The Ming Dynasty started with caution

When Emperor Hongzhi came back from offering sacrifices outside the city, he always had a smile on his face. After expressing his wishes to heaven, earth and ancestors, he felt much more comfortable.

Liu Jian said with a smile: "Your Majesty has devoted himself to hard work and cultivated the land. This year, the weather will be smooth and the country will be peaceful and the people will be safe."

Emperor Hongzhi nodded and said, "I am sincere and sincere. I believe I will move God."

At this time, outside the palace, Ma Wensheng, the Secretary of the Ministry of War, ran towards Fengtian Palace. Wang Yue saw him and joked with a smile: "How many girls are there in the family to make the Grand Sima so anxious?"

In the previous dynasty, when Wang Yue was in power, he took some care of Ma Wensheng. The two were born in the same year, and they liked to tease each other in private, regardless of their official positions.

"Shichang, something big happened on the border of Ningxia! I don't have time to be poor with you." Ma Wensheng cursed.

Ningxia?

Isn't that the place where I used to guard?

Could it be that the Tatars came over and now there is no food in the north? Is it really possible?

That place is now guarded by Yan Kesong, who is nephew Yan Xian's father.

Wang Yue's face darkened, looking at Ma Wensheng who hadn't run far yet, he quickly chased after him.

Ma Wensheng had no time to pay attention to him and ran all the way to Fengtian Palace. Regardless of the eunuch's obstruction, he pushed the eunuch away and rushed in. Wang Yue also broke into the palace with him.

"Your Majesty, something serious has happened!" Wang Yue said angrily.

Emperor Hongzhi looked at the panting Wang Yue and Ma Wensheng.

The three cabinet members also turned around and saw that Ma Wensheng was holding a military newspaper in his hand, and the sharp-eyed Xiao Jing had already quickly taken it.

Ma Wensheng took a breath and then said: "The border army urgently reported that Andingbo found traces of Tatars outside the city. Unexpectedly, it was a trap set by the Tatars. They were attacked by the Tatars and they were captured together. There is also Zuo Zongyi, the Minister of War."

The guard was captured alive!

Emperor Hongzhi was shocked and stood up: "Have the Tatars entered the city?"

"We haven't entered the city yet, but now Ningxia has secured its walls and cleared the country."

Ma Wensheng breathed heavily and continued: "The Tatars said that they would use three hundred thousand stones of military rations in exchange for the lives of our soldiers!"

"Who is the bandit general?" Emperor Hongzhi asked urgently.

"It's Dayan Khan, Bolzhijin Batu Mengke!"

Emperor Hongzhi's face gradually lost color, and he had already made a vague guess in his mind. Unexpectedly, it was really this name that made him afraid.

Li Dongyang and Xie Qian's expressions also became serious.

Liu Jian lost his voice: "You want three hundred thousand stones?"

Nowadays, the summer tax paid by Ming Dynasty in a year is only more than 4.9 million shi! Three hundred thousand dan is enough to support any frontier army for a year.

Li Dongyang fell into deep thought. He should have expected that the imperial court would suffer heavy losses this year. How could the Tatars deep in the desert be spared? Faced with life and death, they would definitely take risks!

"I'm afraid that the last time we transported 300,000 shi of grain to Ningxia Mansion, the news was leaked. The Tatars know that Ningxia has sufficient military rations."

Li Dongyang guessed correctly. It was precisely because of the last shipment of 300,000 shi of grain to the Ningxia military warehouse that the little prince got wind of it and led his troops from the depths of the grassland to the border town of Ningxia.

"Your Majesty, Batu Mengke is coming with a large army this time. He is obviously fully prepared." Ma Wensheng said.

Emperor Hongzhi fell into deep thought.

Three hundred thousand stones is not a small amount. The Ming Dynasty needs military rations on all sides.

Wang Yue knelt on the ground: "Dayan Khan is cunning and good at using troops. I am afraid that no one in the court can defeat him. I sincerely request you to take command and go out again!"

Except for Wang Yue, no one in the court had ever won a battle in front of Dayan Khan. It was certainly the safest choice to send Wang Yue to the expedition.

Li Dongyang sighed: "The Tatars are extremely flexible. If they avoid fighting, kill our soldiers, and then retreat to the depths of the grassland, it will be meaningless for Sir Wang to go on an expedition."

If 300,000 stone grains are handed over, not only will the Tatar cavalry be fed, but they may not be able to get the people back.

Emperor Hongzhi frowned: "Call Yan Chengjin."

As soon as Yan Chengjin left the East Palace and before he returned to Hanyuan, he was rushed to Fengtian Hall by the eunuch.

Emperor Hongzhi said: "Chengjin, your father was kidnapped by the Tatars."

Yan Chengjin's eyes widened. He just handed the grass to the emperor today and his father was taken away. The grass is poisonous.

Seeing that the child's face was frozen, and thinking about it, he was extremely sad. Emperor Hongzhi felt a little distressed: "The Tatar army has been stationed outside Ningxia City. They need 300,000 shi of military rations in exchange for your father's life."

Wang Yue pleaded: "Three hundred thousand stones of grain is only enough for one summer in Jiangnan. Bo Anding is a rare general. He must have suffered a loss in numbers this time. Your Majesty has to save him!"

Lao Wang is really interesting.

Emperor Hongzhi nodded. Although he fudged a little, he could still grasp the facts clearly: "This time, Wang Qing's family will be in charge, escorting 300,000 stones of military rations to the outside of the Great Wall, and replacing Anding Bo and the Minister of War."

"Your Majesty, you can't." Yan Chengjin said.

Emperor Hongzhi and Li Dongyang were both stunned. They never expected that the person who stopped him was Yan Chengjin. If you are not happy to save your father, can you still be your biological son?

It's not that Yan Chengjin doesn't want to save him, but that although the little prince has read many books, he doesn't know the word integrity.

When integrating the various tribes on the grassland, the little prince's troops were not the most powerful, but he was able to defeat Huoshai, Duoyan and other tribes and bring them under his command, which shows that he is a person who is extremely good at using strategies.

This time, only the Ningxia general was captured, which was obviously planned for a long time.

Yan Chengjin looked solemn: "Dayan Khan is coming with a large army. If we give him 300,000 stones of military rations, I'm afraid he will attack the city on the spot."

Attack the city on the spot?

Emperor Hongzhi shuddered all over.

Li Dongyang and others opened their mouths, obviously not thinking of this.

Wang Yue also felt a chill down his spine. He was eager to save people, but he didn't think too deeply.

Yes, if there is no war, why bring a large army here? Don't they need money for food and drink?

And they asked for military rations. As the saying goes, food and grass must go before troops move.

But if they don't give military rations, they will kill Anding Bo and others.

Emperor Hongzhi took a deep breath: "What do you think, Mr. Yan?"

Yan Chengjin thought about it, considered it carefully, and said: "Of course I want to save my father, but I think it is not right for Lord Wang to lead the army."

Ma Wensheng said anxiously: "Wang Yue has defeated Dayan Khan twice, and there is no one more suitable than him!"

Yan Chengjin said: "It is precisely because Lord Wang defeated Dayan Khan twice that Dayan Khan will definitely think that the court is going to fight this time. In this way, he will be on guard and increase the difficulty of rescue. In addition, the transportation of 300,000 stones of grain will delay the marching speed. Dayan Khan will definitely use other means to start first. It is better to let the Duke of Ying take the command and Lord Wang follow in disguise."

Ma Wensheng thought about it and it made sense. Wang Yue had already been relieved of his military power. Now he is in command again. Isn't that telling Dayan Khan that the court is going to fight?

If the Duke of Ying took the command, he had not fought many battles. With Dayan Khan's arrogance, he might not take him seriously.

Emperor Hongzhi said: "Good!"

"I think there is another problem that must be prevented. The Tatars have been short of food for a long time. Seeing that the court is so happy to exchange food, they will inevitably be greedy and increase the amount of food. It is better for the court to spread the news that the eight borders are short of military pay and 200,000 stones of grain are the limit. Then spread the news that my father and Lord Zuo are weak and incompetent and are of no importance to the court, so as to dispel Dayan Khan's idea of ​​asking for too much."

Emperor Hongzhi nodded: "Let's do it, but you have to be mentally prepared."

Dayan Khan may kill people when he sees the military rations. No one will let the tiger go back to the mountain.

Everyone knows it in their hearts.

Thanks to Bailian Chengren and Zi Buhan for the second reward