Chongzhen was very concerned about the impending war in the north.
In his opinion, it was not easy to defeat the Jiannu and recover Liaodong.
In addition to engaging in an arms race to drain the other side's finances, they also had to find ways to break up the Manchu-Mongol alliance.
Otherwise, the Mongols could stab the Ming Dynasty at any time.
He would never allow himself to be stabbed in the back by the Mongols during his campaign against the Jiannu.
The most effective way to disintegrate the Manchu-Mongol alliance is to send troops.
The Chahar tribe had been severely beaten before, and this time the opponent was the Xitumed tribe.
After hearing Chongzhen's question, Wang Chengen hurriedly replied: "In reply to Your Majesty, according to the plan, we are indeed sending troops today."
"Are the money and food prepared sufficiently?" Chongzhen asked again.
"Sufficient!" Wang Chengen took out a small book from his pocket, opened it and read: "The Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Military Affairs have transported 350,000 shi of grain and grass to Shuozhou, Shanxi in advance, which is enough for this expedition."
"If it's not enough, we can temporarily purchase food and fodder from Shaanxi and Shanxi and ship them to the front line."
"That's good..." Chongzhen stared at the map with a serious expression.
After watching for a while, he suddenly thought of a question: "What do you think... are Fang Yuegong and Fan Jingwen really in conflict, or are they just pretending to be in conflict?"
Ever since Fan Jingwen became the Prime Minister of the Cabinet, Fang Yuegong has shown various signs of dissatisfaction.
He was either arguing with Fan Jingwen in the court or quarreling with Fan Jingwen in private.
Since both of them were Shangshu, one was the chief minister of the cabinet and the other was the second chief minister of the cabinet.
So officials have expressed their positions by taking sides.
There is a vague trend of party strife.
Chongzhen was not opposed to factional struggles.
On the contrary, he would be happy to see party strife at this time.
The reason for this is that when the crown prince moved south, many of the nobles in the court left, and the number of people who could restrain the civil officials was greatly reduced.
In order to restrain them, Chongzhen began to support nobles.
In addition to Liu Wenbing, Liu Wenyao, Zhou Kui and other relatives and nobles, Qin Liangyu, Tang Tong, Huang Degong and other meritorious officials were also lavishly rewarded.
This is still not enough.
To this end, he cultivated Wang Zhixin and let him share the pressure that the civil officials brought to the imperial power.
Unfortunately, Wang Zhixin was sent to Jiangnan to open a mine.
Without Wang Zhixin's suppression, the civil officials in the capital began to jump up and down again, repeatedly testing the majesty of the imperial power.
Chongzhen was very annoyed, so he wanted to use party disputes to divert the attention of civil officials.
The harder they fight each other, the better it is for him.
Wang Chengen did not dare to answer Chongzhen's question directly, but said cryptically: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am too short-sighted to tell the truth from the false. But in my opinion, they are indeed doing practical things for the court."
Chongzhen raised his eyebrows: "You mean they are acting? Deliberately using this method to waste the energy of the ministers and solve my problems?"
"I dare not speak nonsense." Wang Chengen lowered his head, not daring to look Chongzhen in the eye.
"They don't have such good intentions," Chongzhen shook his head first and then nodded, "But this has indeed saved me a lot of trouble, so I take it as a reward."
After saying "appreciating the calligraphy", Chongzhen felt something was wrong.
This obvious act of winning over would make him, the Ming emperor, look a little humble.
We have to find another way.
etc...
Chongzhen suddenly had an idea.
He ordered Wang Chengen: "Find Li Ruolian here quickly."
"I obey your command." Wang Chengen raised his leg and ran out.
Soon, Li Ruolian, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, arrived at the Qianqing Palace.
After the salute, Li Ruo Lian was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, a secret letter from Nanjing."
"Hmm?" Chongzhen was stunned for a moment, then he came to his senses and asked hurriedly, "What happened in Nanjing?"
"Your Majesty, do you still remember that Zhu Guobi and Liu Kongzhao, relying on their responsibility for minting silver coins, privately adjusted the silver-copper ratio?"
"I remember."
"Duke Xu Wenjue of Wei also learned about this, but he did not report it to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Instead, he joined forces with Zhu Guobi, Liu Kongzhao and others."
Duke of Wei Xu Wenjue...
After Chongzhen silently recited his name, he couldn't help sneering in his heart.
Based on his historical record of surrendering without a fight, beheading him was considered an exception.
In addition to him, those who surrendered included Funing Marquis Zhu Guobi, Xincheng Earl Zhao Zhilong, Linhuai Marquis Li Hongji, Lingbi Marquis Tang Guozuo and others.
These people all deserve to die!
Chongzhen had wanted to kill them for a long time, but was worried that he would not have the chance. Unexpectedly, the opportunity came.
After thinking for a while, Chongzhen whispered to Li Ruolian, "Among the nobles in Nanjing, is there anyone else who knows about this?"
Li Ruo Lian shook his head, "No."
"Then find a way to let them know. I want to see their reaction!" Chongzhen almost couldn't suppress the upward curve of his lips as he spoke.
"May I ask if the people Your Majesty mentioned have names?" Li Ruolian asked.
"Yes! Zhao Zhilong, Li Hongji, Tang Guozuo..." Chongzhen read out six or seven names in one breath.
While Li Ruolian was memorizing the names, he was thinking about Chongzhen's intentions in his mind.
He soon figured it out.
When this news is revealed to the nobles, they will then face two choices.
1. Expose their crimes to the prince.
Second, concealing the truth and not reporting it, and going along with the corrupt officials.
If they choose one, it means these nobles are still loyal to the Ming Dynasty and can be used.
If they choose option 2, it means these people are completely useless.
The fate of the waste can be imagined.
Chongzhen indeed thought so.
He very much hoped that the nobles would choose the second option, and at the same time hoped that as many people as possible would go along with them.
Emperor Taizong of Tang once said that if God wants someone to die, he will make him crazy.
He must give the nobles the opportunity to expand their ambitions and go crazy!
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