"Urgent? The Manchu and Qing dynasties that are their most trusted concern are all gone, so it is only right to have free hands to resolve the affairs in the southwest."

Zhu Mou sneered and said: "To say that the Ministry of Household Affairs does not have much money, that the capital is exhausted, or that it suffers from altitude sickness, etc., are all excuses."

"What they are afraid of is that I will take advantage of this war to calmly adjust the three parts."

Yan Yingyuan remained silent, looking thoughtful.

Unlike the Battle of the North Sea, which was handled by the emperor himself, the war in the Southwest, although serious, was nothing more than a minor frontier trouble. It was neither painful nor painful, and the cabinet had a huge say.

Once such a war breaks out, Zhu Mou, as the chief assistant, can not only adjust the selection of various ministries calmly, but also use the victory of the war to increase his prestige and completely convince the cabinet elders.

This kind of thing is naturally not what the elders are happy to see.

After experiencing the oppression of the two chief ministers, Zhao Shu and Yan Chongxin, the cabinet elders have become disgusted with the powerful elders who suppress the cabinet and will not allow them to appear again.

The powerful chief minister will usurp the power of other cabinet elders, and he will almost never say anything about personnel matters, making it difficult to compete.

As we all know, in the field of politics, personnel power is the most important power.

Therefore, if the cabinet elders want to expand their voice, they must resist the powerful chief minister.

Zhao Shu is a figure like Xiao He. Yan Chongxin inherited his connections and has been running finance for many years. He almost single-handedly created the Ministry of Finance responsible for tax collection and has the oldest qualifications.

Therefore, it is difficult for the elders to resist the two of them.

But Zhu Mou was different. He had mediocre abilities, relied on the monarch's favor and clan status, didn't even have any fame, and wasn't too far ahead in terms of qualifications. Why should he convince the cabinet?

According to Shaowu's new system, the civil service department is not under the jurisdiction of the cabinet elders. Cabinet members have the right to speak, that is, the right to recommend officials below the fourth rank.

Naturally, people's hearts become impetuous.

Even Yan Yingyuan, although he is in the same camp as Zhu Mou, hates his increasing power from the bottom of his heart.

"Kui Xiang." Yan Yingyuan looked troubled: "Looking at Mr. Feng Ge's intention now, he has already convinced His Majesty to postpone the war."

"Humph!" Zhu Mou sneered and said indifferently: "Is war something that humans can control?"

Yan Yingyuan was startled, with unconcealable surprise in his eyes.

"Li Heng, go back and think about it carefully." Zhu Mou seemed tired and waved his hands and said: "Some dirty tricks are just blocking the car and not overestimating one's own capabilities."

Yan Yingyuan nodded, turned and left.

Watching his leaving figure, a trace of gloom appeared in Zhu Mou's eyes.

Yan Yingyuan has repeatedly slandered these days. Could it be that he thought that after joining the cabinet and becoming a minister, he would be equal to me, the chief minister?

dream.

Your favor roll is not half as good as someone's.

Arriving at San Yamen, Yan Yingyuan nodded to Du Yinxi, who was on duty today, and was about to leave when he was suddenly stopped.

"Liheng, wait a moment."

He turned around and saw that it was Feng Xianzong, the second assistant.

"Yan Gong!" Although Yan Yingyuan is nearly ten years older than Feng Xianzong, Yan Yingyuan is far inferior to him in terms of qualifications and status, so he can only call him respectfully.

Feng Xianzong's courtesy name was Yansi, so people at that time often called him Yangong.

"What a coincidence, my unfilial grandson is one month old today, how about we have a drink together?"

Although he was asking a question, his arms were already on his arms. Yan Yingyuan smiled bitterly in his heart and could only say: "Then I can only chatter and ask for a glass of wine."

That's all. Feng Xianzong then put down his arm and walked side by side with him.

"The King of Kang's words alone are not enough to contribute to the Kingdom of Kang. The military envoys in the country are, no, they are defense envoys. If they unite, they can be the master of King Kang."

While walking, Feng Xianzong said nonchalantly: "For the court, later is better than earlier."

The two of them were talking to each other, but no one within a radius of ten feet dared to disturb them. The secretaries of the cabinet left like rabbits, for fear of hearing inappropriate news.

So the two of them could talk freely.

Yan Yingyuan thought for a while and said: "The imperial court has spread all over the world. I heard that Sichuan had already trained a mountain soldier a few years ago. I guess the so-called altitude sickness is nothing."

"Furthermore, the imperial court knows the Kang state very well. Those defense envoys cannot confront the imperial court at all. It can be pacified in a few months with only three to five million silver dollars."

“Sichuan can be used in just one province…”

"Money, food, soldiers and horses are very important, but they are not the main reason."

Feng Xianzong chuckled and whispered: "What your Majesty cares about most is money and food. What our cabinet cares about is timing. The timing is not right now."

"At least, not this year."

Yan Yingyuan shrank and understood in his heart.

It seems that Du Yinxi and Feng Xianzong united to a certain extent to stop this southwest war.

"By the way, your Majesty said before that Beihai Province was established in the Manchu lands and had a governor."

Feng Xianzong didn't seem to notice his expression, and continued: "I wonder if there is a candidate for Liheng?"

Yan Yingyuan's eyes narrowed.

The Governor of Beihai, the chief official of the border area, is in charge of the military and political affairs of Mobei and Beihai, and should not be underestimated.

Once he improves, he will definitely be appointed as a minister in the capital, or even if he is not good enough, he will be a junior nine minister. His position is very prominent!

There is no doubt that this is the exchange condition.

After pondering for a moment, Yan Yingyuan did not say anything about the governor, but slowly talked about the southwest: "I am afraid that the decision about the southwest will be left to the temple."

"War is like a fire. It may be burning inside, but by the time sparks are seen, it will be too late."

Feng Xianzong narrowed his eyes and actually laughed: "Okay, very good."

After saying that, he ignored him and left.

Seeing his back, Yan Yingyuan's expression did not change, and a trace of joy emerged in his heart.

Of course he understood that although he had not agreed just now, the matter was almost done.

Who in his pocket can enter the North Sea?

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

When he first joined the cabinet, he was naturally inferior to the other three. Now that he had a governor of Beihai under his command, his prestige immediately increased.

There are mostly red-headed and white-haired people in the officialdom. Seeing Mr. Yan Ge who has greatly increased his voice, how can he not come to join him?

When the time comes, sift through it and there will still be some that can be used.

But within a few months, he would be worthy of his reputation as a cabinet minister.

After returning to the mansion, Yan Yingyuan naturally did not go to the full moon banquet. He only sent someone to deliver a generous gift to show his sincerity.

When people are under the melons and plums, it is natural to avoid suspicion.

Little did he know that the scene of him laughing and chatting with Feng Xianzong reached Zhu Mou's ears.

If it was done secretly or someone was observing, it could be explained, but there is no evidence, just a conversation scene, but it cannot be explained at all.

If it were the past, Zhu Mou would naturally not take it seriously.

But in the past few months, Yan Yingyuan's various disobedient actions have made him very angry, and this has only added fuel to the fire.

He is not an unintelligent person, and of course he will not stay away or sever his relationship with Yan Yingyuan because of this. After all, he, the chief assistant, also needs his cooperation for the time being.

"Come here, send two jars of the green wine brewed in the village to the old manor of Xiaoyange."

Zhu Mou ordered.

The butler was about to speak but stopped.

This wine is only produced in large quantities in the manor, but there are only dozens of jars of the best quality wine.

"What, you can't bear to part with me?"

"Master, this wine has been delivered almost everywhere, and there isn't much left at home. Besides, hasn't it been delivered to Xiaoyange's hometown?"

The housekeeper said in confusion: "There are only ten altars in the house."

"I'll give it to you as soon as I ask you to. Why do you have so many words?"

Zhu Mou scolded him, and the latter had to obey.

When Yan Yingyuan received the wine, he was quite surprised, and then he was startled.

Why did Zhu Mou get close to him again? Could it be that he was jealous?

"That's right, Zhu Mou is lenient on the outside and taboo on the inside. The words and smiles someone made to Mr. Deng today must have reached his ears."

Yan Yingyuan shook his head: "That's it, that's it."

If the Governor of Beihai is really allowed to be truthful, his position as the cabinet minister will be instantly stable and his reliance on Zhu Mou will become less and less.

Moreover, Zhu Mou will definitely not fall out with him before the war in the southwest is over.

"Three to five months later, if a certain request is still not firmly established and the prestige is not established, it's okay for this pavilion to persist."

"Besides, it may not be possible in the southwest!"
To be continued...