Chapter 254

The eighth year of Emperor Wanli, August.

Gengzi (the 3rd), Imperial Consort Han is pregnant; the Emperor personally sacrifices to the night light at the Altar of the Setting Moon.

Fan Xue Yingqi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, requests the Emperor to move the imperial carriage for a southern tour.

It is sent to court deliberation, with no result.

Guimao (the 6th), based on the three-year performance review, Sun Sun Jigao, Magistrate of Xinhua Independent Department in Yunnan, and Gu Assistant County Magistrate, Counselor of Sichuan, are appointed as Compilers of the Hanlin Academy and concurrently Secretaries of the Secretariat, stationed at the Nanjing temporary capital; based on the three-year performance review, Yu Yu Menglin, Vice Prefect of Zhao Qing Prefecture in Guangdong, is promoted to Prefect of Huizhou Prefecture.

Wang Wang Yingxuan, Yao Sanrang, and Zhang Yikun are appointed as Secretaries of the Secretariat to fill the vacancies in order.

Jiachen (the 7th), the Prince Shunyi Prince of the Mongols is critically ill and requests to build temples and a Han city to pray for blessings and longevity; Princess Yong'an and San San Niangzi San San Niangzi Zhongshun, Zhu Zhu Xuanji, submit a joint request.

It is sent to court deliberation, and he is granted cement, timber, and other building materials; the temple is named Dazhao, the city is named Hohhot, and three high monks, including Hongfa, are sent beyond the pass to preach the scriptures.

Based on the six-year performance review, Chen Dong, Right Vice Hai Yushi-in-Chief, Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, and Viceroy of Three Xuan-Da, is promoted to Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief, Minister of the Ministry of War, and Viceroy of the Three Borders, overseeing Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, and Yansui, and controlling Three Xuan-Da, stationed at Huamachi.

Yisi (the 8th), regarding the Liaodong generals recruiting surrendered Jurchen barbarians, an edict is issued to reward Li Li Chengliang, Yang Wudian, and others with silver, and the surrendered barbarian Zhang Jia is granted the title of Assistant Regional Commander of the Jianzhou Left Guard.

Li Li Rusong, son of Liaodong Regional Commander Li Li Chengliang, is ordered to serve as a personal guard to the Grand Marshal of the Five Military Commissions, as per precedent.

Dingwei (the 10th), the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Wang Wang Zongyi, is sent to sacrifice to the First Teacher, Confucius; the Duke Duke Yansheng is not granted sacrificial rewards this year.

Based on the six-year performance review, Wang Wang Zongmu, Right Vice Hai Yushi-in-Chief and Viceroy of Grain Transport, is promoted to Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief and Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Viceroy of Liaodong; Cai Cai Ruxian, Director of the Court of Imperial Stud, is transferred to be the Hai Yushi-in-Chief of Liaodong.

Hu Zhili, Right Vice Hai Yushi-in-Chief and Governor of Shuntian, is appointed to fill the vacancy of Viceroy of Grain Transport; Zheng Zheng Zongxue, Hai Yushi of the Five Military Commissions, is appointed to fill the vacancy of Director of the Court of Imperial Stud.

Guichou (the 16th), the Emperor sends civil and military officials to sacrifice to the Song Prime Minister, Wen Tianxiang.

He He Luo Wen and Lin Lin Shizhang, Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Rites, and Xu Guo, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, request the Emperor to move the imperial carriage for a southern tour.

It is sent to court deliberation, with no result.

Jiayin (the 17th), the Longevity Festival; the Emperor holds court at the Huangji Hall, where civil and military officials perform congratulatory rites, and all princely mansions and civil and military offices under heaven submit congratulatory memorials.

On this day, the Ministry of Revenue reports that the land survey in various provinces has not been reported in the registers, and those not fully discussed should be investigated and reported by the various governors and censors.

The Five Military Commissions report that, according to precedent, Jiao Ze, Regional Commander of the Shenji Division of the Capital Camp, is transferred to lead four battalions of combat troops and one battalion of chariot troops, totaling 15,000 men, to exchange duties and train with the Nanjing military garrison.

The Emperor approves.

Wang Guoguang, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Yin Yin Zhengmao, Minister of the Ministry of War, and Wang Wang Zongyi, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, request a southern tour.

It is sent to court deliberation, with no result.

Wuwu (the 21st), the evil rebels Cao Lun, Wang Qianshan, and Yang Tingyou of Henan are dismembered in the market, and Ji Tingyou and eleven others are beheaded for using heterodox arts, inciting chaos, violating rituals, provoking civil unrest, and crashing into government offices.

An edict is issued for the Provincial Surveillance Commissioners of Henan, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi to return to the capital for investigation.

Li Li Changchun, Equerry of the Secretariat, is appointed as Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangxi; Zhao Wang Zhigao, Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, is promoted to Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Henan; the former Governor of Huguang, Zhao Prince Xian, is reinstated as Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Zhejiang.

Gengshen (the 23rd), due to the birth of an imperial prince, the Emperor holds court at the Huangji Hall, and the officials offer congratulations.

The Emperor issues an edict to take 20,000 taels from the inner treasury for palace celebrations and sends Xu Xu Wenbi, Duke of Dingguo, as the chief envoy, and Shen Shen Shixing, Grand Secretary, as the deputy envoy, to hold the scepter and register, conferring the title of Virtuous Consort upon Noble San San Niangzi Wu.

On this day, Shen Shen Shixing, Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and Wang Wang Xijue, Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, submit a memorial.

The new policies are blocked, and the illness has become chronic.

This is especially true in Jiangnan. The platforms and ministries in Jinling are filled with officials banished to the southern suburbs; the literati circles are forming cliques, all of them old scholars who are like vipers and scorpions, with evil roots and usurped power. Internally, they gather civil unrest to resist the land survey; externally, they use public opinion to undermine the imperial mandate. The public sentiment is angry, the jackal-like voices are clamorous, slandering the imperial carriage, and the evil atmosphere covers the wilderness!

Your subject has heard that the Son of Heaven's tour is to examine systems, rectify borders, and pacify the people.

The tour of Xuanyuan was to pray to gods and respect mountains to stabilize the regions; the tracks of the Xia sovereign were to clear paths and guide rivers to define territories. In the past, Shun and Yu traveled the mountains and the Nine Tripods were secure; Zhou Mu inspected the regions and the feudal lords were awed. This is what a sovereign must do, setting a model for ten thousand generations!

The two officials of Suzhou and Songjiang respectfully submit this memorial.

It is then sent to court deliberation.

Some say, the bloodline of the Three Wu states is the lifeline of the Jiangnan state; how can the sun and moon not descend, and imperial majesty not be covered?

Some say, the Founding Emperor visited the borders every year, the Emperor Wen visited the Jiangzuo region five times, and the Martial Emperor traveled ten thousand miles with eight horses; is this not the ancestral system?

Some say, the imperial prince has been born; it is fitting to take advantage of this great celebration to issue virtuous sounds to the east and west, and spread grace and favor to the north and south. This is the great foundation for consolidating the hearts of the people and cultivating the national lifeline!

The officials submit, and the hundred officials agree.

Xinyou (the 24th), an edict is issued at the Zhao Wenhua Hall, saying:

"The Zhou Dynasty built Luoyi, starting the two capitals; Yu the Great was diligent for the people, especially emphasizing tours and inspections. I rule under heaven, respectfully following the eternal canons. However, since the new policies, demons have run rampant, the ban on reporting has been opened, and the moral order has been torn apart."

"Jiangnan and Zhejiang request it daily, the imperial carriage presses the sword; Suzhou and Songjiang are crying out, the imperial face is concerned. Is this not what the humble houses of Jiangnan have been longing for?"

"Therefore, on the 30th of August, I will tour Nanjing!"

"I request the Empress Dowager Cisheng and the Empress Dowager Rensheng to supervise the state, with Zhang Hong, Seal-Holding Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Li Jin, Superintendent of the Eastern Depot, and Xu Xu Wenbi, Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, assisting on the left and right."

"The task of guarding the capital is heavy; I order Zhang Zhang Juzheng, Grand Secretary of the Zhongji Hall, Hai Rui, Hai Yushi-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Wang Wang Chonggu, Left Hai Yushi-in-Chief of the Five Military Commissions, to assist in governing and supervising the state. Just as Emperor Taizong of Tang entrusted the supervision of the state to Fang Xuanling, you should understand my intention and be respectful and diligent."

"Except for the appointment of civil and military officials, the tribute of the four barbarians, and the mobilization of troops, which must be reported to the imperial carriage, other routine matters need not be reported."

"I order Shen Shen Shixing, Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Wang Wang Xijue, Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, Chen Chen Wude, Vice Hai Yushi-in-Chief, and the Vice Ministers of the Six Ministries, Yao Yao Hongmo, Wan Gong, He He Luo Wen, Li Li Youzi, Xu Guo, Chen Chen Jingbang, and the officials of the Censorate to accompany the imperial carriage."

"Zhu Zhu Xixiao, Left Hai Yushi-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Jiang Jiang Keqian, Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Luo Luo Sigong, Commander of the Imperial Guards of the Five Military Commissions, are to lead their troops to go together."

"Wherever we pass, the princes are to meet us one stage away from their princely mansions, and the military and civil officials are to pay homage within their borders."

"All supplies have been prepared; do not disturb the people, and no office is allowed to offer gifts."

On the day the edict was issued, the various offices of the ministries and courts moved in response, and the civil and military officials prepared to depart.

August 28th, early morning.

There are two days left until the Emperor goes to his loyal Nanjing.

Logically speaking, for matters that have been tacitly prepared for two months, everything should have been arranged properly by this point.

However, to this day, the Emperor still looks like he cannot spare a moment of leisure.

This is because after the southern tour was finalized, the court officials naturally increased the intensity, wanting to take advantage of the time the Emperor is still in the Forbidden City to handle all matters as quickly and simply as possible.

For example, the naming of the imperial prince.

After the birth of an imperial prince, the Palace Directorate first records the prince's birth mother and birthday. Before the prince is granted a name, he is only called the imperial prince; only after being granted a name is he called by his rank order.

If following the procedure, the Hanlin Academy must first check the names of the same generation of the imperial clan that have been granted by the Emperor to avoid duplication, then choose a few names with good meanings to present to the Emperor for his inspection.

After the Emperor chooses a name, the Ministry of Rites sends a document to the Imperial Observatory to calculate an auspicious day according to the name and the birth date, and then sacrifices to the Ancestral Temple.

Then, a series of procedures follow: hair cutting, chanting praises, offering congratulations, conveying the edict to the Imperial Clan Court, recording in the jade genealogy, and issuing an edict to the world.

The "Great Ming Collected Statutes" stipulates that the naming ceremony for an imperial prince is to be held after three months.

But as the saying goes, ritual systems can be flexible; before three months had passed, on the day the current Emperor's prince was born, the process began.

Wang Wang Zongyi, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, received the edict and proposed the four characters "Dong, Hao, Jun, Chong," and clearly marked the phonetic notation, meaning, and source of each character for selection.

Among them, the character "Dong" comes from the "Book of Songs," "Hao" from the "Yunhui," "Jun" from the "Book of Documents," and "Chong" from the "Laozi" and "Pan Yue's Rhapsody," all of which carry profound expectations.

Zhu Zhu Yijun invited Empress Liu to choose together, and finally decided on the character "Jun"—according to the patriarchal law, the legal mother is the mother; even at the naming ceremony, the prince must be held by the Empress, and the birth mother can only perform the bowing ceremony below the steps.

On the fifth day, which is today, after the prince's condition stabilized, they had already reached the step of sacrificing to the Ancestral Temple.

At this moment, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was in the Ancestral Temple, wearing the leather cap and robe, offering sacrificial items such as silk, dried meat, fruit, and wine to the ancestors.

He bowed and kowtowed, chanting: "My first son, I respectfully request the name 'Changjun' from the Imperial Ancestors and Imperial Father, and pray for the blessing of Imperial Heaven and the grace of the ancestors..."

Because he was not born of the Empress, he could only be called the first son, not the eldest son.

After chanting the prayer, Zhu Zhu Yijun took the divine incense from the Ministry of Rites official and inserted it into the tripod furnace meticulously.

It is not necessary for the entire Forbidden City to cheer for this name; as long as there are no strange phenomena such as thunder, fire, or foxes calling, it means the ancestors have agreed.

Zhu Zhu Yijun bowed three more times and then stepped back.

Wang Wang Zongyi, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Xu Xu Wenbi, Duke of Dingguo, stepped forward tacitly to complete the sacrifices to the other ancestors on behalf of the Emperor.

Zhu Zhu Yijun just watched the two high priests silently, without moving.

"Have the edict and the proclamation been drafted?"

The edict is the official document sent to the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court to record the name in the jade genealogy.

The proclamation is used to announce it to the world.

Shen Yu Maoxue, who had just been transferred from the Prefect of Baoding to the imperial presence, seemed not yet accustomed to the transition from a prefectural official to a Secretary of the Secretariat.

He was stunned for a moment before reacting, and hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty, it will be drafted within today, and we only wait for Your Majesty to hold court at the Fengtian Gate the day after tomorrow to issue it."

At first glance, the name Shen Yu Maoxue sounds like it might have some connection to the Yu Yu Maoxue who was fighting in the Zhao Wenhua Hall.

In reality, it is just a coincidence.

Shen Yu Maoxue's ancestral home is in Ningguo Prefecture, Southern Zhili, and he was the top scholar in the fifth year of Emperor Wanli, now forty-two years old.

Perhaps because he had been tempered in the local area for three years and his level of writing imperial odes had regressed, he had not finished writing the three-thousand-character edict announcing the birth of the imperial prince to the world even after three days of working in his spare time—looking at his confident appearance, staying up late tonight is unavoidable.

Fortunately, the Emperor's focus was not on urging progress.

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head and corrected: "I will be going on a tour the day after tomorrow; how would I have the time to hold court at the Fengtian Gate?"

"Let the two Empresses Dowager do it on my behalf."

Tomorrow is the naming ceremony, and he, as the father, cannot shirk it, but issuing an edict the day after tomorrow is not something he needs to do personally.

It is precisely the time for the two Empresses Dowager to supervise the state, so issuing an edict on behalf of the Emperor is a matter of course.

However, when Shen Yu Maoxue heard the words "do it on my behalf," his expression froze, appearing quite at a loss.

Zhang Hong, the Seal-Holding Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, saw this and stepped forward at the right time.

He leaned close to the Emperor and smiled bitterly and helplessly: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager Cisheng may still need some persuasion..."

The helplessness was genuine.

Although Empress Dowager Li could not stop the Emperor from going on his southern tour, it did not prevent the old lady from throwing a tantrum.

Supervise the state?

That won't do; the inner palace cannot interfere in politics, so the Emperor should ask someone else!

Zhu Zhu Yijun knew this well.

He turned his head and glanced at Zhang Hong, questioning him with frustration: "I am about to go on a southern tour, so why are you still acting so sluggish, as if I have to do everything myself?"

Can't you use your initiative and secretly coax the old lady!?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hong could only swallow his pride and smile: "Your Majesty is right, Your Majesty is right."

Just kidding.

Empress Dowager Li has been unhappy for a month; if her own son did not go to coax her personally, how could an outsider coax her?

If they did not come to ask the Emperor to step in, the Directorate of Ceremonial would be helpless; they could not really push Empress Dowager Li aside and send all the memorials to Empress Dowager Chen—if a label of sowing discord in the imperial family were attached, who could bear it?

Zhu Zhu Yijun saw that Zhang Hong was also like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, and knew he could not count on him.

He waved his hand and sighed very reluctantly: "After the memorial at the Gu Chengguang Hall, I will go to pay my respects to the two Empresses Dowager."

He had been hoping the old lady's anger would subside, but in the end, he could not avoid this encounter.

Zhu Zhu Yijun gave some instructions and left the ancestors, including the Founding Emperor and the Chengzu Emperor, to the two high priests, Xu Xu Wenbi and Wang Wang Zongyi.

He then left the Ancestral Temple and turned to the Ancestral Temple of the Shizong Emperor.

After personally sacrificing to the Ruizong Temple, he led the inner officials back to the Wang Xiyuan.

On the way back, Zhu Zhu Yijun did not forget to ask about official business: "Have the dragon banners not been made yet?"

Since the southern tour of the Shizong Emperor in the eighteenth year of Emperor Jiajing, the country had not had a formal imperial tour for over forty years, and the previous dragon banners were no longer usable.

Zhang Hong immediately replied seriously: "Returning to Your Majesty, they were made the day before yesterday, and this servant will personally hand them over to the Jinwu Guard later."

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded: "Put the old dragon banners in the National History Museum; don't let them be stolen again."

The palace has stolen the Wenyuan Pavilion seal and the Emperor's regular clothes; without a warning, I am afraid the dragon banners would not be spared either.

Zhang Hong bowed and accepted the order with a flushed face.

Zhu Zhu Yijun walked in front and said casually: "I heard that the eunuch Wang Xiao of the inner treasury submitted a memorial saying there is a shortage of materials such as cinnabar?"

Each warehouse has a fixed annual appropriation and source for required materials, but local requisitions often do not arrive on time.

He was not sure if the inner treasury had overspent or if the stock was insufficient to begin with.

Zhang Hong recalled for a moment before nodding: "There is such a matter, but it was rejected during the court deliberation."

"The Minister of Rites said in the hall that the Emperor's edict upon ascending the throne emphasized frugality, cutting within the quota; how can we reduce it before and increase it now, having less before and more now?"

"This servant felt the Minister of Rites made sense, so I withdrew the memorial from the warehouse."

Zhu Zhu Yijun could not help but frown.

Wang Guoguang saying this clearly meant they had overspent.

In the sixth year of Emperor Longqing, the inner court, taking advantage of the momentum of the new policies, carried out a round of anti-corruption, cutting more than half of the personnel and expenses.

But as the turmoil gradually stabilized and the consorts entered the palace, expenses became mixed, and they began to return to their old ways.

Thinking of this, Zhu Zhu Yijun could not help but feel some emotion.

This kind of thing really is like weeds; every once in a while, new ones grow. Zhu Zhu Yijun slowed his pace and ordered softly: "The eunuchs in the palace were sent to study accounting some years ago."

"Taking advantage of this opportunity, you might as well mobilize some accountants to check the accounts of the cinnabar material usage."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hong's expression turned joyful!

The Emperor's arrangement clearly intended to use this small matter to pave the way for the establishment of the "Audit Supervision" mentioned earlier—different from the rough account checking of the Ministry of Revenue and the Censorate, this is a strict method of checking every cent.

A brand-new government office, a precedent that is expected to be promoted from the inner court to the outer court—no matter how small, this is the founding merit of creating something from nothing!

Isn't this the stepping stone to being enshrined in the Weixin Pavilion and having one's name passed down in history?

Zhang Hong hurriedly expressed his stance: "This servant will surely get to the bottom of it!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun gave a light "hmm."

Suddenly, he changed the subject: "I am going to Jiangnan this time without taking you, and the outside world says you are old and have lost favor, unable to serve by my side. Have you heard of this?"

Zhang Hong was stunned, then smiled and nodded in relief.

His expression was calm, without any resentment: "As one drinks water, one knows whether it is cold or warm; this servant knows this is Your Majesty's trust."

Although he did not know why the Emperor suddenly brought this up.

But based on this bit of gossip, even if it were chewed to pieces, it could not hurt him, an old servant of the Eastern Palace who had been in charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial for over eight years.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled with some nostalgia.

He reached out and patted Zhang Hong on the shoulder, his gaze sincere and his words earnest: "I won't say any extra instructions."

"I am going on a southern tour the day after tomorrow, and my whole family is left in the palace; I have to trouble you to take care of them."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hong was stunned and deeply moved.

The Emperor's attitude toward inner officials is truly rare in the country.

Especially since it is not the kind of doting closeness attacked by the outer court, but a trust that is willing to entrust important matters!

Words like entrusting one's whole family—even if it were just to buy people's hearts, who besides the important ministers of the outer court had the qualifications to hear them in the past?

At this moment, Zhang Hong heard them.

His throat moved, and he suddenly took half a step back, prostrating himself, choking with sobs toward the Emperor walking in front: "Your Majesty's heavy trust, this inner official will die without regret!"

He no longer called him "Master" or referred to himself as "this servant," but instead solemnly called him "Your Majesty" and referred to himself as "this inner official."

Isn't this a gentleman's promise from a eunuch?

Zhu Zhu Yijun stopped and glanced back.

Sentimentality also follows basic rules; it is enough to stop at the right point. Zhu Zhu Yijun just nodded lightly and reached out to help him up.

After this interlude, Zhu Zhu Yijun did not speak again and silently headed toward the Wang Xiyuan.

Passing through the palace and halls, there was no talk along the way.

Not long after.

The group returned to the Wang Xiyuan.

Just as they walked outside the Gu Chengguang Hall, the eunuch on duty came up to meet them, whispering that so-and-so was requesting an audience, so-and-so was already waiting in the outer hall, and so on.

Zhu Zhu Yijun had originally thought it was still early and he could rest for a while, but upon hearing this, he had to give up.

He rubbed his face and pulled himself together: "I will go change into my regular clothes first; invite Wang Wang Chonggu, Yu Yu Dayou, Qi Qi Jiguang, and Jia Jia Sanjin into the hall and grant them seats to wait."

Wearing the leather cap and robe was truly uncomfortable.

Zhu Zhu Yijun went around from the side hall into the warm pavilion and changed into a comfortable Daoist robe, feeling relaxed and comfortable.

The Emperor appeared in the main hall, refreshed.

The four people waiting in the hall hurriedly left their low stools and stood up: "Your Majesty!"

Among the four, Wang Wang Chonggu and Yu Yu Dayou were the Left and Right Commanders of the Five Military Commissions, Qi Qi Jiguang was the Regional Commander of the Capital Camp, and Jia Jia Sanjin was the Supervising Secretary of the Five Military Commissions.

Today's audience was clearly to discuss military affairs.

Zhu Zhu Yijun ascended the steps to behind the imperial desk and sat down leisurely: "You officials, sit and speak."

After a pause, he went straight to the point: "I will be going on a southern tour in a few days; there are some things I need to entrust to you."

"Princess Yong'an has reported that the Prince Shunyi Prince will likely not live through this winter, and she is afraid she will not have time to 'persuade' Qia Huang Taiji and Dacheng Dacheng Bijie to give up the Bansheng."

"Next spring, there will surely be a great battle between Princess Yong'an and Dacheng Dacheng Bijie."

In history, the Altan Khan died in the winter of the ninth year of Emperor Wanli; this was a year early, and I do not know if it was caused by changes or if the Three Ladies could not wait.

But regardless, once the Altan Khan dies, the situation of the Mongol Right Wing will immediately change drastically.

The imperial court must plan early.

The first to speak was naturally Wang Wang Chonggu, who was well-versed in Mongol affairs, and he said: "Your Majesty, this matter is not worth worrying about."

"If it were the Dacheng Huang Taiji who originally controlled the Bansheng, he might have had the strength to fight Princess Yong'an, but after he fell from his horse and died, his wife, Dacheng Dacheng Bijie, only gathered the remnants and inherited the remaining prestige; her strength is truly limited."

"Even if she joins forces with Qia Huang Taiji, they will have no more than six thousand able-bodied men and over a thousand cavalry; they will surely be unable to stop Princess Yong'an's military force!"

As the second person of the Mongol Right Wing under the Altan Khan, the Three Ladies controlled tens of thousands of archers, and her strength was beyond doubt.

She is not someone just anyone can challenge.

However, Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head: "Victory or defeat is naturally without suspense, but if Dacheng Dacheng Bijie defends the Bansheng and does not come out, it will be easy for her to hold out for a year or a year and a half."

Winning or losing on the battlefield is one thing, but the political impact is another.

Yu Yu Dayou took the opportunity to pick up the conversation: "Is Your Majesty worried that if the war drags on for a long time, the other two tumens of the Mongol Right Wing will have second thoughts?"

Once the Altan Khan, the co-lord of the Mongol Right Wing, dies, the Bansheng will rebel against the Three Ladies.

That is fine; the Bansheng is a solid Han city, and I am afraid the Three Ladies will not be able to pacify it for a while.

She cannot control the situation!

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded, then shook his head.

His expression was solemn, and his tone was strange: "Not just the two tumens of the Mongol Right Wing, but also the Tuman Khan!"

Mentioning this, Zhu Zhu Yijun could not help but feel irritable.

Since the sixth year of Emperor Wanli, the Tuman Khan has been too quiet!

In history, in September of the seventh year of Emperor Wanli, the Altan Khan began to issue warnings, saying that the Tuman Khan would arrive.

The imperial court immediately notified Liaodong, and after hearing the news, Viceroy Liang Liang Menglong immediately deployed troops, ordered Li Li Chengliang to strengthen defenses and clear the fields, ordered Xu Ruji and Yang Li to intercept in Yongping, and sent Qi Qi Jiguang to set an ambush in Yipianshi.

By October, the Tuman actually led over fifty thousand cavalry deep into Liaodong from the forts of Qiantun and Jinchuanying, encountered an ambush, and a large-scale battle broke out.

Zhu Zhu Yijun was naturally aware of this in advance.

At that time last year, although he did not wait for the Altan Khan's warning, he still moved Li Li Chengliang, ordering him to go beyond the pass to scout and strengthen defenses.

As a result... let alone last year, it is now August of the eighth year of Emperor Wanli, and not a single hair of the Tuman Khan has been seen!

It is truly a case of being afraid of him causing chaos, yet also afraid of him not coming for a long time!

It is at least fifty or sixty thousand cavalry; during the Gengxu chaos, it was only this number, and at that time, they killed their way to the foot of the capital!

Historically, under the premise of intelligence superiority, the Liaodong side did not gain any advantage.

Now the Altan Khan, who issued the warning, is dying, the internal strife of the Mongol Right Wing is about to begin, and the other two tumens will inevitably have a wait-and-see attitude. Regardless of whether it is out of mutual restraint or the ability to obtain intelligence, the situation will be worse than the original one.

How can I not worry about turning an ambush battle into a head-on collision?

Wang Wang Chonggu nodded in understanding.

Although he did not know the ten thousand thoughts turning in the Emperor's heart, the point of the Altan Khan's death made worrying about the Tuman Khan causing trouble completely flawless.

After pondering for a moment, Wang Wang Chonggu said bluntly: "Your Majesty, if the Altan Khan dies, the Three Ladies must fight a battle to establish her prestige."

"As for the Tuman tribe, they may not necessarily move. To take a step back, even if they take the opportunity to invade the border, defending the border against enemies is a routine matter. Besides strengthening vigilance, there is nothing more that can be done."

Speaking of this, he raised his head to meet the Emperor's gaze.

The frontier is different from the Central Plains; there is no reason for a grassland co-lord to sit firmly without support. Regardless of how long it takes to attack the Bansheng, it can only be done by the Three Ladies herself; there is no possibility of anyone else doing it for her.

There is no need to worry about the Tuman Khan either; after all, Liaodong has experienced many years of war and has always been ready for battle.

We cannot be like last year, scaring ourselves and finally becoming a laughingstock in Liaodong for "not knowing military affairs," right?

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head, his expression solemn, correcting him word by word: "It is not 'may not necessarily,' and it is even less 'even if'."

"When the Altan Khan dies, the Tuman Khan will definitely invade the border!"

The Tuman Khan will definitely come—using the perspective of some Mongol professors, it is that "the stubborn Ming Emperor would rather be beaten than allow tribute and trade," so "the Tuman Khan, who wanted to gather the masses to seek tribute and trade in Liaodong," had long been "disheartened" and had to "fight to the death."

It is nothing more than waiting for an opportunity.

It is precisely because of this that Zhu Zhu Yijun has never dared to reform the military leaders of Liaodong.

In February of last year, several small tribes, because they stole cattle and sheep from the Tuman Khan and were afraid of retaliation, took the initiative to surrender to Liaodong.

As a result, they were "falsely rewarded and summoned, and then slaughtered while unprepared" by Tao Chengcou, a mobile corps commander of the chariot camp. The superiors and subordinates colluded, and Li Li Chengliang reported it as a great victory at Changding Fort, receiving a large batch of rewards.

Later, the matter was exposed.

Court officials took turns impeaching Li Li Chengliang, Tao Chengcou, Ma Weidu, and Wang Youchen, requesting their removal from office.

Zhu Zhu Yijun withstood the pressure and only dismissed Tao Chengcou, precisely because he was afraid that easily changing Liaodong's personnel would affect the combat effectiveness of those military leaders.

The four people in the audience looked at each other.

Is the Emperor alert to border affairs, or is he simply afraid that Liaodong will be in chaos and interrupt the southern tour?

Yu Yu Dayou hesitated for a moment before standing up to express his stance: "Your Majesty is divinely wise and martial; if there is a warning, it must have a source. It would be better to send Chang'ang of the Duoyan Guard to send someone to scout within the Tuman tribe."

Having not experienced being impeached for greed and corruption, being sent back to his ancestral home, the failure of the Lüxia Bay battle, or being dismissed from office, Yu Yu Dayou's health was still quite good.

Although he had lost the possibility of fighting on the battlefield, sitting in the Five Military Commissions, half-working and half-resting, he should be able to live to eighty.

Zhu Zhu Yijun did not commit: "The Ministry of War has its own plans for how to send the Duoyan Guard and Princess Yong'an; you officials do not need to ask."

"I called you here for another instruction."

Wang Wang Chonggu observed his nose and his heart.

This is the difference between civil officials and military generals; Wang Wang Chonggu would never say anything about sending the Duoyan Guard.

The Emperor is particularly sensitive about authority; although he stripped the Five Military Commissions of the power to command and train, diplomacy, logistics, rewards and punishments, and appointments still ultimately belong to the Ministry of War.

In one's position, one plans one's government.

This audience naturally still had to be about the power of command.

Sure enough.

Only hearing the Emperor pause and change the subject: "If the Tuman Khan only raids with small groups, that is fine; I believe the Liaodong officials will not disappoint me."

"I am only afraid that they will invade the border on a large scale!"

The power to mobilize troops will follow the Emperor on his southern tour.

When the Tuman Khan's army approaches the border, crosses the Liao River, and strikes into the territory, it will inevitably be necessary to draw troops from surrounding military towns and even mobilize the capital camp.

At that time, we cannot wait for war reports to travel back and forth between the north and south, right?

Zhu Zhu Yijun's gaze swept over the several commanders, first falling on Wang Wang Chonggu: "Minister Wang."

Wang Wang Chonggu hurriedly stood up to listen respectfully.

"The generals of the past examined the opportunities of heaven, observed the essentials of geography, and followed the feelings of people. I have thought about it, and isn't this talking about you, Minister Wang?"

"With talent in both civil and military affairs, such achievements should be marked in the Lingyan Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Wang Wang Chonggu was momentarily at a loss.

After Zhu Zhu Yijun finished speaking, he turned to Yu Yu Dayou and Qi Qi Jiguang: "The world calls Yu Yu Dayou a dragon and Qi Qi Jiguang a tiger; they are famous generals of the southeast."

The two bowed awkwardly.

"But I think otherwise."

"Minister Yu is steady and prudent, and Minister Qi is as fast as lightning; how can they be limited to the southeast? To seal the wolf at Juxu and take the title of ten-thousand-household marquis—what is there to speak of!?"

The two looked at each other, their hearts inexplicably burning.

Seeing this, Jia Jia Sanjin was eager to move, already thinking about how to decline and be polite.

Zhu Zhu Yijun looked at him, hesitated for a moment, and only praised him palely: "Minister Jia fills the vacancies and makes up for omissions; your position is low but your responsibility is heavy."

After saying this, he withdrew his gaze.

"You officials, the smoke of war in the north is about to rise, yet I am going on a southern tour."

"If the Tuman invades on a large scale, it will inevitably be extremely urgent, and there will be no time to travel back and forth between the north and south."

"I have thought about it..."

Zhu Zhu Yijun slowly stood up, his expression solemn and his words earnest: "I have decided to grant you the power to make decisions on the spot, mobilize the capital camp, and command Liaodong!"