prosperous age

Wei Guangde had already vaguely sensed the Wanli Emperor's dissatisfaction with Zhang Juzheng, but he still couldn't figure out why.
As for the conclusion he drew from analyzing Emperor Wanli's attitude, that's just wishful thinking. If it gets out, let's see if the censors will impeach him as a treacherous minister who speculates on the emperor's mind and harbors ulterior motives.

"Is that right?"

Chen Kai was somewhat skeptical, but the current emperors, starting from the Jiajing Emperor and even going back to the Zhengde Emperor's reign, had already grown tired of the arduous morning court sessions.

Without morning court sessions, these ministers had no opportunity to meet the emperor.

Unless something major happens, one must first go to the cabinet. If the cabinet cannot make a decision and there is a more urgent matter, one will then go to the palace to see the emperor.

It was only at that time that they were able to see the emperor.

As for other times, even if one wanted to see someone, there was no reason to do so.

Comparatively speaking, when the emperor reviewed memorials, if he encountered anything he didn't understand, he would summon his cabinet ministers to explain and discuss it, thus increasing his chances of meeting the emperor.

It is also because of a lack of understanding that the heads of the Six Ministries and the Censorate need to rely on cabinet ministers; otherwise, they would not know the emperor's likes and dislikes, and would offend the emperor without knowing why, which would be too unjust.

Looking at the others, who all seemed to be deep in thought, Wei Guangde smiled and said, "Now that we've finished our business for today, and since we're all together, why don't we find a place to have some fun?"

"Absolutely, absolutely. We're usually all too busy with our own things, but today we have some free time, so we can really catch up and reconnect."

Zhang Xueyan smiled.

So, everyone temporarily stopped thinking about Zhang Juzheng's posthumous title, since no matter what they thought, it was ultimately up to the emperor's decision.

However, how they will view this after they come down is anyone's guess.

The contents of the memorials submitted by the Cabinet to the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs were quickly heard in brothels and restaurants after the court session ended.

At this time, most of the officials in the capital were there, drinking and making merry with their colleagues and friends.

Zhang Juzheng's death only shocked them for a moment, after all, he was an official who had already retired.

It's just that the tiger still has some remaining power. Zhang Juzheng was so powerful back then, but he still died just like that.

Today, people are saying all sorts of things about these places, some expressing regret, others cursing.

Those Beijing officials who owned land but held low ranks and no real power harbored deep resentment towards Zhang Juzheng.

Because the new policy directly impacted their interests, they had to bear the poll tax that should have been passed on to tenant farmers and ordinary people.

There was also the performance evaluation system, which rendered their long-standing method of delaying tax payments ineffective.

After all, no official would joke about their official hat, unless they were old and waiting to retire, in which case they might not care and just want to take the opportunity to make a fortune before returning to their hometown to live out their retirement.

Therefore, although Zhang Juzheng's performance evaluation system could not collect all of the Ming Dynasty's taxes, most of them were deposited into the treasury, with only a very small amount being owed.

When the next official takes office, the first thing they have to deal with is the mess left by their predecessor.

"Wencheng, isn't it too high?"

After the news from the Ministry of Rites and the Cabinet spread among them, everyone had their own opinions on Zhang Juzheng's posthumous title.

Those who felt sorry for Zhang Juzheng thought "Wencheng" was still appropriate, and no one thought that Zhang Juzheng should have received the posthumous title "Wenzheng".

Those who disliked it shook their heads, saying it was too high a title. They argued that "Wenzhong" shouldn't even be on the list, and "Wendu" would be better. "Wending" was just so-so. In short, they felt that such a high posthumous title was inappropriate.

Meanwhile, in the luxurious private room on the third floor, Wei Guangde, along with Jiang Zhi, Zhang Ke, and others, were drinking and enjoying themselves. Beautiful female attendants were serving them wine and dishes, and dancers were gracefully dancing in the hall, displaying their beautiful figures.

Everything seemed to indicate that the Ming Dynasty was peaceful and tranquil, and life was good.

Meanwhile, in the Governor's Palace in Manila, Philippines, to the south of the Ming Dynasty, a grand banquet was being held.

Manila Governor Sanders convened a meeting of key military and political officials in the Philippines, as they had recently defeated a pirate group of Japanese samurai in Leyte Gulf. Over a thousand Japanese pirates were defeated by a warship piloted by only a few dozen soldiers.

The victory greatly excited the newly appointed Governor of Manila, Sander.

When he arrived, Luzon Island had already been divided up by the Ming Dynasty, which made him very dissatisfied.

However, facing an opponent whose strength was unknown, Sander did not dare to antagonize the Ming army for the time being, and he also urgently needed a victory to consolidate his position in Manila.

"Gentlemen, let's raise our glasses and drink to the brave Spanish soldiers."

Sander stood up, raised his glass high, and said, the amber-colored wine shimmering, dripping down the glass and onto the table.

"Dry."

The military and government officials sitting at the long dining table all stood up, raised their glasses high, and then, led by Sander, drank them down.

"With sixty soldiers and two warships, we defeated more than ten pirate ships. This victory was truly exhilarating."

After sitting down, Spanish Navy Lieutenant Hyde, who was in charge of commanding the naval battle, proudly told his colleagues, "All we need to do is stay on the ship, aim our cannons at them, and with one salvo, a ship will sink."

Not satisfied with that, he was still at the dinner table, telling those around him about his glorious feat of defeating pirates many times his size with the two warships he had brought.

Whether one can be promoted to the rank of colonel depends entirely on military merit.

Only by boasting about his achievements could he possibly leave a good impression on Sander, who might then support his promotion.

"I heard they had a ship that passed the test for the Thunder, and those dwarfs even jumped aboard and killed several of our crew members?"

someone asked.

Hyde was speaking excitedly when he didn't want to be brought up this matter, so he had to explain: "Yes, they had more than ten boats after all, and we were caught off guard when they successfully boarded the ship."

Those dwarves were indeed very skilled in close combat, but what good was that? They were still killed or maimed by the eagle cannons.

Someone asked doubtfully, "They're so short, are they really that good at close combat? I've never been to Japan, but I've heard from merchants that they're very powerful."

A few people were whispering among themselves, and their voices reached Sander's ears.

However, he did not intend to join in the conversation, but listened quietly.

"Japanese samurai must be very powerful. I heard that a few dozen of them were able to storm the capital of the Ming Dynasty, and it took the Ming Dynasty tens of thousands of troops to wipe them out."

Don't look at me like that. I heard it from those merchants, and I asked others afterward. They all said it was true, even though they didn't see it with their own eyes. Many people know about it, and even the Ming people themselves say so.

"Over there," another officer chimed in.

When soldiers get together, they naturally talk about military matters.

Although Sander was the governor, he actually held both military and political power.

After all, the place where the governor was stationed was not only far from the central government, but also carried certain risks, requiring a high-ranking official to be in charge of all affairs.

If everything had to be reported to the King or the Viceroyalty of Mexico, then nothing could be done.

He was just talking to several Manila government officials about the problem of low taxes here. Although the area is rich in resources, the annual expenses for stationing thousands of troops are still a considerable sum.

He felt that relying solely on taxes was too inefficient. He knew that the Ming Dynasty was very wealthy, and many merchants who came here to do business engaged in trade between the Ming Dynasty and Japan.

Previously, he thought the Ming Dynasty was very powerful. Just to their north, in the northern Philippines, there were thousands of Ming troops stationed, whose strength seemed to be comparable to theirs.

But what did he just hear?
It's unbelievable that a few dozen Japanese samurai could sweep through the Ming Dynasty and even reach their capital.

"Lord Haralro, is what they just said true?"

Sander looked curiously at the man beside him, the Manila City Defense Commander.

Although Spain calls this place the Philippines, everything here is actually centered around Manila. Therefore, the governor here is the Governor General of Manila, and the highest commander of the army and navy here is the Commander of the Manila City Defense.

They are the highest-ranking Spanish officials here.

"what?"

Harallo was clearly caught off guard and didn't understand what Sander was asking.

"I heard them say that many years ago, a few dozen Japanese samurai attacked the capital of the Ming Dynasty?"

Sander could only ask in a low voice, "You've been here for many years, you must have heard about this."

"Yes, there really is one."

The exact timing is unknown, but it did happen, which is why the Ming people came to the Philippines. Their king was furious and sent troops to hunt down the pirates.

Commander Haralro clearly knew, or even knew, that the Ming army had come here to pursue them.

Once the news was confirmed, Sander immediately had an idea in mind.

"When I was in Mexico City, I saw a report submitted by Governor Recker in his early years, hoping to send sixty soldiers to attack the Ming Dynasty."

Sander began to speak.

"That's because Recker was drunk. Sixty men going to fight the Ming Dynasty, haha."

Jalallo was obviously unaware of this matter. Indeed, the then Governor-General of Manila completed such reports himself and submitted them to the Mexican Governor-General's Office, hoping to send them back to Spain for the King to see and approve.

However, Recker is clearly not clear-headed himself and assumes that others are the same way.

The report was suppressed not only at the Viceroyalty of Mexico, but also at the Spanish Viceroyalty.

This is why the plan for sixty Spanish soldiers to conquer the Ming Dynasty cannot be found in the Spanish National Archives. The only document they have is Sander's plan for a four-nation coalition to conquer the Ming Dynasty. The plan was highly valued by the King of Spain, who convened several meetings with his high-ranking officials to discuss it.

“Those Ming troops in the north, they can be defeated by sixty men.”

Commander Haralro said sarcastically.

"If, and I mean if, the Ming army might only have these dispatched soldiers with any fighting ability, while the domestic army is no good, and a few dozen Japanese pirates can defeat thousands of Ming soldiers, how many people do you think we would need to defeat the Ming?"

Sander would then ask this question seriously.

"Your Excellency, this is a difficult question to answer, besides..."

Haralo looked around at his surroundings and said with a wry smile.

“It was my oversight. Alright, let’s talk in my study after the banquet.”

Sander immediately said.

The banquet lasted for another half hour. As the side door opened, the officers and their families entered the room. Soon, music started playing, and people began to lead their partners into the dance floor to dance.

However, Sander and Harallow did not participate, but went upstairs to the study.

Sitting on the soft sofa, Harallo looked at Sander and said, "Your Excellency, I have thought about the question you just raised."

I heard that the Ming Dynasty was very large and had an army of over a million.

Of course, they had a powerful enemy in the north, the Tatars, who had initially marched into Europe from the north of the Ming Dynasty.

"Oh"

Sander gasped in disbelief.

He certainly knew the history of the Tatars in Europe, having conquered countless city-states, large and small.

"With such an opponent, their elite troops cannot be in the country; they should all be on the border."

Sander immediately said.

"Yes, their most elite troops should be defending against the Tatar threat in the north, while the southern army is not very strong."

As for the Ming army to our north, their combat strength is decent, but we can defeat them with an equal number of troops.

Merchants have told me that the Ming Dynasty's domestic army is indeed weak, but their navy is quite formidable; it is very powerful, a fact Your Excellency should have known when reviewing the report.

Haralro said, "To attack the Ming Dynasty, we would need to mobilize at least a hundred capital ships to achieve our goal."

Harallo, of course, also wanted to achieve great things and even obtain a noble title for his military exploits.

Therefore, he had no objection whatsoever to Sander's idea of ​​attacking the Ming Dynasty.

Well, it seems that every governor who arrives in Manila becomes interested in this wealthy kingdom to the north.

However, his analysis has only just begun and is not yet finished.

"To attack the Ming Dynasty, we must defeat their navy, land in Guangdong, and march north to attack their capital."

In this way, the Ming king would not have had time to recall his troops in the north before becoming our prisoner.

Neither Sand nor Haralro had clearly understood the true size of the Ming Dynasty; instead, they estimated its size based on the standards of major European powers.

Perhaps, in their view, the journey from Guangdong to the capital of the Ming Dynasty could be completed in as little as ten days.

Of course, if everything goes smoothly, there is indeed a chance that the urgent delivery could be made.

"If we contact the Portuguese and the Japanese, and we train several thousand local natives to fight, how many troops do you think we would need?"

Sander asked with considerable interest.

The reason for mentioning Portugal, which was at odds with Spain, and sending troops with them is that at that time, the King of Spain was also the King of Portugal, although some Portuguese nobles did not acknowledge this.

However, it must be said that during this period, the internationally recognized fact was that Spain annexed Portugal.

"A four-way alliance? I think we'll need at least 10,000 people, preferably 20,000. The Portuguese can also contribute at least 5,000, or even more, and the Japanese will need at least 6,000. As for the natives, we'll need to recruit 10,000 to 20,000 people to help us transport supplies."

Haralro began to calculate. (End of Chapter)