The sun and moon flags are fluttering in the wind, the west wind is strong, and the flags are hunting.
Civil and military officials stood on both sides of the flagpole, waiting for the opening of Fengtian Hall.
Xie Jin and Yu Xin stood at the head of the civil servants, and behind them, Yang Shiqi.
In less than seven years, Yang Shiqi went from being an unknown editor to serving as a minister of the Imperial Academy, minister of the Ministry of Rites, and minister of the Ministry of Rites, and finally entered the cabinet and became a pivotal figure in the imperial court.
Some officials were quite dissatisfied with Yang Shiqi's promotion to the cabinet, believing that he had not shown merit and was not qualified to be in the cabinet. Before Zhu Yunwen could say anything, Yu Xin directly said: "What achievements have you made? Come forward and tell me. If you can compare with Yang Shiqi, how about you be promoted to the cabinet?"
Doesn’t Yang Shiqi have any credit?
No, he does!
Yang Shiqi participated in the compilation of "Records of Taizu", promoted the reform system of the Imperial College, introduced mathematics, medicine, military science, craftsmanship, and business studies into the Imperial College, vigorously promoted new education, and dominated the social studies, county schools, government schools, and Imperial College. Graded education model.
Social studies textbooks, county school textbooks, government school textbooks, and Imperial College textbooks were all organized and arranged by Yang Shiqi. What else is credit for these far-reaching and widespread educational initiatives?
When he served as the Minister of Rites and Minister, Yang Shiqi repeatedly offered suggestions and advocated the big education strategy. Yang Shiqi played the most important role in the prosperity of culture and education in the Ming Dynasty in recent years.
The Southern Expedition, the Western Expedition, moving the capital, recruiting and settling foreign envoys, appointing a prince, etc., which major event did not have Yang Shiqi's wisdom and hard work behind it?
He deserves to be in the cabinet.
The door of Fengtian Palace slowly opened, and hundreds of officials entered the palace.
Zhu Yunwen came from the sound of ritual music and sat on the dragon chair. He glanced at the crowd majestically and said solemnly: "Let's do it in peace."
Thanks to all the officials.
Yu Xin left the mission and said: "Your Majesty, I have received a report from the Chief Envoy of Sichuan. There are salt wells in Jianwei County of Jiading Prefecture (Leshan), which can be used to mine decoction salt. The local people mine it privately. They bring in 100,000 jins of salt every year and sell it for profit. Because of his participation, With more than a thousand households and thousands of people involved, the Chief Envoy did not dare to make a decision, so he specially requested to report to the imperial court."
Salt is subject to a monopoly system. People have the right to eat salt, but they have no right to fry it themselves, let alone sell it.
Since Hongwu, the most important ones in the Ming Dynasty were the Lianghuai Salt Fields and the Liangzhe Salt Fields. Although Sichuan salt was also available, the quantity was not large, and sometimes salt had to be transported from other places.
In the past two years, the Ming Dynasty has continued to open mines. Coal mines, iron mines, and copper mines have been opened. As they continue to open, drilling and deep excavation technologies have been advanced. These technologies have entered Sichuan under the guidance of craftsmen, and salt wells have been opened. Technology advanced by leaps and bounds, which led to the creation of Qianwei County.
Although salt wells also appeared in Chengdu and Jianzhou during the Hongwu Period, large-scale mass production was never achieved due to limitations of cementing technology and deep excavation technology. The emergence of salt wells in Qianwei County has solved these problems.
Of course, this is also related to the widespread use of coal. Coal is used to fry salt in Sichuan.
Regarding this matter, Zhu Yunwen did not pursue it, but was happy to see the result: "The output of salt decoction in salt wells is high, which can be said to be a great joy. It can solve the salt shortage in the southwest and solve the transportation difficulty. It is a convenient thing." , why bother punishing the people? In my opinion, the chief ministers of Sichuan and Yunnan can encourage the people to dig salt wells and not set up kitchen households, but the salt produced should be converted into salt and sold to the government, banks, and merchants, and cannot be used privately. Sell."
Yu Xin smiled happily and said: "Since then, the local people have had another way of making a living, Your Majesty is wise."
Zhu Yun nodded: "Continue to play."
As soon as Yu Xing retreated to the class, Xia Yuanji, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, came out: "Your Majesty, according to the regulations of the imperial court, the chieftains in Guangxi, Yunnan, Huguang, Guizhou and other places should pay the summer tax in full. However, the Ministry of Revenue will pay the summer tax in July. It has been three months since I sent out documents to urge various places. The chieftains of Guangxi, Yunnan, and Huguang have already paid the summer tax after hearing the order. However, in Guizhou, the local chieftain disobeyed the order and refused to give money or food. Please pay attention to it."
Zhu Yunwen frowned and refused to give money or food or listen to orders. This was a sign that he wanted to cause trouble.
Mei Yin walked out and said with a cold face: "Your Majesty, although Guizhou has not changed its land, it is still under the jurisdiction of the Ming Dynasty. The local chieftains surrendered to the imperial court and should be given sufficient money and food. If left alone, Guangxi, Yunnan, Huguang Chieftains from other places will surely follow suit. I request an order to command Shi Gucheng, the capital of Guizhou, to lead troops to suppress him!"
Before Xia Yuanji could object, Jian Yi, the official minister, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please don't use the army."
Zhu Yunwen looked at Jian Yi.
Jian Yi solemnly said: "Right now, the imperial court is deploying troops in the Western Regions, building concrete roads, and building a new capital. The people are already exhausted. It is winter at this time and the people need to rest. If they rashly recruit the people and start a war again, wouldn't it be wrong?" It will put more pressure on the people. By then, the chieftain's affairs have not been settled, and there will be another turmoil. I ask the emperor to think twice."
Mei Yin asked back: "Is it possible that the imperial court wants to turn a blind eye to the Guizhou chieftain's affairs and let him do whatever he wants?"
Jian Yi shook his head: "We can't just sit idly by and watch what happened to the chieftain of Guizhou. It's just that the chieftain of Guizhou has always obeyed orders. If he suddenly rebels, there must be something hidden. Your Majesty, please send officials to go deep into the chieftain and investigate clearly. If it is true that the chieftain wants to rebel, we should If you move a large army, move it. If there is another reason, you should give justice to the chieftain and not rush to raise troops."
Xie Jin left the team: "I second the proposal."
Yu Xin, Yang Shiqi and others also stood up to support Jian Yi.
Zhu Yunwen had no choice, because due to the war in the Western Region and the construction of the new capital, no less than 800,000 people were recruited. If troops are launched again in Guizhou, it will inevitably cause the local chieftains to unite. It is difficult to say how big the war will be. If there was a big war, a lot of people would be needed to back it up, but it would be difficult for the court to support a big war.
We can only press this matter and wait for the dust of the war in the Western Region to settle.
"According to Jian Shangshu's words, we will investigate first and then make a decision." After Zhu Yunwen gave the order, he felt that something was missing and added: "Order Zhang Fu to train troops in Qingyuan Prefecture."
Yu Xin, Yang Shiqi and others were secretly surprised. Zhu Yunwen was making two preparations.
Qingyuan Prefecture is in the north of Guangxi, only five hundred miles away from Guiyang in Guizhou. It can be reached within five days by a quick march. However, with Zhang Fu's reputation, this battle will either not be fought or it will not last long...
While the courtiers were discussing matters, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall. Security Bureau commander Shi Liu Changge led eighteen red feather messengers to stand outside the hall, and Liu Changge asked to see him.
After Zhu Yunwen heard this, he felt a little nervous. Liu Changge knew the priorities. If there were no urgent matters, he would not come to the court to make an announcement. Just when he wanted Liu Changge to enter the palace, he heard loud gongs and drums outside the palace. There were sounds of joy.
Liu Changge also couldn't wait for permission. He stood outside the main hall and was so angry that he said: "Your Majesty, a great victory in the northwest. The army attacked Timur's vanguard army in Qamdo and killed 40,000 elite cavalry!"
Zhu Yunwen, who was sitting on the dragon chair, heard the loud voice, and the minister of civil and military affairs also heard the heroic words!
"Let him come in and talk!"
Zhu Yunwen shouted quickly.
Liu Changge entered the palace, hurriedly saluted, and shouted again: "Congratulations to Your Majesty, Congratulations to Your Majesty, a great victory in the first battle, the formation killed 40,000 people!"
"Where is the messenger?"
"Just outside the temple."
"Enter the palace quickly!"
Zhu Yunwen was very excited and his face was a little rosy.
Jie Jin, Yu Xin, Yang Shiqi, Tie Xuan, Mei Yin and other civil servants and generals were even more happy after hearing this!
Eighteen Zhengxi sergeants entered the hall and saluted.
Zhu Yunwen looked at the tired-looking sergeant and asked, "How is the battle ahead? Where are the documents?"
Sun Feng, the leader of the flag general, took out Zhu Di's document from his arms and raised it respectfully over his head: "Your Majesty, a great victory was achieved in Qamdo. Forty thousand fine cavalry were killed in the formation, and Timur's grandson Harry was captured! The army conquering the west is completely victorious!"
"Great victory!"
"What a great victory!"
Xie Jin was excited. With this victory, the pressure on the court suddenly eased a lot. This was undoubtedly a huge encouragement for the court in the troubled times!
Xia Yuanji breathed a deep sigh of relief. Zhu Di won the battle, and the army conquered the west. The Ministry of Household Affairs would be able to support it to the end. He was most afraid that the war would reach a stalemate. Ming Dynasty could not help Timur, and Timur could not do anything to Ming Dynasty. .
After all, although Timur was not short on logistics, it was much more convenient and faster for them to drive horses, cattle and sheep than it was for Ming to push a cart. Once it fell into a stalemate, it would be difficult for Ming Dynasty to bear it.
Fortunately, Zhu Di fought a brilliant battle and not only defeated Timur's 40,000 elite vanguard army, but also captured Harry alive! Okay, this shows that Timur's army is not invincible, and the decisive battle will not last long. Ming Dynasty hopes to completely control the Western Region in the spring.
Once you take control of the Western Region, you can set up guard posts, farm and open up wasteland, and the logistical pressure will naturally decrease. I heard from Zhu Yunwen that the land in the Western Region is rich in oil and can also grow cotton on a large scale. If a large amount of cotton can be produced there, the winter cotton-padded clothes and quilts of the army there will no longer need to be shipped from the mainland, and it can also feed back the crops in the Hexi Corridor. land.
Tie Xuan couldn't stop clapping his hands, his face glowing red, and he said "ok" three times in a row. Zhu Di won the battle, and the Ministry of War was proud of it. After all, Liu Jun, Yang Rong, etc. are all representatives of the Ministry of War, and they all have military merits. As Minister of the Ministry of War, I have plans to reward them based on their merits in the future. of merit.
Mei Yin nodded repeatedly. Zhu Di was worthy of being Taizu's son. He inherited Taizu's bravery and genius military ability. It was indeed an excellent choice for him to lead the army on the expedition.
only……
Mei Yin looked at Zhu Yunwen and thought to himself: Emperor Jianwen, how should you reward Zhu Di when he comes back? He is King Yan, the head of the vassal kings, and your fourth uncle. With his great achievements, you are not worried about him?
Zhu Yunwen carefully read Zhu Di's documents and recorded the entire process of the Qamdo La battle in detail. Seeing that Xu Huizu was injured, his heart tightened. He saw that Yang Rongdu charged and his blood boiled. He saw the deadly battle of the guards when Harry escaped. , I can’t help but sigh at the strength of these people.
However, Harry lost and Ming won.
This is the result, the indisputable result!
Zhu Yunwen needs this victory and this shot of cardiotonic!
Over the past six months, all kinds of problems have hit me, suppressing me like a mountain, so that I began to doubt the strategy of plotting the Western Region, and began to think about whether this strategy could be realized.
Now, I am convinced that the Western Region Strategy will definitely be realized!
Harry was defeated, but Ming did not use his most powerful card.
Timur is here, and the final showdown is about to take place! No, maybe this decisive battle has already begun. Timur will definitely not sit back and watch his defeat. He will have more desire to attack. He will use the victory of the war to prove his greatness.
But he will no longer be great, because what he encountered was the great Ming Dynasty's Western Conquest Army!
Zhu Yunwen was overjoyed and issued an edict: "I ordered Guanglu Temple to prepare a banquet. I want to celebrate with all the officials! In addition, spread the news to every corner of the Ming Dynasty! Let all the sergeants and people know the power of the Ming Dynasty sergeants. Spread to Nanyang, North Korea, and the West, and let everyone know that the Ming army is so powerful that those who follow it will prosper, and those who go against it will perish!"
Make public!
awesomeness!
Zhu Yunwen planned to use the victory of this battle to tell everyone that there is only one protagonist in this era, and that is Ming Dynasty.