The Ming Dynasty took an unconventional approach

In other words, he would never be a favored minister like Wang Zhen in his life, and he would never be able to replace Wang Zhen's position in the emperor's mind.

Cao Jixiang lowered his brows and said nothing.

Pan Yun continued, "Let's get back to the topic. Lord Cao, is Deng Maoqi's rebellion in Fujian justifiable?"

Cao Jixiang said honestly with his eyebrows drooping: "It is indeed understandable."

"Really."

Cao Jixiang: "But there are also people who try to take advantage of the situation. Take Ye Zongliu for example. What is that?"

"He wants to emulate the Emperor Taizu Gao."

Cao Jixiang asked sharply, "Is he worthy of it?"

"He doesn't deserve it, so I calculated with my fingers that he will not live long."

When Cao Jixiang heard this, his expression softened a lot.

Xue Shao then spoke up: "Ye Zongliu's death is not a pity, but the miners who followed him, as well as Deng Maoqi and others, are all excusable. With an army of 150,000, the daily consumption is not small. If we fight, not only will there be casualties on both sides, but it will also affect the local people. Rather than suppress them by force, it is better to recruit them."

Pan Jun nodded repeatedly.

Cao Jixiang: "You just said that I am far inferior to Wang Zhen and was expelled from the palace. What's the point of telling me all this?"

Pan Yun: "You can't surpass Wang Zhen, but your position in the emperor's heart is not low. Wang Zhen is the first, and you are the second!"

"Yes," Xue Shao also became humble, "and Lord Cao's reputation in His Majesty's heart may not be lower than Wang Zhen's. As long as you speak, His Majesty will always pay more attention to you."

Cao Jixiang was in deep thought.

Pan Yun said, "As far as I know, nearly half of the officials in the court are inclined to surrender, while the other half are just intimidated by Wang Zhen's power. Lord Cao, you have been driven out of the capital, and the situation with Wang Zhen is irreconcilable. If you keep retreating, you will have no way to retreat. It is better to move forward bravely. In terms of reputation and ability, you are comparable to the eunuch Sanbao."

Xue Shao felt goose bumps on his arms under his sleeves, and he couldn't help but glance at Pan Jun.

Pan Yun pretended not to know.

Cao Jixiang was flattered and became ambitious.

He thought that he might be able to compete with Wang Zhen. If he couldn't get the most important position in the emperor's heart, he would become the most capable eunuch in the emperor's heart!
Excited, Cao Jixiang agreed to the two of them.

When he realized what he had agreed to, Cao Jixiang could only smile bitterly.

He still resented in his heart that the emperor only liked to listen to flattery and not his direct advice. As a result, he also got lost in the sweet words.

However, even though he knew that he had fallen into the trap of Pan Yun and Xue Shao, Cao Jixiang still asked Xue Shao to write a letter to him.

What is promised must be completed, this is a commitment.

Xue Shao bowed to Cao Jixiang and immediately went down to write the memorial.

As the former Imperial Censor of Jiangnan, Xue Shao was very familiar with the situation in Jiangnan. Combined with his investigation and understanding during this period, Xue Shao pleaded for Deng Maoqi and others from all aspects. He also analyzed the pros and cons of rehabilitation and recruitment from the current situation, and tried his best to persuade the emperor to recruit.

In fact, Xue Shao mentioned many things when he was responding to the grand court meeting, but the voices were mixed at that time, and everyone's attention was more on the silver mines in Japan and the wind and floods in Jiangnan. His proposal to recruit people was only discussed and then abandoned. The main reason was that the emperor and the court were very confident at that time, thinking that the local areas could not suppress the rebellion, so it would be okay to let Liu Ju lead the army to suppress the rebellion, right?

As a result, Liu Ju suffered defeat after defeat.

At this time, Xue Shao's proposal for surrender was finally seen by others, but not many ministers in the court dared to mention it.

After all, Wang Zhen advocated fighting in order to avoid the enemy's attack, so everyone had to stay calm.

Therefore, the letter of amnesty submitted by Cao Jixiang on behalf of Xue Shao was very conspicuous, and Yu Qian's letter also arrived at the cabinet at the same time.

The emperor looked at the memorials placed side by side on the table in silence.

Wang Zhen knew he was wavering as soon as he saw him. He lowered his eyes to hide the sharpness in his eyes, gently placed a plate of snacks next to the emperor's hand, and said softly: "Your Majesty, whether it is Taizu, Taizong or the previous emperor, they are all praised for their military power, and the most taboo is the act of recruiting."

The emperor tapped the table with his fingers. "But what Yu Qian and Xue Shao said makes sense. The southeastern coast has just experienced a storm and flood, and the maritime ban policy has changed. It is now time to use people and money."

"Suppressing the rebellion does not conflict with these things, and it is even very helpful," Wang Zhen whispered, "Your Majesty, aren't there enough gentry officials in Jiangnan who pretend to obey but actually disobey? This time the miners' rebellion was instigated by them. They have occupied the silver mines for too long, and they don't want the court to reopen the silver mines.

They even refused to give up the silver mines in Japan. The Jinyiwei reported that there were many local gentry and officials among those who boarded Pan Yunhai's ship. The number of people was greater than that of those sent by Cao Jixiang. What did they want to do? "

The emperor's face darkened and he clenched his fists slightly. Yes, what do they want to do?
Wang Zhen saw that he had listened, and continued, "Pan Yun has already paid tribute to the imperial court about the silver mines in Japan. They belong to your majesty, how can these people get their hands on them? In my opinion, Cao Jixiang is still too tolerant. He has only been in Quanzhou for a short time, but he has been able to eat at the same table with the local officials and gentry, and he has given them most of the quota for the sea vessels."

The emperor frowned, and after a moment shook his head: "Cao Jixiang is an upright person, he is not the kind of person who is greedy for money and enjoys leisure, I am afraid he should not do it."

The emperor sighed and said, "It's been almost a year since Wang Zhi from the Ministry of Revenue went to Jiangnan, right?"

"Yes, the cabinet received his memorial. Like Yu Qian, he also advocates peace." Wang Zhen asked in confusion, "I am very surprised. No matter Wang Zhi, Yu Qian or Xue Shao, they were tough when they were officials in Beijing, but how come they all became gentle after going to Jiangnan?
It is said that Jiangnan is a land of gentleness. I did not think so before, but now that I think about it, it is indeed worthy of its reputation. "

The emperor lowered his eyes and thought.

Wang Zhen paused and continued, "Your Majesty, it is precisely because those people were too disobedient that we had to fight this battle, just like we had to fight the Battle of Luchuan.

Whether it is the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River or the barbarians in the southwest, they all fear power rather than virtue, so they need to be beaten to learn their lesson! "

The emperor thought that every time he came up with a new policy, all the ministers in the court would oppose it, especially the reforms in Jiangnan, which had been delayed in implementation.

It would take him two or three years to discuss reopening the silver mine.

Thinking of this, he felt that what Wang Zhen said made sense, and immediately folded up the memorials from Yu Qian and Xue Shao and threw them aside: "Since Chen Mao has led his troops south, let's wait and see his achievements."

Wang Zhen raised the corners of his mouth and lowered his head to say yes.

Cao Jixiang wanted to use this opportunity to gain merit and return to the capital, but he didn't even think about it. Xue Shao was even more hateful than Cao Jixiang, and Wang Zhen didn't want to see him in the capital.

It took a lot of effort to drive both uncle and nephew out of Beijing...

"I have thought about it. If the maritime ban is lifted, the court will probably be in turmoil for a while. Let's call Xue Xuan back and still let him serve as the Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple. With him in charge, there may be less disputes."

Wang Zhen: ...(End of this chapter)