"Or do you want to send troops?"

Li Ruhua said with some consternation, just now, Yan Chenhao ordered him to tell Ni Wenhuan that he would continue to count the money and food needed for the army's expedition, but the number was changed to 50,000.

Although it is not the original 150,000 army, it is surprising enough, you must know that in the past few years, Yan Chenhao's suggestions have been almost universally followed. It is precisely because of this that Li Ruhua went directly to Ni Wenhuan to stop work before the emperor's order was issued, but this time, Yan Chenhao did not succeed in convincing the emperor.

This is undoubtedly extremely rare.

"Your Majesty has made up your mind, and I can't help it."

Yan Chenhao sighed slightly and said, this conversation, he felt that there was a slight rift between the emperor and himself.

To be honest, he didn't want to conflict with the emperor, after all, the implementation of his previous decrees was so smooth and controlled the entire court, which was one reason, but the emperor's cooperation was also an important reason.

However, as Zhu Changxun's teacher, he knows the other party's mind too well, the so-called conquest of the grassland is just a superficial reason, Zhu Changxun's real thoughts are afraid that he just wants to show his martial arts.

Is it advisable for the emperor to start a war that threatens to bring down the dynasty because of his personal hobbies and pursuit of merit? No matter how much he didn't want to clash with the emperor, he had to stop it, this was his criterion.

"Moo, go ahead and do it." He smiled reluctantly and said to Li Ruhua:

"This is not necessarily a bad thing, if according to the plan, the strongest Dzungar department in Warat is defeated and weakened by our army, then the forces of all parties in the steppe will return to balance again, and it will be easy to complete the unification, and their war will last longer, which is a good thing for the Ming Dynasty."

"Moreover, in this way, His Majesty will definitely approve the completion of the Northland Water Conservancy Project...... Although starting two at the same time will put some pressure on the treasury, after all, there are only 50,000 troops, and it can still be supported after all. ”

Of course, Li Ruhua could hear that this was just Yan Chenhao's comforting words, he looked at him deeply, and said:

"Yes."

After taking two steps, he turned back and said:

"Ge Lao...... You still have to pay attention to protecting yourself......"

Yan Chenhao looked at his departing back, stood in place, and couldn't help laughing at himself.

You can't just watch this single-handedly created peace and slide into the abyss, right?

Although it is indeed a bit stupid.

……

The Forbidden City, the depths of the inner court of the imperial palace.

In a palace, an old woman in a palace dress with gray hair and a wrinkled face was sitting in a chair, while the emperor who was in charge of this vast empire was still sitting below her.

Empress Zheng, no, Empress Dowager Zheng's age is already very old at this time.

Since becoming the queen, her temper has become more and more lenient and gentle, and she strives to get closer to those virtuous queens in ancient and modern history, especially the founding queen of this dynasty, Ma, who is the object of her emulation.

In addition, there are no more literati who demonize her among the people, so over the years, the reputation of the queen mother has been getting better and better.

The palace people who served her, and some people compared him with the queen who was deposed many years ago, saying that the first emperor was wise, and the newly established Empress Zheng was indeed a generation of virtuous queens.

It made her very happy.

In the first half of her life, she was favored by her husband, and in the second half of her life, her son ascended to the supreme position as he wished, and he was also filial to her.

What more could you ask for in this life?

However, today's personal palace maid brought her bad news.

"I heard that today because Yan Ge Lao's performance was not in line with His Majesty's wishes, he was angrily reprimanded by His Majesty?"

The expression on Empress Dowager Zheng's face was quite serious, and she said softly.

It's been a long time, but she still remembers how it all began.

In the famine of that year, the young man gave the girl's family a heavy share of silver, giving them hope to live.

After that, the other party helped his son ascend to the throne, and against this general trend, he forcibly won the dragon.

Decades, so much has happened, until now she has finally come to this juncture, it can be said that Yan Chenhao is definitely indispensable.

She and Yan Chenhao haven't met many times, after all, there are many barriers between the inner court and the outer ministers, but she always remembers that kindness.

She really didn't want to see the two clash.

Zhu Changxun lowered his head, and his tone was understated:

"No, mother, it's just that I have a few words with him because of political differences."

He didn't want his mother to get involved.

But Empress Dowager Zheng saw his thoughts, and she said in a leisurely tone:

"I'm old, old man, and I often dream about the past."

"Last night I had a dream that I was back in my childhood, back to that great famine......"

"The whole county is fleeing, Abba and everyone went to the county government to give food, but the official told us:"

"'The boat carrying grain has not come, and now even the Jingshi is short of food, not to mention our small county in Gyeonggi? There is no way for this official. ’”

"Then they dispersed."

"We were all desperate, my brother and mother were so hungry that they couldn't move in bed, Abba was crying, and at the same time touching my head and saying, 'Dream, I can only suffer you.'" ”

"I was put on a straw mark and went to the market to sell, and I walked by the evil slaves of the rich and noble, and the sons and daughters who wore all the bells and whistles."

"I saw people who had been bought, whipped like pigs and dogs, and I was really scared, I was afraid that I would be like them. I have long heard a lot of rumors that once you sell yourself, life and death are up to the master's family, and if you encounter a bad one, you will throw your body into the wild after being killed, it will be light. ”

"When a wicked slave takes a fancy to me and walks towards me, I can see his broken teeth, and his beast-like claws reaching out to me."

"It was he who stopped the evil slave, and when he saw that my father and I were pitiful, not only did he not take me away, but he also gave us all the money that he and his servant had, so that we might live well."

"In that great famine, I don't know how many people starved to death, and the corpses were in the wilderness, but our family all survived."

"After that, I participated in the draft, was favored by the first emperor, and stayed in the palace. That time, the emperor took me to see the champion, and I saw my benefactor, and from that moment on, such a thought came to my heart - I want to repay him. ”

"However, over the years, not only have I not repaid the favor, but I owe more."

As she spoke, tears slid down the eyes of Empress Dowager Zheng.

She reached out and touched her son's shoulder, and whispered:

"I want to repay it for my mother, at least pay it back."

Zhu Changxun was silent and did not speak.

Empress Dowager Zheng sighed.

(End of chapter)