In the days that followed, Zhu Zaiqi remembered that his excitement about going to Dongying to be the lord of the country began to change from that night.

The twenty-third year of Jiajing, that is, the twenty-seventh day of the lunar month of 2385 after the change of A.D.

That night, his father was still teaching him and his two brothers how to govern the country, and finally the military situation was urgently reported to the palace, which made his father's expression solemn.

Not long after, Prime Minister Yang Shen and the state ministers, the new military chief of staff Mao Bowen, Guo Xun, Lu Bing, Cui Yuan, Yu Chengye and other important ministers all entered the palace.

And he and his brothers were not ordered to leave first, but sat on the chairs on the side of the main hall of the Qianqing Palace, listening to his father and the ministers discuss military affairs.

There was a charcoal fire burning in the main hall, and it was very warm.

But Zhu Zaiqi's heart was a little cold.

After a lapse of ten years, the north captive Koubian.

From Hetao Yin Pass in the west, to Xuanning Dashawo in the east, Mengyuan has a three-way army of nearly 50,000 horsemen.

"It's a country that doesn't levy! The hundred-legged insect is broken but not kicked, the northern plague has not been removed, and now the Tartar is waiting for the king to go deep into the east, and the grain road is blocked and long, this is just the beginning! ”

The Prime Minister and Minister of State suddenly became unstable and could not help but complain.

Zhu Zaiqi glanced at his father.

The Tartars who have been driven away don't need to be so nervous, right? Now in the Eastern Expedition, only the Jiliao Border Army, the Beijing Battalion, and the Haishi are moving, and the Hetao and Xuanning Border Armies are fully staffed.

However, the General Staff of Military Affairs said solemnly: "The minister also thinks that this must be just the beginning. I have been dormant for more than ten years, and now I suddenly sent troops, and the border army sentry cavalry and the external inspection factory did not notice it, which shows that the plan is thorough. Not only in the north, but also in the north, his son Shahan is not a smart lord who can stabilize! ”

"The death of the Korean Li family has been removed from the country, and the news has passed for more than a year, and it has also spread all over the domains." Huang Zuo also opened his mouth, "I'm afraid, I'm afraid, this time I also colluded with many vassal countries to cause chaos together." Years have come to an end since the Convention was concluded. Can we establish diplomatic relations with China, and what will be our future fate...... If I had answered with a clever tongue, no one would have taken risks. ”

Zhu Zaiqi finally understood a little now: it turned out that he took advantage of the Ming Dynasty's Eastern Expedition to incite many vassal states to make trouble together, and wanted the Ming Dynasty to go on like this?

Yang Shen said categorically: "Although the Ming Dynasty is rich and strong, it must not be able to start a war on several sides!" In today's situation, the expedition to Dongying has been gained, and at most it will take the island of Kyushu. It's time to prepare to suppress the feudal domains, and Dongying will slowly plan it! ”

Outside the Qianqing Palace, there is the sound of wind and snow.

Zhu Houxi never spoke.

This is not surprising, strategically considered, since the Ming Dynasty has begun the labor expedition, this moment is naturally the best opportunity.

No matter how rich and powerful a country is, it is difficult to cope with the predicament on several fronts.

What's more, looking at the posture of more than 40,000 troops divided into three ways, it is obvious that they are not prepared to defeat the Ming Dynasty seriously, but to contain and consume it.

It seems that if you are ready, I will retreat if you advance, and I will disturb if you guard me.

If you really want to contain the consumption, in the normal state, I am afraid that it will be easier for me to consume myself first. But what if the Ming Dynasty still has to deal with the military needs of the Eastern Expedition and fires on all sides?

In whatever name, the Lee dynasty of Joseon was finally overthrown, and the new ruler was surnamed Zhu. Although the Ryukyu Kingdom was destroyed by Dongying, the current lord of the country is also surnamed Zhu. So what will the other feudal clans think?

"Tell the sides."

Zhu Houxi finally opened his mouth: "First guard the border forts, don't be greedy for merit and pursue." Spread the current situation clearly, let them know that the court needs to look at the movements of the feudal domains again before making a decision. ”

Mao Bowen frowned: "Your Majesty, if this is the case, I am afraid that there are still some border generals who will really provoke." When the war starts, the military supplies cannot be stopped. ”

Yang Shen only felt a little dizzy, but he chose not to speak first, but looked at the emperor.

Zhu Houxi just looked at Guo Xun and his important ministers of the five governments: "How effective is the military reform, and whether it can be banned or not, for the generals now, this time is a test." It doesn't take too long, since there is a movement, if it is really secretly said that a lot of allies have been moved, there should be actions one after another. ”

"Your Majesty, please order the generals, and allow the ministers and others to go to the border area to stabilize the overall situation!" Guo Xun immediately expressed his position, even though he was very old.

At this moment, it was the generals who suddenly asked for their lives.

This kind of posture, like to suppress the bottom will not be moved lightly, just hold it first?

Will it become a wild horse if you go?

Zhu Houxi nodded: "Okay!" In addition to the southeast, the right governor of the four prefectures each led 500 Beijing battalion pacesetters to the border area. ”

"Your Majesty!" Yang Shen felt that he couldn't help but speak, so he left his seat and knelt down, "Your Majesty should make it clear to all parties!" It's not that you can't be greedy for merit to pursue, and it's not that you can't make a decision based on the movements of the vassals! Before the end of the Eastern Crusade, the imperial court can no longer move which side! ”

Zhu Houxi shook his head: "Otherwise! Previously, it was discussed how to lure the snake out of the hole and find an opportunity to eradicate the northern trouble. Now I think there is an opportunity, this is just right! After North Korea and Dongying have gained a firm foothold, they will complete the delivery of a batch of military supplies next year, and they will be able to be self-sufficient in war first. Worry about financial planning with repairs? ”

"Food can't be changed! If it is true that all the feudal domains move together, the border trade will be greatly reduced, and the people and merchants may also be in chaos. Has Your Majesty forgotten about Cheng Guogong, Xianning Hou and others? ”

Yang Shen changed back to the bitter appearance of a mother-in-law, hoping that Zhu Houxi would consider it carefully.

After all, now listening to the emperor's meaning, he wants to do it.

Zhu Zaiqi listened a little at a loss: If this is the case, could it be that the affairs of the Eastern Expedition to the Japanese Kingdom can only be done in half?

If the Ming Dynasty was to deal with its rivals on land and other vassal states, it would indeed have to be left and right.

"The thieves have lost their conscience, and the northern captives also miss the fertile soil of the Central Plains! Both of these are the enemies that China must eliminate! Zhu Houxi said very firmly, "What we need to do now is to identify the new situation and discuss how to turn the crisis into an opportunity!" The Ming Dynasty is no longer the Ming Dynasty of the past. If they are embarrassed and competing with each other, it is good for the Chinese people to know that if it were not for the rich and strong soldiers of the Ming Dynasty, how many enemies would want to share and eat it! ”

"Your Majesty, if it were the same as a few years ago, everyone would not be in danger!"

Zhu Houxi's eyes were wrong this time, and he stared at Yang Shen.

The atmosphere in the Qianqing Palace was suppressed.

Although Yang Shen has always been known for daring to advise, these words are a question of the general direction that the emperor has adhered to over the years.

The Emperor always seems to be able to tolerate him, but at this point, is it still the case?

Indeed, with the strength of the Ming Dynasty, if you don't consider plotting against the vassal domains now, then you will go on in peace and stability. Border trade, propaganda and diplomatic relations, the Celestial Empire is in the middle, and the vassals are submitted, how can the Ming Dynasty say that there will be dozens or hundreds of years of peace, right?

Yan Song, who had never spoken, spoke at this time: "Your Majesty, the general assistant is for national affairs, and he has been diligent and never slack off for many years. Now that the danger is suddenly emerging, the general assistant is not because of the current difficulties, lest the Ming Dynasty be burdened by the war, and the prosperous world will end up with a reckless army. General Assistant, Your Majesty's plan for the country is far-reaching and ambitious, haven't these issues been discussed over and over again over the years? Why should you be stimulated by the border feelings now? ”

Between the emperor and his de facto prime minister, Yan Song looks like a peacemaker. On the one hand, he reminded the emperor that the general assistant was also excellent; On the one hand, he reminded the prime minister that the reason for this had not been discussed a long time ago? Don't lose your temper.

But as the "prime minister", can he lose his temper so easily in front of the emperor?

He said that the great prosperity ended up in a reckless army, didn't he secretly poke and accuse Yang Shen of slandering His Majesty in his heart?

Huang Zuo couldn't help but look at Yan Song: This old guy ...... Don't you think that the position of the chief assistant is close at hand?

Zhu Houxi withdrew his gaze from Yang Shen's face and sat on the throne without saying a word.

Even though they were deeply influenced by his "new ideas", these important ministers who were most familiar with him on a daily basis could not fully understand the necessity of many of his decisions, or at least not the necessity of some of them.

His son was sitting not far away, and Zhu Houxi couldn't hope that he, his son, and grandson would be able to do something consistently in the future.

For example, Dongying.

This time, although the Japanese thieves did the slaughter of the Ryukyus, they have not yet shown their covetous heart and strength for China.

That's because they were weak and far away before.

Even if he claims to be the "emperor", on the side of the real Celestial Empire, the officials and gentry are nothing more than ridiculing a monkey.

However, the defeat of the invincible Mengyuan Eastern Expedition has actually nurtured their pride, making them think that the strong clans of the mainland are actually nothing more than that.

It's said that Yoro is arrogant, and it's good to say anything. However, after they eliminated some "heroes" from this "Warring States" era, they really had the ambition of first seizing Korea and then trying to win China, and they put it into practice.

Although he still didn't get any benefits in the face of the exhausted Daming, the seed was planted, and it has been in the hearts of those family lords since then.

These, in fact, cannot be evidence that Zhu Houxi completely "convinced" Yang Shen and them, after all, it has not happened yet.

Even the Western "powerhouses" that Zhu Houxi used as an example were also defeated by the Ming Dynasty?

Zhu Houxi has not said a word, and after Yan Song finished speaking, the Qianqing Palace became even more depressed.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

At this time, Cui Yuan opened his mouth.

His seniority is too old, he is a person who has been active in the emperor's side since the time of His Majesty's reign.

He's still alive today.

Cui Yuan met everyone's eyes, but he looked at the emperor.

"Your Majesty has been in power for more than 20 years, diligent in state affairs, dedicated to the people, how many dynasties of emperors throughout the ages can be compared? Over the past 20 years, how many big mistakes have been made in learning, national policy, and employment? ”

This is the knowledge of his speech, and his opening is to remind everyone of the emperor's wisdom.

And Cui Yuan finally looked at the other colleagues: "The monarch and the ministers have been discussing state affairs together for many years, don't you still understand?" There are some things that we look at for five years, ten years, and at most one generation, but Your Majesty looks at a hundred years, thousands of generations. Your Majesty once said that if there is infamy, you will bear it, and I only hope to be worthy of the foundation of our ancestors and future generations. His Majesty is not a reckless warrior, and he also had ten years of recuperation after the Northern Expedition in the past. Now that the situation is unclear, why rush first? ”

Yang Shen let out a long sigh and bent down: "The minister is really worried about the wolf smoke. It is difficult to go from luxury to frugality, and if you fight every year from now on, I am afraid that it will eventually be a situation of internal and external troubles. ”

Zhu Houxi finally opened his mouth again: "If you were so forward-looking back then, you wouldn't have rolled up your trousers and gone to the countryside!" ”

Yang Shen's reckless behavior at that time was brought up again by Zhu Houxi, which seemed like a joke.

Yang Shen smiled bitterly and did not reply.

Zhu Houxi first looked at Cui Yuan, then at Yan Song, and then said: "I have always planned for the worst, so I will consider it according to the opposition of all the domains. ”

One sentence made Yang Shen's heart move again, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but tremble.

"Even if the next vassal is not settled, don't stop the crusade!" Zhu Houxi stood up, "What is my answer?" Sooner or later, you will be able to sing and dance. In the new foundation I want to lay for future generations of China, the grassland with more coal and iron is just one of the geographical advantages to be obtained. ”

As soon as he stood, the prince, and the king, and all his courtiers also stood up.

"If it is true that all the vassals are in chaos, then make good use of the "Ming Pao" and the village sages who have laid a good foundation, and say something real to the people!"

"I value practical learning, and tell practical benefits!"

"The Dongying thieves are mad, and the powerful daughter of the Dongying is the wife of the people of the Ming Dynasty!"

"The Korean Ryukyus have a great Ming culture and good governance, and the people are living better than in the past."

"The people of all countries and ethnic groups who admire Chinese culture and education and live and work in peace and contentment under the good governance of the Ming Dynasty are all one family and brothers!"

"Good governance is not changed, and the people of all ethnic groups praise and look forward to it. Those who raid and harass the Ming Dynasty because of the selfishness of authority are the thieves! ”

"If the magnates of the feudal domains do not hesitate to harass the Ming Dynasty and obstruct the great cause of our Chinese Datong because of the selfishness of their positions, will the people of the Ming Dynasty agree? Are the people of the foreign domain willing? ”

"In ancient times, Chudi, Jiangnan, and Lingnan were all poor mountains and bad waters, but what about now? What will happen to the poor desert north, the western regions, the northeast, and Yunnan and Tibet in the future? ”

"On martial arts, they can't beat it! When it comes to governing the country, security, civil, educational, and diplomatic affairs, they can't compare! Therefore, there is no need to be afraid! ”

"Disturb my borders and cut off my border trade? I'm only afraid that the border generals will be greedy for merit and ruin the strategy. I am not afraid of the dissatisfaction of the people and businessmen, I have given them the opportunity to go up, do you think that if you don't put the interests of the country above the selfish interests of the family, you can become the upper class? ”

"Let "Ming Pao" tell the people, and let the village sages talk to the people and businessmen!"

Zhu Houxi looked around at everyone and was categorical: "After this battle is over, there will be no enemy of China in the world!" The benefits of the four seas are enjoyed by China! ”

The crown prince Zhu Zaiqi, the emperor's eldest son Yue Wang Zhu Zaiqi and the fourth son of the emperor and Wang Zhu Zaiqi looked at their father's side face, and their young eyes were full of admiration.

This is the crusade in full swing, and the enemy is on all sides, but their father is watching the world.

Zhu Zaiyu waited for the child to grow up before leaving for his father to take a look, and originally thought it was a reunion Spring Festival.

But now he knows that not only the fourth child, but also his boss, the Yue Wang, has finally become clearer: his father's heart is firmer than anyone else's!

Yan Song was the first to bow down in the temple, and I don't know if he was looking for some of his "heartfelt" mistakes just now.

Zhu Houxi waved his hand: "I called you here first, not because I was anxious, but I knew that you would be unstable because of this." With me, this is probably the last and biggest difficulty. The monarch and the ministers are of the same heart, and they still follow the agreed strategy. They plot against theirs, and we fight ours. To tell the truth, I was happy in my heart, but I was worried that no more people would jump out and give me a chance to plan and retreat. ”

Yan Song's heart moved: "Your Majesty means ......"

Zhu Houxi finally showed his first smile tonight, and his eyes were even a little bad: "Don't worry, wait a little longer, and see what kind of game I have made in the past few years." ”

In the nineteenth year of Jiajing, there was a longevity ceremony, and the Ming Dynasty sent a set of new standard measuring utensils, and at the same time arranged a visit to the people's livelihood and the public signing of the convention in the coming year, announcing the intention of the Ming Dynasty to re-clarify the relationship between the clan and the vassal.

In the next few years, I helped Man Suer rebuild Chagatai from the Western Regions and returned to Mobei.

The year before last, North Korea changed; At the beginning of last year, the Ming army entered the court; This year, the Ming expedition to Dongying.

In these matters, the feudal lords had plenty of time to exchange opinions with each other and discuss countermeasures.

The son of the Great Tomorrow has been sitting on the throne for more than 20 years, and now he is sharp. The Zhu family clan has divided the feudal domains, and there have already been two cases, what should others do?

In the north, the Hetao and Xuanning border areas are coping with the pressure of the new era.

The situation seems to have returned to more than 20 years ago, and the good news is that the battle line is further north, and the people of the Nine Sides have not been affected.

The bad news is that there are no Great Wall walls, and the Tartar cavalry, who have been fighting in the Western Regions for many years, seem to be more elite.

And this Spring Festival, the people are still discussing Dongying maids and powerful women, and the Ming monarchs and ministers have been waiting for more news.

On the fourth day of the first lunar month, the military situation came from the Jiliao border area and the Korean Ping'an Road, and the remnants of the Korean army and the Jurchens took advantage of the slack of the Jiliao army and people to celebrate the Spring Festival and attacked Liaodong together, with the intention of cutting off the land grain route into North Korea.

On the twelfth day of the first month, the military situation of the Qinggan border area, the new lord of Chagatai, Shahan, marched eastward, and joined the Tubo army in the west and south of Qinghai and Chen.

On the nineteenth day of the first month, the Qianguo Gazette came, and Burma Donghu took advantage of the rainy season to invade the 800 Dadian Lanna, and Mengyang and Mubang were ready to move again.

On the twenty-seventh day of the first month, Guangxi urgently reported: Jiaozhi in the north and south has become an ally, and the troops from the east and west have returned to the three northern provinces of the Ming Dynasty and Ji Po Island.

In the Forbidden City, Zhu Houxi was really impressed at this time.

"How far can I reach out? How did he lobby for this Wai Dian and Jiaozhi? ”

This became a mystery in his mind that he didn't know until many years later.

But at this moment, Yang Shen was finally scratching his head in a hurry.

One thing to say, His Majesty seems to be a crow's mouth, and this is really the worst-case scenario!

Why did you make trouble with all the feudal clans to fight for the tyranny and be enemies on all sides?

(End of chapter)