In fact, Gao Jingshi had thought about these issues, but he couldn't tell Gao Gong, "I believe you, Third Uncle, can handle them" - doesn't this mean that he just dumped the blame on Third Uncle?
Oh, you kid just wants to feel good about yourself. After this, do I, the third uncle, deserve to wipe your ass?
Gao Gong has indeed adopted many of Gao Pragmatic's suggestions, but that doesn't mean he will unconditionally support this kid's chaos - aren't there just as many suggestions that he didn't adopt, as well as suggestions that he said he would "slow down" after adopting them?
After all, Gao Gong is a very independent politician, and the advice Gao Pragmatic gives him can only be adopted if it is optimized based on his original ideas. As for the current situation, it is obvious that Gao Gong believes that Gao Jingshi can get things done without having to go to the border in person. On the contrary, if Gao Jingshi really goes, he may cause a lot of gossip in Beijing.
Chen Yiqin had just resigned half a month ago. Most people in the political circles believed that he took the initiative to take up his official position because he could not bear the misfortune between the Gao Zhang Alliance and the Li Zhao Alliance. Although Gao Gong did not bear the main responsibility for this matter, he was still in the public opinion. He was also affected to some extent, so he didn't want to be criticized by the officials again because Gao Pragmatic danced too happily at this time - he felt that if things developed to that extent, Zhao Zhenji would definitely take advantage of it. force.
This is like two masters fighting each other. Most of them will not attack at will, because the more eager they are to attack, the easier it is to expose their weaknesses. Therefore, Gao Gong now wants to calm down temporarily and see what Zhao Zhenji will do next.
And there was another thing that Gao Gong did not explain to Gao Pragmatically: Meng Chong sent someone to contact Gao Gong a few days ago, saying that Yin Shidan, the Minister of Rites, had quietly contacted people in the inner court, hoping to join the cabinet.
This did not go beyond Gao Gong's expectations at all - Yin Shidan also worked as a lecturer in Prince Yu's Mansion. Although he joined at a later stage and did not "play the whole game", Zhang Juzheng also entered the cabinet halfway like this. Now everyone who joins the cabinet is how many years!
Now, among the lecturers in Prince Yu's Mansion, he, Yin Shidan, is the only one who has not joined the cabinet. Of course, he is very itchy. Such behavior is normal.
However, the reason why Gao Gong didn't bring this matter up with Gao Pingshi was not because he wanted to hide it from him. The main reason was that Gao Gong knew that Yin Shidan had a bad temper and was too tough and straightforward in his official life. His popularity is even worse than that of his tall beard. If this person wants to join the cabinet... I'm afraid he may not be able to pass the test.
At this time, Gao Gong certainly did not expect that Yin Shidan did not take the normal imperial route in history when he entered the cabinet - he took the inner court route and entered the cabinet according to the emperor's decree.
As mentioned above, although it is indeed feasible for Zhongzhi to enter the cabinet, in the eyes of the world, the status of "Pavilion Elder" is equivalent to being mixed with water, and the quality is relatively poor. Most people will categorically refuse to pass the recommendation if they have the slightest chance. This is how he entered the cabinet. Gao Gong thought the same way, so he miscalculated.
But in any case, now that Yin Shidan has the possibility of joining the cabinet, Gao Gong must consider whether his joining will affect the current general balance of the cabinet. This is because he does not want Gao Pragmatic to dance too much recently, causing himself to be dismissed. One of the reasons why Yan Guan set fire and asked to calm it down.
So now the conflict arises: Gao Pragmatic needs to constantly demonstrate his abilities to strengthen his status and importance in the minds of the emperor's family to avoid the consequences of "the wind will destroy them" in the future; Gao Gong believes that the current government The undercurrent in the hall is turbulent. The Gao Zhang Alliance and the Li Zhao Alliance may soon have their plans to show off, and there is also an uncertain factor such as Yin Shidan. Therefore, Gao Jingshi is not supported in his current actions that attract too much attention.
Of course, his arms couldn't twist his thighs, and he didn't have the strength to go against Gao Gong, both in public and in private, but he was not a person who gave up easily, so he thought about it and decided to change the way - or to persuade Gao Gong from another angle. .
It is certainly difficult to persuade Gao Gong, a politician who is good at running the country but bad at running a career, because he is difficult to be fooled, but it is also easier said than done because his starting point for dealing with people is too clear-as early as When Gao pragmatic followed him to Beijing, Gao Gong once said to him seriously: being an official is to do things, and being a high official is to do great things.
Gao Gong's words are not only instructions for the younger generation, but also his own code of conduct. Therefore, Gao pragmatically knew that in order to convince Gao Gong, he must and could only make a fuss about "doing things".
"Third Uncle, a few days ago there was a leak from the Ministry of War, saying that it was discovered that the ordnance manufacturing of some guard stations was shoddy and shoddy, and the passing rate was even less than 30%. The border troops from all over the country also complained about this, and the propaganda department also expressed their displeasure about it. So much anger..."
When Gao pragmatic said this, he saw that Gao Gong had obviously paid attention, and immediately struck while the iron was hot and continued: "I once heard Cao Gan report that he heard during the conversation with Magong Malanxi that the equipment of the Xuanfu and Datong frontier armies were very... It’s terrible, especially the firearms, which are of extremely poor quality and explode frequently, failing to kill the enemy but injuring themselves instead.”
Gao Gong frowned and said: "I have also heard about this matter. This is one of the reasons why I just said that we must rectify military affairs." What he meant was: I know this matter, but I have my own Plan, don’t try to use this reason to persuade me.
But Gao Pragmatic was not in a hurry and continued: "My nephew was very curious before about why the Southern Army under Qi Nantang liked to equip bird muskets, while the Northern Army in Xuanda and Jiliao preferred three-eyed muskets... Later After detailed investigation and comparison, my nephew finally found the reason."
Gao Gong's brows raised: "What's the reason?"
Gao pragmatic smiled, shrugged, and said: "The three-eyed gun can fire iron bullets from a distance, and can be used for melee combat at close range. Therefore, when soldiers are about to fight, they can pretend that they don't have time to reload and not use them as firearms, but directly use them for melee combat." , so as to avoid suicide and self-mutilation caused by bombing."
Gao Gong was stunned after hearing this. After a while, his face turned green, suppressing his anger, he asked in a deep voice: "Is this a common phenomenon?"
"Yes." Gao Pragmatic said with certainty: "Cao Gan and the others have not been dealing with the Xuan and Da border armies for a day or two, or even for a year or two. He said that the border armies of the two places have many soldiers and they are too lazy to carry them when the battle comes. Gunpowder and projectiles, a three-eye blunderbuss can only be used as a mace. The reason is that it is too uneasy to use these things as firearms. It is better to use them as a mace. At least it is better to use it with an iron rod. Can hit people."
"Bang!" There was a sound. Gao Gong slammed the table hard and said angrily: "Bastard! How did this kind of thing pass so many inspections and finally be issued to the soldiers? Is it possible for important officials at all levels to handle it? Did everyone take bribes? They deserve to be punished!"
It didn't matter whether Gao was punished or not, so he remained silent and didn't speak.
Gao Gong gritted his teeth for a while, then suppressed his anger and continued to ask: "Then why do Qi Yuanjing's men use blunderbuss? Are the people under his command not afraid of committing suicide or self-mutilation?"
