Everyone in the court knew that Kang Yuan was Liu Ji's protégé. Seeing Xu Pu speaking so sharply at this moment, Liu Ji did not dare to reveal his thoughts too much and speak for Kang Yuan. It is indeed too much to ask for reinforcements and pay. Liu Ji also understands that you cannot have your cake and eat it too. He had no choice but to find a compromise and said:
"I believe that Zhejiang is the gateway to the southeast of the Ming Dynasty and is as important as Gansu in the northwest. We can't ignore the younger son because we love the older son, but we can't love the younger son too much. Now that the imperial treasury is in short supply, it can't get out 100,000 yuan, so The payment of Zhejiang's salary can be postponed. The imperial court will select a general to lead the army to support Zhejiang and completely eliminate the pirates."
Zhu Youtang knew that at this period, the Japanese pirates' troubles along the southeast coast had not yet reached the point where they were out of control, and that only a large-scale cleanup could stabilize the coastal areas.
"Then according to what Liu Aiqing said, who is the most suitable person to send?" Zhu Youtang asked.
Liu Ji pretended to think for a while and then said: "I recommend Du Tuo to be the commander." Liu Ji was thinking that Du Tuo had just gotten involved with him, and no one knew yet. Wouldn't it be great if he was promoted to the post this time, and he could casually raise an army to fight against pirates in the southeast, gain military exploits, and then serve himself after returning to the capital? "
Zhu Youtang kept tapping the chair with his fingers, shook his head and said: "Du Tuo, I think it's inappropriate, so let him continue to serve in his original position. Since there are not many pirates, there is no need for the court to send a large army to conquer , ordered Kang Yuan to start recruiting troops locally in Zhejiang to form a new army to fight against the pirates."
Liu Ji was rejected and looked a little embarrassed. Zhu Youtang did this trick very well. Allowing Kang Yuan to recruit troops locally in Zhejiang ostensibly gave him great rights, but all the costs of recruiting troops were borne by Zhejiang itself. Moreover, if the battle is successful, it is necessary to defend the country. If the battle is not successful, it really shows that his disciple Kang Yuan has no ability and is in danger of being laid off at any time.
Liu Ji also knew that he had indeed taken a step too far. His own person had already served as the Minister of Rites, so there was no need to go to Long and look to Shu.
Xu Pu was very happy when he heard Zhu Youtang's decision. He was deeply afraid that Liu Ji had placed his own people in important positions in the court. Xu Pu had to admit that Liu Ji was better than Wan An, the former chief minister of the cabinet, in terms of forming parties for personal gain.
"The three things have been said. Do you have anything else to report?" Zhu Youtang asked.
At this time, Wang Shu finally started to bubble up after diving for a while, and he went out to play: "I have a notebook to play."
"Say it."
Zhu Youtang glanced at Wang Shu and already knew what he was going to say. It was nothing more than the disarmament of the Beijing camp.
"Your Majesty, the disarmament of the Beijing Camp is expected to be completed by the end of the month. The selection of brave soldiers from Shandong, Shanxi, Northwest, Guangdong and Guangxi, and Eastern Zhejiang has also been put on the agenda. But I don't know how to train troops. The Beijing Camp will be established later. For the training of the new army, we need to select someone who is skilled in archery and horsemanship and is familiar with battle formations."
Wang Shu is indeed telling the truth. The reason why Wang Shu was chosen to be responsible for dismantling the Beijing army was because Wang Shu had a tough character and was not afraid of powerful people. No one else could do such an offending thing, and only he, Wang Zongguan, could do it. Resist hard.
"Does Aiqing have a suitable candidate in mind?" Compared to Liu Ji who focused on party fighting and cultivating his own power, the person recommended by Wang Shu was much more reliable.
"I recommend Ma Wensheng, governor of Liaodong!"
Zhu Youtang's eyes lit up, he finally arrived, and together with Wang Shu and Liu Daxia, he was called Ma Wensheng among the three gentlemen of Hongzhi!
"I object. Liaodong is an important town in the Ming Dynasty. After Ma Wen is promoted to Beijing, what will happen to Liaodong?" Zhang Peng, the Minister of War, stood up and objected again.
Zhu Youtang was very satisfied with the choice of Ma Wensheng. If we want to revive the Ming Dynasty, Ma Wensheng is an indispensable member.
Zhu Youtang gave Zhang Peng a cold look, and the latter shuddered.
This scene happened to be seen by Liu Ji. Does this Zhang Peng have no brains? Everything should be done in moderation. If you speak too much for yourself or seek benefits, you will indirectly harm yourself!
"I second the suggestion that Ma Wensheng, the governor of Liaodong, is qualified to rectify the capital camp." Liu Ji said.
With Ma Wensheng reorganizing the capital camp and improving combat effectiveness, Zhu Youtang felt more at ease. However, Liaodong is an important border town and must be guarded against it. Compared with the Yongle period, the territory of the Ming Dynasty has shrunk in an all-round way. During the Xuande period, Nuergandusi was abolished, and Oara's forces have entered the northeast of Liaodong. In addition, the Jianzhou Jurchens have repeatedly Impermanence, Liaodong area is extremely important.
Xu Pu looked at the hesitation in Zhu Youtang's eyes and guessed in his heart that Zhu Youtang was worried about not issuing an edict, so he said: "Liaodong is the northeastern gateway of our capital. It is the most important. After Ma Wen was promoted to the capital, , I recommended Xu Guan, the right counselor of Fujian, to serve as governor of Liaodong.
Xu Guan...Xu Guan, Zhu Youtang kept repeating this name in his mouth, trying hard to find information about this character in the memory of his previous life. Xu Guan, whose courtesy name is Yuanyi, was a famous flood control minister during the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty.
Xu Guan is a ruthless man. He can fight and control floods. He is a comprehensive talent. Zhu Youtang was overjoyed and said: "It is announced that Ma Wen, the governor of Liaodong Province, has been promoted to the capital to take charge of the training of new troops in the capital camp and related matters. Xu Guan is promoted to the right counselor of Fujian. The right deputy of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the Imperial Censor, is in charge of patrolling Liaodong."
Seeing that everything had been discussed, the ministers were all waiting to leave the court early and go home. Unexpectedly, a little eunuch outside the palace ran in and shouted in a high voice: "Your Majesty, the map you want is ready."
"Send it up."
All the ministers looked at each other, why did the young emperor want a map? The emperor usually took out the map in the main hall to discuss the dispatch of the army.
Zhu Youtang slowly unfolded the map of the Ming Dynasty and said excitedly to the ministers: "I intend to reorganize a naval fleet to sail the sea, and sail to the Western Ocean like Emperor Yongle did!"
Zhu Youtang knew in his heart that if he wanted the Ming Dynasty to be prosperous and stand at the top of the world, he could not rest on his laurels and be closed to the outside world. We should open our eyes to see the world and strive to keep up with the trend of world development. In 1488, the 32-year-old Bartholomew Dias abroad had been ordered by the King of Portugal to lead three expedition ships south along the west coast of Africa. We went to find a route around the southern tip of Africa and into the Yindu Ocean, and discovered the Cape of Good Hope during this voyage! However, Ming Dynasty was still keen on factionalism and corruption for personal gain.
Navigation is a must. I want to have a navy that is invincible in the world and go to South America to bring back sweet potatoes, peanuts, corn, peppers and many precious medicinal materials!
"Your Majesty... this matter needs to be considered in the long run..."
"The treasury is now empty..."
"My decision has been made, there is no need for you to discuss it any further." Only the soul of future generations like myself knows the benefits of sailing. How could these old guys know it with their short-sightedness? Zhu Youtang waved his hand to interrupt the ministers, pointed to various places on the map and said:
"Pass the message and ask the Nanjing Ministry of Industry to mobilize craftsmen from Huguang, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Nanzhili and other places to the Nanjing Longjiang Shipyard to prepare to build ships capable of long voyages. After Liu Daxia's mourning period expires, he will also serve as the right-hand governor of Guangdong. Tell the Governor about this!"
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After coming to court, Li Guang, who had just been promoted to Minister of Rites, was sitting in a sedan chair with Liu Ji, the chief minister of the current cabinet.
"Chief Assistant, your Majesty seems to be close to you at the meeting this morning. Your Majesty may not be able to listen to everything Xu Pu said."
Liu Ji closed his eyes slightly and said calmly: "Thankfully you are now a minister, can't you even understand this?"
"Please make it clear, Chief Assistant."
"Judging from today's situation, your majesty may not always obey my advice. Otherwise, why would your majesty Du Tuo disagree with my recommendation to send reinforcements to Zhejiang? Your majesty accepts my policy and Xu Pu's policy. This is the art of balance. .”
Li Guang thought about it and this was indeed the truth. Zhu Youtang each adopted the opinions of Liu Ji and Xu Pu at the court meeting. However, when Liu Jigang mentioned that he had been promoted to a minister, he was still a little excited and said: "
"Wen Yang will never forget the kindness of the chief assistant today! From now on, Wen Yang will only follow the lead of the chief assistant."
Li Guang's words made Liu Ji suddenly think of what Zhu Youtang suddenly said to him at the financial meeting held in Qianqing Palace last month: "Liu Ji Zhen has great hopes for you. Don't be like Wan." An was just hanging around in the court like that before."
Liu Ji suddenly opened his eyes, pointed at Li Guang and said coldly: "What does it mean to follow the leader's lead? Please remember this for me. You and I are both ministers of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty only has one sky and one emperor!"
Li Guang also knew that what he said was a bit inappropriate and he quickly saluted and said, "Wen Yang, please keep this in mind."
"Also, Li Guang, let me tell you, just do what you should do with the tribute. Don't be greedy for money this time, otherwise you will definitely bring disaster!"
Li Guang was a little confused when he heard this. Anyone with a discerning eye in the court could see that this morning Liu Ji recommended him to be the Minister of Rites, and recently the Ministry of Rites had a major issue of paying tribute. Anyone who is not a fool will be greedy. . Since he is the person next to Liu Ji, he is naturally indispensable for sharing the oil and water. What does it mean to not let yourself be greedy for money now?
Seeing that Li Guang hadn't understood yet, Liu Ji said angrily: "You are such a fool, you need to take a longer view. Why did Xu Pu dare to stand up alone and object today? That's because he knows what kind of character you are. Since Xu Pu has I know, how could your Majesty not know? The reason why His Majesty asked you to serve as the Minister of Rites, on the one hand, is to see if the people recommended by me are genuine. The other is to see if you are corrupt. If you are corrupt, even if you are corrupt, The money you embezzled from the treasury is from the treasury, but His Majesty has an excuse to investigate you. After that, the money you embezzled from the treasury will naturally be transferred to His Majesty’s pocket. Your Majesty is using you to investigate me. If you dare to embezzle this money, you and I will You will be killed!"
Li Guang realized in a panic that he almost let Zhu Youtang be used as a gunman, and quickly thanked him again: "Wen Yang, thank you, Mr. Chief Assistant, for reminding me."
"Well... let's finish the job of being the Minister of Rites first. There are many opportunities like this, so don't worry. After I overthrow Xu Pu, all the people in the court will be ours. Are you still worried about the lack of money?
Liu Ji smiled lightly...
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