The third volume is about the emperor personally leading the army to attack the northern desert! Chapter 90: Operations Meeting
The court meeting ended with some people happy and some sad.
For the nobles, this was obviously another opportunity to make achievements and build a career. Fighting a war meant bloodshed, but it also meant great military exploits.
The civil officials were unwilling to accept this. They could not understand why the emperor became so determined after returning from the desert.
Some people even began to wonder if there was another treacherous person in the court?
However, the emperor's series of arrangements in the hall seemed impeccable, except that they were too aggressive. He even publicly announced Prince Qing as the successor.
This is different from the period of Emperor Taizong, when Zhu Gaochi was still the crown prince. If the emperor passed away, it would be natural for the crown prince to succeed to the throne.
However, Prince of Qing was a vassal prince, and there was a three-year-old crown prince Zhu Jianshen in the palace!
This is getting a bit complicated...
Everyone is considering their own interests and the situations they may face in the future.
In the imperial study, a map of Mobei was unfolded, and Zhu Qizhen summoned the people from yesterday and Zhang Fu to discuss the battle plan.
"You are all veterans who have fought in many battles. Don't be shy and speak freely."
Zhang Fu was the first to speak : "Your Majesty, I think it is more reasonable to choose Yumuchuan as the main camp. This location is not far from the border, and the food and grass supply is also familiar. Our army is also familiar with the terrain over there, which is more conducive to the protection of the main camp."
Everyone nodded. Yumuchuan was indeed the best place to stay for the Northern Expedition, just as Zhang Fu said.
At this time, Yu Qian said: "The grain route is of utmost importance. The three thousand battalions can go ahead and clear the grain route, but the Ningyang Marquis's troops need to slow down a bit. We can't let the Oirat see that our army is planning to attack Hami."
"Minister Yu is absolutely right!"
Chen Mao moved his finger from the capital to Suzhou, then to Hami.
"My suggestion is to take advantage of the momentum of the Emperor's Northern Expedition and mix the Western Route troops into it. Then withdraw them in batches and finally assemble in Suzhou. By the time the enemy realizes that the situation is not right, our army will have already arrived in front of them, giving the Wala people a surprise!"
“Excellent!”
Zhang Fu clapped his hands in praise and said, "If the Silk Road is opened up, the Ming Dynasty will gain countless benefits in the future."
Yu Qian also nodded and said, "I agree with the Ningyang Marquis's method. There are 3,000 troops in front to attract attention, and there are still large troops coming to the border. Even if Yesen wants to return to defend, I'm afraid he won't be able to do so."
Everyone was talking at once, the discussion was in full swing. Jin Ying quietly came to the imperial study and whispered a few words in Zhu Qizhen's ear.
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said, "My dear ministers, please continue to discuss. I will be back soon!"
After saying that, he turned around and went to a side hall with Jin Ying, where Yang Zhicong had been waiting for a long time.
He was born deaf and dumb and could not speak. When he saw the emperor, he immediately crossed his hands over his chest and knelt down to pay his respects.
Zhu Qizhen patted him lightly on the shoulder, then winked at Jin Ying. Jin Ying understood and immediately turned around and went out to guard outside the door.
"I intend to personally lead an expedition against the Oirat. Today, I announced two things in front of all the ministers in the palace. One is the general route of the march, and the other is to designate the Prince of Qing as the successor to the Ming Emperor. If there are Oirat spies in the court at this time, they will definitely find ways to pass on this news."
Yang Zhicong stared at Zhu Qizhen's lips quietly and nodded.
"The first thing Jueshengwei will investigate is to keep an eye on these officials and see who they are associating with. If they find that someone is colluding with the enemy, they will report it to me immediately. If there is not enough time, they can also directly notify Jinyiwei Yuan Bin to arrest the person."
"As for the second thing, after I set out, I will see if anyone is secretly planning something bad. The King of Qing is not a bad person, but he is a little weak in character, especially when dealing with civil officials. He always puts on a good face, which has spoiled them!"
"And there is Miss Gu Xi from Tingyu Pavilion. She is the Saint of the White Lotus. Although she appears to be subservient to me , the White Lotus Cult is still a hidden danger. Arrange a spy in Tingyu Pavilion to keep an eye on him!"
Yang Zhicong crossed his hands in front of his chest, bowed, then turned and left.
Zhu Qizhen took Jin Ying back to the imperial study and asked, "How is the discussion going, gentlemen?"
"Your Majesty!" Zhang Fu said excitedly, "Yu Qian just mentioned that we should send another group of troops to Liaodong, so that the three guards of Xuan, Duo and Yan can attack the Oirat and Tatar tribes together. In this way, we can form a pincer attack on the forces in Mobei!"
"Well, that's a good idea!"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said, "Who should be sent?"
"Your Majesty, what do you think of the imperial consort Jing Yuan?"
Zhu Qizhen thought for a moment and said, "Jinying, go and call Prince Consort Jing!"
"yes!"
…
The combat meeting ended and everyone dispersed. Zhu Qizhen specifically asked Yuan Bin to stay.
"Why didn't the Qing family say a word during the discussion just now?"
Yuan Bin replied: "I know my duty. I will accompany you on the expedition, gather intelligence, and protect your safety!"
"Nothing you want to say?"
"minister……"
Yuan Bin hesitated for a moment, and seemed to have made up his mind, and said: "I just feel that the emperor revealed too much information to the ministers in the hall today."
"Are you worried that someone in the court is collaborating with the enemy?"
“We have to be on guard!”
"You are right!" Zhu Qizhen smiled faintly and said, "How could I not know?"
Yuan Bin suddenly realized and said, "It seems that the emperor has made all the arrangements. I was just worrying too much!"
"I only trust you and Ha Ming. Now Ha Ming has gone to Beihai first, and you are going to go with me. I want to ask you, is there anyone else in Jinyiwei who is worthy of absolute trust?"
Yuan Bin frowned and thought for a long time before he said, "I recommend someone."
"who?"
"Commander Zhu Ji, this man is the son-in-law of Minister Yu, he is loyal and upright, and worthy of trust!"
"Yu Qian's son-in-law?"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said, "I revealed the marching route today in order to lure out the spies hidden in the court. If these people are not caught before the army sets out, this war cannot be fought! The Jinyiwei should not keep a close eye on us recently, otherwise the big fish will not be easily hooked ."
"But...if the Jinyiwei don't guard , won't it give spies a chance to pass on information?"
"I have already sent the Juesheng Guards to monitor secretly. You are in the open, and they are in the dark. If you want to catch these big fish, you must cooperate with us with all your strength. Do you understand?"
Yuan Bin looked nervous. The Juesheng Guard was the top secret of the Ming Dynasty and was even more mysterious than the Jinyiwei. Moreover, they were only loyal to the emperor and no one else had the right to interfere.
Even the Jinyiwei were under the surveillance of the Jueshengwei.
Now that the emperor has revealed this news to me, it shows his absolute trust in me.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will fully cooperate with the Juesheng Guards to catch these bad apples!"
