Jiajing's idea was to take advantage of the temporary establishment of the military aircraft department to gradually send the clan and nobles into the court.

The reason why Jiajing emphasized that the Military Aircraft Department was set up temporarily was to minimize the resistance to its implementation, and it was up to him, the emperor, to decide whether or not to abolish it anyway and when it would be abolished.

After the civil and military officials of the DPRK and the Central Committee gradually became familiar with the existence of the Military Aircraft Department, there was no need to abolish the Military Aircraft Department.

Although at present, only the Military Aircraft Department is responsible for the delivery of front-line battle reports, but after a long time, there will always be new rights and responsibilities that can be added to the Military Aircraft Department.

Those clans and nobles who have been supported by Jiajing also urgently need such a platform to prove themselves, and take this opportunity to gradually gain a firm foothold in the court.

After that, I saw Jiajing gather his mind, turn around, look in the direction where Lu Fang was, and commanded: "Lu Fang, you go to the British Mansion in person, call the British Duke to me, and say that I have something important to discuss with him!" ”

When Lu Fang, who was waiting on the side, heard Jiajing's words, he immediately lowered his head and responded respectfully: "Obey, Your Majesty!" ”

……

Soon after Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng returned to the cabinet through the Qianqing Palace, the news of the great victory at the front and the annihilation of 31,000 enemies by the Ming army was announced by the cabinet.

As soon as this news came out, it instantly caused the government and the opposition to shake, after all, the Gengxu change that occurred in the twenty-ninth year of Jiajing was a resounding slap in the face of Daming.

Because the Ming Dynasty adopted the strategy of first the south and then the north, and the strategic focus was on the Japanese in the southeast coastal area, therefore, in the face of the Tatar invasion in the north, it usually chose the strategy of passive defense.

And now, the Ming Dynasty finally found a place on the battlefield, not only annihilated 31,692 Tartars in one fell swoop, but also captured more than 8,000 war horses, as well as countless swords, armor and other trophies.

How can news like this not make people feel excited?

Although it was the time of duty, the bulletin board near the cabinet was still full of officials who had come to inquire about the news.

"This battle annihilated 30,000 in one fell swoop, invaded the Tartars on my Ming frontier, and strengthened my Ming might, it's really fast, fast!"

"Okay, I didn't expect the old man to see this day in his lifetime, it's really happy!"

"According to this situation, the army of the imperial court should soon be able to hit Altan Khan's lair, and when Altan Khan is captured, he must be skinned and cramped, and Ling Chi will be executed, so as to comfort the souls of those dead and injured soldiers and civilians in the sky!"

"If the old man is a few years younger, maybe he will follow the imperial army and go into battle to kill the enemy together, and kill this group of Tartars in horror, and never dare to invade my Ming frontier again!"

Just when many officials present were enthusiastic and impassioned, some officials found blind spots.

"Anyway, Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou, who have made such contributions, seem to have been personally recommended by Hu Ge Lao to His Majesty, right?"

As soon as these words came out, many officials present couldn't help but gasp, and then sighed.

"Hey, Hu Ge Lao's eyes are really vicious!"

"Don't forget, Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou are fierce generals who assisted Hu Ge Lao and exterminated the troubles on the southeast coast, Hu Ge Lao is their top boss, and he naturally knows their ability, otherwise, he will not personally recommend it to His Majesty!"

"After making such a great achievement, and having Hu Ge Lao, the official secretary, to take care of him, the future career of these two can be said to be smooth sailing!"

"This battle is not only Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou, but also Cheng Guogong's side, which is not reckless, you see that it is clearly written on it......"

……

At the same time, the capital, the British duke.

Since Zhu Xizhong, the Duke of Chengguo, commanded the Shenji Battalion and went out with the army, the clans and nobles led by the British Duke Zhang Rong have been paying attention to the battle reports sent from the front line.

After all, this battle is related to the fate of millions of clans and nobles in the Ming Dynasty.

At this time, in the room, I saw the British Duke Zhang Rong pacing back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, his face full of restlessness.

"The housekeeper has been gone for so long, why hasn't he come back yet, could it be that something delayed on the way?"

"Or is the situation from the front line not optimistic?"

Just as Zhang Rong's thoughts were flying, he heard a rush of footsteps outside the door.

After a while, I saw the housekeeper who had been sent by Zhang Rong to inquire about the news running into the room out of breath.

Zhang Rong took in the expression on the butler's face, and asked eagerly, "How is the situation?" ”

When the housekeeper heard Zhang Rong's words, after taking a breath, he responded intermittently: "Old ...... Lord, win...... Victory, a big victory at the front, good news came from the front not long ago......"

Because he was too excited, Zhang Rong didn't hear the rest of the words clearly.

At this time, Zhang Rong only felt a comfortable feeling coming from all over his body, and the nerves that had been tense were also relaxed at this moment.

"Victory, okay, haha, Cheng Guogong this time, you can give us these clans and nobles a long face!"

When Zhang Rong said this, a little regret couldn't help but appear on his face, he lowered his head, and said to himself: "I knew that I had the cheekiness to beg Your Majesty, maybe I would be able to go to the battlefield......"

After the mood gradually calmed down, I saw Zhang Rong sitting in the main seat, looking in the direction of the housekeeper, and commanded: "Tell me the specific situation!" ”

For Zhang Rong's words, the housekeeper naturally did not dare to disobey in the slightest, and after recalling for a while, he told all the news he had discovered.

"Master, in the battle with Altan Khan not long ago, the imperial court won a great victory, destroying a total of 31,692 enemies, capturing 8,653 war horses, all kinds of swords and armor, countless countless!"

"Another 3,632 enemy soldiers were captured, and in addition to that, a high-ranking enemy general named Buren was killed!"

"In this battle, our army suffered all kinds of casualties, totaling 5,326 people, in this battle, not only Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou, but also Cheng Guogong's side also made great contributions......

After listening to the housekeeper's narration, Zhang Rong's face was even more excited.

Because in this battle, Chengguo Gong performed brilliantly, so that the emperor also had more excuses to support the clan and nobles.

And take this as an opportunity to send the clan and nobles who have been silent for a long time into the court step by step.

At this time, in Zhang Rong's view, the goal of the clan, the nobles, and the restoration of the past glory seems to have become within reach.

Immediately, I saw Zhang Rong come back to his senses, glanced over the housekeeper's body, and ordered in a deep voice: "Without further ado, go and invite Dingguo Gong and them to the mansion immediately, and say that there is something important to discuss!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

When the housekeeper heard this, his expression immediately turned grim and he replied in a deep voice.

He had barely taken a few steps when a servant entered the room with an extremely eager step.

After the slave entered the room, he immediately looked in the direction where the British Gong Zhang Rong was, leaned down, and respectfully reported: "Old ...... Master, Gonggong Lu in the palace asked to see him outside, saying that he was at the behest of His Majesty! ”

After learning the news from the slave's mouth, he saw Zhang Rong's face full of surprise that he couldn't hide.

Zhang Rong knew very well in his heart that Lu Fang, as the closest person to the emperor, must have something extremely important when he suddenly visited.

"Could it be that Your Majesty came to me just to discuss the matter of sending the clan and nobles to the court?"

Coldly, such an idea suddenly popped up in Zhang Rong's heart.

Immediately, I saw him come back to his senses, look in the direction where the housekeeper was, and ordered in a deep voice: "Go and invite Gonggong Lu to the hall!" ”

"Yes, sir!"

After bowing to Zhang Rong, the housekeeper immediately walked away.

……

Soon after that, under the guidance of the butler, I saw Lu Fang walking quietly and entering the hall used to entertain guests in the British Mansion.

At this time, Lu Fang's face was full of warm smiles, and after entering the hall, he saw him looking in the direction where Zhang Rong was, and said respectfully: "I've seen the British Duke!" ”

"Grandpa Lu doesn't have to be so polite, sit down!"

When Zhang Rong heard Lu Fang's words, he waved his hand and pointed to the empty seat on the side.

When Lu Fang heard this, he didn't have the slightest excuse, and sat down on the vacant seat on the side.

Not long after he sat down, a servant stepped forward and brought a bowl of steaming tea for Lu Fang and the British Duke Zhang Rong.

Immediately, I saw Zhang Rong pick up the teacup, look in the direction where Lu Fang was, and said with a smile: "Father-in-law Lu, this is the new tea that has just arrived, you can taste it." ”

"Well, then our family will thank the British Duke for his kindness!"

After Lu Fang finished speaking, he picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"Well, this tea has an endless aftertaste, it is really good tea!"

Then, I saw Lu Fang put down the teacup in his hand, looked in the direction where Zhang Rong was, and praised him sincerely.

"Since Gonggong Lu likes this tea, I'll have someone send you some later?"

"Well, then I'm going to bother the British duke!"

After that, the two sides chatted for a while, and then, after Zhang Rong pondered for a long time, he looked in the direction where Lu Fang was and asked cautiously: "Gonggong Lu, dare to ask Your Majesty this time......"

Lu Fang took in the expression on Zhang Rong's face, shook his head imperceptibly, and then said: "British Duke, I can't hide it, Your Majesty didn't explain what it was in detail. ”

When Lu Fang said this, he paused, and added: "The British University can rest assured, it won't be a bad thing anyway." ”

When Zhang Rong heard Lu Fang's words, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, before this, he had conjectures related to it.

Right now, the front line has won a big victory, and Cheng Guogong has also made great contributions, how could His Majesty's side not take action, maybe this time Lu Fang came to find himself and discuss related matters.

And now, these conjectures in my mind have been confirmed by Lu Fang, the closest person to the emperor, how can this not be reassuring?

Then, I saw Zhang Rong suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his mind, looked in the direction where Lu Fang was, and proposed: "Father-in-law Lu, without further ado, let's go!" ”

"Hmm."

After that, the British public Zhang Rong took the prepared sedan chair and, under the leadership of Lu Fang, embarked on the steps to the Qianqing Palace.

……

Forbidden City, inside the Qianqing Palace.

I saw Lu Fang turn his gaze to Jiajing, who was sitting on the dragon chair at the moment, leaned down, and reported respectfully.

"Your Majesty, the British Duke has arrived!"

"Hmm."

After doing this, I saw Lu Fang return to Jiajing's side and stand still, like a sculpture.

Zhang Rong, who was standing behind Lu Fang, couldn't hide the excitement in his heart, and immediately knelt on the ground with a plop, and said in a deep voice: "Weichen knocks on Your Majesty, long live my emperor, long live, long live!" ”

"British duke, didn't I say it before, you don't have to be so polite to me!"

Seeing this situation, I saw Jiajing with a look of reproach on his face, got up from the dragon chair, stepped forward in person, and helped Zhang Rong up from the ground.

"Come, give a seat to the British!"

As soon as Jiajing's words fell, a eunuch soon stepped forward, prepared a seat for Zhang Rong, and laid a soft cushion on the seat.

Seeing this, Zhang Rong showed a look of panic, immediately lowered his head, bowed to Jiajing, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!" ”

After this, I saw Jiajing withdraw his gaze from Zhang Rong's body, waved his hand, and commanded: "Sit down, British Duke!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When Zhang Rong heard Jiajing's words, he didn't make the slightest excuse and sat down on the chair.

Then, I saw Jiajing sit back on the dragon chair, gently rubbing the dragon head carved on the dragon chair with his hand, and after looking Zhang Rong up and down, he asked: "British duke, I plan to set up a new agency, called the Military Aircraft Department. ”

"The tentative duty of the Military Aircraft Department is to deliver the battle report sent from the front to me, what do you think?"

When Jiajing's words fell, Zhang Rong's breathing inevitably became rapid.

After all, if the emperor just wanted to set up a new institution, there was no need to consult with himself as a clan and noble.

In other words, the establishment of the Military Aircraft Department is closely related to the clan and the nobles!

The emperor's previous mention of the word "tentative" means that the powers and responsibilities of the Military Aircraft Department in the future will definitely be more than that.

"Could it be, Your Majesty wants to use this as an opportunity to let the clan and nobles enter the military aircraft department, right?"

The more Zhang Rong thought about it, the more he felt that it was possible, and then, seeing him muster up his courage, raise his head to look in the direction where Jiajing was, and asked, "Your Majesty...... Your Majesty doesn't want to make the clan and nobles ......?"

Seeing that the British Duke Zhang Rong understood what he meant, he saw Jiajing nodding and said in response: "Well, the British Duke guessed right, that's what I planned!" ”

"The Military Aircraft Department has set up the post of Minister of Military Aircraft, and the rank is the fifth grade, and in addition to the Minister of Military Aircraft, there are a number of military aircraft counselors, and the rank is the seventh grade."

"When the time comes, I plan to let Chengguo Gong take the position of Minister of Military Aircraft, and as for the position of Military Aircraft Counselor, I plan to let those children of the clan and nobles who have passed the examination before and have been trained in Banzhou to do so, what does the British public think of my idea?"

When Zhang Rong heard Jiajing's words, his face was full of excitement that he couldn't hide, and he immediately got up from his seat, leaned down, and responded in a deep voice: "Your Majesty Shengming, it is very suitable for Cheng Guogong to serve as the Minister of Military Aircraft!" ”

Because he was too excited, British Gong Zhang Rong's body trembled uncontrollably.

Everything in front of him is too dreamy for the British Gong Zhang Rong.

The fact that these clans and nobles have been restoring the past glory and returning to the court is about to come true.

……

Although the rank of the Minister of Military Aircraft is only the fifth rank, this symbolizes a good start, and it is the beginning of the return of the clan and nobles to the court!

After calming down, Zhang Rong quickly realized a problem.

Then, I saw him look in the direction of Jiajing with a worried face, and asked, "Your Majesty...... Your Majesty, let the clan and nobles enter the military aircraft department, will those ministers in the court ......"

Jiajing took in the worried look on Zhang Rong's face, waved his hand, and said indifferently: "It's okay, Cheng Guogong has made such a great contribution this time, and no one can find fault with him as the Minister of Military Aircraft!" ”

"Besides, it only needs to be announced to the public that the Military Aircraft Department is temporarily established, British Princess, if you come, will you be worried about a temporary organization?"

After listening to Jiajing's explanation, a look of sudden realization appeared on Zhang Rong's face, lowered his head, and muttered to himself: "I see, I understand!" ”

In Zhang Rong's view, the emperor's move is not unclever.

First of all, it was announced that the Military Aircraft Department was a temporary institution, which made the ministers of the DPRK and China relax their vigilance, and at the same time, it was able to minimize the resistance to the whole thing.

After the government and the opposition gradually get used to the existence of the Military Aircraft Department, there will be no need to abolish the Military Aircraft Department.

In this process, more powers and responsibilities will be added to the body of the military aircraft department.

In this way, by the time the ministers in the court realized that something was wrong, it was already too late.

After thinking about all this, I saw Zhang Rong restrain his mind and secretly sighed: "Your Majesty is really talented and wise!" ”

At this moment, I only heard Jiajing's voice ringing in Zhang Rong's ears, pulling it back to reality: "If the British Duke thinks it's okay, then this matter is decided!" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

When Zhang Rong heard Jiajing's words, he immediately got up from his seat, his expression was dazed, and he responded without thinking.

When Jiajing heard this, he glanced at Zhang Rong quite indifferently, and after bowing his head slightly, he followed up with an order.

"Alright, since the matter has been decided, let's get here here today!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, Weichen will retire!"

After that, I saw Zhang Rong bow to Jiajing and leave the Qianqing Palace.

After returning to the British Mansion from the Qianqing Palace, Zhang Rong immediately summoned the people of Dingguo Gong, Wuqing Hou, Xincheng Hou, and Qianguo Mansion to the British Mansion.

In the hall, facing everyone's curious eyes, I saw Zhang Rong organize the language in his mind, face everyone, and unhurriedly narrate the ins and outs of the matter.

"To tell you the truth, not long ago, His Majesty called me to the Qianqing Palace, saying that he was going to set up a military aircraft department......

……

Night falls, the capital, Yanfu study.

On the same day, after the next duty, Yan Song, Yan Shifan and his son took a sedan chair and returned to Yan's mansion.

At this time, in the study.

Yan Shifan was sitting not far from Yan Song, and at this moment, his face was full of remorse that could not be concealed.

Thinking of the jade ruyi and jade pen that the emperor rewarded Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng respectively, Yan Shifan's face was full of envy.

After all, if he hadn't exchanged with Zhang Juzheng before, he would definitely have been rewarded.

Then, I saw Yan Shifan suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, looked in the direction where Yan Song was, and said slowly: "Father, I knew that this would be the case, and the child would not have changed with Zhang Juzheng in the first place!" ”

After listening to Yan Shifan's complaints, Yan Song took his eyes off the book in front of him, shook his head, and said unhurriedly: "The matter has come to this, no matter how much regret is in vain, it is better to focus on the current matter!" ”

When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment, glanced at Yan Shifan, and asked, "By the way, how are the materials for building the 'Meritorious Pavilion'?" ”

When Yan Shifan heard this, he immediately replied without thinking: "Father, the child has already sent people out, and the stone in Yunnan is fine, but the wood in Yunnan-Guichuan is difficult to handle, and it can only be transported by sea!" ”

When Yan Shifan said this, he couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion: "If only one day, it would be nice to be able to build a road directly to Yunguichuan, so that if you want to transport the timber over there in the future, it will be much easier and save a lot of costs!" ”

After listening to Yan Shifan's emotion, he saw Yan Song thinking for a moment and put forward his own idea: "Just to transport the timber from the Yunnan-Guichuan side, we have to build a road, the terrain over there is rugged, and it is extremely difficult to build the road." ”

"Moreover, the labor cost required in this process is unimaginable, and when converted, the gains outweigh the losses."

When Yan Song said this, he immediately added: "Unless there are people who don't want to be paid and can be arbitrarily called to death, otherwise, this road will be difficult to be built." ”

When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, he seemed to suddenly remember something, and then said: "By the way, father, speaking of this, the child suddenly remembered that when the Rakshasa mission visited my Daming last year, it was mentioned that they had a trade route. ”

When he said this, he saw that Yan Shifan ordered someone to take a world map that he had copied earlier to the study from his room.

After the map was rolled out, I saw Yan Shifan pointing to the direction of Europe on the world map, and then said.

"Father, you see, the trade route mentioned by the Rakshasa mission at the beginning was to take goods, set off from here, and then pass through this place called the Cape of Good Hope, exchange for slaves here, and then send the exchanged slaves here for sale, and finally sell them into gold and silver and send them back to China."

Under Yan Shifan's description, Yan Song finally realized the purpose of this route.

Then, I saw Yan Song frowning, and then said: "Isn't this just selling people, and it's still a profitable business?" ”

When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, he nodded, and said in response: "Father, you are right, the child is thinking, how about using these slaves to build roads?" (End of chapter)