There are many reasons for the fiasco of Tumubao, including Zhu Qizhen's own reasons and Wang Zhen's confusion. It is difficult to say whether the civil officials had reasons.
But the secret is definitely leaked. First, you have a complete grasp of the marching route and departure time of the Ming army. You even know the layout of your surroundings clearly. How can you be undefeated?
There were many leaks of secrets by Emperor Chongzhen in history. How could Zhu Youxiao repeat the same mistakes? We must be wary of these civil servants.
"I have made an agreement with the six ministers of the cabinet. Today's meeting is just to inform all my dear friends that the Northern Expedition has been decided!"
When everyone heard this, they suddenly realized. No wonder they didn't say a word about such a big thing as a personal expedition. It turned out that they had already held a small meeting to decide everything. The officials who claimed to be admonished suddenly became anxious and shouted:
"Your Majesty, I think it is absolutely impossible. Your Majesty is not as good as a weak crown. What should I do if something goes wrong?"
Zhu Youxiao was too lazy to pay attention to them, and looked at Wang Xiangqian. Wang Xiangqian also knew that it was time for him to perform, so he stepped forward and said:
"I support your Majesty's personal expedition!"
The second assistant Xu Guangqi and Wang Zaijin also claimed to support the personal expedition.
The three cabinet ministers spoke, followed closely by the six ministers. Upon seeing this, most officials immediately agreed:
"I also support your majesty's personal expedition!" Many of them were promoted by Zhu Youxiao, so they naturally support the emperor unconditionally. Others are self-aware and know that important things cannot be done.
The emperor's personal expedition was already a certainty. There was no way they could stop it. They simply stood in line to avoid offending others.
Wang Haozhi, the head of the Ministry of War, knelt down and shouted:
"Your Majesty, you must not do this. You traitors all deserve to be killed. How dare you instigate your Majesty to do such a dangerous thing? Your Majesty, please have them killed!"
Several other officials who had remonstrated with him also raised their voices, shouting that the traitors should be killed.
Zhu Youxiao looked at them helplessly and said:
"What's the matter with you?"
Wang Haozhi replied:
"Your Majesty, since ancient times, we have been admonished by literature and fought by force. Your Majesty is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. You should learn the ways of saints and the principles of governing the country. Marching and fighting are the duties of military generals. Please act calmly!"
Zhu Youxiao heard it, and he was afraid that these people still thought he was a child, thinking that he was uneducated and just had fun.
"Why do you think I will lose?"
"Your Majesty, there is never a sure-win situation in a march or war. I just don't want your Majesty to repeat the orthodox past. I hope your Majesty will listen to my loyal words!"
"What's more, our Ming Dynasty has so many military generals? Our Ming Dynasty has not yet reached the time when our majesty needs to go to the battlefield. Since ancient times, the emperor has always sat down to rule the country!"
"Then please, Ai Qing, recommend a few people who are worthy of such important positions!"
Wang Haozhi was speechless immediately. How could he know that there was such a capable person?
Seeing that he was silent, Zhu Youxiao closed his eyes and said in a deep voice:
"Emperor Taizu conquered the world with his bow and horse, expelled the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty and established the Ming Dynasty. Emperor Chengzu even fought for his whole life. I want to imitate my second ancestor and rebuild the glory of Hongwu and Yongle. What's wrong with that?"
"The Northern Expedition has been decided. I will take the oath to set out in ten days. No further criticism can be made on this matter. That's the end of it!"
As soon as he finished speaking, all the ministers and officials who supported the emperor knelt down and shouted long live the emperor. Wang Haozhi also beat his chest and lamented that it was impossible to do anything.
Just as he was about to remonstrate, he was taken away by the Jin Yiwei. Zhu Youxiao really found them annoying, but he would not punish them today. When these people were dragged away, they were still shouting:
"Your Majesty, your good advice is offensive to your ears. Please think again, Your Majesty!"
Although there are many who support Zhu Youxiao, there are also many who do not support him. At this time, it can be said that there are clear distinctions in the court. It is clear at a glance who are loyal imperialists. It is less than half, but in Zhu Youxiao's view, it is enough.
Because most of the imperial officials held high positions and the power of the government was in their hands, this was the reason why Zhu Youxiao dared to leave Beijing.
"I will lead the army to go on an expedition in ten days. How prepared are the grain and grass troops of the Ministry of Revenue?"
Cheng Guoxiang, the Minister of Household Affairs, stepped forward and said:
"Back to Your Majesty, the two hundred thousand troops are ready. However, it will take three days to prepare the one hundred thousand stones of food that Your Majesty needs."
Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Zaijin again and said:
"How is the approval from the Ministry of War?"
"Back to Your Majesty, all the approval documents from the Ministry of War were issued two days ago."
Although Zhu Youxiao is the emperor, he has no direct authority over military power at all. If he wants to assemble a large army, he must have approval, except of course the Yulin Army.
In the Ming Dynasty, civil servants were noble but military officials were cheap. Those generals who led troops outside did not dare to command the army without the approval of the Ministry of War. Especially the generals in border towns. No matter what they did, they needed the approval of the Ministry of War. Otherwise, they would end their lives with just one report.
Unless Zhu Youxiao's prestige is high enough that he can directly skip the Ministry of War and issue orders, otherwise he can only follow traditional rules.
Except for Zhu Yuanzhang, no one in the Ming Dynasty had this kind of prestige. Even Zhu Di did not have this kind of prestige. At most, the Ministry of War would compromise with him, but he would never be able to ignore the direct control of the Ministry of War.
This is very bad. What is the difference between using culture to control military power and the Song Dynasty? Unfortunately, this situation cannot be changed in a short time.
If you want to move their interests, it is simply more difficult than reaching the sky.
"Let's announce the ministers who are staying behind today!"
"Wang Banban, declare the decree!"
Wang Chaofu took three steps forward and said loudly:
"His Majesty the Emperor's imperial edict, all officials will receive it!"
All civil and military officials knelt down with their foreheads on the ground, waiting for the order.
"The emperor was entrusted with the destiny of heaven, and the edict said: Wang Xiangqian, the first assistant in the cabinet, and Xu Guangqi, the second assistant, will be the ruling ministers, and they will stay in the capital to handle government affairs, and they will be assisted by six ministers!"
"British Duke Zhang Weixian is the Minister of Defense of the capital, the admiral of the Yulin Army and the 21st Guards Guards Station, guarding the capital, and is responsible for the military preparations of the capital!"
"The assistant minister of the cabinet Wang is in Jin, Yang Sichang, the right minister of the Ministry of War, and Chen Qiyu, the right minister of the Ministry of Personnel, are the accompanying ministers!"
"Another Prime Minister's Office was established. The prime ministers were Yuanfu Wang Xiangqian, Second Assistant Xu Guangqi, Household Secretary Cheng Guoxiang, and British Duke Zhang Weixian. The Prime Minister's Office was responsible for military and political affairs. All reports from civil and military officials were submitted to the Prime Minister's Office. The four officials were
The Prime Minister approves!"
After Wang Chaofu announced the imperial edict, Zhu Youxiao added:
"If there is an urgent matter, the four prime ministers can act easily without having to write to me."
"There are not many soldiers and horses left in the capital. The four of you must act with caution. If you are unsure, you can temporarily go to the palace and report to the concubine. The concubine will make the decision. The five-city military and horse department will be temporarily under the direct jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Yamen."
"In five days, the entire city will be under military control. All Yulin troops will be stationed in the city and guard all important streets. I will leave Xu Xianchun to assist you."
Then he said to the civil and military officials behind him:
"After I leave the capital, I hope all of you will be cautious and conscientious. From today on, all important government affairs will be reported to the Prime Minister's Yamen for handling!"