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

Chapter 191 Diaoyutai

It is August 23rd, the second year of the Great Ming Dynasty.

It has been nearly a month since the changes in the court situation and the establishment of the Special Military Division.

Nearly twenty days have passed since Xu Guangqi left Beijing for Puzhou, Shanxi Province. Wang Qi estimated that news would come back in the next two days.
  After finishing the official documents at the Military Department, Wang Qi stood up and walked out of the door, wanting to get some air.

Xu Guangqi was on official business, Sun Chengzong was in poor health these days and was recuperating in his mansion. Ye Xianggao went to the Tongzheng Yamen to handle the political affairs of the Six Ministries, while Lu Yu went to the Hubu Yamen to prepare several ships of wool that were about to arrive from Zhejiang. Interpretation.

As his uncle Wang Huazhencong was still on his way back to Beijing, only Wang Qi stayed behind in the entire military department, so it seemed much deserted.

Since the establishment of the Military Department, the Cabinet Office of the Ming Dynasty has become in name only. The six ministries directly connected with the Military Department, and then contacted the emperor himself. The cabinet has become a dispensable institution.

The courtyard of the Military Department is not big, with low red walls on all sides. Standing on the steps under the eaves and looking up, Wang Qi can almost vaguely see the green tiles of the Zhonghe Hall not far away.

Taking a deep breath of fresh air, Wang Qi felt that his heart suddenly became much smoother. After sitting in the official office for a long time, his mind was filled with memorials and texts, and the boredom accumulated in his chest for a long time would make his temper more unreasonable and extreme. Many ministers have such symptoms, to name a few.

"I am sent by the Imperial Kitchen to pay my respects to Duke Lang!"

While Wang Qi was standing on the steps admiring the blue sky above his head, a respectful voice came to his ears.

"What's the matter?" Wang Qi turned to look at the father-in-law. Behind him were several young eunuchs in green clothes, holding several food boxes, refreshments and the like.

"My lord, today the Imperial Kitchen has made some snacks and side dishes according to the Emperor's order, and brought them to you, Your Majesty." The leading eunuch in charge of the Imperial Kitchen was extremely respectful as soon as he entered the door, and even answered in a low tone. Nodding his head, he spoke softly.

"In the house," Wang Qi nodded and said nothing more. He stood there with his hands behind his back, his eyes slightly raised, as if he was empty-headed.

After receiving Wang Qi's instructions, he immediately turned around and ordered his several young eunuchs: "Put the snacks and dishes in the food box into the room. Be careful not to touch the written documents in the room."

Not long after, several eunuchs quickly arranged the dishes and left.

"My lord," the eunuch in charge of the imperial kitchen said with a bow, "the meals are ready."

"Well, I have nothing to do here," Wang Qi nodded, and it was time for him to go back to work.

"Your Majesty, please take it easy." The eunuch also knew that the gap between him and Wang Qi was too big, and there was no possibility of him clinging to him. All he had to do was serve him well. After receiving the instruction, he bowed and retreated slowly, leading a few of his men away.

The dishes in the imperial dining room are not many, but they are exquisite.

Roasted deer tendons, braised shark's fin, and a few seasonal fresh vegetables are added, which is a nutritious combination.

Wang Qi did not eat immediately, but turned around and walked behind his official document table, sat down again, and started to write and approve documents.
  At this moment, outside the Military Department, a clerk came panting: "Report, Liaodong secret report!"

"Bring it here," Wang Qi continued writing the paperwork with his head down.

The clerk entered the room and put the secret letter in his hand on the table in front of Wang Qi: "It started from Liaodong two days ago, and it galloped all the way. It took a quarter of an hour to reach Chaoyang Gate, and it took a stick of incense to reach Donghua Gate."

After saying this, he quietly retreated. Duke Lang does not like to be disturbed when he is doing his work.

After reporting your affairs, if the superior officer doesn't ask any questions, you can leave. This is a rule in the military department.

After a while, Wang Qi finally stopped writing, took a sip of tea, and then reached out to fetch Liaodong's memorial.

Memorials from Liaodong have been verified when passing through Donghua Gate, and generally there will be no problems.

Wang Qi took out the letter paper and looked at it intently.

"Xiong Tingbi, the official of Liaodong Economic Strategy, would like to report that Jurchen activities in Shenyang City have been frequent recently, and there is a tendency of chaos. Daishan has eradicated dissidents, and one family has become the dominant one. Undercurrents are surging inside, and there seems to be murderous intent. Jianzhou has become chaotic, and its decline is obvious. . Recently, there is a spy from Hou Jin who acts as a spy for our Jin Yiwei. He wants to lead our army to dispatch a decisive battle with Hou Jin outside the Shenyang City Plain in advance. I believe that my target should not be diverted due to the enemy's movements and to consolidate. Maintaining the defense line step by step and seeking maximum benefits is still the premise of my current planning. I would like to ask the Holy Father and the public to comment on it. What do you think?"

After a while, Wang Qi put the letter on the table with no expression on his face.

"There is civil strife in Jianzhou. We need to take action carefully to lead my army to go out." Wang Qi leaned back on his chair and while thinking, his eyes fell on a few side dishes not far away. The dishes were still steaming.

"Dai Shan wants to transfer conflicts and determine his power with a victory!" Wang Qi withdrew his gaze and returned to the letter: "Xiong Tingbi has a long-term vision this time. There is really no need to be led by others. It is better to follow the instructions Make your own plan step by step."

After thinking about it, Wang Qi took up a pen and wrote down his opinion on a blank piece of paper: "We should work step by step and seek the overall situation. My minister Wang Qi seconded the proposal."

After writing, when the ink was slightly dry, a clerk would paste the note on the back of Xiong Tingbi's memorial and present it to the emperor for Zhu You's reference.

Every day, the memorials approved by the Military Department will be submitted to Emperor Tianqi. Different from the previous cabinet drafts, the Chief of Ceremonies selectively presented the memorials to the emperor. Now, as long as the memorials come out of the Military Department, no matter how big or small, everything is done. To be submitted to Emperor Tianqi, after Zhu approves it, make three copies, one copy will be transferred to the Military Department for filing, one copy will be retained by the Supervisor of Ceremonies, and one copy will be circulated to each major government office for implementation.

Boom boom boom! ! !
  When the bell rang, the entire courtyard of the Military Department was covered with the golden glow of the setting sun. From a height, the entire courtyard and the green tiles of the houses were covered with a layer of gold powder, which was dazzling. .

Wang Qi had also finished his official duties for the day, left Donghua Gate, and went back to his house in a sedan chair.

"Sir, a letter has arrived from Fan Zhongjin today, and a secret message from Qin Erbao has also arrived."

At the entrance of the government office, servants waited on Wang Qi to get off the sedan chair, while Wang Shouxin reported on the situation in the mansion today.

"Just put it in my study," Wang Qi stepped up the steps.

Qin Erbao's letter should have arrived together with Xiong Tingbi's memorial, and its content should be almost the same.

Not long after, after washing up, Wang Qi came to the study.

Fan Zhongjin's letter should be a report on Xu Guangqi's fundraising. Wang Qi took out the envelope and sat down on the chair while reading it.

"Fan Zhongjin saw that the Lord's fund-raising work is progressing smoothly. In the name of national debt, borrowing surplus gold and silver from the private sector has been widely welcomed. At present, more than two million taels of silver have been raised. There is another matter. Princess Horqin Hailanzhu is going south. The accompanying honor guard will arrive in Qi County and is expected to arrive in Beijing in ten days."

"Huh?" Wang Qi's face was expressionless one second, and he stood up suddenly the next moment.

Hai Lanzhu went south privately and came to Beijing to find himself?
  (End of this chapter)