Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian immediately fell into deep thought.

Qin Liangyu's words did indeed have their merits.

Although from the perspective of later generations, the Jurchens should have been at the height of their power at this time.

It was almost at its peak.

However, Zhu Youjian also knew that these changes in strength and weakness were actually constantly changing.

Those forces that later grow strong and powerful may be crippled if they are dealt a blow at a crucial moment.

And so it came to an end.

At this time, the Jurchens were likely at this critical juncture.

The Jurchen leadership was unstable, and they lost much of their psychological advantage over the Ming army.

Moreover, at this time, the army was on the front line in Goryeo, locked in a stalemate with Yuan Chonghuan's canal workers.

“Those canal workers were no better than anyone else, and Yuan Chonghuan was no better than anyone else.”

"They should be able to hold off the main Jurchen force for one or two months as well."

"Meanwhile, Mao Wenlong was still on Pi Island, constantly harassing the Jurchens' rear."

"Even if the Jurchens learn of the large-scale mobilization of the Beijing garrison and hastily withdraw their troops from Goryeo, it will still take them quite some time..."

"That time difference might actually allow the Beijing garrison to breach Shengjing in one fell swoop!"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Zhu Youjian's eyes, and he almost started typesetting right away.

Fortunately, he still remembered what Gao Qingyun had told him not long ago.

Suppressing his excitement, he asked his ministers, "My esteemed ministers, what are your thoughts?"

Li Ruolian no longer objected at this point.

Zhu Youjian had just personally apologized to him, which made him extremely grateful to the emperor.

At this point, let alone asking him to fight the Jurchens, he would have no objection even if he were asked to fight the Heavenly Court and the Underworld.

"Your Majesty, I agree to send troops!" Li Ruolian prostrated himself, excitedly saying, "I am willing to lead a force as the vanguard to strike directly at the rear of the Jurchens!"

Among the civil officials, Zhou Yanru pondered for a moment before stepping forward as well.

Although he actually wished Yuan Chonghuan would die in Goryeo, he hoped to take the opportunity to gain the emperor's trust.

"Your Majesty, I also agree with sending troops."

"Since the end of Emperor Shenzong's reign, the Jurchens have rebelled and seized Liaodong, which has lasted for more than ten years."

"In recent years, the Jurchens have committed many injustices and repeatedly invaded our Great Ming, eventually exhausting our troops and soldiers."

"The bandit chieftains have all died one after another."

"Now is the perfect time to recover Liaodong in one fell swoop and comfort the spirits of the three late emperors, Shenzong, Guangzong, and Xizong!"

The three former emperors mentioned by Zhou Yanru were Zhu Youjian's grandfather, father, and elder brother.

In fact, Zhu Youjian's father only reigned for a month before dying from an overdose of drugs.

Therefore, he didn't pay much attention to Liaodong.

But since we're going to escalate this to a major issue, we have to drag him into it too.

Sure enough, Zhu Youjian was really excited when he heard these words.

He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, nodding repeatedly: "Zhou Yanru, you're absolutely right!"

Zhu Youjian, a historical figure, took it upon himself to revitalize the Ming Dynasty.

Unfortunately, although his intentions were good, his skill level was simply too low.

The harder he tried, the faster the Ming Dynasty collapsed.

But now, with Gao Qingyun's guidance, he has become much more capable.

This pre-existing feeling, coupled with the ability to express it, took root and flourished even more.

"I am determined to annihilate the Jurchens and ensure that the land of China will never be submerged again!"

Upon hearing this, the courtiers all frowned slightly.

The phrase "the land of China sinks" is almost a proper noun, specifically referring to the invasion of the Central Plains by barbarians.

Many people thought to themselves, "Although the Jurchens are powerful, they are ultimately just a minor threat."

"Why does His Majesty the Emperor value them so much, that he's worried they might seize the throne of the Ming Dynasty?"

But no one dared to ask directly.

In fact, they had already chosen their side when they first heard that Zhu Youjian was determined to send troops.

We must stand on the same side as the emperor.

Although Zhu Youjian made some tricks in the middle and apologized to Li Ruolian, it seemed that he wanted to change his mind.

But now it seems that Zhu Youjian's attitude hasn't changed at all!

They sighed inwardly, but said in unison, "We second that proposal!"

"Now is indeed the best time to send troops to Liaodong!"

Zhu Youjian nodded excitedly, then looked at the only person who hadn't spoken.

"Lord Bi, what are your thoughts?"

Bi Ziyan was the Minister of Revenue, but deep down he didn't want to fight.

In his view, the Ming Dynasty was truly getting better day by day.

Qin Liangyu's worries were actually unfounded.

That's why he didn't say anything.

But since the emperor had directly asked him, he had no choice but to speak.

"I have nothing to say."

"I am only worried that the court does not have enough silver at this time."

Zhu Youjian raised an eyebrow and asked directly, "Hmm? Where would the imperial court be short of silver?"

Bi Ziyan then said, "Your Majesty is unaware of something!"

"If we are to send troops, we must be prepared for the worst."

"We can only prepare more food and military supplies than necessary."

"His Majesty will be leading an expedition to Liaodong this time. At least 70,000 troops from the capital garrison will be mobilized, and additional troops from Liaodong will be deployed to assist him."

"This is enough provisions for 100,000 people!"

"To supply the front lines, at least another 300,000 farmers will be needed to transport food from the rear."

"If Heaven truly grants its blessing and the heavenly army recaptures Liaodong in one fell swoop, then rewarding the meritorious officials and distributing rewards to the soldiers will be another huge expense."

"That's why I said the Ministry of Revenue is short of silver."

Although Bi Ziyan did not openly object, the long list of things he put forward actually revealed his true intentions.

However, Zhu Youjian was not buying it.

He sat back on the dragon throne and said with a smile, "You are overthinking it, my dear minister."

"The expenses you mentioned earlier do make some sense."

"But the reward mentioned at the end was just a joke."

"Didn't I tell you long ago that we should use the land south of the Yangtze River as a reward for the soldiers?"

"Those three million mu of fertile land are more than enough to serve as military pay."

Even when Bi Ziyan saw the emperor so excited, he still remembered these things.

He understood that no matter what he said, it wouldn't change the outcome.

Bi Ziyan sighed and said, "Since that's the case, then I really have nothing more to say!"

Zhu Youjian waved his hand, signaling him to return to the ranks of his ministers.

"Since no one objects anymore, I hereby issue the order."

"Send troops to Liaodong!"

He stood up and ordered the eunuchs to bring him the map of Liaodong.

Then, holding the token, he gave orders to the Ministry of War.

"Order 70,000 new troops from the Beijing Garrison to immediately depart from the capital and advance towards Shengjing along the Shanhaiguan and Ningyuan line."

"The Guan Ning cavalry from Shanhaiguan and other places also followed suit and sent troops."

"Order a portion of the garrison troops in Ningyuan and Songjin to be stationed at Shanhaiguan to prevent the Mongols from the north from suddenly moving south."

"Then order all regions in the Central Plains to conscript the canal workers to transport grain and fodder to the front lines."

"Officially, they were only told to come and work as laborers."

"But after the war ended, they were all detained in the north and ordered to cultivate land in Liaodong."

"After that, we will abolish the canal system and switch to sea transport, sending grain north by sea to save the imperial court's expenses!"

Zhu Youjian acted swiftly and decisively, issuing several orders in succession.

He spoke so fluently; it was clear he hadn't come up with it on the spot.

They must have been studying maps all along and had planned this all along.

Therefore, when the time came, there was no hesitation whatsoever.