Zhang Zhou left Nanjing and returned to Beijing. He was already on the way.
This is the news that the officials in the capital learned.
Regarding Zhang Zhou's arrangements after returning to Beijing, the emperor remained tight-lipped. Some said that he would be the Minister of the Ministry of War, which was the most mainstream. Others said that he might directly become the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. After all, it is possible for the Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing to be transferred to the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. That's Ni Yue in front.
There is also the analysis made by representative Li Dongyang. The emperor may want Zhang Zhou to return to the court and become the Minister of the Ministry of Works, because in Li Dongyang’s view, the emperor does not seem to have any plans to let Zhang Zhou directly send troops to the grassland in the short term. Then let Zhang Zhou Zhou was in charge of the Ministry of War, so he might not be in charge of the Ministry of Works, because Zhang Zhou had been busy lately with mining, shipbuilding, pass repairs, and artillery casting.
While the government and the public were still speculating, Zhu Youtang once again convened the inner court meeting at Shangting Department on this day.
What was different from the past was that this time the emperor also specially called Liu Jian and Xie Qian, who were not members of the Auditing Department in the cabinet, which was equivalent to a double meeting between the cabinet and the Auditing Department.
According to the Liubu Shangshu, after Zhou Jing resigned as the Hubu Shangshu, his temporary members of the Shangting Department were not passed on to Zhong Zhong.
As the leader of martial arts, Zhang Mao's position at the top of the list is unshakable, followed by Li Rong and Ma Wensheng.
"In the past half month, news from the grassland kept coming. It was said that the Tatars were experiencing internal turmoil after the defeat of Guanshan. The throne of the little Tatar prince was challenged. I thought that I would take the opportunity to crown him. A fire." Zhu Youtang said.
Liu Jian rarely had this opportunity for the inner court to discuss major military matters with the emperor. Not surprisingly, he objected: "Your Majesty, the war has just ended, and it is about to enter the cold winter. The terrain of the grassland is special and the climate is unstable. It is not appropriate to send troops at this time." Good opportunity.”
Liu Jian is here.
It seems that even the members of the listening department are dumbfounded. Probably only when Zhang Zhou comes back can he challenge Liu Jian a little bit.
Zhu Youtang said: "I didn't say that I would use the soldiers and horses from the border fortress to attack the grassland."
"this……"
Liu Jian was embarrassed for a moment.
I objected to being lonely?
Since Your Majesty has no intention of sending troops, what are you talking about "making a fire"? Could it be that he wanted to make some fuss about the legitimacy of Dayan Khan?
Zhu Youtang said in a calm tone: "I am going to give the leader of the Mongolian Mongol Jin tribe, Huoshii, the title of Marquis of Dongsheng. He will lead the troops north to complete the task of conquering the fire for the Ming Dynasty."
As soon as this statement came out, several important officials in the court were surprised.
If you want to say you know how to play, Your Majesty is the one who can do it.
Let the fire sieve beat Dayan Khan? I wonder if they wore a pair of trousers before surrendering to the sieve of fire?
Xie Qian said: "Your Majesty, from what I can see, Huoshai Langzi's ambition has never been sincere in his intention to surrender. Previously, the land in Xihetao was occupied by Tatar invaders. In the name of Huoshai, troops were mobilized, but there was no action. As for the Ningxia border where there were many Tatar plunders, they never offered any help. Such people are really untrustworthy."
Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "I think so too."
The emperor actually followed the wishes of his cabinet ministers.
Xie Qian suddenly felt a little uncomfortable... He suddenly thought that since the rise of Zhang Zhou, the emperor had not adopted the opinions of their cabinet for a long time, and the harmonious relationship between the emperor and his ministers in the past had long ceased to exist.
Today there is a sense of warming up in the relationship between monarch and minister.
Zhu Youtang said: "But at this time and that time, the battle of Xinjian Bo Yuguan Mountain severely defeated the Tatar headquarters. Mongolia, especially the small and medium-sized tribes in the south, should also know that unless they submit to the Ming Dynasty and use it to make contributions, they can In exchange for the chance to continue to survive on the grassland. Wouldn’t your family be stingy with the title of Marquis Dongsheng?”
Marquis and the like, if it is internal affairs, civil servants are indeed very stingy.
But if it is given to the fire sieve, it doesn't matter... A surrendered foreign leader, even if he is given the title of king, he is not an orthodox Ming Dynasty noble. If he can use this fictitious title to serve the Ming Dynasty, Playing with Batu Munch to death, that would be perfect.
"Moreover, I don't plan to let Huoshii station herders in the Hetao Land anymore. That is the territory of the Ming Dynasty. Next, Yansui and other places will build passes in the Hetao Land and take over all the fields and pastures there. The country is guarded by the passes."
Zhu Youtang said, "If Huo Si can make a contribution in this battle, I will give Weining Sea and other places back to him, let him guard the territory for the Ming Dynasty, and become a barrier for the Tatars to invade the south. If he had not To make meritorious service...let him do as he pleases!"
As soon as these words came out, the minister realized that the emperor was now hardened.
It seems to be giving benefits to Fire Sieve, as if it is shrinking Fire Sieve, but in fact, it just doesn't like Fire Sieve...
You people from the grasslands are all scum. I used to think that if you surrendered, you could also show the Ming Dynasty's suzerainty to the grasslands and provide a model for the Tatar tribes to surrender.
But no need now...
The Ming Dynasty has entered a stage of total suppression of the grassland. If you, Huo Si, want to continue to be duplicitous, and get the title from the Ming Dynasty, but at the same time watch the fire from the other side when encountering the enemy, then I'm sorry, you Huo Si, you can stay cool and cool, the Ming Dynasty does not need it For a tribe like yours who have surrendered, you, the tribesmen who are still being detained by the Ming Dynasty, can never hope to get them back.
"I also plan to transfer Bingkuan to the title of Cai Guogong to show my favor."
"In addition, for Prince Shouren of Xinjian who made outstanding contributions in the Battle of Guanshan, I will not touch his title for the time being. I will first give him the status of the censor of the right capital and the right minister of the Ministry of War. He will regulate Xuanfu, Datong, Pianguan, etc. I'm in charge of military affairs, do you have any objections?"
The emperor once again decided on major court affairs in the inner court.
And it is a very important personnel appointment and dismissal.
Zhang Zhou moved "Lai Guogong" to "Cai Guogong", and then gave Huoshii the title of Dongsheng Marquis. This is very particular.
There were two people who were posthumously named Cai Guogong in the Ming Dynasty. One was Xuzhong, the first Yongkang Marquis in the Yongle period, and the other was Zhang Desheng, the famous founding general of the Ming Dynasty.
Both of them were posthumous gifts, so the title of Duke of Cai was not passed down.
Zhang Desheng also had an adopted son named Zhang Tong, whose original name was Wang Xingzu. He was posthumously given the title of Marquis of Dongsheng, but the title was also passed on posthumously.
Zhu Youtang moved Zhang Zhou to be the Duke of Cai, but he made Huoshii the Marquis of Dongsheng. The implication is... You are a little Huoshii, and you are just as good as a godson to my Bingkuan. This also reminds you that you are just a god in the Ming Dynasty. Son, if you don't work hard, you won't even be a son.
If you don't make contributions to the Ming Dynasty, when you return to the grassland, as a traitor to the grassland, we will see who will treat you again.
Then let your "godfather" kill you!
Liu Jiandao: "Uncle Xin Xin is young and energetic. Is it too radical to promote military affairs with moderation? Military affairs here should be handled by mature and prudent people. Xu Jin, the former left minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is the best choice." "
Zhu Youtang looked slightly unhappy and said: "At this time, do you still want to block my employment with your youth and vigour? Uncle Xin Xin is young, but in the past two years as an official, he has become more and more calm in his work, and he has His short experience as governor of Datong, when he was in Nuer Gandu Si Pingsu Jurchen, he showed extraordinary talents. The two battles in Weininghai and Guanshan have made him mature. I regard him as regulating the military affairs of Xuanda and other departments. No worries.”
I think he can do it, what do you think?
"As for what Mr. Liu Ge said about Xu Jin's family, he has qualifications and prestige. He is now the governor of Pianguan, working with Uncle Xin, and Ma Zhongxi, who is in Xuanfu. Both of them are old and prudent. I believe it can provide sufficient support for Uncle Xinjian to handle the military affairs of Xuanda. As for the governor of Datong, I think Uncle Xinjian will also serve as the governor."
Wang Shouren was promoted from governor of Datong to general secretary of Xuanda, but he did not step down from his position as governor of Datong.
This shows that the emperor has prepared to move the defense points on the front line of Xuanda from Xuanfu to Datong, which is farther away from the capital.
Because Wang Shouren is also the governor of Datong, this will make Datong unlimitedly improve in the strategic sense of Xuanda. It also indirectly shows that the emperor is ready to completely hand over the Xuanda front line to Zhang Zhou's people. As for Xu Jin and Ma Zhongxi, They are just temporary candidates. Removing them later is probably just a matter of a word from the emperor.
Liu Jian got angry after hearing this.
No wonder our cabinet is here today. The things I mentioned are all important matters related to the entire northwest pattern, but His Majesty doesn’t want to bring them to the court for discussion.
Are you negotiating with us?
They simply informed us that everything has been decided, so what else do they want us to do?
Li Dongyang said: "Your Majesty, I wonder what arrangements will be made by Duke Cai Guo and Wang Qiong, the former governor of Pianguan Pass, after they return to the court?"
Li Dongyang is also a discerning person and knows that he can't object, so he asks something direct, which can be regarded as asking clearly about the situation and giving us traditional civil servants time to prepare and deal with it.
Zhu Youtang had just decided several things one after another with the majesty of the emperor. If he didn't even want to make a routine announcement at this time, he would be a bit sorry for the ministers who had gone through the storm with him.
Therefore, Li Dongyang's pulse of Zhu Youtang was also very accurate.
"I will return to the court with Bingkuan as the Minister of the Ministry of War. As for the family of Ma Qing, the current Minister of the Ministry of War... I want to use you as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel to preside over the examination and dismissal of officials in the court." Zhu Youtang said bluntly, "As for Wang Qiong , after he returns to the court, he will replace Xu Jin as the left minister of the household department. If you all have no objections, I will make the recommendation in this way when I come to the court tomorrow."
Negotiate candidates internally in advance and then make recommendations.
It is tantamount to saying that the emperor directly appoints and removes people under the illusion of fairness and justice.
It's a bit like serving an official.
But unlike the official appointments, the emperor's appointments of Zhang Zhou and Wang Qiong were still "within a certain reasonable range". After all, Wang Qiong was already the governor of Datong before. How could he transfer the capital to become the left minister? Already? Zhang Zhou has already served as the Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing. Is it okay to be transferred back to become the Minister of the Ministry of War?
Li Dongyang further asked: "Your Majesty, I wonder who should be the counselor to take care of Nanjing's military affairs?"
This brings up another key point.
Zhang Zhou was transferred back to Beijing, and there was endless debate about who should succeed Zhang Zhou as Minister of War in Nanjing.
I also want to know what the emperor's strategic intention is for Nanjing, or the south... When Zhang Zhou was asked to go to Nanjing before, he couldn't just let Zhang Zhou go to Nanjing to avoid earthquakes and natural disasters, right?
"Let's discuss it later," Zhu Youtang said, "If you have any candidates, you are also mentioning them to me, and I will consider them as appropriate."
This shows that the emperor doesn't seem to care much about who becomes the Minister of War in Nanjing.
It means anyone can do it.
If it is the personnel appointment and dismissal that I am concerned about, I have revealed it to you before... There is also a possibility that the emperor has a larger strategic layout in the south. Maybe this layout is better than letting Zhang Zhou return to the court and become the Minister of the Ministry of War. It's a big deal, so it's not convenient to reveal it yet.
It is also possible that the emperor still planned to wait for Zhang Zhou's opinion, not necessarily after Zhang Zhou returned to the court.
It is also possible that Zhang Zhou's secret memorial provided advice to the emperor.
…
…
Next, the inner court meeting also discussed matters related to the budget for the coming year.
The emperor did not have any ideas about building palaces or Taoist temples and temples around the capital. Regarding the dispatch of military supplies in the northwest, he just hoped to ensure that the soldiers could survive the winter smoothly... Regarding the casting of cannons and the construction of Hetao Pass, the emperor did not seem to have much idea. idea.
This also made these important ministers realize.
Now the emperor put almost all his thoughts on how to conquer the grassland, and he really didn't even care about personal enjoyment.
whole-heartedly.
It seems that all the arrangements the emperor will make in the near future are to serve this goal.
It's just that the flexibility in the allocation of money and food is a bit confusing to these people.
Since the emperor cares so much about military affairs in the northwest, why doesn't he mention increasing military pay? But it was mentioned in private many times before that allocating money and food to Southeast Shipbuilding?
Because the newly appointed Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Ji Zhong, is not a member of the Shangting Department, they do not know the current internal arrangements of the Ministry of Revenue.
"Zhang Bingkuan returns to the court to take charge of the Ministry of War. This is the best and worst outcome." Xie Qian commented as if joking.
Zhang Mao smiled and said: "Is that good or bad?"
Xie Qian said: "For the ministers of the East Ban, it is good or bad, but for you, the Spanish Ban, it may not be good."
You, Zhang Mao, still want to talk in front of me, Xie Yuqiao?
It's simply overestimating one's capabilities.
Ma Wensheng said: "After two years in the dynasty, I have added the name of Sangu. I am afraid that I am not sure whether I will be crowned king or prime minister in the future."
Zhang Zhou is Cai Guogong and the Minister of War of the Ming Dynasty. After returning to the court, he will inevitably be promoted from the "three assistants", which is the current prince and Taifu, to the "three orphans", which is Shaobao, Shaofu or Shaoshi. He is also far away from the three princes. Just one step away.
For a Jinshi who has been in the imperial court for less than two years, this can no longer be described as being on the ground and going to heaven.
This kind of discussion seemed to be meaningless, and everyone headed out of the palace with their heads down.
…
…
In the Qianqing Palace.
Li Rong presented Zhang Zhou's performance in the south to Zhu Youtang truthfully. Apart from Yang Peng, only he, Li Rong, who was about to serve as the director of Dongchang Factory, had seen this thing. Even Xiao Jing and the others had seen it. Not authorized to view such secret notes.
"Your Majesty, Mr. Zhang did a lot of things in Nanjing, and also affected Ning Fan's interests. According to Dongchang's investigation, Ning Fan may have secretly wanted to take advantage of the crown prince and Mr. Zhang's return to Beijing, in addition to the official memorial. , committing harm on the road."
Li Rong said with a somewhat worried expression.
Zhu Youtang slapped the table and said: "When the late emperor was here, Ning Fan had many strange plans. If they really dare to mess around, I will not destroy Ning Fan's nest, and I will be a ruler in vain."
(End of chapter)
