Last time at the court, the issue of sending troops to Ryukyu had already aroused controversy among the officials.
Now, instead of discussing, the emperor directly announced the dispatch of troops.
All the officials sweated again.
I don’t know if anyone will stand up to oppose this.
Sure enough, Wang Changlian, the Minister of Rites, who had made Long Yan furious last time, raised his head.
"Your Majesty, is it the Ryukyu Kingdom's imperial court that sent troops to invade the Ming Dynasty's coast?"
Looking at Ming Chengzu, Wang Changlian waited for the answer.
Although Lin Shangli had already approached him, he hoped that he would follow the emperor's wishes and not stop him from sending troops to Ryukyu.
However, if a teacher is unknown, he will be condemned by the world.
As a minister, others can push the boat along, but you can't.
Since you have chosen to serve as an official in the court, you must do what a minister should do and adhere to the principles that you should uphold.
Looking at Wang Changlian, Ming Chengzu chuckled: "Wang Aiqing, are you planning to stop my decision again?"
This Wang Changlian has the same toughness in his bones as the original Cangcheng.
Although he was scolded by himself, he is still the first to stand up with his head set firmly. What the court needs is this kind of person who has a stand and dares to stick to it.
"I don't dare. The Japanese pirates are raging along the coast of Ming Dynasty, causing the lives of the people along the coast. I am also extremely angry and wish to kill them all myself. However, although they are the army of the Ryukyu Kingdom, they are still fighting
The flag of the bandits was not used in the name of the Ryukyu army to cause trouble along our coast with great fanfare. I am not against sending troops to Ryukyu, I just want the emperor's division to be famous, and the world has no excuse to accuse me of the Ming Dynasty."
Raising his head, Wang Changlian said without humility.
The intrusion of Japanese pirates along the coast of the Ming Dynasty was essentially a sign of contempt for the Ming Dynasty.
Especially since these Japanese pirates were members of the Ryukyu Kingdom army, they should understand that the originally peaceful diplomatic relations between the two countries should not extend their hands to the Ming Dynasty.
But if a mad dog bites you, do you really want to bite it back?
Our Ming Dynasty follows the teachings of Confucius and Mencius and is a country of etiquette. If we fight back indiscriminately, won't we be ridiculed by the world?
However, if the Ryukyu Kingdom's court gave the order, the Ming Dynasty would not only fight back, but also completely beat the Ryukyu Kingdom into submission.
A "family" that instructs its "children" to become thieves needs a good beating.
Looking at Wang Changlian in front of him, Ming Chengzu then looked at other officials: "Ryukyu Kingdom is currently fighting internally and is divided into two dynasties, the north and the south. And these Japanese pirates are the army of the Southern Dynasty. They were fighting internally, so they decided to
When it came to the wealthy Ming Dynasty, they did not dare to be blatant, so they could only let the army pretend to be Japanese pirates and rob the people secretly along our coast. They got the supplies, but what they left for the Ming Dynasty was the casualties of the people and the loss of the dignity of the court. Everyone believes that,
What should I do?"
"Piece the Ryukyu Kingdom and return the dignity of the Ming Dynasty to me." Hundreds of officials shouted in unison.
Wang Changlian felt hesitant in his heart.
I once said that if this group of Japanese pirates were ordered by the Ryukyu Kingdom, not only would they not stop the Ming Dynasty from sending troops, but they would take the lead and follow the army to fight in Ryukyu.
Now, do you want to bring it up?
If you don't bring it up, you are breaking your promise.
When I put it forward, as a powerless civil servant, other than sensationalizing, others would not make any other comments.
Forget it, let others see it however they want. As a human being, you must keep your word.
"Your Majesty." Wang Changlian crossed his fists, "I said that if the Ryukyu Kingdom was involved in this matter, I would accompany the army to conquer them. Now, it is indeed the Ryukyu Kingdom that is secretly causing trouble. I sincerely ask the Emperor for permission to accompany the army on the expedition.
"
Those officials who were not on good terms with Dongchang and the Ministry of Rites all smiled.
This smile, no matter how you look at it, is a smile that is waiting to see Wang Changlian's joke.
As a minister of the Ministry of Rites and a real civil servant, what can you do when you go on an expedition with the army? In a real confrontation between two armies, do the soldiers focus on fighting, or do they have to focus on protecting you?
This is not how you want to gain the emperor's favor.
Leading troops to fight is a unique skill of the military attachés. Why don't you join in the fun? Just be your Minister of Etiquette.
"Okay, I'm sure." Unexpectedly, Ming Chengzu agreed.
All the officials couldn't help but be stunned.
What is the emperor doing? By asking the Minister of Rites to accompany the army on the expedition, is he declaring war on Ryukyu, or is he going to teach Ryukyu etiquette?
"If you don't ask, I am ready to let you go. As a surrendered country, Ryukyu has forgotten the protection that the Ming Dynasty has given them for so many years. It is a violation of etiquette. You go and explain the truth to the Ryukyu court." Ming Chengzu
Said with a smile.
"I obey your order." Wang Changlian hurriedly thanked him.
Ming Chengzu straightened his body and leaned back a little: "The prince listens to the order."
Zhu Gaochi, who was at the front of the hundred officials, hurriedly stepped forward, raised his fists, and bowed his body slightly: "My son is here."
"I will appoint you as the General of the Conqueror. You will lead an army of one hundred thousand to conquer the Ryukyu Kingdom and restore the dignity of our Ming Dynasty."
"My son, I obey the decree." Zhu Gaochi replied loudly.
"Xiao Chen." Ming Chengzu looked at Xiao Chen who was kneeling on the ground with the officials and shouted softly.
Xiao Chen stood up quickly: "My subordinate is here."
"I order you to lead the Dongchang captain and follow the prince on the expedition to protect the prince's safety."
"I accept the order." Xiao Chen replied loudly.
Ming Chengzu looked at the group of people in the Ministry of War again.
Without Hong Tianren, the specific coordination ability of the Ministry of War will be tested in this war against Ryukyu.
If possible, select the next minister from among them.
The Ministry of War has no chancellor, and I feel uneasy every day.
"The Ministry of War." Ming Chengzu drank softly.
Song Jian, the minister of the Ministry of War who was temporarily acting on behalf of the Ministry of War affairs, stood up quickly: "I am here."
"Cooperate fully with the prince and mobilize the army according to his requirements without making any mistakes."
"I accept the decree."
After arranging all this, Ming Chengzu let out a long breath.
When I get old, I will hand over the burden of Ming Dynasty to future generations step by step.
I hope everyone will be able to deal with the tiny Ryukyu Kingdom.
"Now that I have announced my affairs, do you have anything else to report?" Ming Chengzu asked slowly.
"I have nothing to report." All the officials shouted in unison.
"Then retreat."
After respectfully seeing Ming Chengzu off, all the officials also stood up and walked towards the outside of the main hall.
In the main hall, the only ones left were Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi, Minister of War Song Jian, Minister of Rites Wang Changlian, and Xiao Chen, who were preparing to conquer Ryukyu this time.
Zhu Gaochi smiled and raised his fists towards several people: "Everyone of you is directly or indirectly going to participate in the war to conquer Ryukyu. Why don't you come with me to the East Palace to sit down and let's discuss the specific matters?"
Wang Changlian and Song Jian also hurriedly returned the courtesy: "This matter really needs to be planned in advance. I will obey the prince's wishes."
Xiao Chen chuckled: "Let's prepare a table of food and wine when we get to the East Palace. I really can't get used to the food in Zhejiang. It's been very difficult for me these days."
"How big a deal is a table of food? Are you afraid that I won't be able to finish it?" The prince punched Xiao Chen in the chest, "Let's go, I'm afraid you won't be able to finish it."
In the gorgeous hall of the East Palace, there was no less than twenty dishes placed on a huge round table.
According to Xiao Chen's request, all the "hard dishes" were served, not a single one was vegetarian.
A dozen eunuchs and maids stood aside respectfully, waiting for the "guests" to take their seats.
"How about it, are these enough to eat?" Zhu Gaochi pointed to the plates on the table and sat down with a smile.
"That's enough, that's enough. With such a big table, we can't finish it all, right? Otherwise, I'll take the rest back to Dongchang and give it to the brothers to satisfy their cravings." Xiao Chen pulled out the chair and sat on Zhu Gaochi's side.
Beside him, he looked at the food on the plate and couldn't help but lick his lips.
"How dare you take the leftovers to the brothers? Another day I will ask the kitchen to make another table and deliver it to the brothers." Zhu Gaochi said with a smile.
While they were talking, Wang Changlian and Song Jian, the Minister of War, also sat down.
"You two adults must be hungry after your early morning visit. When you arrive at the East Palace, treat it as your own home. You're welcome." Zhu Gaochi greeted the two of them.
It was the first time for the two of them to come to the East Palace. They were a little nervous. They gave each other a few passes before picking up the chopsticks.
Xiao Chen was not polite and grabbed his favorite chicken legs.
