Zhang Zhiji had been wondering what his father was going to do. Just at this moment, perhaps it was a blessing, but this idea came into his mind.
Once this idea comes into being, there is no way to get rid of it.
Looking up at his son, Zhang Weixian smiled and said, "Not bad, that's quite interesting, but your vision is still a bit narrow. What can you do by relying on those nobles and relatives who only know how to make money? They are too narrow-minded and useless. They can only wave flags and shout slogans, which is of no use."
Hearing his father's words, Zhang Zhiji became even more terrified. He swallowed his saliva, and with a gurgling sound in his throat, he slowly said, "Father, this is a taboo!"
At this moment, Zhang Zhiji already understood what his father was going to do.
In the Ming Dynasty, or in all dynasties, not many people dared to touch one thing, that is, military power. This thing is too sensitive, so sensitive that it makes people afraid.
If it was just about uniting the nobles and relatives of the nobles, this might not be a big problem. Given his family's title and his father's current status, it wouldn't be a big deal to unite the nobles and relatives of the nobles, and His Majesty wouldn't say anything.
But if his father really wanted to take over the military power, then things would be very serious. This was also what Zhang Zhiji was afraid of. If his hand went too far, it would be a matter of confiscating the family property and exterminating the whole family.
Military power is not something else. Your Majesty will not allow anyone to interfere.
Glancing at his son, Zhang Weixian smiled with a look that said, "You're still too young," shook his head, and said, "You're thinking too much. I'm not trying to get involved in military power, but to integrate the military."
Zhang Weixian looked at his still puzzled son, took a sip of tea, and then slowly said, "Since you want to know, I'll tell you. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has done a lot of things. Do you know who this reminds me of?"
"Who?" Zhang Zhiji had several answers in his mind, but none of them seemed right. He hesitated and didn't dare to say it, so he could only ask slowly.
"Many people say that Your Majesty resembles Emperor Chengzu, and even somewhat resembles Emperor Taizu, but I don't think so. I think Your Majesty is more like Emperor Xianzong."
Zhang Weixian smiled and said, "This is where my views differ from theirs. When Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne, the Ming Dynasty had just experienced the Battle of Tumu. The nobles at court were wiped out, and the army was devastated. In the northwest, we were losing ground against the Mongols. The Jurchens in Liaodong were also unstable. The court was turbulent, and the entire empire was in danger."
"Civil officials were in chaos, military generals were in decline, and with Emperor Yingzong's restoration, the entire Ming Dynasty was in turmoil for decades. The court was short of funds and had long been riddled with problems."
"Look at the present situation. Civil officials have seized power, the Donglin Party is powerful, the imperial court is short of funds, the border troops are corrupt, they are losing ground in Liaozhong, and they just suffered the defeat at Sarhu. There are rebellions in the southwest. Isn't the situation in the court very similar to that during the reign of Emperor Xianzong?"
Hearing his father say this, Zhang Zhiji seemed to be enlightened. He slowly nodded and said, "It really is very similar."
"After Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne, he reorganized the court and replaced a number of officials. The most famous were naturally the three paper-made cabinet ministers and the six clay-sculpted ministers."
"At the same time, he also reused Wang Zhi. You have to know that at that time, the East Factory and the Imperial Guard were no longer useful. They had long been colluding with the civil officials, so Emperor Xianzong used Wang Zhi."
"Look at the things His Majesty has done since ascending the throne. Can you find some clues?"
Hearing this, Zhang Zhiji sighed, slowly sat down on the chair, and said in a shocked tone: "The only one who can see through this is probably my father!"
"There are many capable people in this world, many who can see things clearly. I'm afraid someone has already seen through it. Look at these ministers and chancellors in the court today. What do you think of these people? Do you say they are incapable?"
"Han Yu, Sun Chengzong, Xu Guangqi, which one is easy to deal with? And Huang Kexun, he's not someone to be trifled with either. Isn't Feng Congwu from the Royal Academy also doing quite well lately?"
"Although Your Majesty didn't establish the Western Factory, you still employed Wei Zhongxian. Luo Sigong of the Imperial Guard was a little unsuitable, so Your Majesty replaced him with Xu Xianchun. What is your purpose?"
"Look at the Censorate. Your Majesty allowed Wei Zhongxian to extend his hand into the Censorate. What is he doing?"
"There seem to be many disputes in the court, but they are all restraining each other, and the overall situation is in the hands of Your Majesty. This is the wisdom of Your Majesty." There was a hint of admiration in Zhang Weixian's tone.
"If this is all Your Majesty's plan, it seems a bit scary." Zhang Zhiji said with a breath of cold air.
"Some things shouldn't be described as terrifying." Zhang Weixian smiled at his son and continued to explain, "Originally, it would have been enough, but Your Majesty went the other way and directly established a General Staff Office. If it's as you think, why did Your Majesty establish a General Staff Office? Was it just to put it out there for everyone to see?"
"Establishing such an office naturally means it has something to do, so this General Staff Office isn't just for His Majesty's benefit. Rumors have been circulating throughout the court that His Majesty is establishing a Chief of Staff, but it seems to be completely groundless, yet somehow it's been spread with such fanciful accuracy that it seems to be true. Where did this news come from?"
"Such important news doesn't know the people in the General Staff Office, nor does the cabinet know it. Who else could know it? They all say it came from the palace, but do you think it's that easy for the palace to get some news out?"
"You mean, His Majesty released it on purpose?" Zhang Zhiji stood up, looked at his father uncertainly, and paced slowly in the room.
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