Chapter 286

"Enough!"

"State affairs are difficult, and you only know how to argue, argue, argue.

If arguing could solve problems, the Northern Barbarians would have been killed by you long ago!"

Emperor Yongning reprimanded angrily.

He scolded fiercely, but deep down, he didn't take it to heart.

The opposition between civil and military in the court is exactly what he wants to see.

If the people below were truly harmonious, he would instead be unable to sleep.

Choosing to interrupt at this time was mainly because he was exposed.

During the late Emperor's reign, Liaozhen was still an obedient child, and its scale was far less than it is now.

Since changing the Liaodong Supervisor, the situation has changed.

In order to stabilize the situation in Liaodong, a large amount of resources were invested in the Liaozhen, and the Liaozhen rapidly developed and grew.

Other troops stationed in Liaodong, because of party strife, were successively excluded and plotted against.

In the blink of an eye, the Liaodong front line became the only one.

In the past, for the sake of the Imperial Court's face, everyone deliberately covered the lid.

Emperor Yongning only knew that the Liaozhen was unruly, but he did not expect that this army would even dare to be perfunctory in relieving the capital and saving the driver.

Now the dispute between the Ministry of War and the Governor's Office has exposed the problem to the table, making him, the Emperor, lose a lot of face.

But the Liaozhen, the Imperial Court cannot touch it now.

Regardless of how arrogant this army is, it is still the most elite army of the Great Dayu Dynasty.

As long as this army exists, it can make the Northern Barbarians fear.

For the sake of the country, no matter how unhappy he is, Emperor Yongning can only spend money to raise this army.

The rise of the two Guang military garrisons to a certain extent curbed the dominance of the Liaozhen.

But this is only curbing, and the scale of the two sides is still not on the same level.

Before Li Mu reorganized and reorganized, he comprehensively considered various factors and specifically placed auxiliary arms outside the establishment.

The establishment of more than forty thousand troops suddenly shrank to more than twenty-five thousand.

Compared to the Liaozhen with an establishment of more than seventy thousand, it is only one-third of the other side.

A series of operations made the Imperial Court's eyes, which were originally cast on Guangxi, suddenly shift to the Liaozhen.

Including within the civil official group, they have no good feelings for the Liaozhen they supported.

In the eyes of many civil officials, the Liaozhen is a dog they raised that does not listen to command and needs to be well trained.

Unfortunately, dog trainers are rare.

The civil officials sent to serve as Liaodong Supervisors could not suppress the group of arrogant soldiers and fierce generals below.

Even for this relief of the capital and saving the driver, they had to coax them before they were willing to send troops.

For the sake of the past, they naturally do not allow a second army that has lost control to appear.

The Marquis of Wuyang's forces now have obvious signs of losing control, and they often disobey the orders of the Ministry of War.

Although this unit strictly executed the orders of the Governor's Office, in the eyes of civil officials, there is no essential difference between the two.

Any unit that does not listen to their command is one that needs to be knocked down.

To a certain extent, the existence of the Marquis of Wuyang's forces is harder for them to accept than the Liaozhen.

The Liaozhen is indeed disobedient to them, but the two Guang military garrisons listen to the Emperor and the nobles.

Having fought for greater speaking power, the Ministry of War deliberately arranged more difficult combat tasks for them regardless of the "heavy losses" of the Marquis of Wuyang's forces.

Unfortunately, everyone is not a fool; such obvious targeting can be seen at a glance.

The noble group seems to have many troops, but most of them are abandoned garrison troops, and there are not many units that can truly fight.

It is impossible to let the civil officials ruin the family foundation they finally accumulated.

As the Emperor, Emperor Yongning also does not want to lose the military power under his command when there is internal and external trouble.

……

"Boom, boom, boom……"

Hearing the violent explosion, the teacup in Kong Yinzhi's hand fell directly to the ground.

Since learning the news that reinforcements would not arrive in time, his heart has been in torment.

He wanted to take his family and run away, but he was worried about the political impact.

Because of his special status, the hundred officials would pretend not to see the general illegal activities of the Kong family.

But abandoning the city and running away, ignoring the ancestral foundation, involves "unloyalty and unfilial piety."

For the Duke Yansheng who labels himself a sage, a stain on his character is a hundred times more serious than murder and arson.

If the Great Dayu declines and cities and territories are lost everywhere, then running away with them is fine.

In order to soothe people's hearts, the Imperial Court would mostly not pursue it.

But now it is different.

The Imperial Court just won the great victory at Jinan, which is the time when people's hearts and morale are at their highest.

Fleeing without a fight is a major political stain.

Executing the whole family is not enough, but changing a Duke Yansheng is a high-probability event.

Because of violating the law, the history of the Duke Yansheng who was removed is not one or two.

As for defecting to the Northern Barbarians, it is not an option for the time being.

Judging from the current situation, the Northern Barbarians do not have the strength to compete for the world.

Being able to invade successfully is mainly because of the serious internal strife in Great Dayu, and the various relief armies cannot unite sincerely.

Leaving aside the small group of reinforcements, as long as the Marquis of Wuyang's forces and the Liaodong Town cooperate, they have the strength to fight a decisive battle with the Northern Barbarians.

If they cooperate well, they might be able to leave behind most of the grassland coalition.

Undoubtedly, the union of the two families is impossible.

Although everyone is an army of Great Dayu, the interests of the two sides are contrary.

Not to mention political standing, the competition for military resources alone doomed the two sides to be unable to get along harmoniously.

The military funds of the two Guang military garrisons are now raised by the local area, which does not mean that they will be raised by the local area in the future.

Once the war ends, the central government will inevitably centralize power and cannot leave the Governor to hold great power for a long time.

Power returns to the central government, which includes control over the money and grain in the army.

By then, two elite forces in the south and north will inevitably have conflicts over the distribution of military funds.

"What happened outside?"

Kong Yinzhi asked with concern.

In order to defend Qufu, he also put in a lot of effort.

Although he didn't want to spend money or grain, he also asked about the city's defense many times, which can be considered painstaking.

"Duke, the Northern Barbarian army is attacking the city.

The official army in the city used cannons to counterattack; perhaps because the cannons were in disrepair, they accidentally exploded.

A total of three artillerymen were blown to death, which is not a big deal!"

The middle-aged steward said calmly.

Being able to be a steward in the Kong Mansion, he has naturally seen big scenes.

On the battlefield, swords and guns have no eyes; artillery explosions took away three soldiers, which is not a big deal at all.

In the eyes of these big figures, soldiers are expendables, and the fallen are just cold numbers on the list.

"Why would they be in disrepair? Didn't this Duke order to prepare for war before?"

Kong Yinzhi asked unhappily.

Not paying attention to military equipment in normal times, when the flames of war burn to the door, you still have to grasp the military equipment.

The Northern Barbarians are not civilized people; they came here just to grab a haul.

The name of the Duke Yansheng can deter most people in the world, but it may not deter this group of grassland barbarians.

From the enemy besieging Qufu, it can be seen that this is a group of daring masters.

Referring to historical experience, during the collapse of the dynasty, Qufu rarely had cases of being broken by others.

More often, they welcome the king's army.

In troubled times, whoever has the biggest fist, they support whoever.

Betting wrong doesn't matter; as long as it is corrected in time, it is not a problem.

Among the princes competing for the world, few can refuse the icing on the cake of the sage's descendants.

In this regard, they have rich experience.

As long as you surrender fast enough, you don't need to worry about being liquidated.

"Duke, it should be the dereliction of duty of the people below.

Qufu has been peaceful for more than two hundred years, and there is a group of yamen runners and militia in the city.

The nearby garrison troops have also been putting down their hoes for many years, and the hereditary artillerymen have no combat experience at all.

When they first started, it is normal to have some accidents."

The middle-aged steward explained immediately.

Cannons in disrepair should have been retired.

Relying on temporary inspection to want to recover is obviously a daydream.

Not choosing to eliminate unqualified cannons is because the cannons on the Qufu city wall all have a history of more than a hundred years.

If you really follow the standards, the garrison will have no cannons to use.

"No need to explain for them; they are a group of rice buckets, and they cannot be counted on at all.

Notify the family servants in the mansion to be prepared; once Qufu is broken, we will break out immediately."

Kong Yinzhi thought and ordered.

Coexisting and dying with the city, fighting for a name of loyalty and filial piety through the ages, he had also thought about it.

How can the desire to survive be so strong that he really can't bear to gamble with his life.

Running away without receiving news is worthy of the Great Dayu Dynasty's generous treatment.

"Duke, the family servants in the mansion are all in place and can break out at any time.

However, the Northern Barbarians are coming aggressively; if we encounter them on the battlefield, I fear we are not their opponents.

Our death is small, but affecting the safety of the masters in the mansion, it could……"

The middle-aged steward persuaded uneasily.

Knowing his own family's affairs, as a bully in Shandong, the Kong Mansion's family servants are also well-known far and near.

But it is limited to bullying the people; they are still far from the battlefield.

Compared to the family servants of those military officers, they are completely two concepts.

Theoretically, the total number of family servants registered in each room of the Kong Mansion is thousands.

In fact, it is filled with a large number of connected households.

From eighty-year-old men to children who have not yet been weaned.

Many people are in it purely to occupy a quota and mix some monthly money.

Those with connections can also follow the steward down to collect rent and then take the opportunity to make a fortune.

Anyway, the Kong Mansion has a big family and a big business and can afford them.

Feeling tight on financial resources, then pick a few unlucky ones and swallow their family business.

For a long time, it has been played like this.

Counting on these people to go to the battlefield, he really has no confidence.

"No need to say more!

The Northern Barbarians are all a group of lunatics; this Duke is a descendant of the sage, how can I be with them.

Tell the clansmen to try their best to help defend the city.

When it really can't be defended, then break out and leave, and life and death are up to fate."

Kong Yinzhi refused decisively.

If possible, he also wanted to reach a tacit understanding with the Northern Barbarians and not have to embark on the road of exile.

Unfortunately, the Northern Barbarians' reputation is too poor; violating promises is about the same as eating and drinking.

If you stay, and the enemy does not abide by the agreement, they are meat on the chopping board.

Besides this reason, Kong Yinzhi also wanted to borrow a knife to kill someone.

Multiplying to the present, the number of clansmen in the Kong family is really too many.

Things are precious because they are rare.

The number of sage descendants is large, and they will also become worthless.

Moreover, many guys in it are not very peaceful, and they are all staring at his position.

Causing trouble outside, he, the head of the family, has to be responsible for cleaning up the mess.

Once or twice is fine, but cleaning up the mess for people every few days, anyone will be annoyed.

Everyone is of the same clan, and many means cannot be used.

Now the Northern Barbarians are invading, which is undoubtedly the best opportunity.

Grassland cavalry cannot understand the Shandong dialect, and it is difficult for both sides to communicate.

Sage descendants also have two shoulders carrying one head, and there is no difference in appearance.

The Northern Barbarian cavalry killed smoothly, and they certainly wouldn't mind attacking these fat sheep.

He can take advantage of the breakout opportunity to clear the dissatisfied forces in the clan without any effort.

……

The roaring artillery fire continues.

The Qufu city wall, which has been in disrepair, soon became precarious.

The garrison, which lacked combat experience and was driven to the ducks, was very powerless in the face of the enemy's fierce attack.

After a loud noise, a gap appeared in the city wall.

The garrison that should have blocked it in the first time could not bear the pressure and turned around and ran.

On the battlefield, the collapse of the army is often an inadvertent moment.

Seeing soldiers running away, the surrounding soldiers soon chose to follow the trend.

The yamen runners responsible for supervising the battle were majestic in normal times, but now they have become soft-footed shrimps.

Except for shouting "hurry back" in their mouths, their bodies retreated involuntarily.

"What are you stunned for? The supervision team should immediately execute the deserters and stabilize the battle line for this official!"

The Qufu County Magistrate who was watching the battle ordered in a panic.

Originally thought his military level was at the rookie level, but never expected the garrison general to be even more rookie than him.

The drawbacks of hereditary military officers are vividly reflected here.

If he could command the troops, Wan Yuxuan would also want the Liaodong Town to fight a battle with the Northern Barbarians.

Not asking for how many achievements, at least prove that their Ministry of War is not a vegetarian.

Always letting the noble group be beautiful in front will affect the Emperor's judgment.

Although not explicitly stated, he could still feel the Emperor's intention to strengthen the power of the Governor's Office.

For a yamen with dual leadership, if one family's power increases, it will inevitably squeeze the power of the other.

As the Minister of War, Wan Yuxuan naturally cannot tolerate the loss of power.

Unfortunately, the Liaodong Town's appetite is too big, and the Imperial Court cannot satisfy the requirements of these warlords, so they are not willing to risk their lives.

The Ministry of War cannot manage the army below; this kind of shameful thing, he naturally cannot say in the court.

Once placed on the table, not only will the Liaodong Supervisor be finished, but he, the Minister of War, will also follow and be finished.

Even the pattern of civil officials being the only one will inevitably be impacted.

The threat of the vassal town appears, and Emperor Yongning wants to consolidate imperial power, so he can only use a large number of nobles.

Although most noble descendants are rice buckets, the base is there, and there is no shortage of people with average talent.

There is no need to give birth to how many famous generals; as long as they can fight dull battles step by step, they will surpass many generals in the army.

"Oh!"

"Walking from Liaodong to the capital, it took half a year; they are really hard-working.

Minister Wan, how long are you preparing to let the Liaodong Town rest?"

Emperor Yongning mocked.

Although he doesn't know what's going on below, the performance of the Liaodong Town really couldn't satisfy him.

If it weren't for the fact that too many resources were invested in the early stage and the sunk cost was too high, he would want to start over and reorganize an elite force.

"Your Majesty, this should be asked of Lord Zhong."

Death to the Taoist friend, not the poor Taoist; knowing the Emperor was angry, Wan Yuxuan decisively chose to shift the blame.

The Liaodong Town losing control, the primary person responsible, is undoubtedly the Liaodong Supervisor.

"Your Majesty, calm your anger!"

"At most three days, no, two days!

As long as two days, the Liaodong Town will launch an attack on the enemy……"

Zhong Jingming guaranteed with feigned calmness.

Deep down, he was already panicked at this moment.

Being able to sit in the position of Liaodong Supervisor, half relied on his own bragging, and half relied on the support of gold masters.

The several great victories in the front were all deliberately fabricated to whitewash the peace.

Always shrinking in the city, the only counterattack means was to use cannons to shoot at the enemy.

Even the captured heads were bought from the Northern Barbarians through the Shanxi merchants.

After all, there is also slaughter on the grasslands, and the Northern Barbarians also have to suppress the opposition forces that do not obey them.

People's heads that are completely useless can be exchanged for money, so they will naturally not refuse.

The Liaodong Town can grow, mainly because these people are obedient and actively participate in smuggling trade.

Other troops sent to Liaodong were mostly the confidants of the previous Liaodong Supervisor, and their political proposition was: crack down on smuggling trade and starve the Northern Barbarians to death.

For the sake of interests, everyone could frame even the previous Liaodong Supervisor, so they would naturally not let go of the troops under his command.

After Zhong Jingming took office, he used the power in his hands to quickly send these troops to the battlefield as cannon fodder.

After the stumbling blocks were removed, everyone made a fortune relying on smuggling trade.

In this chain of interests, everyone is a beneficiary, and only the Great Dayu Imperial Court is the biggest loser.

Faking it, there is a limit after all.

With the Northern Barbarian invasion, many problems that were originally hidden surfaced all at once.

(End of chapter)

"There is such a fool; what are you still stunned for? Hurry and send people to chase!"

(End of chapter)