Yu Qian felt greatly relaxed. It was almost delusional to want to remain neutral when he did not have absolute strength.
As Jian Yi said before, when you are in the whirlpool of power, you can't help yourself most of the time. When factions are fighting, it is difficult to stay out of it.
Even the officials and heavenly officials are not exempt from vulgarity.
Lee Sin is a special case.
"Li Shangshu, you should be able to end this fight, right?" Yu Qian asked.
"You are overestimating me," Li Qing shook his head, "No one can stop it except the emperor. Even he has to make a choice to solve it!"
Yu Qian was startled, and sighed bitterly: "When will this end? There are a lot of things to do in the south and the north, and internal friction continues. What should we do?"
"You don't have to worry so much when you are in your position and planning for politics." Li Qing said with a smile, "If you are like this, then the emperor doesn't have to do anything, and he will die of worry."
Yu Qian's face heated up and he said sarcastically: "I just feel that... the Ming Dynasty is at a time when it is developing vigorously, and this is not a good thing for the national economy and the people's livelihood."
"Don't worry, the trouble won't last long." Li Qing smiled, "By the way, I have been neglecting political affairs during this period. How is the situation outside the customs?"
Yu Qian put down his tea cup and said: "The border has not been invaded, but the grassland is not peaceful. The Tatars are still the largest tribal force in the grassland. They often invade other tribes and are gradually growing."
"Oh?" Li Qing frowned, "How big has it developed now?"
"Don't worry, Minister, we are far from the peak of the past." Yu Qian's meticulous face showed a rare smile, "In the battle in the 22nd year of Yongle, the Tatars suffered too serious losses, and after the base camp was polluted, the situation was greatly
limit their development to a certain extent,
According to analysis, their current combat strength is around 40,000 and no more than 50,000, which is not enough to threaten the Ming Dynasty."
Li Qing smiled and nodded: "Where's Wala?"
"With the support of the Ming Dynasty's tea-horse trade policy, Oara developed rapidly," Yu Qian said. "Although it can't keep up with the Tatars, it can compete with them and no longer suffers blindly."
Li Qing pondered for a moment, "Did the Tatars attack Oara?"
"Never!"
"Something's wrong." Li Qing frowned and said, "Tatars don't understand that if they keep letting Wala do nothing, they will be surpassed or even annexed sooner or later. How can they just watch Wala grow bigger?"
Yu Qian nodded slightly, but suddenly his expression changed and he hurriedly asked: "Could it be that they have reached some kind of agreement?"
"This possibility cannot be ruled out, but it is unlikely." Li Qing mused, "Prairie tribes have always regarded robbery as a natural instinct, and besides, their previous hatred was too great. I am more inclined to think that the Tatars are holding back their big move.
"
After a pause, "You should pay more attention to this matter. After the court situation is settled, the Ming army will have to go out again."
It doesn't matter whether we fight or not, but we must maintain force as a deterrent.
Otherwise, as time goes by, it is inevitable that no one will have any objections.
Including Wala, which the Ming Dynasty has always supported.
"The official has written it down." Yu Qian handed over his hand.
The two chatted for a while, and then Yu Qian said goodbye and left.
After sending Yu Qian away, Li Qing couldn't help but think deeply. Based on his understanding of Tatar, the other party would never be so honest.
It is understandable not to attack the Ming Dynasty. After all, their current strength does not allow it, but it is very suspicious to sit back and watch Wala grow bigger.
"Well... no matter what conspiracy and tricks they come up with, they will all fall apart in the face of Ming Dynasty's absolute strength." Li Qing sneered, "Wanting one family to dominate? It's a wishful thinking!"
However, the most important thing at the moment is the court situation. Due to internal instability, Zhu Zhanji is unable to go to war in person.
"You have to hurry up." Li Qing said softly: "I have to add fuel to the fire tomorrow."
…
The next day.
Fengtian Temple.
When Li Qing arrived, the six ministries, the cabinet, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate were already in action.
Before the emperor came, a group of people started fighting each other. The Metropolitan Procuratorate, which had previously been submissive, now struck hard.
After all, they are good at public speaking, and when they attack people, they are extremely effective in fighting. Even though the Liubu tree has deep roots, it is somewhat unbearable, especially when the cabinet is also causing mischief.
Six parts, one against two, is already a bit strenuous.
After a while, Zhu Zhanji stepped into the hall, and the officials saluted.
After the ceremony between the emperor and his ministers, Zhu Zhanji spontaneously began to criticize each other without Zhu Zhanji saying anything.
It's like another good show.
Li Qing had expected it, so he was fully prepared, took out the melon seeds in his pocket and started eating them.
At this stage of the fight, he had no intention of ending.
Zhu Zhanji was also aloof from the world, quietly watching them spray each other.
The two sides exchanged insults for half an hour, and finally came to a conclusion. The Procuratorate and the Cabinet agreed on the same statement: The opposition of the six ministries was a guilty conscience, and the local officials of the Ming Dynasty were working together from the bottom up to deceive the emperor and harm the people.
Liu Bu was furious and said excitedly: Slander is all slander!
The Metropolitan Procuratorate said: If you are clear of suspicion, let us investigate.
Liubu was speechless.
Seeing that the heat was on, Zhu Zhanji cleared his throat and said, "The Metropolitan Procuratorate, the cabinet's concerns are not unreasonable."
"Your Majesty, please don't listen to their one-sided words!" The six leaders headed by Jian Yi prostrated themselves and said angrily: "I am dedicated to serving the country, how could I do such a bad thing?"
Zhu Zhanji said gently: "I can trust you all, but I cannot completely trust the local officials. As the old saying goes, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away."
"Your Majesty is wise," said the Imperial Censor of Qiandu, "We, the Imperial Procuratorate, are willing to serve as His Majesty's spies, monitor all parts of the world for His Majesty, and expose illegal officials."
"Well, very good." Zhu Zhanji nodded with a smile, and then said to Jian Yi and others, "My dear friends, don't worry. I am not doing this to doubt you, but for the sake of the country."
After a pause, "The Sixth Department is responsible for most of the internal affairs. I see all your hard work and I will not treat you badly."
When Liubu heard that the emperor meant to make concessions, his mood gradually calmed down, and he looked at him expectantly, expecting his 'compensation'.
Zhu Zhanji said: "I want to set up the post of temporary governor to take charge of all provincial affairs, and it will be filled by middle-level officials from the six ministries."
Jian Yi and others were startled, and then they looked overjoyed. They simply weighed the gains and losses, and immediately borrowed the donkey from the slope and said, "Your Majesty, your Majesty!"
Now, the six ministries were satisfied, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate was also satisfied. You are good and I am good, and the atmosphere in the court was harmonious.
But there is someone who is dissatisfied, and that is the cabinet.
The cabinet members were dissatisfied to the extreme, and they discovered that they were big sbs.
They worked hard to share the emperor's worries, even without shame. In the end, all the six ministries and the Metropolitan Procuratorate got good jobs, but they were the only ones who offended everyone without getting a single hair.
"Your Majesty, think twice!" Jin Youzi said, "The governor's power is too great, and it is easy for Qiangang to be arbitrary."
On the surface, these words are against the six tribes, but in fact they are against the emperor.
Why, everyone else has benefits, but I don’t?
Zhu Zhanji smiled: "I have also seen the efforts of the cabinet. The fifth-grade official position has indeed wronged you. Well... In this way, from now on, the cabinet ministers will all have the title of bachelor."
The cabinet said nothing. The bachelor's degree was just a title and had no real power.
Zhu Zhanji added: "The imperial court is currently employing people. The vacancies of ministers and ministers among the six departments also need to be filled in time. Yang Shiqi listens to the order."
"I listen to the imperial edict." Yang Shiqi quickly stepped forward and knelt to listen to the imperial edict.
"You will also serve as the Minister of War, and assist Li Qing in handling the affairs of the War Department."
"I obey the decree."
"Huang Aiqing."
Huang Huai stepped forward and saluted, "I'm here."
"You are also the Minister of Household Affairs, and you will assist Xia Qing in handling the affairs of the Household Department."
"I obey the decree."
"Jin Aiqing."
"I'm here."
"You also serve as the left minister of the Ministry of Industry."
"I obey the decree."
"Yang Aiqing concurrently serves as the right minister of the Ministry of Industry."
…
Zhu Zhanji found a part-time job for the cabinet and promoted them from the fifth rank to the third rank.
The cabinet was promoted, and the six ministries suffered no losses. The position of minister is still the same, and the minister of the Ministry of Industry is also served by the minister of the Ministry of Rites. It can be said that the foundation is still solid, and there is an additional cabinet brother.
As a result, the relationship between the cabinet and the six ministries suddenly changed from hostile to superior to subordinate.
Jian Yi and other ministers secretly sneered: Damn, let's see how we treat you guys.
After Yang Shiqi and others were overjoyed, they also thought about it, and their faces couldn't help but look sad. The official had been promoted, but the future would not be easy.
Just when everyone thought the dust had settled, Zhu Zhanji issued another plan:
The cabinet academicians have the power to review the memorials submitted by officials, and can provide appropriate replies and post them on each drafted edict for imperial approval. This is the draft;
There is no need for reconsideration after the emperor approves it, it can be implemented directly!
As a result, the power of the cabinet rose sharply, and it truly competed with the six departments.
But this is only on the surface. In fact, it is Zhu Zhanji himself who has soared in power, because it is up to him to criticize or not, and he has channels that can bypass the Six Ministries.
At this time, Liubu was really annoyed: Taizong was so domineering, but he was not as bullying as you!