The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

The emperor had the final say on sending troops to suppress bandits.

Zhu Youtang then said, "I think you have all eaten the food grown in Liaodong before. Do you have any opinions on this?"

The topic instantly shifted from military affairs to people's livelihood.

And it is the thing that Liu Jian and Li Dongyang least want to mention.

Liu Jian said, "Your Majesty, some places are planting new crops, which is inevitable. However, these crops are still unproven. We have only planted them for one season. If the yield drops sharply next year, or if there are major pests and diseases, or if there is a locust plague, it will bring great disasters. In my opinion, it is not advisable to promote them excessively."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "That sounds reasonable."

This is really confusing.

It seems that the emperor already knows the harm of the new crops?
"Then is there any problem with eating it?" Zhu Youtang continued to ask.

Now even Liu Jian couldn't find any fault with it.

Zhu Youtang said, "According to what Bingkuan said, it is good to eat more coarse grains, especially corn. Many officials in the court are old and should take care of their health. After eating, you can maintain your strength, right? You won't feel hungry after eating too much?"

Cheng Minzheng came out and said, "After eating, I feel strong and healthy. I don't feel tired even if I don't eat for a day."

Zhu Youtang smiled and said, "It's not that magical. It's probably just your illusion, Cheng Qingjia."

Although Cheng Minzheng's words sounded just flattery and a little unreasonable, it was this tone that made the emperor feel very comfortable.

Obviously, every emperor likes to hear obedient words, but in the Hongzhi period, civil officials were too obsessed with the so-called "honest advice is unpleasant to the ear", resulting in the emperor only hearing a few words he wanted to hear in a whole year. Over time, Zhu Youtang even had a masochistic tendency.

Even when he heard Cheng Minzheng's words, he felt novel.

Zhu Youtang said: "Disasters caused by crops occur every year, but crops like these that are drought-resistant and flood-resistant and can guarantee a good harvest are already very rare. Moreover, these crops are much better at surviving and growing than traditional crops. In my opinion, they may not need to be promoted on a large scale, but it is urgent to plant them in the military farms in the nine border areas."

Liu Jian said: "Your Majesty, the nine frontiers are the most important thing to ensure the food supply of the soldiers. If something unexpected happens, I am afraid that the food from various places will not be able to be dispatched."

Zhu Youtang shook his head and said, "Only the military farms are unplanned. In the past, when the Tatars invaded, sometimes the grain in various places was destroyed, and even there was no harvest, but it was not necessarily a big change. Now we are just promoting some new crops. Even if it is like what you said, there will be no harvest, doesn't it have to be planted for a few years before this will happen?"

Liu Jian almost wanted to argue, why couldn’t there be no harvest in the first year?

But if you think about it, the crop failure, apart from floods and locust plagues, is more due to the fact that the land has become extremely barren due to excessive cultivation.

If it is a natural disaster, everything is the same. If it is due to barrenness... then we have to plant new crops for a few years first, and let the new crops make the land barren. In the first year... It seems like an argument for the sake of argument, and it doesn't make sense.

Zhu Youtang said: "I plan to spend another two years to accumulate a large amount of food. After two years, I will personally lead the army to pacify the grassland."

"His Majesty!"

Just when Liu Jian was still considering how to refuse the emperor's promotion of new crops, Zhu Youtang's sudden words almost made Liu Jian lose his balance.

Do you want to lead the army in person?

And set a two-year deadline?
This is simply... making a joke of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Youtang seemed very determined to say: "The border troubles in the north have lasted for generations. Now, taking advantage of the powerful firearms of the Ming Dynasty, I want to eradicate the border troubles once and for all. If it is not completed within two years, the Tatars will also master the technology of manufacturing artillery, and it will be hard to predict who will win or lose on the battlefield. Didn't someone tell me before that casting new cannons and preparing new gunpowder would allow the Tatars to master the technology, which would be more harmful to our Ming Dynasty?"

Defeat magic with magic.

It is you civil servants who analyze the pros and cons in front of me every day. Whether you say it positively or negatively, it always sounds like you are right.

Even the casting of cannons and the development of new gunpowder can be taken advantage of by you in a different way. You believe that once the Tatars master this technology, the Ming Dynasty's border will suffer greater harm. You even use this as an opportunity to define Zhang Zhou as a potential sinner for all eternity... Now I say, in order to prevent this situation from happening, we must fight a quick battle and resolve it quickly.

Two years...

The preparation time is already very long. If we add the first three years of research and development of artillery and new gunpowder, the total preparation time is five years. Can this still be called hasty?

Li Dongyang said: "Your Majesty, pacifying the grasslands is not something that can be done in a hurry. Even if we need to send troops, the generals and soldiers at the border should be the main force. Your Majesty should not go there in person."

Zhu Youtang sighed, "But my lifelong ambition is to pacify the grasslands. Don't you think I don't have the ability to do that?"

Li Dongyang was also anxious.

Do I need to discuss with the emperor the disadvantages of leading the army in person?
It seems that there is no need to discuss this matter. Haven't we been working together for the past few decades? Since your grandfather, who has mentioned the emperor leading the army in person?
Zhu Youtang said, "You don't have to persuade me anymore. I intend to let Bingkuan handle the preparation of food and weapons for this war... Minister of Revenue Qi Zhong has asked for resignation many times, and I have approved it. After Qi Zhong leaves the court, I intend to hand over all the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue to Bingkuan. Do you have any opinions?"

Now the four people present knew why the emperor had specially convened this meeting.

Because the emperor needs to prepare for war.

On the basis of preparing for war, both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue were handed over to Zhang Zhou alone. This was a precursor to warmongering and had even begun to be implemented.

It seems that the purpose of calling these cabinet ministers here is not to discuss, but just to convey the spirit and let you know what is going on. As for opposition... you are not qualified to object.

Liu Jian said: "Your Majesty, it is really against the rules to have one person in charge of two ministries, and this will lead to abuse of power. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue should be managed by different people, and the independent decision-making and work efficiency of each government office should not be delayed."

Zhu Youtang said calmly, "Do you think Bingkuan alone is not up to the task?"

"Yes." Liu Jian said bluntly.

Zhu Youtang shook his head slightly and said, "When Bingkuan is not at the Ministry of War, has there been any deviation in the Ministry of War?"

"This..." Liu Jian seemed to suddenly realize that the emperor's indulgence of Zhang Zhou's lax behavior seemed to be a preparation for today's events.

Zhu Youtang asked again: "Or do you think that in order to prepare for the war in the northwest, especially a massive war, who else besides Bingkuan is more suitable to take charge of the overall planning?"

Liu Jian had no idea how to answer.

Zhang Zhou's rise in recent years has caused even the traditional civil officials who opposed Zhang Zhou to feel that the court cannot do without Zhang Zhou, especially in the military and political aspects, and it seems that there is no one more powerful than Zhang Zhou.

If it were three years ago, they could still recommend Ma Wensheng, but now that Ma Wensheng has retired, it is not appropriate to recall him. None of the young and vigorous factions have gained momentum. Even if there are two relatively capable ones, Wang Qiong and Lu Wan, they are Zhang Zhou's men. As for Wang Shouren... he is not within the scope of Liu Jian and others' vision.

Zhu Youtang said, "I think this matter is settled. Originally, I was going to tell the court about such a big thing as the Minister of Revenue, but my health has been bad recently...hmm. It's the same to tell you, as long as you think it's okay, then this matter is settled."

Before Liu Jian could object further, Cheng Minzheng stepped out and said, "I agree with this."

Liu Jian glared at Cheng Minzheng fiercely.

It seemed like he was questioning Cheng Minzheng. When we set out earlier, we said that we should advance and retreat together. Is this what you followed?
You are now determined to stand on the emperor's side and help Zhang Bingkuan, which is tantamount to aiding and abetting the evil.

"Bingkuan is very capable, but he is not an iron man after all. For the time being, I will let him take charge of the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. I will keep his position in the Hanlin Academy. As for the tasks of the Shangtingchu and the Governor's Office... I will let him resign first. This way, I can take care of his energy. What do you think?"

Zhu Youtang seemed to be trying to retreat in order to advance.

Considering that the two ministers have been officially handed over to Zhang Zhou, let Zhang Zhou also resign from the two responsibilities and then give him back his positions later...

Li Dongyang said: "Your Majesty, if the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue have a dispute over some matters, which side should be taken into consideration?"

Zhu Youtang said coldly: "Are you saying that Bingkuan is unfair? Letting him take charge of two ministries is to better coordinate everything, but you are thinking about what to do if conflicts arise... Is the Ming Dynasty court a place of conflict? Do we have to have some conflicts to maintain it?"

Li Dongyang heard the strong hostility in the emperor's words, so he stopped talking.

Zhu Youtang said: "Even if Bingkuan cannot handle it impartially, I am here. I will not let this happen... I am even saying this here. If anyone always drags his feet in the matter of pacifying the grassland, I will be the first to not forgive him. As long as Bingkuan is working for this matter, even if many things he does are not in accordance with the rules or even against the law, I will stand on his side..."

Good guy.

Li Dongyang was thinking in his heart, Your Majesty, you can even take into account the prerequisites that are illegal.

This is intended to make Zhang Bingkuan lawless.

He was plotting treason, and he said that it was also for the purpose of pacifying the grassland. What should we say?
Zhu Youtang then added: "But I know that Bingkuan is the one who knows how to handle things properly. If he does something inappropriate, you can always remind him. I don't want him to bear too much alone. The court should also pave the way for him for some less important matters."

Cheng Minzheng suddenly laughed again and said, "Then your majesty, may I ask, if one person holds the posts of both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, and all military and political affairs are decided by one person, then what difference does it make whether this person is in the imperial court or not?"

"Is it that important whether there is a difference or not?" Zhu Youtang said, "The establishment of the Shangting Office is to pacify the grassland. I believe you also hope that the grassland can be pacified as soon as possible, so that the mission of the Shangting Office will be completed. At that time... the Shangting Office will no longer need to exist."

He also painted a big pie for the four cabinet ministers.

You see, you are now competing for power with the Shangtingchu. I promise here that as long as the grassland is pacified, the Shangtingchu will be dissolved and your cabinet will still be the head.

Of course... during this period, the power of the Upper Court will be unlimited. A person who is not on duty in the Upper Court, that is, the one with the surname Zhang and the courtesy name Bingkuan, can call the shots and even stir up trouble at will during these two years. Not only do you have to tolerate him, but you also have to cooperate with him. If he is not noisy enough when he is stirring up trouble, you have to help him.

Bitter first and then sweet.

Just ask you whether you accept it or not?
Cheng Minzheng said: "I also hope that the Supreme Court can complete its mission as soon as possible. I second the motion."

When Wang Ao saw this, he also lowered his head and said, "I second the motion."

They had agreed to advance and retreat together, but in an instant, the two of them stood on opposite sides. Liu Jian could only be angry. He could only casually bow his hands and say, "Although I think this matter needs to be discussed, it is not impossible to move forward. I think the Ministry of Revenue should be temporarily handed over to Zhang Zhou. If there is a better candidate later, the position should be transferred."

Zhu Youtang said: "I know, and I don't want Bingkuan to work too hard, so I will also pay attention to it."

……

……

An inner court meeting in the Qianqing Palace ended.

In Zhang Zhou's absence, they once again achieved a great victory, which made Liu Jian and Li Dongyang extremely frustrated.

As the imperial edict that had been prepared long ago was issued, Yang Peng rushed to Zhang Zhou's residence as soon as possible to tell him the good news truthfully.

"Congratulations, Mr. Zhang. You have been promoted to the position of Minister of two ministries, and have been promoted to the rank of Grand Master of Imperial Households, Minister of State, Junior Tutor, and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. This is a great honor to the Ming Dynasty." Yang Peng said flatteringly, "In this way, you are on an equal footing with Lord Liu. No, you even have one more Minister of War than Lord Liu... you still have a real vacancy."

Zhang Zhou laughed and said, "Isn't it that I lack the title of Grand Secretary? In this respect, I am not as good as Lord Liu."

Zhang Zhou was previously promoted to Shao Bao as Duke of Cai, and now he was promoted to Shao Fu as a civil official. He was still ranked among the Three Orphans, and at this level, only Shao Shi was slightly higher than him.

Of course, there are three dukes above.

However, according to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, only meritorious officials could be awarded the title of Three Dukes, while civil officials could only be awarded it posthumously. Later, Emperor Jiajing hypocritically wanted to give Yang Tinghe the title of Three Dukes, but Yang Tinghe declined four times and the offer was aborted. Later, there was Lu Bing who was both a Three Duke and Three Orphans, the first person in the Ming Dynasty.

Later, it was Zhang Juzheng.

As a meritorious official and a civil official, Zhang Zhou is now ranked among the three orphans. It is very likely that he will become the first minister of the Ming Dynasty to be both a public official and an orphan.

Yang Peng said: "Your status is far higher than that of Elder Liu."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Zhou waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty entrusted me with an important task so that I can coordinate military and political affairs and prepare for the pacification of the grassland. As for the rank of official, it is secondary. If I can pacify the grassland, what does it matter if I am just a commoner?"

Yang Peng said with emotion: "Your tolerance is truly unprecedented."

Zhang Zhou smiled and said, "Eunuch Yang, if you have anything to say, you'd better speak up."

Yang Peng smiled ashamedly and said, "I know you don't like to hear these compliments, but I have something to say. I have a little trouble... I want you to help me with a little favor."

Zhang Zhou said, "Do you want me to help you, or give me a chance and let Eunuch Yang give me a gift?"

Zhang Zhou obviously understood that with Yang Peng's current status, he didn't need help from others at all.

Unless... Yang Peng wanted to give him a gift in disguise, deliberately asking him for help, and then bribed him. (End of this chapter)