Chapter 2806: The Civil and Military Conflict
Zhu Chengxuan frowned, wanting to say something, but he didn't know what to say. While he was hesitating, Yan Gu, who was standing in another row, walked out of the crowd and said, "Your Highness, I beg to differ with what Lord Cao said."
Zhu Chengxuan turned and looked at him.
Said: "What does Master Yan think?"
Yan Gu said, "The Japanese pirates are just a few scattered Japanese soldiers and have no ability to invade the interior. They only looted some coastal towns for money and property, which is insignificant. If we send a large army to encircle and suppress them, it would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Not only will it waste people's money and manpower, but it will also make our Great Yan Dynasty look like a scoundrel with no grace."
"Grace? Is allowing the Japanese pirates to plunder the border residents a form of grace?"
"Of course we can't let them plunder wantonly. What I mean is that we just need to mobilize the local militia to fight back slightly. With a fighting attitude, we can force the Japanese pirates to retreat."
Cao Jiu sneered, "Master Yan, you say that so lightly. Do you really think that the people along the coast offered no resistance when they were plundered by those Japanese pirates?"
"this--"
"Besides, can a resistance attitude really make the enemy retreat? If that were the case, why did His Majesty defend Peking and fight bloody battles for decades? Did his attitude actually make the people of Neng retreat?"
“…”
"The enemy will not retreat unless they are defeated. If we don't strike hard, how can we demonstrate our attitude and the majesty of the Great Yan Dynasty?"
Yan Gu also sneered and said, "Master Cao, you say that so lightly."
Cao Jiu asked, "What do you mean, Lord Yan?"
Yan Gu walked up to him and said, "Lord Cao wants to strike a heavy blow against the Japanese pirates. Where should we strike them? On land or at sea?"
Cao Jiu thought for a moment and said, "It's not that the defenders along the southeastern coast haven't fought back on land before, but these pirates come and go like the wind, making it difficult to concentrate our attacks. We can only take advantage of them at sea and attack their ships, which will be more effective."
"That's it,"
Yan Gu sneered, "If we go to the sea to fight, do we have navy? Do we have warships?"
"this--"
"Master Cao, have you ever calculated how many men and horses are needed to build a navy, how much money and food are needed, and how many warships are needed to build warships, and how much labor and money are needed?"
“…”
"Compared to the money and property looted from the border residents, how much more is this? Doesn't Lord Cao have a calculation in his mind?"
"I--"
Yan Gu said loudly: "Lord Cao doesn't count, but we civil officials must."
“…”
"In recent years, the Emperor has expended countless manpower and resources to open up the Silk Road for trade with the Western Regions. Now, whether it will succeed or not is uncertain—"
When he heard this, the atmosphere behind the screen suddenly became heavier.
Yan Gu continued, "The imperial court has tightened its belt, but now, Your Excellency is draining a large amount of money and energy from the imperial court for a few insignificant Japanese pirates. Are you trying to bring down the imperial court?!"
The last sentence is like a mountain falling on one's head.
Cao Jiu was also a little anxious.
After all, at this point, whether the war is fought or not is a small matter, but if his purpose is distorted by others, it will be a big deal.
He quickly turned to Zhu Chengxuan and said, "Your Highness, I have absolutely no such intention."
“…”
"I'm not unaware that the court's expenses are being reduced every year. However, the southeastern coastal defense is also related to the safety of our Great Yan Dynasty. It is a threat that we cannot escape!"
“…”
"The people have been humiliated and plundered, but are they not our people?"
“…”
"Your Highness, please make the decision!"
Zhu Chengxuan hesitated for a moment, but before he could speak, Yan Gu turned and said, "Your Highness, we must not use military force along the southeastern coast. If we do, it will affect the very foundation of the imperial court. By then, we will be the first to fall before anyone else can fight us!"
At this time, several other military officers standing behind Cao Jiu stood up and said, "Master Yan's words are alarmist."
"You are counting money, but can you ignore the safety of the people?"
"If that's the case, no matter who calls in the future, we'll settle the score. If they just pay us, they won't fight. Will there ever be peace in the world?"
The civil officials behind Yan Gu also immediately fought back.
"I see, you military commanders are always fighting like a war, just to pursue military merits and to get promoted and make money!"
"A nation, however great, will perish if it is warlike. This is an ancient saying!"
"Our Yan Nation is not used to naval warfare. Fighting like this is nothing but courting our own destruction!"
For a time, the court was divided into two camps with civil and military officials arguing fiercely.
Zhu Chengxuan, who was sitting upstairs, frowned upon seeing this. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He said, "Stop arguing. This matter, this matter—"
His voice was completely drowned out by the noise of the argument.
After all, he had no idea what choice he should make or how to deal with this matter. A voice without confidence could not calm these ministers.
Just when he was at a loss, a thin, low voice came from the screen behind him -
"Don't worry, Your Highness."
This voice made Zhu Chengxuan's breathing suddenly tighten.
He subconsciously turned his head and saw the familiar figure through the gap in the screen. It was none other than Concubine Si Nanyan.
The imperial concubine told him last night that she would accompany him to court.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Chengxuan was very happy at first, but then he became worried again.
After all, there has never been a precedent of women attending court in this dynasty. Not only in this dynasty, but in the past thousands of years, there have been few precedents of women sitting in the court. Not only court officials, but even ordinary people are very resistant to this. A hen crowing at dawn is an ominous sign for many people.
So, he said worriedly, "Will the ministers object?"
Nan Yan said to him, "I am not trying to make the decision. It's just that Your Highness is young, and I am worried that the court officials will bully the young master, so I am here to help you."
After saying that, she raised her hand and gently touched Zhu Chengxuan's hair.
She used to do this when Zhu Chengxuan was young. No matter whose son this child was, she loved him sincerely.
After he grew up, and some things happened in between, even if there was no gap between the two of them, it was not good for them to get too close.
So she rarely does this action anymore.
The sudden touch made Zhu Chengxuan's heart skip a beat. He looked up at Nan Yan, only to see the Imperial Concubine smiling and saying, "Your Highness said in the Xuanqiong Palace that I am your concubine mother."
“…”
"As a mother, you must protect your children at times like this."
Hearing her say this, Zhu Chengxuan also smiled and nodded.
At this moment, Nan Yan, who was sitting behind the screen, said gently again: "This matter can be resolved."
Zhu Chengxuan's heart was lifted up, and he asked, "How do we solve this problem?"
“…”
"Should I choose the military commander's approach or the civil official's approach?"
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