Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 207 Warning
Yuan Chonghuan's words were shocking, and Xiong Tingbi did not expect Yuan Chonghuan to be so courageous.

When he was in Liaodong, Xiong Tingbi did hold the Emperor's Sword and was the governor of Liaodong, but the so-called Emperor's Sword cannot be used casually, and it can only kill officials below the third rank at most. As for officials below the third rank, it depends on whether they are civil officials or military officials. If they are military officials, there is absolutely no problem. Anyway, in the Ming Dynasty, civil officials are more important than military officials, so Xiong Tingbi can still kill a military officer below the third rank.

But it was different for civil officials. The civil officials and military officials of the Ming Dynasty were completely different. Not to mention the civil officials below the third rank, even the sixth rank officials would be arrogant when facing senior military officials. They would point at the other party's noses and curse at them, and the other party would not be able to do anything to them.

Killing a civil servant is a big deal. Even though Wang Huazhen's rank as governor is not very high, only the third rank, if you really want to force it, Xiong Tingbi's Emperor Sword can barely kill him.

But would Xiong Tingbi dare to do this? Of course it was impossible. If he did this, wouldn't the court be in chaos? You kill a civil official who is also the governor of Liaodong? What's this? Is he planning a rebellion? Xiong Tingbi thought he was quite courageous, but he couldn't do such a thing.

But looking at Yuan Chonghuan's expression, Xiong Tingbi saw determination and resoluteness in his eyes. This daring guy might really be able to do such a thing. However, thinking back to that time, Xiong Tingbi had to admit that what Yuan Chonghuan said was not without reason. He was an experienced commander. At that time, the governor of Liaodong was not in harmony with the governor. His nominal governor had been completely sidelined by Wang Huazhen. No matter what he wanted to do, he could not do it. Rather than watching Wang Huazhen's defeat and being implicated, he might as well go all out and kill this bastard first.

For a moment, Xiong Tingbi admired Yuan Chonghuan a little. At least this man was more daring than himself. If he could have done the same at that time, perhaps the result would have been different.

But assumptions are just assumptions after all. Xiong Tingbi shook his head and sighed, then found other topics to change the subject and never talked about Wang Huazhen again.

Seeing that Xiong Tingbi didn't want to say more about this matter, Yuan Chonghuan naturally followed Xiong Tingbi's words and talked about other things.

The two chatted for a while, and Xiong Tingbi asked Yuan Chonghuan why he came to see him today. It couldn't be that he bought wine and food specifically to chat with him, or that he wanted to stand up for him, right?

Hearing Xiong Tingbi's question, Yuan Chonghuan smiled and said that he did have something to ask for advice. He immediately straightened his face and told Xiong Tingbi his real purpose.

Yuan Chonghuan told Xiong Tingbi that he was now the head of the Ministry of War. After the defeat in Liaodong, the court had readjusted the Liaodong strategy. Emperor Tianqi had appointed his teacher Sun Chengzong as a Grand Secretary, to the Cabinet, and concurrently as Minister of War. He would rush to Liaodong to supervise the troops that day.

Because Xiong Tingbi and Wang Huazhen were both convicted and Liaodong was unstable, the court was preparing to send Sun Chengzong while rebuilding the defense line in Liaodong. Considering that the people of Liaodong were not fit for important positions, they planned to select people who knew military affairs from the capital to replace the officials of Liaodong.

Two days ago, Cai Sichong, the military official, said in a memorial that Yuan Chonghuan was "talented" and suggested that Yuan Chonghuan assist Yan Mingtai, the former Liaodong military governor, in "taking charge of Yuguan". The court had approved this suggestion. If nothing unexpected happened, Yuan Chonghuan would be promoted soon, and his position after promotion would most likely be the assistant censor of Shandong Provincial Surveillance Department and the military supervisor of Shanhaiguan.

In this way, Yuan Chonghuan will go to Shanhaiguan to take up his post, and be responsible for the defense of the Shanhaiguan line under the commander-in-chief Sun Chengzong.

Considering that he only judged the situation in Liaodong through various collected information and had no direct first-hand information. Moreover, this position was very important. Although Yuan Chonghuan believed that he had considerable military talent and planned to go to Liaodong to do something big, he was unsure.

Since they were preparing to go to war with the Later Jin and Jiannu, they certainly could not do it in the dark. After much thought, Yuan Chonghuan thought of Xiong Tingbi.

Xiong Tingbi is now a prisoner, and the three judicial departments have already made the verdict, but the court has not yet announced the execution time. But no matter what, Xiong Tingbi was the governor of Liaodong before, and no one in the world is more familiar with the situation in Liaodong than Xiong Tingbi. In addition, Yuan Chonghuan himself felt that the previous defeat in Liaodong was not Xiong Tingbi's fault. The reason why Xiong Tingbi ended up like this was entirely because of Wang Huazhen. If Xiong Tingbi had been ruthless and directly killed Wang Huazhen with the Emperor's Sword and completely controlled the military and political affairs of Liaodong, how could there be a great defeat later?
What Yuan Chonghuan said to Xiong Tingbi just now was indeed what he thought in his heart. He felt that although Xiong Tingbi was talented, he was too frustrated to be the governor of Liaodong. If it were him, there was no way he would let Wang Huazhen climb over his head, let alone be sidelined by Wang Huazhen.

Those who achieve great things do not care about trivial matters. Yuan Chonghuan felt that Xiong Tingbi was still too pedantic, otherwise how could it have come to this?
Today, he came to Xiong Tingbi to ask him for advice on Liaodong military affairs, including the terrain of Liaodong, the key points of the defense line, the situation of the Later Jin and Jiannu, etc. With such a person who is well versed in the situation in Liaodong, Yuan Chonghuan would not be Yuan Chonghuan if he did not ask for help, even if Xiong Tingbi is currently a death row prisoner? A real man still cares about these details when doing things?
After listening to Yuan Chonghuan's explanation, Xiong Tingbi finally understood why he came. Although he was a little surprised, Xiong Tingbi admired Yuan Chonghuan a little bit, and even felt a little more favorable towards him for coming to him to inquire.

There are many smart people in the court, both civil and military officials, but not many of them really want to get things done. Most of the officials in the court are busy scheming and fighting for power. How many of them are willing to work hard and truly serve the country and the people?

Although it was only the first time he met Yuan Chonghuan and he did not know Yuan Chonghuan well, the fact that he went to the prison alone to ask him, a prisoner on death row, for advice on Liaodong military affairs was enough to prove that Yuan Chonghuan had great ambitions. Moreover, Yuan Chonghuan's personality and temper were quite to Xiong Tingbi's liking. They were actually the same type of people and had many similarities.

Compared to Xiong Tingbi, Yuan Chonghuan was younger, bolder, and more motivated. If Yuan Chonghuan could really accomplish something in Liaodong with his help, wouldn't that prove to the world that Xiong Tingbi was right? If he couldn't do it, Yuan Chonghuan might be able to do it. When Liaodong was pacified and Yuan Chonghuan became famous, it would also be the time for Xiong Tingbi to be proud.

Thinking of this, Xiong Tingbi decided to tell Yuan Chonghuan what he knew about Liaodong in detail to help Yuan Chonghuan. Hearing Xiong Tingbi's agreement, Yuan Chonghuan was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked Xiong Tingbi as a disciple. Xiong Tingbi smiled and helped Yuan Chonghuan up, telling him earnestly that it was not necessary to do so. It was his long-cherished wish to pacify Liaodong, but now he could not do it. If Yuan Chonghuan could do it, it might be fulfilling his wish.

In this way, in the next few days, Yuan Chonghuan visited Xiong Tingbi in the prison every day and humbly asked about the situation in Liaodong. Xiong Tingbi also told Yuan Chonghuan everything he knew about Liaodong, and explained to Yuan Chonghuan some of his previous arrangements and ideas about the war in Liaodong as a discussion. It must be admitted that Yuan Chonghuan gained a lot from Xiong Tingbi, and Xiong Tingbi not only told Yuan Chonghuan everything he wanted to know, but also told Yuan Chonghuan all his experiences and losses in fighting against the Later Jin in Liaodong, so that Yuan Chonghuan had a comprehensive judgment and idea of ​​the situation of the Later Jin Jiannu and the entire Liaodong even though he had not yet gone to Liaodong.

Not only that, Yuan Chonghuan also recorded what Xiong Tingbi said and his experiences, and made several thick booklets. He would read and study them when he had nothing to do, thinking about how to open up the situation after he went to Liaodong.

Less than half a month later, the court's appointment finally came down. As previously speculated, Yuan Chonghuan was appointed as the assistant censor of Shandong and the military inspector of Shanhaiguan. He did not have much time left in the capital. According to the court's requirements, after handing over the Ministry of War, he would go to Shanhaiguan to take up his post and thus step onto the front line.

On this day, Yuan Chonghuan came to the prison to see Xiong Tingbi as usual. After talking about the situation in Liaodong, Yuan Chonghuan picked up the wine jug and filled it with wine for Xiong Tingbi. He picked up his own wine glass in front of him, raised his glass and sincerely thanked Xiong Tingbi for his help these days. At the same time, he told him that this was the last time he came because he would go to Shanhaiguan in a few days.

Hearing Yuan Chonghuan say this, Xiong Tingbi felt a little disappointed. Although he had known that Yuan Chonghuan would eventually leave, when that day came, Xiong Tingbi still felt very upset.

During these days, Xiong Tingbi had a lot of conversations with Yuan Chonghuan in prison, and their relationship improved by leaps and bounds. Xiong Tingbi taught Yuan Chonghuan all his many years of experience in leading troops, including all the situations in Liaodong. It can be said that the relationship between the two was no longer just ordinary friends, but they were both teacher and friend.

"As you go to Liaodong, I wish you a bright future and immediate success!" Xiong Tingbi said with emotion as he picked up the wine glass.

"Thank you, sir." Yuan Chonghuan said gratefully, "I will remember your teachings in my heart. Please rest assured, I will go to Liaodong to make contributions to the Ming Dynasty and wipe out the Jiannu to repay the court. When the Jiannu are pacified and Liaodong is completely recovered, I will come to see you again. At that time, I am willing to use my achievements to exchange for your innocence, so that everyone in the world will know your injustice!"

"There is no need to say all this. Just go there and do your job well. As for me, you don't have to worry. His Majesty has no intention of killing me for the time being. Maybe after a few years, His Majesty will show mercy and release me." Xiong Tingbi waved his hand. Although he said this, he was very moved by Yuan Chonghuan's words in his heart.

"By the way, Yuansu, there is something I want to say but I don't know whether I should say it or not." After finishing the wine in the glass, Xiong Tingbi put down the glass and spoke thoughtfully.

"Sir, please feel free to speak your mind," Yuan Chonghuan said readily.

Nodding, Xiong Tingbi looked at Yuan Chonghuan and said, "Element's talent is rare in the world. I, Xiong Tingbi, have always been conceited, but after talking with Element these days, I also admire your talent very much..."

"Sir, your words are too kind. If I, Yuan Chonghuan, hadn't had your guidance..." Before Yuan Chonghuan could finish his words, Xiong Tingbi interrupted him and said, "Yuan Yuan, there are only you and me here. I really speak from the bottom of my heart. I know your talents very well, so there is no need to apologize. If I am not mistaken in your words, you will shine in Liaodong. Your future prospects are limitless, and your achievements will far exceed mine."

"But before we leave, I also have something to say to you. Please keep it in mind."

"Sir, please speak."

"Element, you are talented, but you are too arrogant and resolute, and you like to take risks. Do you still remember what you mentioned when you first came to see me?"

"Sir, did you say...?"

Xiong Tingbi nodded, "The dispute over the governor of Liaodong back then was not as simple as you think. Besides, the governor of Liaodong was in a high position and had great power. Although revenge is a means of revenge, it is not upright after all. Whether in the army or in the court, some rules must be followed. I have always been arrogant and I have suffered from this in recent years. It is too late to regret it now. I hope Yuansu will learn from my experience and think more before doing anything, and never act on impulse."

Yuan Chonghuan smiled and said, "What you said is not true, sir. I will remember your teachings, sir. Please don't worry."

Although Yuan Chonghuan agreed in front of Xiong Tingbi, Xiong Tingbi felt from Yuan Chonghuan's smile that his answer was not taken to heart. At this time, Xiong Tingbi sighed in his heart and said no more, hoping that Yuan Chonghuan could remember his warning and not repeat the same mistake as himself.

(End of this chapter)