The emperor's words were completely beyond Wang Chonggu's expectations, and also confused him.
Enter the cabinet!? What does the emperor mean by this?
Trustworthy?
Winning over?
play off?
Wang Chonggu's mood was inexplicable, intertwined with complex emotions such as surprise, surprise, vigilance, and exploration.
His thoughts were racing and he racked his brains, but because he didn't know much about the emperor, he was not sure.
Wang Chonggu came back to his senses a little, but stopped talking - Japan has been in a dilemma these past few days. Before the matter was resolved, another more difficult matter came.
He was so helpless that he was pulled into the palace by the emperor.
Zhu Yijun looked at Wang Chonggu's expression and body movements without any trace, and felt relieved when he saw that his expression was still slightly wary.
He did not give Wang Chonggu a chance to answer, and kept talking: "Yang Qing has been in charge of three dynasties for more than forty years, and he is my most trusted minister in the Ming Dynasty. Although I have tried to persuade him to stay, there are times in the Spring and Autumn Period, and no one can disobey him."
"It's just that Yang Qing is a general and minister, and he is the one who the world depends on for peace. With this unified official position, there is no such important minister in the cabinet who is so high-ranking and familiar with military matters."
He looked at Wang Chonggu: "I tossed and turned last night, and after thinking about it, I thought of Wang Qing! I am afraid there is no one more suitable than Wang Qing to take over the military affairs of the cabinet."
After saying that, he asked the eunuch to give Wang Chonggu a seat and let him eat with him.
He picked up a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup and started eating directly with Guishunzhai's pastries.
Wang Chonggu was silent for a long time, but did not sit down. He slowly said: "Your Majesty, the person who is now handling cabinet affairs on behalf of Mr. Yang Ge is my nephew."
"My uncle and nephew are serving as nine ministers in the court at the same time. Your Majesty is already showing mercy and does not avoid jealousy. How can I have the extravagant hope of letting Your Majesty bear the reputation of being too doting?"
It would be a lie to say that I am not impressed.
After all, he is an assistant minister in the cabinet and the head of a hundred officials. No minister can remain indifferent.
His grandfather Wang Xin was just a scholar, and his father Wang Yao was a lowly businessman. It was not until his generation that he finally became famous in the county.
What is before him now is the pinnacle of being a minister and the ultimate achievement of honoring one's ancestors.
Xuan Ma pays homage to the Prime Minister!
But Wang Chonggu did not lose his mind and agreed directly - although he had been at the frontier for a long time, Wang Chonggu's most basic qualities had not fallen behind.
The fact that nephew and uncle join the cabinet at the same time will definitely arouse suspicion.
Even if the emperor trusted him, the courtiers would go crazy and impeach him.
Therefore, the emperor could not allow their nephew and uncle to join the cabinet together no matter what.
He said this just to retreat and listen to the emperor's attitude - the emperor held himself up high and wanted to send him to the cabinet. It is difficult not to think that he was playing the trick of "two peaches kill three people".
Do you really need him, or do you want to use this to provoke the Jin people and throw it away after use?
After Zhu Yijun swallowed the food, he said slowly and quickly: "Not to mention your nephew, even Yuan Fu, Gao Ge Lao, Lu Ge Lao, etc., have never been to patrol a place, and the governor has never been to Jiubian."
"Now I just need an important minister who understands the local situation and understands the dangers of the border towns. He can rely on me and be able to plan the military affairs of the nine borders in the cabinet."
"Who else can take this position besides Wang Qing?"
He didn't bother to pick up on Wang Chonggu's words. Why did his uncle and nephew join the cabinet together? Nothing!
Speaking of the Jin Party members, Zhang Siwei is the most selfish, insidious and cunning.
It's just such trivial matters as clearly marking the price to give the big businessman a platform and writing an epitaph.
Accepting bribes and doing things for others is just a matter of course for him.
Promoting township parties and supporting Shanxi merchants to embezzle state assets can be ignored.
However, after hearing about his actions in history, there is almost no one who does not feel disgusted.
At that time, Zhang Juzheng gained power, and Zhang Siwei was the first to flatter him. After Zhang Juzheng's death, he was ready to counterattack, which is evident in his conduct.
That's all. If he can continue to innovate with a new skin after counterattacking, he might not be a bad person.
However, they petitioned to repeal the new law on the grounds that the gentry had suffered too much and had "lost their interest in life."
Then he personally stopped the land accounting, abolished the examination law, restored the two-tax system, etc.
How can such a person with only selfish motives and no ideals and beliefs be allowed to join the cabinet?
Zhu Yijun has already opened his eyes, but he still allows such a person to join the cabinet. Isn't he deliberately making himself uncomfortable?
In comparison, Wang Chonggu still has some hope.
Zhu Yijun read through all the memorials written by Wang Chonggu during the Longqing period.
Whether he was the governor of Ningxia or the governor of Shaanxi, at least Wang Chonggu performed his duties conscientiously.
In particular, Wang Chonggu's positive attitude in answering my tribute request was compared with Wang Zhigao's reluctance and resistance when I paid tribute to Hetao Ji Neng, which shows the former's effectiveness.
Although he has selfish motives, he is also a useful person.
The emperor's words were reasonable and reasonable, and Wang Chonggu could not find fault with them.
Compared to his nephew, Wang Chonggu is indeed more suitable to take over Yang Bo's position.
Simply speaking, his understanding of the nine-border bandits was unmatched by others, let alone the recent invasion of the border areas by the barbarian Khans, the emperor's desire to reorganize his troops, and so on.
The most important thing is that my nephew is still young!
This may be the last chance for your career!
The only thing worth worrying about is that this may not be conducive to the unity of Jin people.
If after meeting the emperor, he squeezed out his nephew and entered the cabinet, what would the countrymen and in-laws think about this kind of thing?
Moreover, my nephew is not a fuel-efficient lamp either. What if he feels resentful?
Wang Chonggu did not answer easily, but began to think deeply.
Zhu Yijun waited patiently, not forgetting to signal Wang Chonggu to sit down and have breakfast together.
He is naturally very confident.
After all, Xuan Ma was the prime minister, and few ministers could resist this temptation.
What's more, the relationship between uncle and nephew is not very close.
This kind of merchant family is all based on interests as its alliance, and kinship is at most the hub.
Zhang Siwei's fourth brother, Zhang Sixiang, first married the daughter of the merchant Wang. Less than a month after Wang's death, Zhang Sixiang married the daughter of the more prominent merchant Fan.
Wang Chonggu's brother Wang Chongyi was a Changlu salt merchant. Because he had business problems with his eldest sister's husband, Shen Tingzhen, he also broke up and sued the Yamen.
Nephew? If they could get promoted and make a fortune, I don’t know how many people would rather kill their wives than care about your nephew.
Seeing that Wang Chonggu was still hesitating, Zhu Yijun added fuel to the fire: "Now there are ugly tribes on nine sides, Xuanda, Shanxi, there are Ada tribes, there are Ji Neng tribes on three sides of Zhaxi, and there are Tuman tribes and Huangtai Ji branch in Jiliao .”
"Although Xilu is said to be rich and powerful, it is unpredictable that dogs and sheep will turn into deceitful people."
"The Taolu are still living in the West Sea, but they are afraid that they will take advantage of the spring to return eastward, pass through the interior of Yao, and carry out false plans."
"The Donglu have repeatedly peeked at the border. Dong Hu, Chang'ang and others have not been able to benefit for a long time. It is better to take precautions against the sudden disaster."
"Wang Qing, I have also heard that your long-cherished wish is to wipe out the bandits and stabilize the nine borders. Now that the country is in troubled times, how can you bear to shirk it?"
People are complicated, and Wang Chonggu is no exception.
Even if he has serious selfish motives, it cannot deny his desire to pacify the bandits.
Wang Chonggu was already slightly moved at this time.
But he still hesitated and said: "Your Majesty, I am the Minister of the Ministry of War. It is my responsibility to direct military preparations and do not necessarily need to be in the cabinet."
"Besides, I may not be as good as Zhang Siwei in plotting against central secrets just after entering the capital. I'm afraid the courtiers will be surprised."
Zhu Yijun nodded.
He naturally understood Wang Chonggu's concerns.
He had just entered the capital, and even though his foundation was not yet stable, his kindness to the Jin Party could not be compared to Zhang Siwei's.
This is not because they are afraid of surprising the courtiers, but because they are afraid of causing trouble within the Jin Party, stealing the chicken but losing the rice, and damaging the foundation of the township party.
Zhu Yijun said calmly: "You also said that the Ministry of War is responsible for drawing up military preparations, and the cabinet is the place where secrets are made. How can they be the same?"
"At that time, you can make decisions in the cabinet, and Shi Maohua from the Ministry of War will take over and cooperate with Wang Qing."
This was given to Wang Chonggu as a favor.
The Ministry of War was already under the control of these people, so he didn't care about giving Shi Maohua another level.
As long as Zhang Siwei can be kept out of the cabinet and Wang Chonggu can be used for his own purposes, it will all be worth it.
Wang Chonggu heard the string and understood its meaning, and immediately nodded.
"As for the courtiers being surprised, there is no need to mention it again."
"Wang Qing, I will tell you bluntly."
"As long as you join the cabinet, don't be afraid of impeachment. If the courtiers are surprised by such things, I will make the decision!"
"These days, who in the cabinet is not as tall as half a man?"
"I can't even count those who use natural disasters as excuses, those who use man-made disasters as hidden targets, and those who directly accuse Yuan Fu and Gao Ge of being treacherous ministers."
"However, as long as you are of one mind with me, I will not chill the hearts of the cabinet ministers just because some courtiers are surprised."
Zhu Yijun paused, looked at Wang Chonggu, and said seriously: "As long as you join the cabinet, I won't necessarily be famous in history, but at least, no matter what, I will give you dignity."
In today's court situation, the new party and the imperial party have merged, headed by Zhang Juzheng, Gao Yi, and Lu Tiaoyang in the cabinet, Shen Shixing, Wen Chun, Wang Guangguang in the household department, Ge Shouli, Hai Rui, and Li Zai in Shizhong
Ting and others were the backbone and relied on the emperor's support to gain a clear upper hand.
But at the same time, rural parties such as Southern Zhili, the Jin Party, which represented the interests of merchants and gentry, and the civilian conservative party, also joined forces to fight against the New Deal.
The trouble for this group of people is not who takes the lead or what to do to resist.
Rather, these people firmly occupied the so-called middle and high-level positions below the top level of the Ming Dynasty's bureaucracy. They achieved this by impeaching ministers, spreading public opinion, intensifying conflicts, non-violence and non-cooperation, relying on the power of ministries and departments to exclude superiors, etc.
their counterattack.
As long as the central government relies on the bureaucracy to operate, this confrontation will never stop.
It can't be solved by killing one or two people and belittling someone.
Only through continuous self-innovation can we slowly eliminate these bureaucrats who are inconsistent and have corrupt ideas, so that the old machine of the Ming Dynasty can be iteratively updated with difficulty and slowness.
Once this process of self-iteration stops, people like Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi will immediately face a counterattack.
Therefore, Zhu Yijun has never concealed his support.
If you join the cabinet, you will definitely get his support.
If you join the cabinet, you will definitely have dignity.
This is a guarantee for Wang Chonggu, who is worried about his wealth and life, that he will not kill the donkey out of trouble, nor will he simply use him.
It also reminds Wang Chonggu that they are now in the same direction and are focusing on nine sides. Why can't they rely on each other?
Wang Chonggu understood what the emperor meant.
Can't help but be silent.
This was the first time he met an emperor who spoke his truth.
It is said that the emperor has no jokes, and the emperor never makes promises easily, nor does he express his position on future affairs easily - such promises will be recorded in the history books.
Just like what Emperor Cai said just now, he will definitely treat his cabinet ministers with respect, but what if he encounters those cabinet ministers who are openly rebellious in the future?
The emperor should not wear shackles.
But at this moment, the emperor actually told him personally that no matter what, he would be dignified if he entered the cabinet.
This is to reassure him.
Too hasty.
Wang Chonggu sighed in his heart.
When he first stepped into Chengguang Hall, he was still using the emperor as his imaginary enemy, thinking about how he would respond if the emperor wanted to coerce him.
But after the emperor expressed his stance, he already showed some compassion.
That's right, it's mercy.
It was only the second time that he met the emperor, and he once again roped himself into the cabinet and promised that he would feel at ease.
It is good to compromise and discuss sincere feelings, but this is the emperor!
The Nine-Five Emperor has no choice but to use this method, which shows how far the little emperor has gone.
It can only show that the emperor felt that it was urgent to prepare the capital camp.
It also shows that the pressure brought by the big case in Huguang on the emperor was not as relaxed as he showed.
After all kinds of efforts, he, who was hated by the emperor, weighed more than a thousand pounds and had to work hard to win him over.
After the emperor finished speaking, Wang Chonggu had a change of heart, and in just a moment, he was already preparing to take over the cabinet position.
Suddenly I remembered something.
When the words came to his lips, he changed his words: "Since Your Majesty uses ministers, he wants me to plan the nine borders and wipe out the Tatars."
"Well, I have something that I don't understand."
Zhu Yijun straightened his back and said solemnly, "Wang Qing, please tell me."
Wang Chonggu looked puzzled: "Your Majesty, since you want to pacify the Tatars, why did you sacrifice Qian Yuan when you sacrificed the emperors a few days ago?"
Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty was carried out of the sacrificial temple by Emperor Shizong. He was not the only one who had a whim and could not stand his generation.
Before and after Sejong ascended the throne, the Ming Dynasty experienced several large-scale Tatar invasions. The soldiers and people in the border towns suffered terribly, and the people all over the world were in rebellion.
It was precisely because of this gathering of complaints that the sacrifice to the ancestors of the Yuan Dynasty was abolished.
Now the emperor wanted to reorganize his army and focus on pacifying the Tatars, but he also offered sacrifices to the former Yuan Dynasty, which puzzled him.
A few days ago, he had doubts, but he had no chance to ask. Today, he was waiting for a price to sell, so he just made it known.
Zhu Yijun suddenly smiled after hearing what Wang Chonggu said. He thought it was something.
He stood up, calmed down his expression and said seriously: "Wang Qing, this is exactly what we have prepared for when the Tatars bow their heads and surrender."
Wang Chonggu was stunned, was the emperor thinking about something so far away!?
Zhu Yijun continued: "I understand what Wang Qing means. Our government will expel the Tartars and restore China, so naturally we cannot recognize the Tartars as our fathers."
"But, as a country of etiquette and benevolence, do we want to kill them all after annihilating the Tatars?"
Wang Chonggu was silent, he had been doing business with Ada Khan for several years.
Even if you don’t understand what ethnic integration is, you at least have some experience.
I immediately understood what the emperor meant.
This is to pave the way for dealing with the Mongols after the victory is decided.
He asked curiously: "Your Majesty offered sacrifices to Qian Yuan, but said you cannot recognize a thief as your father. What does this mean?"
Zhu Yijun smiled and said: "It's a long story, but it was caused by Li Zhi's Huayi debate. I'll keep it short with Wang Qing."
"This matter should be treated in two parts."
"The former Yuan Yuan bandits who stole artifacts are not part of our country."
"However... since we established the Ming Dynasty, the former Yuan Dynasty can belong to me, China!"
"The bandits who lived in China are not from our country, but after being defeated by the Taizu of our dynasty, they became naturalized as vassals."
Wang Chonggu was stunned.
After a while, he finally said, "I'm taking the liberty."
Zhu Yijun waved his hand and dismissed the matter: "How is Wang Qing thinking about joining the cabinet?"
Wang Chonggu took a deep breath and bowed slowly.
He said in a cautious tone: "I have my wish, but I don't dare to ask for my ear."
"After completing the garrison of the capital camp and Yueyang Weilun, I will obey the order and enter the cabinet."
Zhu Yijun quickly stepped forward and supported Wang Chonggu.
He breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense spirit relaxed.
His gaze went beyond Wang Chonggu and looked outside the hall.
At dawn, a glimmer of light appeared in front of Chengguang Hall, like a unified Jin Dang, quietly tearing a hole.
He gently shook Wang Chonggu's hand and seemed to be giving instructions, but also seemed to be muttering to himself: "Order the troops as soon as possible."
"My clan members in Huguang can't wait any longer."
Chapter completed!