In August of the 20th year of Wanli, it was early autumn, but the weather was still very hot. The climate has been abnormal in recent years, with summers being hotter and winters being colder than in the past, and floods, droughts, and locust plagues occurring one after another. If it weren't for the fact that the imperial government currently has a slight surplus in the treasury and the Ministry of Household Affairs has set aside more than 300,000 taels of special funds for disaster relief every year, I am afraid that there would have been widespread displacement in the north. Regarding this point, even officials from the Xinxue Sect could not praise Situ.
The sun was scorching hot that day, scorching the city of Beijing, and cicadas were chirping in the willow bushes on both sides of the streets. The courtyard of the Ministry of War Yamen is hidden in the shade of a green cloud-like tree, which blocks the rays of the sun. It looks cool and quiet, making it a clean and cool place.
At this moment, Song Yingchang, the right minister of the Ministry of War, was sitting in the Qianshi room, sipping tea leisurely and reading the official letters sent by the military commanders from all sides. As usual, most of these official letters are still inseparable from the old routine of asking for food, wages, and weapons. There are a few differences, which are probably the invitations to take credit for their contribution in the battle against Yuan Dynasty.
The former does not need to be looked at too much. The ministry has its own arrangements. Just take a quick look and see that there are no major changes in the local military town and then let it go. The latter needs to be scrutinized. After all, those who seek credit must be classified into categories, and those who are serious about fighting must be suppressed for the time being. , the emperor will make unified arrangements after all the fighting has subsided, and merits such as guarding the border and forts, and transporting within the customs can be rewarded first depending on the situation.
However, Song Yingchang always looked at these official documents with a calm expression on his face. After all, although the Ministry of War could agree to rewards for these matters, its power was mainly focused on promotion recommendations. Regarding the matter of financial and silk rewards, the Ministry of Accounts is now the one who speaks out - the specific number of Ming Fed small-denomination banknotes to be rewarded will have to wait until Gao Situ returns to Beijing to decide.
At this moment, there was a "wow" sound, and an urgent letter from the Six Hundred Miles Quick Rider, sealed with fire paint, came into his eyes. Song Yingchang's face tightened, and he put down the tea cup in his hand attentively. He grabbed the urgent letter and opened it to read. He was stunned for a moment: "Du Huazhong, the governor of Zhejiang and other places and the admiral of the army, wrote a memorial to the Ryukyu Kingdom." Reporting on unusual movements in Japan and other matters."
"...Recently, according to the report sent by Shang Ning from the Ryukyu Kingdom: The merchants of our country have learned that the Japanese chiefs have purchased wood, gunpowder, iron materials and other materials for several months, and have frequently contacted the Nanman red barbarians in various ports to purchase There are many weapons such as firecrackers and guns. There are large warships built in the military port. It is said that the Japanese covered them with iron to avoid fire arrows and iron bullets...
In Shang Ning's opinion, the Japanese chief's move was very suspicious. A few days ago, Wu Xun, the manager of Jinghua Ningbo Private Port, claimed that Toyotomi Hideyoshi of the Japanese state of Kanbai built Nagoya Castle in Matsuura County, stationed troops to accumulate grain, repaired weapons, and showed off his power in an attempt to invade North Korea, or to spy on the Ming Dynasty.
The ministers and others have repeatedly verified and concluded that what Ryukyu Kingdom Shangning and Ningbo Wu Xun said are true. The Japanese pirates are indeed eager to show off their madness and must be guarded against. The matter was so serious that the officials did not dare to stay, so they reported it immediately by six-hundred-mile express, asking the Ministry of War and the Cabinet to send it to His Majesty for final decision. "
After Song Yingchang saw it, he was naturally shocked and angry. He was a Jinshi in the 44th year of Jiajing reign, a disciple of Gao Gong, but he was also from Zhejiang. Of course he knew who "Ningbo Wu Xun" was - the son of Wu Dui, who is currently the director of Jinghua Ningbo Port. Because of his special status, his skills It is completely reasonable that there is information from Japan.
As for Du Huazhong, the governor of Zhejiang, he was also a Jinshi in the 44th year of Jiajing and a student of Gao Gong. He was the same year and disciple of Song Yingchang. What he told the Ministry of War must have been carefully verified.
Song Yingchang did not dare to delay, so he hurriedly picked up the six-hundred-mile express letter and hurried to the review room of Zhou Yong, Minister of War. Unexpectedly, as soon as he rushed to the door of the signing room, he saw a palace servant delivering an oral message to Zhou Yong inside: "Your Majesty has a decree. The Korean envoy Liu Mengding came to the palace to report important matters involving the vassal state. It is urgent to declare. Zhou Yong and Song Yingchang will come to see you quickly."
Song Yingchang hurriedly knelt beside the door and accepted the order with Zhou Yong. He did not dare to stop for a moment, followed the chamberlain, left the hall, and waited at the door to sit in the sedan chair. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Song Yingchang handed Du Huazhong's six-hundred-mile cavalry to Zhou Yong for urgent submission.
Seeing that he was extremely nervous, Zhou Yong knew that this submission was very important, so he took it in his hand, got into the sedan chair, sat down, and read it carefully.
At first glance, Zhou Yong's expression also changed suddenly. He opened the sedan curtain and ordered the bearers outside: "Quick! Quick! We have important matters coming to the palace to present to the Holy One. Don't delay!" The bearers listened to the Chief Sima. They were rushed in such a hurry, and they hurriedly carried the sedan, and they all ran away as fast as flying.
In the eight-jeweled gold incense burner in the West Nuan Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, the light smoke of the best incense is rising, floating in the air in various shapes. Emperor Wanli Zhu Yijun sat solemnly on the throne, holding the imperial case with both hands, frowning, his round face seemed to be covered with a faint cloud, and his lips were pursed tightly.
His starry sky-dotted eyes shot out a burning and compelling light, and they just fixed their attention on a memorial made of silk on the imperial desk - it was the letter of Toyotomi Hideyoshi presented from Korea. Chinese translation of the threatening letter.
Opposite him, sitting on the tables on both sides were the chief assistant of the cabinet Shen Shixing, the second assistant Xu Guo, the group assistant Wu Dui and others. On the ink-colored marble floor in front of him, Korean envoy Liu Mengding was kneeling.
"Why haven't Zhou Yong and Song Yingchang arrived yet?" Zhu Yijun said solemnly.
"Your Majesty, the Chief Sima and the Young Sima should already be on their way to the palace - the Ministry of War is not as good as the Cabinet, after all, it is far away. Please wait a moment, Your Majesty." The palm print stood at the door of Xinuang Pavilion with a bow. The great eunuch Chen Ju hurriedly responded respectfully inside: "How about I send someone to urge you..."
Before he finished speaking, there was a burst of hurried footsteps approaching outside the courtyard door, and Zhou Yong and Song Yingchang were seen flashing in. They hurried to the door, first bowed their hands to him, and then they both bowed to the ground. Not caring about wiping off the beads of sweat on his forehead, he said in unison: "I am late for the imperial edict, please forgive me."
Zhu Yijun waved his left hand expressionlessly to make them level. Then, without saying a word, he tapped the Chinese translation of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's threatening letter on the imperial desk with the fingers of his right hand. Chen Ju understood and stepped forward to take it to Zhou Yong and Song Yingchang for circulation.
After Zhou Yong and Song Yingchang carefully read the translation, they were both shocked and looked at each other in astonishment: The emperor knew the news of the Japanese invasion so quickly! After a second thought, I realized it again - I think it was brought by the North Korean envoy?
"Your Ministry of War is in charge of military affairs. I want to know now: Have you ever noticed the news sent by the Korean vassal?" Zhu Yijun said coldly: "Are the Japanese bandits already sharpening their knives? Are you ready to make a move? Or is it just Toyotomi... Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a Japanese chieftain, who is just barking at the sun?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, regarding the Japanese chief Toyotomi Hideyoshi's attempt to invade our Ming Dynasty, I have noticed it and are about to enter the palace to report to Your Majesty." Zhou Yong heard Zhu Yijun's sharp question and hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down. On the ground, he held the six-hundred-mile express letter from Du Huazhong in both hands and presented it. He said in a trembling voice: "This is the urgent report of the Japanese situation sent by Du Huazhong, the governor of Zhejiang. I respectfully request your Majesty to read it..."
"Oh? The ears and eyes of Zhejiang and the Ministry of War are so well-informed?" Zhu Yijun glanced at Zhou Yong in surprise, and asked as he took the six-hundred-mile express letter from Chen Ju who passed it over. He asked a somewhat strange question and said: "The Ryukyu court has always gone to Fujian, why did it go to Zhejiang this time?"
Zhou Yong's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't dare to answer. He just lowered his head and remained silent. Song Yingchang couldn't stand it any longer, so he turned to his side and knelt down and said, "It's possible that Ryukyu saw the seriousness of the matter and was afraid that the mountainous roads in Fujian would delay the military plane, so they rushed it to Zhejiang by sea ship to save time."
In fact, this is obviously not the case. Ryukyu has actually known for a long time how powerful the Beijing and China fleets are, and also knows that the governor of Fujian at the time was not a member of the practical school, while the governor of Zhejiang was Du Huazhong of the practical school, so he had to ignore "etiquette" Send Du Huazhong a "first report" contribution.
Song Yingchang obviously couldn't say this directly, so he took the opportunity to find a reason for Liu Qiu first. If the future mind school wanted to arrest the pigtails, since the emperor had already preconceived the idea, he wouldn't care.
When he said this, Zhu Yijun did not ask any questions. He carefully read the urgent letter for the Six Hundred Miles Quick Rider, closed his eyes slightly and meditated for a moment, then opened his eyes and said: "Idu Huazhong came to report, this Japanese chief Toyotomi Hideyoshi is really ready to make a move! Humph, the Great Yuan that once spanned hundreds of thousands of miles has been destroyed by my hands. How dare a small country like his own to make trouble? If Toyotomi Hideyoshi really dares to invade, I will There will be no return for him!"
"Your Majesty, your majesty's sacred writings and martial arts are powerful and powerful, and I am respected by all my ministers." Upon hearing this, Shen Shixing and other cabinet ministers hurriedly stood up and congratulated him.
When Liu Mengding heard Zhu Yijun's heroic words, he couldn't help but burst into tears with excitement. He kowtowed on the floor and cried: "Your Majesty is brave in the world, his kindness has been extended to overseas countries, and he has benefited all nations. I, the kings and ministers of the Korean vassal country, are grateful and will never forget the heaven above." The country is a great benefactor."
After hearing his sudden statement, both Zhou Yong and Song Yingchang's hearts skipped a beat, and they looked at each other in surprise: This North Korean envoy is really shrewd and tactful. From the perspective of defending their country of Korea! But what His Majesty said was that the Japanese pirates came to invade our country and the Ming Dynasty prevented them from coming back. But he did not say that even if the Japanese pirates invaded the Korean vassal country, they would also send troops to help!
At this time, Zhu Yijun didn't seem to realize that Liu Mengding had taken advantage of him because of his sharp words. He just looked at him lying on the ground with an extremely grateful look, and couldn't help but feel a little sympathy.
However, pity goes back to pity. The Ming Dynasty had just fought a war involving 600,000 troops. Although the loss of troops was not large, the consumption of materials was huge. It was better not to disturb them for the time being from North Korea.
So he waved his hand and ordered Chen Ju to help Liu Mengding up, and said slowly: "Liu Qing will go back to North Korea and tell you, Your Majesty: Although our great dynasty will not sit back and watch you being invaded by the Japanese country, you must not You can rely on this and forget the way to strengthen yourself. Moreover... your country is indeed a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, but Japan also pays tribute to the Ming Dynasty [Note: The official trade of the Ming Dynasty is theoretically tribute], so the rights and wrongs here , I shall argue carefully.
In addition, in my opinion, if the Japanese country is eyeing your country and waiting for an opportunity to attack, I am afraid that it will only happen in these few months! If you are not careful and vigilant, you may be caught off guard. "
"Foreign minister, please remember His Majesty's Holy Instructions. After returning to North Korea, I will convey His Majesty's Holy Instructions to the King of our country verbatim." Liu Mengding nodded repeatedly and bowed in response.
"Chen Ju, please help him go down to rest..." Zhu Yijun saw that Liu Mengding was hoarse from exhaustion, so he no longer allowed him to stay in Xinuan Pavilion and ordered Chen Ju to call some servants from outside the pavilion to bring him to rest. Helped him out.
Hearing Liu Mengding's staggering footsteps gradually walking away, Zhu Yijun's resolute and calm expression changed in an instant, revealing a deeply worried look.
He raised his eyes and looked at Shen Shixing, Zhou Yong, Song Yingchang and others, his voice lowered, and he said slowly: "It was in order to stabilize the hearts of North Korea's monarchs and ministers that I had no choice but to pretend to be heroic... As a parent Kingdom, I cannot lose the majesty of the Huanghuang Celestial Dynasty!"
"Since Your Majesty made such heroic words, I thought that the entire Korean vassal state would be emboldened by this. Instead, they would not be vigilant and behave politely and aggressively. I am afraid that it will inevitably happen in the future..." Wang Jiaping is known for his uprightness and loyalty. Yu Chao also spoke frankly when facing Zhu Yijun.
Zhu Yijun's face darkened after hearing this, and he sat on the imperial couch without answering.
"Yes, Your Majesty, although the attack on Yuan Dynasty went smoothly this time, our army has been out for a long time. Even if it comes back victorious, it will have to rest for a while. Especially Li Rusong's troops in Liaodong. He has sent troops the farthest and has not even returned to the town yet. Liaodong This town is really empty. If North Korea starts fighting again and asks Liaodong to come in for reinforcements, how can Liaodong have any spare strength?"
Shen Shixing said with a worried look on his face: "Most of Liaodong's elite troops have left the fortress. According to the previous imperial meeting plan, I am afraid that some of the troops will be allocated to Daning. In this case..."
"I know this matter well." Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "The matter of garrisoning troops in the three cities of Daning or Chahar is a long-term plan, and it cannot be completed overnight. Since Liaodong may face a war, the deployment of troops from Liaodong Naturally, we need to discuss it again during the war."
Zhu Yijun frowned tightly, pondered for a moment, and finally waved his sleeves, emphasized his tone, and said solemnly, "It seems that pragmatically returning to Beijing can no longer be postponed. He, the world's best literary and handsome man, will not be in Beijing for a day." , there will inevitably be some clowns coming out to cause mischief!
Chen Ju, the Chief of Ceremonies will write a handwritten edict in my name to Pragmatic, asking him to hurry up and urge Hannaji, saying that there is no need to go back and forth to declare the number of people coming to the capital for King Shunyi, and it is time to discuss and discuss. You let him Just decide for yourself. "
Hearing that Zhu Yijun had decided to hand over the matter of the number of people brought by Han Naji to the capital to Gao Pangshi, Zhou Yong couldn't help being surprised: Although King Shunyi was loyal, it was a foreign vassal who came to the capital this time, not to mention that his subordinates were still If something happens to the Mongolian cavalry, who can afford it? The emperor actually handed over such a big matter to Da Situ to decide it with one word?
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, the number of troops that King Shunyi will lead when he comes to the capital cannot be determined by the Great Situ." Shen Shixing was really surprised and said hurriedly: "I don't believe in the Great Situ. It's because the Great Situ has not yet met with Your Majesty. That is to say, the power of the feudal vassals has not been handed over to the ministers. How can we decide on our own the number of foreign vassals coming to Beijing?"
"Yuan Fu's words are wrong!" Upon hearing this, Song Yingchang hurriedly stood up and bowed to Zhu Yijun and said, "Da Situ defeated the Northern Yuan Dynasty in one battle. It can be said that the army is as powerful as a tiger, and it has also made His Majesty a powerful force in the world. This time Although the affairs of Japan and Korea are big, are they bigger than Situ's reputation? If Situ returns to Beijing as soon as possible, even the Ministry of War will be relieved... Please Yuanfu think carefully about this matter."
"Oh?" Shen Shixing really didn't expect that Song Yingchang, the right minister of the Ministry of War, would openly speak out against his opinions at the imperial meeting. He couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and stared at Song Yingchang with some annoyance before opening his mouth to refute.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Yijun seemed to be very satisfied with Song Yingchang's words. He raised his hand slightly to stop Shen Shixing and took over the words: "Song Aiqing said exactly what he said. Grand Sima, your Ministry of War might as well make a plan in advance regarding the Japanese pirates peeping into North Korea. Discuss with Da Situ immediately after he returns to Beijing!"
"I obey the order." Zhou Yong and Song Yingchang hurriedly knelt down and replied. At this time, Zhu Yijun seemed to feel that the court affairs were over. He looked at the funnel on the side and was about to ask the officials to leave. Unexpectedly, Xu Guo suddenly knelt down in front of the imperial case and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
"Mr. Xu, please speak." Zhu Yijun endured his temper and nodded.
Xu Guo took a deep breath, took out a memorial from his arms, and said, "I beg for the bones."
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Thanks to book friend "Cao Mianzi" for your reward and support, thank you!
Thanks to book friends "Cao Mianzi", "Yun Fuyue Yu", and "Dr. Xu Jiahui" for their monthly support, thank you!
