My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 75 Introduction
Gao Gong's ceremony was not grand. Apart from the imperial carriage, he was only accompanied by a few officials.

As the host of this cabinet meeting, Minister of War Huo Ji naturally had to stand behind the main gate to welcome the important cabinet officials.

Gao Gong and Huo Ji talked for a few words, and both of their eyes fell on Su Ze behind them. At this time, Gao Gong waved to Su Ze, and Su Ze hurried forward.

Guo Zhun, who was standing by, was also stunned. He knew that Lord Gao admired Su Ze, but he didn't expect that he would publicly express his closeness to Su Ze in front of the officials of the Ministry of War.

This is no longer the level of an ordinary disciple or former official. Gao Gong regards Su Ze as his confidant.

Guo Zhun secretly rejoiced that he had a good attitude towards Su Ze.

Gao Gong thinks so highly of Su Ze, I'm afraid he will be able to rise to great heights in a few years.

When Su Ze came behind him, Gao Gong said to Huo Ji:

"This is Su Zilin, who wrote the 'Strategy to Subdue the Rong'. Come meet Huo Butang."

Gao Gong's tone was as if he was introducing his own nephews. Looking at Huo Ji's smiling face, Su Ze knew that this Minister of War was probably also an accomplice of Gao Gong.

Gao Gong personally carried the teacup for himself. Su Ze performed the etiquette of a younger generation towards Huo Ji. Huo Ji smiled even more brightly and said:

"I have also read Su Zilin's 'Strategies for Subduing the Rong'. I have one question I'd like to ask."

Su Ze quickly said humbly:
"Mr. Huo, you are too kind. I am just talking about military affairs on paper. I have heard that Mr. Huo has served in nine frontier regions and is the most familiar with border affairs among the court officials. I would like to ask for your guidance."

Huo Ji looked at Su Ze carefully. Since Su Ze took office, every memorial he wrote was earth-shaking. He originally thought that Su Ze was a loyal minister like Gao Gong who did not care about human relationships and worldly affairs.

But I didn't expect him to be so humble and even praise himself in a roundabout way.

Gao Gong, who was standing by, couldn't stand listening any longer and said directly:

"How could Huo Butang be such a hypocritical person? If you have something to say, just say it directly!"

Huo Ji was feeling relieved by Su Ze's compliment, but Gao Gong interrupted him. He had no choice but to continue:

"Su Zilin said in the opening chapter of 'Planning the Enemy', 'If the general's prestige is already established, then first cultivate it with kindness; if the general's prestige is not yet in place, then first strengthen it with authority.' Which military manual did this come from? Why have I never read this military manual?"

Gao Gong also looked at Su Ze.

Gao Gong himself had not read many military books, and he felt that the passage quoted at the beginning of Su Ze's "Ping Rong Ce" was very reasonable and had a deep understanding of the key to commanding the army. Gao Gong originally thought that this was a famous quote from a military book he had not read.

But Huo Ji was different. He had been dealing with military affairs for a long time, and most of the books in his home were military books. If even Huo Ji had heard of the sentence, would Su Ze dare to make it up in the memorial to the emperor?
Seeing the two important ministers' eyes falling on Su Ze, Guo Zhun behind Su Ze felt tremendous pressure.

An evaluation by important cabinet ministers like Gao Gong and Huo Ji could influence the future of a young official.

Although Guo Zhun was the son of a former cabinet minister and also the son of an old friend of Gao Gong, he was still very cautious when facing Gao Gong and did not dare to make any mistakes.

Su Ze smiled and said, "Actually, this sentence is not from the military book."

Huo Ji smiled and said to Gao Gong:
"Lord Gao, it seems I have won this bet."

Gao Gong took out some small change from his waist bag. When he and Huo Ji were discussing Su Ze's "Plan to Pacify the Rong", he made a bet with Huo Ji. He didn't expect that Su Ze was so bold that he actually made up allusions in the memorial!

Gao Gong recalled that an official from the Chancellery had reported to him that Su Ze had made up a story about a tired ghost when lecturing the Crown Prince to encourage him to study.

Gao Gong glared at Su Ze, probably blaming him for causing him to lose money. Su Ze then said:

"Lord Gao, wait a minute."

The two important officials' eyes fell on Su Ze again, and Su Ze said slowly:
"This sentence is not in the existing military manual, but it will be in future military manuals."

?

Su Ze said:

"Lord Gao, Minister Huo, I have an aide who once served under Hu Zongxian. He once discussed military affairs with General Qi Jiguang, and this sentence was said by General Qi." "I heard that General Qi is compiling a military manual, and this sentence will definitely appear in it."

Su Ze smiled and said:

"Lord Gao, you can take back the silver now."

Hearing Su Ze say this, Gao Gong laughed and immediately took the silver back.

Huo Ji did not win the bet, but he looked at Su Ze with admiration and recited Qi Jiguang's name twice.

Su Ze opened "The Plan for Pacificating the Rong" with a famous quote from "The New Book of Effectiveness", originally leaving an introduction, and planned to use this introduction to recommend Qi Jiguang to Emperor Longqing.

However, being able to mention Qi Jiguang in front of Huo Ji, who is in charge of the country's military and political affairs, can be considered as achieving the goal.

Guo Zhun looked at Su Ze with admiration. He didn't even dare to speak like that to his father, the cabinet minister, but Su Ze could make two important ministers so close to him.

At this moment, the clerk at the door called out:
"Master Zhang is here!"

The gate of the Ministry of War opened again, and Su Ze saw Zhang Juzheng's gorgeous carriage. Then a group of assistant officers led the way and surrounded Zhang Juzheng as he walked into the gate of the Ministry of War.

What a grand ceremony!

These assistant officers are all officials of the Ministry of Revenue. They all hold wooden boxes with the seal of the Ministry of Revenue in their hands. These should be the account books of the Ministry of Revenue.

That’s right. Today we are discussing the use of troops against Altan Khan. As the party paying the money, the Ministry of Revenue naturally has to settle the accounts clearly.

Gao Gong frowned slightly. He never liked Zhang Juzheng's ostentation, but he and Zhang Juzheng had been cooperating well recently, so he would not undermine Zhang Juzheng in such matters.

As the host, Huo Ji also warmly welcomed Zhang Juzheng, but from his slight sense of alienation, it could be seen that he and Zhang Juzheng were not of the same faction.

Zhang Juzheng also caught a glimpse of Su Ze, but did not approach to speak. Then the clerk at the door shouted again:
"Minister Lei of the Ministry of Works has arrived!"

"Minister Mao of the Ministry of Justice has arrived!"

"Lord Zhao is here!"

Now all the important ministers of the cabinet have arrived. Zhao Zhenji, the last one to step into the Ministry of War, glanced at Su Ze, ignored him and exchanged greetings with other cabinet ministers, and then the group entered the Mingtang of the Ministry of War where they held meetings.

Guo Zhun and other accompanying officials were arranged by officials from the Ministry of War to stay in a side hall.

Su Ze followed Guo Zhun to the side hall, and Guo Zhun said quickly:

"Su Hanlin, why did you follow me to the side hall?"

Guo Zhun quickly called over to Cao Bangfu, the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, who was leading the charge.

"Minister Cao, Hanlin Su has been personally ordered by His Majesty to attend the cabinet meeting. Please bring him to the Mingtang as soon as possible."

The officials of the Ministry of War looked at each other in bewilderment, and Vice Minister Cao Bangfu was even more confused.

Cao Bangfu was already the Minister of War, the second-in-command of the Ministry of War, but he was still not qualified to attend cabinet meetings.

Such a small official in a green robe?
However, Guo Zhun was the Secretary of the Central Secretariat beside Gao Gong, and he did not dare to falsely convey the imperial edict. Cao Bangfu still respectfully led Su Ze to the Mingtang.

As soon as he entered the Mingtang, Su Ze heard Gao Gong's loud voice.

It’s recently been removed from the new book list, and I’ll be almost naked for the next week, so it’s very important to catch up on reading at this time.

Please read this book, it will be on the shelves next weekend. Thank you very much.

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(End of this chapter)