Banzhou, Hailongtun Tucheng.

Soon after the Ming army occupied Suiyang, Yang Lie soon learned this information from his staff.

"What are you talking about, the army of the imperial court has already occupied Suiyang!"

After listening to the report of the staff, Yang Lie's face was full of shock, and then he hurriedly ordered someone to bring a map to analyze the current situation.

The map in front of Yang Lie depicts in detail the local mountains and rivers of Banshu, as well as each city.

On the map, it is full of red and black annotations.

"Alas, the army of the imperial court, since the capture of Sangmu Pass, has been like a bamboo, and now, even Suiyang has fallen!"

Yang Lie originally thought that the Banzhou soldiers he had tried his best to support would be able to rely on the city for effective defense, even if they could not compete head-on with the imperial army.

As long as you can delay as much time as possible, when the heavy grain and grass carried by the imperial army is exhausted, you will have to return to the court!

At that time, he Yang Lie will have room for maneuver.

But the facts greatly exceeded Yang Lie's expectations, and the Banzhou soldiers he had exhausted and raised were not opponents of the imperial army at all!

After the 40,000 Banzhou soldiers sent to support Sangmu Pass earlier were ambushed and annihilated by the imperial army, all Yang Lie could rely on now was the 50,000 Miao soldiers under his command.

These 50,000 Miao soldiers, although they fought very bravely, were far from being the opponents of the Ming army armed to the teeth!

After all, with only the bows and arrows in their hands, as well as the Miao swords, how could they compete with the armored Ming army and the cannons, firecrackers and other weapons they were equipped with?

The staff on the side took in the gloomy look on Yang Lie's face, and after hesitating for a long time, he cautiously spoke.

"Xuanwei envoy, I can't hide it, Suiyang County Commander Yuan Zhi, after learning the news that the army of the imperial court was about to be killed, connived at his subordinates, looted on a large scale, and then abandoned the city and fled!"

"So much so that the army of the imperial court occupied Suiyang without much effort!"

After listening to the report of the staff on the side, the expression on Yang Lie's face suddenly became extremely hideous, only to see him slam the table and say in a deep voice.

"This bastard, I can't spare him, in vain my Yang family treats his Yuan family so well, but in the end, his Yuan family repays me like this, and he actually abandoned the city and fled!"

After venting his emotions, Yang Lie seemed to have lost the strength of his whole body, and sat back in his chair weakly.

"It's over, it's all over, this army led by Feng Yue has occupied Suiyang!"

"The general soldiers Chen Lan, Wu Guang, and the deputy general Cao Xibin have also entered Banzhou from Nanchuan, and in addition, the general Li Yingxiang and the general Tan Jian have also broken through Xinglong!"

"They are planning to besiege Hailongtun from Suiyang, Tongzi, and Renhuai, three directions!"

When the staff on the side heard this, after hesitating for a long time, they mustered up the courage and stepped forward to comfort.

"Your Excellency, I think that since we can't resist the attack of the imperial army at the moment, it is better to shrink our forces and defend Hailongtun with all our might, what do you think?"

After the staff member finished speaking, he was afraid that Yang Lie would not agree, so he added a sentence closely.

"This is the best way to comfort your lordship, only in this way can the losses be minimized, if you just let the army of the imperial court break through one by one......"

Before the staff member could finish his words, he was interrupted by Yang Lie's words.

"Well, in that case, let's do it first!"

After saying this, Yang Lie waved his hand quite weakly and motioned for his staff to leave.

"Yes, Comfort Envoy, I'll leave now!"

When the staff heard this, they immediately leaned down, arched their hands to Yang Lie, and then took the order.

……

Just when Yang Lie was anxious about this, on the other side, Banzhou Xuanzhi Luo Zhengqi quietly summoned the six small Tusi surnamed Zhang, Tian, Yuan, Lu, Tan, and Wu to discuss the next countermeasures.

Although the Banshu Yang clan has an unshakable position in Banshu.

But the Luo clan is second only to the Yang family, Luo's hereditary official position is Banzhou Xuanwei Tongzhi, the position is second only to the Xuanwei envoy, and its responsibilities are mainly to assist the Xuanshu envoy in charge of affairs, and the rank is the fourth grade.

After the imperial court issued a document to beg for thieves and sent troops to Banzhou, these little toasts sensed an endless sense of crisis.

So, under the leadership of the Luo family, everyone gathered together to discuss how to protect themselves and the family behind them in this unprecedented storm.

At this moment, Luo Zhengqi was holding his hands behind his back, looking at the scenery in the distance.

At this moment, I saw a Xu official walking quickly in front of Luo Zhengqi and reporting cautiously.

"My lord, everyone is here!"

"Well, the official knows, you go down!"

After listening to the report of the officials, Luo Zhengqi nodded and commanded.

"Yes, sir!"

After answering the call, the official did not stop for the slightest, and quickly walked away.

After the official left, he saw Luo Zhengqi retract his gaze and enter the room without looking back.

In the room, the rest of the six surnamed Xiao Tusi had already arrived, and when they saw Luo Zhengqi coming, everyone got up from their seats and saluted him respectfully.

"I've seen my lord!"

"Sit, everybody, sit!"

When Luo Zhengqi heard this, he swept his gaze from the rest of the six surnamed Xiao Tusi one by one, and immediately commanded.

After Luo Zhengqi sat on the main seat, he coughed lightly twice and started today's topic.

"Everyone knows that not long ago, the imperial court issued a document to ask for thieves, and in the document for asking for thieves, they listed the crimes committed by the Banzhou Yang family one by one!"

When everyone heard Luo Zhengqi's words, the expressions on their faces became extremely solemn, because in the article on the thief issued by the imperial court, the words "Gang Chang and deliberately rebelled" were used to evaluate the Yang family of Banzhou.

Everyone present has read the Da Ming Law and knows what the punishment for deliberate rebellion is in the Da Ming Law.

"Anyone who conspires against rebellion or great rebellion, but conspires with him, shall be put to death regardless of his head and subordinate, and grandfathers, fathers, sons, grandchildren, brothers, and cohabitants shall be beheaded regardless of their surnames, uncles, and sons of brothers, regardless of nationality, and those who are over 16 years old, regardless of whether they are sick or disabled!"

At this moment, Luo Zhengqi's very calm voice sounded, interrupting the thoughts in everyone's minds.

"Since everyone knows the consequences of going against the imperial court, then we have to weigh it carefully!"

"Let me tell you the truth, the 60,000 army commanded by Feng Yue, the governor of Huguang, has now occupied Suiyang, and in addition, the 40,000 army commanded by the general Chen Lan, Wu Guang, and the deputy general Cao Xibin has also entered Banzhou from Nanchuan!"

Luo Zhengqi took in the shocked look on everyone's faces, chuckled, and continued to add.

"There is also an army of 30,000 commanded by the general soldier Li Yingxiang and the general Tan Jian, and it is said that this army has also broken through Xinglong!"

When everyone heard the news, they immediately became restless, and their faces were full of horror.

"The army of the imperial court, how can it ...... How could it be ......"

Luo Zhengqi seemed to have guessed what everyone was thinking, only to see him shake his head and cut the railroad to the fore.

"That's the case, the current army of the imperial court has won successive battles, and if it continues like this, even if his Yang clan is in Banzhou, it will not help for hundreds of years!"

"When the imperial court completely exterminates the Yang clan in the name of counterinsurgency, at that time, we will want to take sides again, but it will be too late, and maybe we will be implicated in this matter!"

When Luo Zhengqi's words fell, everyone present fell into deep thought.

How could everyone present not hear that the meaning contained in Luo Zhengqi's words was to clearly tell them to hurry up and submit their names to the imperial court!

Like Yuan, Tian, and Tan, the three little toasts who had a bad relationship with the Yang family, and even had bad relations, applauded after listening to Luo Zhengqi's proposal, and immediately expressed their support, while the remaining toasts were afraid of the Yang family's power and did not dare to make a decision.

Seeing this, Luo Zhengqi glanced over the Tusi family who had not made a decision for a long time, and urged.

"We can't continue to hesitate, when the army of the imperial court besieges Hailongtun, it will be too late to stand in line!"

When the remaining toasts heard this, after thinking about it for a long time, their hearts were crossed, and they gritted their teeth and said, "Okay, do it like this!" ”

Seeing that the Tusi family gathered here all agreed to his proposal, a smile appeared on Luo Zhengqi's face, and after he looked around, he spoke.

"Well, everyone has made the right decision, next, let's have a good discussion, what to do next!"

"That's what I think, we'll ...... then"

……

After that, a few more days passed.

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

Today is the day of the cabinet meeting, so early in the morning, Jiajing put on his robe under the service of the personal eunuch.

Then, I saw Lu Fang walking quietly and entering the Qianqing Palace.

As soon as he entered the Qianqing Palace, he came to Jiajing's side, leaned down, and reported respectfully.

"Your Majesty!"

"Hmm."

When Jiajing heard this, he responded imperceptibly, and then, I saw Jiajing turn his gaze to Lu Fang and ask closely.

"By the way, Lu Fang, have you found out everything I asked you to check before? King Jing's side, what's going on? ”

Seeing this, Lu Fang took a deep breath and calmed down his good mood before he mustered up his courage and replied cautiously.

"Your Majesty, the slave has sent someone to investigate the whole matter clearly, and here's how it ......"

Under Lu Fang's narration, Jiajing also has a general understanding of the ins and outs of the whole thing.

Then, Jiajing's heart couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity, only to see him glance at Lu Fang and confirm to him.

"So, King Jing was deceived by the group of monks in Xuanguang Temple?"

"That's right, Your Majesty, the whole thing has been a scam from beginning to end, and the monks of Xuanguang Temple noticed the unwillingness in the hearts of His Royal Highness King Jing, so they planned to send someone close to King Jing and promised him......"

Before Lu Fang's words were finished, Jiajing was furious, slammed the table, and said in a deep voice.

"This evil obstacle is obviously already a domain, but he still thinks about the position of the prince, and in the end, he makes such a big joke!"

"I've lost all my face!"

Seeing that Jiajing was angry, Lu Fang immediately knelt on the ground with a 'plop' and spoke cautiously.

"Please also ask Your Majesty to calm your anger, don't be angry because of this!"

Under Lu Fang's persuasion, Jiajing's emotions gradually calmed down.

Then, only Jiajing's voice without a trace of emotion sounded in Lu Fang's ears.

"Lu Fang, after coming down later, send the people from Dongchang to De'an, and kill all those involved in this matter, don't leave a single living mouth, understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, his expression immediately turned grim and he replied in a deep voice.

"Alright, it's almost time, let's go to the cabinet with me!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When Lu Fang heard this, he immediately got up from the ground, and then followed Jiajing's steps step by step, marching in the direction where the cabinet was located.

……

The situation in the cabinet is no different from usual, but Xu Jie, who was the initiator of the topic in the past, is silent a lot today, and just focuses on the affairs at hand.

At this time, Xu Jie, with a thoughtful look, everything that happened last night still flashed in his mind.

Not long ago, he ordered the housekeeper to bring a message to Wang Ting, the right attendant of the household department, and others, asking them not to act rashly and investigate the local situation in Zhejiang by the way.

It's okay not to investigate, but as soon as I investigated, I found out a case that was suppressed.

Last night, Wang Ting, the right attendant of the household department, personally came to Xu Jie's mansion in the capital and informed Xu Jie of the situation they had investigated.

At the beginning, Ma Ningyuan, the prefect of Hangzhou, in order to promote the change of rice to mulberry, mobilized the guards without authorization, trampled on the seedlings, and also caused death!

But for some reason, this case was quietly suppressed by the Criminal Department.

Xu Jie generally doesn't pay attention to such trivial matters, in his opinion, what is the point of dying a few Diao people?

As long as the national policy can be implemented smoothly, even if 100,000 people die or a million people die, it is understandable, because this is a necessary sacrifice!

After Xu Jie learned of this, he immediately made a decision and planned to make a fuss about this matter.

In this way, on the one hand, it can crack down on the arrogance of the Yan Party, and on the other hand, it can also have the effect of throwing stones to ask for directions, after all, at present, the local mulberry seedlings in Zhejiang are about to mature, and Hu Zongxian is about to be transferred out of Zhejiang.

Xu Jie's idea was to use this case to wipe out a large number of key members of the strict party, such as Zheng Michang, the political envoy of Zhejiang, He Maocai, the prefect of Hangzhou, Ma Ningyuan, and Zhang Runde, the waiter of the Criminal Department!

Because at that time, once the incident happens, Zheng Michang, the political envoy of Zhejiang, and He Maocai, the envoy of the procuratorate, will inevitably be implicated in the case of Ma Ningyuan.

By that time, Hu Zongxian had already been transferred out of Zhejiang, and the new governor of Zhejiang, Zhao Zhenji, was still on his way to his post, so he Xu Jie, who could take advantage of this power vacuum, unite with the local weaving bureau and buy raw silk from the people at half price.

Although Xu Jie was eager to detonate this bombshell immediately and put Yan Song to death.

But he knew very well in his heart that it was not the time yet, and this bomb had to wait until the right time to detonate, only in this way could it cause the greatest damage to the Yan Party!

"Let's suffer the people again, and when the Yan Party is overthrown, everything will be fine!"

Thinking so, Xu Jie glanced at Yan Song without moving, and comforted himself like this.

Just as Xu Jie's reverie was in his reverie, he only listened to the cabinet outside, and a shrill voice came.

"Your Majesty has arrived!"

When everyone heard this, they stopped reviewing the notes in their hands, got up from their seats, and then knelt on the ground under the leadership of Yan Song, the first assistant of the cabinet, waiting for Jiajing's arrival.

After a while, I saw Jiajing stepping into the pinch, and Lu Fang followed Jiajing step by step as usual.

"Weichen knocks to see Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

After Jiajing sat down in his place, he glanced over everyone, and commanded rather casually.

"Well, get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After receiving Jiajing's consent, everyone slowly got up from the ground and sat down in their respective positions.

After that, I saw Jiajing look around, nodded, and commanded.

"Now that everyone has arrived, let's officially begin!"

As soon as Jiajing's words fell, Lu Fang, who was waiting on the side, immediately stepped forward and said to everyone.

"There are two main things discussed by the cabinet today, one is how to train more craftsmen, and the other is the specific matter of the imperial court's assistance to Makoto Kanoda!"

Lu Fang's voice fell, and after saluting Jiajing respectfully, he went straight back to his position and stood still.

Then, I saw Jiajing nodding slightly, knocking on the jade pan beside him, only to hear a crisp sound of 'ding', this cabinet meeting officially began!

I saw Jiajing cough lightly twice, facing everyone, and took the lead in speaking.

"I think you all know that not long ago, the Weapons Division successfully imitated a flintlock pistol!"

"But due to the scarcity of craftsmen, the current production capacity of flintlock pistols is far from meeting expectations, ladies and gentlemen, what is the best way to do this?"

Jiajing's words fell, and I saw Gao Gong take the lead and said in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, Weichen has a play!"

"Speak!"

When Jiajing heard this, he glanced at Gao Gong quite indifferently, and commanded.

After getting Jiajing's permission, Gao Gong faced everyone and slowly said the thoughts in his mind.

"Your Majesty, Weichen thinks so, since ancient times, the profession of craftsman has been disgusted by scholars, regarded as a strange skill, and cannot be put on the stage, and the profession of craftsman has also been compiled into the cheap status of the imperial court, and it will never be allowed to leave the country!"

"Although before this, Your Majesty has issued an edict to officially abolish the craftsman registration system!"

"In addition to this, you have vigorously promoted the treatment of craftsmen, so that the government can promote those skilled and conscientious craftsmen as examples, and not only that, but also exempt them from forced labor!"

"But freezing three feet, not a day's cold, the discrimination in society against the profession of craftsmen, has not been eliminated much because of this!"

Gao Gong couldn't help but pause for a moment when he said this, and then continued.

"Your Majesty, please forgive Weichen for saying bluntly, if it weren't for the desperation, not many people would be willing to engage in the profession of craftsman!"

After Gao Gong said this, he looked at Jiajing nervously, waiting for his response.

Hearing this, Jiajing nodded, and expressed his approval of Gao Gong's statement.

"Well, Gao Gong, you are right, if you are not desperate, there is no one willing to engage in the profession of craftsman!"

Then, I saw Jiajing turn around, look in the direction where Gao Gong was, and continue to ask.

"Do you have any solution to this?"

Gao Gong saw that his idea was approved by Jiajing, and he couldn't help but feel refreshed, and after thinking about it for a long time, he said cautiously.

"Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that the most important thing at the moment is to reverse the stereotype of the profession of craftsman in the hearts of the people!"

"Relying only on government propaganda is not only inefficient, but also difficult to achieve the expected results, so Wechen has a bold idea, that is, to give those craftsmen the opportunity to become officials!"

When Gao Gong's words fell, Yan Song and Xu Jie, who were on the side, showed shock on their faces at the same time.

Subsequently, I saw Yan Song stand up and raise an objection.

"Hmph, it's ridiculous, if you do this, wouldn't my Ming scholar be going to make a fuss?"

"At the beginning, it was just that in the imperial examination, the subject of arithmetic was added, and it caused a storm in the city, and if those craftsmen were allowed to be officials, wouldn't it be ......?"

Before Yan Song's words were finished, he saw Gao Gong glance at him and explained.

"Yan Ge Lao's words are bad, there is a way to hear the Tao, there is a precedence, and there is a specialization in the art industry!"

"Before this, those craftsmen were already in charge of the repair of the palace and the construction of the bridge, and now, the imperial court is just giving them a chance to be officials!"

"Let me ask, when the common people see the fact that craftsmen can also be officials, will the discrimination against the profession of craftsmen be eliminated in their hearts?"

"When the time comes, the imperial court can take advantage of the situation to open a college dedicated to training craftsmen, and in this way, it can also solve the problem of scarcity of craftsmen!"

After listening to the idea proposed by Gao Gong, Jiajing's brows furrowed slightly, only to see that he gently rubbed the dragon head carved on the dragon chair with his hand, as if he was weighing the pros and cons.

Seeing this, everyone held their breath and stared, and they didn't even dare to breathe.

Time passed so slowly, I don't know how long it has been, I saw Jiajing come back to his senses, look in the direction where the high arch is, and say slowly.

"Well, Gao Gong, what you said makes sense, when you come down later, you can perfect it well, and then show it to me!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Gao Gong saw that his proposal was accepted by Jiajing, and a trace of excitement flashed on his face, and then, he lowered his head and responded respectfully.

The rest of the people, seeing that Jiajing had already made a decision, had to nod their heads and say yes.

Seeing this, Lu Fang, who was on the side, immediately stood up and said softly.

"The first thing that the cabinet has discussed this time has already been discussed, and we will continue to discuss it after a short rest."

When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and they began to close their eyes and recuperate, sort out the ideas in their minds, and prepare for the next things to be discussed.

(End of chapter)