On the first day of the fifteenth year of the Orthodox Lunar New Year, the sky is refreshing and the sun is rising high.
Zhu Qizhen wore a black satin robe, embroidered with golden dragon patterns, and a crown hat, and led hundreds of officials to perform the sacrificial ceremony.
According to the procedures established by the Ministry of Rites, the monarch and his ministers went to the Heaven and Earth Altar to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, to the Sheji Altar to offer sacrifices to Sheji, to the Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to their ancestors, and finally, a new addition this year, to offer sacrifices to the Martyrs’ Shrine.
"The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty have returned in spirit!"
"Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, countless soldiers have died on the battlefield, and their bodies have been wrapped in horse leather. I have built the Martyrs' Shrine to worship the soldiers who died fighting for the Ming Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, all those who died fighting for the country will enter the temple and enjoy the worship of descendants of all generations!"<
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"To this day, the residual Yuan forces continue to move south to harass our border towns in the Ming Dynasty. The people are displaced and miserable."
"I have decided that I will personally conquer Mobei!"
As soon as this statement came out, the officials were in an uproar.
Except for a few insiders, most people were confused.
Isn't it a sacrifice? Why do you have to do it yourself when you are offering sacrifices?
For such a big event, no one said anything in advance, leaving people completely unprepared.
Zhu Qizhen turned around and glanced around at the ministers, his eyes were sharp and he was not angry and intimidating.
"All officials of third rank and above, with meritorious deeds above earl, will follow me to Fengtian Hall to discuss matters!"
In Fengtian Hall, the atmosphere is a bit solemn.
Hu Ying, the Minister of Rites, was the first to say: "I ask the emperor to give priority to the country and the country. Please think twice about the Northern Expedition!"
Following him were a large group of censors and officials from the six departments.
In the last personal expedition, hundreds of thousands of elites were lost, and the emperor was trapped in a civil fort. If it had not been for the subsequent Jedi counterattack, the consequences would have been disastrous.
As the head of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Fu also looked confused.
Logically speaking, you should talk to me before you make a decision!
When something like this suddenly comes out, should I agree or oppose it now?
At this time, King Zhu Qiyu stepped forward and said: "Hu Shangshu's words are wrong. When the emperor was trapped in the earthen fort, it was all because of Wang Zhen's random command. But now, the soldiers and horses in the south to suppress the rebellion have returned to the army, and our Ming Dynasty has strong soldiers and horses.
, after Badaling defeated Oala, the morale of the entire army was even higher. How can it be the same as before?"
Chen Ying, the Marquis of Taining, also stood up and said: "Yes, now the treasury is abundant and the logistics are sufficient. All we need to do is to formulate a careful marching route, and we will surely beat the crap out of you!"
Immediately afterwards, Li Zhen, the Marquis of Xiangcheng, Chen Huai, the Bo of Pingxiang, Jingyuan, the Prince-in-law, and Chen Mao, the Marquis of Ningyang who had just returned to the army, also stood up and agreed.
The nobles are well prepared and united this time.
Seeing everyone's tacit understanding, Zhang Fu also made up his mind and said: "I am willing to follow the emperor to conquer Mobei in person!"
The current situation has become obvious. Civil officials are opposed to it and Wu Xun is in favor.
Hu Ying glanced around and saw that Yu Qian had not expressed his position, so he said: "Yu Shilang, please say something!"
For some reason, the emperor has placed great trust in Qian since he returned to Beijing.
Even when he was trapped in Tumu Fort, he issued an edict, ordering Yu Qian to command the capital camp and guard the capital.
Now that Yu Qian has joined the cabinet, the weight of his words is even more extraordinary.
Under the gaze of everyone, Yu Qian slowly stepped forward and bowed.
"I believe that we cannot just sit back and watch the power of Wala, we should attack it!"
Buzz!
The ministers suddenly became commotion. Well, even Yu Qian, a guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, actually betrayed the organization!
You are a civil servant, how can you speak for those generals?
Hu Ying couldn't help but said: "Yu Qian, the Northern Expedition is related to the fate of the Ming Dynasty. I would like to advise you to be careful what you say!"
"Hu Shangshu!" Yu Qian responded, "The lower official has decided to follow the emperor in his own expedition!"
Hu Ying looked at Kuang Ye again, meaning I am your person, you tell me.
Kuang Ye is also in a dilemma. The emperor wants to personally conquer, and the nobles and nobles must stand with the emperor. If the civil servants unite, they may be able to win. However, now that Yu Qian has also begun to switch sides, it will be difficult to handle.
What's more, now Yu Qian is not only the left minister of the Ministry of War, but also a bachelor of the cabinet.
"If the Emperor personally conquers Oara, our army will inevitably have to go deep into the desert. First of all, we will lose the geographical advantage. The veteran suggested that this matter should be considered in the long run."
"So what?"
Zhang Fu couldn't help but said: "When Emperor Taizong made six expeditions to Mobei, all the residual Yuan forces fled. At that time, who dared to invade our border with the Ming Dynasty? Why do the Oara Tatars continue to block the borders and plunder the people in the border towns today? They are the people on the grassland. If you don’t beat the wolf thoroughly, hurt it, subdue it, or scare it, the people in the border town will never have peace!”
Seeing that the civil-military debate was heating up, Cao Nai, the chief minister of the cabinet, finally stood up.
"Since the fall of the Yuan Dynasty and my escape to Mobei, I have always regarded our Ming Dynasty as our mortal enemy. This battle is inevitable."
Hu Ying's expression changed, and he was about to refute, but heard Cao Nai continue: "However, the emperor is a man of ten thousand gold, and it is not appropriate to put his body in danger. I suggest that you choose another commander, gather troops and horses, collect food and fodder, and formulate a marching route." , figure it out slowly."
Cao Nai knew in his heart that the emperor's attitude was firm, and this battle would be fought sooner or later. All he could do now was to prevent the emperor from going on his own expedition, and the situation of being trapped in the earthen fort must not happen again.
When the emperor insisted on conducting the expedition in person, it was mainly Wang Zhen who was responsible for it. Now that all the traitors have been eliminated, the emperor should be able to listen to his advice.
War is not a child's play, all aspects need to be considered.
Moreover, Ming Dynasty is not fighting a last-ditch battle. If something goes wrong in this battle and the emperor is involved, it will be a huge loss.
Cao Nai's words were all spoken from the bottom of his heart. He very much hoped that the emperor would listen to his advice rationally.
However, this time, he was destined to be disappointed.
Zhu Qizhen pondered for a long time, and finally said: "I know what you are worried about, but in the Xuanfu and Datong battles, hundreds of thousands of heroic souls of the Ming Dynasty are watching me!"
"I have an unshirkable responsibility for their sacrifices. If I don't personally avenge them, how can I have the face to see them, and how can I have the face to see my ancestors?"
"Now that our Ming army is well-fed, how can we hold back due to unnecessary worries and cause countless border soldiers to sacrifice in vain?"
"I'm not afraid, why should you be afraid?"
At this point, the hall was completely silent.
Zhu Qizhen stood up, condescending and not angry.
"King Tan!"
Zhu Qiyu stepped forward: "I'm here!"
"The prince is young and the country is long-term. If I die in battle, you will be the next emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Remember, if I am unfortunately captured, I don't need you to rescue me, and I don't need anyone to negotiate. I will end it on my own."
!"
"Chen...chen..."
Zhu Qiyu was so frightened that he knelt down, speaking incoherently and not knowing what to do.
"Stand up!"
Zhu Qiyu's legs were shaking and he couldn't stand up even after trying several times.
"You are a descendant of the Zhu family, and you have the blood of Taizu Emperor Gao in your body. I ask you to stand up!"
"Yes!"
Zhu Qiyu gritted his teeth, put his hands on the ground, stood up, and said with firm eyes: "My brother is willing to fight for the emperor himself!"
"I am your brother, it is not your turn to do this kind of thing."
Zhu Qizhen shook his head and said with a smile: "If my Northern Expedition fails, my brother should not forget the heroic souls of the Ming Dynasty who died on the battlefield, and use our troops to fight against the enemy!"
"Brother... I obey the order!"
Zhu Qizhen continued to order: "Yu Qian!"
"I'm here!"
"I have appointed you as the deputy commander-in-chief of this Northern Expedition. I will give you three months to gather the army and collect food and fodder. Can the Qing family take on this important task?"
Yu Qian had already prepared: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will fulfill my mission!"
"Prince Jing'an!"
Zhang Fu hurriedly stepped forward: "I'm here!"
"I order you to stay in the capital and assist King Tan in supervising the country."
Zhang Fu shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, I would like to ask you to follow your Majesty on the expedition!"
Zhu Qizhen said: "The Qing family are veterans of the four dynasties. When the late emperor died young, he entrusted the Qing family to serve as auxiliary ministers. I also entrust the King of Xi to you. The burden on the Qing family is not light."
Zhang Fu had no choice but to say: "Old minister, I obey the order!"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and continued: "Marquis of Xiangcheng!"
Li Zhen stepped forward: "I'm here!"
"In this Northern Expedition, the Three Thousand Battalion was taken as the vanguard and went to Yumuchuan to build a large camp to clear obstacles on the grain road for the Chinese army."
"I obey the decree!"
Ningyang Hou Chen Mao couldn't help but stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I would like to invite you to fight!"
Zhu Qizhen said: "I have other plans for the Qing family."
Chen Mao was very happy and said: "Please give me the emperor's instructions."
"I take the initiative to attack Mobei. Wala must first mobilize troops from various places. I will give you 30,000 troops. After the troops in the Hami area are withdrawn, the Qing family will lead troops to raid Hami, forming a horns with the Suzhou Guards, further compressing them.
Wala’s sphere of influence."
Chen Mao looked excited and bowed: "Old minister, I obey the order!"
Upon seeing this, Shi Pu, the Minister of Industry and Industry, also stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please give me your orders!"
Zhu Qizhen thought for a while and said, "Just don't go."
"Your Majesty, this is not okay!"
Shi Pu was unwilling and argued: "Although I am a civil servant, I can lead troops to fight and not lose to those generals. Marquis Ningyang, don't you think so?"
Chen Mao curled his lips and did not answer.
Shi Pu became anxious, tugged on Chen Mao's clothes and said, "You should say something!"
"Okay!"
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said: "You will stay in the capital and supervise the production of new firearms. These firearms are my secret weapons. They are directly related to the direction of the war and are of vital importance."
Shi Pu nodded with satisfaction and said: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will hand over all the affairs of the Ministry of Industry. From today on, I will focus exclusively on firearms manufacturing."
Zhu Qizhen glanced at the ministers again and said: "From now on, all officials of the six ministries and nine ministers will fully cooperate with Yu Qian in preparing for the Northern Expedition. If there is any neglect, he will be punished as bullying the emperor!"
All the officials knelt down and worshiped: "I obey the decree!"
After the court ended, Zhu Qizhen turned around and headed to the imperial study.
Jin Ying followed Zhu Qizhen and said with lingering fear: "Your Majesty, under the ancestral system of our dynasty, internal officials are not allowed to interfere in politics. However, I have a few words for slaves, I don't know..."
"Say!"
"Yes!"
Jin Ying calmed down and then said cautiously: "The Northern Expedition is a military secret. Today in the court, the emperor gave many details in case there are spies from Wala among the courtiers..."
Zhu Qizhen smiled and said: "I didn't expect that you are quite considerate."
"Your Majesty, this servant is just...just..."
"Okay, I know you mean well."
Zhu Qizhen put away the smile on his face and said: "Secretly Proclaimed Juesheng Guard Commander Yang Zhicong entered the palace!"
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
After working through 200,000 words, I finally put it on the shelves, but there are a lot of things to do today, so I will code one chapter first and finish it in the evening!