Summary of the previous chapter: Emperor Apocalypse Zhu Youxiao summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures because of the seriousness of the war in Ningyuan. Unfortunately, these ministers did not discuss any substantive countermeasures. Ma Xiaoquan appeared in time, giving Emperor Apocalypse a glimmer of hope.
.....
Ma Xiaoquan smiled slightly and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, I would like to ask you, how did the Ningyuan border of the Ming Dynasty be defended for so long?"
As soon as Ma Xiaoquan's question came up, the scene suddenly became an uproar.
In fact, the officials knew very well that if there had been no Li Chengliang and no Sun Chengzong, Ning Yuan would have been left in the hands of the Jurchens for eight lifetimes.
Ma Xiaoquan also knew the thoughts of the ministers very well. These scholars only knew how to talk on paper all day long, but had no practical experience at all. They had nothing else to do except impeach this and that.
A court that is too bookish has no wolf nature at all, and a court without wolf nature becomes a sheep that shows weakness to the outside world.
Ningyuan is a strategic location in Liaodong. If Ningyuan is breached, Liaodong will naturally fall. At that time, Beijing will be completely exposed to the Jurchens.
In fact, everyone understands this truth, but... all the ministers naively believe that the Jurchens dare not attack Ningyuan and cannot attack Ningyuan because... Sun Chengzong is still there.
A minister stood up and asked Ma Xiaoquan: "Deacon Ma, what do you mean by this? Do you mean that the Ming Dynasty should not guard Ningyuan?"
Ma Xiaoquan chuckled and said: "It turns out to be Mr. Niu. Well, Mr. Niu has put such a big hat on me. The superiors have misinterpreted my words into something else. Mr. Niu, you still
That’s awesome.”
"Huh, Deacon Ma, please change the subject. I'm going to ask you, shouldn't our country be able to guard Ningyuan tomorrow?"
Ma Xiaoquan raised his lips and asked, "Master Niu, since you asked me that, let me ask you, do you have any family members in Ningyuan?"
"Humph, what does it matter if you are here or not?"
Ma Xiaoquan snorted coldly: "Of course it does matter. My Ma Xiaoquan's parents, my second brother and my third brother are all guarding the border in Ningyuan. The war in Ningyuan is tense right now. According to the letter from home, we have to fight with the Jurchen Ministry twice every day. Niu
Sir, you have never been to Ningyuan, why don't you go and have a look?"
"Humph" the other party snorted coldly.
"Ouch, Mr. Niu, what are you humiliating? Is it possible that you, a big man, are still afraid? No, you are a man, a man who stands upright. You are a man, so just promise me?"
"Ma Xiaoquan, you!"
Ma Xiaoquan sneered in his heart, what a fool, you want to play with me and go online? You have the ability and you don't admit that you are a man?
Just when Ma Xiaoquan was secretly proud, what he didn't expect was that Master Niu simply gave up and said: "I won't go, I'm afraid of death."
The court hall burst into laughter.
Ma Xiaoquan also looked helpless, this guy is really a damn bachelor.
...
After Mr. Niu resigned, another official stood up again and questioned Ma Xiaoquan: "Deacon Ma, I heard that in this city of Beijing, you opened a club called Heaven and Earth. This club is used by you to make money.
?”
Ma Xiaoquan nodded: "Of course, if I don't make money, why am I just having fun?"
"Humph, our Ming Dynasty has laws that strictly prohibit officials from doing business with foreign countries. Otherwise, all income will be turned over to the state treasury. Ma Xiaoquan, the money you earned has not been turned over to the state treasury, right?"
Ma Xiaoquan snorted and chuckled: "Turn it over to the state treasury? Turn it over to the state treasury for what?"
"You, this rebellious person, actually said this?"
Ma Xiaoquan sneered: "Mr. Zhao, right? Do you know what I did with the money I earned? Well, let me tell you, almost all the money I earned went to supporting Ningyuan's soldiers to fight against the enemy!"
"You lied"
Ma Xiaoquan shook his head: "I have a detailed account book at home. If Mr. Zhao is interested, you can go and take a look. By the way, I, the deacon, have something to say. If Mr. Zhao can't find out the reason, he will have to pay me 10,000 taels of silver. , Mr. Zhao, do you dare?"
"Humph, Ma Xiaoquan, 10,000 taels, why don't you go and grab it?"
Ma Xiaoquan said: "Who said I didn't rob you? Aren't I just robbing you? Mr. Zhao, you think your ass is clean. Don't you know my identity? I can guarantee you that you have done this today. I know the entrance to Qianqing Palace, eating, drinking, and defecation. Well, of course, I also know when you make extra money..."
"You, Ma Xiaoquan, don't spit on anyone!"
Ma Xiaoquan curled his lips and said: "Spewing nonsense? Tut, tsk, tsk, Mr. Zhao, don't get excited. Oh, by the way, the emperor is also aware of the money earned by my Ma family that you just mentioned, and it was also dictated by the emperor. Well, there is also, The emperor is the highest-ranking member of my heaven and earth club. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the emperor?”
Emperor Tianqi Zhu Youxiao was sitting on the throne. He only listened to the second half of Ma Xiaoquan's words during the conversation between Ma Xiaoquan and Mr. Zhao in the audience, because he was in a daze when Ma Xiaoquan said the first half.
Master Zhao naturally didn't dare to ask Zhu Youxiao. Of course he didn't know even after hearing half of Zhu Youxiao's words.
As soon as Ma Xiaoquan finished speaking, Zhu Youxiao said: "Well, I am indeed the highest-ranking member of the Heaven and Earth Club. Having said that, I haven't been to the club for a long time. Ma Aiqing, if you have time, arrange something for me. I'll go to you. Sit there."
"My lord, I obey the order!" Ma Xiaoquan bowed.
As soon as the emperor spoke like this, the court immediately fell silent.
Originally, some officials wanted to fight with Ma Xiaoquan, but the emperor just admitted that he is the highest-ranking member of the Heaven and Earth Club. What does this mean? It means that the Heaven and Earth Club is a club with the prefix "Huang". The emperor will go there. Who dares to say that someone's income is unfair?
Ma Xiaoquan secretly looked around and saw that all the ministers had stopped talking, and couldn't help but feel happy. Zhu Youxiao only listened to the second half of what he said and of course he didn't know it. Although he was puzzled, since the emperor didn't ask, then It means it's okay.
Ma Xiaoquan believed that if Zhu Youjian was responsible for this matter, even if he was not investigated, Ma Xiaoquan would still have to be reprimanded in the court.
Seeing that all the ministers had stopped talking, Zhu Youxiao said: "Okay, I understand what you all mean. Ma Aiqing, you just said you have any good opinions, please tell me."
Ma Xiaoquan nodded and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the war in Ningyuan is currently tense. I suggest that everyone spend some money and food to support Ningyuan."
As soon as Ma Xiaoquan finished speaking, the leader of the Donglin Party expressed his support in public, while officials from other factions expressed opposition.
Ma Xiaoquan had long expected that this would happen. As soon as the opposition group expressed their stance, he immediately looked at Zhu Youxiao.
Although Zhu Youxiao has no education, he still understands the basic principles. If Ning Yuan cannot hold on, then he, the emperor, will not be able to study carpentry in the Yangxin Hall with peace of mind.