Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 634: Questioning in the Court
Early in the morning.

Before the court meeting began, most civil servants learned from their colleagues that the emperor had sent Duke Baoguo Zhu Yong to lead 3,000 soldiers and 10,000 laborers drawn from the capital and surrounding areas to complete the task of transporting money and grain to the northwest.

This news caused an uproar among the civil officials.

We haven't even had the chance to raise any objections yet, and it's already been implemented?

Are you so disrespectful?

So much so that after the court meeting began, before any other topics were discussed, Zhang Jiugong, the chief censor of the Ministry of Revenue, came forward to impeach the father-in-law of the emperor, Zhang Luan, and opposed the emperor's use of military force in the northwest.

When Zhu Youtang heard the impeachment, he looked extremely displeased.

But he didn't say anything. Instead, he sat on the dragon throne, looking down coldly and silently, as if he was sulking. Even after Zhang Jiugong finished speaking, he had no intention of explaining.

Huai En glanced at the emperor, then took a step forward and said loudly: "Because the climate in the northwest is bitterly cold this year, Ningxia, Yansui and other places have been hit by heavy snow, so that the roads are cut off. In addition, the northwest has been seriously short of reserves in the past few years, resulting in ineffective local disaster relief.

"At this time, it is only natural for the court to send senior officials to provide disaster relief. In addition, the purpose of sending the troops westward with the Duke of Baoguo is to escort food and grass to Ningxia, Yansui and other places to ensure that they are not blocked by foreign barbarians along the way.

"As for the use of military force against foreign barbarians, it is groundless speculation. If the Tatars had not taken the initiative to invade, there would have been no war, let alone someone instigating the court to use military force against foreign barbarians."

Huai En stood on the emperor's side and explained to the civil and military officials present at the court meeting.

Is it excessive to send a large amount of money and food to the northwest and dispatch 3,000 troops to escort it along the way?
Don't just listen to rumors. If you want to attack Zhang Laizhan, shouldn't you investigate the matter first? Especially after the New Year... It would be best if there is a war in the northwest, and Zhu Yong and Li Zisheng and others happen to be unsuccessful or even frustrated in their military operations in the northwest, and then go to impeach him?

What you are doing now is not only slapping Zhang Luan in the face, but also openly opposing the military policy strategy formulated by the emperor. Do you still expect to gain the approval of the new emperor in this way?
Xu Pu, who was standing in the second position in the civil service queue, stepped out and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, there are laws and regulations for transporting grain and grass to the border, and there is no need to send additional troops to cooperate.

"In addition, there is no precedent for a minister of rites who was born as an alchemist to concurrently serve as the chief censor and assist the imperial army in transporting food and military uniforms. This should be stopped as appropriate, or alternative plans should be made."

Xu Pu's words were entirely intended to refute Huai En's words.

Who said that the army went to the northwest only to escort money and food to safety?

The emperor clearly arranged the unlearned Li Zisheng as the Right Censor-in-Chief, and Qin Chang as the military supervisor... The emperor clearly intended to go to war with the Tatars.

Let’s not talk about whether it is necessary to go to war hastily. Even if you really want to send troops, shouldn’t you discuss it with our civil officials first, let us recommend candidates, and then make the decision after the court’s recommendation and discussion?
We have discussed in advance whether this is feasible, and we have a conclusion that we can have a clear idea of ​​regardless of whether we win or lose. In this situation now, who will be held responsible if something goes wrong?

How could such a stubborn and self-willed thing be done by the prince who is so well-behaved and obedient that we personally taught him?

And you still say that you were not manipulated by the villain?
Huai En explained: "Lord Xu, the snow disaster in the northwest has continued until now, and the work of collecting money and grain has been delayed again and again. The granary in the capital is so tight that it can't even take out 200,000 shi of grain. Now we have barely gathered this money and grain and transported it to the front line of disaster relief. Of course, we have to ensure safety during the journey.

"Since we want to ensure that the money and grain are delivered, there must be an official responsible for this. Why can't Li Zisheng be appointed as the Chief Censor to take charge of this matter? He is already in the northwest, and his appointment was approved by the court. Now it's just adding a task for him, so why not?"

Huai En almost told Xu Pu directly that you guys opposed it too early this time.

Just let Li Zisheng take charge.

Even if he succeeds, he will not get any credit.

If this fails, and the cloth and food needed for the winter are stolen by the Tatars along the way, Lizi Province will be blamed.

Just as Xu Pu was about to ask others to take over and gather the power of all the civil officials to make the emperor withdraw his order, the Left Censor-in-Chief Ma Wensheng came out and asked, "If there is no private intention, why is Zhang Luan, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue who advocated this matter, not in the court?"

Huai En looked at the little emperor and found that Zhu Youtang's face was getting more and more angry, so he had to say loudly: "Minister Zhang was injured a few years ago. With the special approval of His Majesty, he does not need to come to the court for consultation."

Ma Wensheng said righteously: "For such a major event, even if arrangements are made in advance, it should be questioned by the ministers afterwards. If the parties involved are not here, it is difficult to comment on the merits and demerits.

"I request that Your Majesty summon Minister Zhang here. We are willing to confront him face to face."

The implication is that whatever we say here seems to be an attack on the emperor himself.

That's why you, Huai En, acted like someone's tail was stepped on. You kept contradicting us and explaining things to us.

As long as the emperor orders Zhang Luan to come, we can find the target and perhaps we can unite to face the outside world.

If that happens, Zhang Laizhan will be speechless, and the truth will be made clear, right?
Huai En looked back at Zhu Youtang again and asked inquiringly, "Your Majesty, what do you think...?"

Zhu Youtang glanced at the ministers, suppressed his anger, and said lightly: "My father-in-law is injured, and I have promised him that he does not need to come to the palace to attend the court meeting. As the saying goes, a king never jokes. Why do you insist that I break my promise? If there is really a problem, I can explain it clearly even if my father-in-law is not here."

When it comes to protecting one's own people, Zhu Youtang has never been afraid of anyone.

You openly oppose the discussion of major plans between me and my father-in-law, which means you are opposing my decision. How can I do as you wish and call my father-in-law to be besieged by you?
If you have any ability, just come to me!
The ministers had never expected that the emperor, who had always been gentle and polite since he ascended the throne and had a very harmonious relationship with the court officials, would take such a tough attitude on the issue of sending troops to the northwest and the father-in-law Zhang Luan. This was quite out of character.

Huai En knew instantly what position he should maintain. He straightened his body, took a step forward, and shouted: "My dear ministers, your Majesty's meaning is very clear. In the past month, there have been reports of Tatar cavalry invading from all over the northwest. If the court is not prepared, the frontline soldiers will be at a loss. If any border falls, it will be a loss of face for the court.

"But if we have Chief Censor Li Zisheng, together with the temporarily appointed Yansui General, Duke Baoguo Zhu Yong, and the Internal Official Military Supervisor Tan Chang, the three of them can coordinate the use of troops in the northwest. Once the Tatars invade, they can coordinate everything to actively respond and avoid chaos."

Ma Wensheng questioned: "Since the position of Chief Censor is so important, why do you insist on using Li Zisheng instead of waiting for the court to discuss and decide on the candidate?"

Having said that, it is actually a clear statement.

We are all talking a lot here, what are we arguing about?

Isn't it because not only did Your Majesty decide to send troops on your own, but you also assigned Li Zisheng a position that seemed to be of low rank, not even that of a governor, but gave him the authority to freely mobilize troops along the way and to dispatch troops at any time to resist the invasion of the Tatars?

Is this just a grain transport officer?

It's simply a three-sided system!
Nowadays, except for the governors and generals in each military town in the Northwest, there are no positions such as the Sanbian General and Xuanda General. In other words, there are people with the authority to mobilize troops across regions and coordinate troop movements. Now, Li Zisheng is the only one in Xuanda and Sanbian!

This is a big deal.

He was born a sycophant, not even a Jinshi, and has no experience in leading troops. How can we feel at ease when Li Zisheng is given such an important task just based on the unreliable recommendation of the father-in-law Zhang Luan?
Let’s not talk about whether he will rebel because of this... Of course, the possibility of this is almost non-existent.

It doesn't matter whether he can achieve success and return triumphantly this time.

Take the process of recommending and appointing officials this time. It is totally against the rules. It is equivalent to that you, the emperor, have set a very bad precedent before even entering the Hongzhi era. You have decided who will command the army after privately discussing behind closed doors. What do we in the court do then?

Are all the civil and military officials in the court being fooled by you, Your Majesty, and that father-in-law Zhang?

Huai En said: "Ma Zongxian, it is reasonable to consider repeatedly before making a decision on who to use or not. However, the transportation of grain to the northwest and the suppression of the invasion of the Tatars are urgent and cannot be discussed slowly. Moreover, it is too late to transfer the Chief Censor from the capital to the northwest."

Ma Wensheng retorted: "The food and escort troops are all being transferred from the capital, so why can't the Chief Censor be transferred from the capital? Since the troops of the Duke of Baoguo have not yet left the capital, why can't they appoint someone else at the court today? Must they use Li Zisheng, who is now in the northwest and has no military achievements?"

Huai En said: "So, Mr. Ma, you are not against the matter itself, but against Li Zisheng, right?"

Ma Wensheng frowned and did not answer.

In the past, he would have thought Huai En was a kind man.

But in this incident, he just felt that Huai En and Zhang Luan were just treacherous villains who were out to get along with each other.

Instead, it was Tan Chang, who had previously ruled by doing nothing, who became the eunuch they admired, because Tan Chang had completely lost power in the previous struggle with Zhang Luan and was banished from the capital, while Huai En became the one who reaped the benefits.

At this moment, Ma Wensheng and Xu Pu were both unable to control the situation.

Huai En also realized that if he continued to argue with Ma Wensheng, he would easily offend the entire civil service group, which was not his intention.

After all, he opposed Zhang Luan's reckless behavior from the very beginning.

Huai En then looked at the Minister of Personnel Wang Shu who had been silent beside him and asked, "Minister Wang, you have rich experience in military management and are very familiar with the military and political affairs of the northwest. How do you think this matter should be ruled?"

Since neither Xu Pu nor Ma Wensheng could convince the public, someone with more say had to be allowed to speak out.

Although Wang Shu had only been back in the court for a short time, his reputation was still there.

In terms of qualifications and abilities, he is not inferior to the Prime Minister Liu Ji.

Of course, Huai En would definitely not ask Liu Ji for his opinion at this moment... At this moment, Liu Mianhua was resting with his eyes closed, standing there pretending to be an outsider.

Wang Shu stepped out and said, "I don't know why Your Majesty suddenly decided to use Li Zisheng and Zhu Yong to transport grain to the northwest and lead troops to resist the Tatars. But I think that appointing these two people... seems inappropriate."

Huai En asked: "What's wrong with this?"

"In deploying troops, it is important to be appropriate. Overdoing it or underdoing it will not work. As the saying goes, cats have their ways and mice have their ways. No matter whether the person appointed by Your Majesty is extremely capable or not, you must restrain yourself and not make rash decisions before verifying his ability," said Wang Shu.

Zhu Youtang was very unhappy when he heard this.

You are clearly attacking me!
What you mean is that I, an amateur, am leading the professionals?

(End of this chapter)