Hundreds of households in Liaodong, covering the light with one hand

Chapter 170 Where did the last % go?

Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou and others were relegated and left the capital. Liu Zongzhou, Gao Panlong, Zhao Nanxing and others were also stripped of their official positions and sent to the land of chieftains in the smog.

Above the court, three members of the cabinet have gone, leaving only Ye Xianggao, Sun Chengzong, and Xu Guangqi.

In the past few days, what everyone has been discussing the most is whether Wang Qi, Duke of Lang State, will enter the cabinet and become the youngest cabinet minister in the history of the Ming Dynasty. At the same time, he is also the only cabinet minister who is not a Jinshi.

There are rumors that Xiong Tingbi and Wang Huazhen may also take this opportunity to serve in the cabinet because of their political achievements in Liaodong and Jiaodong.

The imperial city, the imperial garden.

"I plan to let you, Xiong Tingbi, and Wang Huazhen join the cabinet together with Ye Xianggao and others at the court meeting in three days. What do you think?"

Zhu Youxiao was in a good mood and walked in front holding a folding fan. Wang Qi, the Duke of Lang Kingdom, was wearing a python robe and followed half a step behind.

"Replying to Your Majesty," Wang Qi's voice has always been clear and calm. Faced with Zhu Youxiao's favor, he still has no fluctuation at all: "I think it is feasible for Xiong Tingbi and Wang Huazhen to join the cabinet. As for me, it is not possible." It is against the ancestral system for someone who is a Jinshi to directly join the cabinet, and it violates the rules of the past. It is absolutely impossible for future generations to follow suit!"

In fact, when Wang Qi was rewarded and favored, he already had the power to act in the cabinet, which was equivalent to half of a cabinet minister, but he had no actual title. This time, Zhu Youxiao had a whim and wanted to directly promote Wang Qi to the cabinet. This will also affect the future of national affairs. Good to discuss.

"Isn't this what I said?" Zhu Youxiao laughed and clapped his palms with a folding fan: "Isn't it enough to reward you with a Jinshi background?"

"Your Majesty," Wang Qi shook his head: "Now the scholars and the common people are paying attention to the capital. The Donglin Party has just been expelled from the court, and the people's hearts are unstable. If the method of selecting scholars through the imperial examination is shaken at this time, I am worried about the people's hearts. Fluctuation is not good for the government."

"You don't want to join the cabinet?" Zhu Youxiao felt that Wang Qi's true thoughts were not this.

Wang Qi raised his eyes, his eyes were deep, and he said word by word: "I just feel that nowadays, the reality is not mature enough. At this time, the world is talking about it. At this time, I join the cabinet to let the literati in Nanjing know It will inevitably cause a violent backlash, and the gain outweighs the gain. Slowly cook the porridge, which is the most delicious. Your Majesty, the days are long."

Listening to Wang Qi's words, Zhu Youxiao was stunned for a moment, and then he sighed as if from the bottom of his heart: "Loyal minister, this is the loyal minister who plans for the country!"

At this moment, Wei Zhongxian came from a distance, approached Zhu Youxiao and said, "Your Majesty, it's lunch time."

After saying this, the Chief of Ceremonies saluted Wang Qi again: "Meet Duke Lang."

"Just in time, come and have dinner with me and talk about the war in Liaodong!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Zhu Youxiao's daily meals follow the meals specified by the Imperial Medical Bureau and the Food Supervisor. They pay attention to a nutritional mix and also consider the emperor's taste and preferences.

Today, the imperial dining room prepared sweet porridge with roasted rabbit legs in soy sauce, red sweet potato prawns, Nine Immortals Crossing the Sea, white peony and rapeseed, pickled cucumbers and shepherd's purse and seabass fillets.

Zhu Youxiao especially likes the Nine Immortals Crossing the Sea, which is a seafood stew, including roasted clams, fried shrimps, frog legs, sole fish, shark tendons, fat chicken, pork trotters, bamboo shoots, chicken breasts and sea cucumbers, all stewed together. , add broth, bamboo shoots, fresh mushrooms and other things to make it fresh, it is delicious.

The palace maid placed a bowl of stew in front of Wang Qi, and the rich aroma immediately hit her face.

"My dear, try this Nine Immortals Crossing the Sea. I must eat it almost every day." Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Qi with a proud look on his face, and at the same time ordered some sweet porridge with the silver chopsticks in his hand: "Pair it with porridge water. Even more delicious!”

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Wang Qi nodded slightly, picked up a spoon and took a small spoonful of the stew. The fat chicken, sole fish and sea cucumber were mixed together. Wang Qi opened his mouth and stuffed it into his mouth.

Fresh, smooth and tender, with an excellent taste.

The craftsmanship of the imperial kitchen was unquestionable at that time. “It’s delicious,” Wang Qi nodded.

"Hahaha, if Aiqing thinks it's delicious, then it means it's delicious. I'm very happy," Zhu Youxiao said, taking the stew handed over by the palace maid, lowering his head and taking a bite, and then his face showed a look of extreme satisfaction. Expression: "The sage said that food, sex, and sex are all things, and you will not deceive me!"

The two of them finished their lunch in about a quarter of an hour.

Tea and cakes followed.

Zhu Youxiao likes to eat lotus cakes from Qingfeng Pastry Shop in Beijing after meals, paired with mountain spring tea, which can remove greasiness and help gastrointestinal motility.

"Lang Guogong thinks that based on the current preparations in Liaodong, how confident are we in dealing with the remaining forces of Hou Jin?" Zhu Youxiao knocked the tea cup in his hand gently and looked at Wang Qi.

Liaodong affairs are currently the political affairs that Zhu Youxiao is most concerned about. It is also a state affairs that can establish his status among ancient and modern wise kings in one fell swoop. There is no room for sloppiness.

Even Emperor Chengzuwen failed to conquer Luwangting in his five expeditions to Mobei, causing the complete destruction of the Mongolian tribes. If he could pacify the Jurchens, he could also comfort his ancestors.

"Reply to Your Majesty, if you plan on it slowly, it's 80%." Wang Qi did not touch the tea, but sat there and looked at Zhu Youxiao.

"Where's the remaining 20%?" Zhu Youxiao asked.

"One percent is in Houjin. If Dorgon, Daishan, Amin, Jierhalang and others can reorganize the Eight Banners, abandon the Liaodong garrison, and return to the army to stick to Hetuala, there is still a glimmer of hope. This counts as One percent.”

Zhu Youxiao looked at Wang Qi, frowned, and asked again: "Where is the last 10%?"

"Another 10%." Wang Qi bowed slightly and replied softly: "God decides."

Faced with Wang Qi's reply, Zhu Youxiao was silent for a while.

The last 10% of the accident was foretold by God?

Zhu Youxiao didn't like this answer very much.

Looking at Wang Qi, Zhu Youxiao turned his eyes and said silently in his heart: This accident may be because Xiong Tingbi was leading the army, not Wang Qi himself.

"To be honest, I don't want you to go to Liao again. Your contribution is too high. If I were to reward you again, I would really feel uneasy. Moreover, if you are as good as the forest wind, it will be destroyed. With your current status in the court, you have already attracted the attention of the world. Looking sideways, Donglin's faction wants to get rid of them quickly. If they add the destruction of the country, the world will be in chaos and I won't be able to sleep well." Zhu Youxiao planned to open the skylight to speak frankly, and tapped the armrest with his fingers: "This time If Xiong Tingbi succeeds, share your credit with him."

Wang Qi looked at Emperor Tianqi with a hint of surprise in his expression.

The emperor could be considered a wise and wise master if he could speak to his ministers so honestly.

After all, ministers are not fools, especially those who sit in such a high position as Wang Qi. They are really deceiving themselves and others by saying some high-sounding words.

But does Zhu Youxiao underestimate himself too much?

"It's not because the leader of the army was not a subordinate that I left behind a 10% accident," Wang Qi added: "After all, before the Battle of Sarhu, no one expected that the imperial court would be completely defeated."

"So, 90% of the time," Zhu Youxiao played with the jade beads in his hands, "it's time to give it a try!"

(End of this chapter)