Chapter 486 485 Like-Minded People Join the Cabinet

The news that the deputy commander-in-chief of Liaoyang, Hei Chun, had died in battle spread like the wind throughout the official circles of the capital, and the officials of the Ministry of War also felt as if they were mourning their heirs.

I was overjoyed just after receiving the report of the war in Fujian, and even the memorial had not been sent to Emperor Jiajing. Then something big happened in Liaodong, and the deputy commander-in-chief was defeated and killed.

In terms of military positions, the commander-in-chief is the highest level, and the deputy commander-in-chief and the commander-in-chief are not much different in nature. They both have the right to lead the regular soldiers alone and are the highest local military attaches.

Those who guard one side of the main town are called guards, those who guard all the way alone are called divided guards, and those who guard the same city with the main general are called assisted guards.

The deputy commander-in-chief of Liaoyang was divided into separate guards. That is to say, after Hei Chun died in the battle, the guard posts around Liaoyang would have no commanders. The Ministry of War must arrange for someone to take over as soon as possible, but before that, they may have to accept questioning from Xiyuan.

As for Liaoyang, the General Military Officer of Liaodong will temporarily take over the defense here.

Sure enough, at almost noon, Prince Yu's Mansion received news that Yang Bo, Minister of the Ministry of War, was summoned to Xiyuan.

What exactly happened in Xiyuan is unknown to the outside world, but for the deputy commander-in-chief of Liaoyang who died in the battle, the posthumous gift came out first.

After hearing the news about the defeat of Liaodong, the superior said that Heichun's death in battle with great courage was a pity, and the imperial edict was given to the governor and his colleague, Yinzi Zheng, who was hereditary to thousands of households.

In Prince Yu's Mansion, Wei Guangde and Zhang Ju were chatting together, waiting for the next shift. When they saw the news coming from outside, they asked cheerfully: "Shandai, is there anyone you would like to recommend?"

"Recommend?"

Wei Guangde was stunned for a moment, then understood the meaning of Zhang Juzheng's words and asked him if he wanted anyone to be the deputy commander-in-chief of Liaoyang.

Wei Guangde had no such intention and made himself look like a broker selling official positions.

There are only a few cards in his hand. Ma Fang is already the chief soldier, so naturally he despises the official position of deputy chief soldier. Yu Dayou is already the deputy chief soldier, so there is obviously no need to transfer from Fujian to Liaodong.

Shortly after the opening of the government at the beginning of the year, Xiyuan agreed to the resolution of the Ministry of War to build a town in the four counties of Xingning, Chengxiang, Anyuan and Wuping in Jiangxi Province. It was named Shenwei and Yu Dayou, the general of Southern Jiangxi, was appointed as the assistant guard of Southern Jiangxi. Tingzhang Huichao, Deputy Commander-in-Chief.

At the same time, he was promoted to the prefect of Ningguo. Fang Feng was appointed as the deputy envoy of the Guangdong Prosecution Department at the right time. He organized the troops and stationed them all in the city to prepare for thieves. After dismissing the Southern Gansu General, he replaced the garrison with one person and added three general officers to station at key points. He listened to the deputy general Be prepared and temperate.

Now Yu Dayou is the deputy commander-in-chief of Shenwei City. Is it necessary to go to Liaoyang?

He shook his head and said to Zhang Juzheng: "Soldiers are more valuable than more. There are not many generals who can impress me. As for the deputy commander-in-chief of Liaoyang, I really don't like him very much."

"The main reason is that there is no one in the pocket, right?"

The two have been together for a long time, and Zhang Juzheng also roughly knows the manpower on Wei Guangde's side. The officialdom in the capital is mainly composed of colleagues and people of the same year, and the military seems to be those two.

However, both Ma Fang and Yu Dayou were indeed very successful, which made him envious.

But Zhang Juzheng had no choice. He was not as lucky as Wei Guangde and had the opportunity to visit the border town.

At this time, there was a popular concept in the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, that is, the generals who could fight were all from the Jiubian generals. Therefore, if you want to recruit generals in the army, the first choice must be the generals from Jiubian.

Zhang Juzheng also accepted this concept. After all, Jiubian was at war with the Mongols all year round, and the generals there must be the most powerful in the Ming Dynasty.

"hehe."

Hearing what Zhang Juzheng said, Wei Guangde just smiled.

"Our Ming Dynasty has many soldiers and generals, but as you said, there are still not many truly capable generals, otherwise Jiubian would not be in emergency all the time."

Zhang Juzheng sighed again and said.

"Did you get any news there?"

Wei Guangde was curious as to why Zhang Juzheng said this to him today.

"No, I was just talking casually."

Zhang Juzheng just smiled and said.

In the eyes of these capital officials, Liaodong is a bitter and cold place. If it weren't for the ancestral system and huge resettlement pressure, they would be eager to withdraw the troops and all the Han people in Liaodong.

Yes, since the early Ming Dynasty, when Liaodong was recaptured from the Mongolian and Yuan Dynasties, the imperial court had always provided military pay, money and food to Liaodong. Until now, it has only been self-sufficient for a few short years.

The original abolition of shipping to Jiliao was only because food and grass could be self-sufficient, but money still had to be transferred.

I didn't think so before, but in recent years the imperial court has been in financial straits, and many people have been thinking of going to Liaodong, hoping to save military expenditures on the nine sides.

Wei Guangde didn't know why Zhang Juzheng suddenly seemed to value the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Liaoyang. When the time came, he chose to leave Prince Yu's Mansion immediately. There was nothing to do anyway. Today, Zhang Juzheng was the same as him. The two of them almost left Prince Yu's Mansion together. .

Seeing Zhang Juzheng get into his sedan chair and leave in a hurry, Wei Guangde shook his head, got into the carriage and went home.

On the swaying carriage, when Wei Guangde was alone, his thinking was particularly clear, and he gradually came back to his senses.

When Zhang Juzheng asked about the position of deputy commander-in-chief of Liaoyang, he did not have a candidate in mind, but he was afraid that he would also want to recommend someone for the post, so he asked first.

However, Zhang Juzheng did not mention this matter in Prince Yu's palace, which means that he planned to ask his teacher Xu Jie to take care of it.

Xu Jie is now the de facto chief assistant of the cabinet. Although he has not been promoted, it is impossible for Yuan Wei to get in front of him in terms of seniority.

Anyway, he has no one to recommend, so just wait and see who Zhang Juzheng wants to recommend.

On the next day, Ge Jin, the minister of war, recommended Yang Zhaoqian to be the deputy commander-in-chief of Liaoyang. The memorial was sent to the General Affairs Department.

When Wei Guangde saw the note, he also glanced at Zhang Juzheng, wanting to see if the person recommended by Ge Jin was the one Zhang Juzheng favored, and also wanted to see if the assistant minister Ge Jin also sided with Xu Jie.

The Ministry of War was a bit special. When Yan Song first became the chief minister, Ding Rukui, the Minister of War, was still Yan Song's man, but after being killed in the "Gengxu Incident", the successors of the Minister of War all alienated Yan Song, no matter how he showed goodwill, and they were also afraid of the consequences.

Since they could not sided with Yan Song, they naturally did not dare to sided with Xu Jie, Yan Song's biggest competitor, and became completely neutral, forming the third force in the court together with the Ministry of Rites.

However, Zhang Juzheng frowned when he saw the copy of Ge Jin's memorial recommending Yang Zhao. Wei Guangde had a bottom line in his heart. This Yang Zhao might not be the one Zhang Juzheng favored, and Ge Jin did not seem to be on Xu Jie's side.

Soon, Wei Guangde saw another copy of the memorial about Xu Jie.

Grand Secretary Xu Jie and others reported that the cabinet used to have three or four members. Recently, Yan Song retired and asked the emperor to appoint one member to work with the ministers.

Now there are two cabinet ministers left in the cabinet, Xu Jie and Yuan Wei. This is a bit unconventional, or it can be said to be a convention. This is to ask Emperor Jiajing to add one or two cabinet ministers to make up the old rules.

Speaking of which, in the past few years, the cabinet actually had only two people working, that is, Yan Song and Xu Jie, but there was also a nominal assistant minister Lu Ben, which could be regarded as satisfying the number of three.

However, after Lu Ben retired, Emperor Jiajing added Yuan Wei to the cabinet. This time Yan Song retired, and someone should indeed be replaced.

Wei Guangde is not worried about who can enter the cabinet, anyway, he will not promote people from the Yan party.

As for others, Wei Guangde guessed that it is very likely that those Qingci masters are still loyal to the emperor and will not be influenced by Xu Jie, so that the cabinet will usher in Xu Jie's one-man show after the Yan Song era.

Wei Guangde has roughly figured out the Emperor Jiajing's plan now. In the last few years, he wants to be stable, so he should hire a neutral person, preferably an obedient person. Xu Jie's power should be under certain control, and perhaps there will be some opportunities in Prince Yu's Mansion.

Wei Guangde didn't know what Zhang Juzheng was planning, but he didn't talk about it in Prince Yu's Mansion, and he was too lazy to ask, anyway, he had more tricks than him.

Sure enough, the next day, Zhang Yi, the military official, impeached the assistant minister Ge Jin for improper recommendation. When he served as the commander of the Liaodong vanguard and the guerrilla general, he made many rash attacks and caused the loss of troops and generals. He believed that Yang Zhao was brave but not wise and was not suitable to be in charge of one side.

At the same time, Zhang Yi also impeached the governor Yang Xuan, the governor Ji Cheng, and the general Wu Ying involved in the Liaodong defeat letter.

When Zhang Juzheng saw this memorial, the smile on his lips made Wei Guangde understand that Zhang Yi's impeachment memorial might have come from his hand.

It seems that Zhang Juzheng wanted to ask his teacher Xu Jie to contact the Ministry of War the day before yesterday to recommend someone, but Ge Jin got there first and recommended someone else, so there was today's impeachment.

Wei Guangde treated all this as a show, wanting to see how the future ruler of the Ming Dynasty would manipulate this matter.

Well, it can be regarded as learning.

"Shan Dai, have you seen the memorial from Fujian asking for military pay?"

At this time, Zhang Juzheng suddenly spoke to him.

"I saw it. Fujian has been using troops for years, so it is normal that the military pay cannot be provided."

Wei Guangde replied with a smile.

"You didn't come earlier or later. It's so hard to win a battle and you come to ask for money. You want to deduct the silver that was handed in. It seems that life in Fujian is not easy.

No wonder the memorial was sent to the capital so hastily, haha"

Zhang Juzheng continued to laugh.

Wei Guangde nodded. Zhang Juzheng was talking about the memorial of merit that they thought was strange. The process of the battle was not described in detail. When it was linked to the memorial of requesting military pay today, its purpose was obvious.

There was no silver left. After a victory, the superiors no longer cared about many things. They only wanted some military pay for military merit.

"It's really a lot. 4,200 taels of silver for imperial examinations, 8,670 taels of silver for temple fields, more than 16,000 taels of silver for cases, 19,922 taels of silver for 40 years of garrison, 3,836 taels of silver for fruits in the 39th year, 14,193 taels of silver for wax tea, and 14,387 taels of silver for Beijing price were all exempted to help with military supplies."

"Fujian has been plagued by Japanese pirates for many years, and this year there are rebels. The military pay is exhausted. I'm afraid that these silvers are long gone."

Zhang Juzheng read out the silver that was requested to be left in the memorial, and Wei Guangde smiled.

"Yes, maybe the soldiers in Zhejiang have abundant pay, but they should all be in the Governor's Court of Hu Zongxian. In other places, soldiers who don't get silver will not obey orders.

By the way, Shandai, I heard that if you don't get silver before you go to war, the military households are unwilling to go to war. Is it true?"

When Wei Guangde heard this, he knew that Zhang Juzheng might have really had contact with some generals and began to know the actual situation of the Ming army.

In fact, these silvers are not rewards, but to make up for the previously arrears of military pay.

Soldiers go out to fight, and their lives are uncertain, so they naturally want to leave some money for their families.

The Ming army actually has no pensions, only rewards. If someone dies, the family will fill the vacancy and continue to serve as a soldier and eat food. It's just that there are some silver and compensation for burning and burying, but it is indeed not a pension.

Wei Guangde explained what he knew to Zhang Juzheng, so that Zhang Juzheng also knew the plight of the lower-level military households now. Perhaps in the future, when this person becomes the master of this era like history, he will consider solving some problems of military households.

Wei Guangde did not mention the matter of the deputy general of Liaoyang. He just wanted to see how Zhang Juzheng would operate and whether he could succeed in the end.

After all, the level of deputy general is not something that can be decided by the Ministry of War or the Cabinet. In the end, it still needs the approval of Emperor Jiajing.

Today, there are two memorials surrounding Xu Jie. Xu Jie also submitted a memorial to request to be a cabinet minister. It is unknown who Emperor Jiajing will let go.

At least in Wei Guangde's opinion, Yan Ne, Guo Pu and Li Chunfang have similar chances. After all, cabinet ministers do not have to be selected from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel. The two ministers also have a chance.

Early the next morning, news came from the West Garden that Xu Jie's memorial made Emperor Jiajing very unhappy.

To be honest, Wei Guangde was still very surprised to see this news. After all, Xu Jie's proposal was in line with convention. Now there are only two cabinet ministers left in the cabinet.

"What did His Majesty say in the memorial?"

Wei Guangde handed the note to Zhang Juzheng and turned to Yin Shizhan and asked.

"I don't know. It's not written there. I should have heard it when His Majesty gave instructions yesterday afternoon or evening. But it's almost time. The memorial should be returned to the cabinet at this point. We will know then."

Yin Shizhen was also a little confused. He didn't understand what was taboo about such a memorial.

"The emperor's heart is hard to predict."

Zhang Juzheng read the news and listened to Yin Shizhen's words, and just casually replied.

At about noon, the news from the cabinet came. Emperor Jiajing personally gave instructions, "You know, there are people who are willing to assist in the administration, why don't you report it."

It is said that Xu Jie and Yuan Wei in the cabinet decided to leave it like this after discussion. If the emperor doesn't want to add people, then don't add them. Anyway, they have already asked for instructions.

Yin Shizhen, Wei Guangde and others didn't think there was anything wrong, but Tang Ruji had a different view.

Thinking that since it is a convention, His Majesty should also abide by it. How can he be so perfunctory.

Why is there a custom of three to four people in the cabinet? Isn't it because of the need to gather the wisdom of all parties? If there are only two people in the cabinet, even if they are "co-conscience assisting the government" as Your Majesty said, it is inevitable that there will be times when they are not thinking properly.

If the first memorial fails, the cabinet should submit the second and third memorials.

Wei Guangde didn't say anything in person, but just looked at Tang Ruji with a look of idiot.

In fact, the fact that there were only two cabinet ministers in the Jiajing Dynasty was not a new thing. It had already appeared before, perhaps for the convenience of management or the emperor just wanted to place obedient people in the cabinet.

Co-conscience assisting the government actually means listening to the emperor.

Such instructions are actually good for Xu Jie and Yuan Wei. Although there are more things to do, the relative power is also concentrated and will not be dispersed to a third person.

However, Zhang Juzheng was not very happy that the teacher benefited, because Zhang Yi's impeachment memorial also had a result.

Due to the impeachment, the imperial edict deprived Governor Yang Xuan of one month's salary, Governor Ji Cheng and General Wu Ying of two months each, and Yang Zhao was promoted to Deputy General of Liaoyang.