Chapter 1557: It's I Who Wants to Fight

Shuntian Prefecture Yamen, Wang Da had long brought people here.

"Aiyo, isn't this Master Wang? Why have you returned?" The manager of the kitchen greeted him diligently.

Having lost quite a bit of weight but still chubby, Wang Da smiled and responded: "You work in this Yamen, why is your news so slow? Don't you know the Master has already returned to the capital?"

"So the Master is coming to the Yamen to eat today?"

Wang Da said: "The Master and Vice Minister Hu are close friends. Returning to the capital to see His Majesty, he must definitely see Vice Minister Hu. Alright, this doesn't need your concern; clear the place for me, and don't mess around. You kid also know the situation; there are quite a few people in this kitchen whose whole families have died."

The manager accompanied him with a smiling face: "How could I not know? You say it too, the Master is such a good person, yet there are so many people racking their brains wanting to harm the Master. It's truly unreasonable."

"Who says it isn't."

Wang Da let out a long sigh, then led his people to get busy, carefully preparing various ingredients. The stewed dishes also had to be handled early, and dishes that needed high-quality broth had to be made in advance, very meticulously.

Wang Da was a talented person. In just a few short years, Wang Da, who already had good craftsmanship, had reached the point of making cooking an art...

By noon, Wang Yan, who had left the Grand Secretariat, arrived at the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen and met the long-lost Hu Zongxian. The two ate again in the middle hall of the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen.

Wang Yan said with some disgust: "Your business here is a bit rusty."

"The Master is right, but we have no choice. Vice Minister Hu doesn't eat in this middle hall, so we don't have the opportunity to practice."

The little official who was busy wasn't afraid, and even joked with Wang Yan.

After joking for a while, the wine and dishes were served, leaving only Wang Yan and Hu Zongxian.

Hearing Wang Yan talk about what happened this morning, Hu Zongxian was also shocked by Wang Yan's awesomeness.

"You ran to the Grand Secretariat and scolded Xu Jie?"

Wang Yan nodded with a smile: "Old Hu, be calm. Everyone is human; what is Xu Jie more than anyone else? Can't I scold him? What can he do?"

Hu Zongxian let out a long sigh: "I've been thinking day and night, and now I think it's my own incompetence, unable to earn silver for His Majesty. If I could also earn His Majesty a few million taels of silver, would Xu Jie dare to touch me?"

"It's not too late now. You are the Shuntian Prefecture Prefect, aren't you doing well? As for entering the Grand Secretariat, Yan Song has fallen, and there are no people of yours below, so you can't enter the Grand Secretariat. Left and right, it's five years, your body is adjusted, your family wealth is more, and you have accumulations overseas. It can be said that you lost in the east but gained in the west; one drink and one peck, how can it be said clearly, and how can it be divided?"

"I was the one who was attached." Hu Zongxian shook his head and smiled, drank a cup of wine, and turned to ask, "Do you really want to fight?"

"Must fight!"

"Is it His Majesty who wants to fight?"

Wang Yan also let out a long sigh: "His Majesty is a generation of holy masters and wise monarchs. During the Gengxu incident, he actually let Altan Khan invade the capital—a great humiliation. How can His Majesty not avenge this hatred?"

"His Majesty knows everything. If the Great Ming was still in the state of the 40th year of Jiajing, where Yan Song destroyed embankments and flooded fields for a few million taels of silver, I'm afraid His Majesty wouldn't want to fight this battle either."

"Now it's different. Our Great Ming's annual revenue is thirty million taels, the southeast is stable, the Central Plains are stable, and Jiliao has been training hard for three years, with elite troops and brave generals. The Three Guards of Doyan and the Jurchens are all honestly working and earning silver. It is precisely the time to free up hands to fight the Tatars."

"Whether it's a small battle or a big battle, with our Great Ming's current national strength, how can we not beat the Tatars?"

"Are you going to be the commander of this battle?" Hu Zongxian asked, frowning.

"Who else but me?"

Wang Yan immediately added modestly, "Of course, I don't know how to fight; I only know how to handle military supplies. Fighting is Qi Jiguang's business, and it's the business of those soldiers. I will ensure their blood is not shed in vain, ensure their military merits are guaranteed, and ensure they can die without regrets. I think they won't let me down."

"In the past, when we discussed governing the army and fighting, I said that you are the best at using troops. As long as you truly do what you say, the army you command will be invincible, victorious, and successful."

"Then I'll borrow your auspicious words. I hope Qi Jiguang can fight with prestige, not wasting the silver His Majesty spent."

Hu Zongxian couldn't help but laugh. He didn't laugh at anything else, just at Wang Yan never forgetting to flatter the Jiajing Emperor at any time. He thought this habit was particularly good; anyway, he had never heard a single complaint about the Jiajing Emperor from Wang Yan's mouth.

He had also been floating in officialdom for decades and was a confidant of Yan Song. He knew that even Yan Song, in private, didn't do as Wang Yan did. Although he wouldn't say anything bad about the Jiajing Emperor, sometimes he couldn't help but have some complaints. Wang Yan was the only person he had ever seen who was truly consistent inside and out.

Not only did he scold Xu Jie behind his back, but he also scolded him to his face. In this way, no one really doubted who Wang Yan was speaking ill of...

"His Majesty wants me to be in charge of the Ministry of Personnel; did he mention it to you?"

Wang Yan shook his head: "Maybe it's not time yet. Right now, we are going to fight, so you still have to be in charge of Shuntian Prefecture; we can't mess up the rear. I guess His Majesty was just testing the waters with you before he was sure whether to fight."

"How long do you think this battle can last?"

"As long as it can last, it will last. If there's nothing to do, we have to fight them, to kill their Khan and their leaders. Then move the Tatars on the grasslands inward, we move immigrants to the grasslands, intermarry and integrate the two races, send officials to manage, and truly govern the grasslands."

"That would be a long-lasting affair; our Great Ming might not be able to hold on." Hu Zongxian was a bit unconfident.

"Actually, the cost won't be that high. It's just that the consumption is large at the beginning, and it will be much better afterwards. Aren't there cattle, sheep, and horses on the grasslands? There is also land that can be cultivated; these are all silver."

"The Tatar people on the grasslands are the same as our people. As long as they work, we can earn silver and develop. In the long run, occupying the grasslands will allow us to earn more. On the other hand, it also solves the great trouble in the north. From now on, the people can be stable, and the border army's expenses can also be reduced. So our Great Ming can rest assured to manage the ocean. The benefits of sea trade need not be mentioned. Therefore, it is worth it for us to spend a large sum of silver now."

Hu Zongxian nodded: "It is indeed so in the long run. I think Xu Jie and the others can all think of it. It's just that they are unwilling to spend this large sum of silver, and they are not sure whether they can win this battle. They are afraid that if they lose, all the silver will be spent in vain."

"Is it okay to be afraid of losing? The more afraid of losing, the more trouble there will be. Not to mention the barbarians who don't understand etiquette, even our Great Ming's scholars—aren't they also the law of the jungle? Do ordinary people dare to reason in front of the county magistrate? I'm afraid that if they say one word against the magistrate, they will be arrested and beaten. But if you and I stand in front of the magistrate, he wouldn't even dare to fart."

These words of Wang Yan were violent; no one would admit them. Officials, scholars—and it wasn't just them—the vast majority of people wouldn't admit their own badness. The so-called human nature is like this; it's all human sickness.

Hu Zongxian understood the truth very well and didn't say much more about it, turning to say: "Then I won't be in this position of Shuntian Prefecture Prefect for too long. After the initial battle, when the war eases, I should leave. You should make arrangements for the successor."

"Aiya, don't say such things. Such a big official, such a high position—is it something you or I can arrange?"

"Who do you have in mind?" Hu Zongxian seemed not to hear.

Wang Yan didn't mind, laughing and replying: "Hai Rui, I suppose. Besides him, there's no one else. Although Hai Rui sometimes doesn't know how to be flexible, he still respects me very much when it comes to making money."

"His temper, and with your and my support, it is indeed appropriate for him to be in charge of Shuntian Prefecture."

Hai Rui is selfless, so Shuntian Prefecture needs such a ruthless person to be in charge. As for Hai Rui's qualifications, those are small matters. After all, Hai Rui wasn't asked to be the Shuntian Prefecture Prefect; it was just like when Wang Yan was the Prefectural Administrator—acting on behalf of the Prefect's authority.

"Shuntian Prefecture is a place of financial and tax importance; it must never be allowed to be made into what it was before by the powerful and great families." Wang Yan expressed his approval of Hu Zongxian's words. "This piece is our basic board; it must never be let out."

"After Hai Rui, it will be a break in the line."

"Isn't there Wang Yongji? If it really doesn't work, let Tan Lun come up. I said it can't be let out, but it's not that I treat this position as my own. As long as the person is reliable and can handle the affairs of Shuntian Prefecture well, it doesn't matter whose person it is. The most important thing is to ensure the situation in Shuntian Prefecture and ensure tax revenue."

Wang Yan said lightly, "They all think about picking up cheap deals, thinking about fighting for power and profit. If things go wrong, they can't blame me. Whoever ruins the good situation I fought for with my life, I will take their life."

Hu Zongxian shook his head and smiled: "They are probably afraid to mess around. Everyone knows what your temper is and what you have done. Unless someone is truly crazy and wants to die, they will absolutely not mess around in Shuntian Prefecture."

"The principle is this principle, but it's different when it's actually done. They hold onto luck, lightly opening a gap, and then this gap will continue to expand. The so-called 'a thousand-mile dike collapses in an ant's nest'—it cannot be neglected or slackened. Many times, things are ruined right here."

Hearing Wang Yan's heartfelt words, Prince Yu couldn't help but nod repeatedly: "You have a broad mind; no wonder the Imperial Father values you so much."

"Your Highness, this subordinate naturally has some selfishness, but it's just wanting to live freely and comfortably. More than that, it's wanting our Great Ming to be greater. This is something this subordinate will do even if I have to risk my life. I hope that in this lifetime, I can see our Great Ming invincible in the universe and the people without worries about food and clothing; then I can die without regrets."

Prince Yu expressed considerable approval of Wang Yan's stance, turning to say: "You have heart. Shall we talk about the war?"

"Your Highness, please speak."

"Xu Jie and the others told this Prince that you are acting arbitrarily and insist on starting a war..."

"Your Highness, the Gengxu incident cannot be forgotten."

Prince Yu was stunned for a moment, then said: "This Prince naturally supports starting a war, but how to fight still needs to be considered."

"Actually, there's no need to consider too much. In this battle, Jiliao will be the main force, and Xuan-Da and other places just need not to lose their defense. The rest is to prepare military supplies well, ensure Xu Jie and the others don't hold us back in the rear, and ensure the officials in Xuan-Da and other places don't collude with foreign countries. As long as these are done, Your Highness, this subordinate can sign a military order: our Great Ming will definitely win this battle!"

Wang Yan then repeated what he had said to Hu Zongxian, letting Prince Yu understand the relationship between short-term large expenses and long-term sustained high profits, the huge significance of truly governing the grasslands for the Great Ming Empire, the huge political achievement for the Emperor, the consolidation of the Emperor's authority, the deterrence of the four barbarians, and the importance of internal unity and stability.

In summary, it was one meaning: this battle was something the Jiajing Emperor wanted to fight, and it must be fought. It had a vital role for imperial power and also had a very significant impact on the Great Ming's national destiny.

"Your Highness, dynasties have never exceeded three hundred years. If this battle is won, our Great Ming will definitely be able to pass this hurdle. 'Eternal mountains and rivers' is a beautiful wish, but continuing the national destiny for another two hundred years is a solid reality."

"What if we lose?"

"We will not lose!"

"Think about it, what if our Great Ming loses?"

"I said in the Grand Secretariat, we can copy the families of Yan Song, Xu Jie, and others..."

Hearing Wang Yan's words, Prince Yu was speechless: "You, why do you have to go against Grand Secretary Xu?"

"Your Highness, this old thing has done all kinds of bad things, yet he pretends to be a good person. To speak bluntly, if it weren't for His Majesty's protection, Xu Jie would have killed me eight hundred times already. He is very narrow-minded and very vengeful."

"Alright, eat more meat."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness."

"It is I who should thank you; eating with you, this Prince eats more."

With that, Wang Yan chatted with Prince Yu, ate and drank, and then Wang Yan took his leave, still escorted by Feng Bao.

"Grand Secretary Wang, how is His Highness's health?"

"He's just a bit overheated; he'll be fine after a few days of adjustment."

Feng Bao sighed: "It's also because of the worry about whether to fight or negotiate with the Tatars recently."

"His Highness cares about state affairs; this is a good thing."

Feng Bao was about to speak when he saw a little boy run out: "Big Companion, let's play ball."

"This subordinate Wang Yan, pays respects to the Heir Apparent."

"You are Wang Yan?" the little Wanli Emperor said.

A familiar conversation, an interesting kid.

Wang Yan smiled: "Your Highness might have forgotten; when you were young, you met this subordinate here, and you asked the same thing."

"Is that so, Big Companion?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Then what did I say afterwards?"

"Your Highness, this servant first..." Feng Bao interrupted sensibly, but was interrupted by Wang Yan.

"Your Highness said at the time that this subordinate was lawless, and this subordinate said Your Highness was right; this official is indeed lawless. However, Your Highness, you must understand who everything I do is for. When you understand this, then you can look at it again. Eat some candy, Your Highness, to sweeten your mouth."

Little Wanli looked at Wang Yan's outstretched hand, which held two malt candies, and couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

"I have already grown up!"

"Does growing up prevent you from eating candy?"

Wang Yan strangely unwrapped the packaging, ate one himself, and then patted the remaining candy into little Wanli's hand.

"Sweeten your mouth, Your Highness; this subordinate takes his leave."

Wanli looked at the candy in his hand, looking at Wang Yan's departing back...

?? Daily thanks to the good brothers who tip, vote for monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and silently read the book for their strong support! ===== CHAPTER 1558 =====

The Jiajing Emperor looked at the candy in his hand, then at Wang Yan's retreating back...

?? Daily thanks to the great brothers who tip, vote with monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and silently read the book for their strong support!