"Still want to send troops?"
Li Ruhua said with some astonishment that just now, Yan Chenhao ordered him to tell Ni Wenhuan that he would continue to count the money and food needed for the army to go out, but he only changed the number to 50,000.
Although it was not the original army of 150,000, it was surprising enough. You must know that in the past few years, the emperor had almost followed all the suggestions put forward by Yan Chenhao. It was precisely because of this that Li Ruhua went directly to Ni Wenhuan to stop the work before the emperor's order was issued. However, this time, Yan Chenhao failed to persuade the emperor.
This is undoubtedly extremely rare.
"Your Majesty has made up his mind, and there is nothing I can do about it."
Yan Chenhao sighed slightly and said that during this conversation, he felt that there was a slight rift between the emperor and himself.
To be honest, he didn't want to conflict with the emperor. After all, it was one reason why his previous decrees were implemented so smoothly and he controlled the entire court, but the emperor's cooperation was also an important reason.
However, as Zhu Changxun's teacher, he knew the other person's thoughts very well. The so-called conquering the grassland was just a superficial reason. Zhu Changxun's real idea was probably just to show off his martial arts.
Is it advisable to launch a war that may bring down the dynasty because of the emperor's personal preferences and pursuit of merit? No matter how much he doesn't want to conflict with the emperor, he must stop it. This is his principle.
"Maofu, go ahead and do it." He forced a smile and said to Li Ruhua:
"This is not necessarily a bad thing. If according to the plan, the strongest Junggar tribe in Oara is defeated and weakened by our army, then the forces of all parties in the grassland will return to balance again, and they will not be able to achieve unification easily, and their war will last longer. It’s a good thing for Ming Dynasty.”
"Furthermore, in this way, His Majesty will definitely approve the memorial for the Beidi Water Conservancy Project... Although starting two projects at the same time will put a certain pressure on the national treasury, after all, there are only 50,000 troops, and it can still be supported."
Of course Li Ruhua could tell that these were just words of comfort from Yan Chenhao. He looked at him deeply and said:
"yes."
After taking two steps, he turned back and said:
"Mr. Ge... you still have to pay attention to protecting yourself..."
Yan Chenhao looked at his leaving figure, stood there, and couldn't help but laugh at himself.
You can't just watch this peace you created slip into the abyss, right?
Although it is indeed a bit stupid.
…
The Forbidden City, deep inside the imperial palace.
In a palace, an old woman in palace clothes with gray hair and wrinkled face was sitting on a chair, while the emperor who was in charge of this huge empire was still sitting under her.
Empress Zheng, no, Empress Dowager Zheng is already very old at this time.
Since becoming the queen, her temper has become more tolerant and gentler, and she strives to be closer to those sage queens in ancient and modern history, especially the founding queen of this dynasty, Ma Shi, whom she focuses on emulating.
In addition, there are no longer those literati among the people who demonize her, so the Queen Mother's reputation has become better and better over the years.
Some of the palace servants who served her compared him with the empress who was deposed many years ago, saying that the former emperor was wise, and the newly appointed empress Zheng was indeed a virtuous empress.
This made her very happy.
In the first half of her life, she was loved by her husband. In the second half of her life, her son ascended to the supreme position as he wished and was filial to her.
What else is there to ask for in this life?
However, today her personal maid brought her bad news.
"I heard that Mr. Yan Ge was angrily reprimanded by His Majesty today because his performance was not in line with His Majesty's wishes?"
Empress Dowager Zheng had a serious look on her face and said softly.
A long time has passed, but she still remembers the beginning of it all.
During the famine that year, the young man gave the girl's family a heavy share of money, giving them hope of survival.
Later, the other party even helped his son ascend to the throne, going against the general trend and seizing the dragon by force.
In the past few decades, so much has happened, and now she has finally come to this juncture, and it can be said that Yan Chenhao definitely contributed a lot.
She and Yan Chenhao had not met many times. After all, there were many barriers between the inner court and the foreign ministers, but she always kept that kindness in her heart.
She really didn't want to see the two of them conflict.
Zhu Changxun lowered his head and said in an understatement:
"It's nothing, mother. It's just a small argument between me and him due to political differences."
He didn't want his mother to get involved.
But Queen Mother Zheng saw his thoughts, and she said in a leisurely tone:
"When I get old, old man, I often dream about things in the past."
"I had a dream last night. I dreamed that I was back when I was a child, back to the great famine..."
"People in the entire county are fleeing. My father and everyone went to the county government official to give food, but the official told us:"
"'The grain-carrying ships have not arrived. Now even the capital is short of grain, let alone our small county in the capital? I have no choice.'"
"Then everyone was dispersed."
"We are all desperate. My brother and mother are so hungry that they can't move in bed. My father is crying and touching my head and saying: 'Dreams will only hurt you.'"
"I was put on a straw tag and went to sell in the market. Everywhere I walked, there were evil slaves from rich families, as well as young men wearing fancy clothes."
"I saw people who were bought being whipped like pigs and dogs. I was really scared at the time. I was afraid that I would be like them. I have heard many rumors that once you sell yourself, your life and death will depend on the owner's family. If you encounter someone bad, beating him to death and throwing his body into the wild is considered a minor offense."
"An evil slave took a fancy to me and walked toward me. I could see his broken teeth and his beast-like claws reaching towards me."
"He was the one who stopped the evil slave. Seeing that my father and I were pitiful, he not only did not take me away, but also gave us all the money he and his servant had so that we could live a good life."
"During that great famine, countless people starved to death and died in the wilderness, but our family all survived."
"After that, I participated in the draft and was favored by the late emperor and stayed in the palace. That time the late emperor took me to see the number one pick, and I saw my benefactor. From that moment on, I had such a thought in my heart. Thought – I want to repay him.”
"However, over the years, not only have I failed to repay my kindness, but I have owed more."
As she spoke, tears fell from Queen Mother Zheng's eyes.
She reached out, touched her son's shoulder, and said softly:
"I want to repay my mother, at least some of it."
Zhu Changxun was silent and did not speak.
Empress Dowager Zheng sighed.
(End of chapter)
