Reincarnation of the powerful minister

In the last half year of Emperor Jinglong's reign, he changed the daily court meeting to the third, sixth, and ninth day of every ten days, and Emperor Qinghe continued this system.So from the emperor to the ministers, everyone was relieved from the tension of getting up at the second watch, gathering at the third watch, and going to court at the fourth watch every day, and everyone was happy.

On the 23rd of the first month of the second year of Qinghe, before the atmosphere of jubilant spring break had dissipated, at the Fengtianmen court meeting, Su Yan, the second assistant who returned to the head of the pavilion, was ushered in with great attention.

——It’s actually not appropriate to say “principal”. There is also the first assistant on top of the second assistant.

However, Yang Ting, who succeeded Li Chengfeng as chief assistant, was originally easy-going and gentle. After experiencing a series of chilling incidents such as the queen mother murdering the crown prince in order to seize power, and Xie and Jiang setting up a bureau to exclude Su Yan, Yang Ting's love for him The treacherous officialdom is even more tiresome, and from time to time he sighs that "the field will not return", as if to retreat bravely.

The emperor Zhu Helin was aware of this, and he was unwilling to let Yang Ting leave. Although this person was a bit gentle, he was also upright. In the cabinet, Xie Shiyan and Jiang Chunnian, who were full of small bellies, could be restrained, so that the family would not become dominant; Secondly, he was also one of Emperor Jinglong's most important ministers. He once had a real will, and at a critical moment, he tried his best to turn the tide and help bring down the Empress Dowager.So the emperor had a private chat with him, expressing the meaning of "the imperial court needs you, and I also need you".

Yang Ting hesitated between letting go and noticing.Every time Shi Yan joins forces with Jiang Chunnian to provoke troubles, and when he can't hold back because he is too kind, he thinks it's better to go back.But when the assistant minister Yu Chezhi repeatedly advised him to "put the highest priority on the court, do your best, and don't owe the king's kindness", most of his hard-won determination was lost again.

Until Su Yan returned to the court, Yang Ting stood in front of Fengtian Gate, watching the young cabinet scholar wearing a third-rank court uniform, walking across the Jinshui Bridge calmly, and the officials on both sides bowed and cupped their hands, and praised: "Old Su Ge can be regarded as Back to Beijing!"

"In the past few months, I, Da Ming, have won many victories against Beimo, and the Jingbei Army has won successive battles, all thanks to Su Xianghui's eye for knowing people."

"I'm ashamed. I impeached His Royal Highness King Yu for arbitrarily exercising military power and eradicating dissidents before. Fortunately, the old man of Su Ge saw the truth and returned His Highness King Yu's innocence."

"Now that the Wang clan's bandits are making trouble, Master Su has to take the initiative to promote a few more capable generals like Qi Jingtang, so that we can wipe out the bandits as soon as possible and restore the peace of the country."

"..."

The limelight of his first assistant has now been snatched away by Su Yan, a junior assistant, but Yang Ting has no dissatisfaction in his heart. Instead, he feels relieved that "Li Shoufu has successors".

It was at this moment that his hesitant mind finally became clear, and he leaned towards the side of "treat the righteous and live with the virtuous".

Seeing Yang Ting from a distance, Su Yan quickly walked forward to salute, and said with a smile, "I haven't seen you for a few months, but Mr. Shoufu is as handsome as ever. I have been to Northern Xinjiang for the past few months, and I heard that the government and the public are troubled, but when I came back, I found that the situation is stable. It seems that with Lord Shoufu as the mainstay sitting in the town, there will be no disturbances."

"Don't dare to do it, it's the emperor's sage, and he handles everything fairly." Yang Ting patted Su Yan's arm, showing a relieved smile, "You don't have to call this 'Master Shoufu' soon."

Su Yan was stunned, then changed his mind and said, "That's right, it's too natural. I should call him 'Master Uncle'."

Yang Ting was once a student of Li Chengfeng, the former Chief Assistant and Secretary of the Ministry of Officials, and Zhuo Qi, Su Yan's first teacher, was also Li Chengfeng's beloved student, so this "Uncle Master" is absolutely correct in terms of seniority.

Yang Ting was also taken aback by this "Master Uncle", and laughed: "It's really... no wonder you are likable. Do you know that on the day Li Shoufu returned to his hometown after returning to his official position, he also told me about the paper you used in the exam papers?" That poem, 'The talented people come out from generation to generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years', now that I think about it, it is indeed the truth!"

Su Yan was so praised that his face became hot, and he waved his hands repeatedly.

"Hmm!" Someone behind him coughed heavily.

Su Yan turned his head and saw that it was an acquaintance whom he hadn't seen for a long time.Living Zhulang Linghu was looking at him solemnly and said: "Beware of arrogance and impetuosity. I remember what you said to me yourself, 'Don't forget the original intention, forge ahead'."

"Be taught, be taught," Su Yan smiled and cupped his hands, "My lord historian has a pen like a rafter, but you must be merciful to my little problems!"

The three laughed together.

Qi Jingtang, who was promoted with Su Yan, became Yu Chezhi, the left servant of the Ministry of War; Chu Qiu, who was newly promoted to be the censor of the right capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate; Zhao Shizhen, a doctor of firearms department of Tiangong Academy; Cui Jinping, the general judge who returned to Beijing temporarily for the "Hajj inspection"... Like-minded officials gradually gathered around Su Yan, exchanging friendly greetings, and finally gathered 50 people.

Looking down from the high steps of the Fengtian Temple, this group of officials centered on Su Yan seems to be a brand-new nebula gradually forming in the sky, which will bloom brilliantly on the political stage of Daming.

This centripetal cohesion made the emperor's commendation of Su Cifu, who had made great achievements again, in the following court meeting just icing on the cake.

As for the second assistant, Xie Shiyan, who had always held back his anger towards Su Yan, now that he was getting more and more powerful, he was almost out of anger... There was no other way, the five members of the cabinet, and the other two, including the first assistant, had completely fallen for Su Yan. , he and his assistant minister Jiang Chunnian were alone and weak, and they had greatly lost face for Su Yan's support of the sedan chair before, but now they can only pinch their noses and turn their heads away.

After the disintegration of the dynasty, the emperor summoned all the cabinet ministers to discuss matters in the imperial study.

A huge map of the Central Plains spread out on the desktop.Zhu Helin signaled Fu Bao to read the latest military report submitted by Qi Jingtang, and said to the cabinet ministers: "The bandit army burned the tanks and marched northward. The scope of their battles ranged from Bazhou in the north to Tangyin in the south, and their front reached the area near Beijing. .”

"It's so close to the capital?!" Xie Shiyan's face changed when he heard that.

Jiang Chunnian, who stuttered a little, was startled, and stuttered even more: "Qi, Qi Jingtang, the admiral who supervised military affairs...why did he fail to beg, beg for thieves? Didn't he, he was very good at dealing with Liao, Liao lunatics..."

Yu Chezhi was impatient to hear him blame Qi Jingtang, and interrupted directly: "The bandit army divides up to contain our army. When we break through one by one, they work together inside and outside to break through. It is really difficult to deal with. Besides, the local guards are not strong enough. , This is also an inherent chronic disease, not to mention the lack of morale in the army, and the lack of complete military equipment. How can General Qi improve his combat power in a short period of time? In my opinion, it is better to transfer elite cavalry from Xuanfu, Datong, and Liaodong. I will lead it myself, and I will be the horns of General Qi."

Yang Ting was a little hesitant: "But at the end of the minister's year, he suffered from an old injury, and he has not healed so far. He barely leads the troops into battle. I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to fight for a long time. It's better to find another good general."

"Lian Po is old and good at food, I haven't reached the age to take off my armor!" Yu Chezhi said in a hurry, his breath touched the old arrow wound in his lungs, and he couldn't help bending over and coughing violently.Yang Ting patted his back and persuaded him kindly: "Young Minister Yu, take care, take good care of your body, it won't be too late to fight again."

Zhu Helin said in a deep voice: "Moving the frontier army to hunt down the thieves is a good way. But right now Beimo is eyeing a tiger, and I'm worried that once they realize that the frontier defense force is weakened, they will take the opportunity to invade. At that time, I will face the enemy from the front and back, and the situation will be even more critical."

As he said that, he couldn't help stealing a look at Su Yan——

He had read Altan's letter of credence, but he didn't believe that the other party really had the intention of peace talks, so he threw it in a drawer without replying, and he didn't announce it to the courtiers, intending to wait and see.It's just that he hasn't discussed this matter with Qinghe yet. I don't know if Qinghe will be unhappy to see that the credentials he brought back from thousands of miles have been put on the shelf?

At this moment, Su Yan was leaning over to study the map on the desktop, and he didn't seem to notice this.

However, Yang Ting paid special attention to Su Yan, and after considering it, he said, "The bandit army is approaching the capital, and it is just at a critical moment. What good plan does Mr. Su Ge have?"

While thinking about the marching routes of the enemy and us marked on the map, Su Yan replied without raising his head: "I don't think the Wang brothers can reach the capital. They can't even break through the defense line of the capital."

Xie Shiyan seized every opportunity to put eye drops on him: "Old Su Ge has never led an army to fight, so he dares to make such a conclusion. Could it be that he relies on talking on paper?"

Su Yan asked back: "Mr. Xie Ge thinks that there are only three battalions of 'five armies, three thousand, and heavenly secrets' for the defense of Gyeonggi? The emperor's own army has 26 guards, a total of 20 people. Is it not as powerful as the three battalions?"

Xie Shiyan was taken aback, and looked at the emperor.

Zhu Helin spoke immediately, and there was still a sense of excitement in his voice: "My relatives can go into battle, and if the bandits attack Gyeonggi, I will also drive my relatives—"

The word "Zheng" has not yet been uttered, Su Yan turned his head and stared at him: "Each of the 26 guards has a commander, and among them at least [-] guards can be dispatched to fight in the capital, and it is enough for Mr. Yuge to take command, why bother the emperor to drive himself to conquer? Does the emperor despise those of us who are ministers and cannot share the worries for the king?"

The royal conquest is the pain point of all the cabinet ministers. No matter how big their differences are, they have united the front at this moment, looking at the emperor in unison, with a bright expression on their faces - if the emperor does not take back his words, the ministers will kneel down Remonstrance!

Zhu Helin was defeated by Su Yan, and the urge to lead the army to fight and show off his glory suddenly withered, coughed dryly, and immediately changed the tone: "I want to drive to the gate tower of the capital to boost the morale of the army .”

Only then did Su Yan smile in satisfaction, and turned to Xie Shiyan: "Mr. Xie Ge has doubts about my reasoning, so I might as well explain it to you. Come, come, sit down and listen."

He seemed to put his hand on Xie Shiyan's shoulder enthusiastically, and pressed down hard.

What is the meaning of this kind of tone that greets students to sit down and listen to the lecture?Xie Shiyan didn't sit down, but arrogantly closed her eyes and folded her hands.

Su Yan turned his head and asked the emperor: "The emperor is sympathetic to the ministers who have been standing for a long time, can you give me a seat?" After the emperor nodded, he said again, "Oh, Mr. Xie Ge doesn't want to sit, so he stands alone, let's sit."

This time it was not just listening to the lecture, it was more like being punished to stand, and he was the only one punished to stand.Xie Shiyan had no choice but to sit on a nearby chair.

Mr. Xie Ge didn't seem to realize that he had already been led by the nose.Yang Ting shook his head slightly, and sat down with a smile.

Su Yan took a sip from the teacup, and said solemnly: "The capital is heavily guarded, and the Wang brothers come from grassroots backgrounds. Although they have the shrewdness and cunning of small people, they lack the vision and courage of those who achieve great things. As long as they encounter a wall in the capital, they will die We will retreat in the face of difficulties, turn around and go south and east, and continue the guerrilla warfare, trying to drag down our troops and empty the treasury from the elongated front."

Among the cabinet ministers present, Yu Chezhi had the most combat experience. He had surrounded and suppressed Liao Crazy's rebellious army several times, and he nodded in agreement.

"According to what Qinghe said, how should the bandit army's strategy of stretching the front line be dealt with?" Zhu Helin asked.

Su Yandao: "Elder Yuge proposed to mobilize the frontier troops from Datong, Xuanfu and Liaodong to reinforce Qi Jingtang, and I agree. As for Beimo, you adults don't have to worry too much—" He looked at Zhu Helin with a look in his eyes Doubt and urging, "Maybe there is another way out."

"In addition, Xie Ge's old saying that the minister is talking about soldiers on paper is not pure slander. The minister really has no experience in leading troops in war, and at most he has only supervised the army."

Isn't it "pure slander", that is half slander?Xie Shiyan was not angry, and was about to speak up to refute, but was interrupted by Su Yan.

"But Chen agrees with General Qi Jingtang Qi's strategy of 'blocking from all sides and following up' proposed by General Qi in the military newspaper. Aren't rabbits good at running? Then block all the roads around them, and nest after nest. Flattening. The most, key, key, is-"

After Su Yan finished speaking forcefully, he paused for a few seconds, whetting everyone's appetite, before continuing: "The rebel army must not be allowed to establish an armed base!"

"Armed base?"

"It is the center of military command. Once a base is established, it will gather people's hearts, obtain resources, preserve and develop combat power. Just like a pond of floating weeds, it is not terrible to cover the entire pond, because there is no foundation, so it takes more effort It can be salvaged. If they take root in the soil, absorb nutrients from the earth, and let them grow into a forest with a huge root system, then it will really become a climate!"

"So I think that we can combine the proposals of Mr. Ge and General Qi to send an additional admiral to lead the frontier army dispatched to suppress the bandits, and to cooperate with General Qi to intercept and divide the rebellious army. Let the rebellious army have a chance to build a base. In addition, increase the amount of money, food, ordnance, and hand over a batch of improved firearms newly developed by the Tiangong Institute to Qi Jingtang. Tell the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Households not to be reluctant to let the bloodlet. , and thought that horses don’t eat grass, how can there be such a good thing in the world?”

Qi Jingtang privately handed the letter of help to Su Yan, which is now lying in his sleeve, together with the three bottles of Rejuvenation Pill, which made him laugh and cry, because it was just received before the court meeting, and it was too late to go back to the house to deal with it.

His analysis and countermeasures were as quick as cutting through the mess. He not only cleared up his thinking, but also learned from others' strengths. Now even Xie Shiyan had nothing to refute, and buried his head in drinking tea to show that he did not object.

After much deliberation, Jiang Chunnian was still uneasy, and asked, "So, so Mr. Su Ge thinks that Beijing and the capital are completely safe and secure?"

"No." Su Yan shook his head, "I'm just saying that the Wang brothers don't have the ability and courage to go to the city. Perhaps the crisis of the capital should not be on Wang Wu and Wang Chen, but on something else."

"Where should it be?"

"It's not clear yet. But players who are used to playing multi-way chess must have other players behind them. Be careful. The defense of the capital and the capital area must be further strengthened and must not be relaxed."

After Su Yan finished speaking, he remembered that there is still a need for etiquette in public, so he got up and saluted Zhu Helin: "It's my humble opinion, whether it is suitable or not, depends on the emperor's decision."

Zhu Helin made a final decision: "Since all the ministers have no objection, let's do it. Mr. Yang Ge, please draw up a specific edict, and I will use it after reviewing it and issue it to you. Mr. Yu Ge, which military towns and how many troops should be allocated, and The candidates for the new admiral are all up to you to preliminarily decide. Draw up a few lists for me to choose. Mr. Xie Ge and Mr. Jiang Ge, the two ministers of the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Households, you two are responsible for talking through it, and tell them to cover their pockets so tightly , I will dig it out myself. Mr. Su Ge—”

Su Yan pricked up his ears to listen to his division of labor.As a result, the emperor paused for a while, and smiled at him meaningfully: "Follow me to Fengxian Hall, there are other important matters."