Chapter 353: A Gradual Approach

"May I ask Your Majesty, why was Chief Steward Wang so deeply agitated just now? This old minister heard him giving thanks on behalf of his son, but his conduct did not seem fitting for a matter of bestowed favor. Could it be that Chief Steward Wang has had double blessings? Hehe, this old minister is merely idle with boredom, which is why I took the liberty to ask. If Your Majesty finds it inconvenient to answer, then treat it as though this old minister never asked. Hehe, hehehehe!"

Seeing that Zhu Youjian appeared extraordinarily relaxed, as though he had just resolved some major problem at once, Wen Tiren rose and moved to stand below the imperial dais, clasped his hands, and asked with a casual tone and a smile, while Sun Chuanting and the others were still pondering the news brought by Hong Chengchou.

Wen Tiren, who had not the slightest interest in military affairs beyond the passes, did not trouble himself to contemplate solutions. Rather, he found the interaction between Zhu Youjian and Wang Cheng'en quite intriguing. Just as he was pondering the relationship between the two, Wang Cheng'en's sudden conduct startled him greatly, and he keenly caught the phrase about thanking the Emperor on behalf of his son.

Although this time he had received the Emperor's favor, allowing his second son Wen Kan to be promoted four ranks at once from the seventh grade to the fifth grade, Wen Tiren was not satisfied with this.

Because Wen Kan's status as a juren had already determined his limited prospects. If he could eventually land a position at the fourth grade, that would already be heaven showing mercy; rising any further was essentially impossible.

Unless his abilities and political achievements were exceptionally outstanding, with particularly great contributions to the court, otherwise he should harbor no higher aspirations.

But connections at the fourth grade were far from sufficient to preserve the glory and wealth of future descendants. Once he himself retired from office or passed away, even if his second son managed to reach the fourth grade, it would be very difficult to keep the Wen family among the ranks of the top officials and gentry.

If no extraordinarily talented figure emerged among later generations, the Wen family would quickly decline and fall. This foreseeable future was utterly unacceptable to Wen Tiren, who was currently so pleased with himself.

Although Wen Tiren did not know about Wang Cheng'en's adoption of an heir, that did not prevent him from deducing the most correct conclusion through inference.

Judging by Wang Cheng'en's agitated appearance just now, Wen Tiren, shrewd as an old fox, instantly guessed it might be related to continuing the family line. If it were any other matter, Wang Cheng'en would absolutely not have been so moved as to weep with emotion.

And judging by Wang Cheng'en's age of around thirty, if it were related to offspring, the person in question should not be over fifteen years old — not much older than the Crown Prince.

Wait! Not much older than the Crown Prince?! Could it be related to the Crown Prince?

This would be a momentous matter!

He had heard that the Emperor and the Crown Prince got along extraordinarily well in daily life, and the Emperor even frequently indulged the Crown Prince in going out in plain clothes within the palace and among the common folk. This showed that the relationship between the Emperor and the Crown Prince was very good, and also proved that the Crown Prince's position was unshakable.

And if Wang Cheng'en now had a son, roughly the same age as the Crown Prince, could it be that the Emperor had just promised some future prospect to the Wang family's son?

His own eldest grandson Wen You was already fourteen years old, currently studying at the Imperial Academy as a government student. Though his scholarship was not outstanding, he was gradually showing signs of sophistication in dealing with people. If this matter were related to the Crown Prince, could his eldest grandson manage to connect with the Crown Prince through this line?

No! He must make inquiries!

This concerned the Wen family's wealth and prospects for decades to come!

"Hehe, the Companion has adopted a son and now has descendants, and his own name can return to the family registry. I just granted favor to his son, which is why he lost his composure. Hehe, Minister Wen perceives the slightest signs and observes with great subtlety!"

Zhu Youjian was no longer the political novice he had been when he first arrived in the Great Ming. How could he fail to see through Wen Tiren's probing questions?

He had originally wanted to mention the matter of the Crown Prince as well, to let old Wen be pleased. But seeing the gaze full of hope and longing that old Wen cast toward him, Zhu Youjian suddenly forced himself to hold back, deciding to keep old Wen in suspense for a while.

"Hehe, this old minister has no particular views on military affairs; that is not my area of expertise. Sun Baigu and the others are all men of many schemes and sound judgment, so this old minister had best conceal his inadequacy! My strength lies in domestic governance, and of this I have self-awareness. In areas where I am not skilled, I will absolutely not interfere!"

Seeing that the Emperor had not revealed the truth, Wen Tiren immediately steered the conversation elsewhere.

The more the Emperor concealed it, the greater the matter must be. He must hurry to make inquiries — good opportunities could not be allowed to be snatched by others first.

"What you say is excellent! Let those skilled in each field handle matters of that field — this is the true way of governance! As Chief Grand Secretary, your primary duty is to lead the hundred officials and harmonize yin and yang, ensuring that no major errors or omissions occur in the court's grand policies. This is what makes a competent minister. I have always thought highly of your conduct, and I hope you will persist consistently and not disappoint my expectations!"

Zhu Youjian was very satisfied with Wen Tiren's declaration. Knowing one's own strengths and shortcomings — this was the foremost requirement for a Chief Grand Secretary.

"I report to Your Majesty, this minister has pondered long and hard, and has some thoughts on matters beyond the passes. I know not whether it is appropriate to speak."

Chen Qiyu's interjection interrupted the conversation between Zhu Youjian and Wen Tiren.

"Speak freely, Minister! When it concerns matters of state, how could there be any question of appropriateness?"

Zhu Youjian said with a smile on his face.

"I report to Your Majesty, this minister believes that although we know not the cause of this matter, the result is extremely favorable to the court. The Ningyuan Regional Commander was gravely wounded at the Zu family's residence, and from now on there is no possibility of reconciliation between the Zu and Wu families. This minister believes that the cavalry under the Ningyuan Regional Commander should be transferred within the passes, and then sent at an opportune moment to Lu Jiandou's command at Xuan and Da, to guard against the possibility that during next year's great battle with Jianzhou, the Zu and Wu families might fight over private grudges and delay matters of state!"

Chen Qiyu's suggestion was extremely apt and reasonable.

With the Zu and Wu families now turned into enemies, when the great battle came next year, besides the court's official troops, all the generals of western Liaoning would also have to bring troops to participate. Given that both families' elite forces were essentially private soldiers, it was highly likely they would provoke internal strife to seek revenge — and such an outcome would be truly terrible.

And transferring Wu Sangui's three thousand cavalry back within the passes to garrison the Ji Garrison was also highly inappropriate. Better to send them directly under Lu Xiangsheng's command to participate in the eastern campaign, incidentally consuming some of the Wu family's strength.

Though Lu Xiangsheng was loyal and upright, he was not a foolish man. He believed Lu would naturally have corresponding arrangements to dissolve the Wu family's power.

"The Grand Minister's proposal is most reasonable. The Ningyuan cavalry has now become a source of hidden danger beyond the passes. Moreover, they are also the elite of the Ji Garrison. If they could be sent far beyond the frontier to fight for the court, it would both relieve the court's worries and fulfill the ideal of loyal service to the state and dying on the battlefield — truly a move that kills two birds with one stone!"

Yang Sichang, standing nearby, also spoke up in agreement.

"I report to Your Majesty, the Grand Minister's proposal is one option. This minister believes that stability should still be the priority at present. The court should send a dispatch to the Jinzhou Regional Commander, rebuking him for his internal conflict while also reassuring him, so that no chaos arises before the great battle beyond the passes. After achieving victory over Jianzhou, we can then surround Jinzhou with heavy forces, forcing them to disarm and thereby permanently eliminating this threat. If they ignore the court's orders, then trap them in the city until they die. For the strategy regarding western Liaoning, this minister believes that a gradual approach is best!"

Sun Chuanting, after considering for a long time, still laid out his complete plan for resolving the western Liaoning problem, to provide the Emperor with material for his decision.

In his view, next year's great battle with Jianzhou was the best opportunity to thoroughly resolve the two great separatist regimes beyond the passes. With the main army concentrated along the Jinzhou front line and surprise forces striking on both flanks, the Jianzhou barbarians could not possibly avoid defeat.

After inflicting heavy losses on the Jianzhou barbarians and forcing them powerless to look southward, that would be precisely the moment for the front-line army to ride the momentum of victory and thoroughly eliminate the military clans of western Liaoning in one stroke.

Afterwards, based on the actual situation, they could decide whether to press the victory and strike straight at the enemy's heart, completely annihilating Jianzhou's military strength.

Because after suffering a fatal blow, Jianzhou, lacking population and resources, could not possibly recover within several years. With nowhere to retreat, the court would naturally have abundant time to plan and arrange at leisure.

"The proposals of you several ministers fit the current situation well. I too feel that stability should be the priority at present. Minister Yang, the Ministry of War shall dispatch the document to Jinzhou accordingly shortly. Also, have someone inform Wu Xiang to cooperate in arranging personnel to bring the Ningyuan Regional Commander back within the passes to recuperate. In accordance with Minister Sun's words, the battle with Jianzhou is the most critical point. When the time comes, I shall personally lead the campaign beyond the passes to boost the morale of the entire army and witness with my own eyes the destruction of these jumping clowns!"