First Minister of Ming Dynasty

Mao Gui pondered again and again, and said helplessly: "Master, I'm afraid I'm not suitable for the affairs of the court, you let me study and forget it! I can't even understand such a matter."

Zhang Ximeng shook his head, "No one is born with it, and it's very easy."

"Easy? How come?"

"Why not!" Zhang Ximeng asked back: "Now, are Zhang Shicheng and Chen Youding still going to be cool?"

Mao Gui couldn't help exclaiming, "Master, what do you mean, you want to mobilize troops?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled and nodded, "Unification of the world cannot be delayed!"

Chapter 524 Zhang Shicheng, Never Surrender!

It is indeed impossible to delay.

Just like Zhang Shicheng, who occupied Suzhou and did not resolve it for a long time, and became a foreign vassal. If he went to Suzhou to see gardens in the future, he would have to go abroad. What is this?

Even if it is to facilitate the exchange of official documents, Zhang Shicheng should be dealt with as soon as possible.As for Chen Youding, is it because Tieguanyin is not delicious, or is the port of Quanzhou not fragrant?

The current Northern Expedition to the Central Plains still needs recovery time, but it is easy to wipe out these two families, so there is no need to wait any longer.

When Mao Gui heard Zhang Ximeng's words, his heart was surging and his blood was surging.

Since the uprising of Han Shantong and Liu Futong in the 11th year of Zhizheng, the world has been in chaos and heroes have risen together. It has been more than ten years, and the people can finally return to peace without suffering from the war.

The Great Yuan Dynasty, which has been in existence for nearly a hundred years, will also collapse.

The restoration of the Central Plains, everyone celebrates!

"Master, although the student is now a civil servant, he still wants to be able to gallop across the world and wipe out Yunei for His Majesty. It's a pity that I can only be a spectator when using troops this time."

Zhang Ximeng chuckled, "Don't worry, although it is unavoidable to use troops to rule the world. But there is no need to fight all the way. We must beat Zhang Shicheng and Chen Youding in all aspects, and win the battle with the momentum of Mount Tai. Unify the southeast. The longer the delay, the greater the loss of the people, which is why I say it cannot be delayed."

Zhang Ximeng said again: "I really hope you can go to Suzhou to know Zhang Shicheng's interests and interests, so that he will know his way back and surrender as soon as possible."

Mao Gui was stunned, and then said: "Master, it's not that the students don't want to go, but I don't have the ability to spread a lotus flower with my tongue. I'm afraid I won't be able to persuade Zhang Shicheng, and instead delay the important event."

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "Sometimes you don't need to say anything, just standing there is enough. You take the land of Shandong and 20 people to belong to Daming. Zhang Shicheng said that the territory is not as good as yours, and you can separate Suzhou and act as an authority." After being blessed for many years, he should be satisfied, if he still doesn't want to let go, the world will be destroyed by Wang Shi, it is not something he can bear!"

Mao Gui thought for a while, and finally nodded.

"The teacher respects it, and the students are willing to go through fire and water. The students can only say that they are not afraid of life and death, and they are not afraid of swords and axes. The final result is not what the students can predict."

Zhang Ximeng nodded with a smile, "That's good, I'll discuss it with the lord, and I'll give you an order later."

Mao Gui went back to stand by, and Zhang Ximeng went to see Zhu Yuanzhang after a brief planning.

It's worth mentioning that Lao Zhu seemed to be dissatisfied with Zhang Ximeng because he couldn't beg for Zhang's son, so his face sank, as if Zhang Ximeng owed him money.

Zhang Ximeng naturally didn't care about Lao Zhu's little emotions. On the contrary, he prepared a lot of reasons to persuade Lao Zhu to change the way of educating children.

After all, Zhu Biao is growing up day by day, and if he doesn't hurry up, it will be difficult to wait for the three views to be finalized.

However, state affairs come before family affairs, so Zhang Ximeng talked about Zhang and Chen first. Lao Zhu cheered up quickly, forgot his unhappiness, and started discussing with Zhang Ximeng.

"Chen Youding is irrelevant. We plan to advance both by water and land. It will not be difficult to destroy it. But Zhang Shicheng, we are afraid that it will not be so easy."

Zhang Ximeng said: "Yes, after all, Zhang Shicheng defeated Tuotuo's hundreds of thousands of troops. He has no other skills. Not only does he have the ability to defend the city, but he is also very strong. I'm afraid he will hold back Suzhou city and give it to him. Burial."

Zhu Yuanzhang gritted his teeth, "If he really dares to do this, we will definitely destroy his whole family! No one will be left behind!"

Zhang Ximeng smiled slightly, "My lord is right to be prepared for this. But I think Zhang Shicheng has been dealing with us for many years. He is no longer as brave as before. Even if he wants to go all out, those subordinates who are accustomed to being pampered may not be willing. What's more, there are too many talented people from Suzhou on our side, we have the bargaining chip to win the hearts of the people, and we also have certainty. Otherwise, if the war is delayed and our people are injured, the Lord Shengming will be damaged."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Sir, what you said is true. It would be even better if Zhang Shicheng surrendered. It's just that we are afraid that this matter will not be done!"

Zhang Ximeng said: "It's really difficult, but even if you want to use force, you have to be courteous before fighting. We might as well make preparations in the navy and army, and then find a way to break Zhang Shicheng's heart."

Old Zhu thought over and over again, and finally said: "It's really not good to use troops directly, just according to what you want, let's prepare as much as possible, Suzhou is right in front of us. How can we allow others to sleep soundly by the side of the couch! Suzhou, no matter what, we have to take it down !"

Zhu Yuanzhang was almost finalized.

In the case of the Ministry of Rites, discussing external affairs alone would inevitably be a joke, but when the entire Ming Dynasty activated its war machine and pressed against a much weaker force, it would be completely different.

First of all, the Yangtze River Navy of the Ming Dynasty dispatched and moved frequently, with the intention of cutting off the connection between Suzhou and Jiangbei, and isolating the land of Huaidong.

Then Fang Guozhen's navy set out from Hangzhou, across the sea, and blocked the sea route of Suzhou.

The Hangzhou Shipping Department also heard the news and suspended the trade between the two sides, especially grain, and resolutely stopped it without any discussion. Even if they hold gold in their hands, they don't want to exchange a grain of grain from Daming.

Afterwards, soldiers and horses from Jiangnan and Jiangbei were mobilized together, and the mighty Ming army came overwhelmingly.

In fact, Lao Zhu really didn't send first-line famous generals, just some second-rate generals, but even so, it was not something that little Suzhou could handle.

The mountain rain is about to come, and the wind and rain are miserable.

Zhang Shicheng, who was partial to security, lost his qualification to be partial security after all.

He called his generals, including his brothers, and they sat around together. Zhang Shicheng's eyes swept over everyone, and several of them were obese with protruding stomachs.

No matter how you look at it, it doesn't have much audacity. Instead, it looks like a fat pig at first, growing fat all over the place, just waiting for others to slaughter and eat meat.

Zhang Shicheng felt annoyed, but he was helpless.

"At this point, I don't want to say too much. Zhu Yuanzhang won the decisive battle in the Central Plains by luck. Now we must unify the south of the Yangtze River, and we can't hide if we want to. This battle, no matter what, is going to be fought."

Zhang Shicheng found that his subordinates had serious complexions and even more panic, so he couldn't help being furious.

"What are you afraid of? I started as a private salt dealer, and today, I dominate one side, Weifu is self-sufficient, decisive in killing and attacking, so happy! I am enough! The surname Zhu don't want me to surrender, I want to fight him to the end !"

Finally, Zhang Shide said: "Don't worry, brother, fight tigers as brothers, and fight with father and son. In the past few years, Zhu Yuanzhang has fought Chen Youliang again, and he has fought desperately with Chahan. We are just resting and recuperating. Now the army of [-] is brave and good at fighting. In the treasury , sufficient food and wages, fighting for a year and a half, it is not a problem, but it is uncertain how it will be fought!"

Zhang Shicheng became interested in what he said, and immediately said: "It is true, as long as we have the will to win, Zhu Chongba has nothing to be afraid of!"

Finally, the morale was barely boosted, and at this moment, Mao Gui arrived.

Zhang Shicheng continued to entertain warmly, "I have heard about Brother Mao's name for a long time. You led the Shandong Red Scarf and the Northern Expedition to Dadu. Although it failed, it shocked the Yuan court and inspired people. Everyone in the world knows your name."

Mao Gui smiled charmingly, "King Huai praised you so much, I am ashamed to accept it."

For the past few years, Zhang Shicheng hated the word Huai Wang the most... He had been humiliated by Zhu Yuanzhang, but he couldn't take revenge, so he became extremely sensitive.

"Brother Mao, I really can't figure it out. With your status, why do you want to belong to Daming and only be a minister in charge of foreign affairs? It's really a shame. If you can come under my command, the prime minister of the widow is waiting for you!"

Hearing this, Mao Gui laughed directly, "King Huai, you said that you are going to the Northern Expedition, do you know how many soldiers and horses you have in your hands?"

Zhang Shicheng frowned, "It is said that there are more than two hundred thousand."

Mao Guilang said: "At its peak, there were no less than 30 soldiers and horses, occupying eight prefectures in Shandong, nearly a hundred counties, Xuzhou, Daming Mansion, these important places are also in my hands."

Mao Gui stared at Zhang Shicheng, and said: "At that time our army went north, the Yuan court was shaken, and most of them were almost in danger. At that time, I really had the tendency to swallow thousands of miles and sweep away the hearts of the world."

Zhang Shicheng sullenly said to himself that this guy can really brag, he is so powerful, why did you surrender to Zhu Yuanzhang?

Mao Gui smiled slightly, "I know King Huai must be thinking, why should I seek refuge with His Majesty? It's very simple, if you can't beat it, you can't beat it, no matter what method you use! In terms of righteousness, Zhang Xiang advocates the rejuvenation of China and the expulsion of the Hulu , Restoring China. Speaking of people’s hearts, I don’t need to say more about the various national policies of the Ming Dynasty.

Mao Gui stared at Zhang Shicheng, hehe laughed and said, "King Huai, let alone how much better I am than you! Even if we are the same, even if I am not as good as you! I, Mao Gui, have already surrendered, so are you really much better than me? Yes Grasp it, and hold on to the corner?"

"King Huai, you should think about yourself!"

Mao Gui's words seemed to be teaching the younger generation a lesson.Zhang Shicheng's old face was livid, and he gritted his teeth in anger.

"Mao Gui, do you want to persuade the widow to surrender?"

Mao Gui sneered, "I'm here to let you and your subordinates take a look at the result of being attached to Daming! Being the minister of Ming is no better than the official position of King Caotou!"

"Presumptuous, presumptuous!"

Zhang Shicheng was so angry that he slapped his thigh, "Come here, take him down and put him in prison!"

After shouting twice, someone finally came and took Mao Gui down.

This situation was already expected by Mao Gui, and there was nothing to care about.

But Zhang Shide couldn't help reminding Zhang Shicheng that it's better not to send him to prison, but to lock him in the palace!After all, Suzhou City has long been penetrated like a sieve.

If someone releases Mao Gui, it will be a lot of fun.

Zhang Shicheng's old face is livid, shameful, really shameful!

Most of the little courage I had just mustered up was gone.

"At this point, I can only wait for death with a mortal heart! I, Zhang Shicheng, will never surrender!"

At this time, someone came to report suddenly, and a man named Qian Yongqin came to ask for an interview, and he was holding a treasure in his hand, which was a gold medal for avoiding death!

"His Royal Highness King Huai, the villain is willing to negotiate with Daming on behalf of King Huai. The villain has a way to save the lives of King Huai's family, the glory and wealth, and avoid the suffering of war in Suzhou. I also ask King Huai for permission!"

After finishing speaking, he put the gold medal for avoiding death on his head and paid homage.

Chapter 525 Zhang Shicheng, surrendered!

In Zhang Ximeng's hand, there was a letter from Shandong, which was sent by Qian Yongren, and the person who wrote this letter was precisely the Qian family.

The ancestors of the Qian family can be traced back to Qian Liu, king of Pengcheng County at the end of Tang Dynasty. Xiao Taiwei, Zhongshuling, plus a golden book and iron certificate, Qian Liu himself will be saved from nine deaths, and his descendants will be saved from three deaths. For ordinary crimes, please feel free.

This is the origin of Qian Jiadan Book Iron Coupon.

But soon the Tang Dynasty perished, and Qian Liu established the Wuyue Kingdom, dominating the land of Zhejiang and Zhejiang.

The Danshu Iron Coupon also lost its value.

Later, with the establishment of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Qian family surrendered and became a courtier of Zhao Song.

At that time, the Danshu Iron Coupon had lost its actual value, but it was a good treasure.Zhao Er also asked for it from the Qian family and played with it for a long time.

Afterwards, despite the war, this treasure is still kept by the Qian family.

As dynasties change and imperial power changes, the Qian family becomes more and more prosperous, and the iron certificates of Danshu are still shining brightly.

The Qian family has the iron certificate of the alchemy book, the gold medal for avoiding death, and the virtue of accepting the land and surrendering.The family stretches, and the descendants multiply and live, just like a wealthy family.

Now that their family is willing to stand up and persuade Zhang Shicheng to surrender, it is really appropriate.

Zhang Ximeng hurriedly told Zhu Yuanzhang the good news.

Lao Zhu was not very interested in persuading Zhang Shicheng to surrender, but rather liked the iron coupons in Danshu, and asked curiously, "Mister, do you know what is written in this thing?"

Zhang Ximeng could only say: "Qian Yongren is not a direct descendant of the Qian family. He is not blessed to see this heirloom. He just heard people say that the text on it seems to be 'the long river has a period like a belt, and Taihua has a day like a fist. I recite the decree of meritorious deeds, to prolong the descendants of Zuo and grandchildren forever, so that the elders will be favored and honored, and the wealth and wealth will be preserved. You will forgive nine deaths, three deaths of descendants, or commit ordinary punishments, and no one will be held accountable. Take my oath, you will be the only one in the future. ! It should be paid to the History Museum and promulgated to the world.' Probably the emperor of the Tang Dynasty swore that he would save nine deaths for Qian Yu and three deaths for his descendants."

Old Zhu pondered slightly, then suddenly sighed: "Sir, there is a reason for the Emperor Tang to reward the meritorious officials with the iron coupons of Dan Shu. But in this way, wouldn't it be encouraging future generations to act recklessly without the law of the king? Let's see this It's not death, it's a reminder!"

Zhang Ximeng was overjoyed, it was really not easy, Lao Zhu finally realized the essence of the death-free gold medal.

"My lord, I have always felt that merit and demerit cannot be offset, just as right and wrong cannot be confused, and black and white cannot be reversed. Qian Liu also won a gold medal for avoiding death at the end of the Tang Dynasty. My Ming Dynasty was at the beginning of the founding of the country, and the laws and regulations were rebuilt, and the rules were strict. How can I While formulating a great edict, handing out gold medals for avoiding death, smacking your own mouth, destroying your own credit?"

Old Zhu thought so, and nodded vigorously.

"Sir, what you said is very true. Let's make a note of it. From then on, Daming won't have any iron coupons for pills, so he won't die with a gold medal."

After receiving Lao Zhu's guarantee, Zhang Ximeng breathed a sigh of relief. With just this sentence, I don't know how many nobles in Huaixi have been saved, and I don't know if those bastards can remember to thank him?

You help carry the sedan chair, we have always been grateful, such a big benefit, you have to remember it in your heart!

"Let's put aside the death-free gold medal... let's talk about this Zhang Shicheng. Can he follow the example of the ancestors of the Qian family and return the soil?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked thoughtfully.

Zhang Ximeng thought for a while and said: "It's hard for me to say, if Zhang Shicheng is really a hero, he would probably rather die than surrender. But if it is according to the nature of a businessman, maybe we can really talk about it."

Old Zhu laughed angrily, "Sir, you can't have both."

Zhang Ximeng said helplessly: "I really don't know, but I think there will be a result soon."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a while, and finally nodded, "Well, just wait."

Within three days, Zhang Shicheng sent an envoy, and Qian Yongqin was among them.

They came to Yingtian and met Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Grassmen kowtow to the Son of Heaven."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and asked Qian Yongqin to stand up, and the other staff also stood up.Lao Zhu was in a good mood and gave them seats again.

"A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor. We have been neighbors for ten years. Now, it seems that there should be an explanation!" Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

Qian Yongqin hurriedly got up, bowed his waist and said: "Your Majesty is holy, the four directions return their hearts, and the world looks up to virtue. At the beginning, he was conferred the title of King Huai, and the heart of heaven is kind. Today, during the Central Plains War, Chahan conferred the head, Your Majesty is so powerful, and everyone in the world worships King Huai. In order not to cause Suzhou and Wu to suffer from wars, and the people to be disorganized...I am willing to surrender to Ming Dynasty, and I implore Your Majesty to consider the welfare of the common people and allow this matter to be a good story through the ages."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly, "Worthy of being a child of the Qian family, he speaks nicely. Back then, your family surrendered and helped Zhao and Song rule the world. , we will naturally show mercy outside the law and give him a clear path."

Hearing this, Qian Yongqin had a happy expression on his face, and hastily saluted repeatedly, "Thank you for your kindness, the grass-roots people first pay homage to the Son of Heaven."

At this time, Zhang Ximeng, who was sitting on the left, said, "Qian Yongqin, you might as well tell Zhang Shicheng's request and see if you can agree."

Qian Yongqin raised his head, glanced at Zhang Ximeng, then immediately lowered his head, bowed and said, "Yes...His Royal Highness Huai Wang hopes to retain the throne and the Suzhou Palace for the Zhang family to live in. Every year, money, food and cloth are allocated to support the palace."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Ximeng and Zhu Yuanzhang again, his face sank.