinet ally for the crossing forces.

The difference a suitable ally can make is enormous.Just look at Xiong Wencan. After going through the recruitment process, he can almost do whatever he wants in Fujian. In a short period of time, both places have achieved great development, and it has truly achieved a win-win situation.

So this time, taking advantage of the opportunity of going to Beijing, Cao Zongbing, who has military exploits in his hand, took advantage of the opportunity to win over a cabinet ally to lay out a broader plan for the future, which is what the question should mean.

Now the question is: who should we win over?

Undoubtedly, the No.1 candidate was Comrade Wen Tiren, who was then Minister of Rites.

Wen Tiren, style name Changqing, was born in Jili Village, Nanxun, Huzhou.In the 26th year of Wanli, he was a Jinshi. In the early years of Chongzhen, he was promoted to Minister of Rites and assisted in the affairs of Zhan Shifu.

In this matter, Transcendence has a very simple screening plan: whoever has been on stage for a long time, they will win over.

Due to frequent changes in the cabinet of the Chongzhen Dynasty, more than 50 cabinet ministers were transferred only in the first ten years after Chongzhen came to power.

As for Wen Tiren, historically, he will formally join the cabinet in two months.After this old man joined the cabinet, he set a record: the longest-serving minister during the reign of Chongzhen.

Counting from Cifu to Shoufu, Wen Tiren served as a cabinet minister for a total of seven years.

This time span is enough for the time travelers.Seven years later, no one knows what the transmigration forces have developed into. Maybe the cannons have already been aimed at Chongwenmen, and it doesn't matter if they have allies or not.

As for Wen Tiren's political orientation, governance ability and other conditions, it is actually not important for the crossing people.

First of all, in the eyes of the cross-travelers, whether it is the Donglin, the Eunuch Party, or even the Qichu and Zhejiang Party in the late Ming Dynasty, they are all the same.These people seem to be fighting against each other, but in fact they are all internal struggles among literati and bureaucrats, and no group of people can save the country and the people and turn the tide.

Therefore, people across time don't care about Wen Tiren's political leanings.

In addition, now it is actually equivalent to a giant man picking allies among a group of dwarfs.With the support of the crossing people, no matter what style the selected dwarf was before, he will get the support of huge resources afterwards, so that he can go smoothly in the court and show his "excellent" governance ability.

Therefore, the cross-travelers don't care about this person's ability to govern.

Besides, with regard to the mess of the Chongzhen dynasty, it was exchanged and exchanged until the country fell in history, and no chief assistant can leave something that can be appreciated by future generations.

So since they are all the same, it is him: Wen Tiren.

Chapter 466

Xue Haiyuan strode up to Wen Tiren, bowed slightly, and saluted with cupped fists: "The villain sees Uncle Zong, and greets you on behalf of my general."

"Excuse me soon."

At this moment, Xue Haiyuan's identity is equivalent to that of General Cao, and he is an equal and full-fledged negotiator.So don't look at the person as a white body, but Wen Tiren must treat the other party as Cao Chuan himself.

After inviting this man dressed as a common man with a strange tone into his small study, Wen Tiren nodded to Luo Lishi, who was standing aside smiling, and the latter disappeared as soon as he knew what was interesting——Lao Luo is very busy today, he There is another family relationship to run away.

In Wen Tiren's small study room, both parties knew that time was running out and the door had already been closed and formal discussions had begun.

The first is the briefing.

After arriving at Luo Mansion this morning, the communication soldiers in the team had already contacted all parties by radio, so Xue Haiyuan had already learned the latest news before going out.

"My general met with Sun Chengzong Ma Shilong yesterday, and now the memorials for all the people and horses to report their merits are on the way."

Xue Haiyuan deliberately said the wrong time here. In fact, Cao Zongbing and Sun Chengzong's memorial is still being written, and they will start in the afternoon at the earliest.But it is also necessary to say this: he has no time to give Wen Tiren what a wireless telegraph is, so the time must be advanced in order to leave a reasonable explanation for Kuaima Baoxin.

"However, the villain has a blank document marked and stamped by the general. If Zongbo is interested, it can be done overnight."

Having said that, Xue Haiyuan took out two blank documents and a letter from his pocket.

Wen Tiren picked up the document expressionlessly, and looked at the seal and charge on it.After that, he got up and went out, calling a Qingke who was waiting outside the door, and after whispering a few words, Qingke took the order and left.

After re-entering the room, Wen Tiren remained silent, and first read the letter.

Although the contents of the letter were not very explicit, the parties could tell at a glance: it was Cao Zongbing's willingness to form an alliance with Wen Shangshu.

After reading the letter, Wen Tiren finally nodded slightly.If the signature on this letter is true, then it can already be regarded as a handle for some kind of party formation.So at this moment, Lao Wen, who was full of doubts in his heart, finally reduced some of his doubts.

"Whether this matter is true or not, how does this old man know?"

After putting down the letter, Wen Tiren finally asked his biggest question: you suddenly came here to engage in such a big matter, are you playing with me?

"It's Lai Zongbo's decision." Xue Haiyuan said with a smile: "My lord, the courier from Santunying is on the way to Lubu and is flying fast. It will probably be tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow at the latest. surprise."

"If you don't dare to take such a risk, it will be a waste of all the painstaking efforts of my general."

Hearing this, Wen Tiren got up and walked slowly in the room: he wanted to weigh the pros and cons.

The flow of the whole thing is already very clear.

If Wen Tiren is willing to take this risk, then he can imitate Cao Chuan's tone and write a brilliant essay on the blank memorial.The most important thing is that you can also put yourself in the content, you don't need to be rich and colorful, you only need to mention it lightly and it's OK.

Then this memorial will be taken by Xue Haiyuan to wait outside the city. After the messenger sent by Cao Zongbing arrives, the memorial will appear in front of the emperor.

Of course, the above are just basic operations.The real killer move was that Wen Tiren knew the frontline information in advance—since no one else knew, then Wen Shangshu could check his confession with the cross-travelers and go to the emperor to announce the good news in advance tonight or tomorrow morning.

This is a great hidden contribution.

The first person who came to tell the emperor the explosive good news would never be forgotten by Chongzhen, who had lived under the threat of northern captives since ascension to the throne, and who was almost copied from his old den not long ago.

So what if this story is fake?

It is certain that his warm body and benevolence will become the laughing stock of the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty, and it is certain that it will affect the current fierce struggle for joining the cabinet.

Of course, compared with the huge benefits obtained after success, this risk is really not much.

It was nothing more than that Wen Tiren believed other people's rumors and ran to the emperor to put a David satellite.After all, it did not cause any harm to the court, but added some jokes to his colleagues.

In addition, according to Wen Tiren's understanding of the emperor, even if he fired an empty cannon, Chongzhen may not necessarily have any bad feelings for him-poor minister wants to win and wants to go crazy, and I have the same pity as me.

At this point, all that remains is to identify the true and the false.

After some comprehensive consideration, Wen Tiren carefully analyzed the people on Luo Lishi's line, and finally thought that the other party really had no reason to make up such a clumsy and full of flaws lie to deceive him, a minister of the Ministry of Rites.

You must know that this lie can be debunked in a day or two at most. In this short time, it is impossible to produce any key benefits to his competitors in the cabinet.

Wen Tiren, who was pacing in the room, gradually stopped: he has decided to do it!

Sitting back in the chair, staring at Xue Haiyuan who was drinking tea and filling his mouth with snacks, Wen Shangshu asked the second puzzle in his heart: "There are many dignitaries in the court, but this old man just occupies a Qingshui yamen. , not even a cabinet minister, why did your general give such a big gift?"

"It's just a word 'gambling'." Xue Haiyuan swallowed his food forcefully, and softly said after drinking tea: "Earlier, in the case of court push, my lord acted decisively, with unparalleled wit. Heart, grasp the vital point."

When Xue Haiyuan said this, he shot a "you know" look: "My general has always admired your lord. Now that you have a lot of credit, who should you give it to? My general is also happy to see that it can be used to help Lord Zong."

"emmmmm..."

After listening to these meaningful words, Wen Tiren finally solved another doubt.Now he finally knows how the never-masked Cao Zongbing came to his house.

……

After Chongzhen came to power, he wiped out the eunuchs headed by Wei Zhongxian.Then the 16-year-old young emperor became full of ambition and began to form his own cabinet team.

So in November of the previous year, Chongzhen decreed that he would push out cabinet ministers.

Then the young people were slapped in the face - the eunuch party fell so thoroughly that the Donglin party members took advantage of the momentum to rise overnight. The eleven cabinet candidates finally selected by the small circle were a group of Donglin party cadres headed by Qian Qianyi And the periphery, no one else has anything to do.

In this list of 11 people, not only Zhou Yanru, who was favored by Chongzhen, was not selected, but also, the nominal first official of the ministry, Wen Tiren, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, also lost his name to Sun Shan?

You must know that Confucianism is based on the word "li". Throughout the dynasties, the minister of the Ministry of Rites has been one of the most important court officials.

In the end, Wen Tiren didn't even say he joined the cabinet, but he didn't even make a list of candidates?

You must know that Wen Tiren at this time has experienced four dynasties and is a senior bureaucrat with 30 years of official career.When his grandfather was still the emperor in Chongzhen, Lao Wen had already won the Jinshi.It stands to reason that this person is definitely qualified to be on the list.

It was at about this moment that Chongzhen began to realize the complexity of the government: the nonsense of black and white is not true, and no force can be uprooted.

At this time, Wen Shangshu, who was extremely dissatisfied with the results of the meeting, also began to lose his temper.

At that time, Wen Tiren used his keen political sense to measure the emperor's psychology.He accurately grasped the pulse of the young emperor's suspicious nature and hatred of "party struggle", so he went to Shushu to impeach Qian Qianyi for "forming a party to deceive the emperor".