After the cabinet meeting ended, Jiajing did not stop at all, but returned straight to the Qianqing Palace.

Soon after this, gossip soon spread in the court, saying that the emperor was very satisfied with the performance of the officials in this grand plan.

For this reason, after coming down, the emperor will specially issue an additional reward to the officials and officials on the other side of the ministry.

As soon as this news came out, it quickly caused a heated discussion in the DPRK and China, and the officials looked happy from top to bottom after learning the news.

After all, this is a show of face in front of the emperor, and in addition, there is an additional reward to be taken!

Although before this, the emperor had already raised the salary for the civil and military officials, but after all, this is the capital, and you come and go with each other, and the banquets are continuous, how can it be enough to rely on the Yulu alone?

Therefore, it is always good to be able to make more entries.

"All of this is the credit of Lord Shangshu, without Lord Shangshu, our officials would not have been able to get this reward, don't you say?"

"That makes sense, alas, I don't know how much reward Your Majesty plans to give, my family is about to be able to open the pot!"

"Since Your Majesty has opened the golden mouth, then the reward will definitely not be less!"

"According to a friend of mine who was in the household department at the same time, the silver in the treasury now can be squandered by the imperial court for more than ten years, otherwise how could Your Majesty suddenly exempt the people from paying taxes for a year?"

"Hey, there are so many!"

Just as the discussion on this matter was extremely heated on the part of the Ministry of Officials, there was a dead silence on the side of the Inspectorate.

At this moment, the officials and officials in the duty room of the Inspectorate were trembling, treading on thin ice to deal with the notes that were sent, and did not dare to make any movements, so as not to annoy the boss.

After all, the responsibilities of the Inspectorate and the Ministry of Inspectors overlap, and both sides have the power to evaluate the performance and integrity of officials.

"Look at what you do on weekdays, the official's face has been lost to you, this time I actually let the officials get His Majesty's praise, and the official doesn't know how to explain to Lord Yushi later!"

"Big ...... My lord, we can't help it, you know, Hu Ge is ......"

"Shut up for the official, you will know to make excuses all day long, if Lord Zhao is still in the Inspectorate, with his temper, he would have cleaned you up a long time ago, you all listen to the official well, and then ......"

……

In the evening, the Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

At this moment, I saw Jiajing sitting on the dragon chair, holding a sample newspaper for the people in his hand, looking at it with relish.

"Well, Lu Fang, yes, the illustrations on this are very interesting!"

After Jiajing finished speaking, he turned to look at Lu Fang on the side, and said encouragingly.

When Lu Fang, who was waiting beside Jiajing, heard this, a trace of humility flashed on his face, and he hurriedly leaned down and responded respectfully.

"Your Majesty, this is all your credit, you said earlier that you want to make the newspaper for the common people more concise and interesting, for this reason, the slave maid specially asked those painters to change several editions of the manuscript!"

"Well, let the information bureaus across the country release this third issue of Daming Daily as soon as possible, and I want the people of Daming to know that the imperial court has decided to exempt taxes for one year!"

After Jiajing put down the sample newspaper in his hand, he nodded imperceptibly, and then turned to look at Lu Fang on the side, and ordered.

As soon as Jiajing's words fell, I saw Lu Fang respond without thinking: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

Soon after this, I saw the guide eunuch step into the Qianqing Palace.

After the guide eunuch entered the Qianqing Palace, he looked in the direction where Jiajing was, lowered his head, and respectfully reported: "Your Majesty, Chengguo Gong is asking to see you outside!" ”

When Jiajing heard this, his face was full of surprise, and then, he saw him look in the direction where the guide and the eunuch were, and said to confirm: "Oh, Chengguo Gong? ”

The guide eunuch couldn't help but panic after noticing Jiajing's gaze on him.

Immediately, I saw that he forcibly suppressed the panic in his heart, and respectfully reported: "Yes, Your Majesty, Cheng Guogong is asking to see you outside!" ”

When Jiajing heard this, after pondering for a while, he raised his eyebrows, and then ordered: "Well, I know, let Cheng Guogong come in!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After receiving Jiajing's instructions, the guide eunuch did not stay in the Qianqing Palace for too long, but left directly.

After guiding the eunuch to leave, I saw Jiajing turn around and look at Lu Fang on the side, and asked, "Lu Fang, you said, what happened when Chengguo Gong suddenly came to see me?" ”

When Lu Fang heard this, after thinking about it for a long time, he cautiously spoke: "Your Majesty, the slave doesn't know!" ”

……

At this moment, outside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, looked at the Qianqing Palace close at hand in front of him, a trace of uneasiness flashed on his face, and after taking a few deep breaths, he regained his good mood.

The reason why Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, came to meet Jiajing at this time was because he heard the news through his own channels that the imperial court planned to officially start a war with Altan Khan in the spring of the next year.

As the Duke of Chengguo of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Xizhong commanded the Shenji Battalion, one of the three most elite battalions in the capital of the Ming Dynasty.

He came to meet Jiajing this time, hoping to persuade Jiajing that when the time comes, he can let the Shenji Battalion participate in the war together!

In Zhu Xizhong's view, this is an opportunity, an excellent opportunity to restore the past glory of the clan and nobles!

When the time comes, he will take the lead and personally lead the Shenji Battalion to participate in the battle.

In this way, it can not only set an example for millions of clans and nobles in the Ming Dynasty, but also let the people of the world take a good look at the clans and nobles of the Ming Dynasty, and they are not all mediocre people who are greedy for pleasure, greedy for life and afraid of death!

At this moment, I saw the guide eunuch quietly come to Zhu Xizhong's face, lean down, and said respectfully: "Chengguo Gong, you can go in, Your Majesty is waiting for you inside!" ”

When Zhu Xizhong heard this, he came back to his senses, and the guide led the eunuch to arch his hand: "Well, I'm tired of my father-in-law!" ”

Seeing this, the guide eunuch's face was full of panic, and he hurriedly returned the salute to Zhu Xizhong: "Where is it, Chengguo is serious, this is just our family's duty!" ”

After a few words of greeting, I saw Zhu Xizhong walking steadily and stepping on the stairs of the Qianqing Palace step by step, at this moment, his face was full of determination.

After entering the Qianqing Palace, I saw Zhu Xizhong subconsciously looking at Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair at the moment, and then, I saw him gather his mind, just like those ministers, knelt on the ground respectfully, and said in a deep voice.

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

Hearing this, Jiajing hurriedly got up from the dragon chair, came to Zhu Xizhong, leaned down, helped him up from the ground, and then said: "Cheng Guogong, please get up quickly, we are all a family, you don't have to be so polite!" ”

When Zhu Xizhong heard Jiajing's words, he couldn't help but be a little moved.

Immediately, I saw Jiajing turn around, look at the eunuch on the side, and commanded: "Come here, give a seat for Chengguogong!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The words fell, and soon a eunuch stepped forward, prepared a seat for Zhu Xizhong, and laid a soft cushion on the seat.

Seeing this, Zhu Xizhong immediately reacted, arched his hand, and thanked Jiajing: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" ”

After that, I saw Zhu Xizhong sitting down on the chair, and the whole person was sitting upright, not daring to make any moves.

After Jiajing sat back on the dragon chair, he looked in the direction where Zhu Xizhong was, and asked, "Saying that Chengguo Gong came today, is there something wrong?" ”

When Zhu Xizhong heard Jiajing's words, a trace of hesitation flashed on his face, and then, after he took a deep breath and organized the language in his mind, he spoke.

"Your Majesty, not long ago, Weichen heard the news that the imperial court is preparing to officially start a war with Altan Khan at the beginning of the spring of the next year!"

When Zhu Xizhong said this, he couldn't help but pause for a moment, and then, he saw him put on an open-minded posture and said categorically: "Therefore, Weichen wants to ask Your Majesty to let the Shenji Battalion also participate in the war!" ”

Jiajing obviously didn't expect that Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, would make a request to him in person to join the war, so he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

After a long time, I saw Jiajing come back to his senses, shook his head helplessly, and rejected Zhu Xizhong's proposal: "Chengguogong, I can't agree to your request, you Chengguogong is full of loyalty, and you shed too much blood for my Daming, I really can't bear to ......"

Zhu Neng, the Duke of Chengguo, followed Zhu Di, the king of Yan, to conquer Mobei, and led the army to capture the nine gates of Beiping during the Battle of Jingnan, and successively defeated Geng Bingwen and Li Jinglong, and made great achievements.

After Ming Chengzu Zhu Di ascended the throne, Zhu Neng was named the Duke of Chengguo, plus the prince Taifu, Yongle for four years, Zhu Neng was appointed as the general of Zhengyi, conquered Annan, and unfortunately died of illness in the army.

Zhu Neng's son Zhu Yong, in the twenty-second year of Yongle, accompanied Ming Chengzu Zhu Di to the north to conquer Mongolia, and after Ming Xuanzong ascended the throne, he assisted him in quelling the rebellion of Zhu Gaoxi, the king of Han.

Later, Zhu Yong was ambushed in the Harrier Ridge in the process of following Zhu Qizhen, the god of war of the Ming Dynasty, and was unfortunately killed in battle.

It is precisely because of this that Jiajing will say that Cheng Guogong is full of loyalty.

Seeing that Jiajing had rejected his proposal, Zhu Xizhong immediately got up from his seat, knelt on the ground with a 'plop', and said in a deep voice: "Weichen is my Ming Dynasty's Chengguo Gong, Shiqing Shilu, and rest with the country!" ”

"Your Majesty also said before, Cheng Guogong is full of loyalty, and the ancestors of Weichen died on the way to expand the territory for the Ming Dynasty, since this is the case, how can Weichen retreat?"

"Altan Khan has repeatedly invaded my Ming frontier, is my Ming henchman, when the army is raised, Weichen is not afraid of death, even if Weichen unfortunately dies in battle, Weichen still has a son, and a grandson, the same can continue to serve the Ming!"

Jiajing saw that Zhu Xizhong's attitude was so resolute, and a trace of hesitation flashed on his face.

Zhu Xizhong saw that his words had a role, and immediately decided to strike while the iron was hot, and continued: "Your Majesty, now Zhu Shitai, the son of Weichen, has gone to Banzhou to take up a post and assist the imperial court in implementing the policy of changing the land and returning to the stream!" ”

"Wechen, who is a father, can't be left behind, please Your Majesty agree to Wechen's request, and let Wechen take the Shenji Battalion to participate in the conquest of Altan Khan!"

After Zhu Xizhong finished speaking, he bowed to the ground, and there was a posture that Jiajing would not get up if he did not agree.

Seeing this situation, after thinking about it for a long time, Jiajing came back to his senses, sighed helplessly, and commanded: "Get up, Chengguo Gong, I am ready, when the time comes, you will command the Shenji Battalion and go out with the army!" ”

When Zhu Xizhong heard Jiajing's words, his face was full of excitement, and he immediately got up from the ground, arched his hand to Jiajing, and said in a deep voice: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

After this, only Jiajing's voice sounded in Zhu Xizhong's ears: "By the way, Cheng Guogong, how are those new weapons that were previously equipped for the Shenji Battalion to use?" ”

When Zhu Xizhong heard this, he immediately spoke out without thinking: "Your Majesty, those new weapons that were previously equipped with the Shenji Battalion are very easy to use, especially the paper shell bullets produced by the Weapons Division!" ”

"With the assistance of paper shell bullets, the loading speed of the firecracker has been greatly improved, and the time it used to take to shoot one shot can now be fired three times, and in addition, the flintlock pistol produced by the Ordnance Division, whether it is powerful or ranged, is far stronger than the firearm previously equipped in the Shenji Battalion!"

When Jiajing heard Zhu Xizhong's words, he nodded, and then said: "Well, I know, if there is any need on the side of the Shenji Camp at that time, just mention it to me!" ”

When Zhu Xizhong heard this, a look of gratitude appeared on his face at the right time, he leaned down and responded respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty!" ”

After this, Zhu Xizhong saw that the purpose of his trip had been successfully achieved, and did not stay in the Qianqing Palace for too long, and after bowing to Jiajing, he got up to say goodbye.

When Zhu Xizhong walked out of the Qianqing Palace, it was getting late, and the last rays of the sunset fell to the ground.

"I didn't expect things to go so smoothly, Your Majesty agreed to let the Shenji Battalion participate in the war, I have to quickly inform everyone of the news!"

Thinking so, Zhu Xizhong couldn't help but speed up the pace of his feet.

……

After leaving the Forbidden City, Zhu Xizhong went straight to the British Mansion, and immediately convened those clans and nobles to discuss the next countermeasures.

At this moment, in the hall used by the British Mansion to entertain guests, Zhang Rong looked around, and saw that people were almost there, so he gestured to Zhu Xizhong on the side with his eyes that he could start.

After Zhu Xizhong cleared his throat, he faced the many clans and nobles present, and said in a deep voice: "I have gathered everyone here today because I have important news to inform you!" ”

When Zhu Xizhong's words fell, the faces of everyone present were full of unconcealed curiosity, and they all looked in the direction where Zhu Xizhong was.

Because on weekdays, it is usually the British public who gathers everyone here, like today, it is the first time!

Facing everyone's extremely curious eyes, Zhu Xizhong organized the language in his mind before he said aloud: "The imperial court plans to officially send troops to fight Altan Khan in the spring of the next year, and when the time comes, I will personally lead the Shenji battalion and go with the army!" ”

Whether it is the imperial court's plan to officially start a war with Altan Khan in the spring of the next year, or the general Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, will personally lead the Shenji battalion to go to the expedition with the army, these two news, no matter which one, are very shocking.

Therefore, Zhu Xizhong's words, like dropping a bombshell on calm water, soon caused an uproar.

As soon as Zhu Xizhong's words fell, he saw Zhang Rong on the side get up from the seat suddenly, his face full of shock: "What! ”

In addition to Zhang Rong, Xu Yande, the Duke of Dingguo on the side, also had an unbelievable look on his face.

Then, I saw Xu Yande come back to his senses, looked in the direction where Zhu Xizhong was, and confirmed to him: "Chengguo Gong, you really ......"

Zhu Xizhong took in the expression on Xu Yande's face, nodded, and turned to speak: "Well, this resolution was just decided by the cabinet, and after I heard the news, I immediately went to the Qianqing Palace!" ”

When Zhu Xizhong said this, he paused for a moment, and then said with emotion: "Your Majesty was reluctant at first, but later, under my painstaking persuasion, Your Majesty finally reluctantly agreed to this proposal!" ”

Zhang Rong on the side heard Zhu Xizhong's words, and couldn't help but be silent for a moment, as long as he put himself in his shoes, he could understand why the emperor would refuse Zhu Xizhong's request.

Zhu Xizhong's great-grandfather Zhu Neng and grandfather Zhu Yong were all killed on the battlefield and sacrificed their lives for the Ming Dynasty, and now Zhu Xizhong will also lead the Shenji Battalion and go out with the army!

After being silent for a long time, I saw Zhang Rong look in the direction where Zhu Xizhong was, and asked: "Chengguo Gong, I don't know if Your Majesty can still let us ...... on your side."

When Zhu Xizhong heard Zhang Rong's words, he knew that Zhang Rong also wanted to personally lead the troops to conquer Altan Khan.

Then, I saw Zhu Xizhong shake his head and said slowly: "British Duke, it is already a very rare thing that Your Majesty can agree to let the Shenji Battalion fight, even if you go to ask Your Majesty next, Your Majesty will not agree!" ”

When Zhang Rong heard this, he knew that what Zhu Xizhong said was true, after all, the Duke of England, the Duke of Chengguo, and the Duke of Dingguo were the top clans and nobles of the Ming Dynasty, and they could not afford to miss half a point!

Therefore, it is already a very rare thing that the emperor can agree to let Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, command the Shenji Battalion to go out with the army.

After everyone had almost digested the news, Zhu Xizhong got up from his seat, faced everyone, and said in a deep voice: "This battle is very important, and it is related to whether my Ming clan and nobles can gain a foothold in the court in the future!" ”

"Although Your Majesty has been vigorously supporting us clans and nobles, we also have to repay Your Majesty with qualified results!"

"There is nothing more convincing than a hearty victory, even if I unfortunately die in battle, in the future in the Ming Dynasty, there will be a place for our clans and nobles!"

"If something happens to me, I hope you can take more care of my family in the future!"

When Zhu Xizhong said this, his face was full of determination, and this was also one of the purposes for him to gather everyone here.

Seeing that the atmosphere at the scene was a little dull, I saw Zhang Rong on the side stand up, looked at Zhu Xizhong on the side, and said comfortingly: "Cheng Guogong doesn't have to worry, all of us present are the clans and nobles of the Ming Dynasty, and they are both glorious and loss-losers!" ”

Zhang Rong's words quickly resonated with many clans and nobles present, and soon someone stood up and spoke in response.

"The British Duke is right, we are all clans and nobles of the Ming Dynasty, and we should take care of each other!"

"Yes, Cheng Guogong, what are you polite to us!"

"That's right, we're family!"

Zhu Xizhong swept his gaze from the clans and nobles who stood up to speak, and he couldn't help but feel a trace of warmth in his heart.

Although there may still be disagreements between the many clans and nobles present, the overall interests of everyone are the same, that is, to restore the former glory of the Ming clan and nobles!

Subsequently, I saw Xu Yande, the Duke of Dingguo on the side, get up from his seat and said in a deep voice: "This time is different from the past, now my Ming treasury is full, and recently the use of soldiers is even more victorious, the soldiers are strong and strong, and the top and bottom are united, how can Altan Khan compete with my Ming Dynasty, this battle will be won!" ”

……

Night falls, the capital, Yanfu.

Because it was getting late, the orange candle flame in the room faintly reflected Yan Song's figure.

At this time, Yan Song was sitting behind the bookcase, browsing the books in his hand with great concentration, when a slight knock came from outside the door.

When Yan Song heard this, he put the book in his hand aside, and commanded: "Come in!" ”

The words fell, only to hear a 'squeak', the door of the room was pushed open, and Yan Shifan walked in with a silent step.

After Yan Shifan entered the study, he immediately leaned down and saluted Yan Song respectfully: "Father! ”

When Yan Song heard this, he replied imperceptibly, then glanced at Yan Shifan, and asked, "Is there something wrong?" ”

When the words fell, I saw Yan Shifan come straight to Yan Song's side, and said in a low voice: "Back to my father, the officials who went to Nanzhili to investigate Yan Maoqing's case have already come to a conclusion!" ”

When Yan Song heard this, a look of curiosity couldn't help but appear on his face, and he asked, "Oh, what is the result?" ”

As soon as Yan Song's words fell, Yan Shifan responded without thinking: "Back to my father's words, the result of the investigation by those officials is that Yan Maoqing's case is just an accident, and Yan Maoqing accidentally fell into the water after being drunk!" ”

Yan Song was not surprised by this after learning the news, but raised his eyebrows and said to himself: "Well, in this way, everything will be fine!" ”

After that, I saw Yan Shifan pluck up his courage, looked in the direction where Yan Song was, and asked cautiously: "By the way, father, what should we do next, or continue to send people to impeach Yan Maoqing?" ”

When Yan Song heard this, he shook his head and commanded: "Right now, Yan Maoqing's bones are not cold, don't make it too ugly, let's wait a little longer, let them stop for a while!" ”

When Yan Song's words fell, I saw Yan Shifan bow his head and respond respectfully: "Yes, father, the child understands!" ”

"Okay, it's not too early, you better go back and rest!"

"Yes, father, the child will leave!"

After Yan Shifan finished speaking, he arched his hand to Yan Song, and then left the room directly. (End of chapter)