prosperous age

Rumors were constantly circulating in the capital, with reports increasing of people accepting large bribes from local officials on their way south.

Finally, the officials in Beijing also realized that something was wrong.

As Zhang Juzheng went south to bury his father and was not in the capital, rumors spread throughout the capital.

"Shandai, have you heard the rumors in the capital?"

On this day, Wei Guangde was working in the duty room when he received a message from Zhang Siwei asking for a meeting.

Zhang Siwei was led into the duty room and sat down. He couldn't wait to ask.

Wei Guangde observed carefully for a while, and seeing that Zhang Siwei's face did not look strange, he smiled and said, "I already know about this matter, and I have also notified the Jinyiwei, the Ministry of Justice, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate to conduct a secret investigation."

Yes, at the beginning Wei Guangde only asked the Jinyiwei to pay attention to the rumors in the capital, but when various rumors were rampant and Zhang Ji felt that something was wrong and secretly reported it to him, Wei Guangde then sent a note to the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate.

Otherwise, given the nature of the people in the Censorate, they would report things upon hearing rumors, and by now the cabinet would probably have been flooded with memorials impeaching Zhang Juzheng.

"That's good. The rumors I heard these past two days are getting worse and worse. I don't know what they mean."

Zhang Siwei wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead and said to Wei Guangde.

He had known the news for a few days. Seeing the message spread more and more, he was a little surprised and had no choice but to ask Wei Guangde to solve the problem.

He could indeed exert his influence at the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate, but there were some things that only those in power could understand clearly.

“However, even though we know that someone is deliberately spreading rumors, the rumormongers are very cautious and seem to keep changing people to spread all kinds of outrageous statements.

Many of the rumors circulating in the market are half true and half false.

The most important thing is that the first person to spread the news will mysteriously disappear after appearing in the capital for half a day, and the Jinyiwei will not be able to track down his whereabouts. "

Yesterday, Wei Guangde and Feng Bao went to Liu Shouyou to inquire about this matter in detail.

According to Liu Shouyou, those who spread the rumors would only say a few words in the prosperous places around the capital, and by the time the Jinyiwei people arrived after hearing the news, they had already quietly left the city.

However, they searched for the whereabouts but found no clues. They could only be sure that someone was deliberately spreading rumors to frame Zhang Juzheng, and their actions were very methodical.

Even though the Royal Guards intervened, they couldn't find any clues.

In fact, the image of Jinyiwei was exaggerated by later generations. The people who handled cases in Jinyiwei were actually just a group of detectives who inherited their father's career.

Maybe it's just that we've heard more stories about them and they're more professional, but to say how great they are would be giving them too much credit.

The Jinyiwei gained such a great reputation by handling imperial cases, especially those major cases in the early Ming Dynasty that often involved tens of thousands of people.

Of course, there were also many people in the lower ranks of the Jinyiwei who committed crimes, which left a very bad impression among the people.

In this regard, Feng Bao had no other choice but to scold Liu Shouyou.

Wei Guangde could only instruct him to send more people to monitor various parts of the capital, and immediately arrest and interrogate anyone with suspicious behavior.

The so-called suspicious people are naturally those who are dressed as merchants and talk loudly about the Prime Minister's trip to the south along the way.

Before leaving, Wei Guangde reminded Liu Shou that the Jinyiwei on the market might be familiar faces, so it would be better to replace them with a new batch.

Now, Wei Guangde saw that Zhang Siwei's expression had relaxed, so he continued: "Now all departments are investigating this matter. Didn't you see that the Censorate did not get involved in those rumors?

Chen Zan is also aware of the situation, and the city inspectors have been given the responsibility to investigate the rumors. Now there is no ban, but they just want to catch the person and find out who is behind it. "

"The arrangement of Shandai was excellent, but I lost my composure."

Speaking of this, Zhang Siwei couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed.

If Zhang Siwei could still waver between Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong before, after Gao Gong's death, the only one he could rely on was Zhang Juzheng.

As for Wei Guangde, he would not consider it.

Zhang Juzheng was just a perennial second in command, and he could still work for at least another ten years. During these ten years, as long as Wei Guangde's family encountered some problems or Wei Guangde returned to his hometown to mourn his father, he might replace him and become the second assistant.

Regardless of whether the cabinet is replenished or not, he has the advantage of being advanced. Even if Ma Ziqiang successfully enters the cabinet, he will have to rank behind him.

"By the way, why hasn't the palace responded to the Prime Minister's proposal to add new members to the cabinet?"

Before Zhang Juzheng left, he wanted to add a new cabinet minister, and he recommended Ma Ziqiang as the most likely candidate.

However, after the memorial entered the palace, it fell into obscurity without causing any ripples.

Wei Guangde knew that it was actually Feng Bao who was behind this matter.

Feng Bao was somewhat dissatisfied with Ma Ziqiang, and deliberately spoke ill of Ma Ziqiang in front of the two palaces and the young emperor, saying that the old man was stubborn and might easily cause disputes within the cabinet, so he should think twice before acting.

As for the cabinet's heavy workload, during the more than one month that Zhang Juzheng returned home to observe mourning, Wei Ci Fu handled the cabinet's affairs in an orderly manner without any omissions, as if the cabinet did not need any new personnel.

This time, Zhang Juzheng's trip south to his hometown will only delay his return for three or four months. He will come back to the court when the matter is settled, but he will not take advantage of the court by delaying his return for three or five months. You can rest assured about the cabinet affairs.

This piece of news was extremely confidential, and even Ma Ziqiang himself didn't know about it.

Only Zhang Juzheng, Wei Guangde, Feng Bao and three people in the palace knew about it.

Wei Guangde was indifferent to the cabinet's appointments. As long as Feng Bao insisted on targeting Ma Ziqiang, Wei Guangde would not make things difficult for Feng Bao because of him.

Similar situations are not uncommon in later generations. For some reasons, those in power do not intervene in some matters, but let the relevant personnel handle them themselves, taking into account the relationship between officials. However, they do not realize that the matter will change beyond recognition later and become a manifestation of inaction criticized by the grassroots.

However, Wei Guangde didn't care about these things. After all, the matter was still quite urgent. The people of the city at that time had no idea that there were so many twists and turns behind the scenes. They were still talking about the rumors about the Prime Minister with great relish, and had no idea that many people were already watching this matter behind the scenes.

Wei Guangde looked at Zhang Siwei and smiled bitterly, "I don't know why the palace didn't send back that memorial.

Wait, this is not something you and I can decide."

Afterwards, Zhang Siwei chatted with Wei Guangde for a few more words and then stood up to say goodbye and leave, but Lu Bu stepped into the duty room first and came to Wei Guangde with a document in his hand.

"What's the matter?"

Wei Guangde asked aloud.

"The Ministry of War urgently reported that Qi Jiguang had defeated the Taining leader, Subahai, in Pishan a month ago, beheaded 430 people, killed five of their leaders, and seized tens of thousands of horses, camels, tents, and equipment.

This is the victory report that the Ministry of War just received. Please have a look at it, sir."

Lu Bu hurriedly said to Wei Guangde.

Upon hearing the good news, Wei Guangde smiled and reached out to take it and look at it.

The Liaodong Mongols had long been mixed with Wang Gao, and it was often the Mongols and Jurchens who jointly attacked the Ming Dynasty.

Now that Wang Gao's troops have been defeated, the only people left in Liaodong are the Mongols outside the border wall, who occasionally make trouble.

Half a month ago, the Ministry of War received an urgent report from Liaodong that the Taining tribe Su Bahai had joined forces with the Tuman tribe to invade the border. Qi Jiguang reported his plan to lead his troops to Dingzibo, advance around the border wall, and launch a surprise attack on the Pishan camp.

It now seems that this battle should be a great victory.

Even though only 400 heads were beheaded, the Mongolian casualties in this battle were probably over a thousand.

According to Mongolian rules, if someone died in battle, whoever brought back the body would get half of that person's property, so it was difficult for the Ming army to obtain much spoils in the battle against Mongolia.

The fact that they were able to harvest more than 400 heads shows that the Mongols had been defeated by the Ming army, and they were so panicked that they had no time to collect the bodies of their comrades that they were able to gain so many heads.

After reading the victory report, Wei Guangde handed it to Zhang Siwei and immediately returned to his desk and wrote a note, the content of which was naturally to ask the Ministry of War to verify it as soon as possible and reward the troops according to their merits.

More than four hundred heads were a rare major victory in recent years, and naturally worthy of Wei Guangde's attention.

"With this great victory, Liaodong should be much more stable.

It was because Altan Khan was incompetent that he could not control Taining and Tuman. Otherwise, the northern border would have been stable long ago."

After reading the memorial, Zhang Siwei walked up to Wei Guangde with a smile, placed the document on the desk and said.

"It is better to rely on oneself than on others. The border army can have such a great victory, which can also deter other Mongolian tribes. It is not necessarily a bad thing." Wei Guangde smiled and said casually, "The Mongolian tribes actually speak with strength. Now that Altan Khan is old, he is unable to send troops to conquer the surrounding Mongolian tribes, so his influence on the grassland has been greatly weakened.

The great victory in Liaodong can at least ensure that the Mongolian tribes in other border towns will not dare to provoke trouble.

Liaodong already has our elite Ming troops stationed there, so it would be a good thing to let them fight and show off their might."

"Qi Jiguang did a good job in Liaodong. His previous work in wiping out the remnants of Wang Gao in Gule Village was also a great achievement. He should be rewarded."

Zhang Siwei smiled.

"Let's wait until the Ministry of War verifies the merits before we talk about it. After all, this is the Ministry of War's business, and we can't interfere."

Wei Guangde smiled and said perfunctorily.

After Zhang Siwei said goodbye and left, Wei Guangde did not calm down to do his work, but sat in his seat thinking about the Ming Dynasty's policy towards Mongolia.

Mongolia became increasingly weaker and weaker. When he was still alive, the Mongols in Liaodong no longer listened to him, and he did not choose to launch an expedition like he did when he was young.

Wei Guangde vaguely remembered that during the Chongzhen period, there seemed to be someone on the grassland who wanted to unify Mongolia, but he failed and only led a few Mongolian tribes.

His descendants eventually fell into the hands of the Qing Dynasty, although they once caused huge casualties to the Qing Dynasty.

If I remember correctly, it seems that tens of thousands of elite Eight Banners soldiers of the Qing Dynasty were killed.

But in general, Mongolia after Altan Khan seemed to be in a state of division.

Thinking of division, Wei Guangde suddenly thought of something, but he couldn't grasp the key.

Then, he stood up a little irritably and paced back and forth in the duty room, looking for a hint of inspiration.

"Split, weaken, split, weaken"

Wei Guangde murmured to himself, repeating these two words over and over again.

Finally, Wei Guangde suddenly became enlightened after walking around.

Previously, due to the current relationship between Altan Khan and the Ming Dynasty, there was also consideration of allowing Mongolia to have a leader who would submit to the Ming Dynasty.

In this way, the Ming Dynasty could control the Mongolian tribes by communicating with this leader.

But in reality, this is a double-edged sword.

"We cannot allow the Mongolian tribes to unite, we must divide them and let them fight on their own and do whatever they want.

Even if Altan Khan designates a successor, others will be dissatisfied."

Wei Guangde felt that he had found a key that would allow the Han people to completely resolve the Mongolian threat.

As long as there is discord among the Mongolian tribes, those tribal leaders will become hostile to each other for the illusory position of so-called "Khan".

If they cannot concentrate their strength, they will naturally no longer pose a threat to the Ming Dynasty.

Even if one or two of them are hostile to the Ming Dynasty, their influence will not be great. The Ming Dynasty is capable of dealing with them, after all, they are short of military strength.

Even if the Ming Dynasty was willing to offer a high bounty, someone from the Mongolian tribe would come forward to help the Ming Dynasty deal with them.

"Altan Khan, the King of Shunyi. Hehehe"

Wei Guangde muttered to himself for a moment, then suddenly shouted to the outside: "Lubu."

"Here I am, sir."

Lu Bu was taking a nap outside leaning against a pillar when he suddenly heard Wei Guangde shouting and hurried into the house.

"Send someone to the Jinyiwei to find Commander Liu Shouyou and Minister Tan of the Ministry of War, and ask them to come to my duty room as soon as possible to discuss matters."

Wei Guangde gave the order quickly.

There is no shortage of errand runners in the cabinet, and there are quite a few secretaries outside.

Therefore, Lubu could easily find someone to carry out the orders he issued.

Soon, Lu Bu returned and bowed before him and said, "Master, the people have been sent out."

"Okay, prepare some tea. When the people arrive, clear them out and don't let anyone get close to me."

Wei Guangde ordered.

"Yes, sir."

Lu Bu replied hurriedly.

"Go down."

After the people left, Wei Guangde gradually calmed down.

Being able to solve the Mongolian threat once and for all, Wendao felt that this might be the greatest thing he had done in this position.

However, this matter still requires the assistance of the Jinyiwei's spies planted on the grassland and the Ministry of War.

With the relatively good relationship between Ming and Meng now, perhaps it will not be difficult to do.

Wei Guangde was smart. Liu Shouyou was fine, even though he was farther away, but he entered the palace and the cabinet earlier. On the contrary, Tan Lun thought that there was something wrong with the war report from Liaodong, so he found the original and read it for a while, and asked the officials before coming to the cabinet.

"Brother Zili, please sit down and have some tea first."

Seeing that there was still some sweat on Tan Lun's face, Wei Guangde hurriedly greeted him.

"Shandai, is there something wrong?"

As soon as he sat down, Tan Lun asked.

"No hurry, I still need to ask Siyun what the current situation on the grassland is."

Wei Guangde pointed at Liu Shouyou whom he had called over and said.

"Master Wei, what do you want to ask?"

Liu Shouyou quickly straightened himself and asked.

Tan Lun also picked up his tea and looked over with interest.

When they met, Wei Guangde did not mention Liaodong but mentioned the grassland. Tan Lun guessed that he had thought wrongly and then associated it with the Mongolian tribes in Liaodong.

"What is the current health of Altan Khan? What are the tribes led by his descendants and the relationships between them?"

Wei Guangde immediately asked Liu Shouyou a series of questions. Previously, he had asked the Jinyiwei to send out spies to gather intelligence in the surrounding areas.

Especially for Mongolia, Southeast Asia and Japan, they are top priorities.

Although Wei Guangde's questions were somewhat confusing, Liu Shouyou still told him what he knew and avoided telling him anything he was not sure about, in order to avoid making mistakes in his report.

"Lord Wei, I can only say that Altan Khan is in good health, but I cannot tell you exactly how he is."

Liu Shouyou said with some hesitation.

"How to say?"

Wei Guangde asked with a slight frown.

"It is reported that Altan Khan is over seventy years old and his health is not good.

But if you say it’s not good, he can still go to Yanghua Temple to see Sonam Gyatso.” (End of this chapter)