Beijing, Nangong.
"So, there's trouble at the border again?"
Zhu Qizhen sat on the throne of Chonghua Hall, looking at Zhang Shi and Zhu Yi below, his tone was somewhat unpredictable.
"Going back to the Supreme Emperor, it is indeed true. Although the coalition forces of the Kalaqin Tribe and the Wengliguote Tribe this time are no more than 10,000 people, after all, it can be regarded as a large army pressing down on the border. In addition, the matter has been discussed by the imperial court. Therefore, the foreign court is now discussing The situation was very intense, and I looked at the emperor a few days ago, and I didn’t intend to show weakness just because of the emperor’s intentions.”
Different from being calm and composed outside, Zhu Yi has always been very low-key in Nangong and speaks relatively cautiously.
Of course, this is also because border issues can easily bring back some not-so-good memories for the Supreme Emperor, so he must be extra careful when mentioning them.
However, despite this, Zhu Yi's sense of proportion was still very good. After hearing his words, Zhu Qizhen's eyes were a little complicated. At first, there was a bit of melancholy, but soon it turned into ridicule. He said calmly.
"Emperors throughout the ages have all thought of merit. This is really unusual."
"Now the emperor, how can he be an exception?"
After sighing lightly, Zhu Qizhen asked immediately.
"You just said that there was no objection from the Ministry of Finance?"
Zhu Yi nodded and said.
"Yes, I think in recent days, the Ministry of Finance has been more resourceful. When the emperor asked about it in the court, Shen Shangshu said that he could raise a month's worth of food and fodder for a hundred thousand troops within half a month."
"Song Kuai?"
Hearing this, Zhu Qizhen smiled and shook his head and said.
"For a stall as big as the imperial court, I don't know how many places to use money. I just don't want to offend anyone."
"However, this Shen Yi is quite talented, but he is just a little timid."
That is to say, with his identity as Zhu Qizhen, he could criticize a dignified Minister of Household Affairs so casually, but it was difficult for Zhu Yi and others to accept these words.
The hall was quiet for a moment, and Zhu Yi quietly winked at Zhang Xi, who then reacted and stepped forward.
"Most of the civil and military officials in the outer dynasty still advocate a peaceful solution. However, now Yang Jie doesn't know where he is, and he doesn't know how true or false what those Mongolians said. In addition, the Yang family is under the emperor's control. Trust, so there has never been any regulations.”
"However, the emperor sent Marquis Changping to take over the defense of the Xuanfu again. It seemed that he still had the intention of starting a fight. Although he was stopped during the court meeting, the Hubu did not want to offend the emperor. Over at the Ministry of War, Yu Shaobao is not in the capital."
"I heard that during these days, the emperor has summoned officials from the Ministry of War in turn, and sent people to take inventory of the weapons, grain and grass in the old warehouse. Therefore, it is still not clear how this matter will develop in the end. .”
After hearing this, Zhu Qizhen's eyes narrowed slightly and his face became cautious. After a moment, he shook his head and said.
"It's an old trick!"
"The land of the Ming Dynasty belongs to the Zhu family in the final analysis. Since he is the emperor, he cannot stop what he really wants to do."
"However, with this war going on, the people on the border will probably suffer. Why bother with the hard-earned stable life?"
These words sounded quite compassionate, so Zhu Yidao said.
"The Supreme Emperor is kind and has a heart for all people, which is comparable to that of many people. I also feel that if the two parties can have a good relationship, it would be best not to fight each other."
"Otherwise, it would be a good thing if we win this battle. If we lose, the morale of the military and the people will probably be hit again."
The words were a bit uneasy, and Zhu Yi seemed to have realized something was wrong only after he finished speaking. At the end of the words, his voice gradually dropped, but the expression on Zhu Qizhen's face was still unavoidably ugly.
Seeing this situation, Zhang Xi said quickly.
"Victory and defeat are common matters for soldiers. This is a truth that has not been easy since ancient times. What's more, although the opponent came this time with a strong momentum, the rear is unstable. Even if there is a fight, the Ming Dynasty has a greater chance of winning. What the Duke said is a bit It’s too much to worry about.”
With these two sentences, Zhu Qizhen's expression gradually became a little better, but then, he seemed to have remembered something, and his expression suddenly became a little inexplicable.
After pondering for a moment, he asked the two people below him something that no one expected.
"Do you think you can win this battle if we really fight it?"
This was said in a calm tone, but neither Zhu Yi nor Zhu Yi responded immediately. Instead, they looked at each other, their faces becoming a little cautious.
If nothing else, this is really not easy to answer.
After all, the original civil war was a complete defeat. Although the current situation is different from the original, it is still somewhat similar.
All civil and military officials did not want to fight, but the emperor wanted to fight in his heart.
If they say they can win, then the person in front of them will be unhappy, but if they say they can't win...
"Back to the Supreme Emperor, I discussed this matter with Ningyang Hou and other senior generals after the next court. Most of them felt that if we just stick to it, relying on the danger of the border pass, as long as the court's food and grass can keep up, it should not be a problem. There would be too much pressure.”
"After all, the opponent came this time and pressed hard last time. The number of people is several times smaller. Moreover, their rear is unstable and it may be difficult to fight for a long time."
In the end, Zhang Mian stepped forward and spoke carefully.
He tried his best to speak as tactfully as possible, but how could Zhu Qizhen not understand? After pondering for a moment, there was no trace of a smile on his face, but he said.
"So, even if you don't just stick to it and take the initiative, your chances of winning are high?"
Before the two people below could answer, Zhu Qizhen continued.
"I remember that you just said that when Yang Hong left the capital this time, he also brought 20,000 soldiers from the capital camp to help the Xuan Mansion?"
Zhu Yi and Zhang Mian were a little unable to respond to the series of questions. After being stunned for a moment, the two of them nodded hesitantly and said.
"The Supreme Emperor Shengming, it is indeed the case."
As soon as the words fell, the two of them saw that the face of the Supreme Emperor suddenly turned cold, and the atmosphere in the palace also became tense.
Finally, Zhu Yi had the courage to ask.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
"It's a good trick to build the plank road openly and covertly."
After a long while, Zhu Qizhen sneered and uttered a sentence softly.
However, after saying this, the two people below felt even more confused.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Xi asked.
"I am stupid, please give me a clear explanation."
At this time, Zhu Qizhen also reacted and turned his attention to the two of them again, but did not answer immediately, as if he was thinking about what to say.
After a while, he finally spoke, directly concluding.
"If nothing else goes wrong, no matter what the quarrel is in the court this time, this battle will have to be fought!"
This was said so firmly that both Zhu Yi and Zhu Yi couldn't help but look surprised.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Yi stepped forward with a cautious tone.
"The Supreme Emperor Mingjian, even if the Marquis of Changping brought the Beijing camp to help the Xuanfu, after all, it is such a big thing to start a war. If both the civil and military forces in the DPRK and China are opposed to it, I'm afraid it would be difficult to force the war. After all... and the DPRK meeting that day, Although the emperor showed his intention to fight, he did not insist on it in the end. Considering the emperor's temperament that always values reputation, I am afraid that he may not really start a war..."
Originally, Zhu Yi wanted to say that there were lessons learned from the civil war after all, but when the words came to his lips, he finally took them back and abruptly changed his tune.
However, this meaning was obviously caught by Zhu Qizhen. Rarely, he was not angry because Zhu Yi mentioned the civil war, but spoke calmly and said.
"Zhu Yi, you are still too young!"
"There are many things in this world that, as long as you are willing to pay the price, there is nothing you can't do, especially when this person holds power."
"I won't go into a long speech, I just want to ask you one question."
"Do you think the emperor is really afraid of Yu Qian?"
this……
This question was enough to stop Zhu Yi and the two of them.
Everyone in the government and the public knows that Yu Qian is a tough guy, especially in front of the emperor. He always dares to speak out and say whatever he wants. In many cases, the emperor has to find a way out for himself.
During this court meeting, even the mention of recalling Yu Qian made the emperor lose his temper and had no choice but to stop mentioning the war.
But, just like what the Supreme Emperor asked.
The emperor...is he really afraid of Yu Qian?
The answer to this question seems to be on the tip of your tongue, but when you calm down and think about it carefully, it is not necessarily the case.
In the final analysis, Yu Qian is just a minister.
Although Yu Qian now has countless auras around him, in the final analysis, he is not a powerful minister. Especially after giving up the Beijing camp, Yu Qian's power comes more from the unconditional support and trust he can receive from the emperor.
This also means that Yu Qian's constraints on the emperor are within the scope allowed by the emperor, or to put it more bluntly.
The emperor's "fear" of Yu Qian was an illusion created by the emperor.
In fact, as long as you think about it carefully, you can understand that in the past, the emperor and Yu Qian had conflicts. Although the solutions were different, in the end, the emperor often achieved his goal.
This is a very strange place. From the initial mobilization of the Beijing Camp and the refusal to leave the Zijin Pass, to the subsequent replacement of Wang Ji, the chief military officer of the Miao Recruitment, to the resumption of the power of the Beijing Camp in the hands of Yu Qian.
It was obvious that the emperor had the upper hand every time, but there was often an illusion that the emperor had been wronged in the court.
After thinking about this, Zhang Min couldn't help but be shocked, and a trace of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
He had long known how powerful the Emperor was, but what the Supreme Emperor said just now made him realize once again how terrifying the Emperor was.
Zhu Qizhen sat on the throne and said with a very solemn expression.
"It seems that you all know very well that Yu Qian can't really stop the emperor from doing anything, but everyone in the court feels that he can stop it. This is actually the most brilliant thing about the emperor. With Yu Qian here, everyone in the government and the public can do anything. They all feel that they have a trump card that can restrain the emperor, but this trump card is destined to be a trump card forever, because the emperor will not let him reveal it."
The Chonghua Hall was extremely quiet, with only Zhu Qizhen's voice echoing, carrying a somewhat complicated meaning.
"Back to this side matter, since Yu Qian's card doesn't work, then many things will fall into place."
Zhu Qizhen frowned and continued.
"To fight a war, there are actually just a few things. The first is soldiers, the second is generals, the third is food and grass, and the fourth is baggage. After all these are ready, any excuse can be used to start a war."
"After you understand this, look at what the emperor is doing now. Don't you still understand?"
After hearing these words, Zhu Yi and Zhang Xi looked at each other and hesitated.
"In this way, although it seems that everyone in the court is still arguing about this matter, in fact, the emperor has already made arrangements."
"The generals' food, fodder and baggage are related to the military government, honors, military department, and household department respectively. As soon as Yang Jie goes to the grassland, the Yang family generals will be the first to go into battle. When Yu Shaobao leaves the capital, the military department is leaderless. Fan Guang is in charge of the capital camp. The emperor If you want to mobilize troops, the Ministry of War will not dare to object, so in fact, as long as the Ministry of Household Affairs does not object, then this matter can be done even if everyone in the court objects."
With step-by-step analysis, the "truth" gradually emerges.
However, after coming to this conclusion, even Zhu Yi himself couldn't help being a little shocked and said.
"Could it be said that the Emperor has been planning this since the spring hunting? This is unavoidable..."
It’s too scary!
Zhu Yi didn't say the last sentence, but the meaning was very clear.
Not saying it out makes people feel more depressed than saying it.
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Mian finally spoke.
"Your Majesty, I feel that what the Duke of Guo just said is actually a bit exaggerated. Maybe the Emperor will want to start a war. However, many of Yang Jie's actions on the grassland were made at the last moment. I think even if the Emperor calculated in advance, it would be impossible. It was impossible to anticipate any of this.”
"Therefore, I feel that many of the details are just coincidences, especially from the Ministry of War. Yu Shaobao left the capital to preside over the rectification of military camps. This is a major government matter, and it is impossible to rectify military camps. Is it also to support Yu Shaobao?"
After listening to Zhang Min's words, Zhu Qizhen pondered, but also shook his head.
"This should not happen, but no matter what, with things developing to this point, the emperor seems to have made plans to fight this battle!"
As he spoke, Zhu Qizhen cast his eyes on the two people present, seeming to sigh a little, and said.
"It's a pity that I live deep in Nangong now and cannot interfere in political affairs. The emperor is still too young after all. The Ming Dynasty has only been stable for a long time. How can it withstand any more troubles?"
"The mistakes I made back then are really intolerable. Seeing the emperor make them again will cause the common people to suffer a lot during the war!"
This was already made clear, but Zhang Shi and others could not understand it.
After thinking for a moment, Zhang Min tentatively said.
"Your Majesty, I have a way to avoid a battle..."
After a long while, Zhu Qizhen listened to Zhang Shi's method and glanced at Zhu Yi next to him. In the end, he didn't say much, just said.
"Since it is out of the heart of serving the country, you can just do it without asking me."
"According to the decree..."
