When the job was done, Deng Ming planned to chat with Chen Zuocai for a few more words before leaving. Chen Zuocai now knew much more about the folk customs and sentiments of Sichuan than Deng Ming.
"I will think about it later and change the title of the book. In addition, it is best not to say that this book was written by the Duke himself." When Deng Ming stood up to say goodbye, Chen Zuocai said casually, what he had just said Come up with ideas while chatting.
"Why?" Deng Ming, who was about to leave, suddenly stopped: "Isn't it bad to use my name? If the words come from my mouth, it will be easier for teachers and students to believe it, right?"
"Of course that's right." Chen Zuocai sighed softly. The ruler of Chengdu in front of him was good at everything else, but he didn't know how to cherish his own reputation. It was like he didn't know how to change the name of the academy when he founded it. As a result, Many people believed that Deng Ming was planning to create a tool to usurp the throne.
After thinking for a while, Chen Zuocai did not directly answer Deng Ming's question, but proposed a candidate: "What about Mr. Gong? Just say he wrote it."
Chen Zuocai and Gong Yan had talked several times, and Chen Zuocai was impressed by each other's knowledge and knowledge. Chen Zuocai also knew very well that Gong Yan cared and loved Deng Ming very much. Although he had not been in Sichuan for a long time, he was almost as good as Wen Anzhi. He simply pinned all his hopes on Deng Ming.
"Actually, why am I not?" A thought suddenly popped up in Chen Zuocai's mind, but he immediately dismissed it: "What am I thinking about? I am deeply favored by the emperor and was promoted towell, Being promoted to Commander In short, I must not let down the Emperor. Without His Majesty's grace, Duke Baoguo would never have had the chance to see me."
After driving away these messy thoughts, Chen Zuocai continued the topic: "It's better to say that it was written by Mr. Gong. He even burned the God Master card anyway, so he won't take this matter to heart."
After hearing this, Deng Mingcai reacted and burst into laughter: "So Chen Jijiu thinks that this book is not good for my reputation? It doesn't matter, I dare to take responsibility. Besides, I can't blame Mr. Gong for all the bad things." Push it on your head.¡±
"The Duke has a bright future. I don't know how important it is now. In the future, I will understand that a good reputation is still very important." Chen Zuocai shook his head slightly and persuaded softly.
"Yeah." Deng Ming lowered his head and was stunned for a while. After a while, he raised his head and said firmly: "I wrote this book so that I can achieve the effect I want."
"Compassion does not lead an army. I understand this very well. But this matter is like leading an army in a war. Everyone needs to perform their duties." Chen Zuocai still did not give up the idea of ??persuading Deng Ming. In fact, he thought that Deng Ming I did a lot of inappropriate things when I went to Jiangnan again and again. In fact, many things that would be unpleasant to do publicly could be done by his subordinates. Deng Ming could just pretend not to know. Chen Zuocai did not clarify some words. He felt that since ancient times, a leader who could achieve great things would always have a better reputation, because he himself paid attention to maintaining it, and his subordinates also understood that this was the division of labor between the king and his ministers. Deng Ming's actual performance was much better than most of the leaders Chen Zuocai knew. If he paid attention to propaganda, there would be no problem dressing up as a saint.
"Why did Chen Jijiu say such things?" Deng Ming smiled again when he heard this. Gong Yan had privately discussed this reputation issue with him many times, and Deng Ming also knew very well what Gong Yan was thinking, which was to let Deng Ming better win over the people - the common people were looking forward to having a Qingtian Grand Master. , and even more hoped for a sage emperor; not only the common people had this expectation, but also the scholars. Therefore, the better Deng's name is packaged, the more support he will receive from the people, and the more people will place their hopes on him.
Gong Yan also admitted that Deng Ming has a good reputation so far, but why not go further? Leave all those banditry and empire theories to others to publish, and Deng Ming can just sit back and enjoy the benefits. Gong Yan even recommended specific candidates. One was Zhou Kaihuang. Gong Yan said that he could completely dress up this person as a murderous, arrogant and ferocious image. In addition, there was Ren Tang, who could also be given a conspiracy to shake a feather fan. image of home. In this way, many theories about the empire can be said to be planned by these two people. It is not that Gong Yan has not considered self-recommendation, but he is worried that he is old and will pass away without knowing when, and he cannot guarantee help. Deng Ming took the blame to the end.
"Speaking of this, I suddenly remembered something. I have also heard what Chen Jijiu said in the parliament on the day of the parliamentary vote. Chen Jijiu said it very well." Deng Ming sighed lightly. He said: "Actually, if you think about it carefully, I have done this kind of thing. Moreover, if the Southeast Governor succeeds in the case this time, I will also go to sell bonds - I can't watch them. To spend such a large sum of moneySpend it on your own army or pay tribute to the Qing court. "
Chen Zuocai's face showed a look of arrogance again, and he listened incredulously.
"After I listened to Chen Jijiu's words, I knew that Chengdu Academy taught very well and everyone knew how to listen to what others said. This really made me overjoyed." Deng Ming said this and gave Chen Zuocai a hug. fist.
"Teaching is my job." Chen Zuocai agreed briefly, with a calm expression on his face, and quietly accepted Deng Ming's thanks. In fact, what he had in mind was far from that simple.
"This is your credit, Mr. Bao Guo. If you had sent someone to drag me out to behead me when I scolded you in front of Liu Jinge, Xiong Lan and all the teachers, then your subordinates would naturally follow your example. Who would If you dare to make irresponsible remarks and point fingers in front of them, they will definitely not treat you lightly." Chen Zuocai thought silently in his heart: "Because you don't sin because of your words - even though you have refused to change despite repeated admonitions, the respect you showed for me will make you My subordinates all know how to deal with advice. They don¡¯t have to listen to it, but they have to speak it. Now it has become a trend across Sichuan. Besides, I have a little reputation, so when I went to the parliament to scold them this time, even though they all They have the right to kick me out, but no one is embarrassed to ask the guards to do this."
Now Deng Ming expressed his gratitude to Chen Zuocai and praised him for his good teaching. Chen Zuocai had no intention of correcting the other person's views. He also said silently in his heart: "If you don't sin for your words, then I will punish you for injustice. This is the reward of a gentleman for a gentleman." There is no need to say other kind words, so as to save you, a young young man, from being unable to stand the praise and becoming proud and complacent."
At this time, I heard Deng Ming say: "Five years ago, the Ming army suffered a disastrous defeat at the gates of Chongqing. I fled to Fengjie with other defeated soldiers. On the way, I participated in the first battle with the enemy. In that battle, I also killed an enemy. ." Deng Ming waved his hand and said calmly: "I drew my bow, aimed at a living person, and shot him. Seeing him seriously injured, he fell into the cold water, struggled to climb ashore, but ended up bleeding. And died, washed away by the river - Chen Jijiu must not have known that after the first murder, I didn't sleep well for several days. I often woke up at night, thinking about the young man whose life I took. I¡¯ve known since then how war can twist people.¡±
Chen Zuocai did not interrupt and listened to Deng Ming continue.
"When you are a soldier, you have to kill the enemy. There is no doubt about it. If you don't want to be killed by the Tatars and Green Camp, you have to rise up and resist, and you have to kill them all first. I have a clear conscience about this."
??Then we talked about the subsequent Battle of Wanxian. Because he witnessed several familiar companions being killed beside him, Deng Ming and his guards chased the defeated enemy for more than ten miles. I don¡¯t know how many enemies died under his sword that day: "Kill the first person from the start." In the beginning, in the past few years, what I did was to kill more people, thinking about how to kill people all day long, how to produce the best killing weapons, and train an army that is best at killing people. Because I did this job well, I got I have received everyone's recognition and appreciation, and I will continue to do this work. I don't know how many more years I will have to do it. War and peace are completely different. Black and white, right and wrong are completely reversed. Chen Jijiu has also been Boss, I think you understand what I'm talking about."
Chen Zuocai nodded slightly and replied briefly: "I know very well."
Chen Zuocai remained calm and thought to himself: "I have never killed anyone with my own hands, but I have beaten people to ensure the production of the military camp. I whipped the auxiliary soldiers under my management until their skin and flesh were bruised. I felt sick at first, but I had to force myself to keep doing it, and then I gradually got used to it." Chen Zuocai had completely adapted to the general job, but now when he recalled it, he found that he felt uncomfortable again. He had been away from Yunnan for several years and had been teaching in an academy. He had ordered the punishment of the auxiliary soldiers with peace of mind at first, but now he felt guilty inside.
"So, I proposed that soldiers can retire as long as they have served for a few years or participated in several battles. However, this method does not apply to me. I do different things from them. I have dealt with the Southeast Governor a lot in the past few years. Now, I can no longer distinguish between right and wrong. Sometimes I have an idea. I think, if it was five years ago, I would never cooperate with the Manchu officials and watch them oppress the Han people. I will never stand by and watch the Literary Prison. But now I will first consider the success or failure of our great cause in Sichuan. Compared with our image in the minds of Manchu and Qing officials, the grievances of some Han people are nothing at all." At this point , Deng Ming's face suddenly showed a look of pain.
"Compassion does not control soldiers." Chen Zuocai uttered four more words.
"Well, I always comfort myself. After all, someone must do this kind of thing, and someone must step forward to protect the security of the country."
This time Chen Zuocai did not let Deng Ming wait for a long time, and immediately blurted out: "What the Duke said is not wrong at all."
? ???It's just that I think that when the Tartars are driven away ten years later and the war is over, my colonels and I will probably be half crazy - I don't think the people of a county will safely let a murderer The hemp guy is their magistrate, but they think the winner of the war is the best ruler. This is really weird. "
"I can't understand the Duke's words." Chen Zuocai felt that he could not keep up with Deng Ming's thoughts.
"I think that when the war ends, my colonels and I all need a good rest and relaxation. We have developed a set of rules that completely reverse black and white. This set of rules is used to deal with the enemy rather than our own people. ." Deng Ming shook his head, feeling that soldiers may not be suitable officials. Even a war hero may need to calm down for a few years before returning to politics, at least until he has eliminated the impact of war in his peaceful life.
"So Baoguo Gong built this courtyard, will it come out?" When Chen Zuocai heard this, he suddenly felt a sense of enlightenment. He had also seen how the three kings of Nanming drove the people. Deng Ming was probably afraid that he would lose control and become a tyrant.
"Indeed, there is a reason." Deng Ming felt that if he did not undergo post-war psychological recovery in the future, he would probably use the concepts of leading soldiers against his own people, and treat those with different opinions as deserters and kill them. . With a wave of his hand, he launched various production campaigns, not caring at all how many people were used as cannon fodder. While he was still clear-headed, Deng Ming first set up the framework of this parliament, and then led the army to gradually get used to obeying it. Otherwise, it is hard to say whether he will be willing to use parliament to restrict himself if he goes too far in the future.
"Therefore, I am unwilling to hide my works, and I will not deliberately maintain a good reputation," Deng Ming said to Chen Zuocai: "I will always remind myself to share my true thoughts with the academy. You are at the rear, basically Above all, I live in a peaceful environment. Even if I don't realize that I have gone crazy, you can definitely tell - Chen Jijiu should let fellow scholars in Sichuan understand that if you serve as a soldier for too long, your mind will not be strong. It¡¯s normal, it¡¯s a sacrifice for the country, and it should be treated well so that the soldiers can recover.¡±
Chen Zuocai stared at Deng Ming carefully for a long time and asked seriously: "Can I take the liberty to ask the Duke about his ambition after expelling the Tartars?"
"My ambition?" Deng Ming laughed: "I hope that after the Tartars are expelled, the council will be filled with parliamentarians from all over the country. They represent the people all over the world" At this point, Deng Ming suddenly stopped. He originally wanted to say that he hoped that all the members would stand up and applaud when he walked in, and when he walked out, the speaker would say, "On behalf of all the people, we thank you for your many years of service to the country." However, this ambition was too great, and Deng Ming felt that Chen Zuocai would definitely understand. No, we were chatting so excitedly today that I almost spilled the beans accidentally.
"The thoughts of the Duke are always unpredictable." Chen Zuocai waited for a moment, and seeing that Deng Ming had no intention of continuing, he nodded and assured: "Since the Duke has thought about it carefully, I will try my best to help."
¡¡
Beijing.
Jiang Guozhu sent a report not long ago, saying that the Weeping Temple Case and the Memorial Case that he was responsible for had improved. Jin Shengtan, the chief criminal of the Weeping Temple Case, and others had fled in fear of crime. Without the leader, Jiang Guozhu personally guided the local officials to use their methods. Divide and disintegrate the peripheral personnel involved in the case - these people who did not abscond originally had illusions about the Qing court, so they stayed. Jiang Guozhu's plan was to "provoke the Jin gentry to fight against each other." He hinted to those who had placed their hope in the Qing court's leniency: The imperial court and the Governor's Office of Liangjiang no longer intend to pursue the matter, but for the sake of official prestige, one or two scapegoats are needed. , and then others will be forgiven.
As for the specific candidates, Jiang Guozhu did not specify but let the Jin gentry decide on their own. He also gave a high-sounding reason, saying that the government tacitly allowed everyone to share the responsibilities left by the person who blamed the crime. In other words, everyone was responsible for taking care of the family of the person who blamed the crime, and pooling money to make up for the loss of that person's house.
As Jiang Guozhu expected, cracks immediately appeared in the originally ununited Jin-gentry alliance due to the issue of taking the blame. They were able to form this alliance before because of the example of northern Zhejiang; but when Jiang Guozhu made it clear that the government had no special targets, These gentry began to hold racing competitions again - but Jiang Guozhu was not Deng Ming, and he did not intend to just eat the last one.
After reporting and framing each other, Jiang Guozhu captured several Jin gentry, and then asked the rest to follow the original agreement and let them work together to take care of the arrested family members. During this period, Jiang Guozhu secretly told a group of them that they were not on the government's strict punishment list in the first place. Even if no one took the blame, they would be fined at most.
Jiang Guozhu estimates that after listening to these people, they will definitely feel that they are not in big trouble, and it is very unfair to share the burden of the culprits., after these people started to quarrel over this matter again, Jiang Guozhu distributed the letters that they had framed and reported on each other, and it was estimated that the gentry on the blacklist would completely turn against each other. Jiang Guozhu planned to distribute these letters in three to four batches. Wealthy households were arrested, their property confiscated, and then sold to Sichuan people. As for the proceeds from the seizure, Jiang Guozhu planned to give 10% to Beijing, use 30% to buy Sichuan bonds, and use the rest to support the army.
In his report to Beijing, Jiang Guozhu boasted about his loyalty and ability, patting his chest and promising that he would be able to deliver at least one million taels of silver to Beijing.
Putting Jiang Guozhu's memorial gently on the table, Sony pondered for a while and said to Obai and Suksaha: "The reason why Jiangnan is so chaotic now is ultimately due to Deng Ming."
"Exactly." Obai and Suksaha replied in unison, and then looked at Sony expectantly.
Not long ago, Prince Kang Jie wrote another memorial, believing that after obtaining Caoyin, the Qing government could march westward, entering Shaanxi via Tongguan, and concentrate the elite green battalions from Henan, Shanxi and other places in Baoning and Chongqing, and then Together with the elite Hexi soldiers, they once again fought to the death with Deng Ming.
Jieshu obviously did not want to return to Beijing in despair, and both he and Ye Bilong were quite unconvinced by the defeat in Huai'an. They believed that if it were not for the dense water network, popular sentiment in Jiangnan, unfavorable investigation, and repeated urging from the court, etc. , they will not encounter setbacks. Starting from Baoning and Chongqing, as long as there are sufficient supplies of food and fodder, and enough auxiliary troops and livestock, we can attack Chengdu by land.
As long as Chengdu is captured, all the turmoil will naturally be solved. Even if we fight with Deng Ming, both sides will suffer losses, and it can also prevent him from continuing to use the naval superiority to harass Huguang, Liangjiang, Zhejiang, and Shandong - rather than letting the officers and soldiers fight in such a big country We are exhausted and fortified everywhere, so it is better to concentrate manpower and material resources to pacify Sichuan.
Oboi and Suksaha also agree with this plan. As a general who has been to Sichuan, Obai said that he believed that it was completely feasible to attack Xichuan via the Hanzhong route. Although there are few people on the road, the transportation problem can indeed be solved by relying on a large number of civilians and animal power; the Qing government still has some confidence in land warfare, and the morale of the northern army is not bad. For example, Zhao Liangdong of Hexi repeatedly claimed that he was confident of defeating Deng Ming in one fell swoop - after Deng Ming burned Hong Chengchou to death, attacked and killed Hu Quancai, and captured Lang Tingzuo alive, there were only a few people who dared to say so; and in Gaoyou, After the battles in Hu, Zhejiang and Shandong, heroes like Zhao Liangdong became even more rare. If he went to fight in Chengdu, a strong general like Zhao Liangdong must be brought with him. Needless to say, his good partners Zhang Yong and Wang Jinbao also had to go with him.
Only Sony is still worried that such a large-scale mobilization will put the Qing court in danger of being emptied of its wealth.
"It would be great if it could be solved once and for all. It would be worth spending any amount of money, and the losses could be made up with ivory and jade. Didn't Gao Mingzhan say that Tibet is full of elephants with long tusks and jade used as doormats?"
But if the war goes unfavorably, what should the Qing court do?
"If we were willing to make such a determination a few years ago, we wouldn't have to sit here and worry now." Seeing that Sony had nothing to say, Ao Bai anxiously persuaded: "If we are reluctant to spend this money and can't make this determination now, In a few years, Deng Ming's movement will only become wider, and the burden on the court will become heavier. Maybe by then we won't even be able to make this determination, and that would be too late to regret it."