Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 220 The emperor has a sleeve, and the National University is in charge

Annan's problem is not only about the stability of the Southwest, but also the obstacles that Daming cotton cloth needs to clear to enter the Indochina Peninsula, so now it is time to start conquering Annan.

Although Xu Qiong, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, and others were indignant at what Annan had done these years, they couldn't help but thump in their hearts when they heard that Zhu Youtang was going to use troops against Annan.

If you win the battle, you will have an extra piece of wild land to manage. If you lose the battle, you will probably cause endless troubles.

That's why, even though they had already pledged their allegiance to the superior emperor before them, they still didn't want to cause trouble by conquering Annan.

"Your Majesty, today's Ming Dynasty should focus on stability. It is not appropriate to waste money and harm the people's prosperity and war. Please take it back!" Liu Jian frowned involuntarily, and immediately stood up to dissuade him.

Wu Yu, the right servant of the household department, saw that Liu Jian was going to stop him, so he even frowned.

Even though Xu Qiong, Minister of Rites and other officials knew that the emperor in front of him was unlikely to be dissuaded, seeing Liu Jian stand up, they still couldn't help feeling hopeful.

Zhu Youtang knew that some things can be discussed slowly by them, but some things need to be decided by himself, so he immediately expressed his position and said: "I am not discussing with you! Not to mention that Annan is warlike, making Indochina Peninsula Champa and other vassal states The people in the southwest of our Ming Dynasty were slaughtered, the pearl fishing boat was looted by the officers and soldiers of the Li Dynasty, and the treasure of the Ming Dynasty, the King of Nanzhu, fell into the hands of the Annan royal family. The Ming Dynasty can be generous to the world, but those who dare to offend my strong Ming... ...Even if you are far away, you will be killed!"

In the end, these four words bite very hard.

The tea girl's delicate body trembled slightly, her beautiful eyes turned to look at Zhu Youtang with a bit of infatuation.

"Those who offend my strong will be punished even if they are far away?"

Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and others heard Zhu Youtang's tough statement, and the worry about the unknown just now disappeared suddenly, but a sense of pride was born spontaneously.

Perhaps, this is the most suitable emperor.

When faced with differences in national affairs, Zhu Youtang can stand up and lead everyone with a strong attitude, and then move forward together in a certain direction.

After all, an emperor needs a leader after all, and Zhu Youtang is simply a born leader.

"Annan's subordinates should be punished for committing crimes!"

"How can the people of Ming Dynasty die innocently? Annan must pay in blood!"

"The majestic China is so powerful that it shakes the world, and there is no reason for Li's thieves to seize our treasures!"

……

After dispelling the worries in their hearts, officials such as Shangshu Du Ming of the Ministry of Punishment immediately planned to follow in Zhu Youtang's footsteps, and they all expressed their opinions authentically.

"The court is full of courtiers, a sign of the country's subjugation!"

Liu Jian, the left servant of the Ministry of Rites, saw that Du Ming and other officials expressed their support, but the peace he advocated was isolated and helpless, so he couldn't help cursing secretly in his heart.

It's just that in the face of this emperor who made a strong statement, even if he can be regarded as the status of the emperor's teacher, he has long been unable to stand against Zhu Youtang.

Zhu Youtang saw that almost all the officials present echoed his decision to go to war, so he said with a final word: "The Ming Dynasty has decided to conquer Annan, and there is no need to discuss this matter again. My dear ministers, please discuss how to use generals and prepare for war."

Although the emperor himself can finalize the war against Annan, but how to implement it, in fact, he still needs to come up with an effective plan.

In particular, Annan is not considered a small country, and the Li Dynasty has always had a regular army of [-].Now that Ming Dynasty wants to conquer Annan, it is natural to treat it with caution, and it is necessary to formulate a military strategy in advance.

"Your Majesty, the commander-in-chief is the most important thing in the army! I think this time I can follow the example of Emperor Taizong and send the British Duke to lead the army! Today, the British Duke Zhang Mao inspected riding and shooting in Xiyuan in the early years. He scored three times in a row, which shows that his riding and shooting skills have already been achieved. Dingxing Wang’s legacy, the old minister thought that this time the British Duke Zhang Mao could take the blame for the expedition!” Lu Wen, the left servant of the Ministry of War, followed the past practice, and immediately recommended Zhang Mao, the only remaining British Duke in the capital.

Unlike the crazy Dingguo Duke and the abolished Cheng Guogong, now the British Duke Zhang Mao lives at home, but he is the best of the three major Dukes in the capital.

The Ming Dynasty has always had a tradition of emphasizing martial arts, especially in major military operations, the court usually appointed the Duke of the State as the commander.

The British Duke Zhang Fu's four expeditions to Annan have achieved satisfactory results, but it has added a mysterious color to the British Duke's lineage, and even revealed a bit of metaphysics.

Looking at the current Wu Xun members of Ming Dynasty, it is undoubtedly the British Duke Zhang Mao who is the most suitable candidate for Wu Xun to lead the army to conquer Annan.

"I object!" Wu Yu, the right servant of the household department, showed the enthusiasm of the young officials, and objected clearly: "Although the British public Zhang Mao is of high status, he is also the queen of King Dingxing, but he has never left Beijing to lead the army. How can he lead the army?" Hundreds of thousands of troops? How can they be qualified for such important positions?"

Huh?
Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and other officials turned their heads to look at Wu Yu, and found that it was really a newborn calf who was not afraid of tigers, and dared to say such offensive words.

"The British family has a strict family style. They have been familiar with the art of war since they were young, and they are good at riding and shooting. They have been in the Chinese military governor's mansion for many years. How can they not imitate King Xing's courage?"

Wu Yu, the right servant of the household department, knew that Wu Xun was no longer useful, and he still firmly objected: "Liu Shilang, whether the British Duke Zhang Mao has the courage to rejuvenate the king is just your own groundless speculation! Today, Ming Dynasty will use troops against Annan. If someone who has never led an army goes out to fight, and I am the first to object, I believe His Majesty will not agree!"

It's just that when he said the last sentence, everyone turned their heads to look at Zhu Youtang in unison, and at the same time realized that Wu Yu was probably right.

After Zhu Youtang ascended the throne, the new emperor changed his practice of controlling the Twelve Capital Camps through Wu Xun, and instead chose to kick the entire Wu Xun Group out of the Beijing Camp.

Now Wu Xun, including the British Duke Zhang Mao, has no military power, and Wu Xun's status can be said to have come to a freezing point, and all of this was done by Zhu Youtang.

Although Zhu Youtang unconventionally used Xu Shiying, the son of Duke Dingguo, as the governor of the East China Sea, the main reason why Xu Shiying was favored was that Xu Shiying had bound trade in growing cotton and building weaving factories.

That's the case, now that the army is going to be handed over to Zhang Mao, a British public who has never led an army, and Zhang Mao is still a Wu Xun who has committed a crime, it is unlikely that this person in front of him will agree.

With a trace of disdain in the corner of Zhu Youtang's mouth, Dang even asked indifferently: "Is there no other candidate besides British Duke?"

Because he is condescending, he can see everyone's expressions in his eyes, and his eyes glanced at his official minister.

"Your Majesty, Wang Yue, Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, can take on this important task! Wang Yue is currently the best candidate for both his prestige in the army and his ability to lead the army!" Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, knew that Zhu Youtang relied heavily on officials in personnel matters. Ministry, immediately stood up and recommended to live up to the trust.

After hearing about this candidate, officials such as Shangshu Du Ming knew that there was no suspense.

If you put aside Wang Yue's prejudice of befriending eunuchs, Wang Yue's military ability has already been proven, and he is indeed the best candidate for the coach this time.

"Wang Yue complained about the court's benevolence when he wrote poems back then. If the court grants him military power, he may cause Lu Bu's worries. Please think twice!" Zhang Hai, the right servant of the Ministry of War, gritted his teeth, and immediately stood up to oppose with a clear-cut stand.

Zhang Hai was born in a noble family in Dezhou. He was admitted as a Jinshi in the second year of Chenghua. He was first awarded the household department to Shizhong. .

After the death of Emperor Chenghua, Xu Pu directly promoted Zhang Hai from Yunnan to Beijing, and recently he was successfully promoted to the position of the right servant of the Ministry of War.It's just that once Wang Yue is reused in this way, it will undoubtedly be unfavorable to his situation.

Because of this, he and Wang Yue were destined to be in hostile camps, so he wanted to prevent Wang Yue from being the commander-in-chief of the Southern Expedition Army.

"Zhang Shilang, poetry is just a game. Poetry is nothing more than someone trying to judge a gentleman's belly with a villain's heart! Today Wang Yue has the talent to lead the army, and people are in the land of Guangdong and Guangxi. Do you want to carry out all kinds of suspicions?" Wu Yu, the right servant of the household department, regarded Wang Yue as an idol, and Dang even stood up to refute it.

"Wu Shilang, there are so many talents in the Ming Dynasty, why should Wang Yue be the only one?" Zhang Hai deliberately belittled Wang Yue, and immediately asked with disdain.

Wu Yu found out that this was just deliberately finding fault here, but before he could argue, Du Ming, the Minister of Criminal Affairs next to him, had already expressed his position: "Zhang Shilang, the court has rehabilitated Wang Yue, are you questioning the court's trial? Now Wang Yue has repeatedly made extraordinary achievements, but you still want His Majesty to be so suspicious of Wang Yue, why do you care?"

"Your official... I know my mistake!" Zhang Hai realized that he had made a logical error, and that throwing dirty water like this would offend the Ministry of Punishment, so he chose to admit his mistake.

Li Yu, Minister of the Household Department, and others had already seen through the thoughts of the right servant of the Ministry of War, but they couldn't help shaking their heads slightly.

This person is still adhering to the old way, but he thinks that as long as he splashes dirty water madly, the emperor will not dare to use it.It's just that this person seems to have forgotten, who defied all opinions to revive Wang Yue, and who gave Wang Yue the greatest support.

Wang Yue was able to cut from west to east, and from north to south. In fact, it was inseparable from Zhu Youtang's trust in him. Thanks to the right servant of the Ministry of War, he thought he could get eye medicine.

Zhu Youtang didn't like this Zhang Hai who was the right servant of the Ministry of War without any military achievements, but this court could not be too harmonious after all, so he responded lightly to Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials: "The people recommended by the Ministry of Officials are very suitable. I agree, then let Wang Yue lead the battle!"

"Your Majesty is holy!" Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, led his two deputies, and immediately said respectfully.

"Your Majesty, the old minister wants to recommend another person!" Wan An usually chose to remain silent, but now he suddenly spoke.

Zhu Youtang had already sat back in front of the tea table, picked up the hot tea he had just brewed and said calmly, "Mr. Wange, who do you want to recommend?"

"If the imperial court puts Wang Yue in command, the veteran thinks that the eunuch Wang Zhi, the eunuch guarding Nanjing, will be the supervisor of the army as Xuanfu and Datong did in the past. I wonder what your Majesty thinks?" Wan An knew the importance of a partner, so he immediately recommended Wang Zhidao .

This……

Zhang Hai couldn't help swallowing and spitting, feeling even more afraid of Wang Zhi.

After all, Wang Zhi was once the factory supervisor in charge of the West Factory. If Wang Zhi came back to use again, how could he have his own good fruit?It's just that he didn't have the courage to oppose the candidate recommended by the dignified chief assistant.

Although the status of the cabinet has declined now, Wan An is the current chief assistant of the cabinet after all. Not only are his disciples and old officials all over the court, but he is also favored by the emperor.

That's exactly the case, this is a big man I can't afford to provoke, and I dare not jump out to stop him at all.

Zhu Youtang blew on the hot tea, took a sip, and then asked the important officials present: "My dear friends, Wang Zhi will supervise the army, and Wang Yue will also serve as the commander in chief. Do you have any objections to this arrangement?"

If it is said that Wang Yue's arrangement is the candidate he has already decided on, and now with Wang Zhi acting as the supervisor, this arrangement is undoubtedly in line with his own wishes.

Although later generations are deliberately belittling Wang Zhi's character and talent, Wang Zhi is not weak in military affairs, and can even be said to be Wang Yue's strongest assistant.

"I have no objection, Your Majesty is wise!" Li Yu and other officials knew that this was the strongest military combination, so they even expressed their support.

Zhu Youtang took a sip of tea, and then said with a final word: "Since everyone agrees, let's arrange it like this. The cabinet drafts an order to appoint two people!"

"Your servants will abide by the decree!" Wan An and Liu Ji have been in charge of drafting the imperial decree, and even if they express their views authentically.

Zhu Youtang gently put down the teacup, and made a pause gesture to the glamorous tea girl.

The tea girl knew that her work today might end here, she just wanted to be able to serve this man all the time, bowing down and kneeling in a respectful manner, only to wait for the emperor to be lucky for her one day.

Zhu Youtang came back to the guardrail of the attic, and his eyes fell directly on Li Si, the Minister of the Household Department, and said: "A few days ago, Wang Yue continued to play, and there was a gap between the Changping warehouses of the four prefectures in western Guangdong, which was mainly caused by the lawlessness of the previous magistrates! Now, please issue additional Guangdong Salt Citations, so that the Guangdong salt trade area goes north to the various prefectures of Changsha, so that the Cantonese salt merchant Zhongyan will set up a new southwestern warehouse! Ministry of Households, will this method solve the problem of military rations?"

"Your Majesty, the Household Department has already gathered a discussion. Wang Yue's method is very subtle. It will surely strengthen the southwest warehouse to support the army!" Li Si, Minister of the Household Department, came out and expressed his opinion on behalf of the entire Household Department.

Now the status of the six ministries of the new dynasty has been significantly improved, but the powers and responsibilities of the six ministries are more clearly defined, so the requirements for their professionalism are obviously higher.

"The Ministry of Household Affairs will come up with a set of implementation plans as soon as possible, build a southwest warehouse in Leizhou to open the Chinese and French grain supply, and consolidate the southwest warehouse for military supplies!" Zhu Youtang said after knowing that Wang Yue's plan was feasible.

Originally, the sales area of ​​Huaiyan Salt was not scientifically divided, especially in the Huguang provinces adjacent to Guangdong, where it is more convenient to eat Guangdong salt. Now that the problem of military rations in the Southwest can be solved, it is natural to implement the optimal plan.

As for whether Wang Yue had some selfish intentions in the redesignation of the salt area, this is actually a matter that does not need to be too concerned, as long as everything is moving in the direction of development.

"The ministers are waiting to receive the decree!" Li Si, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, led the two servants and said respectfully.

Zhu Youtang put one hand on the guardrail, looked at Xu Qiong, Minister of Rites on the right, and said, "Xu Qing!"

"The minister is here!" Xu Ming, Minister of Rites, immediately knelt down and responded.

Zhu Youtang's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he said lightly: "The Ministry of Rites has drafted a call to action, ordering the Li Dynasty to return all the land occupied by the Li Dynasty to other vassal states in addition to the crimes against the Li Dynasty!"

After all, this is an era of etiquette and law. Now if you want to conquer Annan, you need to explain clearly the reasons for the conquest, and even explain their strategic goals.

The military goal this time is not to expand the territory, but to severely damage Annan, and at the same time reshape the new situation in the Indochina Peninsula and create a vassal state system belonging to the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, to achieve this political goal, it is necessary to severely damage Annan's [-] troops militarily.

"The minister waits for the decree!" Xu Qiong, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, knew that it was time for their Ministry of Rites to show their writing skills, and immediately led the two servants respectfully and authentically.

Zhu Youtang took a deep breath, looked down at the important ministers present and said, "I know that some of you still don't want to start a war, but this war is not because I am warlike, but because since Daming is the kingdom of heaven, We must have the responsibility of a big country! Those who bully our people should be punished; those who seize our feudal lords should be cut down; the Li Dynasty has committed all kinds of crimes, how can there be no reason not to fight? The Li Dynasty is not a scourge, it is actually a land in the southwestern border! Taizong can conquer it, and I believe that with the joint efforts of our monarchs and ministers, we will be able to eliminate this great harm for the people of the world, and the holy light of the Ming feudal lord will shine on the entire Indo-China Peninsula!"

This crusade against the Li Dynasty is not the purpose, the whole attempt is to promote the Ming Dynasty's prestige through tough military means, and then re-establish the vassal service relationship with the forces on the Indochina Peninsula.

"Your Majesty is holy!" Facing Zhu Youtang's announcement of the reason for the war again, Li Yu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and other officials also responded with interest.

Zhu Youtang saw that the arrangements had been made, so he walked towards the stairs on the north side and said, "The servant of the six departments, step down!"

Although the six ministers can participate in the highest meeting, Zhu Youtang will usually send the six ministers away if it involves the top secrets of the country, and only the ministers and cabinet ministers can continue to discuss here.

In the current Ming court, the gold content of the six ministers has actually declined. In particular, if the minister wants to be promoted to a minister, he needs to transition to the local governor.

But they are not unwilling, after all, some of the six ministers were super-relocated, and it is already a great gift for them to be able to participate in the supreme meeting.

"The ministers and others will retire, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" Wu Yu, the right servant of the household department, and others knew that they could no longer participate in the discussion, so they retired respectfully.

When Zhu Youtang walked down the stairs, he ordered lightly: "Hang up the map!"

"Obey!" Han Niu, who had been waiting at the stairs, hastily took out the map drawn earlier, and then hung the map on the central wall.

Due to the shortage of ministers of the Ministry of War, there are now two elders and five ministers present, which can be regarded as the core group of seven in the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, is this Annan's map? Isn't it drawn too finely?" Li Si, Minister of the Household Department, came to the front of the wall to examine the map that had just been hung up, and said in disbelief.

(End of this chapter)