Chapter 314: Discussions in the Imperial Court

Since she entered the palace, Wei Xi Yuan rarely held morning court sessions, completely indulging in beauty.

Anyway, he wasn't the one in charge of this court; everything he could see and hear was what Si Gui and the scholar-gentry wanted him to see, and Wei Xi Yuan had therefore gone from being ambitious at the beginning to now just giving up and enjoying himself.

Since I can't change anything by attending the court session, I might as well not attend; hiding in the harem is even more comfortable.

Attending the court session today was already a rarity!

"Your Majesty," Lu Wenchang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, reported in a loud voice, "The estimated production of silk in Jiangnan this year is 30% higher than last year, but the canal transport is blocked, and the Transport Commissioner has requested to add 3,000 canal soldiers to protect the grain..."

A slight, lazy, and charming yawn came from behind the beaded curtain.

Wei Xi Yuan looked as if his soul had been hooked, and he actually covered his mouth as well, waving his hand to interrupt: "Understood, the Prime Minister and all the beloved ministers can deliberate on these matters."

At the head of the civil official ranks below the steps, Prime Minister Si Gui stood at the very front. Upon hearing this, he did not raise his eyes, but only nodded slightly, considering it as accepting the decree.

In the hall, a Vice Minister stood out and asked: "How should the matter of the Western Liang King's rebellion be concluded?"

As soon as these words were spoken, many people in the crowd whispered, and Si Gui slowly turned his head, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction as he looked at the other party.

How could this person be so unappreciative? Now that the Western Liang King was held back by the Southern Barbarians, wasn't this a peaceful situation? He had to bring it up at this time to find trouble for himself!

Seeing no one respond, the Vice Minister took another step forward: "The Western Liang King issued a manifesto long ago, and it has now spread throughout the Northwest. The manifesto's language is intense, rebuking the Imperial Court... rebuking the Imperial Court for harsh governance and extortion, and employing treacherous sycophants, causing the people to live in misery. Afterward, he even actively provoked a war; the majesty of our Da Qian is gone!"

In reality, the manifesto issued by the Western Liang King was even uglier than this, scolding Wei Xi Yuan for killing his brother and murdering his father, using a series of ugly terms, but the Vice Minister didn't dare to say it explicitly.

The "treacherous sycophants" referred to Si Gui; everyone here wasn't stupid and could hear it!

"In your opinion, what should be done?" Wei Xi Yuan raised his eyes and looked at this person, responding slowly, not worried at all.

"Naturally, we should take advantage of the Southern Barbarians' movement to launch an active attack and capture the Western Liang King; this situation can be resolved!"

Si Gui spoke slowly: "The Western Liang King's rebellious heart is known to all under heaven, and his troops are strong and horses sturdy. Our Da Qian sent 300,000 soldiers just to stop him. Now that the Southern Barbarians are moving, it is the time to recuperate; a rash attack will only waste manpower and money!"

The Vice Minister gritted his teeth and continued to remonstrate, "Your Majesty! The Western Liang King will not be defeated by the Southern Barbarians. Once he finishes off the Southern Barbarians, he will provoke war again. Now is the best time to take the initiative!"

Several military generals had already clenched their fists; their views were the same!

Besides, now that there was war on the front lines, as military generals, they should naturally be on the battlefield fighting; what was the point of hiding in the rear and attending court every day?

Wei Xi Yuan's lips parted slightly, wanting to say something, but just as his gaze swept over Si Gui's face, he stopped speaking.

Si Gui said with confidence: "The Western Liang King has relied on his troops for a long time! His land is barren, and the folk customs are fierce. This time, he has poured out his entire nest; it looks powerful, but in reality, his logistics are hard to sustain. An army of 200,000 to 300,000 consumes grain like a mountain every day; are Liangzhou and Longyou fertile lands?"

Lu Wenchang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, also stepped forward and said: "The Prime Minister is right! Now that the Western Liang King is pitted against the Southern Barbarians, it is the perfect time for us to catch our breath. Once the other party finishes off the Southern Barbarians, there won't be much grain left. At that time, we only need to defend normally to completely drag them down!"

Lu Wenchang was also one of the scholar-gentry; he naturally spoke in favor of Si Gui. In fact, they didn't know the details regarding the front-line war situation and the Western Liang King's strength.

"Seconded!"

"This minister seconds!"

A chorus of agreement arose. Si Gui straightened his back, his gaze sweeping over the main officials of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue: "In order to prevent a sudden sneak attack by the Western Liang King, necessary precautions are still needed."

Without waiting for Wei Xi Yuan, the Emperor, to speak, Si Gui directly ordered: "Minister Chen, send an order to Longyou to hold the dangerous passes firmly and not to get entangled in battle. Especially at Tongguan, add 10,000 Forbidden Army troops, commanded by Zhao Mu, the Huben General of the Household, and they must arrive within three days. Tell the defending general: if Tongguan stands, he stands! If Tongguan is lost, he need not return."

"Yes!" Minister Chen bowed.

"Vice Minister Lu!" Si Gui looked at Lu Wenchang. "Coordinate the grain and fodder, prioritizing the defense of Tongguan and Guanzhong. You can first allocate from the official granaries in Luoyang and Taiyuan; if there is a shortage, order the Jiangnan canal grain to accelerate transport north."

"This subordinate accepts the order!" Lu Wenchang's expression remained unchanged, but he was already overjoyed in his heart; coordinating grain and fodder... he loved doing this the most!

Si Gui finally looked at the Secretariat Drafter: "Draft a decree! Proclaim to the world that the Western Liang rebellion is nothing but a minor skin disease, and the Imperial Court has already dispatched troops; Western Liang will be pacified in a few days. Afterward, order all circuits, prefectures, and counties to strictly investigate spies communicating with Western Liang; anyone suspected of colluding with the enemy can be executed first and reported later."

A set of combination punches, defensive in nature, with a hint of high-and-mighty "admonition," was the typical approach of the scholar-gentry to deal with border troubles.

First stabilize the basic situation, use power to suppress people, prioritize dragging things out, and at the same time firmly control public opinion.

"The Prime Minister's strategy is masterful; we ministers are in awe!"

Led by Lu Wenchang, a chorus of agreement arose. As long as the flames of war didn't immediately burn before their eyes, most people in this court felt the sky hadn't collapsed yet.

Moreover, they were the scholar-gentry; even if the Western Liang King really attacked the capital, he would have to spare their lives, otherwise, the world would be in chaos!

This was their confidence; even if they ravaged this country until it was riddled with holes, no one could shake them in the slightest.

The Western Liang matter was temporarily settled, and the atmosphere in the hall eased slightly.

Several military generals wanted to speak but stopped, clearly dissatisfied with adopting a purely defensive stance, but under Si Gui's gaze, they ultimately didn't dare to speak out.

Just at this moment, the silent Censor-in-Chief, Yan Chonggu, the head of the Yan Family, stepped out tremblingly.

He was over seventy years old and a veteran of three reigns; although he no longer held real power, he was still the backbone of the Yan Family.

Since the Lu Family had gained benefits, he also had to say something, otherwise, the Yan Family would only be gradually marginalized!

"The Prime Minister's calculations are flawless; this old minister is in awe. However, although Western Liang is temporarily eased, the matter of Beijiang has been hanging unresolved for a long time; it cannot be ignored in today's court session."

Si Gui felt that this old thing wanted to fish for benefits!

But the Yan Family didn't support him like the Lu Family, so he couldn't give it just because he wanted it; he had to manipulate the other party.

"In your opinion, Yan Elder, how should Beijiang be handled?"

After Yan Chonggu bowed, he said slowly: "The Ming Army rebellion is harming the people of Beijiang; naturally, it cannot be ignored. Why not send an envoy to appease them first!"

As soon as he spoke, it gave Si Gui a headache. They all said that the older one gets, the more cunning one becomes; Si Gui was already inferior in intelligence, and for a moment, he couldn't see the other party's true purpose. ===== CHAPTER 315 =====