After the cabinet deliberations were over, Jiajing did not stay any longer, but went straight back to Qianqing Palace.
Shortly after this, rumors spread quickly in the court, saying that the emperor was very satisfied with the performance of the officials in this major plan.
For this reason, after coming down, the emperor will give an extra amount of silver reward to all the officials in the Ministry of Personnel, big and small.
As soon as this news came out, it quickly aroused heated discussion in the court. After learning the news, the officials were all happy from top to bottom.
After all, this is showing his face in front of the emperor. In addition, there is an extra silver reward to be won!
Although the emperor had already raised salaries for all civil and military officials before this, this was the capital city after all, and there were constant exchanges and banquets between each other. How could the salary alone be enough?
Therefore, it is always a good thing to have more income.
"All of this is the credit of Lord Shangshu. Without Lord Shangshu, our staff would not be able to get this silver reward. Don't you think so?"
"That makes sense. Alas, I don't know how much reward your Majesty plans to give out. My family is almost at a loss to open the door!"
"Since Your Majesty has opened the mouth of gold, the reward will definitely be huge!"
"According to a friend of mine who was in the Ministry of Household Affairs at the same time, the money in the national treasury can allow the court to squander it for more than ten years. Otherwise, how could His Majesty suddenly exempt the people from taxes for a year?"
"Hiss, there are actually so many!"
While the discussion about this matter was extremely lively in the Ministry of Personnel, there was dead silence in the Supervisory Office.
At this moment, the officials in the duty room of the Inspectorate were tremblingly handling the memorials sent to them as if they were walking on thin ice, not daring to make any noise for fear of offending their superiors.
After all, the responsibilities of the Inspectorate overlap with those of the Ministry of Personnel. Both parties have the power to assess officials' performance and integrity. For this reason, the Ministry of Personnel and the Inspectorate often create obstacles for each other.
"Look at how you guys do things on weekdays. I've totally embarrassed you. This time, I actually got praise from your majesty from the staff. I don't know what to do with the emperor later. Lord Shi, tell me!"
"Sir... Sir, there is nothing we can do. You know, Mr. Hu Ge is..."
"Shut up, I. You've been making excuses all day long. If Mr. Zhao were still in the Inspectorate, with his temper, he would have dealt with you long ago. You all should listen carefully to me. Next..."
…
In the evening, the Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.
At this moment, Jiajing was seen sitting on the dragon chair, holding a sample newspaper specifically for the common people, looking at it with relish.
"Well, Lu Fang, yes, the illustrations here are very interesting!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he turned around and looked at Lu Fang, who was beside him, and spoke words of encouragement.
When Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, heard this, a hint of humility flashed across his face, and he quickly leaned down and responded respectfully.
"Your Majesty, this is all your credit. You said earlier that you would make the newspaper for the people more concise and interesting. To this end, I asked the painters to change the manuscript for several pages!"
"Well, let the information agencies across the country sell the third issue of the Ming Dynasty Daily as soon as possible. I want the people of the Ming Dynasty to know the decision of the imperial court to be tax-free for one year!"
After Jiajing put down the newspaper sample in his hand, he nodded slightly, then turned around to look at Lu Fang beside him and gave these instructions.
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Lu Fang responded without hesitation: "As you command, Your Majesty!"
Soon after, the eunuch was guided into the Qianqing Palace.
After the guiding eunuch entered the Qianqing Palace, he looked in the direction of Jiajing, lowered his head, and reported respectfully: "Your Majesty, Duke Cheng Guo is outside seeking an audience!"
When Jiajing heard this, his face was full of surprise. Then, he looked in the direction of the guiding eunuch and confirmed: "Oh, Duke Cheng Guo?"
After the guiding eunuch noticed Jiajing's eyes on him, he couldn't help but panic.
Immediately, he suppressed the panic in his heart and reported respectfully: "Yes, Your Majesty, Duke Cheng Guo is outside asking for an audience!"
When Jiajing heard this, he pondered for a moment, raised his eyebrows, and then ordered: "Well, I understand, let Duke Cheng come in!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After receiving Jiajing's instructions, the guiding eunuch did not stay in the Qianqing Palace for too long, but left directly.
After guiding the eunuch to leave, Jiajing turned around and looked at Lu Fang, who was standing aside, and asked: "Lu Fang, tell me, why did Duke Cheng Guo suddenly come to see me?"
When Lu Fang heard this, after thinking about it for a long time, she cautiously said, "Your Majesty, I don't know!"
…
At this moment, outside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Xizhong, Duke of Chengguo, looked at the Qianqing Palace that was so close in front of him. A trace of uneasiness flashed across his face. After taking a few deep breaths, he calmed down again.
The reason why Chengguo Gong Zhu Xizhong came to meet Jiajing at this time was because he found out through his own news channels that the imperial court planned to officially start a war with Ada Khan in the next spring.
As Duke Cheng of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Xizhong commanded the Shenji Battalion, one of the most elite three battalions in the capital of the Ming Dynasty.
He came to meet Jiajing this time in the hope of persuading Jiajing to allow the Shenji Battalion to join the battle!
In Zhu Xizhong's view, this is an opportunity, an excellent opportunity to restore the past glory of the clan and nobles!
When the time comes, he will take the lead and personally lead the Shenji Battalion to join the battle.
In this way, it will not only set an example for the millions of clans and nobles of the Ming Dynasty, but also let the world see that the clans and nobles of the Ming Dynasty are not all mediocre people who are greedy for pleasure and are greedy for life and fear of death!
At this moment, the guiding eunuch quietly came to Zhu Xizhong, leaned down, and said respectfully: "Mr. Cheng Guo, you can go in, His Majesty is waiting for you inside!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Xizhong came to his senses and bowed his hands to the guiding eunuch: "Well, I'm sorry to bother you, father-in-law!"
Seeing this situation, the guiding eunuch's face was full of panic, and he quickly returned the gift to Zhu Xizhong: "No, no, Duke Chengguo said seriously, this is just our family's responsibility!"
After a few words of greeting, Zhu Xizhong was seen stepping up the stairs of Qianqing Palace step by step with steady steps. At this moment, his face was full of perseverance.
After entering the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Xizhong subconsciously looked at Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair. Then, he restrained his mind, and like those ministers, he knelt on the ground respectfully and said in a deep voice.
"I bow to your majesty, long live my emperor!"
Hearing this, Jiajing quickly stood up from the dragon chair, came to Zhu Xizhong, leaned down, helped him up from the ground, and then said: "Mr. Cheng Guo, please get up quickly, we are all a family. No need to be so polite!”
Zhu Xizhong couldn't help but feel a little moved when he heard Jiajing's words.
Immediately, Jiajing turned around, looked at the eunuch beside him, and said, "Come here, give Duke Cheng a seat!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
As soon as the words fell, a eunuch came forward, prepared a seat for Zhu Xizhong, and put soft cushions on the seat.
When Zhu Xizhong saw this situation, he immediately reacted, cupped his hands, and thanked Jiajing: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"
After that, Zhu Xizhong was seen sitting down on the chair, sitting upright and not daring to make any movement.
After Jiajing sat back on the dragon chair, he looked in the direction of Zhu Xizhong and asked, "By the way, Duke Cheng is here today. What's the matter?"
Hearing Jiajing's words, Zhu Xizhong had a look of hesitation on his face. Then, he took a deep breath and organized the words in his mind before speaking out his request.
"Your Majesty, not long ago, I heard that the imperial court is preparing to officially start a war with Ada Khan in the spring of next year!"
When Zhu Xizhong said this, he couldn't help but pause for a moment, and then he put on a risk-taking attitude and said decisively: "Therefore, I would like to request your majesty to let the Shenji Battalion also participate in the battle!"
Jiajing obviously did not expect that Zhu Xizhong, Duke of Chengguo, would ask him to join the war in person, so he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
After a long time, Jiajing came back to his senses, shook his head helplessly, and rejected Zhu Xizhong's proposal: "Gong Cheng, I cannot agree to your request. Your family, Duke Cheng, is full of loyal people, and you will do it for me. There was too much blood, I really can’t bear it..."
Zhu Neng, Duke of Chengguo, had earlier accompanied Zhu Di, King of Yan, in the campaign against Mobei. During the Battle of Jingnan, he led his army to seize the Nine Gates of Peiping and defeated Geng Bingwen, Li Jinglong and others successively, achieving great military exploits.
After Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, came to the throne, he made Zhu Neng the Duke of the country and the crown prince and Taifu. In the fourth year of Yongle, Zhu Neng was appointed as the general to conquer the barbarians and conquered Annan. Unfortunately, he died of illness in the army.
In the 22nd year of Yongle, Zhu Neng's son, Zhu Yong, accompanied Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, to conquer Mongolia in the north. After Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty came to the throne, he assisted him in quelling the rebellion of Han King Zhu Gaoxi.
Later, when Zhu Yong followed the Ming Dynasty war god Zhu Qizhen and conquered Oara in the north, he was ambushed in Yao'erling and unfortunately died in battle.
Because of this, Jiajing can be said to be full of loyal people in the lineage of the Duke.
Seeing that Jiajing rejected his proposal, Zhu Xizhong immediately stood up from his seat, knelt down on the ground with a plop, and said in a deep voice: "As the Duke of Chengguo of our Ming Dynasty, Shiqing Shilu, I will retire with the country." !”
"Your Majesty also said before that Duke Cheng Guo's family is full of loyal people, and the ancestors of Weichen all died on the road to expand the territory for the Ming Dynasty. If this is the case, then how can Weichen have any reason to back down?"
"Ananda Khan has repeatedly invaded the borders of the Ming Dynasty and is a serious problem for the Ming Dynasty. When we raise troops to fight against it, I am not afraid of death. Even if I am unfortunately killed in battle, I have sons and grandsons who can continue to serve the Ming Dynasty." Efficacy!”
When Jiajing saw Zhu Xizhong's resolute attitude, a trace of hesitation flashed across his face.
Seeing that his words had an effect, Zhu Xizhong immediately decided to strike while the iron was hot and continued: "Your Majesty, now the son of Wei Chen, Zhu Shitai, has gone to Bozhou to serve as a post to assist the imperial court in implementing the policy of returning natives to rural areas!"
"As a father, Wei Chen cannot lag behind. Please agree to Wei Chen's request and let Wei Chen lead the Shenji Battalion to participate in the conquest of An Da Khan!"
After Zhu Xizhong finished speaking, he prostrated himself on the ground, as if he would not get up if Jiajing did not agree.
Seeing this situation, Jiajing came back to his senses after thinking about it for a long time. He sighed helplessly and said: "Get up, Duke Cheng. I'm sure. When the time comes, you will command the Shenji Camp and follow the army." Let’s go to war together!”
When Zhu Xizhong heard Jiajing's words, his face was filled with excitement. He immediately stood up from the ground, bowed his hands to Jiajing, and said in a deep voice: "I obey, Your Majesty!"
After that, Jiajing's voice sounded in Zhu Xizhong's ears: "By the way, Duke Cheng, how do you use the new weapons that were previously equipped to the Shenji Battalion?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Xizhong immediately responded without thinking: "Your Majesty, the new weapons previously equipped to the Shenji Battalion are very useful, especially the paper-cased bullets produced by the Weapons Department!"
"With the help of paper shell bullets, the reloading speed of the firecracker has been greatly improved. In the past, it took one shot to be fired, but now it can be fired three times. In addition, the flintlock muskets produced by the Ordnance Department, whether it is Both its power and range are far stronger than the fire blunderbuss previously equipped in the Shenji Camp!"
Jiajing heard Zhu Xizhong's words, nodded, and then said: "Well, I know, if you need anything from the Shenji Camp, just let me know!"
When Zhu Xizhong heard this, a look of gratitude appeared on his face. He leaned down and respectfully said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After that, Zhu Xizhong saw that the purpose of his trip had been successfully achieved, and he did not stay in the Qianqing Palace for too long. After bowing to Jiajing, he stood up and left.
When Zhu Xizhong walked out of the Qianqing Palace, it was getting late, and the last rays of the sunset fell on the ground. Looking from a distance, it had a different artistic conception.
"I didn't expect that things would go so smoothly. His Majesty agreed to let the Shenji Battalion participate in the war. I have to inform everyone of this news quickly!"
Zhu Xizhong thought so and couldn't help but quicken his pace.
…
After leaving the Forbidden City, Zhu Xizhong went directly to the British government and convened the clan members and nobles non-stop to discuss the next response.
At this moment, in the hall used by the British government to entertain guests, Zhang Rong looked around and saw that people had almost arrived. He just used his eyes to indicate to Zhu Xizhong that it was time to start.
After Zhu Xizhong cleared his throat, he faced the many clans and nobles present and said in a deep voice: "I have called everyone here today because I have important news to inform you!"
When Zhu Xizhong finished speaking, the faces of everyone present were filled with unconcealable curiosity, and they all looked in the direction of Zhu Xizhong.
Because on weekdays, it is usually the British Duke Zhang Rong who calls everyone to gather here. This is the first time like today!
Facing the extremely curious eyes of everyone, Zhu Xizhong organized the words in his mind and said loudly: "The imperial court plans to formally send troops to fight against An Dahan in the spring of next year, and I will personally lead the divine machine at that time. Camp, go with the army!”
Whether the imperial court plans to officially start a war with Anda Khan in the spring of next year, or whether Cheng Guogong General Zhu Xizhong personally leads the Shenji Battalion and goes to conquer with the army, no matter which one of these two pieces of news, it is very exciting. Shocking.
Therefore, Zhu Xizhong's words, like dropping a bombshell into calm waters, soon caused an uproar.
As soon as Zhu Xizhong finished speaking, Zhang Rong stood up from his seat suddenly, his face full of shock: "What!"
In addition to Zhang Rong, Duke Dingguo Xu Yande also had a look of disbelief on his face.
Later, Xu Yande came back to his senses, looked in the direction of Zhu Xizhong, and confirmed to him: "Mr. Cheng Guo, are you really..."
Zhu Xizhong took in the expression on Xu Yande's face, nodded, and then said: "Well, this resolution was just decided by the cabinet. After I found out the news, I immediately went to Qianqing Palace. One trip!”
When Zhu Xizhong said this, he paused for a moment, and then said with emotion: "His Majesty was not willing at first, but after my painstaking persuasion, His Majesty finally reluctantly agreed to this proposal!"
Zhang Rong, who was on the side, couldn't help but be silent for a moment when he heard Zhu Xizhong's words. As long as he put himself in his shoes, he could understand why the emperor rejected Zhu Xizhong's request.
Zhu Xizhong's great-grandfather Zhu Neng and grandfather Zhu Yong both died in battle and gave their lives for the Ming Dynasty. Now Zhu Xizhong will personally lead the Shenji Battalion and go out with the army!
After being silent for a long time, Zhang Rong looked in the direction of Zhu Xizhong and asked, "Mr. Cheng Guo, I wonder if His Majesty can still let us..."
After Zhu Xizhong heard Zhang Rong's words, he knew that Zhang Rong also wanted to personally lead troops to conquer Anda Khan.
Afterwards, Zhu Xizhong shook his head and said slowly: "My Lord, it is very rare for your Majesty to agree to let the Shenji Battalion go to war. Even if you go to ask your Majesty next, your Majesty will not agree!"
When Zhang Rong heard this, he knew that what Zhu Xizhong said was true. After all, Duke Yingying, Duke Chengguo, and Duke Dingguo were the top clans and nobles in the Ming Dynasty, and they could not tolerate any mistakes!
Therefore, it is very rare for the emperor to agree to let Zhu Xizhong, Duke of Chengguo, command the Shenji Battalion to go out with the army.
After everyone had digested the news, Zhu Xizhong stood up from his seat, faced everyone, and said in a deep voice: "This battle is very important. It is related to whether my clan and nobles of the Ming Dynasty can gain a foothold in the court in the future. !”
"Although His Majesty has been vigorously supporting us clans and nobles, we must also show qualified results to repay His Majesty!"
"Nothing is more convincing than a hearty victory. Even if I unfortunately die in battle, there will still be a place for us clan members and nobles in the Ming Dynasty's court in the future!"
"If something happens to me, I hope you can take more care of my family in the future!"
When Zhu Xizhong said this, his face was full of determination, and this was also one of the purposes of calling everyone here.
Seeing that the atmosphere at the scene was a bit dull, Zhang Rong stood up, looked at Zhu Xizhong and comforted him: "Don't worry, Mr. Cheng Guo. All of us here are members of the clan and nobles of the Ming Dynasty. We are all prosperous." , an existence that loses everything!"
Zhang Rong's words quickly aroused the resonance of many clans and nobles present, and soon someone stood up and spoke in agreement.
"The British Lord is right, we are all members of the Ming Dynasty's clan and nobles, and we should take care of each other!"
"Yes, Duke Cheng Guo, why are you so polite to us?"
"Yes, we are a family!"
Zhu Xizhong glanced at the clan members and nobles who stood up to speak one by one, and he couldn't help but feel a touch of warmth in his heart.
Although there may still be dissatisfaction among the many clans and nobles present, everyone's overall interests are the same, which is to restore the Ming Dynasty clan and nobles to their former glory!
Then, Xu Yande, Duke of Dingguo, stood up from his seat and said in a deep voice: "Today is different from the past. Now our Ming Dynasty's treasury is full. Recently, we have won consecutive battles with our troops. The soldiers and horses are strong, and we are united. I am just sweating." How can we compete with my Ming Dynasty? This battle will be won!"
…
Night falls, in the capital, Yan Mansion.
Since it was getting late, the orange candlelight in the room vaguely reflected Yan Song's figure.
At this time, Yan Song was sitting behind the desk, browsing the books in his hand with great concentration. At this moment, there was a slight knock on the door.
Hearing this, Yan Song put the books in his hands aside and ordered: "Come in!"
After the words fell, there was only a "squeak" sound, the door of the room was pushed open, and Yan Shifan walked in with silent steps.
After Yan Shifan entered the study, he immediately leaned down and saluted Yan Song respectfully: "Father!"
When Yan Song heard the words, he responded in a subtle way, then glanced at Yan Shifan and asked, "What's the matter?"
When the words fell, Yan Shifan came straight to Yan Song and lowered his voice: "Back to father, the officials who went to Nanzhili to investigate Yan Maoqing's case have already concluded!"
When Yan Song heard this, he couldn't help but have a look of curiosity on his face, and asked: "Oh, what was the result?"
As soon as Yan Song finished speaking, Yan Shifan responded without hesitation: "Replying to my father, the results of the investigation by those officials are that Yan Maoqing's case was just an accident. Yan Maoqing accidentally fell into the water while drunk!"
After Yan Song learned the news, he was not surprised. He just raised his eyebrows and said to himself: "Well, in this way, everything will be fine!"
After that, Yan Shifan mustered up his courage, looked in the direction of Yan Song, and asked cautiously: "By the way, father, what should we do next, or should we continue to send people to impeach Yan Maoqing?"
Hearing this, Yan Song shook his head and gave instructions: "Yan Maoqing's body is not yet cold now. Don't make it too ugly. Let's wait and let them stop for a while!"
When Yan Song finished speaking, Yan Shifan lowered his head and responded respectfully: "Yes, father, I understand!"
"Okay, it's getting late, you'd better go back and rest quickly!"
"Yes, father, please leave now!"
After Yan Shifan finished speaking, he bowed his hand to Yan Song and left the room. (End of chapter)
