Chapter 161 160 The End
The bright moon hangs high in the sky, lighting up the lake.
Zhang Hongfu, Wu Dong and others crowded in the bow of the boat, eating fresh seafood and drinking wine, and lived a happy life.
"I've been out for two days. Let's go back tomorrow morning."
At this time, Wei Wen said.
Today I bumped into Yu Dayou while hiking up the mountain. He had received the news that the Japanese pirates had committed suicide, so he went over to inspect the Japanese pirates' heads.
After the misunderstanding was resolved, the two groups parted ways.
Wu Dong and the others were still searching the area under the banner to prevent any stray Japanese pirates from escaping.
"Yes, I guess the order to go back will be issued soon. It will probably be close to October when we return to Jiujiang, and it will be soon for Guangde to go to Beijing to take the exam."
Wu Dong nodded and said .
"Okay, go back."
Zhang Hongfu took a sip of wine and said with a smile: "I didn't notice that Guangde knew that the other party might be an official, so he fired the blunderbuss directly, and he was not afraid of others shooting him directly. You."
While several people were laughing and joking on the boat, a banquet was also being held in a large house in Zhongxi Town.
In the town, it is naturally impossible to have a beautiful dancer perform a dance to add to the fun. Wu Zhankui and Wei Meng from the Wei Institute, on behalf of the Jiujiang Wei, were giving a banquet to the Changzhou prefect and the Zhejiang commander and general Yu Dayou who came to investigate.
The prefect of Changzhou arrived the day before. After Yu Dayou arrived this afternoon, he immediately inspected the corpses of the Japanese pirates and confirmed that they were correct. Their errands were considered completed and they could submit their reports to the superiors.
Therefore, they signed and stamped the inspection document on the spot, and then asked Wu Zhankui to arrange for the soldiers to cut off the head, wrap it in lime and send it to the Nanjing War Department to dispose of the body as soon as possible.
At this time, if it is left for another two days, it will really stink.
The prefect of Changzhou simply ate a few bites of the food, drank two glasses of wine, and left the table feeling too drunk. At this time, only Wu Zhankui, Wei Meng and Yu Dayou were left at the dinner table.
"Your son is very courageous, and he shot a gun in front of me."
Yu Dayou said to Wei Meng.
The three of them had met before in Zhejiang and had drinks twice.
The reason why Yu Dayou came to have a drink with them was because he heard that these two soldiers had fought against Japanese pirates head-on. As a newbie, he naturally needed a few generals who could fight, so he took the initiative to contact them. people.
Of course, he was disappointed.
The two of them were used to enjoying themselves in the interior, and neither of them wanted to stay in Zhejiang to fight against the Japanese.
However, after drinking twice, the three of them were somewhat familiar. Otherwise Wu Zhankui would not have known that Yu Dayou's family was a hereditary family and that he was a scholar or a martial arts scholar.
"From what you said, the gunman should be Guangde. He likes firearms very much, but I didn't realize he was so courageous."
Wu Zhankui answered with a smile.
“I was very angry. When I saw them carrying blunderbuss, I asked out of curiosity and got angry at me.”
Yu Dayou said with a laugh.
Wei Meng picked up the wine glass on the table and said with a smile: "Bring the dog to pay for it, don't get angry with the child, do it."
The three drank all the wine, and the sergeant next to them immediately came up and filled up three more glasses.
"Don't look at my nephew who is young. He is only sixteen years old. He is a master of the people. If you really want to conflict, if it gets bigger, you will be in trouble."
This moment Wu Zhankui spoke again.
"Juren?"
Yu Dayou looked like you are teasing me, "In the northern guard post, there are juren, and there are also Jinshi. In the southern guard post, forgive me for my ignorance, it is rare."
"Why did I lie to you? Didn't you tell me that you failed the provincial examination twice, but my nephew passed the examination after two attempts? In November, they and others of the same year will leave for Beijing to take the exam."
"I know, you are showing off. When I was admitted as a scholar, your family only had children."
Yu Dayou curled his lips, "But it's really powerful, but the edges are a bit sharp and need to be sharpened."
"Indeed, Guangde's merit examination went very well."
Wei Meng Nodding, he also noticed that today's incident would not be like this at all.
But he didn't know that Wei Guangde initially approached Yu Dayou to rob them, and he was a kind of official thief.
"It's okay, I have a friend in Beijing. I'll just write a letter of divorce later and ask him to take more care of him."
Yu Dayou looked at Wei Meng thoughtfully, knowing that he was worried about that The child, so he simply smiled and said, "By the way, how powerful are those Japanese pirates? We should know better if we fight directly."
"We are all at the end of our battle. How strong do you think we are?"
Wu Zhankui chuckled, "Of course the military report cannot be true. Report it, everyone knows it, come on, drink and drink.”
On the second day, when the two boats docked, Zhang Hongfu, Wei Guangde and their party jumped off the boat and returned to Zhongxi Town. Only then did they realize that the Changzhou prefect and the Zhejiang general who had come to examine the bodies of the Japanese pirates early this morning had already left.
The prefect of Changzhou was naturally not willing to stay in the army for a long time, and Yu Dayou naturally had to return to Jiaxing to continue commanding the encirclement and suppression of Tuolin Japanese pirates.
At this time, Zhang Shigui was discussing matters with his father Zhang Qing in the temporary camp of Jiujiang Guards in Wuhu.
"Zhan Kui wanted Wei Meng to serve as the rear army's Qianhu, dad, why did you agree and send the news to the father-in-law."
Because now Zhang Qing's body has become weak. Every day was getting worse, so Zhang Shigui followed him out this time because he was worried.
"The seat is empty, so someone has to take it."
Zhang Qing said with drooped eyelids.
"Now that my father-in-law has returned to the garrison position in Nanjing, it means that my father-in-law's status with the emperor has been restored, and he can let me go first."
Before Zhang Shigui finished speaking, Zhang Qing's eyes suddenly opened and he was stared back, "When I turn around, I will take my resignation and leave you to take charge of the affairs."
Hearing his father's words, Zhang Shigui's eyes suddenly widened.
It is not a good time for the old man to retire at this time.
It is impossible to directly command Tongzhi. As a rule, he can only assume the position of commanding the generals first.
Now all the seven command positions of Jiujiang Guard are full.
The old man has taken up his official position and has freed up a commanding officer. One of the other four officers must be able to take over.
“Now is an opportunity. It is better for Zhankui to sit in the position of commanding colleague than to give it to someone else.”
Zhang Qing glanced at his son and continued: "Now that Zhankui has military merit, he is in the right position.
Wei Meng wants to be promoted, and the position of Qianhu in the rear army is just available. Don't worry about your position, as long as Firmly grasp the relationship with the father-in-law, and everything will still be in your hands. "
"I always feel something is wrong about Zheng Yixiang. Logically speaking, he shouldn't just die like this." After listening to the old man's words, Zhang Shigui knew that there was no way to reverse it. The old man must have calculated it. This was the right thing to do. It was in his own best interest, but he still raised the questions in his heart.
“Don’t think about it, he’s just a loser. More than two hundred people couldn’t even win a battle and even lost their lives.”
Zhang Qing shook his head and didn't take Zheng Yixiang's death seriously at all. So what if there was a problem, could he still try to overturn the verdict of the dead person?
If it dies, it has no value.
“But.”
Zhang Shigui considered his words and continued for a long time: “Let Zhan Kui and Wei Meng climb so fast, it will be difficult to control them in the future, and when the time comes, Zhan Kui and Wei Meng will not be able to control them. The position of chief military officer is still above mine."
"You, after following me for so long, you still don't understand the status of our military attaché."
Zhang Qing glanced at his son and said, "When serving in a guard office, the most important thing is not the size of the official position, but the backer above.
There is another more important thing. Many people haven't figured it out yet. I feel it is That boy Wei Meng saw something, that is, don't move easily. Even if you want to move, you must have a backup plan and be prepared. "
Zhang Shigui was full of questions at the moment. What did his father say in front of him? I understand, but it’s hard to explain later.
"Don't move around."
Zhang Qing looked at Zhang Shigui and said calmly: "As long as I stay in the hospital and get promoted, I can let the little one inherit something.
When you have enough seniority and want to be promoted, it is easy to transfer people to the Nanjing Jingying through the relationship with the father-in-law. There are as many commanders there as dogs, and then you can smoothly ascend to the position.
The reason why I have always been in this position is not because you can only do a few things in your position, and you will definitely not be able to keep your position as a Tongzhi.
Remember, don’t seek promotion at any time, just stay in the guardhouse. Jiujiang is a good place. "
Zhang Shigui nodded, he understood what his father meant.
Whether it is Wu Zhankui or Wei Meng, if they are disobedient and dishonest, they will be transferred to the Nanjing Camp, even if they are given to them Upgrading by half a level is a loss in total.
The Zhang family didn't go anywhere and stayed in Jiujiang Weili.
"What about Wu Dong and Wencai?"
Zhang Shigui thought about the backup left by the Wu and Wei families. He was a little unsure. Thousands of households and hundreds of households can also trouble the father-in-law. Take action?
"Stay. The two of them have a good relationship with Hongfu. The position will not be reserved for Hongfu in the future. He also needs help."
Zhang Qing glanced at Zhang Shigui and said, "Why? They are all relatives, so you can really do a great job.”
"No wonder they only wanted their son to take over the job and stay in their vacancy for their meritorious service last time. Even if they can't take over, they won't be promoted."
"Haha, you understand."
Zhang Qing narrowed his eyes again, "Things were done well this time. My father-in-law is very happy. Who would have thought of such a coincidence? As soon as the imperial edict was issued, Chen Eunuch Hong and Chen are still urging him to send troops to encircle and suppress the Japanese pirates. The battle here is over, and the victory documents will be sent to his father-in-law. Hehe.
When the inspection documents are delivered, you can go to Nanjing. I'll meet the father-in-law in the city, show my face, and take my resignation documents with me. This should be done at this time."
A few days later, Zhongxi Town.
The Ming army, which had been stationed here for ten days, finally regrouped. After completing the handover procedures with the county clerk, more than 400 Jiujiang Guards were divided into three teams and returned the same way. This time their destination was Wuhu, with the Jiujiang Guards Brigade. Meet up and return to base.
The journey went smoothly. When passing through Liyang County, the Liyang County magistrate also organized the squires to send a lot of wine and meat.
This time during the expedition, the soldiers at the Qianhu Station of the Right Army were full of food. Never had such a good thing happened before. Being full was considered a gift from the superior officer.
After being defeated and many people died, Qianhusuo, the rear army, was even more miserable. They were given the least food and wine. They did not dare to say anything. Their leading bosses were all killed in the hands of Japanese pirates. Now this The commanders in this team are all from the right army. What can I say?
After Liyang, we still boarded the ship in Guangtong Town. We arrived in Wuhu without saying anything and met up with Commander Wei.
It was only when they were boarding the ship that Wei Zhenfu Wei Meng came over to see the situation of the rear army, scolded the person in charge of logistics, and then brought a lot of wine and meat, which made the soldiers of the rear army feel a lot towards Wei Zhenfu. Good impression.
Well, if you are a soldier these days, you will be a mother if you have breasts.
I heard from the soldiers at Bengshan Fort that serving as soldiers under Wei Baihu was the best among the surrounding guards. At least they could eat, and the surrounding military households were also willing to do so. Come here to marry your daughter.
As for the few soldiers around Zheng Yixiang, they failed to protect the chief officer Zhou Quan at the critical moment and were directly sentenced to death by Wei Zhenfu. No one has discussed it anymore.
In early October, the Jiujiang Guard Fleet returned to Jiujiang Prefecture.
Just like a few years ago, this time the Jiujiang Guards went on an expedition and won another great victory. They directly captured all the Japanese pirates who were fleeing many prefectures in Zhejiang and South Zhili, which was a big hit.
When Wei Guangde and the others attended the Luming Banquet, Jiangxi's governors and chief envoys were still worried about the Japanese pirates who were just around the corner. They issued multiple documents in a row and ordered the prefectures and counties in the east to gather their soldiers and carry out the attack. Training to prepare for the invasion of Japanese pirates.
It's better now. The Japanese pirates were all beheaded and their heads were hung on Nanjing City.
The reward silver had already been obtained in Wuhu. According to the reward stipulated by the imperial court, the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs directly distributed it. Although it did not float as before, the military households were overjoyed to receive the silver.
As for the reward, we can only wait.
After Zhang Shigui sent the survey documents and the heads of the Japanese pirates to Nanjing, Chen Hong and Chen Eunuch took the victory report and other memorials back to Beijing via the Grand Canal to deliver the message to Emperor Jiajing, and took away all the transcripts of the battle reports related to the battle. .
However, what surprised Zhang Shigui was that at the Wei Guogong Mansion, Chen Eunuch held him and learned about the battle in detail.
Although Zhang Shigui did not come to the front line in person, the letter sent by Wu Zhankui along with the good news detailed the situation of the battle, especially Zhang Hongfu's cavalry attack on the Japanese pirates.
"Zhang Hongfu, your son is not bad. He is worthy of being a general. Wu Dong and Wei Wencai are also good. Why do you, the Jiujiang Guards, take the younger one with you when you go to war?"
Chen Hong After knowing that the last few people who rushed into the battle were all young generals from Jiujiang Guards, Wu Dong and Wei Wencai were all serving military attachés, Zhang Hongfu and Wei Guangde were not, Bai Ding was the only one, and I could barely count him as Yu Ding.
"Hongfu went to gain knowledge with his uncle, while Guangde wanted to see what the Japanese pirates were like. To be honest, my nephew Wei Guangde just passed the provincial examination this year and will go to Beijing with his classmates and friends next month. Participate in next year's examination.
If he is lucky enough to be on the list, he is also betting on whether the emperor will give the question or not. "
Zhang Shigui explained carefully.
"Oh, he is still a civil servant, not bad, not bad. He is worthy of being from a guard station. Now he can hold a pen when he dismounts his horse, and he can fight when he mounts his horse."
Chen Hong is still smiling but not smiling. He looked like this, and then thought about it and said: "I think these military reports have written about the process of this battle, but they are not detailed. You go back tonight and write a copy and have it sent to you tomorrow morning."
"Yes."
Zhang Shigui could only nod and accept the order.
After coming down, Zhang Shigui met Wei Guogong Xu Pengju and talked about what Chen Hong wanted him to write.
"It doesn't matter. Jingli just wants to know the strength of this group of Japanese pirates. You know how to write it. As for the few younger ones, they haven't even gone to the battlefield yet, so they can't be transferred to the Coastal Guard to command troops. ”
Indeed, if the Japanese pirates roaming dozens of prefectures and counties in the two provinces are all a mob, then the Jiangnan officialdom will really lose face.
At this point, the Japanese pirates' invasion of Nanjing, which caused a sensation in the north and south of the Ming Dynasty, came to a complete end. It ended with the resignation of Zhang Shiche, Minister of the Ministry of War of Nanjing, Chen Zhu, the Minister of Funing, Zhu Yue, the Marquis of Funing, and Guo Fang, the eunuch.
As for the reward, it will be decided after the important ministers in Beijing discuss it and report it to the emperor. However, at this time, they are all celebrating the birth of the emperor's first grandson.
In the 10th month of the 34th year of Jiajing reign, King Yu’s first son was born in Renxu.
The Ministry of Rites asked to report to the temple in the suburbs, and issued an edict to heaven to order the civil and military ministers to congratulate him, saying: "This is a ceremony for the grandson, how can we not wait for it?" The emperor ordered his officials to report: Xuanji Palace and Fengxian Palace. There is no need for the ministers to congratulate him, and there is no point in issuing an edict. Xunming Chengguo Duke Zhu Xi advised Xuanji Palace, and Prince Consort Xie Zhao issued an edict to Fengxian Palace.
(End of this chapter)