Chapter 93: Fellow Countrymen and Relatives, Full of Thorns

With Yang Bo's insight, he could see that the Emperor had a great opinion of these harmless people from Shanxi.

Last time he stuffed his son Yang Yang Junqing to repair the Zhaoling, to mix a qualification, the Emperor specifically beat him, let Yang Yang Junqing pay attention, if he couldn't even prevent the heavy rain, it wouldn't look good on his face.

It's simply unreasonable, he hadn't started to reach out yet, and he had already assumed he was going to be corrupt.

Not only that, Gao Yi once instructed him that after entering the cabinet, he should be impartial and not blindly promote or shield Shanxi people.

Who let Gao Yi say this, he knew clearly in his heart.

It can be seen that the Emperor has a prejudice against them.

Therefore, the Emperor's matter of letting Wang Wang Chonggu enter the capital was delayed again and again, which was also Yang Bo's idea.

He had to let Wang Wang Chonggu arrange the backhand before he could enter the capital.

Yang Bo thought he knew the Emperor very well, and hearing Wang Wang Chonggu speak well of the Emperor, he couldn't help but shake his head secretly, knowing that this fellow countryman must have been deceived by the Emperor.

Wang Wang Chonggu shook his head: "It was just a polite greeting, and didn't specifically say anything."

He paused, and on his dry and capable face full of wind and frost, a strange look appeared: "However, it seems to be quite enthusiastic about me."

"He praised the Altan tribute highly, repeatedly affirmed my talent, and said that letting me enter the Ministry of War was to borrow my experience of the Altan tribute, in the hope of paying tribute to the Tatar Khan."

"During the period... frequently talked about holding hands and heart-to-heart."

As soon as the voice fell.

Yang Bo curled his lips.

Zhang Zhang Siwei supported his forehead with his hand, his tone helpless: "Uncle, the Emperor is like this to everyone who is summoned alone."

Wang Wang Chonggu was startled and suspicious: "Really?"

He thought the Emperor simply appreciated him.

Zhang Zhang Siwei nodded listlessly: "It is really like this."

"Nowadays, among the court officials, it is said that this Majesty likes to read scripts in private, and especially loves to talk about holding hands and looking at each other."

Although he knew that many court officials ate this set, it was a bit funny to see his uncle also take the bait.

Yang Bo said a fair word: "However, wanting to borrow your prestige to calm the Tatar Khan may be true."

"Did Xuefu offer advice?"

With Wang Wang Chonggu's prestige among the Mongols, wanting to calm the Tatar Khan really can't lack him.

Wang Wang Chonggu shook his head: "Just a polite greeting, and didn't offer advice."

Speaking of this, he sighed: "It's not now to offer advice."

Yang Bo showed a look of inquiry. It seems that this junior really has the intention to offer advice.

Zhang Zhang Siwei asked directly: "Why doesn't uncle offer advice? If you can get imperial favor, wouldn't it be better?"

When he was a daily lecturer, he didn't care about the Emperor, thinking he was a child emperor who couldn't hold power.

But now it seems that it is still a bit arbitrary.

Even if he doesn't like the current Emperor, he has to admit that this person has only been on the throne for a year and can already influence the situation of the court.

Only heard Wang Wang Chonggu sigh: "You have been in the central government for a long time, and you actually think that the tribute is so simple."

He suddenly missed Gao Gong a little.

Wang Wang Chonggu discussed the matter as it stood, and continued: "As early as after the Gengxu Incident, Emperor Shizong intended to open mutual markets."

"Since then, it has been tug-of-war for twenty years, which is naturally not without reason."

"At that time, mutual markets were also tried, but the Altan Khan agreed on one side and continued to loot on the other."

"Even selling horses in the front, and robbing them back with people in the back."

"The imperial court asked the Altan Khan for guilt, and he said shamelessly, 'I can stop invading myself, but I can't forbid my subordinates from stealing'."

"In these twenty years, our dynasty gradually suppressed the Altan Khan in military equipment, so that he could restrain the tribe and rest assured of mutual markets."

"If you want to do the same to the Tatar Khan, at least you have to beat him down."

Speaking of this, he couldn't help shaking his head.

This is not only a need for military equipment, but also an inevitable preparation for people's hearts.

The mutual market that occupies the upper hand is an excellent vision, and the mutual market that is in the lower hand is humble.

Before Emperor Shizong's reform, the main battle faction in the military was strongly suppressed by the court—"The barbarian bandits are approaching the border and have not yet entered the border, the official army must not send troops to destroy the nest, so as to start border trouble."

And by the Emperor Longqing reign, the court was full of voices encouraging military officers to take the initiative to attack—"I ask to urgently implement the ban, if the barbarian bandits approach the border and graze, listen to the generals to lead the troops to attack, and those with merit will be promoted according to the example."

These are all based on the advantage of military equipment.

Only by having an advantage in military equipment over the Tatar Khan can there be hope for tribute to the Tatar Khan.

This is not something that can be changed by offering advice.

Now the Tatar Khan outside the Jiliao Great Wall often invades the border, often looting goods and people, and returning fully loaded.

Even if they are occasionally driven away by the border army, they only suffer small losses.

They haven't been hurt at all, so how can they easily bow their heads and claim vassalage.

Yang Bo had no expression, pretending to listen carefully, nodding from time to time, but actually listening to the left ear and out the right ear. He is a person who is about to retire, and he is too lazy to listen at all.

Zhang Zhang Siwei began to ponder seriously.

Thinking about it, he suddenly felt a sense of sudden realization: "No wonder whether it is Gao Gong, Zhang Zhang Juzheng, or the Emperor, they all want to transfer uncle to the capital!"

Three Xuan-Da has been peaceful for several years, whether it is waiting to consolidate the results, or can focus on the Tatar Khan, the central government probably doesn't know in its heart.

His uncle has been operating in Three Xuan-Da like an iron plate, which made the central government have ideas.

After transferring people away, change people to slowly check.

If the situation is stable, gradually reduce the money, grain, recruitment, and guest troops sent to Three Xuan-Da, and put them in other important places.

Conversely, continue to hold.

Zhang Zhang Siwei gradually learned to think from the perspective of the central government.

Wang Wang Chonggu nodded: "So I think the Emperor and the cabinet should just focus on the Tatar Khan, not like you said before, wanting to trick me into the capital and be unfavorable to me."

Yang Bo worried for Wang Wang Chonggu: "Why didn't Xuefu say these words to the Emperor?"

"If you don't offer advice, you will be misunderstood by the Emperor."

Offering advice is not necessarily good, but a high-ranking official entering the capital without stating the situation in the locality and criticizing the current ills is hard not to make the Emperor suspect that this is an attitude problem.

This is the experience and lesson of the old predecessors.

Wang Wang Chonggu laughed: "Yu Po Gong is worried too much, the Emperor asked me to organize the Three Xuan-Da observations into a memorial and present it."

Yang Bo was relieved to nod.

Just at this time, the housekeeper came in, whispered something to Yang Bo, and then retreated.

Yang Bo looked up in astonishment, and couldn't help but say: "Really?"

Luo Luo Fengxiang, a mere Juren, can be a fourth-rank official, naturally because he is also from Puzhou, Shanxi.

He was promoted by Yang Bo and knew how to behave.

Even if the other four great ministers looked at him with frowning, he still just whispered to Yang Bo.

After speaking, he slowly retreated.

Yang Bo fell into thought.

Until Zhang Zhang Siwei coughed lightly, he came back to his senses.

He looked around at the several colleagues present, his expression was strange, gloating, and finally he restrained his expression and said seriously: "The Emperor ordered the criminal censor Zhang Chucheng to inspect the Huguang mining tax case last year."

"The process is omitted, in short, it seems that the key place and key person have been found..."

"Just received the news."

"Criminal censor Zhang Chucheng and Tang Bin, the left administration commissioner of the Huguang Administration Commissioner's Office, encountered a fire, and life and death are unknown."

As the three of them walked out, Huo Ji and Shi Shi Mao Hua came up to greet them.

"Grand Secretary Yang, Minister Wang, Minister Zhang." Shi Shi Mao Hua held the lowest rank, so his etiquette was the most meticulous.

Huo Ji merely bowed slightly and performed a salute toward Yang Bo.

After Yang Bo accepted it with composure, he returned the salute: "Yaofeng, Juncai, there is no need for such formality."

Zhang Zhang Siwei and Wang Wang Chonggu, who were to the side, also bowed: "Hai Yushi-in-Chief Huo, Vice Minister Shi."

The five of them exchanged pleasantries along the way, passing through halls and alleys.

Shi Shi Mao Hua was the most attentive, keeping the atmosphere lively throughout the journey.

As the leader, Yang Bo naturally understood what he was seeking, and said in a neither warm nor cold tone: "With the position of Minister of War vacant previously and the Vice Minister suffering from a lung ailment, it has truly been hard work for you, Juncai, these past days."

Having briefly pointed out Shi Shi Mao Hua's contribution, he left the rest of the conversation for others to pick up.

Wang Wang Chonggu understood the implication.

Since yesterday's court deliberation, the position of Assistant in charge of Capital Battalion military affairs had become the focus of everyone's attention.

For many court officials, it was best if the Capital Battalion remained firmly in the hands of the Ministry of War.

For instance, Zhao Zhao Zhenji and Huo Ji had previously proposed abolishing the Viceroy of the Capital Battalion and letting civil officials manage the Capital Battalion's military affairs.

Unfortunately, Emperor Mu Zong was unwilling.

After that idea fell through, the expectation of the court officials was basically that keeping the Capital Battalion in its current half-dead state was for the best.

It was enough for them to just carry the ceremonial regalia for the Emperor and repair the imperial tombs when there was nothing else to do.

Otherwise, why would one raise a strong army around the central hub? Who were they planning to deal with?

Now that Zhao Zhao Kongzhao was about to retire, someone had to step forward to suppress Gu Gu Huan—Gu Gu Huan had been dormant in the Capital Battalion for half a year and was already beginning to stir.

Wang Wang Chonggu said calmly: "Has Vice Minister Zhao's lung ailment improved at all?"

Shi Shi Mao Hua wrung his hands: "It's the summer heat and phlegm; it's difficult."

Lung diseases generally flared up more in winter, and if one could survive the winter, they might improve for a while, but since it was now summer and there was not the slightest sign of improvement, it was basically hopeless.

As Minister of War, Wang Wang Chonggu could only sigh along with him: "I only arrived in the capital the day before yesterday and am not very clear about the affairs of the Ministry. Who is currently handling the various military matters of the Capital Battalion?"

Shi Shi Mao Hua lightly took over the conversation: "Minor matters are handled by the Ministry of War's Secretariat and several Department Vice Directors; if they cannot be resolved, then I step in."

Wang Wang Chonggu nodded: "If Vice Minister Zhao cannot recover, we in the Ministry will likely have to make preparations early. With such busy military affairs, a long-term vacancy is not a good thing."

The group, each with their own thoughts, walked into the clubhouse while talking.

At this moment, Right Hai Yushi-in-Chief Huo Ji spoke up abruptly: "It's not just the Ministry of War that has candidates; the Cabinet has candidates too, and the Emperor likely has his own ideas. There are too many candidates, so this matter will likely go to a court recommendation."

Although Huo Ji was also an Assistant in charge of military affairs, the Assistant role of a Hai Yushi-in-Chief was different from that of the Ministry of War.

He could investigate, dismiss, and impeach, but he could not easily intervene in specific military equipment matters.

Yang Bo walked ahead with his head down, noticing that everyone had suddenly gone quiet.

He looked up and saw everyone staring at him.

Yang Bo met their gazes, tilted his head slightly, and said with some helplessness: "I will request retirement for the third time tomorrow; His Majesty will no longer keep me."

The implication was that since he was retiring anyway, matters like assisting in the Capital Battalion or court recommendations had little to do with him.

It was not that he was unwilling to manage things, but that his time had truly come, and he was powerless to do more.

What Yang Bo said was the truth, and everyone naturally knew it.

Shi Shi Mao Hua immediately turned his gaze toward Zhang Zhang Siwei—the next seat in the Cabinet would be his.

Zhang Zhang Siwei did not shy away, but said with some concern: "I only fear that after Lord Yupuo retires, His Majesty will deliberately delay the time and wait until after the court recommendation to let me enter the Cabinet."

Court recommendations had always involved the Nine Ministers of the third rank and above, Vice Ministers, and Censors-in-Chief, plus the Assistant Censors-in-Chief and the Libationer.

But while the number of people was the same, their influence was different.

Whether Zhang Zhang Siwei was in the Cabinet or not was actually a crucial influencing factor.

Huo Ji could not hold back and snorted coldly: "The likes of Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi in the Cabinet are nothing but sycophants who gained their positions through luck!"

"They do not think of the big picture and spend their days flattering the Emperor; there will surely be retribution!"

The current trend of the Emperor and civil officials governing together was something that countless generations of wise officials had fought for.

How hard-won it was!?

Did they really want to return to the time of the Founding Emperor, when court officials were humiliated like slaughtered chickens and ducks?

Don't look at how this current Emperor speaks only of benevolence and morality; if he were truly given absolute power, what it would be like is another matter.

Emperor Yingzong was driven all the way to the Oirats; once he gained power, didn't he purge meritorious officials and kill the virtuous?

Even Emperor Shizong, who inherited the throne as a collateral branch, inherited this coldness; once he grasped power, he had court officials beaten to death and the Chief Minister executed in the marketplace.

If he were to hold a strong army in the capital, one couldn't even imagine to what extent he would become a tyrant.

Did they want to use their own lives to verify the harshness of the Zhu family once again?

Yang Bo glanced at the indignant Huo Ji and shook his head to himself.

He explained patiently: "Today His Majesty asked me to recommend someone to sign Cabinet matters on my behalf, and I have already recommended Ziwei."

In short, this was a seamless transition; he wanted to retire after his success, and no one should think of making him step up to handle things again.

Zhang Zhang Siwei was overjoyed: "Why didn't Lord Yupuo say so earlier!?"

Yang Bo couldn't be bothered to answer.

He walked ahead with his head down, returning the salutes of the officials and students he passed from time to time.

As the crowd grew, everyone reined in their conversation, following behind Yang Bo, occasionally encouraging students and comforting officials.

The clubhouse was hosting a banquet today for a group of Shanxi officials and students who had come to the capital to prepare for next year's spring examination.

The first and second floors were packed with people.

Inside the building, there were operas and dances, and outside, one could view the iron-flower fireworks from a distance; it was lively indeed.

Yang Bo and his group, however, went all the way to the highest floor of the clubhouse, which was quiet, peaceful, and had the best view.

Everyone took their seats one after another.

"Actually, it's not strictly necessary for the Emperor to follow our deliberations," Shi Shi Mao Hua said, smoothing his cuffs and picking up the previous topic. "As long as we can keep those sycophants out, that is enough."

Shi Shi Mao Hua did not have much interest in assisting with the Capital Battalion's military affairs.

He was just afraid that someone like Li Li Zaiting would come along again.

Huo Ji couldn't help but nod: "If we know who the Emperor wants to use, we might as well collect evidence of their crimes first and submit an impeachment memorial to pin them down!"

That was how Gu Gu Huan was impeached and sent home, but unfortunately, their ally at the time, Zhao Zhao Zhenji, was no longer in the central hub.

Zhang Zhang Siwei said helplessly: "Now that half the people in the Inner Court have been driven away by the Emperor and he himself is hiding in the Western Garden, it's not like before."

In the past, the Inner Court was like a hornet's nest; not to mention who the Emperor met or what he said, even the shape of the stool he passed, court officials would know by the next day.

Now, it was not so easy.

As the group was talking, the door was suddenly knocked.

They turned back in confusion.

They saw Luo Luo Fengxiang, Junior Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, run in, looking anxious and hurried.

He leaned into Yang Bo's ear and whispered a few words.

Yang Bo looked up in astonishment and couldn't help but exclaim: "Really?"

Luo Luo Fengxiang, a mere provincial graduate who managed to reach the fourth rank, naturally did so because he was also from Puzhou, Shanxi.

Having received Yang Bo's promotion, he also knew how to conduct himself.

Even though the other four high officials were frowning at him, he still only leaned toward Yang Bo and whispered.

After he finished speaking, he slowly retreated.

Yang Bo fell into deep thought after hearing this.

It wasn't until Zhang Zhang Siwei coughed lightly that he came back to his senses.

He looked around at the colleagues present, his expression a mix of strangeness and schadenfreude, before finally composing himself and saying seriously: "Last year, His Majesty ordered Zhang Chucheng, a Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, to inspect the mining tax case in Huguang."

"I will skip the process; in short, it seems he found the key place and the key person..."

"I just received news."

"Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Zhang Chucheng and Tang Bin, Left Administration Commissioner of the Huguang Provincial Administration Commission, have both encountered a great fire; their survival is uncertain."

"Just now, the Emperor ordered Hai Rui and Wen Chun to enter the palace overnight."

After he finished speaking, everyone present was shocked.

Abruptly, Shi Shi Mao Hua let out a snort and laughed: "In that case, I'm afraid they won't have the energy to stir up trouble in the Capital Battalion anymore, right?"

Yang Bo was the most sensitive; without a word, he immediately had his servants prepare brush and ink.

Right there at the banquet, he began preparing his third memorial requesting retirement.

(End of chapter)