Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 720 Both and More
Court meeting.

The morning court had just begun, and before a few topics could be discussed, all the ministers, led by the Left Censor-in-Chief Ma Wensheng, jumped out to oppose the emperor's participation in the military parade.

Ma Wensheng was the first to speak: "Emperors may attend military inspections, review troops on the battlefield, give farewell parties to their soldiers, or lead an army in person, from the capital to Huanglong, but there has never been a precedent of an emperor taking risks in front of the enemy to demonstrate the country's prestige.

"Moreover, foreign invaders are constantly coming, and there are many wars at the borders. As a ruler, you should put state affairs first and send officials from the Ministry of Rites to treat the envoys well and return them to their territory after granting them gifts. You should not allow them to linger in our capital and cause trouble. This is the best policy."

Ma Wensheng started the conversation, and then the censors from the Censorate and the six ministries came forward one after another and began to list the various drawbacks of the emperor's participation in the military parade.

In general, people believed that the emperor's move was unwise as it put him in danger.

Zhu Youtang sat high on the dragon throne, his expression completely unmoved, except that he would often look to his right, where Tan Ji was originally.

But Qin Ji did not return to the palace today because he was on vacation. Now he could only listen to the people below objecting there, and there was no one around to help speak for him.

Huai En didn't want to, Li Rong didn't want to show up, and Xiao Jing didn't dare.

Finally, Zhu Youtang had no choice but to speak up himself: "My fellow ministers, this is just an ordinary military exercise. Why do you have to make it so serious?"

The ministers present did not seem to be shaken by the emperor's grievances.

For many people at the scene, this was a perfect opportunity to climb up the ladder, and they had to make the emperor give up.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Huai En stepped forward and said in a loud voice: "Regarding the military review, the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Luan, will take the lead. Now that the matter has been decided, the troops of the Jing Army and the Beijing Camp have also made preparations in advance and have a foolproof plan. You don't need to say more, I believe there will be no accidents this time."

There was a reason why Huai En came out to speak for the emperor at this time.

I will retire soon, and every time I participate in court meetings, it will be one less opportunity.

Your Majesty, you have completely ignored my opinions on some matters for some time. You must think that I am a bad person because my position is contrary to yours.

Then you might as well listen more to the opinions of your subordinates and let them know that I am not the only one who thinks this way. Your ministers, whether old or new, and even those court officials who were once lecturers in the Eastern Palace and whom you trust, all have almost the same views as me.

Do you still think I am deliberately contradicting you?
In the end, as your loyal servant, I will of course stand firmly by your side and speak for you.

Liu Ji also walked out of the court with a thick face, like a loyal old minister, and said: "Your Majesty, I don't understand why you have to do this? Letting someone else attend on your behalf may also make the foreigners submit. And you personally go out of the city to inspect the troops, except for risking your life, there will be no extra gains."

Huai En refuted: "Lord Liu, since ancient times, military affairs have never been trivial. Your Majesty has gone there in person, and there is a precedent to follow. Even if it is not to inspect the troops, what is wrong with Your Majesty going to comfort the soldiers in Beijing?"

When Liu Ji heard this, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.

What does Huai En mean to you?
I secretly mobilized court officials to oppose the emperor, and I visited every government office I could. When it was my turn to speak out, you targeted me?
What’s the matter? You want both, right?

What? You are the only good guy and we are all bad guys?
Liu Ji was now the chief minister of the cabinet, standing at the top of the civil officials. When facing a prime minister who was about to retire, he was not afraid at all and said in a fair and straightforward tone:

"I heard that during this military inspection, the troops will be deployed in battle formation and cannons will be fired in front of foreigners. Under such circumstances, if someone has ill intentions and takes the opportunity to harm your Majesty, or if the Tatars offend you, who will be held responsible?"

Before Huai En could refute, Zhu Youtang answered in person this time: "Lord Liu, I want to ask you, do you think that thousands of palace guards can't protect me well?"

Liu Ji said: "Your Majesty is the ruler of the world. You should put the country first and not put yourself in any danger. If Your Majesty thinks that this military exercise is necessary, please appoint me to represent you in this matter. Even if I have to personally participate in the military exercise, or even die on the spot, I will have no complaints."

Hearing this, many people present felt indignant.

Even though it was ridiculous for the emperor to attend the military review, it was not as outrageous as what you said.

Who do you think you are?
You are the chief minister in name only, but who takes you seriously now? Our trust in the ministers is all based on the fact that Xu Ge Lao is in charge of the cabinet.

As for you, Liu Ji... you are just a puppet!
What? Do you want to use this military exercise as an opportunity to show your strong character, regain the respect of the scholars, and lead us in doing things?

Sorry, that's impossible!

Huai En said in a mocking tone: "Lord Liu, we have all seen your loyalty to the emperor and the country. But there are some things that I am afraid you cannot bear with your ability.

"Your Majesty is kind to all people, even to foreigners, and is willing to personally preside over this military review. You can accompany him and shield him from dangers from all sides. Why would you want to cause trouble for each other when the time comes?"

These words seemed to be a lesson to Liu Ji, but also seemed to be a rebuttal to all those who opposed the military parade present.

It is impossible for the emperor to fall out with his ministers.

But Huai En was not afraid.

If you oppose the emperor's decision, you will only cause trouble for both parties. I am just speaking out for justice!
What is my position?
I'm sorry, although I oppose it in private, but in public, I am still the emperor's most loyal servant and will put the emperor's interests and reputation first.

Your open opposition clearly shows that you are not giving face to the emperor and me.

Many civil officials present were indignant.

Although Huai En did not express his opposition to the military parade openly, the small actions he took in private could not be hidden from the majority of people present.

But they never expected that Huai En really wanted "both" and was so shameless that he taught those who held the same position as him a lesson in court.

Huai En turned around and said respectfully to the emperor: "Your Majesty, in the past few days, some people have privately suggested that you should not participate in this military review.

"You have read these opinions. Many of the concerns are not a problem and can be overcome. But if you openly oppose them in the court now, it will inevitably be suspected of usurping power and will be a disloyal act.

"I think we should set some rules and try to prevent such things from happening again in the future."

These words also seemed to remind those who had opinions about his kindness.

I object, but that is my private opinion. At least on the surface, I have always stood with the emperor.

And what about you?

When opposing, they completely ignore the occasion!

He even did something as humiliating as the emperor without hesitation. But had he ever thought about how dangerous it was to openly challenge the imperial power like this?
Just because the emperor doesn't listen to you civil officials, you can just break up with him in public?
Liu Ji still refused to give in: "If the emperor does something inappropriate, how can a subject not advise him? All I have done is for your majesty, for the stability of the Ming Dynasty, and for the people of the world. I have no selfish motives."

If it doesn't make sense on the surface, start talking about value.

Zhu Youtang stood up suddenly, staring at Liu Ji with a gloomy look, and said loudly: "I appreciate your kindness, but I have to remind you that I have already made the decision a long time ago, and any attempt to change my mind is meaningless.

"If you are worried that I will be in danger, then during the military exercise, I will try to stay away from dangerous places. As for you nobles, you can choose to go or not."

The ministers present were very confused. Originally, whether to go or not was a matter of the emperor's words, but now we are being asked to choose for ourselves?

What does this mean?
Are you angry?
Wouldn't those who go offend their colleagues, and those who don't go offend you, the emperor?
Zhu Youtang continued, "The purpose of this military exercise is to ensure long-term peace and stability on the border of the Ming Dynasty. If this effect can be achieved, it will naturally be cause for celebration. However, if the Tatars still persist in their wrongdoings and continue to violate the border, the Ming Dynasty will not tolerate them. This war at the beginning of this spring should be regarded as the beginning of a long war."

As he said this, the young emperor's face showed a bit more confidence.

In the past, when Zhu Youtang mentioned wars, border defense, etc. in the court, he had no confidence at all.

Even at the end of last year, when Li Zisheng was arranged to hold the title of Chief Censor to assist in border defense, the emperor and his ministers argued endlessly over the issue of official position. The emperor even had to use an aggrieved tone and take a step back before they finally chose a compromise.

But now, only a month has passed, and the situation is already fundamentally different.

Li Zisheng helped the emperor win a battle in the northwest, which was enough to prove that even without the support of the ministers in the court, the emperor was qualified to win the battle against foreign barbarians.

In other words, the emperor can now completely skip over his ministers and make decisions on important military matters without being restricted by court meetings.

This is just like the prime minister of a country in later generations who skipped the Council of Elders to make decisions.

No emperor would want to have his thoughts restricted by the ministers in the court, especially a young monarch who has just ascended the throne and has not yet shown his three tricks and has an enterprising mindset.

Seeing that all the ministers present were silent, Huai En was shocked. Did this kill all the ministers' enthusiasm for opposing the emperor? But he could only stand up and make a closing statement:

"After the morning court tomorrow, Your Majesty will attend the military review and will be escorted to the parade ground outside the city by the Four Guards Battalion and the Embroidered Uniform Guard. At the same time, each government office will leave someone on duty, and the rest of the people will attend together."

……

……

After the court meeting ended, Zhu Youtang returned to the Qianqing Palace. He did not sit in the imperial carriage and looked very relaxed.

When Huai En came over to support him, Zhu Youtang seemed a little guilty and asked in a low voice: "Big Companion, were the words I said in front of them a little harsh?"

Huai En smiled and comforted: "Your Majesty, you just showed the majesty of an emperor at the court meeting. It was appropriate and very good."

Zhu Youtang's tense face finally relaxed, and he asked with a smile, "Which parade ground will we hold tomorrow? Have you arranged everything?"

Even Zhu Youtang discovered that Huai'en deliberately concealed the venue of the military parade at the court meeting, as if he was afraid that the news would leak out and give the scoundrels an opportunity to take advantage of it.

"Everything will be arranged by then."

Huai En said, "Would you like to meet the young uncle of the Zhang family later? He arranged everything. I think he will give you a reasonable explanation."

"It's time to meet."

Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "I haven't seen Yanling in the past two days. He should have been allowed to come to the palace to listen to the court meeting today. But it's good. Seeing less of those people's arguments will make him calmer. He just needs to do a good job of the military exercise...

"Otomo, you don't know that I was shocked when I heard Yanling talk about how powerful the new artillery is. I hope to experience it for myself on the parade ground tomorrow, and let you nobles see it. I think they should understand my thoughts."

……

……

The meeting ended.

The ministers were on their way out of the palace.

Xu Pu quickly followed Liu Ji who was walking in front of him and asked, "Mr. Liu, you personally came out to oppose His Majesty's inspection of the troops today. Why didn't you inform your colleagues in advance? This way, we can coordinate and cooperate. Your argument will only be in vain and may even cause His Majesty's disgust!"

It seemed like he was blaming Liu Ji for not discussing it in advance and not communicating with him.

In fact, it was also to tell Liu Ji that if we really knew you were so brave, we would have arranged some effective methods and approaches for you in advance, quoted from classics, and even sent people to cooperate with you, so that you would not end up in such a miserable situation like now.

It's all your fault!

Liu Ji said: "I oppose Your Majesty's going to the military parade to show the attitude of a minister of remonstrance...Since ancient times, is it easy for a minister to change the king's decision?"

When Xu Pu heard this, he couldn't help but get angry. It turned out that you knew it was useless to argue, and you just wanted to show that you are an upright minister?

Selling character?

"I don't think that when Zhang Laizhan claimed to be ill and could not go out, relying on just a young boy in his family and a group of people who were behind the scenes, they could have completed a military inspection. If something goes wrong, who will be laughed at? Don't blame me for not reminding you then!"

Liu Ji's words made Xu Pu suddenly realize that this old guy was not that stupid.

Was he aware that the emperor would suffer a setback in the military parade and objecting in advance in order to shirk responsibility afterwards and at the same time show that he was a great prophet?
Moreover, Liu Ji seemed to be very clear about who the enemy Zhang Luan was facing now.

It seems that the court has the assistance of an experienced person like Huai En, and he also seems to stand firmly on the side of the emperor and provide full assistance.

But in fact, Huai'en, this kind-hearted guy, is the biggest conspirator in the Ming Dynasty today, and the person who least wants Zhang Luan to rise in the court and call the shots in the future.

In this case, Huai En would naturally use some conspiracy to make this military parade go wrong, preferably with a dismal ending... He might not necessarily need to save the emperor's face, he just needed to do one thing... make the emperor feel that this incident was too disappointing, and it would be inappropriate to carry out such a wasteful and costly activity in the future.

"Will Mr. Liu join us in the military inspection tomorrow?"

Xu Pu asked.

Liu Ji glanced at him sideways and sneered, "Your Majesty asked you to choose, do you really think you are qualified to choose? There is only one way, you have to go!"

Xu Pu said: "Then I will stay in the cabinet."

"..."

Liu Ji frowned in confusion at first, but then seemed to understand something. It seemed that Xu Pu did not jump out to oppose the emperor, nor did he stand on the opposite side of the emperor, but he was still using silent protest and carrying out a non-violent non-cooperation movement.

Liu Ji muttered, "I don't know who is causing trouble for your majesty. Some people like to pretend to be good people, but in fact they are more vicious than anyone else! Bah!"

Even if Xu Pu heard this criticism, he pretended not to hear it and walked away with a sullen face.

(End of this chapter)