Chapter 155: Few years passed, sitting around the fire together

Zhu Zhu Yijun signaled for Qi Qi Jiguang not to wear armor and to come to the capital to collect his pay personally, which naturally had its reasons.

If he didn't do this, the 200,000 taels would likely not even be half left by the time it reached Qi Qi Jiguang's hands.

Regarding military pay, there is a joke among the people of the Great Ming Dynasty.

It is said that the border was in an emergency, and the Forbidden City received the favor of heaven, with ten million taels of silver descending.

So the Emperor kept nothing and waved his hand to make all ten million taels military pay.

The Grand Secretariat arranged overnight, ordering the Ministry of Revenue to rush five million taels of pay silver to the border.

The Viceroy received two million taels of pay silver, summoned the regional commanders, shouted the Emperor's grace, and distributed 500,000 taels to reward the army.

The regional commander was grateful and only wanted to kill the thieves, exhausting his energy and dying for the country, and distributed the 100,000 taels of silver he received to the subordinate officers.

The 100,000-strong army each received 200 wen of reward silver from the officers, their morale was greatly boosted, and they fled overnight.

People who heard the joke refuted it as absurd—how could the Emperor keep nothing!?

And the person who made up this joke had already been arrested by the Shuntian Prefecture for leaking secrets.

This is the layer-upon-layer exploitation deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of the Great Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Zhu Yijun had experienced this personally.

When the late Emperor died, the inner and outer officials and soldiers made a scene. In order to appease them, the central government appropriated 1.8 million taels for the 664,319 inner and outer officials and soldiers, with each receiving over two taels of silver.

So how much did the big soldiers get?

After the incident, Zhu Zhu Yijun asked Gu Gu Huan to inquire. Each army was naturally different, and even within the army, there were differences—some received one tael, some received 600 wen.

Clearly, the market price was different.

So who exploited it?

Sorry, once the silver leaves the treasury, don't think about knowing who did it.

Zhu Zhu Yijun knew, so he naturally let his own private money go down the drain. If these 200,000 taels of private money were all swallowed, he would feel extremely uncomfortable—he had always confiscated other people's homes, and there was no such thing as his own family being robbed.

So before clarifying the administration, instead of letting these military supplies be exploited layer by layer, it was better to hand them directly to the border army, saving the middleman from making the difference.

And.

He didn't need to explain why he favored Qi Qi Jiguang alone; just like when he promoted Qi Qi Jiguang last year, he felt it was reasonable.

Because this is a matter of course—Tan Lun was the late Emperor's direct line from the hidden residence, and Qi Qi Jiguang was Tan Lun's direct line, so Qi Qi Jiguang was the great general of the Prince of Yu's hidden residence, it's that simple.

Emperor Muzong was always very good to his direct line.

As soon as he ascended the throne, he transferred Qi Qi Jiguang to the Capital Camp.

Qi Qi Jiguang requested to go out, and he not only approved it immediately but also promoted him to a regional commander.

Even if Qi Qi Jiguang pushed his luck and requested to transfer 3,000 old troops from Zhejiang to go together to the Ji-Town, the late Emperor still agreed without a second word.

Even in years when Qi Qi Jiguang had no military achievements, he was promoted and rewarded every year.

This is the gold content of a great general from the hidden residence; does favoring the late Emperor's direct line need a reason?

It also facilitates the Emperor's bestowal of grace on the great generals of the hidden residence, which can be said to be a matter of course.

At this time, Wang Wang Chonggu was still hesitating, and Shi Shi Mao Hua finally couldn't hold back and opened his mouth: "Your Majesty, the Ji-Town still needs a great general to sit in town; how can he leave lightly?"

"Furthermore, border generals entering the capital, I fear it will leak military secrets."

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Shi Qing, don't deceive me. In this freezing winter, the Tatars would have to not want their lives to rush to die at this time."

"Leaking military secrets is even more nonsense. There are countless border generals who enter the capital to report on their duties for the New Year."

Shi Shi Mao Hua's level was too low, and he didn't have the professional feel of Zhu Heng, who spoke about his own duties and left outsiders speechless.

Seeing Shi Shi Mao Hua still wanted to speak.

Zhu Zhu Yijun went straight to the point: "Shi Qing, it is precisely because of the layer-upon-layer exploitation by officials at all levels that I have no choice but to make this extra move."

"I kindly took out my private money; Shi Qing shouldn't want to scrape a layer off, right?"

Shi Shi Mao Hua's face changed.

The Emperor always said these tiger-wolf words lightly; does he really not understand what is called the dignity of a monarch!

He felt aggrieved in his heart and hurriedly pleaded guilty: "I dare not."

Zhu Zhu Yijun didn't have the heart to target Shi Shi Mao Hua and lightly revealed the matter, continuing to ask: "When does the Ministry of War plan to send troops?"

Clearly, he wasn't prepared to continue discussing how to distribute the money.

Wang Wang Chonggu had to follow the Emperor's train of thought and replied: "Your Majesty, we must wait until we have explored the range of the Uriankhai Guard's grazing, the location of Dong Hu-li and other leaders, etc., before we can send troops."

"Now there is a righteous merchant, Wang Wang Chongyi, who has stepped forward, under the guise of a salt-selling merchant caravan, and has already gone to the Uriankhai Guard."

"I ask Your Majesty to wait a few days."

Zhu Zhu Yijun was startled.

Wang Wang Chongyi, isn't this your brother? You really have to scrape some benefits for your family whenever there are any, right?

Zhu Zhu Yijun was speechless in his heart, but on the surface, he still promised generously: "Good righteous merchant, I will reward him for his merits when the time comes!"

Wang Wang Chonggu nodded with satisfaction.

He didn't ask for anything else; just getting his nephew a student status would be enough.

Wang Wang Chonggu opened his mouth again: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing."

Zhu Zhu Yijun signaled for him to continue.

Wang Wang Chonggu pondered for a moment and spoke slowly: "Your Majesty, ever since the Prince of Prince Shunyi submitted to our dynasty, he has been working with the Lady Lady Zhongshun to build the Han City for mutual trade with our dynasty."

"Today I received a memorial from Lady Lady Zhongshun, requesting Your Majesty to send a few virtuous high monks to the Tumet tribe to consecrate the built city."

After Altan Khan submitted, he was titled the Prince of Prince Shunyi, and his wife, San San Niangzi, had an extraordinary status in the tribe and was specially titled Lady Lady Zhongshun.

Zhu Zhu Yijun not only knew these common sense things.

He was also extremely knowledgeable about this San San Niangzi.

She could almost be called the Mongol Wu Zetian.

At the age of nine, she was taken by Altan Khan.

After Altan Khan died, she married his son Huang Huang Taiji, and after the son died, she married his grandson Chelike, and after the grandson died, she married his great-great-grandson Busitubu.

Outsiders all say she is a family heirloom in the basement.

But in reality, San San Niangzi had always held tens of thousands of cavalry and more than sixty thousand direct young tribesmen.

Whether it was the Khan position, or the King's seal and military talisman, she had to nod for the successor to be decided.

She almost always relied on the legitimate political status of the leader's wife to firmly hold the power of the tribe.

Just like now, the person who should be memorializing to the court should be Altan Khan, but it was this San San Niangzi, and one could see the leopard through the tube regarding the situation in her tribe.

Such a person as San San Niangzi was naturally not here to ask for high monks to consecrate.

The Mongol people believe in Buddhism, and this move is likely more for the sake of her prestige in the tribe.

At the same time, it is also testing whether the Great Ming Dynasty supports her or not.

Zhu Zhu Yijun pondered for a moment and looked at Wang Wang Chonggu: "What does Wang Zhang Gelao Zhang think about whether to give or not?"

Ask professional people for professional matters.

Wang Wang Chonggu hesitated for a moment, but still gritted his teeth and expressed his position: "Your Majesty, even the Prince of Prince Shunyi has looted our dynasty several times and is fickle, while Lady Lady Zhongshun has always been friendly with our dynasty and has never had any grudges."

"I think we should give!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Wang Wang Chonggu saw the Emperor looking him up and down inexplicably.

He couldn't help but suspect that he had said the wrong thing.

Wang Wang Chonggu naturally didn't know that the Emperor's thoughts were extremely outrageous.

In fact, Zhu Zhu Yijun stared at Wang Wang Chonggu because he suddenly remembered a story from the fifth year of Emperor Longqing.

At that time, the Northern Barbarians submitted, and each town discussed the horse market and the treaty. The person who came out for the Tatars was San San Niangzi.

When the twenty-one-year-old San San Niangzi arrived in Three Xuan-Da, she saw the thirty-six-year-old Vice Minister of the Shanxi Surveillance Office, Cai Ke-Prince Xian, on the road.

Afterward, she kept praising Cai Ke-Prince Xian for his face like a crown jade and his appearance as white as an immortal.

And at the negotiation table, she publicly used this as a condition, declaring, "I wish to have the military official Cai Taishi come to my camp to swear an oath and conclude eternal friendship."

Then Wang Wang Chonggu sold Cai Ke-Prince Xian out. The latter was called over without knowing anything, and just as he arrived outside the camp, he was "suddenly embraced by dozens of elite cavalry and taken north to the fortress."

A few days later, little Cai was released with a listless expression.

It can be seen that this San San Niangzi is a sexually open woman.

Since that's the case, the rumor that she often enjoyed Wang Wang Chonggu after arriving in Three Xuan-Da might not be groundless.

Although Wang Wang Chonggu was fifty-eight, he looked smooth in lines, tall and strong, and still had a bit of charm—the face of a thirty-six-year-old crown jade is good to eat, and the tall and handsome minister of fifty-eight might not have a different flavor.

Zhu Zhu Yijun suddenly understood why Wang Wang Chonggu had such a strong relationship with the Mongol Right Wing, and even after leaving Three Xuan-Da, he could still control it from afar.

There is a reason for everything!

Seeing the Emperor's eyes becoming more and more strange, Wang Wang Chonggu coughed lightly.

Zhu Zhu Yijun then returned to his senses and said calmly: "Since that's the case, Wang Zhang Gelao Zhang, go and pick a few high monks with good looks."

It's good to have weaknesses.

In a game between two sides, one should focus on conquering people with such weaknesses.

Haven't you seen Zhao Ji meet Lao Ai, she could even kill her own son.

In the history of Tsarist Russia, there was an evil monk named Rasputin, who almost consecrated all the women of the nobility, and even the Empress and princesses of the royal family didn't let go, and he baptized them all over.

After the incident, noblewomen and commoners all claimed that he knew hypnosis.

As a result, after his death, people measured his magic weapon and found it was 25.8 centimeters.

This is called a magic weapon targeting weaknesses, achieving metaphysical effects with physical essence.

High monks are the same.

Since San San Niangzi wants high monks, she must be sent some handsome monks—uniform bonus, you know.

Wang Wang Chonggu didn't know what the Emperor was thinking, but he intuitively couldn't stand the Emperor's scrutiny, and after finishing the business, he silently used Gao Yi's body to block the Emperor's line of sight.

At this time, it was the turn of the Ministry of Rites, and Ma Ma Ziqiang cleared his throat very consciously.

"The Ministry of Rites has one thing to report to Your Majesty."

Everyone looked at him.

Ma Ma Ziqiang opened the memorial and read it in a reciting manner: "Your Majesty, the reform of the clan in Huguang has been proceeding in an orderly manner this year."

"The clan assets of each fiefdom are mostly used to open construction factories and workshops, including cotton cloth processing, silk weaving, garment making, rice milling, oil pressing, paper making, printing, straw weaving, brick and tile making, and lime making."

"However, there are not many clan members in each fiefdom and each prefecture who are good at business."

"Currently, it is still a form of merging commercial firms, with old shopkeepers leading new apprentices, and only after they graduate can they be arranged to their posts."

"Those who are really clumsy and unsuitable are arranged for some light physical labor."

"There are also some prominent problems, for example, the common people are afraid to trade with the clan when they are doing business."

"Or some acquired commercial firms and factories have backward technology, and I fear there is a suspicion of collusion and cashing out."

"These specific matters are being handled by the Ministry of Revenue and the inner court."

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded.

He wasn't in a hurry about this; take it slow.

Ma Ma Ziqiang paused and opened his mouth to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, one of the obstacles, the Imperial Clan Court and the Ministry of Revenue cannot make up their minds, and still need Your Majesty's holy decision."

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked at Ma Ma Ziqiang curiously, waiting for his following words.

Ma Ma Ziqiang pondered for a moment and opened his mouth: "The major Prince's mansions previously colluded with the gentry to secretly operate quite a few iron casting factories to smelt iron ore and cast weapons."

"Now most of them have been confiscated by the Huguang Provincial Administration."

"But Zhu Zhu Yunhua of the Yueyang Prince's mansion previously petitioned the Imperial Clan Court, asking if the Yueyang Prince's mansion could operate an iron casting factory."

Zhu Zhu Yijun was startled: "Zhu Zhu Yunhua?"

Ma Ma Ziqiang explained: "The Yueyang Prince's mansion, a group of titled clan members, were all implicated. Zhu Zhu Yunhua is quite trusted in business and was pushed out by the Yueyang Prince's mansion. Although he has no title, he is a person who can make decisions."

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded without further investigation.

Smelting iron, no wonder those below couldn't make a decision.

Even if it's for civilian use, if they are in a bad mood one day and want to explode troops, weapons can grow in the furnace just

But this San San Niangzi had repeatedly colluded with people from the Great Ming Dynasty. Every time there was a market, she would dive into the residence of the Viceroy of Three Xuan-Da, Wang Wang Chonggu, not knowing what kind of schemes they were plotting.

It was said that Altan Khan's acceptance of the tribute was all led by San San Niangzi.

With such a person present, even if Tuman Khan persuaded Altan to join forces to restore the Mongol glory, I fear they wouldn't be able to get past San San Niangzi.

That was why Tuman Khan said the Left and Right were divided and unification was hopeless.

The Northern Yuan was in a difficult time, and Tuman Khan had long hoped that after the old Emperor of the Southern Dynasty died, the new policies would die with the man.

He hadn't expected that even during the gap before the Emperor ascended the throne, the new policies would continue to be pushed forward.

And now, they were gradually showing signs of success!

Tuman Khan sat in the supreme position and saw this in his eyes; how could he not take action?

And Dong Hu-li, hearing these words, seemed thoughtful and muttered the phrase again: "Reform the old and establish the new..."

After he digested it, he came back to his senses and asked: "What does the Great Khan intend to do?"

This term could often be seen in the new newspapers of the Southern Dynasty.

As the Uriankhai Guard's scout, this newspaper was the thing Dong Hu-li presented to Tuman Khan most frequently, and he himself had read it plenty of times.

He naturally understood what the Great Khan meant.

He also realized the implication of Tuman Khan mentioning this—so-called "reforming the old and establishing the new" would inevitably involve major changes that would offend countless people, but also major benefits to win over countless people.

Right now, he was likely promising benefits to him in advance!

Tuman Khan leaned forward, his presence full of pressure: "I have three points."

"The first is the Third Living Buddha of the Buddhist sect, the Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso."

Dong Hu-li had long expected this and was not too surprised.

Now that the Left and Right Wings had been divided for a long time, both sides had inadvertently forgotten that they shared the same lineage.

Especially after Altan Khan submitted to the Great Ming Dynasty.

The Left and Right Wings often fought until they broke each other's heads.

Under such circumstances, if they wanted to bridge the contradictions, I fear they could only seek help from the state religion!

The status of the Buddhist sect in the hearts of the Mongol people was like Confucianism for the scholar-officials of the Southern Dynasty.

As long as the Buddhist sect was willing, their words were more effective than the Great Khan's—religious belief, for many, touched the soul more than profit.

And the Third Living Buddha was the leader of the Buddhist sect, the one with the highest attainment in Buddhist law, and even the incarnation of Eternal Heaven.

The Great Khan now had two, but there was only one Living Buddha.

Letting one Living Buddha bridge the contradictions between the two Great Khan tribes, with the tacit understanding of the high-level officials on both sides, would inevitably have miraculous effects!

Dong Hu-li, with a look of admiration, asked Tuman Khan: "Has the Great Khan invited the Third Living Buddha?"

Tuman Khan shook his head, then nodded: "I sent an envoy to send a letter last year, and the reply only came last month. Apart from some hesitation, there were no other obstacles."

"I have already resolved his hesitation and plan to send another letter after spring begins. Once he receives the signal, he should set off to come."

The so-called hesitation was naturally that the price hadn't been negotiated.

But Tuman Khan was a man of courage and immediately decided to make concessions, just so the Khurultai two years later could be held smoothly.

Dong Hu-li couldn't help but exclaim: "Eternal Heaven has spirit."

These words didn't cost money, just a casual compliment. He wasn't particularly moved in his heart, as this had nothing to do with the predicament before him—major Mongol-Yuan affairs couldn't compare to the tens of thousands of mouths of the Uriankhai Guard.

He saw Tuman Khan stand up and walk toward the bed in the tent: "The second point, the codification of the law."

As he spoke, he groped under the bed and pulled out a booklet.

Dong Hu-li followed Tuman Khan as he stood up and walked over.

He looked closely and saw that the booklet in Tuman Khan's hand was clearly titled "The Tuman Khan Code" in a long string of characters.

Tuman Khan handed the booklet out and nodded to signal Dong Hu-li.

Dong Hu-li hesitated before taking the handed-over code.

Tuman Khan patted Dong Hu-li on the shoulder and said heroically: "Everything that can't be seen isn't in it; read it with peace of mind."

Only then did Dong Hu-li set his mind at ease and begin to read it earnestly.

This code had clearly been prepared for a long time; otherwise, it couldn't be this extensive.

Official systems, military affairs, sacrifices, property, criminal law, marriage, etc., were all listed within.

Of course, there was still some time before the book was completed, and entries marked "missing" or "to be determined" could be seen on every page.

It was no wonder the assembly was set for two years later.

"Eternal Heaven inspired me with the affairs of Dayan Khan and Esen; relying solely on force to unify the tribes will sooner or later lead to a day of collapse."

"I should establish a unified rule that fits every Uryankhai Tumen and the majority of the people!"

"Only by establishing a new order can there be a chance to unify Mongolia!"

Tuman Khan spoke generously, and Dong Hu-li read earnestly without answering, appearing very serious.

But under Dong Hu-li's earnestness, he couldn't help but feel a bit terrified.

The content of this code was complex, but every article touched upon interests.

It included cutting the flesh of the Left Wing to benefit the body of the Right Wing; it also included stripping the bones of the lower levels to supplement the blood of the middle levels; and even included how to treat the Han, Jurchen, Korean, and Oirat people who had submitted.

It won over many people, but it also offended quite a few.

Dong Hu-li looked at Tuman Khan, wanting to speak but stopping.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and spat out his inner doubt: "Great Khan, can this truly be implemented?"

Tuman Khan did not feel unhappy.

Instead, he met Dong Hu-li's gaze very seriously and said solemnly: "Therefore, there is a third point, used to win over each tribe."

Dong Hu-li was startled, then revealed a curious expression of earnest listening.

Clearly, this point was related to his own vital interests.

Tuman Khan slowed his speech, appearing to speak word by word: "I plan to learn from the Southern Dynasty, bridge the differences between the Left and Right Wings... I want to integrate each tribe to the greatest extent possible and open a system of cabinet governance!"

"I have already reached a consensus with several tumens: the Chahar Uryankhai Tumen's Amudai Hong Huang Taiji, the Inner Khalkha Barin tribe leader Wei Zheng Subahai, the Ordos Uryankhai Tumen's Kutuktai Chechen Hong Huang Taiji, the Yongshibu Uryankhai Tumen's Nomdara Noyan, and the Tumet Uryankhai Tumen's Chelike Hong Huang Taiji all have a seat in the cabinet!"

"From now on, we shall open the regulation of each tribe discussing politics!"

"I only ask that the descendants of Eternal Heaven can put down their grudges, kill their way back to Dadu with me, take the head of the Southern Dynasty's Emperor, and sacrifice to Eternal Heaven!"

Dong Hu-li was now shaken in spirit and unable to speak.

How could such a matter of top-level reform be told to him!

Could it be...

He saw Tuman Khan look toward Dong Hu-li and say seriously: "Dong Hu-li, integrate the Uriankhai Uryankhai Tumen for me."

"At that time, the troops and horses of the Uriankhai Uryankhai Tumen will be under your full command; I will no longer interfere, and the pastures that the Uriankhai have had encroached upon can also be retaken by you."

"As long as you nod your head now, at the Khurultai two years later, I can propose..."

"Letting you enter the cabinet!" ===== CHAPTER 152 =====

The Forbidden City outside the palace was covered in heavy snow; the weather was freezing, and the world was dressed in silver.

Inside the palace, the Emperor and his ministers shared food and ate together, helping each other in the same boat, in a harmonious atmosphere.

The first year of Emperor Wanli passed just like that.

(End of this chapter)