Zhu Houzhao held the afternoon court today not because of Liu Jian, let alone because of the good weather. Its roots lie in Emperor Taizong.
Taizong probably also felt that the etiquette in the early court was too cumbersome and there were too many rules, and nothing major could be solved by going through it again and again.
We are indeed like this all the time. The general meeting will solve small things, and the small meetings will solve big things. It really only depends on the last three or five people who decide, and it is basically a big deal.
Therefore, during the Yongle period, Emperor Taizong added the Wu Dynasty, and stipulated that what was discussed at the Wu Dynasty were military and state affairs, and other messy matters should not be discussed at this time.
Since Zhu Houzhao ascended the throne, the morning court has been okay, but there has been no afternoon court or evening court. Even at this time, he has been summoning officials, but that was based on the matters and agenda recorded in the attendant's room, and he summoned some involved officials separately.
So it was the first time for me to have a serious afternoon session.
There were all great scholars in the court, and they were all familiar with the history of the country. The emperor suddenly held a noon court meeting during the Ningxia victory, and this must be what was discussed.
As for the conspiracy, Liu Jiang had just been deported to Shandong, and the others were still there. It was somewhat unpleasant to talk about at this time.
"Since the eleventh year of Hongzhi, the border situation of the Ming Dynasty has become increasingly severe. The Tatars have invaded the borders of the Ming Dynasty, burning, killing and looting. Until today, they finally achieved the victory of Huamachi. I know that the ministers in the DPRK moved because I only took the throne two months ago. I have made arrogant assumptions during the war, thinking that I am a militaristic emperor... I have seen enough of these memorials urging me to stop the war."
Zhu Houzhao turned around and pointed at the two big piles of things next to the dragon chair.
"I am the king of the Ming Dynasty, you are the ministers of the Ming Dynasty, and the people are also the people of the Ming Dynasty. The country is facing humiliation, but the court is discussing how to not send troops. Is the country still a country? Is the king still a king?! The victory of Ningxia, It is the Tatars who are fighting, and it is you too. From today on, I will make my words clear to you! I am not a martial king, and I have never thought about using national power excessively, but the emperor guards the country, and the king dies for the country! From now on , anyone who dares to call himself a soldier in the territory of the Ming Dynasty will be killed!"
Zhu Houzhao wanted to inject a little soul into this country. He was not impulsive or spraying the blood of young people everywhere. He wanted to use this contagious way to tell the world that Ming Dynasty must be bloody!
If you don't even have the blood, and if someone hits you, you will only be able to calculate, strategize, and conspire... then you will die in the end, and it will be a cowardly death.
After the noon court, the emperor went to the military academy in person to show the importance he attached to these generals.
Although military generals are also a threat when they become more powerful, Zhu Houzhao is a realist. Whatever the hell, if there are problems, solve them first, and problems that arise in the future will be solved later. The problem he is facing now is that the Ming Dynasty has no generals. It is no wonder, this Who wants to be a bad guy these days?
And in the northwest,
Yang Yiqing also packed up, and everyone in their group had to obey the order and go to the capital. Because it was a big victory, and the newly ascended emperor would definitely make a political fuss when he won such a big victory, so they had to go where they should.
But unlike the excitement of others, Yang Yiqing was surprisingly calm at this time. Anyway, it was after the war. He relaxed, sometimes showing a sad expression, or chatting briefly with Zhou Shangwen, whom he admired recently, and others. These are all official exchanges.
Zhang Yong was a eunuch, but because he was close to the emperor, his status was not low. He was very happy along the way, but he couldn't bear it after watching for half a month.
So while resting on the road, he went to the fire and found Yang Yiqing.
"...Yang Butang,"
Yang Yiqing did not dare to stand up in front of Zhang Yong. After decades, he knew very well what role eunuchs played in the court, so he handed over the eunuch politely, "Eunuch Zhang."
"You're welcome, Bu Tang. I see that Bu Tang didn't talk much or smile much. The imperial court clearly won the battle, so why is Bu Tang still looking so gloomy?"
Yang Yiqing has just turned fifty this year, with more and more white hair and less black hair on his head, and his eyes are gradually becoming cloudy. His cool and calm temperament shows the calmness of a senior official.
He had no expression, but there was movement in his heart. In fact, he had something to say to Zhang Yong...
Zhang Yong was a kind man, and he was around the emperor. It was of course very important to leave a good impression on him. Whenever he opened his mouth and said something, it would be different.
Especially for a border general like him, he needs the emperor's trust.
"Eunuch Zhang, does he know that the old minister wrote a memorial to Your Majesty, talking about the conspiracy? I was promoted by Mr. Dongshan, and I should repay this great kindness. However, I urged the emperor to send troops. Mr. Dongshan is still in prison at the Ministry of Punishment. , what about me? In the name of Fu Tao, I cater to the Holy Will. Therefore, going to the capital here is actually very dangerous."
Zhang Yong has been praised in the Forbidden City for many years. Although he is not as thoughtful as Liu Jin, he still has basic political literacy.
How annoying some censors in the capital are, and his reality as a eunuch is even deeper.
But when he heard such words from a veteran who had fought for his country, he couldn't help but feel chilled, so he shook his head decisively, "No."
Yang Yiqing turned his eyes and asked, "Why is Eunuch Zhang so sure?"
"Because Your Majesty. Your Majesty knows right from wrong and will never disrespect ministers who have done great service to the country! Moreover, how can the personal friendship between the ministers and Liu Daxia be compared with the righteousness of the monarch and his ministers? If anyone is so indiscriminate, our family will also consult with Your Majesty. He has one."
"Old minister, thank you to Eunuch Zhang. Eunuch Zhang's integrity can also be seen from your majesty's demeanor as a virtuous king."
Zhang Yong was a little embarrassed to be praised. Although his status was not low, he was still young, and how could his status be higher than that of Yang Yiqing? This is a minister that the emperor must respect.
"However... the ministry knows that this matter is dangerous, and it is necessary to reiterate the advice to His Majesty at this time... the loyalty of the ministry is comparable to that of the virtuous ministers of ancient times."
Yang Yiqing naturally knew, "There is a huge quarrel in Beijing over the conspiracy. The root of all this is me. If there is any extremely bad result, it will be difficult for me to keep my head."
Therefore, it is said that stupid people are more happy. If a person is as smart as Yang Yiqing and thinks about everything, he will naturally become depressed.
"But I have to do this complicated thing."
"Why is this?"
This is what Yang Yiqing must say, tell Zhang Yong... Zhang Yong is upright and cares about the country, then he will go and talk to His Majesty.
"Eunuch Zhang knows that although the Tatars are brave in battle, they do not dare to be stronger than the Ming Dynasty. In the past few decades, the imperial court has suffered more defeats and fewer wins. This is because the Tatars were born on horses and are better at riding horses. It goes like the wind and is unstoppable, but our Ming Dynasty spends millions and thousands of grains on one military expedition. Even if Ningxia wins this time, the Tatars will come back in a few years."
Zhang Yong has some knowledge, so he understood when he said this, "What Bu Tang means is that if you want to eliminate border troubles, you must remove their roots and eliminate their roots!"
"This is true at the border, but at the Chaotang it is for Your Majesty. His Majesty's use of troops in the northwest is actually full of obstacles. If there is no cover, a war like Ningxia may be fought once, twice or three times. But four or five times, it is Your Majesty will also have more and more difficulties. But this is a good medicine to calm the border troubles and save Your Majesty, but I don’t know what the result will be."
Zhang Yong was in awe, "Butang is really a loyal minister of the country!"
"Don't dare! It's just a matter of sincere service to the king,"
"The ministers don't have to be self-effacing. When it comes to the capital, our family will speak loudly, and the ministers will not laugh at it. But if there is anything useful, please ask the ministers to speak up, and our family will do our best!"
】
Yang Yiqing felt a little satisfied in his heart, this... is not bad.
"How dare I laugh at Eunuch Zhang, a man of great righteousness? Besides, I really want to ask your father-in-law for advice."
"Please tell me, please."
"In the first month of this year, Mr. Dongshan was suddenly deposed, saying that he was unhappy with the new king. But I really don't understand why Your Majesty doesn't like Mr. Dongshan?"
According to his reputation, how could he be disgusted by a wise king and an upright official?
Zhang Yong's face changed slightly, and he felt a little strange, "Why does the ministry keep mentioning a retired official?"
Yang Yiqing had a calm face and said slowly: "I want to plead with Your Majesty to forgive Mr. Dongshan."
"No!"
"Why not?"
"Let's not talk about the reason for now. What's the trouble with the ministry? You have made amazing achievements in Ningxia, and it is not impossible to be knighted for new achievements. This plea is just to make His Majesty unhappy. Once you really offend Long Yan, the ministry will All the achievements gained by climbing on the ice and lying in the snow, through life and death, are just like a dream!"
Yang Yiqing is sixty years old. How can ordinary people persuade him? Since he has made up his mind, he naturally has his own reasons.
The old man raised his head, his eyes calm but determined, "My father-in-law feels that if I meet His Majesty and don't plead for mercy, then am I, Yang Yiqing, worthy of being called Yang Yiqing? If you thrive like this, you will die like this. The imperial court does not need such a Yang Yiqing." .”
Zhang Yongyong didn't know what to say. It was the first time he saw such a minister, and he couldn't think of anything else but respect.
I just hope that the undercurrent in the capital can calm down...
