Severe winter.

The temperature was very low, and the ministers walked on the way to the palace, openly showing their enthusiasm for resuming the court, while secretly complaining about the end of the holiday...... Most people would rather that the emperor would never be cured of his illness before the year, so that they could continue to live a messy life.

"Negative Picture Brother ......"

Ma Wensheng walked in front, but Cheng Minzheng quickly followed.

Ma Wensheng first looked around, making sure that the people from Honglu Temple didn't pay attention to this side, so he asked as he walked: "Can't you wait until after the court meeting?" ”

Cheng Minzheng said: "It's better to say it first, I heard that you are on the resignation note again?" ”

"Hmm."

Ma Wensheng did not hide.

As soon as this answer came out, even Wang Shi, the secretary of the criminal department who was walking next to him, couldn't help but glance at Ma Wensheng.

And Lin Han, who was walking behind, heard it and pretended not to hear it......

Cheng Minzheng said: "Your Majesty has recovered from his illness, and it is estimated that there will be changes in the upward direction, if you retreat here, I am afraid that the world will be turned upside down." ”

He Zhong came out of nowhere, and said with a smile: "Keqin, isn't this a good thing for you?" ”

It seems that Cheng Minzheng has been regarded as a political enemy.

Cheng Minzheng glared at Tong Zhong fiercely, and then said to Ma Wensheng: "Today, everything must be forbearance, see what Your Majesty says." Don't be overpowered. ”

"What do you mean?"

Ma Wensheng couldn't help frowning and asked.

Cheng Minzheng didn't hear it, and turned around and walked over to the Hanlin Academy.

Although he is already a cabinet elder, he seems to be deliberately trying to keep a distance from his ministers.

Ma Wensheng looked back, as if he was thinking, and then ignored Tong Zhong and Wang Shi's inquiries, and just waved his hand to indicate that it was inconvenient to talk.

……

……

The court meeting begins.

Not surprisingly, Zhang Zhou did not appear in the court, which surprised the ministers present.

Because almost everyone knows that Zhang Zhou is in Beijing, and they all know that Zhang Zhou has further consolidated his identity and status because of the two great victories in Jizhou and the northwest, this should be the time to show off his power in the court, but he is an invisible person, as if these two big victories have nothing to do with him.

"Ahem......"

In the Fengtian Palace, Zhu Youji's expression was still very haggard, and after the basic etiquette of the monarch and minister, he opened with a cough.

The eunuch Chen Kuan, the eunuch who was in charge of the palm seal, hurriedly walked over and handed over the handkerchief, but Zhu Youzhu just took it and pinched it in his hand, put his hand on the arm of the chair again, looked up at the ministers present and said, "You have worked hard!" In the days when I was recuperating from my illness, I was fortunate to be there, and the order of the court was orderly, and I was grateful in my heart. After today's court meeting, lunch will be left in the Wenhua Palace, and I will let people prepare some things, which you can take with you when you leave the palace. ”

When the minister heard this, he said in his heart that this is a good thing.

It seems that the emperor has not received this kind of treatment for a long time, after all, the imperial court financial yamen headed by the household department is crying poor every day, and the war in the northwest has cost the emperor his own purse year after year......

"I think you have all heard that there was another victory in the northwest, and the performance that just arrived last night said that the soldiers and horses had successfully withdrawn to Weininghai and were stationed around Weininghai, and Maoerzhuang had sent troops to meet them, and the Tatars did not dare to chase after them. The head or something has also been compared, because the expedition is used in light horses, and most of them have not brought the head back, but the ears of the thieves are worn with ropes, and the people who lead the troops also play and ask for instructions, is it to build a capital view, what do I mean...... There's no need, it's just a bunch of ears, and even if it is piled up, there aren't many, so let's stop first. ”

When the ministers present heard this, they didn't react much in their hearts.

Probably thinking the same as the emperor, this kind of thing that gives generals to recruit, that is, Zhang Zhouyan's department invites merit to deter barbarians and increase the awareness of the people, can still be exempted.

Otherwise, others will think that Zhang Zhou is very awesome, and they are very incompetent.

"As a reward for meritorious soldiers, I am also ready to listen to the proposal of the new uncle of the Xuanda General System of Military Affairs, and then do some detailed surveys with the Ministry of War, and then prepare to supervise the local inspection of Shanxi Province, and then transfer people from the Ministry of War to do the inspection and implementation of military merits." Zhu Youzhu said.

Liu Jian said in a polite tone: "Your Majesty, if you send people to the northwest in Beijing and work all the way, I am afraid that you will not be able to complete the work of rewarding the military before the year." It is also necessary to have the local generals of the Xuanfu and Datong conduct inquests in advance and make a verdict as soon as possible. ”

Zhu Youzhu said: "It's okay, in this battle in the northwest, nine times out of ten, the meritorious soldiers are from Datong, and many of them are also experienced in battle, not for the first time." Earlier, later, not in a hurry. ”

"Yes." Liu Jian did not argue.

Some ministers next to him didn't understand why Liu Jian said this.

Only a few people in the front probably understood that this was Liu Jian's desire to ease the relationship with the emperor and Zhang Zhou in some way...... Allowing soldiers to survey military merits faster is not only to appease the emotions of meritorious soldiers, but also to prepare for the early determination of military merits.

After all, the military exploits of the Ming Dynasty are often not implemented for years, or even years......

In the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the military exploits of soldiers were likely to be brought into the grave, so there was also a situation of selling military merits, transferring their military merits to others, so that others could wait to be rewarded, especially the military merits of the first rank.

Using the immediate and visible benefits to give up the higher interests that may be obtained in the long run is also a compromise that many middle- and lower-level soldiers have to make.

Liu Jian's mention seems to have accelerated the determination of military merits, but in fact, it is tantamount to delegating the authority to reward and punish middle and lower-level generals for military merits, and weakening the position played by the military department in it...... After all, when the soldiers' military exploits are implemented, the first thing they think of is the people in the military department, and they will also thank Zhang Zhou for his kindness.

Liu Jian's move can not only help the soldiers in the northwest to strive for military merit earlier, but also give people the impression that they are helping the imperial court solve maladministration, and at the same time weaken the real power of the military department represented by Zhang Zhou, which can be said to kill many birds with one stone.

"I am ready to call the British Duke back, what do you think of the British Public's performance in this war?" Zhu Youzhu immediately threw out the question.

Xiong Chong, the left attendant of the military department, walked out of the subordinate class and said: "In the past few months, the British soldiers have been able to arrive at the garrison on time, and they have not flinched when they encounter the enemy, and they have fought several battles with the Tatars outside the Partial Pass, and they have won military merits. He rushed to Ningxia in time, and ordered the Tatars to retreat without a fight. ”

"Really?" Zhu Youji's face was not cold.

It doesn't seem to be much, but it gives people the feeling that the emperor is not satisfied with this "meritorious theory", and the emperor probably wants to step on Zhang Mao, otherwise how can Zhang Zhou be raised?

In addition, Xiong Chong has always been close to traditional Wenchen, and he can be regarded as the vanguard of traditional Wenchen in the military department to resist Zhang Zhou, and when he came out to speak, he gave people the feeling that he represented the opinions of traditional Wenchen such as Liu Jian and Li Dongyang.

He Jian, the left attendant of the Criminal Department, came out and said: "Your Majesty, the minister also thinks that in this battle, the British have no great merits, but they also have no faults, and they can conscientiously complete the heavy task of marching, but the Tatars are afraid of the soldiers of our border army and retreat in advance, so there is no chance to achieve merit in this battle." ”

Zhu Youzhu said: "What you said is not right. If the British public has no chance, why should others have a chance? Isn't military merit supposed to be earned? If he takes the initiative to fight, even if it is a thousand-mile attack, military merits can still be obtained, but if he just wants to hold the territory, then what is the point of sending him to the northwest? Is it just to scare the Tatars away? ”

He Jian's attitude seemed very insistent and said: "If the Tatars retreat, it can also become the fault of the British duke, and the minister thinks it is improper." ”

Zhu Youzhu said a little impatiently: "I didn't say that I would investigate his faults, but I can't judge him as a meritorious hero, if he does nothing is considered a meritorious service, then who will I send to the northwest in the future, will everyone be like him, shrinking back in exchange for the last meritless merit, waiting for me to reward them?" ”

He Jian originally wanted to insist, but seeing the emperor's attitude change, he instantly felt that the emperor in front of him was still sick, so he went to argue with the emperor like this, no matter who was reasonable, the emperor was angry, and his career as an official was likely to end.

"Ahem."

Zhu Youzhu coughed twice, as if he was angry, then wiped his mouth with the handkerchief in his hand, and then threw the handkerchief directly on the ground.

Chen Kuan hurriedly leaned over and picked up the handkerchief, and then stood aside respectfully.

Zhu Youzhu exhaled angrily: "I originally thought that he still had some attainments, at least not as cowardly and incompetent as Zhu Hui at the beginning, but now it seems that he is just a pedantic minister who follows the rules. Just call him back like this, it is better to leave him in the northwest for a while to practice, and then recall him after the spring of the next year. ”

Originally, the emperor said that he would summon Zhang Mao back, but now he said that he would let Zhang Mao continue to stay in the northwest.

This is tantamount to telling the ministers present that Zhang Mao has offended me, and I don't plan to let him come back for a while, and his position will naturally be taken over by someone else, and the defense power of the Beijing camp can be in the hands of others, or Zhang Zhou, or someone from Zhang Zhou's faction.

Because Yang Peng and Zhang Yong had already been transferred to Beijing as admirals, the ministers present actually saw that the emperor was just looking for an excuse to make Zhang Mao unable to come back.

Li Dongyang and Liu Jian glanced at each other.

There seemed to be some confusion in their eyes...... Obviously, the minister didn't understand what the two of them meant, they had always hoped for a confrontation between Zhang Mao and Zhang Zhou, and it seemed that it was because of He Jian's "crooked attack" that the emperor was resentful, but it was their plan that was achieved.

That is to leave Zhang Mao in the northwest, so that Zhang Mao's mentality is unbalanced and he has a grudge with Zhang Zhou.

But as for Xiong Chong's performance, is it because his brain is not good, or whether it comes from the emperor or Zhang Zhou's instructions, they don't understand it for the time being.

"Ningxia's defense remains a top priority." Zhu Youzhu added, "The British Duke will stay for at least two months, and when the snow melts in the spring, I will summon him back to continue his old duties." ”

Wait for two months, and let Zhang Mao come back as the commander of the Jingying?

So why did he stay in the Northwest? Just call it back!

Li Dongyang said: "Your Majesty, I don't know who should take care of the military affairs and other matters in Beijing in the past few months?" The British Duke was quite prestigious in the army, and without him in Beijing, many things could not be advanced in the future. ”

Zhu Youzhu asked, "You mean the affairs procured by Beijing?" Still is...... Sideways? In the past two months, without him, there has been no chaos in the guards of the Beijing Division, right? The military department will take care of everything. ”

Oh.

Many ministers seem to understand.

This is to transition.

If in the next few months, the emperor discovers that the military department and the admiral eunuchs can directly control the military power of the Beijing camp in the case of skipping Zhang Mao, then Zhang Mao will stay in the northwest for three months, year after year, and just die of old age in the northwest.

But if it doesn't work without Zhang Mao, then get Zhang Mao back, so it seems that the emperor is reasonable.

Look, let you stay in the northwest for three more months, that is, stay for three more months, and let you be reinstated after you come back, can you say that I have treated you badly? It's just a workout for you!

In this way, the emperor can be in a position of attacking, retreating, and defending.

Since someone has figured out the emperor's intentions, the ministers present will definitely not make the emperor too comfortable, otherwise how can they show their cunning side as professional politicians?

Li Shishi, the right attendant of the Criminal Department, came out and said: "Your Majesty, daily military affairs and other matters can indeed be dispatched by the military department, but when it comes to military drills and other matters, especially the dispatch of soldiers and horses in each battalion, it must be completed by the people in the governor's mansion." As seen by the ministers, the coordination should be completed by the people of the Governor's Office. ”

Zhu Youzhu said quietly: "If I remember correctly, Bingkuan is also the position of the Governor's Mansion, right?" Could it be that he wants to mobilize some people, and there are still soldiers below who are not convinced? Or is it that apart from the British duke, there are no lords in the battalions? Usually, the British public is sick for a few months, and there is no chaos! Or do you think that others in Ningxia will cause any trouble to Beijing? ”

"This ...... It's the minister's gaffe. Li Shishi was very knowledgeable and retreated.

In this way, even Liu Jian, Li Dongyang and others can see that this Li Shishi seems to be doing a great favor, but in fact, he is adding to the chaos.

made reasonable suggestions and questions to the emperor, but it also gave the emperor a mouth to refute, and at the same time blocked the way for other ministers to play against it...... Li Shishi looked as if he had deliberately come out to do this in exchange for the emperor's and Zhang Zhou's admiration for him.

"The matter of Jingying, I will not let Bingkuan govern in the name of the Governor's Mansion, and at the same time will send someone to help him, recently Shouning Hou has been staying in Beijing without arranging a real position, so let him go to the Governor's Mansion to help Bingkuan." Zhu Youzhi said another earth-shattering news.

The boss of the Zhang family went to help Zhang Zhou?

Where is this strong combination? It's a nest of snakes and rats.

The minister will inevitably think, the emperor decided like this, wouldn't he be blown by Empress Zhang again? Otherwise, with the boss of the Zhang family, how could he make the emperor feel that he was suitable to help Zhang Zhou?

"The war in Jizhou is also over, and I am also ready to transfer Anbianhou and Jingshanbo back, and at the same time I can help Bingkuan. Recently, I have been mainly recuperating, and I may come out once or twice a year ago, and there will be a period of time after the year...... Need to recuperate, what's going on in the court...... It's up to the cabinet, as well as the Upper Listening Office, and all the secretaries of the family, to bother more. When Zhu Youzhu said this, he seemed to be very polite to the minister in front of him.

"The details of military affairs will be discussed today."

Zhu Youzhu said again, "Elder Liu Ge, I'll leave it to you in advance, I'll go back and make adjustments, and I'll come back in two hours." Arrive in the Mandarin Palace...... Eat together, all of you...... Great work! (End of chapter)