Chapter 695 794 Lectures

As the year draws to a close, the court has become increasingly strict in its expenditure management, and basically no new projects will be approved.

As Tan Lun proposed, if it is just to promote the garrison officer of Shanhaiguan, it is not a big problem, but it involves recruiting soldiers and increasing expenses. At least it will be next year, and the cabinet may agree.

However, the construction of the watchtower will definitely be rejected now. Perhaps if it is submitted next year, the chance will be greater, and the silver and money will have to be paid by Jizhen.

Wei Guangde thought of this and then said: "The matter of Shanhaiguan can be submitted. I can talk to the cabinet, but it is better to wait for the matter of the watchtower.

By the way, I heard that Zhao Bingran, the governor of Ji and Liao, was ill. Did you go to see him this time? Is it really serious?"

Wei Guangde said what he was thinking, and suddenly thought of Tan Lun's next position, so he asked.

"Anyone who has served as a governor in the north will have some problems.

Lord Zhao has an old cough, but it has worsened since the beginning of autumn this year, and he coughs all night.

I asked the doctor, Lord Zhao's illness is difficult to treat, basically this is it.

He had twice petitioned to return home but was rejected, and this third petition should probably be sent to the capital."

Tan Lun replied.

"Brother Zili, take a few days off, and discuss the review with Yuan Jing as soon as possible. The Zhejiang soldiers will set off after the New Year and should arrive in the capital before March.

And you, it seems that you may go to the governor of Ji and Liao at any time to take over Zhao Bingran's position."

Wei Guangde nodded.

Tan Lun knew that his transfer to the Ministry of War was only temporary, just to prepare to take over Zhao Bingran at any time.

It's just that the job on hand was temporarily arranged by Wei Guangde, and the original intention was to help him accumulate some merits and show his face in front of the emperor.

"Okay, at least there is no rush at this moment. So many years have passed. As for the matter of the pier, I will wait until I find out the matter of Ji Liao before I report it. In addition to writing a petition tomorrow, I will also report the matter of Shanhaiguan."

Tan Lun made the decision, mainly because the court had no money, otherwise he would not be so hesitant to do things.

At the end of the second year of Longqing, before the closure of the government office, the six ministries and other government offices all submitted their work summaries for this year. Only the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate were very busy during this period because they had to evaluate officials.

Wei Guangde and other cabinet ministers were also considering writing self-reports, talking about what they had done this year, and finally modestly said that they were not worthy of their positions, hoping that the emperor would dismiss them and replace them with capable people to lead the country better.

Of course, no one would take this kind of self-report seriously. It was all customary. Emperor Longqing would not take advantage of the situation to kill people he didn't like. They would just say a few words and then reward them.

On the first day of the first month of the third year of Longqing, Emperor Longqing performed the ceremony of worshipping the heaven and paid homage to the Fengxian Hall in the palace. Emperor Shizong held a few banquets in the Hongxiao and Shenxiao Halls. After the ceremony, Emperor Longqing went to the Huangji Hall again. The civil and military officials and the tribute envoys of the four barbarians performed the celebration ceremony. He was exempted from the announcement and the banquet for all officials, and was given money for the festival.

In the first year of Longqing, Altan Khan led his troops to break through the pass and plundered Shanxi.

However, since the end of the year, the Xuanfu Army, led by Ma Fang, has continuously attacked and raided, defeated many Mongolian tribes, and caused heavy losses to Altan's tribe.

In the second year of Longqing, the Xuanfu Army continued to attack. The Datong Army was influenced by the Xuanfu Army and began to tentatively go out of the pass under the leadership of the general Zhao Ke. It was said that it was to attack the enemy cavalry or to attack the grass and valley. Anyway, in Xuanfu and Datong, the Ming army went out of the pass from time to time, forcing the Mongolian tribes grazing here to choose to stay away.

During this period, the Altan tribe could only choose to launch small-scale attacks near the border wall. Throughout the year, the border fortress, which had been alarming for years, finally calmed down.

At the beginning of the third year of Longqing, the Datong Army reported good news. Datong General Zhao Ke led his troops out of Hongci Fort again and encountered captives. He fought and defeated them, captured and killed 170 people, and seized 85 horses and cattle. Chen Qixue, the governor of Xuanda and the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, reported it to the emperor.

After seeing this victory report, Emperor Longqing was very happy. In order to reward his merits, he rewarded Zhao Ke with 40 taels of silver, two pieces of silk, and one son with a thousand households.

Chen Qixue, the governor of Xuanda, gave one son to study at the Imperial Academy, and promoted Datong Governor Liu You to the first level of salary. Zhao Peng, the first meritorious centurion in this battle, commanded Dang Xiu to the second level of salary, and deputy general Ma Jin and others to the first level. You and Liu Zhimeng, the assistant, and Yang Yumao, the doctor, were still rewarded with different silver coins.

Because of seeing this battle report, Emperor Longqing remembered the grand review he decided to prepare last year.

Therefore, Emperor Longqing summoned Wei Guangde alone to learn about the preparations for the review.

To be honest, Emperor Longqing was still looking forward to the review, hoping to see the majestic and heroic appearance of the Ming army.

"Your Majesty, this review will select about 110,000 soldiers, including 10,000 elite border troops from the Nine Borders and Liaodong.

The Beijing camp will select 50,000 soldiers, and Jizhou, Changping, Baoding, and Shandong will select a total of about 60,000 soldiers to participate."

The soldiers are still training in various places and have not been concentrated, so naturally there is no rehearsal. After all, it is still early, so Wei Guangde has not seen it in person.

Now that Emperor Longqing asked, Wei Guangde could only tell everything he knew first.

"Oh, Qi Jiguang only transferred officers and soldiers closer to the capital to the Beijing camp for unified training, and the others were just sent to supervise."

After listening to Wei Guangde's words, Emperor Longqing thought for a moment before continuing: "Remember this matter, the court should make early plans, allocate military rations, and let the participating officers and soldiers go to the capital as soon as possible to participate in unified training.

Shandai, you should also visit the military camp more often, and point out any deficiencies in time."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, except for the border troops who will arrive at the Beijing camp a few days before the grand review, all other troops will arrive a month in advance to participate in the grand review.

At that time, the minister will go over to watch the drill. If there are any problems, he will discuss them with Shilang Tan and General Qi and solve them in time. "

Wei Guangde said hurriedly, but seeing the excitement and worry in Emperor Longqing's eyes, he guessed his mentality.

That is, until the last moment, I am still worried about whether I will screw up.

During this grand parade, the Ming Dynasty notified almost all the foreign countries that still had contact and invited them to come and watch the ceremony.

The Grand Parade Ceremony has not been held in the Ming Dynasty for nearly a hundred years.

The emperor's uneasiness seemed understandable to Wei Guangde.

"Originally, I planned to go to the Beijing Camp to see what the more than 70,000 people trained by General Qi were like when I had free time in the next few days.

I heard that soldiers from Zhejiang Province also arrived a few days ago. I also want to see what the Qi family's army looks like when they fight in the south of the Yangtze River. If your Majesty is interested, why not go with me to see it first? "

Wei Guangde knew that the Zhejiang soldiers had arrived in the capital two days ago and were staying in the capital camp. He originally planned to find time to go there and open his eyes and see what the world-famous Qi family army was like.

Now seeing Emperor Longqing's expression, Wei Guangde simply suggested that the emperor go and see it with him.

"hiss"

Emperor Longqing was obviously moved after hearing Wei Guangde's words. He opened his mouth, but did not agree.

After a while, Emperor Longqing said: "It's better for Shandai to go take a look first and observe for me what the Qi family army is like."

Having said this, Emperor Longqing raised the corners of his mouth with a smile and said: "I have also heard of the name of the Qi Family Army before. I heard that this army fought with Japanese pirates. In a battle, usually no more than ten people would be killed. Most of them were The number of three or five people is really unbelievable compared to the hundreds of people killed in other guard posts.”

"Haha, I also heard about this, so I am very curious."

Wei Guangde smiled and said: "When I went south on my mission, the Qi family army was still not famous. I didn't expect it to become so famous in just a few years.

I will definitely go to the military camp in a few days to carefully explore their truth and truth, and then truthfully report to His Majesty what I have learned. "

"So best."

Emperor Longqing chuckled, but his face immediately turned serious and he continued: "If Shan Lian is here, it would be best to ask Shilang Tan about the Da Yue Notes.

I have taken the time to read the records of several grand parades after Yongle. Although the terms "the military appearance is neat", "the steps are uniform", "the soldiers are brightly colored", "the envoys of all countries were shocked" are often used, there are not many specific details. The Ministry of Rites Have you and the Ministry of War still not reached an agreement on the ceremony and notes for the parade? "

It is also interesting to say that the military parade itself has something to do with the Ministry of War, but because it has existed since ancient times, it is necessary for the Ministry of Rites to "somewhat refer to the ancient system and take into account the time" and work with the Ministry of War to formulate a detailed set of military parade etiquette.

Regarding the Grand Parade, the Ministry of War was very active. After all, it was Wei Guangde, the youngest cabinet minister, and Tan Lun, the minister of the Ministry of War, who promoted this matter. However, the Ministry of Rites did not appear to be very active.

After Emperor Longqing decided to hold a grand review, shortly after the edict was promulgated, Luo Wenli from the Nanjing Criminal Bureau took the lead in writing a review, saying, "The grand review of ancient rituals is not urgent at present, so there is no need to look up to the Holy Master."

As a result, some officials were prompted to file reports and oppose the holding of the military parade for various reasons.

However, Wei Guangde ignored these objections. He was not the only one who supported this matter. Even Zhang Juzheng, who was opposite him, actually had this intention. As for Li Chunfang, Chen Yiqin and others, they would no longer object after Emperor Longqing clearly expressed their interest.

The memorials submitted by these officials who opposed the Great Review seemed to Wei Guangde more like an attempt to express their presence in front of Emperor Longqing.

It's just that most of these people are not officials in the capital, and they don't know that the emperor has clearly approved it. Not only do their memorials not get what they want, but they will cause the emperor to be dissatisfied with them.

"On the matter of etiquette, I will go to the meeting to urge the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War to complete the negotiation as soon as possible."

Wei Guangde smiled and continued: "Actually, there have been similar notes for the Great Reading of the Kingdom of China for a long time, but they were sealed at the bottom of the box because they had not been used for a long time. I remember that when I was in the Hanlin Academy, I was lucky enough to see one in the library during the Yongle period. Notes from the Great Reading.

I will ask people to find all these when I go back today, and then contact the officials of the second department to complete the matter as soon as possible. "

"That's very good."

Emperor Longqing nodded, very satisfied with today's summons.

After Wei Guangde left the palace, he secretly wiped away the cold sweat. He had really forgotten about the grand review.

The Ministry of War had negotiated with the Ministry of Personnel several times, but the Ministry of Rites always excused it on the grounds that they were still checking the classics. He still knew about this matter.

But to be honest, Wei Guangde never paid attention to it, because he had actually read a commentary on the Grand Reading, so of course he considered the rules set down in that ceremony as the blueprint for today's Grand Reading.

The so-called rituals that officials from the Ministry of Rites boasted about being extremely cautious were actually a set of rules that were re-established by officials from the Ministry of Rites after reading records in ancient books at the time of the founding of the People's Republic of China. All subsequent activities were actually copied from them, with just a few modifications and polishes. , there is nothing mysterious or solemn about it.

Wei Guangde has stayed in the Ministry of Rites for a long time, and he has long been familiar with the tricks of the Ministry of Rites.

Perhaps because they have too little real power, the officials of the Ministry of Rites like to play tricks, or pretend to be aloof, and follow "rules" in everything.

But he couldn't say anything. He did the same thing when he was a minister in the Ministry of Rites, and everyone was actually the same.

After returning to the cabinet, Wei Guangde immediately sent a note to Gao Yi and Huo Ji, agreeing to discuss the review of the ceremony in the Ministry of Rites in three days, and he would also attend.

The three-day appointment was made to avoid being stood up by the Ministry of Rites again.

If you want to check the classics, then find them for me within these three days, and don't say that you didn't find this, didn't see that, and continue to shirk responsibility.

"Those people in the Ministry of Rites are really something. They just organized a review to boost the morale of the Ming army, but some people actually thought it was a signal to raise the status of military generals again."

Wei Guangde went home after leaving the court, and was still thinking about this while sitting in the sedan chair.

On the second day, not long after staying in the cabinet, someone outside reported that Gao Yi, the Minister of Rites, had arrived at the cabinet and was now on duty in the room of the Prime Minister Li Chunfang, and asked Wei Guangde to go over.

I had just sent a note to Gao Yi yesterday, and today he came to the door. Wei Guangde was still wondering in his heart, is it worth it for him to go to Li Chunfang for such a matter?

When Wei Guangde passed by, he met Yin Shizhen on the way. When he was about to reach the door, he saw Zhang Juzheng in front of him. It seemed that the whole cabinet was alarmed, so when he stepped into the door, his face was not very happy.

"Zhengfu, Shandai, you also come and take a look. This is the memorial of Shangshu Gao. Yifu and I have read it. Tell me what you think after reading it."

At this time, Zhang Juzheng, who stepped into the door, was flipping through a memorial in his hand, which was obviously written by Shangshu Gao mentioned by Li Chunfang.

Wei Guangde saluted to others first, then walked to Zhang Juzheng and sat down, waiting for him to finish reading.

However, Yin Shizhen seemed to be impatient and asked, "What is the big event that the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan reported today? Uncle Da is still reading it, why not tell me directly, I am a little impatient to explore it."

"Haha, it is indeed a big event for the country."

Gao Yi just laughed, but did not say the matter directly as he wished, but was a little vague.

Wei Guangde knew that Gao Yi came to the cabinet today not because of the note he sent yesterday, so his face looked better, but he was also surprised that he hadn't heard that the Ministry of Rites had been instigating any major events recently.

Wei Guangde was not working as a minister in the Ministry of Rites for nothing. Naturally, he had gathered a group of subordinates in the Ministry of Rites, and they would pass on information about any major or minor events in the Ministry of Rites to him.

However, when he returned home yesterday, including the past few days, he didn't seem to see any subordinates from the Ministry of Rites sending him anything.

At this time, Zhang Juzheng had finished reading the memorial, raised his head and glanced at Wei Guangde, showing a smile, and then handed the memorial to Yin Shizhe, leaning towards Wei Guangde and said, "It seems that you and I are related."

"What's the matter?"

Wei Guangde asked suspiciously.

Just when he thought it was not his business, he didn't expect Zhang Juzheng to say it was related to him the next moment.

"The Grand Master of the Imperial Clan requested the prince to go out of the cabinet to give lectures"

Zhang Juzheng said in a seemingly calm tone.