Ming politicians

With the cabinet ministers, Yang Sichang was in a complicated mood when he entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The emperor suddenly wanted to discuss the letter from Huang Taiji. In fact, the cabinet had already discussed this letter. At that time, Sun Chengzong strongly opposed it. To be able to shake hands with Houjin Huang Taiji and make peace, but not to have a clear attitude. In doing so, wouldn’t it be the recognition of Houjin’s regime? Besides, Houjin is a foreign race, so he may not keep his promise. If he suddenly violated his promise, Daming It is not easy to deal with.

The deep-seated reason here still involves the situation in Liaodong and the border.

Sun Chengzong had just passed away, and the emperor suddenly brought up the idea of ​​discussing this matter again. Yang Sichang thought of it. Sun Chengzong once had a long talk with him, specifically talking about the letter from Huang Taiji, pointing out the danger in it mercilessly. Carefully, Yang Sichang fully agrees. An old man like Sun Chengzong is well-informed and can fully see Huang Taiji's purpose, and he will not let Huang Taiji succeed.

In fact, Yang Sichang is also in favor of shaking hands and making peace, but it is based on the foundation of true peace. Once he leaves this foundation, Yang Sichang will not stick to his point of view. He will never forget what happened to his father Yang He. The trilateral governor was in charge of exterminating the rogues. In the end, he adopted the idea of ​​appeasement, but was played by the rogues, which made the situation worse and worse. He was dismissed from his official position and thrown into a prison. It is a bloody lesson, Yang Sichang will not follow the old path.

As a matter of principle, he must insist, otherwise he would not have to serve as the chief assistant of the cabinet.

"My dear dears, I summoned you today to discuss the matter of making peace with Hou Jin. I have thought about it carefully. This matter still needs to be treated with caution. I want to hear your opinions. You can speak freely, no matter what you say. Whatever happened, even words that are unfavorable to the opponent, is all right, I forgive you all innocent."

Zhu Youjian looked at Yang Sichang.Yang Sichang is the chief assistant of the cabinet, so of course he has to express his position.

Yang Sichang came out, he was still young, and he was not treated like Sun Chengzong, so it was impossible for him to have a special chair to sit on.

"Your Majesty, I think I should ask all the ministers to speak first, so that I can think about it carefully."

Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction, Yang Sichang did not express his opinion first.This is helpful for other people to express their opinions. Sun Chengzong didn't understand it very well before, and he was always the first to express his opinion, which made it difficult for others to say anything. If he hadn't encouraged Tang Shiji many times, I am afraid there would be no voices of opposition.

Just after Yang Sichang finished speaking, Tang Shiji spoke.

"Your Majesty, I think that the matter that Huang Taiji proposed to discuss peace can indeed be considered. Our Ming Dynasty has encountered many years of ups and downs, wars and chaos, and the people have suffered great pain. Now we need stability, and the court also needs to focus on changing the embarrassment of the people. , so that the people can live a good life. If it is always in the midst of war, it must have a great influence. If you fight against the outside world, you must first settle the inside. As long as our Ming Dynasty becomes strong, the Jin Dynasty will be wiped out..."

Tang Shiji still holds the old view.It's just that this time, no one questioned him. In the past, Tang Shiji was often questioned by Sun Chengzong, and he had nothing to say, and every time he retreated.

Yang Sichang lowered his head, and gradually became angry in his heart. You Tang Shiji didn't take me too seriously, thinking that the old man Sun Chengzong passed away. In the cabinet, you can speak freely. The emperor's so-called free speech is just that. When cabinet ministers speak, they need to consider the overall situation and cannot imagine it.

Tang Shiji talked for a full quarter of an hour, and put forward a lot of opinions. He put forward a few specific opinions, that is, after making peace with Hou Jinyan, the military salary expenditure in Liaodong can be reduced, and the construction of Dengzhou, Laizhou, Qingzhou and Tianjin can be postponed. In other places, the navy can be temporarily not developed. The saved money can be used in other areas, and the court can also greatly reduce the burden.

Yang Sichang believes that these suggestions, on the surface, are very good, but they are actually nonsense.

Daming relaxes the defenses of Liaodong, Datong, and Ningxia, and does not build Dengzhou, Laizhou, Qingzhou, and Tianjin for the time being, or even build a navy for the time being. This is exactly the purpose of Huang Taiji. If you have a little brain, you should know the purpose of Huang Taiji. Why don't people say that they won't build a naval division? They won't relax the construction of the Eight Banners Army and the Han Army. They looted Dengzhou and Laizhou, completely destroyed these two places, and gained a lot of wealth. Make up, it's like saying I beat you, you put a knife on my chest, so we two sat down, drank a glass of wine, and said that nothing happened, you secretly sharpened the knife behind your back, ready to end me I am still complacent, ready to put down the knife, thinking that the world is peaceful.

After Tang Shiji finished speaking, the rest of the cabinet ministers did not speak for the time being.

Yang Sichang looked over one by one, Liu Yuliang and Fu Guan lowered their heads, Xue Guoguang had no expression on his face, and Liu Zongzhou had an expression of disbelief.

Yang Sichang knew that Liu Zongzhou was going to speak for sure. This was a very bad signal. Liu Zongzhou had always followed Sun Chengzong. Speaking at this time would inevitably lead to fierce opposition, which would instead arouse the emperor's dissatisfaction.

Before Liu Zongzhou could speak, Yang Sichang did.

"Master Fu, what do you think?"

Fu Guan raised his head, looked at Yang Sichang, and spoke expressionlessly.

"The emperor summoned his ministers to discuss the matter of Huang Taiji's peace. The ministers thought that I would not be able to make peace with Hou Jin. The bravery of the Hou Jin Tartars is well known. Now they are forming a navy. If Huang Taiji really wants to Yanhe, why are you still working hard to form a naval division? I don’t agree with Master Tang’s opinion. If I, Daming, relax our defenses and suddenly encounter an attack from the Houjin Tartars, causing heavy losses and even endangering the Guan Ningjin defense line, this Responsibility, Master Tang dares to take it."

Fu Guan is famous for his honesty and integrity, he advocates protecting the interests of the common people and restricting the interests of the powerful. In this regard, it is somewhat compatible with Su Tiancheng's understanding, but Fu Guan's thinking has not reached the level of Su Tiancheng. The interests of the common people include the gentry and wealthy households.

Tang Shiji looked at Fu Guan and spoke again.

"Master Fu, what I mean by this official is not to give up defense. It's just that there is no need to gather so many troops in Liaodong and the border. The construction of Dengzhou, Laizhou, and Qingzhou in Tianjin can also be temporarily delayed. Hurry up, the formation of the Navy can rely on Master Zheng Zhilong from Fujian."

Fu Guan didn't buy it at all.

"Master Tang's words, the lower officials don't understand. What is slow and slow? The navy relies on Lord Zheng Zhilong. When Dengzhou and Laizhou were attacked, where was Lord Zheng's navy? The court also dispatched sailors. What is the result? Once the imperial court has made a decision and made peace with Houjin, what do the soldiers at the frontier pass think, what do the soldiers at Liaodong think, how will their salaries be guaranteed, and if the frontier soldiers are dispatched, where will they go? It is decided that the situation in Liaodong will soon become a mess."

At this point in the debate, Yang Sichang thought that he should express his stance. If he allowed this kind of debate to continue, he would lose face as the chief assistant of the cabinet. Although the emperor wanted to form two different sides in the cabinet, he had to Coordination is necessary, otherwise things will not be easy to do later.

"Your Majesty, I agree with Mr. Fu's opinion, and cannot make peace with Hou Jin."

"Huang Taiji's wolfish ambitions are clearly revealed. The so-called making peace with my Ming Dynasty is just because I am afraid that our Ming Dynasty will become stronger, so I want to get a respite. Master Su took down Dalinghe City in Liaodong and attacked Montenegro. Huang Taiji felt the danger, so he thought of making peace, and Mr. Su was planning to form a navy in Dengzhou, which blocked the offensive route of the Houjin warship, and Houjin had no place to enter the customs, so he thought about making peace with me. Daming made peace, and I thought it was just a tactic to slow down the troops."

When Yang Sichang said these words, Tang Shiji's face turned pale. This was too much, as if Tang Shiji had been deceived, of course, including the emperor.

Yang Sichang quickly changed the subject.

"I also know that it is very beneficial to my Ming Dynasty to be able to avoid fighting. The money of the court has been flowing out continuously, and it is always stretched. Such a situation cannot be maintained for a long time. Master Tang proposed to negotiate peace. I consider Daming's interests."

"However, I think that under the current circumstances, I, Ming, still have to grit my teeth and persist, and I cannot give Houjin a chance to breathe. My Ming will build Dengzhou, Laizhou, Qingzhou and Tianjin, form a navy, and strengthen the defense of Liaodong and the border. It is the greatest pressure on Houjin Huangtai Chi, so that Houjin dare not relax in the slightest, and must be vigilant all the time, this is the process of wrestling, to see who can persevere to the end."

"I believe that the construction of Liaodong, Bianguan and Dengzhou should not only be weakened, but also need to be strengthened. The emperor can ask Mr. Su to speed up the pace and put the greatest pressure on the Queen Jin Huang Taiji. In this way, Huang Taiji will not be at peace. , my Ming Dynasty has a vast land and resources, and if we unite as one, we will definitely be able to wipe out the Houjin regime soon."

There was no expression on Zhu Youjian's face all the time. He brought up this matter not for the purpose of making peace with Hou Jin. The matter of making peace cannot be discussed. This is Huang Taiji's treacherous scheme. He can see that after So discussing this matter is thinking of Su Tiancheng's power, hoping to weaken Su Tiancheng's power through this discussion, but judging from the current situation, the opportunity is not very ripe. Stones on their own feet.

After Yang Sichang finished speaking, Zhu Youjian spoke.

"I know now. Don't bring up the matter of making peace with the Empress Jin Dynasty. I don't read all the memorials related to this aspect. The cabinet will call back directly. I hope that all of you, dear ministers, will unite as one and fight for my Ming Dynasty." Be strong and do your best." (To be continued...)