Early in the morning, the people in the capital were awakened by the continuous cheers.
"...The great victory at Jiayuguan...Liang Guogong's formation killed 200,000..."
Upon hearing this news, both the common people and the literati were filled with surprise.
Although he was humble and did not dare to worry about his country, the people were even more concerned about the Ming Dynasty than many high-ranking officials and nobles.
Some time ago, when they learned that Timur was waging war against the Ming Dynasty, the people did not take him seriously. After all, many people don't know much about the Timur Empire and only regard it as a small country like Ryukyu and Siam.
The Ming Dynasty even pacified the grasslands. Couldn't such a small country be easily crushed to death with a slap?
But when the news came out that His Majesty the Emperor had once again ordered 200,000 troops to be sent to Jiayuguan for reinforcements, the people suddenly discovered that the Timurid Empire was not a small country that could be killed with a slap, but a kingdom in the Western Regions. The overlord of the country. Due to the Silk Road, people still know that the Western Region is extremely vast, and there were nearly a hundred countries, large and small.
Such a big country went to war with the Ming Dynasty, and it happened in Jiayuguan, thousands of miles away from the capital. No matter how strong the Ming Dynasty was, the people couldn't help but murmur in their hearts. I began to worry that Ming Dynasty would be defeated.
Now, when the news of the victory at Jiayuguan came, the people's previous worries were suddenly wiped away. They were so excited that they went out to drink with their friends, regardless of the fact that it was morning.
The waiter at the wine shop was awakened by the loud slamming of the door. He rubbed his groggy eyes and opened the door. Before he could recover, he was squeezed in by a dense crowd of people.
"Waiter, serve the wine. Sir, I want to have a good drink today..."
"...How can a good drink be enough? After the great victory at Jiayuguan, we should not return until we are drunk..."
"Brother, what you said is very true. I'm just about to get drunk and never come back..."
...
Since Han Du became the first assistant, he has delayed going out until dawn every day. Anyway, he is the biggest in the entire cabinet, and no one dares to give him a thumbs up. As for the morning court, Han Du was often absent, and even Zhu Biao was used to it.
There was even a time when Zhu Biao couldn't bear to look at it and couldn't help but remind Han Du: "You are the chief minister of the cabinet. You are not even here in the morning. Isn't there something wrong?"
"It's a little bad." Han Du nodded slightly in thought.
Zhu Biao felt happy and quickly said while the iron was hot: "That's right, you are the chief assistant now and you are different from before. I know your hobbies, but you have to adapt."
Han Du agreed with his face, "You have to adapt."
Before Zhu Biao could get happy, Han Du said something else, "How about the emperor change the morning court time to Si hour? Then everyone doesn't have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the morning court. Wouldn't everyone be happy?" "
Zhu Biao's face suddenly darkened, and he said with a hint of resentment: "The morning time is set by my father, how can I change it at will?"
Han Du glanced at him lightly and said as if he had changed very little of the rules set by Lao Zhu. Lao Zhu never had any intention of establishing a cabinet, and he did not even allow the emergence of a cabinet minister with powers similar to those of a prime minister.
Haven't these been changed by Zhu Biao? If the sentiment is beneficial to Zhu Biao, he can turn a blind eye and change it. Otherwise, he must strictly adhere to Lao Zhu's rules?
"I thought the emperor wanted to adapt to me during the court meeting..." Han Du said with a dry smile.
Zhu Biao was furious and said loudly: "I'm telling you to get used to the morning time, not to get used to you!"
"That's it~" Han Du hesitated.
"Of course." Zhu Biao said firmly.
Han Du suddenly raised his head and said with an indifferent expression: "Then the emperor should hire someone else. I am really lacking in talent and learning. It is better for me to abdicate the position of chief assistant and give way to someone more talented."
...Zhu Biao looked at Han Du with helpless eyes, and after a moment of pause, he said softly: "I don't force you to catch up with the morning meeting, I just want you to try your best to catch up..."
"Then what if I can't catch up? Can I give way to someone more talented?" Han Du's eyes lit up.
Seeing Han Du's cheering look, Zhu Biao's heart tightened suddenly, and he no longer dared to ask Han Du to come to the morning court. After holding it in for a moment, he blushed and said, "If you can't catch up, go to the cabinet to handle government affairs. There are a lot of things going on now. Don't even think about going back until you can finish them..."
Seeing Zhu Biao turn around and leave angrily, Han Du showed a very helpless expression. There are too many things in the cabinet, and Han Du feels very tired these days. If he could get away, Han Du would probably happily raise his hands and feet in approval.
Thinking of this, Han Du couldn't help but let out a long yawn.
Today is no exception??????????????????
Han Du was pulled up early by An Qing and forced to go out on errands by her. Sitting in the sedan chair, Han Du yawned endlessly, one after another.
When Han Du arrived at the cabinet, before he could walk in, he saw an official rushing over with a report.
"Master Chief Assistant, a great victory at Jiayuguan, Liang Guogong's formation killed 200,000 people!"
Lan Yu won?
Han Du was overjoyed when he came back to his senses. He reached out to take the report and opened it. He closed it immediately and hurried towards the palace.
Outside the Qianqing Palace, Wang Yue saw Han Du hurriedly coming from a distance, and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.
Smiling and bowing, he said: "Dong Zhenguo came so early to see the emperor. Is there anything important you have to do?"
Han Du nodded with joy and handed him Lan Yu's report, "Great victory at Jiayuguan, 200,000 soldiers were killed, and Timur retreated at the right time."
Wang Yue's eyes suddenly widened. He did not expect that it would be such a great thing. He quickly laughed and said: "I will go and report to the emperor right now. The Duke of Zhenguo will wait a moment. I am afraid the emperor will summon him immediately."
Han Du nodded and watched Wang Yue run towards the Qianqing Palace.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
Soon, Wang Yue came out with a smile on his face and brought Han Du in.
Lan Yu's report was placed on the imperial desk by Zhu Biao, while Zhu Biao kept walking back and forth behind the imperial desk, clenching a fist with one hand and rubbing his fist with the other, and his whole body was full of excitement.
Seeing Han Du come in and salute, Zhu Biao immediately raised his hand and said: "No need."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Han Du stood up with a smile.
Zhu Biao's excitement finally found an outlet. He praised hurriedly: "Lanyu really did not disappoint me. He killed Timur for 200,000 yuan. He really vented his anger for me!"
Han Du agreed with a faint smile: "Liang Guogong did indeed fight brilliantly in this battle, but please don't forget, Your Majesty, Timur has an army of five to six hundred thousand under his command, and the loss of two hundred thousand will at best break his bones." Mu'er has now retreated to Yili to rest, obviously he still has no intention of giving up Gongming."
After Zhu Biao heard this, he immediately calmed down and agreed: "You are right. If Timur was disheartened after such a defeat, he should have led his troops back to the court long ago instead of relying on Yili. He won't leave. Now it seems that he is evil-minded!"
With that said, Zhu Biao stretched out his hand to signal Han Du to sit down and talk.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Han Du and other palace maids moved to Jin Dun and sat on it, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, Timur's empire is vast, and they can afford this loss. Timur rarely suffered defeat in his southern and northern campaigns. Now, After suffering such a big loss in front of Ming Dynasty, he will not give up whether it is for face or to compete with Ming Dynasty. Now I am afraid that he is mobilizing an army to prepare for war with Ming Dynasty again. "
Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, frowned, and sighed: "It seems that we still have to fight against Timur!"
Han Du rolled his eyes and continued: "Your Majesty, if Ming Dynasty continues to consume Timur like this, even if it wins in the end, I am afraid that the price paid will be huge, and some losses outweigh the gains!"
Frowning, Zhu Biao couldn't help but sigh: "Why don't I know? There are 300,000 troops guarding Jiayuguan, and the daily consumption of money and food is a huge number. I don't know how long it will take until this battle is over."
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This is the horror of a war between two major powers. Not to mention the soldiers who died in battle, it was just the consumption of money and food that the two sides held against each other. Even if a small vassal state is completely filled in, it may not be able to sustain it for a month.
If the confrontation between the two sides lasts for a long time, even if one side wins, it will be painful.
Han Du smiled in his heart and said at the right moment: "Your Majesty, I have said before that to defeat Timur's empire, we need to advance both by sea and land. Since Timur is now retreating to a small area, it is better to take advantage of it while it is still there. If we don’t gather troops and horses, it’s better for me to lead the navy to attack Timur from the sea.”
"A pincer attack at sea?" Zhu Biao suddenly remembered Han Du's original strategy and nodded subconsciously.
Once Tamerlane is attacked by land and sea, and cannot look at each other from head to tail, its defeat will soon be established. This not only avoided Daming's long-term consumption, but Daming was almost certain to win.
Facing the victory, Zhu Biao was certainly excited. However, he still asked doubtfully: "Why do you have to go? Can't others go? You are now the chief minister of the cabinet. If you leave, what will happen to the cabinet?"
Of course I have to go. If I don't go, won't I have to be locked up in the cabinet and suffer every day?
Han Du pretended to sigh and said: "Your Majesty, apart from the ministers, the navy is only commanded by Tang Dingru's finger-arm. But now Tang Ding is still in the Japanese country to clean up the remaining Japanese. If I don't go, who will?"
Zhu Biao was speechless. In the past, he felt that there were many talents in the imperial court, but now he felt deeply that they were all stretched thin. Tang Ding is in the Japanese country, Lan Yu is in Jiayuguan, and Fu Youde is in the north. After counting, apart from Han Du, there is really no better candidate than Han Du.
"Okay." Zhu Biao finally nodded and agreed, "Then how many naval forces do you need?"
"Fifty thousand is enough." Han Du said confidently.
"Fifty thousand?" Zhu Biao suddenly frowned and said doubtfully: "Timur can send an army of five to six million to attack Ming Dynasty. A mere 50,000 people are still attacking the hinterland of Timur... This, I'm afraid Isn’t it far enough?”
Han Du smiled and explained: "Your Majesty, there is only the Ming Dynasty to the east of Timur, but there are many countries to the west. Although these countries were basically destroyed by Timur, it is precisely because of this that I want to find Timur. There are many people seeking revenge against Timur. Not to mention, there is also the Ottoman Empire. When I arrive in the West, the first thing I will do is to connect these people together. If I can convince them to fight against Timur together, then the 50,000-strong army will be more than enough."
What's more, there are seven governor-general offices in the West in the West. It is also possible for Han Du to recruit troops when he reaches the West.
Zhu Biao felt relieved after hearing this, "I believe you."
