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

Wenhua Hall.

All the important civil and military officials of the court were present, and even Zhang Ni and a few others were summoned by Zhu Qiyu for a meeting.

Zhu Qiyu originally intended to convene a court assembly, with the court officials gathering at the Fengtian Hall so that he could sit on the emperor's throne and experience it for himself.

However, the thought was quickly abandoned.

Since assuming the regency, every court session has inevitably caused some kind of turmoil. The key issue is that court sessions are too inefficient at resolving problems, and Zhu Qiyu does not want to waste time at this moment.

Zhu Qiyu was in a rather low mood today. He had just been confirmed as the successor to the throne yesterday, and today his ministers were already causing him distress.

Zhu Qiyu had made it clear that he wanted to protect Gu Xingzu, but some court officials still wouldn't let go and called for his execution. This was clearly a test to see if he, the new emperor, was easy to control.

Another matter is that Guo Jing was escorted to the capital last night. Some people used the crimes committed by Guo Jing and Cao Jixiang to make a big fuss, denouncing the abuses of eunuchs supervising the army. They claimed that these eunuchs were the culprits of the Tumu Crisis and petitioned Zhu Qiyu to abolish the eunuchs supervising the army and instead send censors to supervise the army in the future.

To target both Wu Xun and the palace officials at the same time seems a bit too hasty.

Perhaps some people believe that using civil administration to control military affairs is the best solution, and that theoretical discussions are a long-standing hobby of civil officials.

Whether these two actions were instigated by important officials in the court remains unknown.

As soon as Zhu Qiyu appeared, the officials hurriedly performed the grand ceremony of paying homage.

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

"No need for formalities!"

"I summoned you all here today to inquire about the progress of preparations for various matters in the capital. However, before that, I have two memorials in my hand, each containing your own opinions." Zhu Qiyu handed them to Xing'an, who was standing to the side, and said, "Read them!"

Xing'an recited the text with great emotion. The first document was an impeachment of Gu Xingzu, and he remained calm. However, when he read the second document, his voice trembled slightly. This document was aimed at the eunuchs. If the eunuchs could not supervise the army, they would lose more than half of their power.

After Xing'an finished reading, Zhu Qiyu glanced at the assembled officials and said, "Whether Zhenyuan Marquis should be killed or not, let's present the plan today. Anyone who submits such a memorial in the future will be considered stirring up trouble and harboring ulterior motives. There are still empty cells in the Northern Garrison Prison."

Zhang Ni has grown much bolder recently. Now that he's certain that Zhu Qiyu supports Xun Gui, he's not afraid at all.

"Your Majesty, I believe that while those responsible can be held accountable, their crimes do not warrant death. Marquis Zhenyuan was merely a commander-in-chief, not the supreme commander. The defeat was not solely his fault. Is it that since the situation was hopeless and defeat was inevitable, generals could not preserve their lives and were forced to fight a losing battle, to die on the battlefield? If so, who will dare to lead troops in the future? Can anyone truly achieve victory in every battle?"

"If we're talking about past crimes, the Emperor Emeritus has already dealt with them. Is it possible to punish two crimes at once? If so, most of the officials in the court should be dismissed."

Zhu Qiyu glanced at Zhang Ni, thinking that his explanation was quite clever and that these nobles were not entirely useless.

Wang Zhi looked at Wang Wentong and Chen Yi with questioning eyes, wondering how the Censorate was managed and why they were causing trouble at this time.

Wang Wen is once again comparable to Dou E; he truly knows nothing.

Chen Yi did not look directly at Wang Zhi, which clearly indicated that he was aware of the matter. Although he did not instigate it, he did not stop it either.

Seeing that the officials seemed not to have reacted, Zhu Qiyu felt relieved, knowing that at least most of the people in the hall were unaware of the situation.

"Gentlemen, let's all speak up. Silence is not the way to solve problems."

After a moment of contemplation, Yu Qian could only bite the bullet and say, "Your Majesty, it is indeed not advisable to kill generals before the battle. I believe that we can strip the Marquis of Zhenyuan of his title and let him atone for his crimes by performing meritorious service. If we can defeat the Oirat Mongols, then we will let bygones be bygones."

Yu Qian had to admit that Zhang Ni's words made sense. The people in the capital were in a state of panic. If defeat meant execution, who would dare to take on the heavy responsibility of defending the capital and guarding the passes? The most urgent task was to unite all available forces and rally the people to win this battle.

Zhu Qiyu glanced at Yu Qian with satisfaction, then looked at the assembled officials and asked, "Any further objections?"

Seeing Yu Qian's stance, Wang Zhi and the others could only echo, "We have no objection."

"According to what Minister Yu said, the Marquis of Zhenyuan was punished by having his title stripped and was ordered to atone for his crime by performing meritorious service."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhu Qiyu picked up the memorial and waved it around, saying, "As for this memorial requesting the abolition of eunuchs and military supervisors, what are your thoughts on it?"

Upon hearing this, Xing'an and Li Yongchang beside him became slightly nervous, especially Li Yongchang. Previously, Zhu Qiyu had arranged for him to assist in managing military affairs in the capital. If the eunuch supervisors were suddenly removed, what power would he have left?

Zhang Ni felt he could perform exceptionally well and immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I believe this action is an overcorrection. Emperor Taizong's use of eunuchs to supervise the army did not cause any problems, and Liu Yongcheng's appointment to oversee Gansu was also remarkably effective, earning him widespread praise. It is normal for there to be one or two corrupt officials among the eunuchs. If an imperial censor were used to supervise the army, it would ensure that the censor would handle this matter properly. In the past, the Han Dynasty executed quite a few imperial censors who supervised the army."

"Therefore, I believe the problem lies not in the system, but in the people. Just as officials govern the country, who can guarantee that there will be no derelict officials? If derelict officials do appear, does that mean that our Great Ming's bureaucratic system must be overthrown and rebuilt?"

Zhu Qiyu's eyes lit up. Zhang Ni must have been born into the wrong family. With such a sharp tongue, he should be sent to the Censorate.

"Minister Yu, you are in charge of the Ministry of War. This matter concerns the army. What are your thoughts?" Zhu Qiyu asked bluntly.

Yu Qian cursed inwardly. Power should be seized subtly and gradually, not by shouting and clamoring. The crucial point was that with a formidable enemy at hand, this action was clearly adding to the chaos.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of War is in charge of deployment, the Imperial Inspector is in charge of discipline, the generals are in charge of commanding troops, and the eunuchs who supervise the army are in charge of handling military supplies and investigating corruption. Each of them should perform their duties and work together with one heart to achieve great success."

Yu Qian put it very tactfully, but in fact, there is not much of a problem with this system.

Eunuchs weren't the main villains. Many eunuchs didn't actually interfere with military operations; instead, they were responsible for logistics and allocating military supplies, which was a huge advantage for them.

Because eunuchs represented the emperor in the past, no one dared to stop them when it came to allocating military supplies. Without eunuchs, military officers would argue with civil officials every day about demanding rations and pay. Moreover, if military supplies were not in the hands of military officers, it would be extremely difficult to rebel.

In addition, Yu Qian also reminded Zhu Qiyu that the duties of these eunuchs should be limited to handling military supplies and investigating corruption, rather than interfering in commanding troops in battle. Guo Jing, who is about to be executed by slow slicing, had overstepped his bounds.

Wang Zhi seized the opportunity and said bluntly, "Your Majesty, the practice of eunuchs supervising the army has existed since ancient times; it is not unique to our dynasty. Its continued existence must have its reasons. I merely urge Your Majesty that eunuchs must also be strictly disciplined. Otherwise, like Guo Jing, they will bring disaster to the region—this is the truth. I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully!"

Zhu Qiyu agreed with this point and asked Xing'an, "Did you listen?"

Xing'an breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that he hadn't been stripped of his power as the eunuch supervisor. He hurriedly pleaded guilty, saying, "Your Majesty, I will certainly reflect on my actions and strictly supervise the eunuchs on behalf of Your Majesty."

"In that case, this memorial will remain in the palace and not be sent out," Zhu Qiyu said slowly, placing the memorial on his desk. "My lords, this is wartime. The priority is to protect the capital. Unfounded accusations need not be submitted. The Office of Transmission, the Censorate, and the Six Ministries must conduct a thorough review. The officials who offer advice are here to correct the mistakes in the administration, not to stir up trouble!"

The officials immediately composed themselves and hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, we obey!"

Zhu Qiyu looked at Yu Qian and asked, "Have all the loyalist troops entered the capital yet?"