Chongzhen: Why is the emperor's head square?

Chapter 26 Lu Xiangsheng

Zhu Youjian ignored Wang Yuan's clamor.

When carried on your person, it can also be considered as equipment.

This is much more convenient.

The battlefield situation is unpredictable. Whether it is cavalry or infantry, they all predict that they will die in the next second, so they take out the immortality totem.

It would be much more convenient if it were just something you could carry around and use.

At this moment, Wang Yuan's noise interrupted Zhu Youjian's thoughts.

Zhu Youjian plunged a knife directly into Wang Yuan's heart.

Wang Yuan spat out a mouthful of blood, and his eyes dimmed in an instant.

The knife pierced his heart; he died moments later.

He clapped his hands, turned and left the cell.

Looking at the emperor, who was covered in blood.

Wang Chengen was startled: "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Zhu Youjian took off his velvet robe.

Then he glanced at Wen Tiren, stepped forward, and wiped his hands with Wen Tiren's official robe.

After that, he left the Ministry of Justice prison directly.

Only Wen Tiren, Feng Ying, and others remained silent in the prison cell.

Looking at the bloodstains on the clothes.

Wen Tiren arrived at the cell where Wang Yuan was imprisoned, looking at Wang Yuan who was already dead, and the knife in the location of Wang Yuan's heart.

I couldn't help but feel a chill.

It seems I was right.

The emperor is becoming increasingly cruel.

Those 1,600 refugees must have all died at the hands of the emperor.

In the past, when the emperor executed people, he would have the clerks under the Ministry of Justice do it.

But now, it seems the emperor enjoys killing people with his own hands.

Watching this scene, Feng Ying murmured, "Could the rumors be true? His Majesty enjoys killing people with his own hands?"

……

Back to the Wuying Hall.

Now that the experiment on the effects of the Undying Totem is complete.

Then it's time to reward them to our generals.

Zhu Youjian then wrote several names on the paper.

Lu Xiang-sheng, Sun Chuanting, Hong Cheng-chou, Sun Cheng-zong, Cao Bian-jiao...

These are currently the backbone of the imperial army.

The immortal totem is not very valuable.

But it shouldn't be made too cheap.

Things are rare.

In the past, the reason why Emperor Taizu was able to arbitrarily kill civil and military officials in the court was because of his ruling power.

Dominance over lower and middle-ranking officers.

These people were the main force fighting for the country; they were the ones who risked their lives to charge into battle.

Perhaps, bestowing the Totem of Immortality upon these people would be the best choice.

Commanders like Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting were not good at charging into battle.

The Totem of Immortality is useless; if it were used, then a Totem of Immortality wouldn't actually be of much use.

If Hong Chengchou, Sun Chuanting and others were to encounter danger.

This often means the failure of the entire battle and the collapse of the front lines.

Of course, there are exceptions, such as Lu Xiang-sheng, who likes to lead from the front.

After much thought...

Zhu Youjian circled three names.

Lu Xiang Sheng, Cao Bian Jiao, Hu Da Wei.

Lu Xiang-sheng's reputation speaks for itself; he was one of the pillars of the army.

After his uncle Cao Wenzhao died in battle, Cao Bianjiao should have been able to become a major force in suppressing bandits under Hong Chengchou's command.

He charged into battle and achieved remarkable feats.

This immortal totem should have been given to Cao Wenzhao, but unfortunately, it was too late.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to give Cao the transformation into a dragon.

After all, Cao Bianjiao had truly mastered Cao Wenzhao's teachings.

Hu Dawei was a key figure in the bandit suppression campaign under Lu Xiang-sheng.

Although he only commanded a few thousand men, he was still regarded by Lu Xiang-sheng as the main force in the bandit suppression campaign.

He was originally a surrendered soldier from beyond the Great Wall.

He rose to the position of general through his military achievements.

One may also be rewarded with an immortal totem.

Speaking of which, Lu Xiang-sheng should be arriving in the capital soon, right?

Currently, all matters related to suppressing the bandits are being handled by Hong Chengchou alone.

Hong Chengchou said a few days ago that he felt somewhat powerless.

It is impossible to cater to all regions simultaneously.

Therefore, someone needs to be transferred to share the burden of Hong Chengchou.

Lu Xiang-sheng would be a very good candidate.

Just as Zhu Youjian was pondering...

The eunuch outside the palace reported this.

"Your Majesty, Lu Xiang-sheng, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and Governor of Huguang, requests an audience."

"Announce."

"Summon Lu Xiang-sheng, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and Governor of Huguang, to an audience!"

Zhu Youjian looked toward the doorway.

A slightly overweight middle-aged man came into view.

He had an ordinary appearance, and although he came from a civil service background, one could tell from the way he walked that his steps were steady and powerful.

Lu Xiang-sheng walked to the emperor's front, knelt down and said, "Your subject Lu Xiang-sheng pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"

Zhu Youjian stepped forward and helped him up.

"Minister Lu, please rise."

Seeing the emperor personally helping him up, Lu Xiang-sheng quickly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After helping Lu Xiang-sheng up.

Zhu Youjian then walked towards the outside of the palace.

"Minister Lu, come with me for a walk."

Although he didn't understand the emperor's intentions, Lu Xiang-sheng still followed.

Walking under the palace corridor.

"Minister Lu should have already received the news that General Cao Wenzhao and Deputy General Ai Wannian have died in battle," Zhu Youjian said. "A few days ago, Hong Chengchou submitted a memorial to me, saying that the suppression of bandits in several provinces was all under his command, and he was unable to take care of all the localities."

Lu Xiang-sheng understood this perfectly.

He also felt sorry for Cao Wenzhao's death.

As refugees fled to various places, Hong Chengchou alone became the governor-general of five provinces, overseeing the military affairs of those five provinces.

It is understandable that it is impossible to cater to all regions.

"Therefore, I intend to divide the campaign to suppress the bandits in the Ming Dynasty into two regions: the Northwest and the Southeast."

"I wish to appoint you as the Premier of Five Provinces, overseeing the military affairs of the five provinces of Southern Zhili, Henan, Shandong, Sichuan, and Huguang."

"Hong Chengchou is in charge of suppressing the peasant army in the Northwest, while you are in charge of the Southeast region."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiang-sheng was taken aback for a moment and did not rush to accept the order.

"Your Majesty, I dare to inquire whether the court has truly employed Yang Sichang's 'Ten-Sided Net' strategy?"

Zhu Youjian nodded.

"Yes, but the plan will not be implemented until the end of the year. During this period, Gao Yingxiang and his men will not give up easily. They will try their best to deplete the court's military strength."

"Therefore, once you become the premier of five provinces, the only thing you need to do is to guard against peasant armies."

"We'll wait for winter to come, then we can launch a counterattack."

After receiving a definite answer from Zhu Youjian.

Lu Xiang-sheng pondered for a moment, then asked, "Since a counter-offensive to suppress the peasant army is planned for the end of the year, why has His Majesty delayed issuing the tax decree?"

Can the national treasury support the expenses of adding 120,000 troops?

This is what he is most worried about.

Zhu Youjian smiled calmly: "Minister Lu, you don't need to worry about this matter. I have my own way of handling the money."

Seeing the emperor's confidence.

Lu Xiang-sheng did not pursue the matter further.

As long as they can come up with the money, that's fine. What if the government runs out of funds halfway through the bandit suppression campaign? Otherwise, all our efforts will be in vain.

"Your humble servant obeys."

"If Your Majesty has nothing else to say, then this humble subject will take his leave."

Zhu Youjian continued.

"Minister Lu, I have heard that you share weal and woe with your soldiers, and always lead the charge when the army goes to war?"

In response to the emperor's inquiry, Lu Xiang-sheng explained.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the Qi Family Army is exceptionally powerful, and its strength lies in its system."

"Only when soldiers share weal and woe can they advance together with one heart. If a general is afraid of death, how can his soldiers dare to charge into battle?"

This is his way of governing the army.

Soldiers and officers are treated as one, without discrimination, sharing joys and sorrows.

Only in this way can an elite army be trained.

"Your Majesty, is there something amiss?"

Zhu Youjian smiled and shook his head.

Then, he took out two immortal totems from his pocket.

"Since this is the general's way of governing the army, I will not say more."

"However, leading from the front sometimes inevitably involves many dangers."