Chapter 504: Battle of the Central
"What do you mean!"

Yang Bo glared at Yan Shifan and questioned him.

Yan Shifan turned around and looked at Yang Bo, smiling slightly: "It's nothing."

"If it's as the Left Minister said, why did you say something like "raising the enemy to protect yourself" when we were talking about the border affairs?" Yang Bo frowned and raised his fists high: "Everyone in the court is a minister. There are hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the nine borders. They have been guarding the borders for four seasons. In every battle, there are always people who sacrifice their lives for the country. How can it be what the Left Minister said about "raising the enemy to protect yourself"?"

This statement must be refuted today.

Otherwise, if problems arise in the Nine Borders, he, as the Minister of War, would be accused of watching the Nine Borders harbor the enemy.

Compared with the angry Yang Bo, Yan Shifan looked calm with a smile on his face.

He smiled and said, "I have never said that the soldiers at the border are keeping the enemy at bay. I have always admired the soldiers who guard the forts inside and outside the border walls, and those who risked their lives to go out of the border to investigate the enemy. But... there are hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses in the nine borders, and there are nine generals and nine governors in the nine border towns, and under them there are garrison generals and border patrol lieutenant generals of various routes."

Yang Bo did not want himself and the Nine Frontiers to be accused of harboring the enemy, so he wanted Yan Shifan to be accused of attacking the soldiers of the Nine Frontiers.

Yan Shifan knew this very well, and he immediately divided the nine borders into zones. The soldiers in the nine borders were one zone, and the generals commanding the troops in the nine borders were another zone.

Then who is nurturing the enemy for his own benefit?

It will become clear naturally.

It's impossible that the generals who command the troops are loyal to the country and fight bravely, while the soldiers whose salaries are withheld from time to time are just nurturing the enemy?
Yang Bo's face turned even redder, but he was speechless.

He, the Minister of War, did not say anything, but another Minister of War came out.

Hu Zongxian came out and cleared his throat: "When a country deploys troops, it must be cautious. In the face of war, rewards and punishments must be given with extreme caution. If the court is too harsh, it may cause changes in the soldiers on the battlefield. If rewards are excessive, it will also breed the soldiers' desire for rewards, and they will not fight without rewards."

When they heard Hu Zongxian speak, everyone in the room nodded.

It is obvious that most people agree more with Hu Zongxian's statement.

Hu Zongxian also went on to say: "Xuanfu and Datong are mutually complementary and have always been mutually supportive. When the enemy attacks Xuanfu, Datong will come to its aid. When the enemy comes to Datong, they will definitely go around Xuanfu to strangle them. Both sides are the gateways to the capital. If the enemy breaks through Xuanfu and Datong, they will definitely threaten the capital and reach all the passes."

"Now that Xuanfu has reported the situation of the bandits on the border, we have already sent people to investigate the situation, and we also need to wait for Datong to report the details. The capital is the central place, so we should be steady and cautious in governing the country. Even if we hear that the enemy has 100,000 troops, we should not panic, and we should treat a small group of 120 as if we were facing a 100,000-man army."

"Now that everything in the capital has been done, the priority should be on defense. The Cabinet should draft a document and the Ministry of War should be sent to the Taihang and Yanshan passes to strictly guard the passes, reorganize the troops, and investigate the past. The capital should also send a letter to the East Factory, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Military Department to strictly investigate people with foreign faces, be vigilant against spies inside the pass, and cut off internal and external communications. No one should show cakes and linen crowns to people at the border anymore!"

"After this, all the ministries and departments in the capital should work together. The cabinet should order the Marquis of Zhenyuan to reorganize the soldiers in the capital camp and train the horses to prevent the border from being in danger. The capital can quickly send troops to support. The Ministry of Revenue, the Imperial Household Department, and the Imperial Household Department should also prepare silver for the price of horses, wine, meat, and rice to load into the warehouse. If the border is in danger, the court can set out immediately and select ministers to send money and food to reward the soldiers and boost their morale."

Hu Zongxian's words completely quieted down the cabinet room.

Yan Shifan looked at Yang Bo provocatively, and then bowed to Hu Zongxian: "Minister Hu, great talk!"

Yang Bo lowered his head silently.

What is a military strategist?

Hu Zongxian is a real military strategist!

What should a qualified Minister of War look like?

That’s what Hu Zongxian looked like just now!

Gao Gong nodded with appreciation and said, "You are right, Ruzhen! We must block the internal and external communications, and don't let the incident of the cake in the arms and the linen cap happen again!"

Everyone in the room exchanged glances.

The story of "the cake in the arms and the linen crown" mentioned by Hu Zongxian and Gao Gong actually has its origins.

And if you calculate carefully, it is actually very similar to the current situation.

And this happened not long ago.

It was the Battle of Yutailing that took place in the west route of Xuanfu at the end of May and the beginning of June in the eighteenth year of the Hongzhi reign.

This battle took place when Emperor Xiaozong passed away and Emperor Wuzong ascended the throne.

The Mongols marched southwards to attack Xuanfu, and the camp was more than 20 miles long. The troops of Xuanfu, the generals, the governors, the eunuchs in charge, etc., hindered each other and were besieged by the Mongols, who even attacked the city.

When they were at the gate of the city, the Mongols took out the prepared cakes and linen crowns and showed them to the public.

He asked, "What is this?"

There was once a spy who came to the capital and learned that there was a great funeral in the country. He bought cakes and a hat and left with them. The border control was not strict enough.

What we actually mean is that we know that the emperor of your Ming Dynasty has passed away and the new emperor has just ascended the throne, so we are taking the opportunity to make a fortune in your Ming Dynasty.

So if this story is put in the present time, it is naturally applicable.

Now that the Ming Dynasty has just started to implement the new policy, there are already many voices and people who oppose the new policy in various places. And now that the emperor is ill, there is no telling when something bad will happen.

If the Mongolian spies passed this news to the border, I am afraid that Altan's tribe would attack more fiercely.

Because once there is a problem within the Ming Dynasty, it will inevitably be unable to take care of issues at the border.

As for the other things Hu Zongxian mentioned, Gao Gong thought that they were all mature and prudent in every aspect.

He couldn't help but glance at Yang Bo.

If he did not want to promote the status quo of a nominal monarch and needed to rely on the Jin Party, why would he have to collude with Yang Bo, who was born in Jin?

Now, if we compare Yang Bo and Hu Zongxian, we can see at a glance who is better.

Gao Gong also knew clearly that Yan Shifan's shouting just now was not without reason.

Over the years, he knew exactly what the Nine Frontiers looked like, even though he had been in the capital. Not to mention the Jin Party's control over the three towns of Shanxi, Datong, and Xuanfu.

It can be said that the Jin Party has firmly grasped the border troops in Shanxi, Datong and Xuanfu.

For no reason, Gao Gong, who wanted to be a figurehead, suddenly felt somewhat grateful to the emperor.

If the incident in Xuanfu had not happened the year before last, the emperor would have summoned Ma Fang, the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu, back to Beijing to report on his work. Since then, Ma Fang has become the emperor's man and would secretly submit memorials to the palace from time to time. The current situation in the three borders would probably be even more complicated.

Gao Gong's eyes became more and more gloomy as he stared at Hu Zongxian. He began to wonder in his heart why this Minister of War, who had been in the court for several years and had never interfered in other affairs but only focused on suppressing the Japanese in the five southeastern provinces, suddenly started to speak about the military affairs of the nine borders.

I'm afraid he has also been thinking about joining the cabinet.

Gao Gong pondered in his mind, thinking about the recent memorials submitted from the southeast, the Japanese invasion along the coast was basically coming to an end.

If Hu Zongxian had repeatedly made suggestions about the government recently.

I could also bring him into the cabinet.

Use Hu Zongxian in the cabinet to check and balance Yang Bo who controls the Ministry of War?
Seems like a good choice.

In this way, he could also prevent the Jin Party from growing further.

So, Gao Gong immediately glanced at Yuan Wei.

Although he is now the Prime Minister, and has some conflicts with Yuan Wei, the Second Prime Minister, they can still maintain a certain tacit understanding most of the time.

Yuan Wei also understood immediately and said with a smile: "Since the Prime Minister also said that what Ruzhen proposed is reasonable, why don't we do what Ruzhen said right now?"

Although Lord Yuan was clearly speaking in an affirmative manner, he still pretended to turn his gaze around and look at everyone present.

Naturally, everyone agreed.

Finally, Gao Gong slammed his palm on the table and said, "Since everyone agrees so, let's send it to each department according to Ru Zhen's suggestion."

By this time, everything today has basically been agreed upon.

Everyone bowed and said goodbye.

Wait until these people leave.

Gao Gong then sighed, leaned back in his chair, looked sideways at Yuan Wei and Zhao Zhenji, and said quietly: "The situation in the West Garden is unclear now. From today on, as cabinet ministers, we should send people to stay in the cabinet every day to prepare for emergencies."

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

He wasn't being cryptic.

They were afraid that if the emperor really died suddenly, there would be at least people from the cabinet in the palace who could rush to the Western Garden at any time after hearing the news to prevent any accidents after the emperor's death.

Yuan Wei and Zhao Zhenji naturally understood and nodded in unison.

Gao Gong added, "What Yan Shifan said earlier was actually a concern. Now the enemy troops are stationed outside the border of Xuanda, but only Xuanbian has reported it, and Datong has not heard of it. I am actually quite worried. Can the central government send an important official to patrol the border as Yan Shifan said?"

When Gao Gong mentioned what Yan Shifan had just said about keeping the enemy at bay, Yuan Wei and Zhao Zhenji immediately looked at each other and secretly perked up their minds.

Yuan Wei even hesitated and whispered: "Does the Prime Minister think that...Xuanzhou and Dazhou are, as Yan Shifan said, harboring the enemy for their own benefit? So the Prime Minister hopes that the court will send someone to go there and secretly investigate the truth?"

"It may not be necessary to keep the enemy for your own benefit."

Gao Gong shook his head, but his eyes flashed with a sharp look: "But it is true that the generals in the border areas came south to attack the border and asked the court for money and food without any fixed amount. Now that the court is rectifying the administration and implementing new policies, how can we allow such disobedient people to linger in the nine borders!"

If Yan Shaoting were here, he would definitely shout that you have got the wrong direction, Lord Gao.

The one that harbors enemies and has rebellious intentions is Liaodong.

As for the Xuanda line, they just want to monopolize the trade within and outside the border.

But how can people today know what will happen decades later?

Even Zhao Zhenji could not help but nod in agreement: "Our nine frontiers stretch from Liaodong in the east to Gansu in the west. There are thousands of miles of frontiers and important towns on the nine frontiers. The imperial court has hundreds of thousands of troops stationed there, and it costs millions of dollars in grain every year. Apart from being defeated in battle, there have been many times when the incompetence of the frontier troops has led to the bandits going south to rob the people on the border."

Zhao Zhenji picked up the teacup and laughed, "Today Yan Shifan said that the court spends countless money and grain every year, but the nine frontiers keep petitioning for it. This is absolutely true. Since the court spends countless money on the nine frontiers every year, and they still can't resist the invaders, are they really just eating for free?"

Yuan Wei narrowed his eyes and sighed softly: "It is time to rectify the Nine Frontiers. Over the years, how many times have the generals in the Nine Frontiers withheld military pay, enriched themselves, forged military rolls, and forced soldiers to serve as slaves? It just so happens that the affairs of Xuanda and Da are unclear this time, so the central government can naturally take the opportunity to send someone over to take a look and conduct a thorough investigation."

Gao Gong nodded, but said, "But it's too early now. A major battle might really be imminent at the border. Sending people over at this time will only make the border generals feel uneasy and lose their motivation to fight. After the beginning of next spring, when the court distributes money and grain again, we can send people from the central government to check again."

This is actually what Hu Zongxian said before.

The imperial court could not be too strict or too lax with the border guards; it could not conduct inspections during wartime, nor could it distribute extra money and food during non-wartime.

undoubtedly.

Gao Gong said it again, and both Yuan Wei and Zhao Zhenji agreed.

And outside Wenyuan Pavilion.

After the show, the people who walked out of the palace were clearly divided into camps.

Yang Bo walked together with Gao Yao and Gao Yi.

Guo Pu walked together with Lei Li, Hu Zongxian and Ouyang Bijin.

Yan Shifan deliberately walked at the back with his hands behind his back.

He didn't want to continue discussing matters at court.

But Yan Shifan was unwilling.

Yang Bo, who was holding a grudge, would not do as he wished.

Yang Bo walked in front and turned to look at Yan Shifan who was walking slowly behind him. "Minister Zuo, you are also an old man in the court. You have been stationed in the Nine Frontiers for more than a hundred years to defend against the enemy. Even if someone is breaking the law, the court will investigate it. Why do you, as Minister Zuo, say in public today that the Nine Frontiers are nurturing the enemy for their own benefit?"

The Minister of War, who was born in the Jin area, snorted coldly.

He continued, "If that's the case, then the millions of dollars spent by the imperial court every year all go to the nine frontiers. Could it be that the imperial court is also nurturing the bandits to protect itself? If that's the case, where are the bandits? And who is nurturing them?"

Being asked this question to my face.

Yan Shifan was not angry, and he did not look like he used to be ready to explode.

Under the uneasy gaze of the crowd.

Yan Shifan laughed instead: "Minister Yang, do you really want me to explain what I have said clearly?"

He was a little confused. It was obvious that Shanxi had already established contact with his son and started to bypass the southeast through his home and go out to sea to do business.

How dare Yang Bo say that about himself?
But Yan Shifan also knew it.

Now the political situation has changed.

Even if things remain unchanged, there are never eternal friends or enemies in the court.

The Jin Party can cooperate with their own family on the issue of opening the sea, or they can confront the Yan family because of factional disputes at the center.

It seems that the two of them are already at loggerheads.

Guo Pu, the Minister of Personnel, also had a gloomy face. "They are all the nine ministers of the court, role models for all the officials in the central government. Do they really want to be so reckless and fight over such a childish thing? Or have the emperor and the cabinet finished what they need to do today?"

The Heavenly Official is, after all, the Heavenly Official, in charge of all the civil and military officials in the world.

As soon as Guo Pu opened his mouth, both Yan Shifan and Yang Bo just snorted coldly and looked away.

Everyone present began to ponder it silently in their hearts.

The imperial court has now completely changed. How the political situation will develop in the future will probably have to be decided at the beginning of this new policy.

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(End of this chapter)