Chapter 777 876 Huo Yi Seizes His Position

The defeated Hubao garrison temporarily accommodated Han Naji and his tribe, which actually took a very big risk, because they might face the army sent by Ada Khan at any time.

In any case, considering Han Naji as the grandson of Anda Khan is just like the imperial court has always regarded Zhao Quan and other White Lotus believers as a thorn in the side and wanted to get rid of them quickly. Anda Khan would never tolerate his grandson to surrender. Ming Dynasty.

Only by reporting the matter to Datong Governor Fang Fengshi as soon as possible, and letting the court decide whether to release or retain him, will he not be held responsible.

The messenger galloped away from Baihu Fort. At the top of the south city, the defender of Baihu Fort was leaning on the battlements of the city wall with both hands and looking at his back.

The people were already far away and could no longer be seen. The Ming army garrison turned back and looked at a heavily guarded courtyard in the fort. Thinking of the people living inside, he couldn't help but feel a headache.

If it weren't for the fact that there were only about ten people in their group, Gao Luo would not have let anyone into the fort.

But if you don't dare to stay like this, where will the court and your own face go?

He turned back and looked outside the city. At this time, there was no one there. He muttered: "I hope you can send the letter to Datong safely. We can't afford to delay it if we defeat Hubao."

Defeat Hu Fort was originally a military fort in the west among the seventy-two forts in Datong. There were only a thousand troops stationed in the whole fort, so how could they withstand An Da Khan's full force attack?

He didn't have the ability to throw the hot potato out. Unless there was an order, he couldn't let the Mongols go south.

Datong is located in the north, in the northwest of the Yanbei Datong Basin. The terrain is flat and suitable for garrisoning.

It borders the Taihang Mountains to the east, the Yellow River to the west, and the Yinshan Mountains to the north. It blocks the Great Wall inside and outside and is suitable for defense. It is located at the transportation hub of Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia, and is the only way for Mongolia to go south.

It is surrounded by mountains, and its 20 cities and 52 forts are distributed in the surrounding valleys and ravines, blocking the Mongolian attack route.

Of course, a large group of Mongolians cannot get through, but a small group can still sneak through the foot of the mountain.

The Ming Dynasty often sent detective horses to patrol the grasslands, and the Mongols would also send spies to inquire for information, and most of these people were White Lotus believers. Therefore, although the messengers were delivering news to the rear, the danger was still very high.

It was already evening when the messenger arrived in Datong, and he finally rushed into the city before the gates of Datong closed.

After entering the city, the messenger did not dare to take a moment to catch his breath and waste time. He still urged his horse to rush outside the Datong Governor's Yamen and dismount. Regardless of his fatigue, he rushed into the Yamen with military documents.

As for the war horses left outside, they were taken aside by the officers in the yamen.

Not long after, the urgent military report carried by the courier was handed over to Fang Fengshi, who looked incredulous after reading it.

Bhannaji was the only son of Tiebei Taiji, the third son of Anda Khan. He lost his parents when he was young. He was raised by Anda Khan's wife Yikehatun. He married a wife who became a prostitute, but he also fell in love with Zheheng Aha. His daughter showed her beauty and made a marriage contract.

When Anda Khan saw her beauty, he married her himself, and she was known as the third wife. Han Naji was so angry that he took his wife, Bihu, Ali Ge and more than ten people and ran away to the Ming Dynasty.

The so-called "third wife" actually means Anda Khan's third wife. If Nayanchu marries Bahan Naji, she may become the second wife.

However, looking at the military document in his hand, Fang Fengshi was horrified at first, then gradually calmed down and began to think about the impact of this matter on the Ming Dynasty.

If you think that Hannaji can affect the unity of the Mongols, you are bragging, otherwise you would not be so angry that you would come to the Ming Dynasty.

But no matter what, this person is still the grandson of Anda Khan. Now that he has fallen into the hands of the Ming Dynasty, Anda Khan will not remain indifferent no matter what.

"Perhaps, this is the opportunity to contain the Mongols."

Fang Fengshi murmured in his mouth, and then ordered someone to prepare pen and ink. He wanted to write an official document and report the matter.

Soon, Fang Fengshi wrote an official document, in which he also wrote down what he thought was possible about using Hannaji to contain Anda Khan. The official document even said that Hannaji was "a rare place to live" and that he might be able to talk to Anda Khan. Good price.

The official document was completed, but Fang Fengshi did not dare to waste time. After all, Datong West Road could encounter a large-scale attack by the Mongols at any time, so he sent a messenger overnight to deliver the official document to Wang Chonggu, the governor of Xuanda.

Wang Chonggu also just came to Xuanda, took over the governor's seal from Chen Qixue, and is now inspecting the Xuan Mansion.

As for Chen Qixue, Weiyuan Fort had just been rewarded for his role in stopping the attack of An Da's troops. Within two months, he was recalled to the capital for reconnaissance. It can only be said that he really has no connections in the capital and cannot maintain his power at all.

While reporting to Wang Chonggu, Fang Fengshi also did not forget to report the matter to Datong Commander-in-Chief Ma Fang and others, and strictly ordered all Ming army departments to be on standby, ready to respond at any time to Anda Khan leading his troops southward again.

In the General Military Mansion, Ma Fang also had a dull look on his face after receiving the official document from the governor's office. He really didn't expect that An Dahan would be so old and still have an old heart. He married another wife and stole it from his grandson. Wife.

Well, when Ma Fang was young, he was favored by Ada Khan because of his bravery and was kept by his side.

Although Ma Fang will fight to the end when he sees Anda Khan on the battlefield, when it comes to feelings, Ma Fang is also very complicated towards him.

After all, I was alone in the enemy camp at that time. As a slave, I was surrounded by bad attitudes and unkind looks.

But after Anda Khan met Ma Fang, he admired his bow and horse very much, and rewarded him with cattle and horses and other things, which made his life better. It is impossible to say that Ma Fang was not grateful at all.

As a result, after the governor's Yamen messenger was dispatched urgently, the messenger from the General Military Mansion also rushed out of the city with the General Soldier's order and sent messages to the Ming Army castles in the east, middle, and west to convey war warnings.

The entire Ming army in Datong was fully mobilized in almost two days, ready to encounter a battle with the Mongols at any time.

Beijing, Forbidden City, Cabinet.

A green-robed eunuch rushed through the door quickly, ignoring Zhongshu who came up to greet him. The eunuch held up his clothes and ran to the chief assistant Li Chunfang to check the room.

"Can Sir Chief Assistant be in the room?"

The eunuch hadn't arrived yet, but the eunuch had already asked the scribe outside the door.

"exist"

As soon as the clerk agreed, the eunuch rushed into the chief assistant's duty room.

Within a moment, Li Chunfang's order came from the room, "Quickly go and inform the other pavilion elders. They will be summoned by Qianqing Palace."

The two scribes outside were assigned to deliver the news, one on the left and the other on the right.

Wei Guangde was still in the duty room at this time, looking at official documents, shaking his head, and humming an unknown tune.

Last night, my colleagues and I went to Goulan to listen to a piece of music. It is said to be the most widely circulated ditty in Beijing recently, and I felt it was pretty good.

Having been in the Ming Dynasty for many years, Wei Guangde has already become accustomed to the music of this era, and he can hear some of it, so he started humming it in the check-in room.

"Mr. Wei Ge, I have been summoned by the palace."

At this moment, there was a voice outside the door.

Wei Guangde looked up and saw Li Chunfang's clerk standing at the door.

"Summoned in the palace? Did you also call the Chief Assistant?"

Wei Guangde asked curiously.

Generally, when a minister is summoned in the palace, the eunuch comes directly to the room to summon him, and does not rely on others.

Since it was Li Chunfang's people who came to deliver the news, he should have summoned the chief assistant.

"His Majesty summoned everyone in the cabinet."

In response to Wei Guangde's question, the clerk bowed and answered.

"oh."

When he heard that all the cabinet ministers had been summoned, Wei Guangde naturally couldn't take it seriously. He immediately put away the official documents and got up and walked out of the duty room.

On the way, Wei Guangde had some guesses. It was probably because of the matter between Gao Gong and Huo Yi. This matter was annoying in the court now. It was not ruled out that it was about the selection of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. After all, it had been delayed for some time.

However, the cabinet discussed it for a while yesterday, but still did not recommend a candidate, so Wei Guangde suggested that he should be promoted from the Ministry of Household Affairs and there would be no need to consider other candidates.

When the cabinet ministers arrived and everyone followed the eunuch who passed the order into the Qianqing Palace, everyone felt that the atmosphere was very serious. Wei Guangde couldn't help but glance at the high-arched back in front of him.

After entering the main hall, he saw Emperor Longqing sitting on the throne with an angry face.

After the salute was completed, the emperor did not wait for the usual words of "all ministers are equal", but shouted angrily: "What's going on with the Ministry of War? Why can the death penalty be changed to exile?"

Gao Gong's memorials were sent directly to the emperor, so other cabinet ministers naturally didn't know about them. When Emperor Longqing pressed him confusedly, everyone except Gao Gong looked confused and didn't know what they meant.

"Your Majesty, since Huo Shangshu took charge of the Ministry of War, management has been lax, and the punishments given to the border generals were mostly superficial and did not have a deterrent effect at all.

Although the Mongols have not breached the Great Wall in recent years, border wars have been small but frequent, and our troops have suffered heavy casualties, all due to the inaction of the Ministry of War. "

Gao Gong stood up and started playing.

Seeing that it was Gao Gong talking about Huo Yi, everyone else knew it.

Everyone knew the recent situation, so it was not surprising that Gao Gong said bad things about Huo Yi, but Zhang Juzheng couldn't sit still.

Although I don't know what Gao Gong sued Huo Yi, I can probably guess some clues from the emperor's words just now.

So Zhang Juzheng also stood up and said: "Your Majesty, the punishment of the border generals by the Ministry of War is decided after discussion by the officials of the Ministry of War. How can it be said that all the decisions of the Ministry of War are the responsibility of the Minister.

If your majesty is dissatisfied with the execution by the Ministry of War, you can send it back for them to renegotiate. Please calm down and don't get angry. "

"Hmph, I trust you and leave the affairs of state in your hands because I trust you.

But in the case of Shizhou, the original decision was to execute the guilty general, but how did it end up being exiled?

Could it be that the people in the Ministry of War really took the family assets of the guilty minister, so they opened the door to one side?

I am also blind. I believed you and praised all the memorials you handed me.

You treat me like this, how can I trust you. "

Emperor Longqing said dissatisfied.

By this time, all the cabinet ministers naturally understood what was going on. Because of the incident in Shizhou, the prisoner finally saved his life.

After the Ministry of War reported this matter, because it was the decision of the Ministry of War, the cabinet did not express any objection. When the memorandum reached the palace, it was also criticized. Everyone thought that the emperor had acquiesced.

Looking back now, maybe I didn't pay much attention at the time, or maybe I had the intention to release him at the time, but now due to other reasons, the emperor found out the old account, and that was the person who had to deal with the Ministry of War.

Wei Guangde secretly glanced at Gao Gong and saw that his expression was as usual. He knew that it was probably this person's intention that made the emperor change his attitude, so what happened today happened.

At this moment, Emperor Longqing fixed his eyes on Wei Guangde and couldn't help but asked: "Wei Guangde."

When Wei Guangde heard the emperor's words, he couldn't help but trembled in his heart, and then he bowed and replied: "I am here."

"In the battle of Shizhou, I left it to you and the Ministry of War to deal with the criminals. What did I say at that time? Do you understand your guilt?"

"I know I was wrong."

After Emperor Longqing finished speaking, Wei Guangde did not argue. It was pointless. The emperor's attitude was very clear. It was not a big deal to admit his mistakes or not.

"What's the matter?"

Emperor Longqing may not have paid attention to Wei Guangde's words, but asked.

"At the beginning, I conveyed my intention to the Ministry of War. After the Ministry of War reported the decision, I also noticed that there was a change, but after all, it was the punishment discussed by the Ministry of War, so."

Wei Guangde certainly pushed the responsibility to the Ministry of War at this time. Although the Ministry of War made the penalty decision with his tacit consent, he certainly could not take the responsibility on himself at this time.

"For the sake of the face of my colleagues, I ignored my face."

Emperor Longqing shouted angrily.

"I dare not, I am wrong."

Wei Guangde knelt down hurriedly.

"Your Majesty, the decision discussed by the Ministry of War should also be made based on the size and consequences of the generals' mistakes."

Zhang Juzheng was about to interrupt and defend the Ministry of War, but was immediately interrupted by Emperor Longqing.

"Shizhou was massacred, is this a small responsibility?"

Hearing the words of Emperor Longqing, Zhang Juzheng suddenly didn't know how to excuse the Ministry of War.

The lives of the people in a city are now related to the emperor's face, which is naturally not a trivial matter.

Zhang Juzheng understood that Huo Yi could not be saved. If Gao Gong did not take action, it would be a killing move.

"Decree that Huo Yi is disgraced in the Ministry of War and is not in office. Order him to be stripped of his position and live in idleness."

Perhaps because Liu Tigan was ordered to retire, resulting in no suitable candidate for the Minister of Revenue, this time Emperor Longqing gave Huo Yi a break and did not directly let him go, but only deprived him of his official position and waited for other appointments.

Wei Guangde didn't expect that he thought Zhang Juzheng and Huo Yi should be able to fight Gao Gong for several rounds, but the result was that they announced their resignation in one round.

He exhaled lightly. Gao Gong was too high in the eyes of Emperor Longqing. No wonder Chen Yiqin didn't intend to resist and surrendered.

"Also, pass on the decree to promote Zhang Shouzhi, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

After being scolded, when the cabinet ministers resigned and left the palace, Emperor Longqing suddenly stopped them and issued another decree to directly appoint the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

After leaving the Qianqing Palace, everyone walked back in silence.

But except Gao Gong, everyone else subconsciously followed Li Chunfang, keeping a distance from Gao Gong.

If you don't observe carefully, you really can't find this change.

And Gao Gong was also arrogant at this time, striding towards the cabinet, perhaps still complacent about the fact that a memorial made a second-rank official of the current dynasty fall.

Soon after returning to the cabinet, Wei Guangde was invited by Chen Yiqin's clerk to his duty room.

On the way, Wei Guangde also met Yin Shizhan who was called over together.

This time, Yin Shizhen asked in a low voice, "What do you think of today's event?"

"Gao Gong is too aggressive, we'd better avoid him."

Wei Guangde also answered in a low voice.

"I'm afraid Yi Fu asked us to go because of this matter. He should have submitted a petition to return home in the next two days."

Yin Shizhen sighed.