Feeling dispirited and bewildered, Wang Tigan followed the emperor to the Southern Study, and he began to understand what was going on.
It seems that the young emperor really wants to get married. A young and beautiful woman is definitely more pleasing than the old-fashioned Keshi.
Thinking of this, Wang Tigan almost slapped himself. Why bother talking so much? Kebaba was about to fall from grace, and he was still trying to curry favor with her? He was really blinded by greed, like he'd been kicked in the head by a donkey.
Zhu Youxiao sat down in the southern study and ordered with a gloomy face: "First, bring me the memorials concerning Liaodong."
Wang Tigan hurriedly did as he was told and brought over a large pile of memorials with the eunuch on duty in the Southern Study.
Zhu Youxiao looked at the thick pile and could not help but stroke his forehead, waving his hand and saying, "Read it to me. If you make a mistake in one word, I will chop off your dog's head."
Wang Tigan was startled and quickly agreed, then picked up the memorial and began to read it.
History says that Emperor Tianqi was illiterate, just like Wei Zhongxian, who could not read or write.
"It's slander, 100% slander." Zhu Youxiao was filled with righteous indignation and wanted to speak out loudly for Zhu the Carpenter.
Although due to political reasons, Emperor Tianqi's father was not favored and was a miserable child. Emperor Tianqi grew up under the tyranny of Concubine Li and lived in fear all day long.
But Tianqi simply did not receive the formal education that a prince received, which is what history books record as going out of the house to study.
But going out to study is different from studying. Going out to study has political significance. The civil officials let Zhu Youxiao go out to study, not to fight for the opportunity for him to study, but to fight for the treatment of the crown prince for his father Zhu Changluo.
But Zhu Youxiao's unlucky father, Zhu Changluo, died after only one month on the throne. The year Zhu Youxiao ascended the throne was the first year of Taichang, and the next year was the first year of Tianqi.
In October of the first year of Taichang, the cabinet ministers formulated a study plan for Emperor Tianqi. The Four Books would start with "The Great Learning" and the Five Classics would start with "The Book of History: The Canon of Yao".
If Emperor Tianqi was illiterate, he would definitely not have such a high starting point.
Therefore, it is impossible that Emperor Tianqi was illiterate, but it is entirely possible that he read less.
"Liaodong Governor Wang Huazhen reported that 'the enemy abandoned Liaoyang and refused to defend it. The soldiers in Hedong, which had been captured, are hoping day and night for the arrival of our troops so they can capture the enemy generals and surrender. Meanwhile, the western regions of Huduntu and Chaohua are willing to lend their support. The enemy forces defending Haizhou are no more than 2,000..."
"Minister of War Zhang Heming has submitted a memorial: I believe that the opportunity presented by Wang Huazhen cannot be missed. We should order Wang Huazhen to advance swiftly and recapture Haizhou."
"Censor Xu Qingbo has submitted a report: General Xiong Tingbi should be ordered to station in Guangning, and Governor-General of Ji and Liao, Wang Xianggan, should be relocated to Shanhai. Wang Huazhen can then lead the army in the offensive."
"Yuanwailang Xu Dahua has submitted a memorial impeaching Ting Bi for his boastful words, his envy of talent and achievements, and his claim that if he is not removed, he will surely harm Liao's cause."
"Zhang Heming, the Minister of War, has submitted a memorial: 'Once Huazhen leaves, Mao Wenlong will certainly disobey orders, the Liao army will be defeated, and the western region will disintegrate. It is advisable to grant Huazhen the Shangfang sword and appoint him exclusively to Guangning, while Tingbi should be removed from his post."
…………
As Zhu Youxiao listened, he raised his hand to stop Wang Tigan, narrowed his eyes slightly, and fell into deep thought.
Wang Huazhen was full of confidence and wrote a memorial with exaggerated words, as if victory would be achieved with one attack and the recovery of Haizhou and Liaoyang would be effortless.
But Zhu Youxiao knew that this was not reliable at all, and Wang Huazhen was bragging and fooling people.
Damn it, I have read "Stealing the Ming Dynasty" and I am very knowledgeable. Don't try to fool me.
Although there is certainly no Huangshi in current history, it should be correct that Wang Huazhen eventually lost Guangning and Xiong Tingbi was unable to rescue him, right?
Combined with his memories before the Tianqi period, Zhu Youxiao also knew about the discord between Xiong Tingbi and Wang Huazhen.
Because the previous court meeting was full of arguments, and the majority of officials were slandering Xiong Tingbi and supporting Wang Huazhen.
The Minister of War Zhang Heming was even more partial to Wang Huazhen and approved all his memorials; however, all the memorials submitted by Xiong Tingbi were rejected, and the Ministry of War did not even let Xiong Tingbi know about the military orders it issued.
The chief minister Ye Xianggao was also Wang Huazhen's teacher, and he also sided with Wang Huazhen and suppressed Xiong Tingbi.
Of course, Xiong Tingbi's dislike was not only due to his membership in the Chu Party, but also to his personality. He had a hot temper, was rigid, had a narrow mind, and loved to curse people, and his curses were quite harsh.
To put it bluntly, Xiong Tingbi has the ability, but he is not good at managing relationships with colleagues. Because of his foul mouth, he is hated by everyone.
But no matter what, even if Wang Huazhen is not capable, Xiong Tingbi can still stabilize the situation in Liaodong, and that is enough.
Well, well, I'm well-read, you can't fool me.
Zhu Youxiao pursed his lips and ordered, "Pull out all the memorials from Wang Huazhen and Xiong Tingbi. Then sort out the memorials from other ministers, either supporting or impeaching. I will read them tonight."
"Yes, I will obey your order." Wang Tigan replied.
Zhu Youxiao searched the merged memories of the Tianqi Emperor and asked with a frown, "That was the great victory in Zhenjiang not long ago, right? How was Mao Wenlong rewarded?"
Wang Tigan was speechless for a moment. Although he knew about this, he had forgotten the reward the court had given to Mao Wenlong at that time.
"Your Majesty, after the great victory at Zhenjiang, Mao Wenlong was promoted to Lieutenant General and awarded 100 taels of silver." Following the voice, Wei Zhongxian walked in, knelt down and kowtowed, "Your Majesty, your servant greets you."
Li Jinzhong? Wei Zhongxian?!
Zhu Youxiao stared at this guy who was only a thousand years younger than him and was on par with him, and did not speak for a while.
Speaking of which, he had thought about how to deal with Master Wei these past few days. Putting aside the praise and criticism of this eunuch Wei in later generations, Zhu Youxiao felt that how to use him was more important.
Eunuchs could only survive by relying on the imperial power. Outside the palace, even making a living was difficult. Furthermore, no matter how powerful they were, the emperor could easily depose them with a single imperial edict.
Because of this, Ming emperors often used eunuchs, such as Cao Jixiang for Yingzong, Wang Zhi for Xianzong, Liu Jin for Wuzong, and Wei Zhongxian for Xizong.
To put it bluntly, the emperor's use of eunuchs was merely a means to regain power and eliminate dissidents. The emperor hid behind the scenes, his hands clean, and used the eunuchs as his weapons.
When the goal is achieved and public resentment is boiling, the eunuch will be pushed out to take the blame, and killing him will still make the ruler a wise one.
Moreover, Zhu Youxiao felt that Wei Zhongxian was not a very important person, and he was the only one who could fight against the group of civil servants who were ambitious but incompetent.
It's very simple. If the emperor wants to bite someone, it's not easy. Eunuchs can do it, and civil officials can do it too.
The Chu Party, the Zhejiang Party, and the Donglin Party—none of them is a monolithic entity. Where there are those who are proud, there are those who are frustrated and resentful, and it's not difficult to find such people.
Wei Zhongxian was a little puzzled when he heard nothing from the young emperor for a long time, but he acted so humble that he didn't even dare to raise his head.
Zhu Youxiao finally spoke slowly, "How did the Liaodong Governor, Liaodong Governor, and the other officials report the great victory at Zhenjiang?"
Although Wei Zhongxian had never been to school and was illiterate, he had an excellent memory. If he didn't have some special qualities, how could an illiterate eunuch like him stay in his position as a writing eunuch?
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