Yu Qian felt greatly relaxed. It was almost delusional to want to remain neutral when he did not have absolute strength.
As Jian Yi said before, when you are in the vortex of power, you can't help yourself most of the time. When factions are fighting, it is difficult to stay out of it.
Even the officials in the Ministry of Personnel and Heavenly Officials are not exempt from vulgarity.
Lee Sin is a special case.
"Li Shangshu, you should be able to end this fight, right?" Yu Qian asked.
"You are overestimating me," Li Qing shook his head, "No one can stop it except the emperor. Even he has to make a choice to solve it!"
Yu Qian was startled, and sighed bitterly: "When will this end? There are a lot of things to do in the south and the north, and internal friction continues. What should we do?"
"In your position, you don't have to worry so much about your political affairs." Li Qing said with a smile, "If you are like this, then the emperor doesn't have to do anything, and he will die of worry."
Yu Qian's face heated up and he said sarcastically: "I just feel that... the Ming Dynasty is at a time of vigorous development, and this is not a good thing for the national economy and people's livelihood."
"Don't worry, the trouble won't last long." Li Qing smiled, "By the way, I have been neglecting political affairs during this period. How is the situation outside the customs?"
Yu Qian put down his tea cup and said: "The border has not been invaded, but the grassland is not peaceful. The Tatars are still the largest tribal force in the grassland. They often invade other tribes and are gradually growing."
"Oh?" Li Qing frowned, "How big has it developed now?"
"Don't worry, Minister, we are still far from the peak of the past." Yu Qian's meticulous face showed a rare smile, "In the battle in the 22nd year of Yongle, the Tatars suffered too serious losses. After the base camp was polluted, the situation was greatly limit their development to a certain extent,
According to analysis, their current combat strength is around 40,000, not more than 50,000, which is not enough to threaten the Ming Dynasty. "
Li Qing smiled and nodded: "Where's Wala?"
"Ola has developed rapidly with the support of the Ming Dynasty's tea horse trade policy," Yu Qian said. "Although it can't keep up with the Tatars, it can compete with them and no longer suffers blindly."
Li Qing pondered for a moment, "Did the Tatars attack Oara?"
"Never!"
"Something's wrong." Li Qing frowned and said, "The Tatars don't understand that if they keep letting Wala do nothing, they will be surpassed or even annexed sooner or later. How can they just watch Wala grow bigger?"
Yu Qian nodded slightly. Suddenly his expression changed and he hurriedly asked: "Could they have reached some kind of agreement?"
“This possibility cannot be ruled out, but it is unlikely.” Li Qing muttered, “Prairie tribes have always regarded robbery as a natural instinct. Moreover, their previous hatred was too great. I am more inclined to believe that the Tatars are holding back their ultimate move. "
After a pause, "You should pay more attention to this matter. After the court situation is settled, the Ming army will have to go out again."
It doesn't matter whether we fight or not, but we must maintain force as a deterrent.
Otherwise, as time goes by, it is inevitable that no one will have any objections.
Including Wala, which the Ming Dynasty has always supported.
"The official has written it down." Yu Qian handed over his hand.
The two chatted for a while, and Yu Qian said goodbye and left.
After sending Yu Qian away, Li Qing couldn't help but think deeply. Based on his understanding of Tatar, the other party would never be so honest.
It is understandable not to attack the Ming Dynasty. After all, their current strength does not allow it, but it is very suspicious to sit back and watch Wala grow bigger.
"Well... no matter what conspiracy and tricks they come up with, they will all fall apart in the face of Ming Dynasty's absolute strength." Li Qing sneered, "Wanting one family to dominate? It's just wishful thinking!"
However, the most important thing at the moment is the court situation. Due to internal instability, Zhu Zhanji is unable to fight in person.
"You have to hurry up." Li Qing said softly: "I have to add fuel to the fire tomorrow."
…
The next day.
Fengtian Temple.
When Li Qing arrived, the Sixth Ministry, the Cabinet, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate were already in action.
Before the emperor came, a group of people started fighting each other. The Metropolitan Procuratorate, which had previously been submissive, now struck hard.
After all, they are good at public speaking. When they attack people, they are extremely effective in fighting. Even though the Liubu tree has deep roots, it is somewhat unbearable, especially when the cabinet is also causing trouble.
Six parts, one against two, is already a bit strenuous.
After a while, Zhu Zhanji stepped into the hall, and the officials saluted.
After the ceremony between the emperor and his ministers, they spontaneously attacked each other without Zhu Zhanji saying a word.
It's like another good show.
Li Qing had expected it, so he was fully prepared, took out the melon seeds in his pocket and started eating them.
At this stage of the fight, he had no intention of ending.
Zhu Zhanji was also aloof from the world, quietly watching them spray each other.
The two sides exchanged insults for half an hour, and finally came to a conclusion. The Procuratorate and the Cabinet unanimously stated that the opposition of the six ministries was a guilty conscience. The local officials of the Ming Dynasty were working together from the bottom up to deceive the emperor and harm the people.
Liu Bu was furious and said excitedly: Slander is all slander!
The Metropolitan Procuratorate said: If you are clear of suspicion, let us investigate.
Liubu was speechless.
Seeing that the heat was coming, Zhu Zhanji cleared his throat and said, "The concerns of the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Cabinet are not unreasonable."
"Your Majesty, don't listen to their one-sided words!" The six leaders headed by Jian Yi prostrated themselves and said angrily: "I am dedicated to serving the country, how could I do such a bad thing?"
Zhu Zhanji said gently: "My dear friends, I can trust you, but I cannot completely trust the local officials. As the old saying goes, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away."
"Your Majesty is wise," said the Imperial Censor of Qiandu, "We, the Imperial Procuratorate, are willing to serve as your Majesty's spy, monitor all parts of the world for your Majesty, and expose illegal officials."
"Well, very good." Zhu Zhanji nodded with a smile, and then said to Jian Yi and others, "My dear friends, don't worry. I am not doing this to doubt you, but for the sake of the country."
After a pause, "The Sixth Department is responsible for most of the internal affairs. I see all your hard work and I will not treat you badly."
When Liubu heard that the emperor meant to make concessions, his mood gradually calmed down, and he looked at him expectantly, expecting his 'compensation'.
Zhu Zhanji said: "I want to set up the post of temporary governor to take charge of all provincial affairs, and it will be filled by middle-level officials from the six ministries."
Jian Yi and others were startled, then looked overjoyed. After a simple weighing of the gains and losses, they immediately borrowed the donkey from the slope and said: "Your Majesty, your Majesty!"
Now, the Sixth Department was satisfied, and so was the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Hello, I am well, and the atmosphere in the court was harmonious.
But there is someone who is dissatisfied, and that is the cabinet.
The cabinet members were dissatisfied to the extreme, and they discovered that they were big sbs.
They worked hard to share the emperor's worries, even without shame. In the end, both the People's Sixth Ministry and the Metropolitan Procuratorate got lucrative jobs, but they were the only ones who offended everyone without getting a single hair.
"Your Majesty, think twice!" Jin Youzi said, "The governor's power is too great, and it is easy for Qian Gang to be arbitrary."
On the surface, these words are against the six tribes, but in fact they are against the emperor.
Why, everyone else has benefits, but I don’t?
Zhu Zhanji smiled: "I also see the efforts of the cabinet. The fifth-grade official position has indeed wronged you. Well... In this way, from now on, the cabinet ministers will all have the title of bachelor."
The cabinet remained silent. The bachelor's degree was just a title and had no real power.
Zhu Zhanji added: "The imperial court is currently employing people. The vacancies of ministers and ministers in the six departments also need to be filled in time. Yang Shiqi listens to the order."
"I listen to the imperial edict." Yang Shiqi quickly stepped forward and knelt to listen to the imperial edict.
"You also serve as the Minister of War, and assist Li Qing in handling the affairs of the Ministry of War."
"I obey the decree."
"Huang Aiqing."
Huang Huai stepped forward and saluted, "I'm here."
"You are also the Minister of Household Affairs, and you will assist Xia Qing in handling the affairs of the Household Department."
"I obey the decree."
"Jin Aiqing."
"I'm here."
"You also serve as the left minister of the Ministry of Industry."
"I obey the decree."
"Yang Aiqing concurrently serves as the right minister of the Ministry of Industry."
…
Zhu Zhanji found a part-time job for the cabinet and promoted them from the fifth rank to the third rank.
The cabinet was promoted, and the six ministries suffered no losses. The position of minister is still the same, and the minister of the Ministry of Industry is also held by the minister of the Ministry of Rites. It can be said that the foundation is still solid, and there is an additional cabinet junior.
As a result, the relationship between the cabinet and the six ministries suddenly changed from hostile to superior to subordinate.
Jian Yi and other ministers secretly sneered: Damn, let's see how we treat you guys.
After Yang Shiqi and others were overjoyed, they also thought about it, and their faces couldn't help but look sad. The official was promoted, but the future would not be easy.
Just when everyone thought the dust had settled, Zhu Zhanji issued another plan:
The cabinet scholar has the power to review the memorials submitted by officials, and can provide appropriate replies and post them on each drafted edict for imperial approval. This is the draft;
After the emperor approves, there is no need for reconsideration and it can be implemented directly!
As a result, the power of the cabinet rose sharply, and it truly competed with the six ministries.
But this is only on the surface. In fact, it is Zhu Zhanji himself who has soared in power, because it is up to him to criticize or not, and he has channels to bypass the Six Ministries.
At this time, Liubu was really annoyed: Taizong is so domineering, but he is not as bullying as you!
