Chapter four hundred and seventy-ninth: Xiao Wangwen's combat effectiveness
The so-called literature is to the death for admonishment, and the military is to death for war.
It may be that a certain emperor stayed in Yibei for too long and had forgotten the Ming Dynasty's scientific ethics, how upright and outspoken he was, and he especially liked to directly criticize the emperor.
Li Shi's words were said in an unceremonious manner, almost unabashedly accusing the Supreme Emperor of acting arbitrarily and causing the disaster of Oara.
Now that I am trapped in a prisoner's camp, I still don't think about self-cultivation and independence, I am still impulsive and reckless, and I can't do things with my brains.
Think about it, just a few hundred tribute envoys, even if it is a big thing, it is a big thing, and if it is a small thing, it is also a small thing.
The rewards given by the Ming Dynasty to the vassal envoys were always very generous. Almost every envoy who came to pay tribute received several times the reward of the tribute he brought.
These rewards came from within the imperial family and were all spent with the emperor's own money, so heartache was inevitable.
But to say that it can't support it is a joke.
Wala deceived the number of tribute envoys for a long time. Although this was a large expense, it was not something that the emperor's inner treasury could not get out.
From this point of view, it is actually a good idea to agree to the request for additional tribute envoys and quickly facilitate negotiations in exchange for the Supreme Emperor returning to the court as soon as possible.
But, that’s not how it works!
Since the Battle of Tumu, whether it was for the purpose of meeting the emperor in the early stage or formally proposing peace talks to welcome his return, the Ming court sent envoys five or six times, bringing with them a lot of gold, silver, wealth, and silk as rewards.
Therefore, if the Emperor can be welcomed back, the court will not feel sorry for the money.
But there are some things that cannot be compromised easily when it comes to matters of principle.
Wala lied to the envoys, deceived the court, and obtained rewards. After being found out and punished, he became angry and provoked the border and robbed the soldiers and civilians.
In the Ming Dynasty, he defeated thieves and punished crimes. He was the master of the king's law!
Although there was a huge defeat in the battle of Tumu, the situation of the battle turned around afterwards, with the victory at Zijingguan in the first place and the great victory in Shawo later.
Under this situation, the number of tribute envoys involves not only the issue of rewards and money, but also the dignity of the Ming Dynasty.
How to judge whether a battle is won or lost?
It's not about which side sacrificed fewer people, but it's about whether the conflict that started the war was resolved and by which side it was resolved.
As the trigger for provoking the war, the Ming Dynasty sent troops to the north to teach Ye Xian a lesson, so that he should not take the Ming Dynasty as a scapegoat and maintain peace on the border.
At this time, by increasing the number of people originally agreed by His Majesty Yongle and Ye Xian's father by more than ten times, wouldn't it be a slap in the face and admitting that the original Northern Expedition was an unjust act?
By agreeing to this condition, it is not just the Emperor who loses his face, but the whole court. I'm sorry, it is the 200,000 officers and soldiers who died tragically in Tumubao!
Therefore, in Li Shi's own opinion, what he said was quite light.
Of course, Zhu Qizhen may not think so.
At this moment, he has the hope of returning to the capital just around the corner. Even if he understands some things, he may not be willing to understand them.
Being "admonished" by Li Shi in front of him, Zhu Qizhen's face quickly turned red, he clenched his fists, and almost made Long Yan furious.
But in the end, he took a few deep breaths and suppressed his emotions.
Favoring and trusting Wang Zhen, losing his master in civil affairs, covering his holy chariot in dust, and being captured and hunted in the north. These were indeed his own sins, even if he wanted to deny them.
Zhu Qizhen gently pressed his hand on the case, and his voice was a little muffled.
"When Wang Zhen had nothing to do, all the ministers did not say anything. Now that something has happened, the blame will be placed on me."
Hearing the Supreme Emperor's complaining tone, Li Shi frowned and said directly.
"The Supreme Emperor said that the ministers would not remonstrate with him. However, from the time when the Supreme Emperor got married and took charge of the government, he placed Wang Zhen in an important position. The ministers repeatedly impeached him, but the Supreme Emperor responded to him time and time again, and his honor and favor increased day by day."
"In the seventh year of Zhengtong, Liu Qiu, a minister of the Imperial Academy, advised His Majesty to take care of the affairs of the general public and not to entrust them to eunuchs. Otherwise, the power may be stolen and the country will be in danger."
"Shu Shang, Jin Yiwei accepted the order and arrested Liu Qiu and imprisoned him for committing the above crime. A few days later, Liu Qiu died of an unexplained illness and was imprisoned. After his death, his body was cut into pieces in the street, and his family was not allowed to bury him."
"In June, the supervisory censor Li Yan reprimanded Wang Zhen in court for overstepping his bounds. He used his position as an eunuch to bully the courtiers and forced them to kneel and worship. The court was arrested by the royal guards and sent to prison. Half a month later, the Ministry of Personnel used the emperor's decree to banish Li.
Just like garrisoning Tieling Guards in eastern Liaoning."
"In the eighth year of Zhengtong, Xue Xuan, the young minister of Dali Temple, investigated Wang Zhen's nephew Wang Shan and colluded with the Jin Yiwei to fabricate an unjust case. He asked for permission to review the case. Wang Zhen heard about it and framed Xue Xuan for his crimes. The Supreme Emperor listened to Wang Zhen's words and sentenced Xue Xuan to death."
"At that time, the Ministry of Punishment, Ke Dao, Dali Temple and other yamen all remonstrated, but the emperor did not know whether he had been wronged? However, in order to protect Wang Zhen, the emperor was unwilling to overturn the case, and only exempted Xue Xuan from death penalty, dismissed him from office and demoted him."
"Wang Zhen has been wreaking havoc in the court for several years. He has done many illegal things and his ministers have come in with many remonstrances. Hasn't your Majesty heard of it?"
"Also, when the emperor was slandered by Wang Zhen and insisted on the northern expedition, the official minister Wang directly persuaded the ministers, but the emperor refused to listen and sent the ministers to retreat."
"When the army set out, Wang Zhen commanded it haphazardly. Kuang Ye, Minister of War, knelt down to urge His Majesty to return to the army as soon as possible. However..."
"enough!"
Li Shi was bold enough to speak out, and one by one he began to settle old accounts one by one.
Zhu Qizhen's face turned blue and white as he listened. Finally, he couldn't help but slap the table and shouted sharply.
"Is it all my fault for all the old things? You are an envoy sent by the imperial court to welcome me. How can you act like a minister by scolding me like this?"
Li Shi knelt down silently and kept silent, but there was no intention of admitting his mistake on his face.
At this time, the other two people finally had to come out to smooth things over, with Luo Qi going first.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Although Mr. Li's words and deeds are inappropriate and disrespectful, he is still thinking about the Supreme Emperor. I hope that the Emperor can understand Wang Zhen's crime and warn others. Only in this way can we calm the hearts of the people of the country."
After hearing this, Zhu Jian, who was about to speak, also sighed.
Can these two people talk? Why are they always holding on to the past? Isn't it obvious that they are going to quarrel?
Zhu Jiandao took a step forward.
"Your Majesty, everything that happened in the past was all Wang Zhen's fault, and it was Wang Zhen's fault that he delayed the Holy Majesty. His sin is unforgivable. Now Wang Zhen is serving life, and his accomplices have also been killed."
"I am here for no other reason than to try my best to welcome the Emperor back to the court. Don't worry, Your Majesty. Tomorrow I will continue to discuss with Ye Xian and others, and strive to bridge the differences and welcome His Majesty back to you as soon as possible."
Finally, there was a step down, and Zhu Qizhen gradually calmed down.
Of course he knew in his heart that what Li Shi said was correct, and that his anger just now was actually nothing more than a strong-willed person.
With a dull hum, Zhu Qizhen sighed.
"I also know that Wang Zhen committed a serious crime. His army went out to fight and Tumu was defeated because of this. However, the boat is already in ruins. I regret it so much. I wish I could recognize his true face as soon as possible."
Logically speaking, at this time, one should cater to the Supreme Emperor and then calm down the conflict just now.
But just as Zhu Jian was about to speak, Li Shi, who was scratching his neck, said again.
"The fact that the Supreme Emperor has such thoughts shows that he has a heart of repentance. In the past, His Majesty used inhumane people, which caused great disasters. The dangerous order also approached the capital first, destabilizing the artifact."
"Now that your majesty is aware of his own mistakes, he should take the blame and rebuke himself, and humbly retreat from his position. I have the courage to speak out honestly and remonstrate with you. Please accept it from your Majesty's Majesty."
This person is really...
Zhu Jian was speechless for a while. He raised his head and glanced at the Supreme Emperor. He was obviously very angry.
So, Lord Zhu, why did he hand over his hand?
"Your Majesty, it's getting late now. We have to go back to prepare for the follow-up peace talks. We need to leave early. Please allow your Majesty's permission."
After saying that, seeing the Supreme Emperor nodding lightly with a dark face, Zhu Jian quickly led the people out of the tent.
But as soon as they left, before they had gone far, they could hear bursts of thunderous sounds coming from the military tent...