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

Chapter 945 Xiong Wencan's Memorial

The content of the discussion in the General Senate soon reached the ears of Emperor Zhu Shenzui. After hearing what Zhang Xianzhong said about the Battle of Jinzhou, Zhu Shenzui did not comment on the surface, but he and Crown Prince Zhu Minlan privately praised Zhang Xianzhong very much.

The number of people who can come up with such tactics is far beyond that of ordinary people. It is indeed extraordinary that Zhang Xianzhong could stand out among the bandits. The saying that heroes emerge in troubled times is indeed true. Not only Zhang Xianzhong, but also Gao Yingxiang, Li Zicheng, and Luo Rucai, which one of them is not a hero?
Moreover, Zhang Xianzhong's plan to break the city reminded Zhu Shenzui of the famous Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in later generations. The method of digging the ground and using explosives to attack the city (hole siege method) was first created by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and this method was used in many siege battles. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom adopted this method in many battles, such as the Battle of Hangzhou, the Battle of Quanzhou, the Battle of Nanchang, the Battle of Changsha... There were successes and failures. Of course, the failure was not because this method did not work, but because the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom used this tactic too frequently, which led to the Qing army's understanding of this tactic and took many precautions, which prevented the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom from succeeding. But this does not mean that this tactic is not useful.

Moreover, in the bloody battle of Guanjiazhai in modern warfare, our army's commander also adopted this method of siege and finally won a great victory of annihilation.

Zhang Xianzhong was able to think of the same tactics more than 200 years in advance, which is enough to prove his ability. If Huang Taiji had thought of this method, Zu Dashou would not have been able to defend Jinzhou at all, let alone besiege it for several months without taking it.

One has to admit that Zhang Xianzhong is very capable, but unfortunately, although Zhang Xianzhong is capable, this is the limit he can reach now. Even if Zhang Xianzhong behaves more respectfully, Zhu Shenzui will not let him leave the capital, let alone let him lead the troops.

The reason why Zhang Xianzhong was placed in the General Senate was, firstly, to place him in a stable position. Zhang Xianzhong was not a good-for-nothing, he had real abilities, and it was better to make use of him rather than keeping him in the capital doing nothing. Secondly, the purpose of placing Zhang Xianzhong in a stable position was to show the leaders of the various rebel armies that surrendered to the Ming army. These people were now part of the Ming army, and many of them were still serving in the army. They all knew the attitude of the court towards Zhang Xianzhong, and as long as Zhang Xianzhong was safe, they could rest assured about the court.

As for the third point, it is sand in the sand. The General Council Office now has the most people from the Liao army, and Wu Xiang is the right general councilor. If this situation continues for a long time, the General Council Office may become a one-man show. Although the General Council Office is not very eye-catching at present, it is only a place to house senior generals in the eyes of others, similar to the empty position of the Five Military Governor's Office. But in fact, the General Council Office will be the General Staff in the future. According to Zhu Shenzhu's setting, it is to completely replace the Five Military Governor's Office and is also an important part of the emperor's control of military power.

For this reason, the General Council Office was extremely important, and the Liao army generals must not be allowed to dominate the office. Therefore, Zhu Shenzhu not only appointed Zhou Anmin as the Left General Councilor, but also put some other people in it, including Zhang Xianzhong.

Putting Zhang Xianzhong's matter aside for the time being, Zhu Shenzhu continued to look at the memorials, and not far from him, Crown Prince Zhu Minlan was also reading through the memorials.

As the prince grew up, Zhu Shencui not only took him to listen to government affairs and study, but also often asked him to come to the Qianqing Palace to read memorials. Although the prince's current experience was far from enough to be competent for this, under Zhu Shencui's guidance, he started from reading memorials and learned step by step, and made rapid progress.

"Dad, look at this." Zhu Minlan picked up a memorial, stood up, walked a few steps to Zhu Shenzhui and handed it to him.

After Zhu Shenzhui took it, he first glanced at the signature on it. This was a memorial from Xiong Wencan, and Xiong Wencan was now the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi in the Ming Dynasty. This position was also newly created. Before that, he was the Left Governor of Fujian. Recruiting Zheng Zhilong and annihilating Liu Xiang were all the achievements of Xiong Wencan. It was precisely because of these merits that Xiong Wencan was promoted from the position of Left Governor and concurrently served as the Minister of War.

Of course, his promotion was just a rank increase. In the late Ming Dynasty, many officials who controlled local military power would be given the title of Minister of War, such as Sun Chengzong and Yuan Chonghuan. Later, Xu Xiancheng, Sun Chuanting, Hong Chengchou, and Lu Xiangsheng also had such titles. The purpose was to facilitate the mobilization of troops to suppress rebellions and reward merits.

As the bandits were pacified, the Ming Dynasty gradually stabilized, and these additional titles were slowly taken back by Zhu Shenzhui. Of course, taking back the additional titles does not mean dismissal, and the court would not do such a thing as getting rid of the donkey after it has done its work, which would chill the hearts of the ministers.

Zhu Shenzhu took back the title of Minister of War through the transfer of official positions. For example, Xu Xiancheng gave up his concurrent position as Minister of War after being transferred to the capital. Sun Chuanting and Hong Chengchou were the Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu respectively. The position of Governor-General already had the power to mobilize local military forces, so they no longer needed the title of Minister of War.

Lu Xiangsheng is now the governor and left provincial governor, so naturally his additional titles have been cancelled. After the Jiangnan case, Zhu Shenzhui regained most of the control over Jiangnan by attacking the Donglin Party and the gentry groups in Jiangnan. The control of Jiangnan also further strengthened the Ming Dynasty's control over the local areas.

After resolving the issue of Jiangnan, the next problem was the southern part of the Ming Dynasty. Taking this factor into consideration, and considering Xiong Wencan's contributions and abilities, a new Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi was added in addition to the previous two governors-general. He took back his additional title of Minister of War, and strengthened control over the two provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi.

After opening the memorial and reading it carefully, Zhu Shenzhui frowned after a while.

"Where is the cabinet's approval?" Zhu Shenzhui asked.

"The cabinet didn't give a clear instruction. This was forwarded from the cabinet and presented to you, father, for your decision." Zhu Minlan replied. Seeing Zhu Shenzhui's unhappy expression, Zhu Minlan explained, "The cabinet probably felt that Xiong Wencan had just left Fujian and was now the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, and this matter involved Fujian affairs, so it was inappropriate, so they were not convenient to give instructions."

This sentence reminded Zhu Shenzhui that Xiong Wencan was appointed as the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi not long ago. Before the appointment, Xiong Wencan was the Governor of Fujian and the Left Provincial Government. Now the memorial sent by Xiong Wencan was about the situation in Fujian instead of Guangdong and Guangxi. It was not in compliance with the regulations. How could an official who had been transferred to Guangdong and Guangxi still point fingers at Fujian where he had served before?

However, Xiong Wencan is not an ordinary official. He is now favored by the emperor and has great use for him. He is now one of the three governors-general of the Ming Dynasty, and a powerful official in a frontier area. Moreover, when Xiong Wencan first took over the appointment as the governor-general of Guangdong and Guangxi, he submitted a memorial to the court because of Fujian affairs. Although it was inappropriate, it was understandable. However, rules are rules. The cabinet was not sure about this matter, so according to the rules, it did not approve it and directly submitted it to the emperor for decision. It was also understandable. After thinking about it, Zhu Shenzhu called Lu Jiude who was waiting outside.

"Go to the cabinet and see if Mr. Wen is there. Ask him to come see me."

"Yes, I'll go right away." Lu Jiude responded quickly, and quickly walked out of the Qianqing Palace and went towards the cabinet. Not long after, the chief minister of the cabinet, Wen Tiren, followed Lu Jiude to the Qianqing Palace. After entering the side hall, he first paid his respects to the emperor and the prince.

After offering Wen Tiren a seat, Zhu Shenzhui directly asked the prince to give Xiong Wencan's memorial to Wen Tiren, asking him why the cabinet did not comment on the memorial and what he, as the prime minister, thought of the matter.

Wen Tihen didn't know what the emperor wanted to talk to him about. It was only after he saw Xiong Wencan's memorial that he understood.

Wen Tiren was not panicked. He said to Zhu Shenzhui in a serious tone, "Your Majesty, it was my idea not to comment on this memorial."

"Oh, tell me more carefully."

"Xiong Wencan is now the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, but the memorial he submitted is about Fujian affairs. Logically, this is an overstepping of authority. However, considering that Xiong Wencan has been in Fujian for many years and has just been transferred to Guangdong and Guangxi, I am afraid that it is true that he submitted such a memorial."

"But the court rules are like this. Although I am the Prime Minister, I cannot make an exception. But I cannot just ignore this memorial. If I approve it on behalf of the cabinet, wouldn't that be tacit approval of Xiong Wencan's overstepping of authority? If such a precedent is set, where will the court system be? Therefore, I have no choice but to submit the original memorial to the palace for your Majesty to decide..."

Wen Tiren's answer was neither arrogant nor humble, and was well-reasoned. Zhu Shenzui nodded slightly. From this point of view, Wen Tiren did nothing wrong. There was nothing wrong with him as the Prime Minister doing things according to the system.

"Although the cabinet has not issued any instructions, what Xiong Wencan said in his memorial is not a trivial matter. Can the cabinet respond?"

"Your Majesty, I have sent people to investigate what Xiong Wencan said in his memorial. However, the journey from the capital to Fujian is long, and it will take at least one or two months to go back and forth. Moreover, according to what Xiong Wencan said in his memorial, this matter is not extremely urgent, so I plan to wait until the situation in Fujian is clarified before reporting to Your Majesty."

Zhu Shenzhu nodded silently, thought for a moment and asked, "Who is the current Left Governor of Fujian?"

"Before that, Xiong Wencan held the position concurrently. After Xiong Wencan was transferred to become the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, Sun Chaosu was transferred to take over the post. However, Sun Chaosu was previously the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Guangdong and the Military Commissioner of Guangnan. Judging from the time he was transferred to Fujian, he should have only been in office for a few days."

This makes sense. No wonder Xiong Wencan, in his memorial in the name of the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, was talking about Fujian affairs.

Now the top leaders of Fujian and Guangdong and Guangxi are being adjusted. Xiong Wencan has been in Fujian for many years and is naturally more familiar with the situation in Fujian. Moreover, what he mentioned in the memorial is not a trivial matter. Although Xiong Wencan's actions are somewhat inconsistent with the rules of the court, his intentions are good, so he submitted this memorial to himself.

"Issue an order to the cabinet to reprimand Xiong Wencan, and tell him that as the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, he interfered in the affairs of Fujian and broke the rules. The court, considering his loyalty to the state, will deduct his salary for half a year." Zhu Shenzhui immediately said to Wen Tiren, who stood up and said yes. This order will be drafted by the cabinet, submitted to the emperor for approval, and then issued by the Imperial Household Department with its seal.

After explaining this matter, Zhu Shenzhui turned to the crown prince Zhu Minlan and instructed: "Prince, draft another imperial decree for me, and have the eunuchs send it directly to Xiong Wencan, saying that Xiong Wencan has worked diligently and made great contributions over the years. In recognition of his hard work, he will be rewarded with 500 taels of silver..."

"Yes!" Zhu Minlan responded quickly. Zhu Shenzhui's action was a punishment on the surface, but secretly he compensated Xiong Wencan's salary deduction with reward money. This combination of beating and pulling made Zhu Minlan secretly admire his own methods and kept them in mind.

(End of this chapter)