Yang Shiqi opposed the cabinet's conservatism and over-cautiousness. Although there were many things in the northwest and many shortcomings appeared, the overall situation was still controllable. As long as it persisted for two more months, the logistics of the army to conquer the west would be enough to stockpile the supplies needed until the spring of next year. The people would naturally I will return home around New Year's Day, and all conflicts will be resolved.
It is not appropriate to tie up the hands in the east because of the complicated affairs in the northwest.
Since the Yangjiang Shipyard Incident in February, the Ming Dynasty has never taught the Japanese a real lesson. The navy's unprecedented searches and actions could only wipe out a handful of pirates and a small number of Japanese ships. Chen Zuyi was not found, nor did the Japanese pay. The price, if this continues, the Southeast Asian countries and the Western countries will have a wrong understanding:
The Ming Dynasty isn't that good either. You see, the pirates and the Japanese have bullied the Ming Dynasty. That's okay.
Are we worse than pirates and worse than the Japanese?
A good old man who doesn't fight back when hit or scolded, and who smiles can be a civil servant, but not a military commander! You can be a cabinet minister, but not the emperor!
If Ming Dynasty is a human being, he must be a majestic god of war who cannot be profaned or provoked at will. He can take off his armor, put on Confucian clothes, hold a scroll and write about the Spring and Autumn Period, but he must have a strong physique and have The bloodiness and courage to dare to draw swords and fight.
Yang Shiqi knew very well that except for Timur, no one in this world was the real opponent of Ming Dynasty, and no one could force Ming Dynasty to choose to lie dormant and hide its capabilities and bide its time. Since there was no need to be patient and since he had the power to win in battle, there was no need. Make your enemies laugh.
Zhu Yunwen looked at Yang Shiqi, who was calm yet energetic. He had changed a lot over the years, especially under the influence of the new learning of the Imperial College. He was no longer a pure Confucian scholar, but gradually transformed into a mature and highly insightful man. A political veteran with strength and foresight, coupled with his own experience and training, and the connections he has built over the years, he has already established himself firmly in the court.
Zhu Yunwen glanced at Jie Jin and Yu Xin who were kneeling on the ground, raised his hands and said: "Get up, I know that the cabinet has made many contributions, and you have really worked hard these days. However, Ru Jin is currently patrolling Shanxi, Chen Di is supervising the construction of Beijing City, and Zhang Yan is in Jiaozhi. They won't be able to come back for a while, so we might as well let the cabinet and the six ministries discuss and select someone from the Shangshu to join the cabinet."
Xie Jin and Yu Xin were in shock, unable to express any objection.
Mei Yin looked at Yang Shiqi and Tie Xuan, and finally focused on Yang Shiqi, thinking:
This person should be in the cabinet!
Since Jianwen ascended the throne, Mei Yin has kept a low profile and lived a stable life. If Xu Huizu hadn't insisted on following the army on the western expedition, Mei Yin would not have been in charge of the Fifth Army Commander's Mansion.
But it is not that Mei Yin, who is outside the imperial court, has not paid attention to the imperial situation. Mei Yin naturally knows that the reform of the Imperial Academy is such a big thing. After all, his eldest son Mei Shunchang is in the Imperial Academy, and Yang Shiqi can handle the huge Imperial supervision. It was well organized and prosperous, and the Imperial College suddenly became a vital institution of higher learning in the Ming Dynasty. Its ability was extraordinary.
Later, Yang Shiqi entered the Ministry of Rites and replaced Huang Guan as the Minister of Rites. This had told all officials that Zhu Yunwen was paving the way for Yang Shiqi, and the direction of this road was to the cabinet.
Mei Yin has dealt with Yang Shiqi and knows that this person is thoughtful, calm and considerate of the overall situation. He is very independent in dealing with problems and does not follow the crowd. Although he has a good personal relationship with Xie Jin and others, when it comes to national affairs, he insists on his own political opinions.
If he can join the cabinet, it will be a huge challenge for Xie Jin and Yu Xin, and it should be a good result for Ming Dynasty. After all, talents are rare.
Tie Xuan also understood that the person who entered the cabinet this time was none other than Yang Shiqi. Although he was the leader of the military department, he was promoted by Zhu Yunwen, but over the years, his work has been focused on military policy, and he did not pay much attention to the handling of government affairs. The most important thing is that the war in the Western Regions is at a critical juncture, and Zhu Yunwen The Ministry of War will not be allowed to mess up its position.
Xia Yuanji just looked at it calmly, without any sadness or joy. Zhu Yunwen said that no matter who is up or down, everyone should make the best use of them. His specialty is handling finances and managing complicated household affairs, not being in the cabinet.
Since it's not my turn and it's not my expertise, in fact
There is no need to care who is in the cabinet. The Ministry of Household Affairs is in charge of money and food. No matter how the cabinet personnel are changed, how should the Ministry of Household Affairs review finances and distribute money and food?
Yu Xin secretly sighed. Yang Shiqi's rise was unstoppable. If he no longer suppressed him, he would definitely have no place in the cabinet in the future.
Xie Jin does not want anyone else to join the cabinet. Each additional person means that the power in his hands is reduced, and his position in Zhu Yunwen's heart is also weakened. If one day Zhu Yunwen thinks that he has no value in staying in the cabinet. , it is very likely that like Huang Zicheng, he will be "assigned" to a small place like Qingzhou and will not be able to turn over for many years.
Fortunately, I saw this scene many years ago. I have a good relationship with Yang Shiqi. It is better for him to enter the cabinet than for others to enter the cabinet. At least Yang Shiqi is a decent person. Even if the Japanese are in trouble, he will not add insult to injury.
Zhu Yunwen temporarily put aside the affairs of the Western Regions and turned his attention to Shandong Qindao, where 6,500 sergeants were already ready, and the northwest wind was blowing. It was time to send troops to Tsushima Island.
"The navy sent an order to Qindao to order Chen Hui to be the chief general, Geng Xuan and Xu An to be deputy generals, Guanghai Guards Liu Zhun and Zhao Chun, Yangjiang Guards Zheng Huai and others to be guerrilla generals to lead troops to suppress the Japanese pirates on Tsushima Island. ! Make decisions on the fly when dealing with combat matters!"
Zhu Yunwen issued the order to send troops.
Mei Yin and Tie Xuan felt relieved.
This war cannot be delayed. The navy officers and soldiers are waiting and watching. When chaos breaks out in the northwest, Ming Dynasty needs to show strength and strength.
Zhu Yunwen looked at Tie Xuan and Mei Yin who were about to leave, and added: "Tell the navy that I don't need Japanese prisoners in the battle against Tsushima."
Tie Xuan and Mei Yin took a deep breath. This order meant that once the war started, no one would be left alive! However, Mei Yin felt that this sentence was a bit redundant. Judging from the vengeful mood of the Guanghai Guards, the Yangjiang Division sergeants, and the navy, it was really unlikely that they would survive.
The minister retreated, and Zhu Yunwen sat in the pavilion, thinking about the events of the past few months.
More than seven months have passed since the army marched westward on February 2. During this period, many problems occurred in the Ming Dynasty.
In March, there were two chieftain rebellions in Guangxi. Zhang Fu made a prompt decision and led his troops to chop off their heads. Men, women, old and young were all included. There were more than 1,800 people in total. The reputation of massacre was completely confirmed.
In April, an incident involving the spread of the White Lotus cult occurred in a lumber camp in Jiangxi. Fortunately, the security bureau discovered it in time, arrested more than 20 people, and showed their heads to the public.
In May, seawater poured in, affecting Huai'an kitchen households, causing nearly 200 casualties.
In June, while transporting grain from the northwest under the scorching heat, a group of people rebelled.
In July, Sichuan chieftains made trouble.
In August, the Jurchen tribes in the northeast were fighting among themselves. There were still a lot of troubles among the Jurchen tribes in the Northeast. More than two hundred people died. They all sent envoys to the Ming Dynasty, hoping that the Ming Dynasty would uphold justice. So Zhu Yunwen asked Yang Wen, the capital secretary of Liaodong, to lead the troops and preside over it.
In mid-September, not long ago, Guo Ying, who was guarding Datong, came to report that Mahamu of Oara had led people to unite with the Tatar ghosts Lichi and Arutai in August and killed Hashiha, who had been wandering.
Although Hashiha died, his son Eseku escaped with some people. There was also news that Mahamu had taken away Hashiha's Yiji, including Yiji and Halguchuk's posthumous son Azhai.
Zhu Yunwen really broke out in a cold sweat for Mahamu. Whoever was by Jiji's side would not live long. Following Halguchuk, Halguchuk was killed by Li Balasa. After buying Li Bala, bought Li Bala died, followed Ha Shiha, the person who dominated Wala, he was considered to be tough enough, but he was killed by Mahamu.
Although Zhu Yunwen didn't really believe in the theory of killing one's fate, this Yanji was really untouchable. Not to mention a Taiji (similar to a prince), a Great Khan, and a King Wala, the deaths of these three people were all related to her to some extent.
If this guy Mahamu takes away Henji, I don’t know how long he can survive...
Zhu Yunwen was very wary of the alliance between Oara and Tatar. It was unclear whether Mahamu, Guilichi and others had abandoned their past feud and started to regroup, or whether it was a simple military cooperation. There was no further news and it was impossible to judge.
No matter what, it must be
Be vigilant about the grasslands to prevent the Oara and Tatars from joining forces to enter the Western Regions and threatening Zhu Di's retreat.
All the complicated things made Zhu Yunwen exhausted.
But behind all the troubles, there have also been some positive changes, which is gratifying.
For example, Beiping City is being constructed in an orderly manner, the entire project management is efficient and effective, and everything is proceeding as expected.
The smooth flow of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal has brought great comprehensive benefits. Due to the benefits of the canal, Tongzhou, Linqing, Xuzhou, Huai'an, Yangzhou and other places have become more prosperous, and commercial taxes have increased significantly.
The construction of concrete roads has received more support. The imperial finance and local finance are all focusing on infrastructure construction. The line from Nanjing to Beiping has been basically connected. The Ming Dynasty not only has water transportation to the north, but also has a solid concrete road that is no longer muddy.
Great progress has also been made in the construction of concrete roads in the northwest, and three concrete cities have been built on the Hexi Corridor to accumulate experience. Now a group of craftsmen have left Jiayuguan and are preparing to go to the Western Regions to build new city gates.
If the Ming Dynasty wants to control the Western Region, Jiayuguan Pass can no longer be the first pass in the world. It will become an inner city pass. As for the outer city pass, it should at least be built near Alashan Pass and the Ili River.
What makes Zhu Yunwen most at ease is this year's harvest. The summer grain harvest is bumper and the autumn grain harvest is bumper. This also gives the Ming Dynasty ship ballast to weather the wind and waves. Although the autumn tax has not yet been collected into the national treasury, the pressure on the court next year will be much less.
After several years of hard work, the stable operation of the central bank, the cooperation of businessmen and extensive publicity, the proportion of silver and copper coins in circulation in the market has been effectively controlled, and the Ming Dynasty Baobao has confirmed its credibility and value.
In places like Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Beiping, Kaifeng and other places, the circulation proportion of Ming Dynasty banknotes has reached 80%. In general cities and towns, it has also reached 50 to 60%. Even in rural areas, it is as much as 40%.
The widespread circulation of treasure banknotes has largely solved the problem of silver and copper panics restricting the economy, and also provided favorable conditions for the further development of commerce. The greatest contribution of the imperial court to the fact that it was able to fight wars, build new capitals, and promote infrastructure without increasing taxes was due to commercial taxes.
Zhu Yunwen retracted his thoughts and sighed. There were too many problems, but the problem that really affected the overall situation was in the Western Region. Before the winner was determined in the Western Region, there were too many variables.
Zhu Di, Zhu Di, don’t let me down.
You want to be the guardian of the Ming Dynasty and the god of war respected by all people. Now is the time to use all your skills to defeat Timur!
