Three Thousand Family Members

Zhang Zian looked at Zhen Youcai who was turning out from behind the screen in surprise, and asked Wang Pu: "Mr. Prince Concubine, this person is..."

Wang Pu smiled and said nothing.

Zhen Youcai bowed to Zhang Zi'an and said, "Zhen Youcai is the chief aide to the son-in-law."

Zhang Zian had no choice but to bow his hand in a false way and said sarcastically: "It turns out to be Mr. Zhen."

Zhen Youcai calculated with his fingers and said: "There are more than 12,000 troops in Datong Town. The imperial court has owed military pay for half a year. It is calculated that it is more than 400,000 taels. The pension for the soldiers who fell on the Songshan front is as high as more than 200,000 taels. Total of more than 600,000 taels of cash silver is required. Isn't it wrong to calculate it?"

Zhang Zi'an couldn't help but take out a silk handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, saying, "Actually, it doesn't take that much. If you can get 300,000 taels of silver, you can almost deal with it."

Wang Pu said: "Dadfather-in-law, 300,000 taels are not a small amount. Even if we turn our Wang family's silver treasury into the sky, we can get 50,000 taels of silver for a full amount."

Zhang Zian turned his gaze to Zhen Youcai and asked, "Mr. Zhen just said that there is no way, there is money, but I don't know what the way is?"

"Of course there are solutions, and there are also silver." Zhen Youcai smiled, "But I don't know if my father-in-law dares to take it?"

Zhang Zi'an said: "Please point a clear road, sir."

Zhen Youcai pointed to the north and whispered: "The silver is in the naturalization, Tumot Khan's tent!"

Zhang Zian suddenly changed his expression: "Sir, joking."

Zhen Youcai said: "I'm not kidding. My father-in-law, you think that the soldiers of Datong Town have mutiny. This is the so-called 'arrow on the string, and we must not stop shooting'. Anyway, things have happened, and even if the situation finally subsides, a few of the leaders will probably have to behead their heads in the end, right?"

"That's it." Zhang Zi'an said in a sinister voice, "Those who take the lead in causing trouble should be killed according to the law."

"That's right." Zhen Youcai said, "The left and right who took the lead in causing trouble will be beheaded. My father-in-law thinks that before the soldiers of the border army are owed, the soldiers in the mutiny may give up? If this mutiny continues, it will inevitably turn into a huge rebellion within two days. At that time, Zhao Santai, the deputy general, will be unable to stop, but you..."

Zhang Zi'an shivered, and a trace of fear couldn't help but rise on his face. Things were about to reach that point, and he, the eunuch in charge, would probably have lived to the end. After all, if the court investigated, he and Zhao Santai would not be able to hide the fact that he and Zhao Santai were greedy for money in the treasury.

Zhen Youcai said: "Eunuch Zhang, there is something you may not like to listen to. But I still have to say that the news of the mutiny in Datong Town has spread. The current situation is that even if you can raise 600,000 taels of silver in time to make up for the owed wages of the soldiers of the border army and the pensions of the fallen soldiers. You and Deputy General Zhao are afraid that you will not be able to escape."

Zhang Zi'an's face turned pale in an instant, and Zhen Youcai did not scare him.

This matter is really a big deal. Even if the situation can be calmed down, Zhao Santai and Zhang Zi'an will not be able to stop it.

A trace of insidious smile flashed through Zhen Youcai's eyes. He then said, "Eunuch Zhang, if you want to escape this disaster safely, you must do two things quickly."

Zhang Zian said anxiously: "Please give me some advice."

Zhen Youcai said: "First, collect 100,000 taels of silver as soon as possible and pay half of the pensions of the soldiers who fell on the Songshan front line. This silver can only be used to pay the pensions of the soldiers who fell on the battlefield. The living soldiers have no reason to steal the silver from the dead. They will not allow the living soldiers of the border to get the silver, but they will force them to rob them!"

Zhang Zi'an said in a trembling voice: "Forcing them to grab it?"

"Yes. Force them to rob." Zhen Youcai said with a grim voice, "It's just to rob the Mongols. This is the second thing you have to do, father-in-law, to launch a war against the Mongolian Tumote tribe as soon as possible, so that the mutiny soldiers can turn their attention to the war with the Mongols, rather than thinking about launching a mutiny and forcing the court to repaid military salaries for them."

Zhang Zi'an had already sweated coldly on his forehead and said tremblingly: "However, there are only more than 18,000 troops in Datong Town. It is not enough to use it for defending. How can there be enough troops to take the initiative to attack? Moreover, I, the Ming Dynasty, have not dared to cross the north of the Great Wall for decades, and I have never even thought about this."

"This is exactly why I suggest that my father-in-law, you take the initiative to attack the Mongolian Tumote tribe!" Zhen Youcai said. "My father-in-law, please think, my Datong garrison is still in short supply. Who would have thought that you would dare to take the initiative? My Ming Dynasty has not crossed the north of the Great Wall for decades, so the Mongolians even more unexpectedly that our Ming army will take the initiative! The most important point is that although the weather is cold this year, it has not snowed for a long time. This is really a good opportunity given to me by God!"

Although Zhang Zian knew nothing about military affairs, he could hear Zhen Youcai's analysis seemed to make sense.

Zhen Youcai continued: "Our army occupied all the time and was harmonious. Although there was no geographical advantage, it was in line with the key to the military strategists' surprise and attacking them unpredictable. As long as a capable general led elite troops to the battle, it would be difficult to win this battle! As long as we win this battle, a large number of cattle, sheep, livestock, and fur from Tumote will be enough to make up for the owed wages of the soldiers of the border army. I am afraid there will be a large surplus, haha."

Zhen Youcai's last sentence made Zhang Zian very moved. If things really could be like Zhen Youcai described, it would be so beautiful. Zhang Zian could easily make up for the soldiers' wages, Zhang Zian attacked Mongolia again, and made a great contribution for the court. To himself, Zhang Zian could make great benefits from it. This is a good thing that everyone is happy, and can there be a better result than this?

But Zhang Zian also understood that such a good thing would never fall from the sky by himself.

There are three problems in front of us. One is where to raise the 100,000 taels of silver? The second is how to convince the mutiny soldiers to accept the plan proposed by Zhen Youcai? The third is who to send troops to attack the Mongols? Zhao Santai was greedy for life and afraid of death. If he wanted him to lead his troops to attack the Mongols, it would be even more straightforward to kill him.

Seeing Zhang Zi'an's helpless look, Wang Pu and Zhen Youcai sat down and drank tea patiently. They said everything they should say, and the floor laying had been laid out. Can Zhang Zi'an figure out that it is not something that Wang Pu and Zhen Youcai can decide. Fishing is not urgent. You can only bite the fish by yourself.

After a long time, when Zhang Zi'an's eyes finally fell on Wang Pu, his eyes suddenly lit up. It seemed that these three problems would still fall on this prince consort!

First of all, the Wang family is the richest man in Shanxi, and the 100,000 taels of silver can only be borrowed from the Wang family; secondly, Wang Pu was the general in Datong for three years. If he wanted to convince the soldiers of the Huabian to accept this plan, the candidate would be Wang Pu; thirdly, Wang Pu was the general who led troops to attack the Mongols. Looking at the entire Ming Dynasty, who dared to boast that he could lead troops better than Wang Pu?

Seeing Zhang Zian's expression like this, Zhen Youcai couldn't help but look at Wang Pu. A knowing smile flashed across the faces of both of them, and the fish finally bit the fish.

"Mr. Prince!" Zhang Zian suddenly knelt down to Wang Pu and begged, "Save me!"

Wang Pu quickly stepped forward and helped Zhang Zi'an up and said in a panic: "Oh, Eunuch Zhang. This is not something you can do. Get up quickly, please get up quickly."

Zhang Zian actually squeezed out two tears and cried, "If you don't agree, I won't get up."

Wang Pu said anxiously. "Eunuch Zhang, I have something to say, I promise you."

"Your son-in-law, have you agreed?" Zhang Zi'an stood up and said. "Your Wang family is the richest man in Shanxi. I can only borrow this 100,000 taels of silver from your Wang family with shamelessness. You must come forward to speak for me, otherwise my life will be over."

"Oh." Wang Pu sighed and said helplessly, "Eunuch Zhang, you are really embarrassing me."

"Mr. Prince Consort." Zhang Zi'an begged, "You must save me."

"Okay." Wang Pu said helplessly. "Tomorrow, we will discuss with our elder brother. It should be no problem to raise 100,000 taels of silver in our Wang family in Datong City. But Eunuch Zhang, we have to make it clear that the 100,000 taels of silver are borrowed, not donated, and we will have to pay it back then."

"It will definitely be returned. It will definitely be returned at that time." Zhang Zi'an took a breath and continued, "There is also a very reasonable analysis by Mr. Zhen just now. It can also be said that it is the only way to calm the situation. But after thinking about it, only if you are the prince consort, you can comfort the mutiny soldiers and persuade them to accept the plan proposed by Mr. Zhen. Also, the chief general who led the troops to fight can only be the prince consort, and except for the prince consort, others do not have the courage."

"Eunuch Zhang, you can make me embarrassed." Wang Pu shook his hand repeatedly, "I have to persuade the mutiny soldiers to do nothing, but I can't help but let my troops lead the troops to fight. Now I am filial and will never be allowed to lead troops according to regulations. What's more, I am no longer the general of Datong Town. I am now commanding the Datong border army as the admiral of the Beijing camp. If the court knows this, it will be a big trouble."

Zhang Zi'an said in a speechless manner: "This..."

Wang Pu’s concerns are not unreasonable. He can even show off his feelings when he is filial. However, it is a taboo to lead the Datong border army to fight as the admiral of the Beijing camp. If the censor in the court knows about this, Wang Pu will have to be charged with abusing power, and Zhang Zian will not be able to escape!

Zhang Zian thought for a long time and said carefully: "Your Majesty, do you think this is OK? On the surface, it is my servant leading the army, but in fact it is your servant who is leading the army. Although doing this is a grievance of your husband and you will be unable to fall behind, you are really unable to think of a better way."

Wang Pu said: "I'm not afraid of being wronged, but I'm afraid that the army will talk too much to reveal this matter. Then you and I will not be able to get rid of it."

Zhang Zi'an said: "Is there no way to have the best of both worlds?"

Zhen Youcai, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said, "The best of both worlds is not impossible, but Eunuch Zhang may not agree."

Zhang Zian quickly asked, "What's the solution?"

Zhen Youcai said: "It is indeed a waste of power and overstealing the border troops in Datong Town to fight, but if it is just a commander of the Wang family, it would be reasonable. Even if this matter finally came to the capital, the censors in the court had nothing to say. What about Eunuch Zhang?"

Zhang Zi'an said: "This..."

Zhen Youcai's idea is indeed good, but in this way, this great achievement will be made by Wang Pu alone, and it has nothing to do with Zhang Zi'an, the eunuch who is in charge. Of course, Zhang Zi'an would not be happy.

Of course, Zhen Youcai knew what Zhang Zi'an was thinking about, and then said: "I didn't say anything just now. If you really want to attack Mongolia, you can't have too many troops. It's enough to have three thousand veterans who can conquer good battlefields! If there are too many troops, the news will be leaked. If the Mongolians prepare in advance, there is no need to fight this battle."

Zhang Zi'an said: "Mr. Zhen means..."

Zhen Youcai said: "What I mean is to first draw 3,000 people from the border army into the Wang family's servant team, and my general leads these 3,000 servants to go in and attack naturalized. My father-in-law, you lead a large group of people to come out to the Tucheng area to respond, and wait for an opportunity to plunder the cattle, sheep and livestock on the grassland. If no one asks about it later, this battle will be all your contribution to your father-in-law. If the court sends people to ask, it will be said that my general is just leading 3,000 servants to go to the battle together."

Zhang Zi'an said: "The three thousand border troops who were incorporated into the Wang Family Department's team..."

Zhen Youcai said: "Eunuch Zhang, you can say in the report that these three thousand border troops have died in battle outside the border!"
Chapter completed!