Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

In Zhu Youjian's view, he had already made himself very clear:

While the Ming Dynasty is strong, we should eliminate the threat posed by Japan to the Ming Dynasty.

However, the courtiers continued to discuss the matter, believing that there was no precedent for such a thing:
If Japan poses a threat to the Ming Dynasty, then we should send troops to Japan. But if other countries pose a threat to the Ming Dynasty, should we fight them one by one?
Once this reason is established, there will be no peace in the future. The wars between the Ming Dynasty and other countries will continue indefinitely.

They opposed it indirectly, and some even cited the Yuan Dynasty's two failed expeditions to Japan as evidence of the danger of conquering Japan.

Zhu Youjian said angrily:

"It is precisely because the Yuan Dynasty failed in its eastern expedition against Japan that the Ming Dynasty should send troops to Japan."

"The failure of the Yuan Dynasty to conquer Annam fueled the anger of the Annamite people, making them a major threat to the southern border. They outwardly submitted to the Ming Dynasty but inwardly refused to submit, and even proclaimed themselves emperors."

"The consequences of the failed expedition to Japan were similar. Japan considered itself a divine nation, and its tribute to the Ming Dynasty was intermittent. There was even an emperor."

"During the Jiajing era, they allowed Japanese pirates to harass the Ming Dynasty's coastal areas. After becoming slightly stronger, they attacked Korea and coveted the Ming Dynasty's land."

“If we allow Japan to harass us without punishing or completely subduing it, the Ming Dynasty’s coastal areas will never have peace.”

"When we are weak in the future, we will face invasion from Japan."

Growing increasingly angry, he turned and berated his ministers:

"You people really forget the pain once the wound has healed. You only know how to endure external attacks and only allow others to attack you."

"Japan can harass the Ming Dynasty, but the Ming Dynasty cannot conquer Japan. What kind of logic is that?"

Confucius said, "Repay injustice with justice and kindness with kindness." The Spring and Autumn Annals said, "Even a hundred generations of enmity can be avenged."

"How much of the teachings of these sages have you learned?"

His words were well-reasoned and supported by evidence, and he even quoted the words of sages.

The officials were so ashamed they wanted to disappear; those with a conscience were especially disgraced.

Yes! Less than a century has passed since the Japanese pirate raids. Some of the soldiers who participated in the Imjin War are still alive.

Why have they forgotten all of this, forgotten the hatred from before?
Yang Sichang, already immersed in the glory of national subjugation and completely transformed into a warmonger, loudly proclaimed:

"Your Majesty is wise; Japan is a great threat to China."

"For the sake of future generations, we should conquer Japan."

Border Defense Minister Liu Zunxian pointed to the map and said:

“As the eunuch Zheng He once said: If we want the country to be rich and strong, we cannot ignore the ocean. Wealth comes from the ocean, and danger also comes from the sea.”

"Currently, the Ming Dynasty has nine border defense lines on its land frontier, and it is also planning to build border defense lines along the main border and in the far border areas. Coastal defense is equally important, and a maritime defense line is needed."

"I believe that in addition to the coastal defense line formed by the coastal garrisons, we should also build an island defense line to keep the enemy out of the country."

“The islands of Kuwu Island, Beihai Island, the Japanese archipelago, the Ryukyu Islands, Dongning Island, Luzon Island, Zheng He Island, Borneo, Malacca Peninsula and other islands can form a defensive line to completely block any enemy that wants to invade the Ming Dynasty from the sea.”

"In order to build this defensive line, Japan must be conquered."

This suggestion greatly pleased Zhu Youjian, who realized that there were capable people among his ministers.

He still said with emotion:
"As the Minister of Border Defense, you are only responsible for land border defense. I did not expect you to have such insights into coastal defense as well."

"This maritime defense line can be called the first island chain defense line. In the future, like the three-sided defense line, we will build the second island chain defense line and the third island chain defense line to completely solidify the sea defense."

"Liu Qing truly possesses the talent of a prime minister; his power should not be limited to border defense."

He instructed Qian Qianyi, the Grand Secretary, to say:

"The Imperial Edicts Office was ordered to draft an imperial decree to commend Liu Zunxian and Yang Sichang." "They were granted the title of Assistant Privy Councilor of the Second Rank, and were appointed to assist in the affairs of the Privy Council."

“Such ministers who understand my will and share the country’s burdens should bear greater responsibilities.”

Liu Zunxian and Yang Sichang were overjoyed and hurriedly bowed to express their gratitude.

The courtiers' faces darkened, for the emperor's praise of the two men was a blatant rebuke of them:
Liu Zunxian and Yang Sichang were dedicated to serving the country, but what about these people?
Is he causing trouble for the country?

Just thinking about this made them feel resentful, but also vaguely fearful.

Han Kuang, in particular, had already thought of it:
Although the emperor decided to retain him in office, he did not issue an imperial edict.

Before the dust settles on the August reshuffle, there is still a possibility of a large-scale change of emperors.

If he continues to oppose the emperor like this, the impatient emperor may disregard the turmoil in the court and remove him from office during the change of leadership.
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Han Kuang, preoccupied with his worries, failed to notice that Yu Anxing's expression was even more unpleasant than his own.

As Secretary of the Navy, he should have been the one to propose the concept of a maritime defense line.

However, during this period, he and Bi Maokang got into trouble because of the issue of soldiers not forming parties.

Both of them were listed in the "Donglin Hometown" list, and Bi Maokang was even included in the "Donglin Party Members List".

In contrast to Bi Maokang's decisive move to join the scientific faction and sever ties with the Donglin Party, he hesitated, wanting to maintain his so-called integrity towards the Donglin Party and preserve the reputation of the literati.

Unexpectedly, this hesitation gave Liu Zunxian an opportunity. He proposed a maritime defense plan to the emperor, which earned the emperor's praise.

Now that Liu Zunxian and Yang Sichang have been granted the title of Vice Privy Councilor (a second-rank official), the selection of the Minister of War is now finalized.

When the Privy Council was established, the emperor had said that the Minister of War would be given the title of Assistant Privy Councilor or Vice Privy Councilor.

The candidates for Minister of War should be these two.

This was the most likely position he would be promoted to among the Nine Ministers, but now it seems that position is long gone.

What happened in the court today made him understand even more:

The emperor held the power to make decisions regarding the ministers and chancellors, and the Donglin Party could no longer provide any assistance.

The emperor's use of this pretext to severely punish Xiong Mingyu might be a warning to them.

He had to make a choice, otherwise not only would he have no hope of becoming Minister of War, but he would also be expelled from the Privy Council.
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Zhu Youjian was unaware of the ministers' thoughts, but as he surveyed the court, he noticed that many ministers did not object to his direct appointment.

This was not only because the Privy Councilors, like the Four Assistant Ministers, held honorary titles, with the power of appointment resting with the emperor, but also because his recent firm stance had already intimidated the assembled officials.

If anyone dares to utter another word, he wouldn't hesitate to dismiss them from their post, just like he did with Xiong Mingyu earlier.

After consolidating his position as emperor and becoming somewhat negligent in governing, he grew increasingly impatient with consulting with his ministers on everything. He had to find ways to persuade the civil officials, whether their objections were reasonable or not.

Now all he needs are officials to carry out his will.

If there are still people who don't realize this, we need to wake them up.

Thinking this through, Zhu Youjian understood why previous emperors had preferred to use the court rod.

There are some civil officials who absolutely must be disciplined; they have no concept of respect and will cause trouble in the court.

However, the court flogging is now considered an honor among civil officials, and he can no longer use this method of punishment.

This made him even more determined to find a way to subdue his ministers. (End of Chapter)