Chapter 99: 99. Chapter 98: Inheriting the Bow and Metallurgy, Dividing and Disintegrating

99. Chapter 98: Inheriting the Bow and Metallurgy, Dividing and Disintegrating.

The Emperor's words were completely beyond Wang Wang Chonggu's expectations and also disrupted his composure.

Enter the Grand Secretariat!? What did the Emperor mean by this?

Trust?

Win over?

Provoke?

Wang Wang Chonggu's mood was inexplicable, intertwined with surprise, joy, vigilance, exploration, and other complex emotions, all of which were endless.

His thoughts turned like electricity, racking his brains, but because he really didn't know much about the Emperor, he couldn't be sure in his heart.

Wang Wang Chonggu recovered slightly and wanted to speak but stopped—he had been in a dilemma for the past few days, and before the matter was settled, another more difficult thing came.

He was led into the hall by the Emperor in such a flustered manner.

Zhu Zhu Yijun observed Wang Wang Chonggu's expression and limb movements without a trace, and seeing that his expression was still slightly guarded, he understood in his heart.

He didn't give Wang Wang Chonggu a chance to answer, and his mouth didn't stop: "Minister Yang has been driven for more than forty years in three dynasties and is a confidant minister of my Great Ming. Although I have tried to retain him several times, alas, spring and autumn have their times, and no one can disobey them."

"It's just that Minister Yang has been in and out of the military and government, managing literature and martial arts, and is the one the world relies on for peace. With this resignation, the Grand Secretariat will no longer have such a high-level, military-savvy heavy minister."

He looked at Wang Wang Chonggu: "I tossed and turned last night, thinking over and over, and thought of Minister Wang! To take over the military affairs of the Grand Secretariat, I'm afraid there is no one more suitable than Minister Wang."

Saying this, he had the eunuch bestow a seat on Wang Wang Chonggu and let him eat breakfast with him.

He himself picked up a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup, and with the pastries from Guishunzhai, started eating directly.

Wang Wang Chonggu was silent for a long time and didn't sit down, slowly saying: "Your Majesty, the one currently signing for the Grand Secretariat on behalf of Minister Yang is my nephew."

"For uncle and nephew to be in the court as Nine Ministers at the same time is already Your Majesty's grace, not avoiding suspicion; how can I have any more extravagant hopes, letting Your Majesty bear the reputation of being too doting?"

It was a lie to say he wasn't moved.

After all, it was a cabinet minister, the head of all officials; no minister could remain indifferent.

His grandfather Wang Xin was only a school teacher, and his father Wang Yao was a merchant of low status; only in his generation could he finally bring glory to his ancestors and leave his name in the county annals.

Now what was placed in front of him was the pinnacle of a minister, and also the ultimate of bringing glory to his ancestors.

Appointed as Prime Minister!

But Wang Wang Chonggu didn't lose his head and agree directly—although he had been on the border for a long time, Wang Wang Chonggu's most basic qualities hadn't been lost.

Such a thing as uncle and nephew entering the Grand Secretariat at the same time would inevitably arouse suspicion.

Even if the Emperor trusted them, the court officials would impeach them like crazy.

Therefore, no matter what, the Emperor couldn't let the uncle and nephew enter the Grand Secretariat together.

He said this just to advance by retreating, to test the Emperor's attitude—the Emperor put him on such a high pedestal and sent him into the Grand Secretariat; it was hard not to think of the "two peaches killing three scholars" tactic.

Did he really need him, or did he want to use this to provoke the Jin people and throw them away after using them?

Zhu Zhu Yijun swallowed his food and said unhurriedly: "Don't talk about your nephew; even the Chief Assistant, Second Assistant Gao, Third Assistant Lu, etc., have never pacified the locality or governed the Nine Borders."

"Now I just need a heavy minister who understands local affairs and is clear about border troubles to rely on, to be able to plan military affairs of the Nine Borders in the Grand Secretariat."

"For this position, besides Minister Wang, who else can do it?"

He did not take the bait in Wang Wang Chonggu's words—what was this about a nephew and uncle both entering the Grand Secretariat? There was no such thing!

Speaking of these few people in the Jin Party, Zhang Zhang Siwei had the heaviest selfishness and was the most insidious.

Small things like marking prices to stand for big merchants or writing epitaphs could be ignored.

Accepting bribes and doing things for people could be counted as human nature.

Promoting fellow villagers and supporting Jin merchants to encroach on state assets could also be skipped.

But, his actions in history, after hearing them, almost no one could avoid rising disgust.

At that time, Zhang Zhang Juzheng was in power, and Zhang Zhang Siwei flattered him first; after Zhang Zhang Juzheng died, he immediately counterattacked, and his character could be seen.

This was fine, if he could change into a new skin after the counterattack and continue to innovate, it wouldn't be a character.

But he used the excuse that the gentry suffered too much damage, making them "lose their joy of life," and requested to abolish the New Law together.

And he personally stopped the clearing of accounts and fields, abolished the Examination Law, restored the Two-Tax System, and so on.

How could such a person who only had selfishness and no ideals and beliefs be allowed to enter the Grand Secretariat?

Zhu Zhu Yijun had already opened his heavenly eyes, yet he still let such a person enter the Grand Secretariat; wasn't that deliberately looking for trouble for himself?

By comparison, Wang Wang Chonggu could still be saved.

Zhu Zhu Yijun flipped through all of Wang Wang Chonggu's memorials during the Emperor Longqing reign.

Whether it was pacifying Ningxia or governing Shaanxi, at least Wang Wang Chonggu was dutiful in his own job.

Especially Wang Wang Chonggu's positive attitude toward the Tumian tribute; compared to Wang Wang Zhihao's reluctance and pushing back when Jinen tribute was made in Hetao, the former's effectiveness was shown.

Although there was selfishness, he was also a person who could be used.

The Emperor's words were reasonable, and Wang Wang Chonggu couldn't find any fault.

Compared to his nephew, he, Wang Wang Chonggu, was indeed more suitable to take over Yang Bo's position.

Just in terms of understanding the barbarians of the Nine Borders, no one could compare to him, not to mention the recent Tumian Khan invading the border and the Emperor wanting to rectify military preparedness, etc.

The most important thing was that his nephew was still young!

His own official career, this was perhaps the last chance!

The only thing worth worrying about was that this would probably not be conducive to the unity of the Jin people.

If he squeezed his nephew out and entered the Grand Secretariat himself after meeting the Emperor, how would the fellow villagers and in-laws think of this?

Moreover, his nephew was not a fuel-efficient lamp; if he harbored resentment, what would happen?

Wang Wang Chonggu didn't answer easily, but fell into deep thought.

Zhu Zhu Yijun waited very patiently and didn't forget to signal Wang Wang Chonggu to sit down and eat breakfast together.

He was naturally very confident.

After all, it was an appointment as Prime Minister; not many ministers could resist this temptation.

Moreover, the uncle-nephew relationship was not that close.

This kind of merchant family was all allied by interests, and kinship at most counted as a pivot.

Zhang Zhang Siwei's fourth younger brother, Zhang Sixiang, first married the merchant Wang family's daughter; less than a month after the Wang woman died, Zhang Siang married the more prominent merchant Fan family's daughter.

Wang Wang Chonggu's elder brother, Wang Wang Chongyi, was a salt merchant in Changlu; because of business unhappiness with his eldest sister's husband's family, the Shen family, he also tore his face and reported to the Prefectural Yamen.

Uncle and nephew? If they could be promoted and get rich, I don't know how many people would rather have their wives die, who would care about your uncle and nephew.

Seeing Wang Wang Chonggu still hesitating, Zhu Zhu Yijun added another fire: "Now the ugly barbarians of the Nine Borders, Three Xuan-Da and Shanxi have the Tumian departments, Shaanxi's Three Borders have the Jinen departments, and Jiliao has the Tumian departments and Huang Huang Taiji's branches."

"Although the Western barbarians claim to be submissive, their deceit is truly unpredictable."

"The Hetao barbarians are still living in the Western Sea, but I fear they will return east in the spring, passing through the interior, and carry out the plot of borrowing the way."

"The Eastern Tatars are repeatedly peering at the borders; the likes of Dong Dong Huli and Chang Ang have long gone without profit. The threat of their rampaging is something that should be guarded against early."

"Minister Wang, I have also heard of your wish, which is to pacify the barbarians and stabilize the Nine Borders. Now the country is in a time of many troubles, how can you bear to shirk?"

People are complex, and Wang Wang Chonggu is no exception.

Even if his selfishness is heavy, it cannot deny his heart to pacify the barbarians.

Wang Wang Chonggu was already faintly moved at this time.

But he still hesitated: "Your Majesty, I am the Minister of War; planning military preparedness is my duty, and it may not be necessary to enter the Grand Secretariat."

"Moreover, I have just arrived in the capital; planning the central government's secrets may not be as good as Zhang Zhang Siwei, and I am only afraid that the court officials will be surprised."

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded.

He naturally understood Wang Wang Chonggu's concerns.

Just arrived in the capital meant his foundation was not stable, and the favors he bestowed in the Jin Party couldn't compare to Zhang Zhang Siwei's at all.

This was not fearing that the court officials would be surprised, but fearing that there would be chaos within the Jin Party, stealing a chicken and losing the rice, damaging the foundation of the fellow villagers.

Zhu Zhu Yijun remained calm: "As you said, the Ministry of War is planning military preparedness, and the Grand Secretariat is the place for planning secrets; how can they be the same?"

"At that time, you can plan in the Grand Secretariat, and the Ministry of War will be succeeded by Shi Shi Mao Hua, who will cooperate with Minister Wang."

This was for Wang Wang Chonggu to bestow favors.

The Ministry of War was originally under the control of these people, and he didn't care about promoting Shi Shi Mao Hua by another rank.

As long as he could block Zhang Zhang Siwei outside the Grand Secretariat and turn Wang Wang Chonggu into his own use, it would be worth it no matter what.

Wang Wang Chonggu understood the meaning and nodded immediately.

"As for the talk of court officials being surprised, there is no need to mention it again."

"Minister Wang, I will tell you bluntly."

"As long as you enter the Grand Secretariat, don't be afraid of impeachment by officials; I will make the decision on things like court officials being surprised!"

"In these days, whose impeachment memorials in the Grand Secretariat are not half a person high?"

"Those who take things, those who use human disasters as dark arrows, and even those who directly say that the Chief Assistant and Second Assistant Gao are treacherous officials, I can't count them."

"But, as long as you are in one heart with me, I will not chill the hearts of the cabinet ministers because of some court officials being surprised."

Zhu Zhu Yijun paused, looked at Wang Wang Chonggu, and said word by word, seriously: "As long as you enter the Grand Secretariat, not to mention being famous in history, but at least, no matter what, I will give you a decent ending."

In the current court situation, the New Party and the Emperor's Party have merged, with Zhang Zhang Juzheng, Gao Yi, and Lu Lu Diaoyang of the Grand Secretariat as the leaders, and officials like Shen Shen Shixing, Wen Chun, Wang Guoguang, Ge Ge Shouli, Hai Rui, and Li Li Zaiting as the backbone, relying on the Emperor's support, occupying a clear upper hand.

But at the same time, the Southern Zhili fellow villagers, the Jin Party representing the interests of merchants and gentry, and the conservative party of civil officials have also merged to oppose the New Policy.

The troublesome part of these people is not who is leading and what they are doing to resist.

It is that these people firmly occupy the middle and high-level positions below the top of the Great Ming's bureaucratic system, realizing their counterattack through impeaching ministers, spreading public opinion, intensifying contradictions, non-violent non-cooperation, and relying on the authority of the ministries to exclude imperial orders, etc.

As long as the central government still relies on the bureaucratic system to operate, this kind of confrontation will not stop.

It is not something that can be solved by killing one or two people or demoting someone.

It can only be achieved through continuous self-innovation to slowly eliminate these bureaucrats whose steps are inconsistent and whose thoughts are corrupted, and then let the old machine of the Great Ming iterate and update with difficulty and slowness.

Once this process of self-iteration stagnates, what Zhang Zhang Juzheng and Gao Yi will face is immediate counterattack.

Therefore, Zhu Zhu Yijun never concealed his support.

Entering the Grand Secretariat will definitely get his support.

Entering the Grand Secretariat will definitely have a decent ending.

This is a guarantee for Wang Wang Chonggu, who is worried about his life, that he will not kill the donkey after the millstone is used, nor is he just using him.

It is also a reminder to Wang Wang Chonggu that their directions are consistent now, both focusing on the Nine Borders, so why can't they rely on each other?

Wang Wang Chonggu understood the Emperor's meaning.

He couldn't help but remain silent.

This was the first time he had encountered an Emperor who spoke so thoroughly.

It is said that the monarch has no jokes, and the Emperor never easily makes promises, nor does he easily express his attitude about future things—this kind of promise will be written in the history books.

Just like what the Emperor said, he will definitely give the cabinet minister a decent ending; then what if he encounters a cabinet minister who openly rebels?

The Emperor should not wear shackles.

But at this moment, the Emperor actually told him personally that no matter what, entering the Grand Secretariat would have a decent ending.

This was to set his heart at ease.

Too urgent.

Wang Wang Chonggu sighed in his heart.

At first, when he stepped into the Gu Chengguang Hall, he was still treating this Emperor as a hypothetical enemy, thinking about how he would respond if the Emperor wanted to threaten him.

But after the Emperor's statement, he already had three parts of pity.

That's right, it was pity.

He and the Emperor had only met for the second time, and he was already pulling him into the Grand Secretariat and promising him peace of mind.

Compromise, discussion, and sincerity are good, but this is the Emperor!

The Supreme Ruler has to use this method; one can see how urgent the little Emperor is.

It only shows that the Emperor feels that rectifying the Capital Camp is already urgent.

It also shows that the pressure brought to the Emperor by the big case in Huguang is not as relaxed as he appears.

All kinds of things made him, a person disliked by the Emperor, weigh a thousand catties, and he had to exert effort to win him over.

After the Emperor's words fell, Wang Wang Chonggu's thoughts turned, and it was only a moment before he was ready to accept the position of cabinet minister.

Suddenly he remembered one thing.

The words reached his mouth and he changed them: "Since Your Majesty uses me, you want me to plan the Nine Borders and sweep away the Tatars."

"Then, I have one thing I don't understand."

Zhu Zhu Yijun straightened his back and said solemnly: "Minister Wang, please speak."

Wang Wang Chonggu's expression was suspicious: "Your Majesty, since you want to sweep away the Tatars, why did you sacrifice to the former Yuan a few days ago when you sacrificed to the emperors?"

Emperor Yuan Shizu of Yuan was lifted out of the sacrificial temple; it was not his own whim, he couldn't stand these people.

Around the time Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, the Great Ming experienced several large-scale Tatar invasions, the border soldiers and people suffered, and the people of the world were filled with resentment.

It was precisely because of this gathering of resentment that there was the abolition of the sacrifice to Emperor Yuan Shizu of Yuan.

Now the Emperor wants to rectify military preparedness and is determined to sweep away the Tatars, but he sacrifices to the former Yuan, which makes him puzzled.

A few days ago, he was suspicious but didn't have the chance to ask; today he was waiting for a price, so he just happened to say it.

Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled when he heard Wang Wang Chonggu's words; he thought it was something else.

He stood up, converged his expression, and said seriously: "Minister Wang, this is precisely for the time when the Tatars bow their heads and become subjects."

Wang Wang Chonggu was stunned; the Emperor was thinking about something so far away!?

Zhu Zhu Yijun continued: "I understand Minister Wang's meaning; our dynasty drove away the barbarians and restored China, so naturally we cannot recognize the barbarians as fathers."

"However, our dynasty is a state of etiquette and a country of benevolence; do we have to kill them all after destroying the Tatars?"

Wang Wang Chonggu remained silent; he had been doing business with Tumian Khan for several years.

Even if he didn't understand what ethnic integration was, he at least had some experience.

He immediately understood the Emperor's meaning.

This was paving the way for getting along with the Mongols after the victory was decided.

He asked curiously: "Your Majesty sacrifices to the former Yuan, but says we cannot recognize the thieves as fathers; what does this mean?"

Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled: "This is a long story, and it was just something Li Zhi's Huayi debate happened to stir up; I will make a long story short with Minister Wang."

"This matter should be viewed in two parts."

"The former Yuan was a mere barbarian, stealing the divine vessel, and naturally does not belong to our China."

"However... since our Great Ming established the dynasty, the former Yuan can belong to our China!"

"The barbarians who stole China are not people of our China, but after being beaten into submission by our Taizu, they are surrendered vassal clans!"

Wang Wang Chonggu was stunned.

After a long while, he said: "I was presumptuous."

Zhu Zhu Yijun waved his hand and skipped this matter: "Then regarding the matter of entering the Grand Secretariat, Minister Wang, what have you thought?"

Wang Wang Chonggu took a deep breath and bowed slowly.

His tone was cautious: "I have always wished for it, but didn't dare to ask."

"After handling the rotation of the Capital Camp and the Yueyang Guard, I will follow the decree and enter the Grand Secretariat."

Zhu Zhu Yijun hurriedly stepped forward and supported Wang Wang Chonggu.

He seemed to let out a breath, and his tense spirit relaxed.

His gaze crossed Wang Wang Chonggu and looked outside the hall.

The sky was dawning, revealing a glimmer of light, sprinkling in front of the Gu Chengguang Hall, like the Jin Party, which was originally one, quietly tearing open a gap.

He gently held Wang Wang Chonggu's hand, seemingly instructing, and seemingly talking to himself: "Send troops as soon as possible."

"Those clan relatives of mine in Huguang are probably already unable to wait." ===== CHAPTER 100 =====