The third volume is about the emperor personally leading the army to attack the northern desert! Chapter 89: Dispute in the Court
On the first day of the fifteenth year of the Zhengtong era, the sky was clear and the sun was rising high.
Zhu Qizhen wore a black satin robe embroidered with golden dragon patterns and a crown on his head, and led hundreds of officials to participate in the sacrificial ceremony.
According to the process established by the Ministry of Rites, the emperor and his ministers went to the Temple of Heaven and Earth to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, the Altar of Land and Grain to offer sacrifices to the grain and country, the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to ancestors, and finally, a new item was added this year, the Martyrs' Shrine.
"The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty, your souls have returned!"
"Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, countless soldiers have died on the battlefield, wrapped in horsehide. I have built the Martyrs' Shrine to honor the soldiers who died fighting for the Ming Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, all those who died fighting for the country will be enshrined in the shrine to enjoy the offerings of their descendants for generations to come!"
"To this day, the remnant Yuan forces continue to move south to harass our Ming border towns, and the people are displaced and suffering."
"I have decided to lead the army in person to attack Mobei!"
When these words were spoken, the ministers were in an uproar.
Except for a few people who knew the situation, most people were confused.
Isn't this a sacrifice? Why does he have to go into battle in the middle of the sacrifice?
Such a big thing happened without any prior notice, leaving people completely unprepared.
Zhu Qizhen turned around and glanced at the ministers with sharp eyes, intimidating without even being angry.
"All officials above the third rank and those with merit above the earl rank, follow me to the Fengtian Palace to discuss matters!"
The atmosphere in the Fengtian Hall was somewhat solemn.
Minister of Rites Hu Ying was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, please put the country first and think twice about the Northern Expedition !"
Following him were a large group of censors and officials from the six ministries.
In his last personal expedition, hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers were killed and the emperor was trapped in Tumu Fort. If it had not been for the subsequent Jedi counterattack, the consequences would have been disastrous.
As the chief noble of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Fu was also confused.
Logically speaking, you should at least inform me before making a decision!
This has suddenly happened. Should I agree or oppose it?
At this time, Prince Zhu Qiyu of Qin stepped forward and said, "Minister Hu is wrong. The emperor was trapped in Tumubao because of Wang Zhen's reckless command. But now, the troops from the south have returned. Our Ming army is strong and powerful. After repelling the Oirat at Badaling, the morale of the whole army is high. How can we compare it to the past?"
Taining Marquis Chen Ying also stood up and said, "That's right. Now the treasury is well-stocked and the logistics are sufficient. We just need to plan a careful marching route and we will definitely give Wala a beating!"
Immediately afterwards, Xiangcheng Marquis Li Zhen, Pingxiang Earl Chen Huai, the royal concubine Duwei Jing Yuan, and Ningyang Marquis Chen Mao, who had just returned from his army, also stood up to agree.
The nobles were well prepared and united this time.
Seeing everyone so in agreement, Zhang Fu also made up his mind and said, "I am willing to follow the emperor to personally conquer Mobei!"
The situation is now very clear: the civil officials are against it, while the military officials are in favor of it.
Hu Ying glanced around and saw that Yu Qian had not yet expressed his opinion, so he said, "Minister Yu, say something!"
For some reason, the emperor has shown great trust in Qian since he returned to Beijing.
Even when he was trapped in Tumu Fortress, he issued an imperial edict ordering Yu Qian to lead the Beijing camp and guard the capital.
Now that Yu Qian has entered the cabinet, his words carry even more weight.
Under the gaze of everyone, Yu Qian slowly walked forward and bowed.
"I think we cannot sit idly by and watch the Wala grow stronger. We should attack them!"
Buzz!
The ministers were immediately in an uproar. Well, even Yu Qian, a guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, has betrayed the organization!
You are a civil official, why do you speak for those military generals?
Hu Ying could not help but say, "Yu Qian, the Northern Expedition concerns the fate of the Ming Dynasty. I would like to give you a piece of advice. You should be careful with your words!"
"Minister Hu!" Yu Qian responded, "I have decided to follow the emperor in the battle!"
Hu Ying looked at Kuang Ye again, meaning, he is your man, so you speak.
Kuang Ye was also in a difficult situation. The emperor wanted to lead the army in person, and the nobles would definitely stand with the emperor. If the civil officials were united, perhaps they could still fight for it. However, now Yu Qian had also begun to turn against them, which made it difficult to deal with.
What's more, Yu Qian is now not only the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, but also the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.
"If the emperor were to personally lead the expedition against the Oirat, our army would have to go deep into the desert, and we would lose our geographical advantage. I, your humble servant, suggest that we take a long-term view on this matter."
"so what?"
Zhang Fu could not help but say, "When Emperor Taizong made six expeditions to northern Mobei, the remaining Yuan forces all fled. Who dared to invade the border of the Ming Dynasty at that time? Why is it that today, the Oirat Tatars keep blocking the borders and looting the people in the border towns? They are the wolves on the grassland. If we don't beat them thoroughly, beat them into submission, and scare them, the people in the border towns will never have peace!"
As the debate between civil and military officials became increasingly heated, the cabinet chief Cao Nai finally stood up.
"Since the fall of the former Yuan Dynasty, they have fled to the northern desert. Over the years, they have regarded our Ming Dynasty as their mortal enemy. This war is inevitable."
Hu Ying's face changed. He was about to retort when he heard Cao Nai continue, "However, Your Majesty is a man of ten thousand gold. It is not appropriate for him to put himself in danger. I suggest that we choose another commander, gather troops, collect food and grass, and plan a marching route, and then proceed slowly ."
Cao Nai knew clearly that the emperor was determined and the battle would be fought sooner or later. What he could do now was to stop the emperor from leading the army in person. He must not let the situation where they were trapped in Tumu Fort happen again.
The reason why the emperor insisted on leading the army in person was mainly because of Wang Zhen's mischief. Now that all the treacherous officials have been eliminated, the emperor should be able to listen to advice.
War is no joke, every aspect needs to be considered.
Moreover, the Ming Dynasty is not fighting a desperate battle now. If something goes wrong in this battle and the emperor is involved, it will be a huge loss.
Cao Nai's words were all from the bottom of his heart, and he hoped very much that the emperor could listen to his advice rationally.
However, this time, he was destined to be disappointed.
Zhu Qizhen pondered for a long time, and finally said: "I know what you are worried about, but in the battle of Xuanfu and Datong, hundreds of thousands of Ming heroes are watching me!"
"I have an unshirkable responsibility for their sacrifice. If I don't help them to avenge their hatred with my own hands, how can I face them, how can I face my ancestors?"
"Now that our great Ming army is well-trained and well-fed, how can we hesitate to move forward because of unnecessary worries, causing countless border soldiers to sacrifice in vain?"
"I am not afraid, so why should you be afraid?"
At this point, the hall fell silent.
Zhu Qizhen stood up, looking down at the man, with an air of majesty without even getting angry.
"King Qing!"
Zhu Qiyu stepped forward: "I am here!"
"The prince is young, and the country relies on the elder ruler. If I die on the battlefield, you will be the next emperor of Ming. Remember, if I am unfortunately captured, I don't need you to rescue me, and I don't need anyone to negotiate with me. I will end it myself!"
“Your Majesty… ...”
Zhu Qiyu was so frightened that he fell to his knees, speaking incoherently, not knowing what to do.
"stand up!"
Zhu Qiyu's legs were shaking and he couldn't stand up after trying several times.
"You are a descendant of the Zhu family. You have the blood of Emperor Taizu Gao flowing in your veins. I will let you stand up!"
"yes!"
Zhu Qiyu gritted his teeth, supported himself with his hands, stood up, and said with a firm look: "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the army in person!"
"I am your elder brother. This kind of thing is not your turn."
Zhu Qizhen shook his head and smiled, "If my Northern Expedition fails, my brother should not forget the heroic spirits of the Ming Dynasty who died on the battlefield. You should prepare your troops and fight against the rebels!"
"Your Highness... obeys your order!"
Zhu Qizhen continued to order: "Yu Qian!"
"I am here!"
"I order you to be the deputy commander of this northern expedition. I give you three months to gather the army and collect food and fodder. Can your family take on this important task?"
Yu Qian was prepared: "Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will fulfill my mission!"
"Prince Jing'an!"
Zhang Fu hurried forward: "I'm here!"
"I order you to stay in the capital and assist Prince Qing in governing the country."
Zhang Fu shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I beg to follow you into battle!"
Zhu Qizhen said: "Your family is an old minister of four dynasties. When the late emperor died early, he entrusted you with the post of regent. I also entrust the Prince of Qing to you. The burden on your family is not light."
Zhang Fu had no choice but to say, "I obey your order!"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and continued, "Marquis of Xiangcheng!"
Li Zhen stepped forward: "I am here!"
"This time, the Three Thousand Battalion will be the vanguard and will go to Yumuchuan to build a large camp to clear the obstacles on the grain route for the Central Army."
"I obey your order!"
Ningyang Marquis Chen Mao couldn't help but stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I'm willing to fight!"
Zhu Qizhen said: "I have other plans for your family."
Chen Mao was very happy and said, "Your Majesty, please give your orders."
"I will take the initiative to attack Mobei, and Wala Yesen will definitely draw troops from all over the country. I will give you 30,000 troops. After the troops in Hami area are withdrawn, your family will lead the troops to raid Hami and form a horn with Suzhou Guard to further reduce Wala's sphere of influence."
Chen Mao was excited and bowed, saying, "I obey your order!"
Seeing this, the Minister of Works Shi Pu also stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I beg your Majesty!"
Zhu Qizhen thought about it and said, "You don't have to go."
"Your Majesty, this is not acceptable!"
Shi Pu was unwilling to do so and argued, "Although I am a civil official, I am no less capable than those military generals in leading troops to fight, Marquis of Ningyang, don't you agree?"
Chen Mao curled his lips and did not answer.
Shi Pu was anxious, and pulled Chen Mao's clothes and said, "Say something!"
"okay!"
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said, "You stay in the capital and supervise the production of new firearms. These firearms are my secret weapons and are directly related to the direction of the war. They are of vital importance."
Shi Pu nodded with satisfaction and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will immediately hand over the affairs of the Ministry of Works to you. From today on, I will focus on the manufacture of firearms."
Zhu Qizhen glanced at the officials again and said, "From now on, all officials, big and small, from the six ministries and nine departments, will fully cooperate with Yu Qian in preparing for the Northern Expedition. If anyone neglects to do so, he will be punished for deceiving the emperor!"
All the officials knelt down and bowed: "We obey your order!"
After the court was adjourned, Zhu Qizhen turned and went to the imperial study.
Jin Ying followed Zhu Qizhen and said with lingering fear: "Your Majesty, according to the ancestral system of our dynasty, eunuchs are not allowed to interfere in government affairs, but I have a few words to say, I don't know..."
"explain!"
"yes!"
Jin Ying calmed down and said carefully: "The Northern Expedition is a military secret. Today in the court, the emperor mentioned a lot of details. What if there are spies from the Oirat among the court officials..."
Zhu Qizhen smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to be so thoughtful."
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. I just... just..."
"Okay, I know you mean well."
Zhu Qizhen put away the smile on his face and said, "Secretly summon the commander of Jueshengwei, Yang Zhicong, to the palace!"
