AWB Chapter 115: How can I satisfy everyone? I just want to have a clear conscience
Chapter 115: How can I satisfy everyone? I just want to have a clear conscience
Both of them were well aware of Hong Chengchou's little thoughts. Zhang Shikang especially hated people who did not consider the overall situation. Even though Hong Chengchou had good military capabilities, it could not alleviate his dislike for him.
He and Yang Sichang did not get along, but he, Zhang Shikang, would never add insult to injury in a war, even though he was not sure whether Yang Sichang would do so.
Except for the border towns that are far away, all the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty who can fight are in Baoding Prefecture. With only so many elite troops, the imperial court is in its current state and there is no way it can afford to make any more trouble.
If something goes wrong in this decisive battle with the Jiannu, there is no need to think about the future, and everyone can go back to their own homes and find their own mothers.
After finishing this not-so-pleasant lunch, Zhang Shikang wanted to take the opportunity to chat with Sun Chuanting, but Sun Chuanting didn't appreciate it at all, so Zhang Shikang had to give up.
When it was getting dark, Zhang Shikang received news that Dorgon led a large army to launch a surprise attack on Gaoyang. It was said that it took less than an hour to capture the city of Gaoyang. Hong Chengchou was so anxious that he almost jumped up and down.
He originally wanted to lead his troops to rescue, but was stopped by Yang Sichang on the grounds that the troops could not be easily divided.
Dorgon has joined forces with the remnants of Yuetuo's army, and now has a force of more than 30,000. His surprise attack on Gaoyang may be suspected of being an attempt to encircle and attack the reinforcements, and Yang Sichang did not want to take the risk.
Zhang Shikang knew why Hong Chengchou was so anxious. Although Gaoyang was just a county town, a highly respected Donglin leader lived in the city - Sun Chengzong.
If I remember correctly, Sun Chengzong's family died during the fifth invasion of the Jiannu army. It is said that the 76-year-old Sun Chengzong personally supervised the battle and commanded his entire clan to meet the enemy. He eventually hanged himself and all his clansmen also died in this disaster.
It must be said, it's still very heroic.
Sun Chengzong lived through the reigns of Wanli, Longqing, Tianqi and Chongzhen. His power reached its peak during the Tianqi reign. Even Wei Zhongxian, the most notorious ruler of the Tianqi reign, could not do anything to Sun Chengzong.
Although Emperor Tianqi was absurd, he was very good at using Wei Zhongxian to make money and check and balance civil officials. On the other hand, he gave the task of resisting the Jian Nu to Sun Chengzong.
Sun Chengzong, on the other hand, used massive amounts of resources to build dozens of cities and fortresses outside Shanhaiguan. He hanged himself to death after Gaoyang City was captured, and thus his name went down in history and was praised by later generations.
Sun Chengzong received so much favor from the emperor, and he deserves praise for hanging himself to death after the city was broken. However, Zhang Shikang was very disgusted with later generations' praise of Sun Chengzong's military capabilities.
The whole country was mobilized to build a fortified city in the remote area outside the Great Wall, hoping to use the fortified city to stop the Jiannu from advancing southward.
The idea was good, but the input-output ratio was extremely low. In the end, it not only failed to stop the Jiannu, but also almost bankrupted the imperial court.
It's a waste of time, effort and money! Fighting a war for wealth when financial resources are insufficient is a strategy that is inherently problematic.
But all that is past, let’s look at the present.
Zhang Shikang still felt a little bit reluctant about the death of Sun Chengzong's family. Although this guy was a member of the Donglin Party, he was different from the typical Donglin Party members. At least he had a heart to serve his country.
But Zhang Shikang was actually more puzzled by another thing. Several days had passed since the Battle of Jiazhuang, but he had not received any letters from the Jiannu.
Could it be that the Jiannu people, who ate raw meat and drank blood, didn't care so much about blood ties?
That's unlikely. After all, he is Dorgon's good nephew. Would he just watch him die without helping him?
The military medical officer has informed people several times today that Yuetuo is sometimes unconscious and sometimes awake, and the swelling on his body is beginning to break. He won't live for many days.
In order to prolong this guy's life, several old mountain ginsengs were used. Zhang Shikang suddenly felt that this deal would be a loss.
However, on the next day, Zhang Shikang suddenly received a handwritten letter from Dorgon.
The letter was sent to Yang Sichang's residence. In the letter, Dorgon proposed to exchange prisoners of war, exchanging the entire family of Sun Chengzong and more than a dozen county magistrates, prefects and other officials of the Ming Dynasty for Yue Tuo.
Zhang Shikang was shocked. Sun Chengzong didn't die? He was captured alive by Dorgon?
How can he go down in history now?
Zhang Shikang guessed that Dorgon attacked Gaoyang probably in order to capture Sun Chengzong alive.
Sun Chengzong was in charge of Liaodong for so many years. Even the current generals and deputy generals of the Guanningjin Defense Line, such as Zu Dashou, were once Sun Chengzong's subordinates. And the old guy Yuandudu also followed Sun Chengzong back then.
At the age of 76, with those seemingly impressive military achievements, Sun Chengzong can be said to be a model of highly respected virtue in the Ming Dynasty.
It is estimated that Dorgon had already planned to use the lives of Sun Chengzong's family to exchange for Yuetuo.
This guy probably knows that the Ming Dynasty court cares most about its reputation. If the court does not save such a respected old minister, it will just lose face.
"What do you think, Eunuch Wang?"
After everyone had read the letter, Yang Sichang first asked Wang Chengen for his opinion.
After all, Wang Chengen represented the emperor. He frowned and pondered for a moment, but looked up at Zhang Shikang, which made Yang Sichang particularly uncomfortable.
"Of course we should save them if we can," said Zhang Shikang.
Wang Chengen suddenly felt a lot more relaxed after hearing this. He actually knew that the emperor definitely wanted to save the person, but the person was in Zhang Shikang's hands, and it was not up to him to decide whether to save him or not.
Not to mention his own suggestions, even if it was the emperor's personal suggestions, based on Wang Chengen's understanding of Zhang Shikang, it is hard to say whether this kid would listen to it. Instead of doing that, it would be better to just wait and see what this kid is going to do.
"Then I will write back to the Jiannu and arrange a time and place." Yang Sichang said with a stern face.
The exchange of prisoners of war between enemies and friends has been a tradition since ancient times, and is not uncommon even during war.
“What’s the hurry, Yang Gebu? I haven’t finished speaking yet.
You said in your letter that it can be exchanged, but this is not equal.
How can an old man who has been idle at home for many years be exchanged for a brave and powerful member of the Jiannu royal family in his prime? "Zhang Shikang said dissatisfiedly.
Although Yuetuo is half dead, he might go looking for his royal father someday, but... Dorgon doesn't know!
As for the face of the imperial court, in Zhang Shikang's opinion, does the imperial court still have any face?
When your brother Chongzhen's ancestral tomb was dug up, he had already lost all his face. Now, practicality is the most important thing, and don't bother with those empty things.
"My Lord, aren't you afraid of being criticized by those in the court for speaking like this?" Yang Sichang snorted in his heart, but reminded him out loud.
Sun Chengzong was the former leader of Donglin and had complicated connections in the court. Zhang Shikang was so blatant in not helping him that once Hong Chengchou passed the news to the capital, the spittle impeaching him would probably drown Zhang Shikang.
"Hmph, how can I possibly satisfy everyone? I just want to do my best to have a clear conscience. Minister Yang, you should understand that." Zhang Shikang said meaningfully.
Exchanging a member of the Jiannu royal family for an old man who was about to die was obviously a losing deal. If Yang Sichang had not weighed the pros and cons, he would not have agreed to such an exchange.
But how many people can transcend party struggles and pursue maximization of interests?
For a moment, Yang Sichang actually felt a little admiration for Zhang Shikang.
"In this case, I will not comment any further. You will take the lead on this matter." Yang Sichang thought for a while and said.
Anyway, Yuetuo is not in his hands, so even if he says something, it won't count. It's better to go with the flow.
"That's great. Let Benbo write this reply letter."
……