Not only Zhou Yanru, but also other ministers in the court were shocked by the news.
Even the coughing stopped.
After a long while, someone tentatively asked:
"Where was the great victory?"
"Could it be that some refugees rebelled and were quelled by government troops, hence the report of victory?"
Upon hearing this guess, many people breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly.
That should be the case.
"This messenger is really incompetent. It's just pacifying the refugees; why make such a fuss?"
Since the late Wanli period, the Ming Dynasty was engulfed in war.
From Shaanxi and Gansu in the west to Henan and Shandong in the east, there were several peasant uprisings almost every year.
But most of them are ephemeral.
Therefore, the ministers' speculations are not entirely unreasonable.
However, the courtiers at the front all shook their heads.
They sighed inwardly, "The person who returned with the victory report was clearly a subordinate general who had accompanied Li Ruolian on the expedition."
"Unless he dares to lie about military intelligence, this great victory definitely came from Liaodong!"
Sure enough, upon hearing the ministers' discussion, the lieutenant turned around and explained:
"Ministers, you have all guessed wrong."
"This good news comes from Liaodong!"
"As soon as the Ming army of our Great Ming Dynasty crossed the border, the Jurchens were thrown into panic and dared not resist. They retreated hastily not long after."
"Our heavenly troops launched a fierce attack and slaughtered countless enemies!"
The words of this lieutenant are half true and half false.
It is true that the Jurchens withdrew their troops, but the claim of countless victories is false.
However, according to the conventions of the Ming Dynasty, this is not considered outrageous.
After all, you should report your military achievements based on the facts.
After being deducted at each level, by the time it reached the soldiers on the front lines, there was hardly anything left.
Upon hearing this, the ministers were not only somewhat surprised, but also sensed that something was amiss.
"Although the Jurchens are hateful, their fighting strength is not low. Even if you defeat them, it will be a Pyrrhic victory at best."
How can one achieve countless victories?
"Besides, why hasn't Yuan Chonghuan reported this to the emperor?"
"Li Ruolian is nothing but a military man. How could he possibly lead troops into battle? I think there must be something wrong here!"
They all began to question it.
However, Zhu Youjian at this time was completely deaf to these words.
"Oh? Is that so?" he exclaimed with delight.
"Wang Chengen, bring me the report of victory immediately! I want to read it in detail!"
Wang Chengen dared not delay and quickly ran over to receive the good news.
Then he raised both hands high and presented them to Zhu Youjian.
After reading it, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"This battle was indeed a great victory!"
"Li Ruolian, I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"
"But all of this is thanks to Master Gao's advice!"
At this moment, Zhou Yanru was extremely anxious. He was covered in sweat, and his mouth was opening and closing as if he wanted to say something.
But after struggling for a while, he couldn't say anything.
He was filled with regret and wished he could take back what he had just said.
"Why did I have to be so sarcastic, trying to steal the credit from Bi Ziyan!"
"If I had been able to hold back then, wouldn't I be able to watch the show in peace now?"
Seemingly realizing something, Bi Ziyan shook his head at Zhou Yanru.
"Lord Zhou, you don't need to be so worried."
"If we advise His Majesty together, we will surely be remembered in history."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yanru's eyes immediately blazed with anger.
If it weren't for the fact that this was the imperial court, he probably would have started cursing.
He roared in his heart:
"In our Ming Dynasty, it was rare for someone to be beheaded for advising the emperor."
"At worst, he'll lose his official position and have to return to his hometown."
“Your younger brother has just died, and you are in a state of utter despair, so of course you are not afraid of these things.”
"But I, Zhou Yanru, originally had the opportunity to enter the cabinet and become the Grand Secretary! If I am implicated in this matter and lose this opportunity in the end, how can I be willing to accept that?"
But no matter what Zhou Yanru thinks.
By this time, Zhu Youjian had gradually calmed down.
With a broad smile, he instructed Luo Yangxing to copy the victory report and then, through connections within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, quickly publish it.
"I want the whole world to know that my Great Ming has defeated the Jurchens!"
"And this is just the beginning. Under my leadership, the Jurchens will never be able to enter the pass and seize the world again!"
Knowing the inside story, Luo Yangxing wasn't too surprised to hear Zhu Youjian's words.
But all the officials in the court secretly frowned.
"The Jurchens, though they have won a few minor victories over our Great Ming and even seized Liaodong, are nothing more than a trivial matter."
"Why does Your Majesty value them so much, even worrying that they will enter the pass and seize the Central Plains?"
Zhou Yanru was even more panicked.
On this matter, he went against the emperor's wishes.
The farther the news of this great victory spreads, the greater the probability that he will lose his official position and return home.
"This is terrible! The young emperor is still young, and he also has that mysterious Master Gao protecting him."
"Regardless of Master Gao's background, his miraculous medicines are not fake."
"If that's the case, the young emperor might be able to sit on the throne for decades. Does that mean I'll never have a chance to rise in the world?"
Zhou Yanru's eyes were filled with gloom.
"It's over, it's completely over!"
But what hurt him even more was yet to come.
After giving instructions to Luo Yangxing, Zhu Youjian finally remembered that there were still two ministers standing in the court.
"Bi Ziyan, Zhou Yanru, do you two have anything else to say?"
Upon hearing this question, Zhou Yanru's knees buckled, and he was about to kneel down and admit his mistake.
All he could think about was how to beg the emperor for mercy.
It would be best to extricate ourselves from this matter.
"Even if I'm demoted a few ranks, it doesn't matter. There's plenty of time in the future. With my abilities and experience, I'll be able to get promoted back sooner or later!"
But before he could speak, the Donglin Party spoke up for him.
"Your Majesty, our Lord Zhou certainly has more to say!"
"What Lord Zhou and Lord Bi said truly reflects their true feelings. This time, Master Gao was just lucky!"
"Yes, how can a commoner be allowed to interfere in matters of national importance? What would that say about all of us civil and military officials?"
"If you insist on going your own way and listening to Master Gao's nonsense, then Lord Zhou and Lord Bi will absolutely not allow it!"
These words put Zhou Yanru and Bi Ziyan in a very difficult position.
Zhou Yanru was furious.
He turned around and stared coldly at the Donglin Party members with whom he usually had a good relationship, wishing he could just start cursing them out.
But those members of the Donglin Party whispered to him:
"Rest assured, Lord Zhou, we will definitely spread your deeds throughout the world."
"Let every scholar know how you were unafraid of imperial power and how heroic and steadfast you were."
"From now on, you will be the spiritual leader of our Donglin Party!"
Zhou Yanru was furious, but at the same time, he was both amused and exasperated.
"What I want is to enter the cabinet and become your de facto leader."
"Who wants to be a spiritual leader?"
At this point, he no longer cared about saving face and was about to kneel down and beg Zhu Youjian for forgiveness.
However, Zhu Youjian did not give him that opportunity.
"I can use Zhou Yanru and Bi Ziyan as examples and confiscate their property."
"The silver seized can be sent to Liaodong to make up for the arrears in military pay and to reward Li Ruolian and others."
"Moreover, by doing this, it is not easy to arouse the vigilance of the Donglin Party."
Zhu Youjian grew increasingly agitated, and simply waved his hand, pointing at Zhou and Bi, and said:
"Imperial Guards, send these two to the Imperial Prison!"
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