Chapter 1455: The Crown Prince

He did not immediately press the emperor for the specific reason, but instead turned his head toward the corner of the wall, where a recording clerk had been silently taking notes the entire time. "Have you recorded everything His Majesty just discussed with us?"

"Recorded, Chancellor." The young clerk answered at once.

"Good. The conversation we are about to have with His Majesty must also be recorded in full, without a single omission!" Wang Zhaojing sternly instructed the clerk. "Remember, once we finish, you are to make three copies — Lord Cai and I, the Marquis of Pingyuan, must each keep one!"

What the emperor was about to tell them would surely be of the utmost importance, and they might not fully grasp it all in a single meeting. In that case, reviewing the meeting record several times afterward would be a great help to them, and would also better enable them to carry out the emperor's will.

"Understood." The clerk nodded his assent at once.

"Your Majesty, though you are only telling us today, this idea must have been brewing in your mind for a long time, has it not?" After finishing his instructions to the clerk, the Chancellor turned back to the emperor. "Please, Your Majesty, give us your direct instructions. We will certainly take them to heart."

"Instructions is too strong a word. There are merely some matters I wish to consult you on, and to ask your views in passing." The emperor smiled and nodded at the Chancellor. "Do not just listen to me alone — if you have an opinion, speak up. My meaning is actually very simple: right now, our nation needs large quantities of gold and silver for minting coinage, and we also need a great deal of copper everywhere. The Japanese have plenty of gold and silver and also possess copper mines, so naturally we ought to think of ways to exchange what we have for what we lack..."

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Your Majesty is surpassingly wise — we your ministers cannot match you. The proposals for the bank and the minting of coins are indeed achievements that benefit the present and will profit the ages. However..." Wang Zhaojing's expression was very solemn, and he appeared deep in thought. "Japan is isolated beyond the sea, and communication with the mainland is not very convenient. Moreover, it was previously listed by the founding emperor of the former Ming as a country not to be invaded. If we need to conquer it, I fear careful planning will be required..."

In truth, he did not care at all about the moral burden of attacking a "country not to be invaded." He was only worried that if the war in Japan dragged on and consumed enormous funds, the already overstretched national finances would be burdened with yet another heavy load, and the result would not only fail to achieve the original objective but would bring more loss than gain. He therefore wanted to use today's opportunity to tactfully raise some reminders, so that when the emperor considered attacking Japan, he would pay more attention to the unfavorable conditions and not act too blindly.

"A country not to be invaded — that was a matter of the previous dynasty. What has it to do with the present dynasty? Times have changed, circumstances have shifted; naturally we should assess the situation and act accordingly. Must we still abide by rules set down by the founding emperor of the former dynasty?" As the Chancellor expected, the emperor quickly dismissed his point, though his manner was not at all angry. "Chancellor, I understand your meaning. Rest assured, for this war we will make thorough preparations, and we absolutely will not let it turn into a protracted war of attrition. I do have that much clear-headedness."

"Your Majesty's foresight extends ten thousand li — we ministers cannot match it!" The Chancellor felt secretly relieved and hurriedly voiced his praise.

"Enough, don't just busy yourselves with flattering me. I called you here today precisely to discuss this matter — don't think you can get away with just casually agreeing with me!" The emperor laughed, speaking in a jesting tone. "Chen Hong, this matter concerns you most of all. You speak first — tell us your view."

"In reply to Your Majesty, your minister has also heard that Japan has been rich in gold and silver since ancient times, and its copper ore reserves are also extremely abundant. For many years our dynasty has maintained trade with them, and thus we have obtained a fair amount of gold and silver." Because he knew the emperor had likely already made up his mind, Chen Hong's words were also very tactful, broadly agreeing with the emperor's concept and merely adding a small concern of his own. "If we can dispatch troops to intimidate their country and force them to hand over some gold and silver, I imagine our nation's needs could be met to a considerable degree, and Your Majesty's grand plan could also be completed according to its original schedule. However... as I said before, your minister believes it is best to fight a quick war and secure a quick victory. Otherwise, if the two countries go to war, I fear trade will be temporarily cut off, and the flow of Japanese gold and silver into our country will also be severed for a time. If the war drags on, it would in fact be quite detrimental to Your Majesty's grand plan."

"Good, I understand." The emperor nodded noncommittally, then turned his head toward Lord Cai, Shi Manqiang. "Manqiang, tell us your view."

"In reply to Your Majesty, your minister is a military man and has always known only to obey orders and act. Of finance and state policy, your minister is ignorant." Shi Manqiang's reply was resounding and forceful. "However, your minister knows that the decisions Your Majesty makes can never be wrong. Your minister need only summon the courage of the dead to carry them out. Wherever Your Majesty points, there your minister shall strike!"

"What a valiant general!" The emperor could not help but laugh out loud. "However, this time there is no need for you to go and fight. To reduce our nation's losses, I intend to send only a single brigade — to fight a quick war, strike hard at those who rule Japan, make them feel pain to the marrow of their bones, and then agree to our terms. You are a marshal — could I possibly make you serve as a brigade commander leading these troops?"

"I am not needed on the battlefield? This..." Shi Manqiang was astonished, yet also showed an unconcealable disappointment. "Then, Your Majesty, may I ask who the brigade commander is?"

"I have decided on Zhao Song." The emperor's tone was very flat. "What do you think of this candidate?"

The three high ministers exchanged another very rapid glance. Though their paths — civil and military — were different, they had all long served at court and naturally knew who Zhao Song was, and they also knew the importance the emperor placed on this cousin of his. Since the emperor had already chosen his own cousin to lead the troops, what more was there to say?

"Your minister has long heard that Zhao Song fights with both courage and strategy, and is a rare talent in generalship. This candidate is very good." After only a moment of silence, Shi Manqiang spoke at once. "With him as brigade commander, this expedition should not meet with failure."

"Very good." The emperor nodded again, as if seeing right through his thoughts. "You are quite open-minded, able to put the greater picture first. Still, in your heart you must feel it is a great pity, no?"

"Your minister does feel it is somewhat of a pity, but your minister also knows that since Your Majesty specially summoned your minister here, it naturally would not be merely to tell your minister of such an arrangement..." A smile appeared on Shi Manqiang's dark face.

"You've made progress! Even learned to talk slick!" The emperor laughed again. "But you are right — this time I do indeed have some arrangements for you. Zhao Song is currently a brigade commander, but the brigade being sent this time will not be composed entirely of his current brigade. I intend to let him draw one regiment from the troops he previously commanded to serve as his direct unit; the other two regiments will be found elsewhere. The commanders for the other two regiments I have also decided: one is Ma Tongji, the other is Li Huanghe. Li Huanghe is currently under Dong Bingfeng's command; Ma Tongji is currently under your command. You won't be unable to give me the man, will you?"

Hearing the emperor's words, Shi Manqiang was instantly overjoyed. The emperor's meaning was to transfer men from his command, and not just one man. Ma Tongji was currently serving as a regiment commander under him, and would be transferred as a regiment commander — but after the campaign, there would surely be considerable rewards and promotions. Moreover, he could select many capable young officers from his own command and pack them into this regiment, letting them all share in the battle merits and walk the broad road of promotion.

This was already very obvious favor the emperor was showing him.

"Since Your Majesty has given Ma Tongji such an opportunity, how could your minister obstruct it?" Shi Manqiang smiled, his face radiant with delight. "Your Majesty, please rest assured — once your minister returns, he will immediately select crack troops and strong officers from below. He will ensure that the very best officers and soldiers accompany him, and will never let Your Majesty down!"

"What you need to do is not merely transfer a few men," the emperor shook his head. "This time, though we are sending only one brigade, it is still a great army marching a thousand li on expedition. The supplies it will consume are enormous, and a vast amount of materiel will need to be shipped from the homeland. Although Liaodong is quiet for now, it is, after all, terribly devastated, so supplies must still be shipped from Shandong. Since you are in charge of the troops in Shandong, then manage them well for me. If problems arise in the logistics supply, I shall hold you to account!"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured!" Under the emperor's gaze, the marshal grew stirred as well. "When the expedition sets out, your minister will personally oversee and supervise. He will absolutely not permit the slightest problem in the supply of materiel. If he does, your minister will come in person to beg Your Majesty's punishment!"

"Don't come begging punishment from me. When the time comes, go beg punishment from the Crown Prince." The emperor answered with a cold laugh. "For this expedition, the one sitting in the rear and overseeing the overall coordination is the Crown Prince. I am merely receiving his reports from time to time — you need not say much to me."

"The Crown Prince..." The three high ministers all drew a cold breath at once. "This time it is actually the Crown Prince in charge?"

In their hearts, they all understood: if the Crown Prince was personally overseeing the rear, the significance of this matter was entirely extraordinary. The Crown Prince was the nation's heir; though young, he had reached the age when he ought to gain experience. The emperor sending him to take charge of the rear area was surely intended with this purpose in mind. Though the emperor said "he is in charge, I will not interfere," when the Crown Prince handled affairs, how could the emperor possibly let go entirely? It went without saying that if anyone performed poorly during this expedition, once the Crown Prince reported it, the emperor would certainly not let them off.

"Your minister... understands." Shi Manqiang pondered for a moment, then nodded with some difficulty. "Your minister will devote his entire heart and strength, and will never let Your Majesty and the Crown Prince down!"

"Don't be so tense. I believe you can do it well — otherwise I would not have come to you." The emperor smiled and encouraged him, then turned his head toward the two high ministers. "Chen Hong, I have told you what needs to be said. Go back and prepare; see how much money can be raised recently. Let us first get the expenses for this expedition ready — but remember to keep it secret. Do not let outsiders hear of our plans, lest other troubles arise."

"Your minister understands." Chen Hong agreed at once. "Once your minister returns, he will immediately begin the relevant preparations and strive not to delay this expedition!"

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