Emperor Ming: Your Majesty, you have caused me so much suffering.

"Imperial Censor Chen!"

Zhu Qiyu ignored the courtiers' ulterior motives and continued calling out names.

Officials in the imperial court are all intelligent people. Some things don't need to be said too explicitly; tacit understanding is the best way to get along.

Chen Yi seemed oblivious, still pondering Yu Qian's idea. In the past, the Censorate only had the power to supervise the military. If it could also directly intervene in military operations alongside military officers and eunuchs, its power would greatly increase. This idea was not entirely unacceptable.

"Chen Yushi!" Takagu called softly.

Reminded by Gao Gu, Chen Yi finally came to his senses and hurriedly gave a serious reply.

"Your Highness, the people of the capital are in a state of panic. This is mainly because the northern expedition was a defeat, and the soldiers who survived fled south. They are terrified and deliberately exaggerate the strength of the Oirat Mongols. This has caused some people to turn pale at the mention of the tiger and flee south in droves. I have already, together with the Court of Judicial Review, detained the relevant personnel for trial, and the people's hearts will soon be at peace."

Seeing that Zhu Qiyu nodded, Chen Yi continued, "Your Highness, I have another matter to discuss."

"Speak your mind!"

Chen Yi made a startling statement: "We should issue an order to completely fortify the city and clear the fields north of the capital, and relocate all the people who have not yet fled south into the city so that officials and civilians can defend the city together. Only in this way can we work together to resist the Oirat Mongols."

The newly appointed Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, Xuan Ni, hurriedly spoke up: "No, Your Highness, think carefully! If all the people are moved into the city, how will they be settled? Along the route from the capital north to the important border towns, although many people have fled south, many still hold their ground. What have these people done to deserve this?"

These words caused a brief silence in the court.

The officials understood that what they called moving the people into the city was actually a way of conscripting men.

With a major battle imminent, there is probably no time to care about the lives of these civilians. Like refugees, they could die if not handled properly.

If the people stayed at home, and were lucky enough that the Oirats were blocked outside the pass, or that the Oirats entered the pass without passing through their hometowns, wouldn't they be able to survive? This was much better than a scorched-earth policy.

However, from the perspective of the imperial court, if they did not implement a scorched-earth policy, the resources of these people could very well become a disguised way of aiding the enemy.

When faced with a choice, whose interests should be sacrificed is self-evident; it's not a matter of choice at all.

Chen Yi frowned slightly, thinking that his newly appointed subordinate had actually contradicted him. He said, "If we don't act this way, how will the Ministry of Revenue replenish such a large amount of supplies? If the Oirats march south, won't these supplies become Oirats' supplies? This shift in power will undoubtedly boost the morale of the Oirats."

Zhu Qiyu finally understood. So this idea was to use local resources. If they demolished the houses, they could replenish their supplies, not to mention other materials, they could even get a lot of firewood.

In this way, the capital might not need to resort to drastic measures to requisition supplies from officials and gentry to complete the task.

Xuan Ni advised, "Your Highness, if we proceed in this way, even if we defeat the Oirats, the people will still be homeless. After the war, our Great Ming will be filled with refugees and starving people. This would be a great calamity for our Great Ming, and the world would be in danger of collapse. How is this any different from the Oirats invading the south?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the ministers changed slightly. Even Chen Yi dared not insist any further, and could only blame the one in the north for his misdeeds.

Zhu Qiyu frowned slightly, looked at Yu Qian, and asked, "Minister Yu, what are your thoughts?"

"Your Highness, from a military perspective, I believe we should adopt a scorched-earth policy. As long as Esen's supplies are insufficient, our chances of securing the capital will be greater. Moreover, most of the people have already fled south, which means they have abandoned their homes and have nothing else to their name. I believe we should demolish what needs to be demolished and burn what cannot be demolished. We should not use this to support Esen, otherwise we must prepare for a protracted war."

"I believe that a swift victory is necessary to avoid burdening the people. Imperial Censor Xuan's words are reasonable, but they are also illogical. If the Ming Dynasty were to wage a prolonged war against the Oirat Mongols, it would not only burden the people of the Ming Dynasty but also deplete the national strength of the Ming Dynasty."

Yu Qian's words were immediately agreed upon by the ministers. Every additional month of war would consume countless manpower and resources, and the damage to the country would be unpredictable. This was something that could not be compared to the scorched earth policy.

"This... I haven't considered this carefully!"

Xuan Ni was an honest official who liked to speak up for the people.

His starting point was good, but at this moment it must be said that Yu Qian's thinking was more profound and grander.

Zhu Qiyu looked at Wang Zhi and Hu Ying and asked, "Minister Wang, Minister Hu, what are your thoughts?"

Wang Zhi pondered for a moment and said, "I believe that the strategy of fortifying the walls and clearing the fields is a conventional warfare tactic and there is nothing wrong with it. I believe that the people of our Great Ming can understand the difficulties involved."

Hu Ying chimed in, "We should pay more attention to resettling the people!"

Zhu Qiyu nodded slightly but did not speak.

"Your Highness, I hope you will make a decision soon!" Chen Yi reminded him.

Zhu Qiyu glanced at his ministers and slowly said, "My Great Ming is far from being in such a state! Gentlemen, is this alright? Just clear out the houses around the nine gates of the capital. I am certain that Esen will not wage a prolonged war. Unless Esen can completely conquer the two important towns of Xuanfu and Datong, even if Esen enters the pass, he will head straight for the capital and will not linger along the way. As long as we defeat Esen at the gates of the capital, he will surely retreat."

Upon hearing this, Yu Qian's eyes lit up, and he said, "Your Highness is wise. If Esen dares to linger outside the capital, our Great Ming Dynasty may well be able to encircle him!"

"Your Highness is wise!"

The officials also realized that a scorched-earth policy would suffice for the area around the capital.

It's estimated that the Oirat army won't be needed in other areas. If the Oirat army only manages to break through one pass and reach the capital, they won't be able to capture it quickly. If they dare to remain inside the pass, they'll most likely be unable to get out.

The only option for the Oirat forces advancing south was a swift and decisive victory.

Unless Esen can capture Xuanfu and Datong before advancing south, it is unlikely that he can advance steadily.

The ministers recalled that Prince Cheng had just ordered that only four months' worth of supplies be left. Could it be that Prince Cheng was actually knowledgeable in military affairs?

Just as the officials were still marveling at Zhu Qiyu's brilliant idea, the officials left behind in the Ministry of War and the Office of Transmission arrived with pale faces. This made the officials' hearts skip a beat, and even Zhu Qiyu felt a sense of joy turning into sorrow.

The Ministry of War arrived to explain that there was an urgent military situation.

The Director of the Court of State Affairs arrived to explain that there was urgent official business.

At the same time, it was extremely urgent, and I was incredibly unlucky!

"Your Highness, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

Zhu Qiyu asked, "What urgent matter is it?"

The two officials looked around, but ultimately dared not speak. They simply held up the memorial and a handwritten edict.

This angered Yu Qian and his companions so much that they almost resorted to robbery.

Zhu Qiyu looked at Xing'an, who understood and hurriedly went to retrieve the memorial and the imperial edict.

Zhu Qiyu took a look, and instantly clenched his teeth, so angry that he almost tore the question book up.

"Today's court meeting is adjourned. All officials shall return to their offices to attend to their duties. Those of the third rank and above shall proceed to the Wenhua Hall for further discussion!"

Upon hearing this, the ministers were greatly alarmed. Could it be that the Oirats had already entered the pass?

If that's the case, the loyalist army hasn't arrived yet, so it's better to escape for our lives right now.

Xu Cheng saw his chance and wanted to prove himself again!

Xu Cheng bowed and said, "Your Highness, what important matter is it? Why not inform the court officials? We have the right to know."

As soon as Xu Cheng said this, a chorus of agreement arose in the court.

"We hope Your Highness will be frank with us!"

Wang Zhi and the others had no other choice but to follow suit and petition.

Helpless, Zhu Qiyu could only hand the question book to Jin Ying on the other side.

Jin Ying was overjoyed, finally having a chance to use her skills. She cleared her throat, preparing to recite a poem.

Upon seeing the contents, I was terrified and cried out for my mother. I felt the heat on my hands, and they trembled so much that I could barely hold them steady. They were constantly shaking.

"read!"

Jin Ying was startled when she met Zhu Qiyu's murderous gaze, but managed to regain her composure.

"Your Majesty, Yang Hong, Left Commander-in-Chief and Commander-in-Chief of Xuanfu, respectfully submits this memorial: Esen led a large army to escort His Majesty to Xuanfu, demanding gold, silver, and other valuables. His Majesty stood beneath the city wall and issued a handwritten edict ordering us to open the city gates for an audience! We declined, citing the late hour. We request Your Majesty's instructions on how to proceed afterward!"

What?

The imperial court was in an uproar!

Many of the officials already showed anger on their faces, and a hint of hatred flashed in their eyes.

Many of the officials looked ashen-faced and utterly dejected.

He was unaware that the imperial tablet in his hand had fallen, and he felt as if his worldview had been shattered and his life ideals had been destroyed.

A moment later, many court officials picked up their court tablets, slowly turned around, and revealed a few bitter smiles as if their parents had died. They lowered their hands, holding the court tablets, and walked towards the palace gate like walking corpses.

The Emperor is actually knocking on the door!

The emperor is actually knocking on the gate!

The emperor wants to put all the people of the world to death!