"Urgent? The Manchu and Qing dynasties that were their most trusted concern are gone, so it's only right to use your hands free to solve the problems in the southwest."
Zhu Mou sneered and said: "To say that the Ministry of Household Affairs does not have much money, that the capital is exhausted, or that it suffers from altitude sickness, etc., are all excuses."
"What they are afraid of is that I will take advantage of this war to calmly adjust the three parts."
Yan Yingyuan remained silent, looking thoughtful.
Unlike the Battle of the North Sea, which was handled by the emperor himself, the war in the Southwest, although serious, was nothing more than a minor border trouble, insignificant, and the cabinet had a huge say.
Once such a war breaks out, Zhu Mou, as the chief assistant, can not only adjust the selection of various ministries calmly, but also use the victory of the war to increase his prestige and completely overwhelm the cabinet elders.
This kind of thing is naturally not what the elders are happy to see.
After experiencing the oppression of the two chief ministers, Zhao Shu and Yan Chongxin, the cabinet elders have become disgusted with the powerful elders who suppress the cabinet and will not allow them to appear again.
The powerful chief minister will usurp the power of other cabinet elders, and he will almost always stick to his word in personnel matters, making it difficult to compete.
As we all know, in the field of politics, personnel power is the most important power.
Therefore, if the elders want to expand their voice, they must resist the powerful chief minister.
Zhao Shu is a figure like Xiao He. Yan Chongxin inherited his connections and has been running finance for many years. He almost single-handedly created the Ministry of Finance responsible for tax collection and has the oldest qualifications.
Therefore, it is difficult for the elders to resist the two of them.
But Zhu Mou was different. His ability was mediocre, he relied on the favor of the emperor and his clan status. He didn't even have any fame, and his qualifications weren't far ahead. Why should he convince the cabinet?
According to Shaowu's new system, the civil service department is not under the jurisdiction of the cabinet elders. Cabinet members have the right to speak, that is, the right to recommend officials below the fourth rank.
Naturally, people's hearts become impetuous.
Even Yan Yingyuan, although he is in the same camp as Zhu Mou, hates his increasing power from the bottom of his heart.
"Prime Minister Kui." Yan Yingyuan looked troubled: "Looking at Mr. Feng Ge's intention now, he has already convinced His Majesty to postpone the war."
"Humph!" Zhu Mou sneered and said indifferently: "Can people control things like war?"
Yan Yingyuan was shocked, with unconcealable surprise in his eyes.
"Li Heng, go back and think about it carefully." Zhu Mou seemed tired, waving his hands and saying: "Some dirty tricks are just trying to block the car, not overestimating one's own capabilities."
Yan Yingyuan nodded, turned and left.
Watching his departing figure, a trace of gloom appeared in Zhu Mou's eyes.
Yan Yingyuan has repeatedly slandered these days. Could it be that he thought that after joining the cabinet and becoming a minister, he would be equal to me, the chief minister?
dream.
Your kindness and support are not even half as good as someone's.
When they arrived at San Yamen, Yan Yingyuan nodded to Du Yinxi, who was on duty today, and was about to leave when he was suddenly stopped.
"Liheng, wait a moment."
He turned around and saw that it was Feng Xianzong, the second assistant.
"Yan Gong!" Although he is nearly ten years older than Feng Xianzong, Yan Yingyuan is far inferior to him in terms of qualifications and status, so he can only address him respectfully.
Feng Xianzong's courtesy name was Yansi, so people at that time often called him Yangong.
"What a coincidence, my unfilial grandson is one month old today, how about we have a drink together?"
Although he was asking, his arms were already on his arms. Yan Yingyuan smiled bitterly in his heart and could only say: "Then I can only chatter and ask for a glass of wine."
That's all, Feng Xianzong put down his arm and walked side by side with him.
"The King of Kang's words alone are not enough to contribute to the Kingdom of Kang. The military envoys in the country are, no, they are defense envoys. If they unite, they can be the master of King Kang."
While walking, Feng Xianzong said nonchalantly: "For the court, later is better than earlier."
The two of them talked to each other, but no one dared to disturb them within a radius of ten feet. The secretaries of the cabinet left like rabbits, for fear of hearing inappropriate news.
So the two of them could talk freely.
Yan Yingyuan thought for a while and said: "The imperial court is all over the world. I heard that Sichuan had already trained a mountain soldier a few years ago. I guess the so-called altitude sickness is nothing."
"Moreover, the imperial court knows the Kang State very well, and those defense envoys cannot confront the imperial court at all. It can be pacified in a few months, with only three to five million silver dollars."
“Sichuan can be used in just one province…”
"Money, food, soldiers and horses are important, but they are not the main reason."
Feng Xianzong chuckled and whispered: "What your Majesty cares about most is money and food. What our cabinet cares about is opportunity. The time is not right now."
"At least, not this year."
Yan Yingyuan's pupils shrank, understanding in his heart.
It seems that Du Yinxi and Feng Xianzong united to a certain extent to stop this southwest war.
"By the way, your Majesty said before that Beihai Province was established in the Manchu Qing Dynasty and had a governor."
Feng Xianzong didn't seem to notice his expression, and continued: "I wonder if Liheng has a candidate?"
Yan Yingyuan's eyes narrowed.
The Governor of Beihai, a high-ranking official in the border areas, was in charge of the military and political affairs of Mobei and Beihai, and should not be underestimated.
Once he improves, he will definitely join the capital as a minister, or even worse, he will be a Xiaojiuqing. His position is so prominent!
Needless to say, this was the quid pro quo.
After pondering for a moment, Yan Yingyuan did not say anything about the governor, but slowly talked about the southwest: "I am afraid that the decision about the southwest will be left to the temple."
"War is like a fire. It may be burning inside, but by the time sparks are seen, it will be too late."
Feng Xianzong narrowed his eyes and actually laughed: "Okay, very good."
After saying that, he ignored him and left.
Seeing his back, Yan Yingyuan's expression remained unchanged, and a trace of joy emerged in his heart.
Of course he understood that although he had not agreed just now, the matter was almost done.
Who in his pocket can enter the North Sea?
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
When he first joined the cabinet, he was naturally inferior to the other three. Now that he had a governor of Beihai under his command, his prestige immediately increased.
There are mostly people in the officialdom who are more red-headed and white-headed. Seeing Mr. Yan Ge who has greatly increased his voice, how can he not come to join him?
When the time comes, sift through it and there will still be some that can be used.
But within a few months, he would be worthy of his reputation as a pavilion elder.
After returning to the mansion, Yan Yingyuan naturally did not go to the full moon banquet. He only sent someone to deliver a generous gift to show his affection.
There are melons and plums in the fields, so it is natural to avoid suspicion.
Little did he know that the scene of him laughing and chatting with Feng Xianzong reached Zhu Mou's ears.
If it was done secretly or someone was observing, it could be explained, but there is no evidence, only a conversation scene, but it cannot be explained at all.
If it were the past, Zhu Mou would naturally not take it seriously.
But in the past few months, Yan Yingyuan's various disobedient actions had made him very angry, and this only added fuel to the fire.
He is not an unintelligent person, and of course he will not stay away or sever his relationship with Yan Yingyuan because of this. After all, he, the chief assistant, also needs his cooperation for the time being.
"Come here, send two jars of the green wine brewed in the village to the old manor of Xiaoyange."
Zhu Mou ordered.
The steward hesitated to speak.
This wine is only produced in large quantities in the manor, but there are only dozens of jars of the best quality wine.
"What, you can't bear to part with it?"
"Master, this wine has been delivered almost everywhere, and there isn't much left at home. Besides, hasn't it been delivered to Xiao Yange's hometown?"
The housekeeper said in confusion: "There are only ten altars in the house."
"I'll give it to you as soon as I ask you to. Why do you have so much to say?"
Zhu Mou scolded, and the latter had to obey.
When Yan Yingyuan received the wine, he was quite surprised, and then he was stunned.
Why did Zhu Mou get close to him again? Could it be that he was jealous?
"That's right, Zhu Mou is lenient on the outside and taboo on the inside. The words and smiles someone made to Mr. Deng today must have reached his ears."
Yan Yingyuan shook his head: "That's it, that's it."
If the Governor of Beihai is really allowed to be truthful, his position as the cabinet minister will be instantly stable and his reliance on Zhu Mou will become less and less.
Moreover, Zhu Mou will definitely not fall out with him before the war in the southwest is over.
"Three to five months later, if a certain request is still not firmly established and the tree is not established with prestige, it's okay if the pavilion is still there."
"Besides, it may not be possible in the southwest!"
…
Huxi City.
After retreating to the west of Lake Baikal, the Qing Dynasty soldiers and horses and their families, about 100,000 people, were barely settled.
However, the storage of food and clothing is naturally not as good as that of Fengjing Prefecture, and there are many difficulties.
Under this situation, Shunzhi continued to inquire about information, hoping to wait until the Ming army was weak before taking Fengjing back.
Unexpectedly, Ming general Chen Dong stationed his general in Fengjing City, recruited the people of Fengjing to repair the palace and city walls, and pacified their people to cultivate the land.
Since the armies did not have much desire for land in Hokkaido, in order to better guard Fengjing, Chen Dong gave one-third of the manor land or pastures of the Manchu nobles at one time to the hard-working lower class people.
Including Eight Banners coats, Mongolian herdsmen.
In addition, he also abolished all slave status and organized households into all people.
You know, the Manchu Qing Dynasty was a semi-slavery society.
After all, the Eight Banners aristocrats, including Manchus, Mongols, and Hans, were in the minority as aristocratic slave owners, and many of them were basically slave owners.
If there were a large number of Han people exploiting them when they entered the customs, Bao Yi would naturally be superior to others and receive preferential treatment.
But huddled in a barren land like Fengjing Mansion, Baoyi's status is naturally very poor. Although it is better than the slaves on the Mongolian grasslands, it is not much better.
How happy is it to have your own land, wealth, personal freedom, and be able to participate in imperial examinations and the army, without having to endure the bullying of your wives and daughters by the Eight Banners nobles?
Almost instantly, Fengjing Mansion settled down.
In this case, the prestige of the Manchu Qing Dynasty decreased rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Even if the Qing army entered Hudong, they would not be able to find a few people to lead the way. They would also have to worry about being discovered and being leaked to receive the reward.
The Qing Dynasty was extremely angry, coupled with the lack of supplies, they had to plunder and plunder many towns.
Including population, food, and everything edible.
But this instead forced the people of Fengjing to submit to the Ming Dynasty and despise him.
cabinet.
"Your Majesty." Ning Wanwo said in a deep voice: "The people of Fengjing Prefecture in the east of Hudong are short-sighted and helpless. The people's mentality has changed. In addition, Chen Dong has stationed tens of thousands of troops. It is no longer advisable to feed the local people."
"What can be done?" Shunzhi's eyes were bloodshot.
Over these days, although he continued to reconcile conflicts, the emperor's prestige after the defeat was insufficient and he was now exhausted.
On the side were Sony, Shuotun, Deng Changchun, Luck Dehun, Boluo, Mandahai, Wakda and other Manchu and Han ministers, all listening together.
Even Tang Ruowang got a place.
The former cabinet seems to have ceased to exist in name only, and has returned to the model of a meeting of kings and ministers to discuss government affairs.
The imperial power was weak, so in order to win over the nobles of the Eight Banners, they had to do this.
When it comes to fighting and running a country, Ning Wanwo may not be first-rate, but from Nurhaci to Huang Taiji, and now to the Shunzhi Dynasty, his vision is second only to Fan Wencheng.
Ning Wanwo said in a deep voice: "There are only two ways now. Let's directly attack Mobei."
"Are you talking about the Mobei Governor's Mansion and the Tuxietu Khan Department?"
Luck Dehun couldn't help but said: "I'm afraid it won't work. If the Ming Dynasty builds a strong city, there must be a large army stationed there. If we can't make a sneak attack, we will be attacked from both sides."
"No." Ning Wanwo shook his head: "It's the Zasak Tuhan tribe, one of the three tribes of Khalkha."
"I heard that the Ming Dynasty bribed the Khan and asked him to jointly send troops, but he turned around and asked the Rakshasa and our country to have both sides. This time, however, he remained motionless."
"The tribe is located in a corner. If it weren't for the Ming army, we would have annexed it long ago."
"Now is the time for the fattened sheep to be peeled off and cramped to make up for the shortage."
"Very good." Shunzhi couldn't help but clapped his hands and said: "Zhasak Tuhan's tribe has tens of thousands of people. We can just devour it and it will be enough to stabilize us."
"Yes, we can't defeat the Ming army, how about we can't defeat these Tatars?"
For a time, morale soared.
The place where the Zasak Tuhan tribe lives is also a place with abundant water and grass. Otherwise, it would not be able to support so many tribesmen. It is a good place for cultivation.
After a while, Shunzhi calmed down and said, "Mr. Ning, please continue to tell me where the second way is."
"Your Majesty, although the Zhasak Tuhan tribe is fat, the road is not a place for long stay. In fact, it is a place where dragons are trapped."
Ning Wanwu sighed: "To the west is Anxi Province, to the northeast is Mobei of the Ming Dynasty, and to the northwest are the Rakshasa people. It can be said to be a prison and a trapped place."
"Among the veterans, after sweeping through the Zhasak Tuhan tribe, our army must move westward and continue to move westward."
"Keep walking, where are you going?" Sony couldn't help but ask.
"Just stay away from the Ming people." Ning Wanwo whispered: "Old Shaowu will never let us go. If the distance is too close, he will definitely send troops again. We, the Qing Dynasty, really can't experience another big defeat. "
Shunzhi closed his eyes to rest and did not interrupt.
But this group of people kept chattering, obviously having different opinions.
However, they did reach a consensus: Zhasak Tuhan tribe is a difficult place.
So, the road became two different things at this time.
Either go north or west.
But in this vast cold area, food can only be grown near Lake Baikal, and the rest is a wasteland.
Therefore, there is only one way out, which is to go west, looking for a place to settle along the way.
Just when Shunzhi was about to make the final decision, news suddenly came:
Thousands of Rakshasa troops came, seemingly with evil intentions.
In an instant, this group of Eight Banners nobles were furious.
"A mere Rakshasa ghost actually dares to come and take advantage of us."
(End of chapter)
