The Prosperous Era of Longwan

The Secretary of the Ministry of War, Yang Bo, wrote a eloquent memorial. In fact, he said three things. First, he reiterated his orders to the governors and reiterated that they should eradicate the rebels. Second, he recommended the imperial censor Ke Guyan and Tan Lun, who had returned to his hometown to keep the system, to be responsible for the suppression of the rebels.

The most important thing is that he proposed a new strategy to encircle and suppress Zhang Lian's rebel thieves, which was to concentrate elite troops and strong generals to attack Zhang Lian's lair. That is, "if you attack him, you will save him, and the thieves will be involved. If you take care of the chaos, you can quell it."

"Shandai, do you think Yang Shangshu's strategy is feasible?"

Now among the people in Prince Yu's Mansion, who knows the most about military affairs is of course Wei Guangde. Therefore, after Prince Yu's Mansion learned about the contents of Yang Bo's letter, Prince Yu immediately asked Wei Guangde for his opinion.

Wei Guangde was still thinking about it at the moment. He didn't pay attention to the first two things Yang Bo mentioned, but he still felt that the last strategy to suppress thieves was feasible.

He had never thought about how to exterminate Zhang Lian's thieves before. He just felt that he could not know the actual situation of the Fujian thieves in the capital. He could only come up with corresponding strategies when he went to the front line and understood the real situation.

"Your Highness, I think so."

Wei Guangde spoke a few words and then paused because he hadn't thought about it yet.

After thinking for a while, he nodded, looked at King Yu and said, "Yang Shangshu's strategy should be a good one.

Although the Fujian thieves were rampant and captured countless cities, large and small, in just a few months, they lacked a foundation for rule and the people's hearts were still towards the imperial court. "

This is not what Wei Guangde said randomly. Regardless of the court's policies that led to the people's deprivation of life, the people's customs are simple and honest. It has been more than a hundred years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. In the hearts of the people, it is undoubtedly orthodox, and thieves will always be thieves.

"The strategy proposed by Yang Shangshu is actually to ignore their strong troops outside and concentrate their elite troops to capture the Fujian thieves' nest. By then, the thieves outside will really become wandering thieves.

As Yang Shangshu said, the Fujian thieves will come back with all their strength. If they ambush them halfway, they will definitely win a complete victory.

After wiping out these strong soldiers of the Fujian thieves, the remaining ones are just the old and the weak, and they will no longer be what they are now. When the officers and soldiers arrive, it will not be possible to quell the Fujian thieves. "

When Wei Guangde expressed his analysis, Prince Yu, Yin Shizhen, and Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but nod.

From the beginning, they were frightened by the crazy expansion of Zhang Lian's rebels. They felt as if the Jiangnan army and the rebels were on the verge of collapse. A few days ago, they heard that the Zhejiang Army Qi Jiguang's troops had defeated the rebels, and the entire Prince Yu's Palace was happy. Incredible.

So when I first saw Yang Bo's strategy, no matter how strong the rebels were outside and attacked the nest, I instinctively felt that it was impossible to succeed. The soldiers and horses left by the rebels in the nest must be the most elite, and it would not be so easy to succeed in a sneak attack.

Now listening to the meaning of Wei Guangde's words, the sneak attack on the nest was just to attract the rebels to come back for reinforcements. They would ambush them halfway, so the chance of winning would naturally be greater.

Wei Guangde doesn't believe in strong soldiers. In his opinion, soldiers and horses are actually about the same, it just depends on how they are used. This is also influenced by Yu Dayou.

The people in Prince Yu's Mansion had heard in detail about Wei Guangde's process of directing the war in Xuan Mansion, luring the enemy deep, and encircling them for reinforcements. He kept talking about these tricks. They were all just bragging by him, but after hearing that in Prince Yu's Mansion, In everyone's ears, this is the strategy of war.

When they heard Wei Guangde talking about luring the rebels to return for reinforcements and ambush them, they naturally thought of what Wei Guangde had said about "encircling the point for reinforcements", and naturally thought it was a clever plan.

King Yu, Yin Shizhen, also read "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and admired Zhuge Liang's "ingenious tricks" very much.

"That's good, that's good."

King Yu reacted first and clapped his hands.

Zhang Juzheng stroked his beautiful beard and nodded. Thinking about it, Yang Shangshu would definitely be able to convince his teacher to support this strategy. As for Yan Shoufu, he wouldn't object to it either.

In fact, Yan Song was quite capable and not a fool, otherwise Emperor Jiajing would not have left the government affairs to him.

Sure enough, the next day, news came out in Xiyuan that Emperor Jiajing agreed with Yang Bo's memorial and wrote in the memorial: "The thieves are getting more and more rampant, the local officials are careless, bullying the sky and causing harm to the country, Hu Zongxian's The superintendent led the officers to carry out the campaign to suppress the enemy. If he still neglected to play and discussed the punishment, Gu Yan ordered the troops to be used with meritorious service. He also said that Lun Zhun would temporarily take over the troops from Zhejiang to kill the thieves."

"Your Majesty is still a saint."

After receiving the news, Wei Guangde flattered him a little.

Of course, he said this not in front of Emperor Jiajing, but in front of King Yu.

Even though Emperor Jiajing and Prince Yu seemed to be unrelated, the grudge hidden in their hearts in the past had disappeared when Emperor Jiajing asked Prince Jing to leave the capital and confirmed his position as prince.

Now King Yu, except that he has not received the imperial decree to confer the crown prince, has already enjoyed the power that only the prince can have.

Therefore, the current King Yu still felt very useful in complimenting Emperor Jiajing, and looked at Wei Guangde with a smile on his lips.

When the note reached Zhang Juzheng, he looked at it in a daze.

"What's wrong, uncle?"

Yin Shizhen noticed the abnormality in Zhang Juzheng's expression and asked curiously.

"Your Majesty's approval is a little too long."

Zhang Juzheng glanced at Yin Shizhen and replied.

"Is there anything wrong with Father's approval?"

King Yu was also aroused by Zhang Juzheng's words at this time and asked.

"Your Majesty, in his criticism, Your Majesty reprimanded local officials for being careless and causing harm to the country. This accusation is very serious."

Zhang Juzheng replied, and the note in his hand was also handed to King Yu as he spoke.

"Yeah, yeah."

King Yu took the note and read it again, murmuring.

Wei Guangde also understood clearly after being reminded by Zhang Juzheng. Under normal circumstances, it would be enough to say that a local official was slacking off, but using the words "deceiving God and harming the country" did seem to have an ulterior motive.

Thinking of this, Wei Guangde said unconsciously: "Your Majesty doesn't want to replace Jiangnan officials on a large scale, right?"

"Impossible. The situation in Jiangnan is so chaotic at this time. How can we replace officials at will? It will only make the situation worse."

Yin Shizhen shook his head and said.

"The tone is indeed serious."

At this time, King Yu had already looked away from the note and looked at everyone.

Everyone was silent, thinking about the meaning.

Suddenly, a light flashed in Wei Guangde's mind, and he seemed to have some realization. At the same time, a light flashed in Zhang Juzheng's eyes. The two of them looked at each other at the same time, and they both saw something in the other's expression.

"Have you thought of Shan Loan?"

Zhang Juzheng asked with a smile.

"Brother Uncle must have thought of it too."

Wei Guangde also replied with a smile.

"What did you think of?"

At this time, Prince Yu hadn't figured it out yet, but with these subordinate officials in Prince Yu's palace, there was no need for him to think about it.

"I just don't know, do we think the same thing?"

Zhang Juzheng glanced at King Yu, then said to Wei Guangde with a faint smile.

Wei Guangde pointed at the desk next to him, "You and I will write it down and see if it's consistent?"

"Great kindness."

Zhang Juzheng put his hands on his hands and laughed.

So, Wei Guangde and Zhang Juzheng each returned to their desks, wrote a few words on the rice paper on the table, put down their pens, picked up the rice paper and returned to the center of the room in front of King Yu.

Just now, King Yu and Yin Shizhen noticed that Wei Guangde and Zhang Juzheng did not write many words, only three or five words, and they seemed to have thought of it together.

Wei Guangde and Zhang Juzheng stood face to face, and then they opened the paper in their hands. They only saw the words "Ouyang Bijin" written on the paper Wei Guangde opened, while the words "Ouyang Bijin" were written on Zhang Juzheng's paper.

Although the words were completely different, the directions were the same, and the two couldn't help laughing loudly again.

However, Prince Yu and Yin Shizhen were somewhat silent at the moment.

They can understand the words on the paper. Considering the previous conversation between the two and the note in King Yu's hand, they certainly know what it means.

Emperor Jiajing seemed to want to change the Ministry of Civil Affairs, so he scolded local officials.

Most of the appointments of local officials come from the Ministry of Personnel. At least the Ministry of Personnel has the power to appoint and remove officials of the fourth and lower grades. They only need to report to Emperor Jiajing.

When local officials corrupt their administration, the officials will naturally be held responsible because they have improperly selected people.

"Who can fight for this position? Does Master Gao have a chance?"

At this time, King Yu, who had been frowning, suddenly asked.

Wei Guangde couldn't help but feel unhappy after hearing this. What King Yu was thinking about at all times was Gao Gong.

But before he could decide whether to answer or what to say, he heard Yin Shizhen's voice.

"I'm afraid it's a little difficult, Qing Su."

"Why?"

King Yu looked at Yin Shizhen and asked.

"Qing Su is now only the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, and most likely the two left ministers of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel."

Yin Shizhen replied decisively.

Wei Guangde nodded slightly, Yin Shizhen's statement was correct.

Promotion in the officialdom is usually a step-by-step promotion, and it is rare to reach the top in one step.

"Uncle, Shandai, what do you think?"

Although what Yin Shizhen said was conclusive, King Yu was still unwilling to give up and looked at Wei Guangde and Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng looked at everyone, and finally his eyes fell on Prince Yu, but he did not speak, but shook his head slightly.

After Wei Guangde saw Zhang Juzheng's statement, he was also thinking about what Emperor Jiajing was thinking.

He inadvertently recalled the news that Chen Ju had revealed to him, that Emperor Jiajing was planning to make a major change in the court, and that Chen Ju had also mentioned a few people who might be promoted.

Not to mention Yuan Wei, he has already reached the position of Minister of Rites. Counting the time, he will probably join the cabinet soon.

As for who else has the opportunity to move to the position of Minister?

Li Chunfang, Guo Pu, and Yan Na.

Li Chunfang is the youngest among the three, but he is already the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, while Yan Ne is the left minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and they both have the opportunity to be promoted to the rank of minister.

As for Guo Pu, who is a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, his actual position is as the head of Zhan Shifu. He is on the same level as the Vice Minister, so naturally he has a chance, but he seems to be ignored by everyone in the room.

In fact, if Chen Ju hadn't mentioned this person at the beginning, Wei Guangde wouldn't have paid much attention to him. Even though Wei Guangde was also working in Zhan Shifu, it was really a false position.

Even if Yin Shizhen, who is actually in charge of the economic affairs bureau, has nothing to do, he has almost nothing to do.

Under King Yu's earnest gaze, Wei Guangde just shook his head, and then said: "If His Majesty really wants to replace Ouyang Shangshu, the most likely person to take over as Minister of Civil Affairs should be Guo Pu or Yan Ne."

After he said these words, he felt something strange in Yin Shizhen's eyes.

Wei Guangde's judgment was somewhat similar to his previous thoughts, but there was a clear difference in the candidates.

Yin Shizhen only concentrated the candidates in the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel, but ignored other yamen, even more important yamen such as Taichang Temple, and Wei Guangde obviously took it into consideration.

Prince Yu, on the other hand, didn't feel much about this. Obviously, he was a little bit shocked by the judgment of several people around him that Gao Gong had no hope of becoming the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

"Li Fang, send someone to inform Master Gao about this later."

King Yu opened his mouth and gave instructions to Li Fang.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Li Fang immediately agreed, but did not immediately send someone to report the news.

Seeing that the atmosphere in the room was a bit cold, Wei Guangde forced a smile and said: "This is just our guess. It's hard to say whether His Majesty has this intention."

"Yeah, that's just our guess, maybe we're overly worried."

Zhang Juzheng also noticed the atmosphere and hurriedly took over Wei Guangde's words.

King Yu just smiled at this, as if he suddenly thought of something, and said: "Yesterday, I received a notification from the palace that my father planned to order the Hanlin Academy to compile Tang Ruyi to serve as an official in the palace."

Wei Guangde had already heard the news from Zhang Juzheng beforehand, so he did not appear surprised.

In fact, the only person in the room who was really surprised was Yin Shizhen.

Even Li Fang actually knew about this yesterday, and he was the one who told King Yu the news.

And Zhang Juzheng knew about it earlier than Wei Guangde, so it is naturally not surprising.

"Your Highness, has it been settled in the palace?"

Yin Shizhen asked at this time, with some urgency in his tone.

King Yu just nodded slightly and said nothing.

In fact, it was very clear from King Yu's previous words. He said that he was "informed" by the palace, not asking for his opinion.

The next day, news came that Emperor Jiajing suddenly summoned two cabinet elders in Xiyuan, and then summoned Ouyang Bijin, the Minister of Personnel.

Later, news from the palace finally came out, "The edict: Ouyang Bi, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, is ordered to become an official, and the Cabinet and the Ministry of Personnel will recommend candidates."

On this day, no one in Prince Yu's Mansion left Prince Yu's Mansion early, they were all waiting for the news.

King Yu, Yin Shizhen and others were all waiting for news in the room. This time, Li Fang went to inquire in person and communicated the news with Mr. Xu Ge.

After all, there are only a few people participating in the recommendation, and among those whom Prince Yu's Palace can influence, the first choice is naturally Xu Jie. If Xu Jie supports it, with the current influence of Prince Yu's Palace and Mr. Xu Ge, it is still possible to force Gao Gong to come out. possible.

As for whether Emperor Jiajing would order him after he entered Xiyuan, that is another matter.

Soon, Li Fang hurried back to inform him of the news he had received from the cabinet.

"Your Highness, Mr. Gao really has no chance."

Li Fang entered the room, bowed to King Yu first, and then spoke straightforwardly.

"Who will be the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs? Someone from the Yan family or who?"

King Yu was somewhat mentally prepared for this. Although he was a little anxious, he was not surprised.

"I would recommend two people, Zhan Shiyan of Zhan Shifu and Li Ji, Minister of Rites of Nanjing."

After Li Fang finished saying this, her expression was a little hesitant, as if she still had something to say.

"Just say what you have to say, don't hesitate."

Of course King Yu saw it. He was familiar with Li Fang, so he spoke naturally.

"I met Mr. Xu Ge, and he said that His Majesty summoned him and Mr. Yan Ge to talk about this matter. Your Majesty has already appointed Guo Pu as the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs."

Li Fang glanced at King Yu and said with some anxiety.