Chapter 210. Intrigue and governance are two completely different disciplines (below).
When Zhou Shangjing also realized the rotten situation of the northwest border defense, for a moment, everyone in the living room of Zhou's mansion was silent and silent.
Zhou Shangjing's gray eyebrows were slightly wrinkled, his expression was full of solemnity, and he was seriously thinking about countermeasures, while Zhao Junchen sat quietly aside, sipping tea, and waiting for Zhou Shangjing's answer.
How discerning was Zhou Shangjing about the political situation of the Ming Dynasty? Although Zhao Junchen only roughly explained the current situation of some military towns on the three sides of the northwest, the various inside stories contained in it, and the true thoughts of Liang Fuchen, the governor of the three sides,
As well as Zhao Junchen's concerns and intentions, Zhou Shangjing naturally revealed them at one point.
But precisely because of this, Zhou Shangjing became even more cautious.
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In such a quiet and solemn atmosphere, I don't know how much time passed, but I heard Zhou Shangjing sigh slowly and softly said: "Since Taizu, there have been rules in the court. Civil servants are not allowed to interfere in military affairs, and military generals are not allowed to act privately. Otherwise,
It would be a taboo! The imperial court's recruitment of sergeants, army dispatch, military pay, and officer promotions, no matter big or small, have always been handled by the emperor's cronies, with factory guards supervising them. Without His Majesty's order, I would have
Even as the chief minister of the dynasty, I'm afraid I can't get involved at all. Although this matter is of great importance, I am powerless!"
Zhao Junchen narrowed his eyes slightly. Listening to Zhou Shangjing's words, he actually had no intention of intervening in trilateral defense matters?!
Could it be that Zhou Shangjing wants to watch the defense of the three northwest sides continue to deteriorate and eventually lead to a catastrophe?
According to Zhao Junchen's understanding of Zhou Shangjing, although this deep-set old fox is not an upright official, he should never be so irresponsible.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen also frowned and said: "Master Chief Assistant, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. As ministers, since we have received your Majesty's trust and received the salary from the court, we should fulfill our responsibilities as ministers. The current defense status of the three northwest sides is:
It has become so rotten that it is shocking. Seventy-eight percent of the military households under its jurisdiction have fled, and the only ones left are the old, weak, sick and disabled! There should be more than 187,000 registered sergeants, but the actual number
But there is only less than 100,000 left! How can we let it go!? Then think of the northern Mongolian tribes who have always coveted the riches of our Ming Dynasty. Every year after autumn, they will go south to plunder. Once it appears in the future
What happened? We, the important ministers of the court, will all be sinners through the ages!"
Hearing the words "eternal sinner", Zhou Shangjing's gray brows couldn't help but frown slightly.
Now that he has become a very popular minister, he has been in charge of the government for decades, and he is already over 70 years old. Naturally, he began to unconsciously seek his own historical position. Therefore, the word "historical sinner" fell into Zhou Shangjing's ears.
After that, it really made him feel a little excited.
But that's all. It's not enough to persuade Zhou Shangjing to participate in such a big trouble!
After Zhou Shangjing was silent again for a moment, he suddenly sighed softly, changed the subject, and asked: "Junchen, you are one of the few knowledgeable people in the court. So I ask you, do you think you want to solve this problem?"
The corruption in the military towns on the three sides of the northwest has led to the reform of the various shortcomings of the military household system in our dynasty. What should be the biggest obstacle?"
Hearing Zhou Shangjing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen was slightly startled and replied: "In the opinion of the younger generation, the biggest obstacle should be the backlash of those with vested interests. Although the disadvantages of the military household system are obvious, these disadvantages are
The interests of all officers in the Ming Dynasty! After the military households under their control fled, the thousands of households in the army not only received a bribe from the military households, but also received the land and houses of the fleeing military households, so they
Not only will we not prevent the military households from fleeing, but they will instigate them in various ways, which will lead to the corruption of our Ming army. If we rashly want to change it and affect their money income, I am afraid it will cause turmoil in the major military towns..."
After a pause, Zhao Junchen frowned slightly and said: "In addition, after these thousands of households have obtained benefits, they will bribe the upper-level officers in the military town and even the central officials in the temple. These
People's interests are connected and they form one body, advancing and retreating together. The influence of power cannot be underestimated. If we want to change the status quo, a single move can affect the whole body. If we are bitten by these people, I am afraid that even the first assistant
The adults and juniors will have no choice but to retreat when the time comes."
Having said this, Zhao Junchen shook his head slightly and sighed again. He seemed helpless and seemed to have something to say, and continued: "However, since it is related to the century-old safety of our country, the Ming Dynasty, as a minister and for the imperial court, I, as a minister,
For the sake of the people and your Majesty, no matter whether you have the support of the Chief Assistant or not, you should find a way to try your best! However, Mr. Chief Assistant, you also know that if I have some unpleasantness with Huang Yourong and Mr. Huang Ge, if you intervene rashly, you will be punished.
Huangge Lao can take advantage of this opportunity. At that time, I am afraid that I will not even have time to protect myself, let alone serve your Majesty with loyalty. Therefore, for the sake of the overall situation, I have no choice but to seek advice from you, the Chief Assistant. But if the company is the leader
Mr. Fu, you are not willing to take charge of the overall affairs of the imperial court, so this junior can only stare."
Zhao Junchen's words clearly hinted both inside and outside that if Zhou Shangjing planned to deal with the various hidden worries in the trilateral military town personally, he would fully cooperate and would not even mind giving some benefits to Zhou Shangjing. But if Zhou Shangjing did not intend to intervene, then
Zhao Junchen would only pretend to be completely ignorant and ignore it. If something happens in the future, then everyone should bear the consequences together.
Although what he said was high-sounding, the underlying meaning was extremely dishonest. However, in the officialdom, this was considered a common thing.
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, even if the city was as deep as Zhou Shangjing, he couldn't help but smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying: "I am deeply gratified that Junchen is so loyal and patriotic. However, Junchen, you are wrong. If we want to change the Northwest Trilateral Army
The hidden dangers of the town, and even the various shortcomings of the military household system in the Ming Dynasty, the biggest obstacle lies not in the military households with vested interests, but in the current His Majesty! It is precisely because of this that I feel worried and hesitant.
Undecided."
Zhou Shangjing's remarks were too sensitive, and he was actually implicitly criticizing Emperor Deqing. Zhao Junchen didn't know how to answer. After hesitating for a moment, he said cautiously: "I don't understand the profound meaning of you, Mr. Chief Assistant. Can you please help me?"
Junior, please explain in detail?"
Seeing that Zhao Junchen kicked the ball to him again, Zhou Shangjing first took a deep look at Zhao Junchen, and then waved his hands gently. The people of the Zhou family who were waiting nearby saluted Zhou Shangjing one after another, and then left neatly.
Zhou Mansion Living Room.
At the same time, guessing that Zhou Shangjing wanted to talk about some sensitive topics with him, Zhao Junchen also nodded to Xu Qingyan behind him. Xu Qingyan also left with the servants of the Zhou family.
For a time, only Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing were left in the living room of Zhou Mansion.
Then, Zhou Shangjing suddenly asked: "Junchen, there is no one else here now. You can tell me the truth. In your opinion, what is our Majesty like as a person? How is he a king?"
Zhao Junchen's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said: "No matter whether you are a king or a king, your majesty is naturally perfect. It is rare throughout the ages. It is not an exaggeration to call him a saint."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, a sneer flashed across Zhou Shangjing's old face. It was full of sarcasm, but he didn't answer. He just looked at Zhao Junchen with bright eyes.
Zhou Shangjing's behavior made Zhao Junchen slightly embarrassed. After hesitating for a moment, he finally said the truth: "Your Majesty may seem to be a generous person, but in fact he is suspicious and ruthless in his dealings; but as a king, he is good at the emperor's scheming and machinations.
However, I attach too much importance to these things, and my temperament is a bit fond of great achievements, so I often lose the big for the small."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhou Shangjing finally showed a look of satisfaction on his face, nodded slowly and said: "It's just you and me here. You don't have to be too scrupulous about some words that are usually rebellious, and you don't have to worry about others taking advantage of them.
...However, what you said, Junchen, is quite pertinent. Your Majesty, he...is indeed a little too indulged in power and strategy."
Then, Zhou Shangjing sighed and said: "Unfortunately, power strategy is just power strategy and has nothing to do with governing the country. Power strategy is to stabilize power, and governance is for the peace of the country and the people. For the emperor, although the two complement each other, they are completely different.
In terms of two subjects of knowledge, our Majesty's machinations and imperial scheming are indeed outstanding among the emperors of the past dynasties, but when it comes to his ability to govern the country, it is another matter."
Having said this, Zhou Shangjing suddenly stood up, swept away his old look, and his weak voice suddenly became much louder, seeming to be pointing the country, and vaguely helpless: "The military household of my court.
How could I not know all the shortcomings of the guard system? However, when Taizu established the hereditary military household system, it was not just to save military expenses, but also to ensure the emperor's absolute control over the government and the country! Junchen, you must understand
, Our Ming Dynasty military system, the so-called hereditary military household system, includes not only the ordinary sergeants at the bottom of the army, but also the generals in the generals of the five capitals, as well as the thousands of households and hundreds of households in the major military towns.
household!"
Hearing what Zhou Shangjing said, Zhao Junchen subconsciously raised his brows, realizing something in his heart, but did not interrupt, and just continued to listen quietly to Zhou Shangjing's comments.
Zhou Shangjing sighed again and continued: "These generals and lieutenants come from thousands of households. Most of their official positions and rights are hereditary like ordinary soldiers. Although they were nobles at the founding of the country, they have gone through so many years.
After years of being pampered and pampered, their status has been destined since birth, but they no longer have the abilities of their ancestors. Now they are no different than moths. Junchen, the corruption in the three northwest areas you mentioned before is precisely because of these people.
Make trouble from it!...
... However, although these people are incompetent and only do bad things, their power and wealth come from the imperial power. Without the imperial power, they are nothing, so they are the most supportive of the imperial power. In turn, the emperors of the Ming Dynasty also
It is precisely because of the support of these people that we can firmly control the military power, and thus dictate the direction of the government!...
...How could His Majesty not know about this, given his imperial scheming? Therefore, His Majesty will inevitably defend those generals, captains, and thousands of households, and will turn a blind eye to their corruption and bribery, but
No one is allowed to change the status quo, even if it is already rotten!"
Speaking of this, Zhou Shangjing half-smiled and seemed helpless. He just looked at Zhao Junchen and asked: "I have said this, Junchen, do you understand?"
After Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he said: "So, if we want to reverse the corrupt state of the military towns in the three northwest areas, or even change the shortcomings of the military household system, we must first touch the interests of the hereditary generals and officers and weaken them.
Their power and influence, but once such actions fall into His Majesty’s eyes, it will turn into us having evil intentions and evil intentions, coveting the military power in His Majesty’s hands!?”
Zhou Shangjing nodded and said slowly: "With your Majesty's character, he will definitely think so. Your Majesty, he values the emperor's mind too much, so he will not see the corrupt current situation of our Ming Dynasty's border defense. He will only see what happens if we do this."
Shake the military power in his hands! At that time, you and I will not only be enemies of all the generals, captains, and thousands of families in the court, but also the high-ranking officials and nobles who have been bribed by these people. We will also be regarded by His Majesty.
I am an enemy of the bandits, and I want to get rid of them quickly!"
After Zhao Junchen was silent for a moment, he had to admit that what Zhou Shangjing said made sense.
The emperor's mind and the way of governing the country are completely different things, especially for Emperor Deqing!
If Emperor Deqing was more focused on governing the country, then as long as Zhao Junchen reported to him the rotten status quo of the northwest trilateral defense, Emperor Deqing would definitely find a way to make changes for the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the safety of the people! Even if it would
Slightly weaken the influence of the imperial power.
It's a pity that Emperor Deqing paid more attention to the emperor's mind, and everything he did was for the purpose of consolidating the imperial power! If certain policies would help the country and the people, but would reduce the emperor's power and influence, then Emperor Deqing would definitely try his best
Vetoed, and suspected that the ministers who proposed these policies had evil intentions!
In fact, it was precisely because of this that after learning about the corruption situation in the northwest military towns, Zhao Junchen's first reaction was to discuss countermeasures with his chief minister Zhou Shangjing instead of reporting it to Emperor Deqing.
For Emperor Deqing, as long as he still controls the overall situation of the DPRK and China, even if Mongolia in the north breaks through the border in the future and the people of China suffer as a result, as long as there are no troops coming to the capital, it is just an ordinary event! He can still whitewash peace! Even,
Taking advantage of this situation, Emperor Deqing could also use this as a reason to deal with some of the ministers he disliked and further strengthen the imperial power!
But if it was "just" to consolidate border defense and enhance military armaments, it would be necessary to weaken the Ming Emperor's control over the government and the public, or even give up part of the military power in his hands to his ministers. Then even if the country is peaceful and the people are safe, the world is peaceful, Emperor Deqing will inevitably be removed.
I can't sleep, worrying day and night whether I and my descendants will be unstable on the throne!
Zhao Junchen knew Emperor Deqing, so he knew very well that this situation would definitely happen!
However, Zhao Junchen still had some bottom lines left after all, so even though he figured it out, after hesitating for a moment, he still couldn't help but asked Zhou Shangjing: "Master Chief Assistant, do we know that the Ming Dynasty's border defense is unstable? If this continues, things will inevitably change in the future.
, but you can only watch helplessly?" (To be continued...)