Chapter 397: The Drunkard's Heart Is Not in the Cup

Zhu Youxiao watched Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi quietly, with no obvious change in his expression.

In fact, if anything was off about the Emperor's mood, Sun Chengzong and the others would understand it with just a little thought.

The Emperor had no confidence in the war—plainly speaking, he was timid, he was fearful, he was afraid.

Why would the Emperor feel this way?

If they, as his ministers, thought about it a little more, they would understand—their Emperor was suffering from a bout of firepower deficiency phobia.

One should know that firepower deficiency phobia wasn't something only Zhu Youxiao had; in later generations, it was an affliction shared by the entire nation, from top to bottom, everyone worried about insufficient firepower.

In the later age, Zhu Youxiao knew one thing: there was a period when the country's division-level firepower was three times that of the West, but company-level firepower was lacking. To cure an illness, you must cure its root—give the companies and below a strong dose!

Looking across the entire world, the only army that equipped 12.7mm caliber machine guns down to the infantry squad was the People's Liberation Army, and each squad was issued two of them. Put that kind of firepower at an intersection, and within minutes you could seal off two streets.

Not only that, they were also the first in the world to develop a sniper grenade launcher, with a maximum range of 2,200 meters and a firing accuracy of 25 centimeters. Does that seem like the accuracy is too poor?

Not accurate enough? Make up for it with firepower—the effective kill radius is 5 meters!

One round, one kill!

The most vicious part was that this thing could take a drum magazine. Twenty rounds of continuous fire. One burst of shells over—even if it doesn't blow you to bits, it'll blast you unconscious.

Never ask for the most powerful, only ask for more powerful.

Thinking of this, Zhu Youxiao also understood what was on his mind.

In his own heart, the current equipment was completely insufficient—he simply couldn't feel at ease, and the firepower deficiency phobia couldn't be cured.

Perhaps in the eyes of Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi, the Ming army's current state of armament was already quite good, at least much better than when the Emperor first ascended the throne. Over in Liaodong, Xiong Tingbi had solved many problems, and the equipment had been upgraded. This victory was proof of that—at least they could now trade blows with the Wild Boar Skin and come out even.

Under such circumstances, going to war was no big deal. Besides, the court had money and the treasury had grain—it wasn't as if they couldn't afford this fight.

There was even such a fine army in the capital. Whether in the southwest or in Shandong, the New Army had performed excellently. If they pulled the New Army over to Liaodong as well, their chances of victory would be even greater—defeat was basically impossible; and even if they lost a battle, a major rout and collapse was highly unlikely.

But Zhu Youxiao still waved his hand, furrowed his brow, and said thoughtfully: "This matter is of great importance—we should deliberate carefully. All of you, my beloved ministers, may withdraw for now. Let me think it over before speaking further."

In truth, Zhu Youxiao didn't need to think at all—he simply didn't want to fight this war. The money and grain he had worked so hard to obtain could not be squandered so freely in Liaodong.

For Zhu Youxiao, this money was the seed capital for building his foundation—it had far greater uses. Good steel must be used on the blade's edge; using this money to strengthen his own power was the key. Once his strength was built up, money wouldn't be a problem at all.

Under such circumstances, for Zhu Youxiao, stability outweighed everything.

The people at court thought the Ming had plenty of money, but Zhu Youxiao felt the money was still too little, far from enough. Investing this money into expanding production, strengthening his own power, and using it to earn even more money—that was the true way. Spending it was the most mistaken choice.

Seeing Zhu Youxiao's firm attitude, Han Kuang and the others knew there was no way around it, and bowed: "Yes, Your Majesty. Your servants take their leave."

After Han Kuang and the others left, Zhu Youxiao also returned to the palace. He was in a bad mood and needed to find Empress Zhang to be comforted.

After leaving the palace, Han Kuang and the other three returned to the Grand Secretariat, each lost in their own thoughts.

Han Kuang and Huang Kezuan gathered together. The two sat in the duty room on the west side, drinking tea and chatting, while someone stood watch outside the door.

Glancing at Han Kuang, Huang Kezuan said hesitantly: "Don't you think something seems strange?"

"What's strange?" Han Kuang took a sip of tea and asked with a smile.

"Today's affair is a bit odd." Huang Kezuan thought for a moment, then said: "Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi seem a little too eager."

"Liaodong was only a minor victory—why talk about recovering all of Liaodong? They're not the type to be so hasty, so I find it strange."

"What's strange about that?" Han Kuang said with a smile: "Those two are just grabbing for power."

"What do you mean by that?" Huang Kezuan was momentarily taken aback upon hearing this, and after thinking it over said: "Are you saying their aim isn't Liaodong, but the court itself?"

"The drunkard's heart is not in the cup, but in the mountains and waters between." Han Kuang smiled as he set down his teacup and said: "Isn't it obvious?"

"Those two are both old foxes—don't let them fool you. The victory in Liaodong is indeed good news for the court."

"The Emperor appointed Xiong Tingbi, which stabilized the situation in Liaodong, to the point where they could now win battles. But recovering all of Liaodong? That's certainly impossible right now. If even you know this, would Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi not know it too?"

"Of those two, one controls the Ministry of War, and the other controls the Hundred Crafts Institute. What does that mean?"

"Both are things related to warfare. Once the Emperor's heart is moved toward recovering all of Liaodong, the court's main direction will all be focused on these matters. Whether training troops or casting weapons, everything would depend on Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi."

"Sun Chengzong even wants to petition to go to Shenyang—what is he trying to do? The Liaodong matter has always been a thorn in the court's side. Since Sarhu, it has weighed on everyone's hearts without a moment's respite. Do you think the Emperor doesn't care? If the Emperor didn't care, he wouldn't have spent so much money training troops."

"If Sun Chengzong goes to Liaodong to command the army, is he going there to fight? He's going there to earn merit. As for Xu Guangqi, overseeing the Hundred Crafts Institute's affairs at court—that too would be earning great merit."

"Right now the court's main push is the Imperial Academy reform, led by Feng Congwu—he's one of ours. Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi are both eyeing power."

"Aren't they afraid of losing?" Huang Kezuan said hesitantly.

"Losing?" Han Kuang sneered and said: "What do you think Sun Chengzong is?"

"You know the current situation in Liaodong, and so do I. Xiong Tingbi has already secured a foothold. That means he's already in an undefeatable position. Once the court mobilizes a large army there, they will certainly go on the offensive."

"But no one said they had to annihilate the Wild Boar Skin completely. Wouldn't it be better to first take Qinghe and Tieling? Then gradually push north, nibbling away at the Wild Boar Skin's territory."

"Sun Chengzong has proposed this kind of strategy before. Once he gets to Liaodong, he'll certainly do exactly that. By that time, the Wild Boar Skin will definitely be crushed by him."

"In a year or two there might only be small gains, but after three to five years, the Wild Boar Skin will inevitably suffer heavy casualties and be completely unable to fight back. Add the cooperation of the Hundred Crafts Institute at court, and it might not even take three to five years. By then, they'll stand in the court with great merit—how will you and I fare?"

"Perhaps by then I'll have to step aside and yield my position. This seat of Chief Grand Secretary won't have anything to do with me anymore. Don't forget—although we control the Imperial Academy reform, the Minister of Rites is Shen Tingjun, and he's Xu Guangqi's man."

"How did Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi end up working together?" Huang Kezuan asked in confusion: "Those two don't usually get along."

"What does 'shared aspirations' mean? It simply means they want to do the same thing. Those two have always wanted to strengthen the military and recover Liaodong. Now that they have the opportunity, how could they not seize it?"

"You'll see—once this matter spreads, the prestige of those two will definitely rise greatly. Those who want to recover Liaodong will certainly fish in troubled waters and sing their praises."

"Besides, the Battle of Sarhu has been a source of shame for many people. If the court can avenge this blood debt this time, it will also let people vent their pent-up frustration. Do you think there will be few people supporting Sun Chengzong and the others?"

"Moreover, exterminating the Wild Boar Skin is a matter of great national justice—many people will approve."

Huang Kezuan could understand this point—they simply wanted to gain some political capital.

If they could move the Emperor and stir his interest, then whoever shouted loudest would catch the Emperor's attention, and future promotions and ennoblements would be well within reach.

"Then what should we do?" Huang Kezuan thought for a moment and said: "We can't very well oppose it."

Han Kuang and the others really didn't want Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi to succeed, but there was truly no way to oppose this matter—it was itself a righteous cause, and whoever opposed it would be branded a traitor.

Under such circumstances, they couldn't oppose it openly. If word got out, who knew what the public would call Han Kuang and the others.

"No hurry, no hurry." Han Kuang said with a smile: "The Emperor hasn't made a decision yet, which means he doesn't agree with them in his heart. We don't need to oppose them directly—it's just that the timing isn't ripe yet."

"The New Army's training isn't complete, and disasters are plaguing various regions. The situation in Liaodong is stable right now—there's no need to restart the flames of war."

"But that would easily invite criticism." Huang Kezuan said after a moment's thought.

He knew the scholars of the Great Ming well. If such conciliatory remarks were even slightly exploited by those with ulterior motives, they would certainly become his weakness, and outsiders would curse him in ways too terrible to imagine.

Advocating a hardline stance was the mainstream ideology.

"Of course, we can't say it openly and loudly." Han Kuang said with a smile: "Just mention it to Your Majesty in private, that's all."

"As for them wanting to stir things up, we only need to divert attention elsewhere. I still have a major matter that hasn't been finished."

Huang Kezuan looked at Han Kuang and asked: "Are you talking about the matter of the Kong family?"

"Exactly!" Han Kuang said with a smile: "Aren't we reforming the Imperial Academy this time? Why not bring out the Kong family members? Your Majesty may take a dim view of the Kong family, but the Kong family's presence is actually beneficial to the reform of the Imperial Academy."

"If we bring out the Kong family, is that matter big enough? Once these two matters are combined, the court and the countryside, along with all the scholars, will be focused on this affair. Who will care about what happens in Liaodong? What they want to push forward in Liaodong won't be so easy to accomplish then."

"However, there is one thing we must also pay attention to — we need to make our own arrangements regarding Liaodong as well. We can't let it all become their credit when the time comes."