Chapter 13: Zhou Huchen's Abacus

  Apart from training troops and more training troops, Zhou Huachen knew that Zhou Yuji couldn't leave the capital this year because an even more brutal enemy was coming.

  Zhou Huchen is now a real soldier. At the same time that Zhou Yuji was granted the titles of Taizi Shaobao, Left Dudo and Shanxi Zongbingguan, Zhou Huchen also received enfeoffment and was appointed as Wei Zhihui Xieshi, with the concurrent position of Youji Jiangjun. The generals under Zhou Yuji have also been promoted.

  For Zhou Huchen, this virtual position was enough. With a bright and upright identity, he could command the army in the military.

  Just as Zhang Guowei had just taken office, a disturbing piece of news arrived that Jian Nu had come again. As soon as the 15th year of Chongzhen entered November, the Jian Nu army divided into two routes and entered the Great Wall, and the news of attacking Ji Zhou spread to the capital.

  In no time, the refugees fleeing from the disaster began to enter the borders of Gyeonggi Province. What was unbearable for Juk-yi was that he did not receive any orders to go into battle or defend himself, but instead was told to continue his encampment on the spot.

  Since they hadn't left yet, Zhou Yuji couldn't bear it anymore. As the commander-in-chief, he couldn't leave the garrison, so he decided to send someone to ask for war from Zhang Guowei, the Minister of War. The most suitable candidate was undoubtedly Mo Xiancheng, who had just been summoned by Zhou Yuji and given a few instructions before leaving. However, before Mo Xiancheng could leave, Zhou Huchen rushed in.

  "Father, I'll go too! And pay respects to Old Master Gong at the same time." Having understood the situation, Zhou Huchen unhesitatingly made a request to go together:

  Since that's the case, Little Tiger can go pay his respects as well. Lord Zhang will definitely let me send troops to build a slave for you! Zhou Yuji agreed very readily. He had always gotten along well with Zhang Guowei, and his son Zhou Huchen's courtesy name was even given by Zhang Guowei. Zhou Huchen should have gone to pay his respects to Zhang Guowei anyway.

  The capital has already been closed off, fortunately Mo Xiancheng and Zhou Huchen were prepared, bringing the pass documents. As the two entered the capital city, they arrived at the Ministry of War, where Zhang Guowei, who had just taken office, was in a state of anxiety.

  The Chongzhen Emperor has already issued a royal edict, and the troops closer to the capital are gathering near the capital. Having lost Liaodong, Doyan Mongolia has now completely become a vassal of Jianzhou, and the border wall that was once as solid as gold is now leaking wind everywhere. Zhang Guowei, this Minister of War, is watching the scenery with pleasure, but now it is undoubtedly a hot potato.

  "Little Tiger greets Uncle!"

  Zhou Huchen did not visit Zhang Guowei in accordance with official etiquette, but rather as a nephew. This is naturally deliberate and not just anyone dares to address the Minister of War in this manner. Of course, Zhou Huchen can do so; he has the qualifications to address Zhang Guowei in this way, as it reflects their personal relationship.

  Originally the protagonist, Mo Xiancheng has now become a supporting character. He doesn't have the qualifications of Zhou Huchen and can only pay his respects as a subordinate.

  They sat down, exchanged greetings, and Zhang Guowei waved his hand to dismiss the clerk beside him. Soon, Zhou Huchen entered the topic: "Uncle, you also understand the purpose of my visit. It's been several months since we received any grain or salary! Moreover, you know that my father's army has been fighting for years, and our military funds and equipment are severely lacking. This requires your leadership!"

  "Alas, consecutive years of disaster and famine! One must also consider the difficulties of the imperial court! Now it's not just the troops at Cuī ān that lack grain and equipment, everyone is lacking! I, too, have no good solution!"

  Zhang Guowei's feelings are of course a fact, Zhou Yuji sent Zhou Huchen to discuss the salary is not excessive, this is his own general, with himself has always been close, do not seek support from oneself who else can go find?

  "Father had followed Uncle in the battles of Shandong, you're aware of the actual situation. The grain and supplies have always been insufficient, the equipment has suffered severe losses, and the soldiers have just received some replenishment. Now they are about to face a major battle! This is exactly when the army urgently needs these materials, please think of a way, Uncle!"

  "I understand the difficulties of Zui An! The imperial court is now gathering troops from all over to reinforce the capital, and will certainly allocate food and military funds. Xiao Hu does not need to be so anxious, once the imperial court starts allocating food and military funds, it will naturally take care of the soldiers of the capital camp first."

  "Uncle, as the Minister of War, the soldiers in my father's army have not been fed, there is no grain allowance and no weapons, how can they fight? Please take care of this for me!"

  Zhang Guowei was somewhat helpless: "The Ministry of Revenue is already making arrangements, Xiaohu doesn't need to be anxious, it's not certain that there will be news, I will let Cuiyan be satisfied!"

  Zhou Huchen lowered his head, with a cunning glint in his eyes: "Father's army can't wait any longer! The war is about to start! Since the Ministry of Revenue is not reliable, Uncle, the old weapons in the Ministry of War's arsenal can also be used. You just need to make a decision and consider it as helping Father out of a difficult situation!" Zhou Huchen would not give up easily, with Zhang Guowei around, he had already taken advantage of the situation, anyway, it was not Zhang Guowei's own family property, so he wouldn't mind too much.

  "Good nephew! The receipt of military funds still needs to wait for the Ministry of Revenue, now..."

  "Uncle, you still don't understand, when will the Ministry of Revenue allocate funds? I know the Ministry of War also has its own arsenal, Uncle, just take charge and placate me! Not taking advantage of a good opportunity is stupid, Zhou Huchen forgot whose motto this was. In the end, Zhou Huchen and Zhang Guowei are at odds with each other. Anyway, if nothing stands out, I won't leave."

  The Ministry of War's arsenal is the reserve supplies of the Ministry of War, Zhang Guowei can certainly take charge, but... those are the best weapons and equipment of the Ming Dynasty, they are not things that ordinary soldiers use.

  Just as Zhang Guo Wei was still hesitating whether to give Zhou Hu Chen some benefits, Zhou Hu Chen shamelessly followed up with: "After all, Uncle is the most understanding and reasonable one, I'll thank you on behalf of my father!"

  Anyway, this Zhang Guowei was also a martyr in the original history, an unyielding patriot. Kneeling twice more doesn't matter, Zhou Huchen "thud" knelt down.

  Zhang Guowei is crazy, when did I agree!

  But how could Zhang Guowei say he didn't agree!

  There's no room for maneuvering now, whether to give or not to give is already a must! Zhang Guowei couldn't help but sigh, this Zhou Huchen is not only a little tiger, but also a clever person!

  Apart from the time he paid his respects, Mo Xian Cheng had been silent all along, now his mouth was already curved to his ears; this young master is indeed worthy of being called a tiger in the capital, and he actually put down the current Minister of War with just one move, it's too awesome! It makes people prostrate themselves in admiration! Admiration that flows like a mighty river!

  Helpless, Zhang Guowei smiled and admitted defeat. This kid had been circling around him all along, and in the end, he was also led into a circle.

  "Alright! I'll send someone with Xiaohu to the armory to take a look, you can pick some things out, but don't be too excessive, Xiaohu, leave something for me! Don't make it difficult for me!"

  "Uncle, what are you talking about? Xiao Hu knows what's important and wouldn't make things difficult for you." Zhou Huchen replied in a proper and measured tone, but Zhang Guowei clearly saw the cunning in his eyes - this kid isn't easy to deal with!

  Things were settled for Zhou Huchen, and Zhang Guowei sent someone to inform the person in charge of the armory.

  As the Minister of War, Zhang Guowei is now busy with state affairs and has limited time to receive guests. At this extraordinary moment, Zhou Huchen and Mo Xiancheng should have taken their leave. However, Mo Xiancheng was a bit anxious, as Zhou Yujie had assigned him the task of recruiting soldiers, which Zhou Huchen hadn't mentioned at all. Mo Xiancheng thought Zhou Huchen had forgotten, so he kept giving him meaningful glances. But Zhou Huchen didn't even glance at Mo Xiancheng, and with polite words on his lips, he respectfully bid farewell to Zhang Guowei.

  This request for troops to go to war turned into a discussion of salaries, and Zhou Huachen didn't mention the matter of requesting troops to go to war.

  The task assigned by Mo Xiancheng has not been completed, how can I go back and report?!

  Helpless, Mo Xian Cheng wanted to speak up for himself. At this time, Zhou Huchen turned his head in a timely manner: "Uncle Cheng, you haven't bid farewell to the old master, we should go to the armory!"

  Mo Xiancheng's words were choked back, and he remembered that Zhou Huchen had already told him to follow his arrangements. Now that he had bid farewell, he could no longer speak up and could only say it later.

  Helpless, Mo Xiancheng had no choice but to follow Zhou Huchen's wishes and bid farewell to Zhang Guowei, while the matter of sending troops to war could only be dealt with later.

  Zhou Huchen clearly remembered that there was no record of Zhou Yuji fighting against Jian Nu in the vicinity of Jingqi in the 15th year of Chongzhen, only the bloody Yangliuqing Battle. But to be on the safe side, Zhou Huchen didn't mention anything about sending troops into battle, and also wanted to stop Mo Xiancheng.

  Fighting directly with Jian Nu, Zhou Huachen would not go. Jian Nu's military strength is now very strong, and it is not something that the soldiers under Zhou Yuji can contend with at present. Those new recruits have just undergone training, what combat effectiveness do they have? And those old soldiers are too few, with Zhou Yuji's surname, this is no different from letting his subordinates go to their deaths. According to Zhou Yuji's concept of warfare, these soldiers will definitely suffer heavy losses, which is not conducive to Zhou Huachen's overall plan, in other words, it does not conform to his own interests. Zhou Huachen's trip was to prevent Zhou Yuji from going into battle and gaining something, which would be the icing on the cake.

  As they left the office of the Minister of War, Mo Xiancheng looked at Zhou Huchen. He was about to ask again when a small official who had been waiting for a long time stood up and said: "The two masters, please follow me!"

  That's going to the Ministry of War Arsenal!

  Zhou Huchen's eyes lit up with anticipation, surely this armory of the Ministry of War would have some good stuff?