[Ming] Wuzong's Chronicle of Rebirth

The heavy snow covered the whole of Datong, concealing the smoke and fire, as well as the sufferings, sins and desires of the people.Standing on the city wall of Datong, Xu Jin looked at the smoke from the fires of the folk houses and chatted with mixed emotions.

"How long can the food in the city last?" Ma Wensheng had besieged Datong for half a month, and the food, grass and timber in the city were already unsustainable.Coupled with the fact that Ma Wensheng and the others would use Kongming lanterns to deliver news and court orders to the city every day, people in the city were already in panic, and there were countless people who wanted to leave the city every day.

"It can last for more than half a month. It's just that there is no way to supply timber and other materials because of the siege of the city. The subordinates have organized people to cut wood everywhere, and first deal with the timber used for daily cooking." As for the planting of trees mentioned that day, conservation The matter of water and soil can't be taken care of so much for the time being.

"Maybe they will reach Datong today?" Xu Jin divided up half of his army and wanted to capture Hami, using Hami as his base, and the northwest tribes as supplies, and gave up Datong.I thought that Hami was just defending with You Er and Liu Jin with a few deserters, but I didn't expect that my army was defeated.Coupled with Ma Wensheng's siege of Datong, Xu Jin could only urgently ask them to return to defense quickly in order to relieve the siege of Datong.

"We should be able to arrive today. Don't worry, my lord. With these 30 soldiers and 10 soldiers in our city, and a mere [-] soldiers, it will be even more difficult to win our Datong!"

"That's good, that's good." Xu Import was full of confidence, but his heart was full of worries.Attacking the city is the bottom, attacking the heart is the top.Ma Wensheng and the others were exonerated and did not implicate their wives and children. Many people have already been tempted.Besides, several large grain merchants now promised to provide them with grain, grass and bran, but now they disappeared as soon as they left Datong.Datong is short of food and weapons, and it has gradually become unable to support it.If Ma Wensheng and the others could be repelled, he would still have time to breathe.If the army is defeated this time, it will really be a crushing defeat.

After getting off the tower, Xu Jin went to the governor's mansion, but was stopped by someone on the way. "My lord, there have been more and more deserters recently. I killed a few of those who were caught yesterday, and there are faint signs of mutiny in Dongying today. Lord You told your lord to go there quickly, otherwise things may not be good."

"How many are there?" Xu Jin immediately asked after hearing the news.

"This... there are eight in total."

This number is already considered small, Xu Jin is slightly relieved. "Then why is there such a commotion?" There were more people in other battalions who had executed escapees than him, so why did they make a commotion.

The person who came to report paused, and finally leaned into Xu Jin's ear and said: "Master You killed a local corporal with an excuse to eradicate dissidents. Now the locals are making trouble. This corporal has quite a few points in his family. Money, many people in the army have received their favor, and these people are clamoring to avenge him."

Before anyone else called in, he started making trouble.Xu Jin couldn't figure out why the strict and orderly military discipline before had become so corrupted in less than a month.It's just no use worrying about it, the matter still needs to be resolved.

"As expected, there was chaos inside. Xu Jin was thrown a rotten egg on the spot, and a big bag was hit on his head." Ma Cong happily told Ma Wensheng about the new things in Datong City.He still had some feelings for Xu Jin, the senior brother, but it's just that he hasn't seen him for a few years, and Xu Jin insists that he is not the poor student of Ma Wensheng's school in the past. .

"Can this egg break the head?" Ma Wensheng put down the official document in his hand and asked suspiciously.

"It's so cold, the eggs have already been frozen into stones. Can you not smash your head?" Ma Cong flicked the dust on his clothes, "Our people are working like this, and we don't know what kind of chaos they are inside. If there is chaos and disagreement, our chances of winning will be greatly increased. Even if we don’t fight, we will slowly grind them to death.”

Ma Wensheng has experienced many storms and waves in his life, so he naturally despises such small tricks. "You don't need to make trouble. His reputation for rebellion is not justified, and sooner or later there will be chaos. What you do is just to make them mess up earlier."

Ma Cong was dissatisfied with what his father said, and was about to speak when he caught a glimpse of the official document in Ma Wensheng's hand, "Sure enough, the minefields can be used?"

This landmine array had already taken shape before Zhu Houzhao, and it was brought up again because of the development of explosives and grenades.After improvement, it is Ma Wensheng's secret weapon. "Xu Jin sent 15 people to Hami, lost [-], and left [-]. These [-] are elite cavalry. Who do you use them on?"

As long as something happens to Xu Jin's most elite and most valued cavalry, they are not afraid that they will not be chaotic, and they will not be afraid of internal strife.The matter of besieging the city depends on who can't hold back, as long as Xu Jin opens the city gate.Not to mention that taking Datong City is easy, at least it can reduce casualties.Now, Ma Wensheng is just waiting for Xu Jin to mess up.

"It is said that the emperor puts the most effort into the Northwest Army, but from this point of view, it is not entirely true. Such things, if used on the Tatars and Huosie, must be very effective. But the emperor kept this matter a secret, and the emperor did not completely trust Xu Jin Yes." Ma Cong has now been transferred from the Ordnance Institute, but he still knows a little about the troubles in it.He has also heard about how terrifying the various weapons have been developed in this armory.It's just that these things are still hidden in the armory, and no one knows the details.

"So the emperor still has something in mind." Ma Wensheng put the official document aside and took out a letter. "Since you have nothing to do today, send this letter to Eunuch Liu and the others. We may not be able to finish the matter when we severely injured Xu Jin's cavalry. We must join forces with them to win Datong."

"I didn't expect that You Er is also capable. He manages a small place like Hami like a duck to water, and even repelled Xu Jin's elite cavalry. This An Guogong is hiding his secrets!"

"Master Ma put down Xu Jin's rebellion for the imperial court. It is really a hardship and a blessing for Ming Dynasty." Liu Jian got the Northwest battle report, knelt down on the spot, and burst into tears.Starting from the rebellion of King Ning in Jiangxi, followed by Xu Jin's rebellion, and then King Xing's rebellion, people in the capital were panicked, and undercurrents surged in the court.Now that the three things have been resolved, the court can finally settle down.

"My lord, please read this memorial." Zhu Houzhao asked Liu Jian to lay down, and handed Liu Jian the thick stack of papers beside the desk.Liu Jian looked through it carefully and was shocked. "Your Majesty, this is?"

"You're right, these are the problematic officials in the capital. I've divided them into three categories. One category has ties to the three rebellions. These people don't need to be forgiven. They can do whatever they want. The second category is Corruption and perverting the law, when the imperial court employs people, the original crime is reduced and dealt with. The third category is the honorable family, who have many injustices. This kind of crime is not punished, and only the prince on the head will take the blame. What do you think? ?”

This is when the emperor is going to start a big fight and straighten out the government.Liu Jian couldn't say anything bad, but there was one more thing that he didn't know how to deal with. "Among these honorable families, there are also descendants of the clan. They are not allowed to take the imperial examination, and they are not allowed to do business. They can only make a living from their ancestral land and the court's annual tribute. If they lose their titles, there may be chaos. Please think twice, Your Majesty!"

"I have already thought about it. Change the old rules of enfeoffment without tin soil, rank of nobles but not with the people, food and salary without governing affairs. From now on, under the general of Fengguo, the lieutenant of the state, the lieutenant of Fuguo, the lieutenant of Fengguo, the court will no longer To support them and reduce them to civilians. But at the same time, they are allowed to engage in all kinds of careers. I have already notified the emperor and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of this matter, and it can be promulgated just waiting for the completion of this matter." Zhu Youtang's brother They dare not speak out because of Zhu Youzhao, and Zhu Houzhao has only Zhu Houwei as a younger brother, so of course he alone has the final say on the clan's residence.

From the prince down in the Ming Dynasty, there were county kings, generals of Zhenguo, generals of Fuguo, generals of Fengguo, lieutenants of Zhenguo, lieutenants of Fuguo, and lieutenants of Fengguo, with a total of eight ranks.The lowest is Lieutenant Fengguo, and the son and grandson of Lieutenant Fengguo will always be Lieutenant Fengguo and need to be supported by the local government.At the same time, in order to prevent the clan from forming a clique and rebelling, it was stipulated that farming, working, doing business, becoming an official, and engaging in the affairs of the four peoples of scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen were not allowed.

Every Fengguo lieutenant's monthly tribute is as large as a hundred taels.With the increase in population, it has become increasingly difficult for local governments to undertake this task.And because of their idleness, many of these people became bullies and colluded with local officials.

Nowadays, there are tens of thousands of people in the clan, under General Fengguo, and they pay a large sum of money every year. If this expenditure is really reduced, a lot of money will be saved.Besides, let these clan children find their own way out, and if they have a bright future, they will not harm the place, the fish and meat village.It is really a blessing for the people.

"This matter is very promising. It's just that we need to think about it in the long run, otherwise everyone will be dissatisfied and make troubles." Who would not be happy to receive so much money every month without having to work.One day this matter is canceled, just because of this money, everyone will have a lot of dissatisfaction.What everyone sees is the immediate benefit. As for the benefit of the court and their own benefit, no one can see it.

"Of course. This matter can't be done across the board. I've heard that many clan disciples specialize in giving birth to children just for the money. That's why the number of clan disciples has increased in this way. I think that from now on, the salary will be distributed on a household basis. , instead of using the amount of men, the amount of money can be added by the household department. Let’s break this bad habit first.”

"The emperor has a high opinion, and I feel ashamed." Although this matter is difficult, it is much easier than directly abolishing this regulation.

"There is no way around this. This matter has to be done slowly, after the two chaotic kings are dealt with, I will leave the rest of the people in this book to you to deal with." Liu Jian took the order and went.