Chapter 601: How Much Land Does the Great Ming Have?

Over the next two days, Zhu Youxiao's days passed fairly comfortably. In his daily life, he was attended to by Consort Yuan and Consort Tian, and each day he merely glanced over routine memorials, looking for faults in how the ministers did their work.

There were no major faults, though there were a few minor ones. When Zhu Youxiao was in a good mood, he would summon someone over for a chat; when in a bad mood, he would issue an edict of reprimand. After all, he now had the power to do so.

Things with Empress Zhang were also going smoothly—she handled matters very well, which pleased Zhu Youxiao greatly. Sometimes Empress Zhang would come over, but she never stayed the night.

During these days, Zhu Youxiao rose early every morning and persisted in exercising his body.

Life was passing quite well. Of course, stillness breeds the desire for motion—once a person has leisure, they begin looking for something to stir up.

"Your Majesty, a routine memorial from Liaodong." Wei Chao came before Zhu Youxiao and said respectfully.

At this moment, Zhu Youxiao was practicing tai chi, each posture and movement extremely steady.

Come to think of it, he had learned it back in university—at the time he had merely found it boring, but now that he practiced it, it actually held considerable interest. Having persisted in practicing it for so many years, it had become a habit.

Zhu Youxiao's movements did not stop; he did not even turn his head to look at Wei Chao, only asking: "Who sent it?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it was Lord Sun Chengzong." Wei Chao said hurriedly.

After finishing the final posture, Zhu Youxiao slowly withdrew his hands, reached out to take the memorial, opened it and quickly scanned through it. The expression on his face turned somewhat grave.

Fighting had already broken out in Liaodong.

After he had left, Sun Chengzong had presided over an alliance conference in Liaodong, and people from all the tribes, great and small, had come.

But some had not come—namely, the Five Tribes of Inner Khalkha. Not only had their people not come, but the five representatives they had originally sent had also fled.

Sure enough, the Five Tribes of Inner Khalkha were willing to ally with the Great Ming against Hong Taiji, but when it came to jointly dealing with Ligdan Khan, they refused.

This disappointed Zhu Youxiao somewhat. Originally, relations with the Five Tribes of Inner Khalkha had been very good—at least better than relations with the Khorchin. But now, the relationship between the Khorchin and the Great Ming had instead become better.

Of course, this also had to do with how the Khorchin conducted themselves—they were themselves old foxes and fence-sitters.

As for the Five Tribes of Inner Khalkha—well, so be it. Then let there be a battle. The Great Ming also needed a war to awe the steppe.

This matter had not exceeded Zhu Youxiao's expectations; it was not too major an affair. Sun Chengzong had already begun summoning the various Mongol tribes in preparation to attack Inner Khalkha.

Zhu Youxiao handed the memorial to Wei Chao and said: "Send it to the Staff Office. Let them all take a look, and also draw up a plan. Prepare the logistics and supplies thoroughly, and produce a plan for a defeated outcome. Tell them to do it well—don't let me down."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Chao promptly acknowledged.

Although this time they might not necessarily lose, such is the way of the world—even if you have ample confidence, you will not necessarily truly achieve victory.

If victory is not secured, then it does not count as victory. So Zhu Youxiao would have them draw up a plan regarding the war report.

If they truly did lose, what should the Great Ming do?

Should Liaodong continue to be held? Should they continue fighting?

All of these things had to be in place—this was also their job.

After Wei Chao left, Zhu Youxiao took a warm towel from Chen Hong's hands to wipe his face, then casually tossed the towel back to Chen Hong and said: "Go find Wei Zhongxian and bring him here."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Hong acknowledged, then promptly turned and walked out.

At this very moment, Chen Hong's heart had already risen into his throat.

In recent years, Chen Hong could be said to have become increasingly favored before His Majesty—even Wei Chao could not compete with him.

Come to think of it, Chen Hong had never taken Wei Chao to heart. The only person he worried about was one man—Wei Zhongxian.

Originally, His Majesty had not given Wei Zhongxian any important duties these past few years, even setting the Eastern Depot aside entirely. Chen Hong had thought His Majesty had already forgotten about Wei Zhongxian.

But who could have imagined that this time, His Majesty would suddenly think to summon Wei Zhongxian?

This made Chen Hong somewhat nervous.

Wei Zhongxian wasn't going to make a comeback, was he?

Best case would be for Wei Zhongxian to be summoned and interrogated, thoroughly cursed out, and then directly exiled to Liaodong.

Never mind—Liaodong was too close. Best to send him to Yunnan, so he could never return. Only under such circumstances could he feel at ease.

Upon receiving the news that Zhu Youxiao had summoned him, Wei Zhongxian was so excited he nearly jumped for joy.

These past few years, Chen Hong had been the one stealing the spotlight, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had also enjoyed unprecedented glory. But what about the Eastern Depot?

His Eastern Depot could be said to have declined. Walking out now, one was truly looked down upon. Many people felt the Eastern Depot was finished, inferior to the Embroidered Uniform Guard—even the people of the Ministry of Justice bullied the Eastern Depot.

Wei Zhongxian had long been holding in a breath of frustration—it was most uncomfortable. But there was no helping it; a salted fish that cannot flip over will forever remain a salted fish.

Now the opportunity had finally come. His Majesty summoning him clearly meant there was something for him to do. Whatever the matter was, he would do it well this time. Then he would let everyone see how he flipped himself over.

"Let's go." Wei Zhongxian looked at Chen Hong and said with a smile.

Though a smile was on Chen Hong's face, in his heart he was already cursing. Still, he clasped his hands and said in a very relaxed tone: "This servant will lead the way for Eunuch Wei."

"This servant isn't blind yet!" Wei Zhongxian snorted, his tone extremely unfriendly.

The two of them hurried together toward the palace.

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, Wei Zhongxian promptly prostrated himself on the ground and declared loudly: "This slave, Wei Zhongxian, pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

Glancing at Wei Zhongxian, Zhu Youxiao nodded and said: "Rise."

At this moment, Zhu Youxiao was fiddling with guns.

These things had all been sent over by Bi Maokang. There were seven revolvers of various sizes, and besides those, long guns as well.

As for pistols, they could only manage to make revolvers.

Zhu Youxiao held one in his hand, casually spun the cylinder, then picked up bullets from the box beside him and loaded them in one by one.

Glancing at Wei Zhongxian, Zhu Youxiao said: "Not bad. After several idle years, you haven't gotten fat—it seems your body is still in good shape. Can you still do things for me?"

Upon hearing these words, Wei Zhongxian promptly knelt to the ground and said: "This slave would go through fire and water for Your Majesty, and would die ten thousand times without regret!"

Zhu Youxiao did not move, directly snapping the cylinder back into the gun as he said: "It's good that you have this attitude. But the Eastern Depot, top to bottom, has been neglected these past few years. Can it still get things done?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Eastern Depot, top to bottom, has never been remiss—we await Your Majesty's orders at all times." Wei Zhongxian said hurriedly.

"Very good." Zhu Youxiao nodded, stood up, and fired several shots—bang bang bang—at a building not far away.

Wood shavings instantly flew up from the wooden boards opposite.

When Zhu Youxiao stopped firing, someone nearby promptly ran over.

Soon, someone carried the target over and delivered it directly before Zhu Youxiao.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at it, then shook his head helplessly.

He had fired four shots in total, and the best was only seven rings—one bullet had even missed the target entirely.

After practicing for so long, he still had this kind of result. It seemed he was never going to become a sharpshooter.

Or perhaps his pistol was a gun of kindness?

Handing the pistol to Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao said, "Go deliver the decree—court assembly tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Chen Hong hurriedly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Court assembly, in the Great Ming, meant a small meeting.

Usually, those who attended court assembly were the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat and the Ministers of the Six Ministries; occasionally the Vice Ministers of the Six Ministries would also attend; now the people from the Staff Office had to be added as well.

But even with more people, it remained a small-scale meeting. Such meetings were the true decision-making body of the Great Ming—whatever needed to be discussed was basically settled here.

What could make it onto the morning court for noisy debate was basically nothing major. Even if there were major matters, it was just going through the motions.

Soon, word spread through the court, and no one paid it much mind.

After all, it was perfectly normal for the Emperor to hold a court assembly. Of course, there was still some tension. His Majesty had been away for so long, and suddenly summoning everyone for a meeting—no one knew what was going to be said.

Zhu Youxiao slept in the Qianqing Palace again that night.

Lately, he seemed to have fallen in love with the feeling of sleeping alone. This sensation of sleeping by oneself was like drifting in an ocean of solitude—so free and unfettered.

Zhu Youxiao felt he would become a messenger of spiritual freedom—one person alone would suffice.

After swimming in the ocean of solitude all night, Zhu Youxiao had to get up.

It had to be said that Zhu Youxiao felt quite good at this moment. He ate breakfast in the morning, even having two extra steamed buns, and he also exercised a bit longer during his workout, only stopping once he was slightly sweaty.

After washing in a warm bath, he changed into a cozy and comfortable set of casual robes, and only then did he head to the front.

By the time Zhu Youxiao arrived, the ministers were all already there.

On the left side was the civil official camp, led chiefly by the Grand Secretaries, with the people from the Six Ministries following behind.

As for the right side, that was the Staff Office. Leading them was still the Duke of Ying, Zhang Weixian—somewhat advanced in years now, but he did look considerably more composed.

After Zhu Youxiao sat down, everyone paid their respects.

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said, "Rise, no need for ceremony."

Only after everyone had stood up did Zhu Youxiao continue, "I called you all here today because there is actually one matter I wish to discuss with you."

Everyone's expression turned serious—whatever the Emperor was about to say must be a major matter.

Zhu Youxiao said gently, "One day, while auditing the accounts of the imperial estates, I discovered that I didn't even know how much land the imperial estates had. So, on a whim, I looked into it."

"Then I thought it over—if I don't even know how much land the imperial estates have, then do you all know how much land the Great Ming has?" As he spoke, a playful smile appeared on Zhu Youxiao's face.

Upon hearing Zhu Youxiao's question, everyone's gaze fell upon the face of Zuo Guangdou, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

Zuo Guangdou felt quite helpless.

What use is there in all of you looking at me?

Is His Majesty asking how much land the Great Ming has?

Even if I answer, so what?

Zuo Guangdou said nothing, his face grim, his expression unchanged.