"Your Majesty, Weichen agrees to send the Shenji Battalion to participate in the war!"

After Yan Song, the first assistant of the cabinet, made his attitude clear, others no longer insisted and expressed their attitudes one after another.

After all, anyone with a discerning eye can see that letting the Shenji Battalion participate in the war is a decision that has been agreed upon early in the morning, and it cannot be changed in the slightest.

Thinking of the emperor's previous efforts to support the clan and nobles, at this moment, thinking of this, the expressions on the faces of everyone present became subtle.

I saw Yan Song lowering his eyes, looking at the ground casually, thinking so.

"It seems that Your Majesty intends to take advantage of this battle to gradually send the clan and nobles into the court!"

Just as Yan Song was sighing about this matter, he only heard Jiajing's ancient well Wubo's voice sound: "In addition to the Shenji Battalion, Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou, who are responsible for military training, will also go out with the imperial army!" ”

When Jiajing said this, the grim look on his face also eased a little: "I heard that these two soldiers are quite disciplined and have outstanding combat achievements, and they have developed a special tactic to restrain cavalry, so I plan to go and see the situation in person another day!" ”

When Hu Zongxian, who was on the side, heard Jiajing's words, he immediately got up from his seat, leaned down, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou are all subordinates of Weichen, so Weichen knows them quite well!" ”

When Jiajing heard this, a look of interest appeared on his face, and he gave Hu Zongxian a look, motioning for him to continue.

After receiving Jiajing's consent, Hu Zongxian began to explain his views on Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou.

"These two are good generals who are good at training troops and commanding elite soldiers."

"Especially Qi Jiguang, he governs the army strictly, and he has always taken the lead in fighting, and the soldiers trained by him are brave and prohibitive, and their combat effectiveness is no less than that of my Ming Dynasty's nine-sided border army!"

"In the process of exterminating the Japanese invaders, these two people have made great achievements, as long as those Japanese invaders hear the names of Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou, they have no intention of fighting, they only know how to flee in all directions!"

Hu Zongxian paused for a moment when he said this, and then continued to add: "It is no exaggeration to say that if there were no two generals, the process of the imperial court's extermination of the Japanese invaders would be much slower!" ”

"In addition, in the twenty-fifth year of Jiajing, the Datong Che Battalion under the command of Yu Dayou, with more than 100 chariots and more than 5,000 cavalry, fought with tens of thousands of Mongolian troops at Angenbao, and our army won a great victory and expelled the Mongolian army for hundreds of miles."

After listening to Hu Zongxian's narration, a look of surprise appeared on Jiajing's face.

After that, I saw Jiajing nodding and said in response: "Well, before this, when they met me, they had already proposed to me the idea of using the chariot battalion as the main force to deal with those Tatar cavalry!" ”

"At present, more than 18,000 of the more than 25,000 soldiers and soldiers they are responsible for training are all Che Battalion troops!"

After Zhang Juzheng learned the news from Jiajing's mouth, the whole person was very happy.

He knew that the emperor's choice was very correct, and only by relying on the chariot battalion could he effectively resist those Tatar cavalry.

As the secretary of the military department, Zhang Juzheng naturally knew the Cheying troops very well, and the idea of the Cheying began to appear as early as the orthodox years, and was later carried forward by Zeng Milling, who was then the general system of the Shanxi Trilateral System.

In the same year, the Datong car battalion troops commanded by Yu Dayou displayed their prestige on the battlefield and defeated the enemy several times their own.

Since then, the imperial court has begun to equip the Nine-Border Border Army, as well as the Beijing camp.

However, according to Zhang Juzheng's understanding, although the nine-sided border army is equipped with a chariot battalion, everyone from the general army to the ordinary non-commissioned officers thinks that hiding behind the chariot is a cowardly behavior, so the efficiency of the use of the chariot battalion is not high.

After that, I saw Zhang Juzheng suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, looked in the direction where Jiajing was, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty Shengming, Weichen also feels that you need to rely on the Cheying to be able to compete with those Tatar cavalry!" ”

Jiajing was noncommittal to Zhang Juzheng's words, and then, I saw him pick up the teacup on the table, take a sip, and then continued: "It's too boring for me to go alone at that time, you can accompany me to see the situation!" ”

For Jiajing's words, everyone naturally did not dare to disobey, and immediately lowered their heads and responded respectfully: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

Seeing that the matter had settled, Jiajing turned around, bowed slightly to Lu Fang on the side, and began to close his eyes to recuperate.

Seeing this, Lu Fang, who was on the side, immediately stepped forward, faced everyone, and said softly: "The first thing discussed by the cabinet this time has been discussed, and we will continue to discuss it after a short rest." ”

When Lu Fang's words fell, everyone present couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and the nerves that had been tense were also relaxed.

For the next period of time, the cabinet became unusually quiet, and everyone was cautious, not daring to make any noise, for fear of affecting the emperor's rest.

……

Time passed slowly, I don't know how long it was, but I saw Jiajing slowly open his eyes.

Seeing this situation, Lu Fang, who was on the side, immediately stepped forward, faced everyone, and said in a deep voice: "Now let's start discussing the second thing, that is, the Enke that the imperial court will hold!" ”

After Lu Fang finished speaking, he returned to Jiajing's side and stood still.

Everyone knows very well in their hearts that the Enke examination that will be held by the imperial court soon is said to be Enke, but it is actually no different from the normal imperial examination.

If it weren't for the fact that some candidates openly opposed the imperial court's policy of integrated grain payment for the officials and gentry in the palace examination last year.

This time, the court's Enke only needs to set up a separate roster to present it as in the past, and the license is attached to the test.

But it was precisely because of such an incident last year that this group of students were all left out in the cold and sent to a corner place, and there was no hope for their careers.

After clearing his throat, Jiajing faced everyone and said unhurriedly: "For the Enke that the imperial court will hold next, what suitable candidates do you Aiqing have, just put it forward!" ”

When Jiajing's words fell, I saw Zhang Juzheng forcibly suppressing the excitement in his heart, and looked in the direction where Xu Jie was with an expectant expression.

After all, Xu Jie had personally promised to personally recommend himself to the emperor and become the same examiner this time.

In Zhang Juzheng's expectant gaze, he saw Xu Jie stand up, lean down, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, Weichen has a book!" ”

Hearing this, Jiajing glanced over Xu Jie's body, raised his eyebrows, and asked, "Oh, does Xu Ge have a suitable candidate?" ”

"Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that Li Chunfang, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, should be the chief examiner to be in charge of this Enke exam."

"Li Chunfang, as the champion of Jiajing for 26 years, is honest and upright, and quite talented, and it is very suitable for the champion to be responsible for writing the questions for this exam!"

After listening to Xu Jie's proposed candidate, Jiajing's eyes lit up and he immediately made a decision.

"Well, this Li Chunfang is really good, I agreed, and he will be the chief examiner of this exam!"

After Jiajing finished speaking, he looked in the direction where Xu Jie was, and continued to ask: "Since the chief examiner's person has been selected, what about the same examiner?" ”

"Xu Ge Lao thinks that who is more suitable to serve as the same examiner?"

When Zhang Juzheng heard this, although he looked as usual, judging from the slightly trembling hand he hid in his sleeve, his heart was not calm at this time.

After all, this is a good opportunity for him to cultivate his power in the bright light.

Finally, under Zhang Juzheng's expectant gaze, Xu Jie spoke: "Your Majesty, Weichen feels that in order to show the importance of the imperial court to this Enke exam, a cabinet minister should also be sent to serve as the same examiner!" ”

"Therefore, Weichen recommended Zhang Juzheng, the secretary of the Ministry of War, as the same examiner for this exam!"

When Xu Jie's words fell, the eyes of everyone present unconsciously fell on Zhang Juzheng's body.

Suddenly being watched by so many eyes, Zhang Juzheng not only did not have the slightest intention of being weak, but looked like he accepted it calmly.

"This Xu Jie, personally recommended Zhang Juzheng to His Majesty, is it possible that he plans to pave the way for him?"

Thinking of this, Yan Song couldn't help but have a little suspicion on his face.

As we all know, serving as an examiner for the imperial examination has great benefits for officials, and it is a veritable sweetheart.

Not only can we take this opportunity to recruit a group of new talents to serve as party henchmen, but we can also take with them the fame of raising a family in the DPRK.

A large part of Yan Song's henchmen were cultivated when he was once the son of the country's priest.

Between each other, there is such an incense relationship, which is naturally much more reliable than a simple interest relationship.

Although Yan Song had an inexplicable sense of crisis about this, he had no intention of obstructing it.

After all, he is also very optimistic about Zhang Juzheng, a junior, and it is naturally best to be able to carry it a little.

After that, I saw Jiajing looking in the direction where Xu Jie, and after bowing his head slightly, he said kindly: "Well, Xu Ge Lao is reasonable, in order to show the importance that the imperial court attaches to this Enke exam, a cabinet minister should be sent to serve as the same examiner!" ”

"It's so decided, the chief examiner for this exam is Li Chunfang, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and the examiner is Zhang Juzheng, the secretary of the Ministry of War, as for the other candidates, you can discuss it yourself after you come down!"

When Jiajing said this, he turned his gaze to Zhang Juzheng, raised his eyebrows, and said unhurriedly: "Zhang Aiqing, don't let me down!" ”

When Zhang Juzheng heard Jiajing's words, his face was full of excitement that could not be concealed, and he immediately got up from his seat and responded without thinking: "Yes, Your Majesty, Weichen will definitely live up to Your Majesty's trust!" ”

……

As soon as Zhang Juzheng's words fell, the faces of everyone present couldn't help but flash a trace of surprise.

After all, Zhang Juzheng, the same examiner, was decided by the emperor himself, and this alone can see how much the emperor attaches importance to this Zhang Juzheng!

At this moment, a hint of understanding flashed on Yan Song's face, he lowered his eyes, and said to himself silently: "It seems that my previous guess was correct, this Zhang Juzheng is really His Majesty's person!" ”

"But when did this Zhang Juzheng get in touch with His Majesty?"

Just when Yan Song was still racking his brains and struggling with this problem, he only heard Jiajing's voice sound, pulling it back to reality.

"Okay, what the cabinet is discussing today, let's go here for the time being, you Aiqing still have anything to report, if not, so be it!"

When the words fell, I saw Zhang Juzheng stand up, look in the direction where Jiajing was, lean down, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, Weichen has a play!" ”

When Jiajing heard this, he waved his hand and motioned for Zhang Juzheng to continue.

At this time, in addition to Gao Gong, the eyes of everyone present once again gathered on Zhang Juzheng's body.

Subsequently, I saw that Zhang Juzheng had organized the language in his mind, plucked up his courage, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, Weichen suddenly remembered that a few years ago, Zhao Zhenji, the governor of Zhejiang and the governor of Zhejiang, didn't he send someone to raid the Yuan family in Jiaxing on the charge of rebellion?" ”

Zhang Juzheng's words, like a bombshell, completely detonated the scene, and even Yan Song, who had always been indifferent, couldn't help but show a look of horror on his face.

It was not only Yan Song who was shocked by this, but even Xu Jie's face on the side was full of disbelief.

What Xu Jie didn't expect was that Zhang Juzheng actually dared to bring up the old matter again and mention the Yuan family in Jiaxing in front of His Majesty.

"This Zhang Juzheng, why is he still mentioning this matter now, doesn't he know that the purpose of what His Majesty did before was to divert the attention of the government and the opposition from this matter?"

Just when Xu Jie wanted to stand up and help Zhang Juzheng play a round, he only heard Zhang Juzheng's voice sound again: "Your Majesty, the 12.82 million taels of silver that were confiscated from the Yuan family's home in Jiaxing this time have already been filled into the treasury!" ”

"But the 198,600 acres of land under his name have not been dealt with!"

Facing everyone's gaze, Zhang Juzheng did not flinch in the slightest, only to see him look in the direction of Jiajing, and said in a deep voice: "Therefore, Weichen proposes that, like the previous times, the imperial court will send officials to distribute these lands to those landless and landless ordinary people!" ”

After listening to Zhang Juzheng's words, Xu Jie's whole person couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and the stone hanging in his heart finally landed safely.

"It turns out that Zhang Ju is making calculations in this regard, I thought it was ......"

After that, I saw Jiajing looking Zhang Juzheng up and down, with an interested look on his face, and said with a smile: "Oh, since that's the case, then Aiqing must have a suitable candidate in her heart, right?" ”

Facing Jiajing's scrutinizing gaze, I saw Zhang Juzheng lower his head and respond without thinking: "Your Majesty, Weichen is recommended, and Ma Ziqiang, the official of the banquet, will go to take charge of this matter!" ”

After hearing this person's name from Zhang Juzheng's mouth, Jiajing recalled for a long time, but still did not collect information about this person.

Seeing this, Gao Gong on the side immediately got up from his seat and added in a timely manner: "Your Majesty, this person participated in the Shaanxi Township Examination last year and won the first place in one fell swoop, and is currently serving as a banquet speaker!" ”

After listening to Gao Gong's explanation, Yan Shifan already realized in his heart, only to shake his head, and said secretly: "It seems that this Ma Ziqiang was more or less implicated in the palace examination last year, and some people openly opposed the integration of the officials and gentry of the imperial court. ”

"Since Zhang Juzheng dares to recommend this person to His Majesty in person, it means that this person should have some real talents to learn!"

"It seems that I have to pay more attention to it next, and see if there are any good seedlings in last year's batch!"

Thinking of this, Yan Shifan unconsciously clenched his fists, his face full of anticipation.

After Jiajing learned of the candidate nominated by Zhang Juzheng, he did not respond immediately, but supported his chin with one hand, and his fingers tapped the bookcase in front of him very rhythmically, making a 'da-da' sound, as if weighing the pros and cons.

After a long time, I saw Jiajing come back to his senses, looked in the direction where Zhang Juzheng was, nodded, and commanded: "Well, I'm ready, let this scripture lecturer Ma Ziqiang go and take charge of this matter, it's good to go to the local area to have some experience!" ”

Seeing that Jiajing agreed to his proposal, Zhang Juzheng's face was full of joy, he leaned down and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty Shengming!" ”

Seeing that the matter had settled, I saw Jiajing retract his gaze, waved his hand quite casually, faced everyone, and then spoke.

"Alright, I'm tired, that's all for today's cabinet meeting!"

After Jiajing finished speaking, he got up from his seat and walked towards the outside of the cabinet, Lu Fang, who had been waiting beside Jiajing since the beginning of the cabinet meeting, saw this situation and hurriedly followed Jiajing's pace.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

Subsequently, under the leadership of Yan Song, the first assistant of the cabinet, everyone knelt on the ground in unison, and said in a deep voice in the direction where Jiajing left.

After they couldn't see Jiajing's figure clearly, everyone got up from the ground one after another.

"Let Cheng Guogong personally command the Shenji Battalion to participate in the war, alas, ......"

After secretly sighing to himself, I saw Yan Song pick up the teacup soaked in wolfberry water on the table and take a sip, his face full of inexplicable looks.

……

Soon after the end of the cabinet meeting, many matters discussed in the cabinet meeting, as well as the results of the imperial court's handling of Hou Wenqing, a member of the Ministry of Labor, who was drunk and blackmailed the post man, were also announced.

Compared with the many matters discussed in the cabinet meeting, the officials are still more concerned about the results of the handling of Hou Wenqing, a member of the Ministry of Works.

After all, the whole thing is so bizarre that it can't help but give rise to a lot of curiosity.

At this time, near the bulletin board not far from the cabinet, it was already surrounded by officials who rushed to hear the news.

"You see, it says above, the next person in charge of commanding the imperial army is Yang Xuan, the governor of Jiliao, in addition, the Shenji battalion will also participate in the war together, this year's chief examiner of Enke is served by Li Chunfang, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and the examiner is Zhang Juzheng, the secretary of the Ministry of War, ......."

"Okay, let's pay attention to these later, the top priority at the moment is to see how the imperial court disposes of this Hou Wenqing!"

"Yes, that's right, let me see, what is written on this is that from now on, Hou Wenqing, a member of the Ministry of Works, will be exempted from all official positions, and ordered to be a member of the Ministry of Works, and will never be used!"

After the officials on the nearby bulletin board read out the results of the imperial court's handling of the extortion and extortion of the post guards by Hou Wenqing, a member of the Ministry of Works, it quickly caused a discussion.

"Tsk, this Hou Wen is really miserable!"

"I see, this is obviously his own doing, a dignified member of the court, he actually did such a shameless thing, ran to extort the pawn, the face of the court will be lost, and he has not been punished for his crimes, which is already considered mercy!"

"Well, that's right, the face of the imperial court is going to be lost by this Hou Wenqing, in other words, this Hou Wenqing seems to be a Jinshi of Jiajing for twenty-three years......"

"Let's ask for more blessings for you next, after all, the six branches are not easy to mess with!"

Just when the officials who came to eat melons were talking about it, on the other side, the Forbidden City, the Ministry of Rites.

In the duty room, Li Chunfang was methodically processing the official documents sent by his subordinates, and at this moment, he heard a rapid knock on the door.

Seeing this situation, I saw Li Chunfang put the brush in his hand aside, and commanded: "Come in!" ”

The voice fell, only to hear a 'squeak', the door of the room was pushed open, and after a while, I saw Xu Xuemo, the waiter of the Ministry of Rites, entering the room quickly.

At this time, Xu Xuemo's face was full of excitement that could not be concealed, and after entering the duty room, he subconsciously looked in the direction where Li Chunfang was, leaned down, and reported in a deep voice: "Lord Shangshu, what a great thing!" ”

When Li Chunfang heard this, she glanced at Xu Xuemo, a trace of surprise flashed on her face, and she asked, "Oh, what's a good thing?" ”

Subsequently, I saw Xu Xuemo forcibly suppress the excitement in his heart, and after organizing the language in his mind, he said respectfully: "Lord Shangshu, the cabinet has decided, and you will be the chief examiner of Enke next!" ”

When Xu Xuemo said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued to add: "In addition, in order to show the importance of the imperial court to Enke this time, at that time, Elder Zhang Ge will also serve as the same examiner!" ”

After learning the news from Xu Xuemo's mouth, the joy on Li Chunfang's face disappeared, and it was replaced by a look of surprise that could not be concealed.

After this, I saw Li Chunfang restrain his mind, looked in the direction where Xu Xuemo was, and confirmed to him: "What do you say, veteran Zhang Ge is the same examiner?" ”

Facing Li Chunfang's gaze, I saw Xu Xuemo nodding and saying peacefully: "Yes, Lord Shangshu!" ”

When Li Chunfang learned that he was appointed as the chief examiner of this Enke exam, he was actually very happy, after all, those officials who passed the exam and entered the official career will automatically become his protégés.

Li Chunfang can also take advantage of this relationship to win over those new science and technology scholars to improve his status in the DPRK.

After all, Li Chunfang, as the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, is only one step away from entering the cabinet, and when these new scholars gradually grow up, they will become an indispensable help for him in the future.

But now he has made a mistake halfway, Zhang Juzheng, as a cabinet minister and secretary of the Ministry of War, can directly participate in the decision-making of national affairs, and his voice is much higher than himself.

As a result, Zhang Juzheng was able to offer a higher price to win over those new scholars. (End of chapter)