Looking at these ministers, the Imperial Guards wondered if they had come to the wrong place.
"This is the Ming Dynasty's imperial court! Why are they all hoping for the Jurchens to win?"
Although the Imperial Guards complained inwardly, they dared not say a word.
These ministers were nothing compared to the emperor and Wang Chengen.
But in front of him, a mere member of the Imperial Guard, these ministers were unapproachable figures.
The Imperial Guard hurriedly replied, "Reporting to you gentlemen, quite the opposite is true. It was not that Hauge rallied his forces, but rather that he suffered a crushing defeat at the Imjin River."
"Minister Yuan and Lord Zhang achieved a great victory, capturing five or six thousand prisoners alone."
Although more than half of these so-called prisoners were actually surrendering.
But if it were to be written in a victory report, it would definitely sound better as prisoners of war.
The ministers, of course, did not believe it.
"How is this possible!"
"Although Hauge is young, his teammate Zirhalang is a veteran with many years of experience. How could he just watch him suffer such a crushing defeat?"
"Besides, most of Yuan Chonghuan's men were just canal workers; how capable could they be?"
"Even the imperial army wouldn't dare say they could achieve a great victory over the Jurchens..."
The ministers wanted to continue speaking, but they immediately remembered the events in Liaodong that had occurred not long ago.
It is said that Mangultai opened the city gates and surrendered.
So they dared not say anything more, but continued to question.
"It must have been Yuan Chonghuan who lied about the military situation. Hauge retreated because of insufficient supplies."
"Yuan Chonghuan took advantage of the Jurchen retreat and managed to kill several dozen Jurchen soldiers."
"Then he killed innocent people and claimed credit for them, using the heads of Koreans to impersonate Jurchens!"
The ministers became increasingly certain as they spoke, as if they had witnessed it with their own eyes.
This wasn't them deliberately smearing Yuan Chonghuan; it was simply that this was how the Ming Dynasty's officials and soldiers operated before Zhu Youjian ascended the throne.
They dared to claim they had killed thousands of Jurchens after killing thirty or fifty Jurchens.
They have preconceived notions and are naturally path-dependent, still viewing Goryeo's great victory in the same way.
But the Imperial Guard said, "Gentlemen, Lord Yuan captured several thousand prisoners this time. While heads can be faked, prisoners are not so easy to fake, are they?"
Upon hearing this, the ministers immediately fell silent.
Yes, the head issue is easy to handle. Just shave the head, and they can impersonate the pig tails of the Jurchen Eight Banners.
But it's not easy to impersonate a living prisoner.
"Could it be that Yuan Chonghuan really won a battle?"
At this point, even if they still didn't believe it, they could only start to consider this possibility.
"It's one thing that Li Ruolian and Qin Liangyu can win battles."
"Their troops were either the White-Spear Soldiers they brought from the southwest or the Northwest soldiers they had recruited again."
“Starting from scratch is like having a blank canvas, making it easier to create art without those outdated rules and customs.”
“But…but the troops that Yuan Chonghuan brought to Goryeo were not only from the background of canal workers, but were also trained by our original Ming Dynasty officers.”
"They were supposed to be utterly wicked, so how did they manage to defeat the Jurchens?"
"Could it be that the Jurchens also produced an Emperor Yingzong?" They thought this last question to themselves, but dared not say it aloud.
Otherwise, that would be defaming the late Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, which is no laughing matter.
If Zhu Youjian weren't here, he would surely have told the ministers the story of "the Manchu army being invincible".
Moreover, Zhu Youjian has gone all out this time; it's not just about paying the full amount of money.
The Ming army was gaining significant advantages, while the Jurchens were experiencing internal discord, with a young ruler and a precarious state.
It's not surprising that the Ming Dynasty won one victory after another.
At this moment, Wang Chengen walked over with a smile.
"My lords, since there is more good news from the front, please write another congratulatory letter."
The ministers immediately began to wail in despair.
"No way..."
"Hehe, those ministers really did suffer?" Zhu Youjian sat in his chair, listening to Luo Yangxing's report, a smile appearing in his eyes.
"Good, I've long disliked them, and this time I've made them suffer even more."
After laughing for a while, Zhu Youjian asked about the important matter again.
"How much of this great victory for Goryeo was exaggerated?"
Zhu Youjian didn't ask if there was any exaggeration, he only asked how much.
This alone proves that he was already a qualified emperor.
Luo Yangxing quickly replied, "According to the secret reports sent back by the Imperial Guards in the army, there is actually not much exaggeration."
"The killing of thousands and the capture of thousands are all true."
"Minister Yuan simply included the Jurchens who surrendered voluntarily among the prisoners."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian was overjoyed once again.
Such a low moisture content is practically negligible.
"Good! Yuan Chonghuan has finally proven himself reliable this time!"
"I never expected that this unintentional act would have such an effect!"
Luo Yangxing smiled and flattered him.
"That's because His Majesty has great foresight, and every word and action of his has profound meaning."
"Although it was an unintentional act, it was in accordance with the will of Heaven."
"When did you learn this trick too!" Zhu Youjian said with a laugh, but he wasn't angry.
Good news came one after another from Liaodong and Goryeo, and it was clear that the Jurchens had lost most of their lives.
With just a little more effort, we can bury the last handful of soil on the coffin of the Jurchens.
Zhu Youjian must be in a good mood.
"The Jurchens are a major threat to our Great Ming Dynasty. If we can wipe them out in one fell swoop, that would be the best outcome!"
Soon, Zhu Youjian returned to the map and began to think seriously.
"Master Gao also told me that this is called 'pursuing the enemy with the remaining strength, and not seeking fame like Xiang Yu.'"
"Someone come here!" He raised his head.
"Let Wang Chengen release all the ministers, and then invite all officials of the second rank and above to my study."
"I want to have a detailed discussion with them."
If we really want to destroy the Jurchens, this will be a war of annihilation, and it's not enough to just win on the battlefield.
When Nurhaci swept through Liaodong, hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, fled their homes and retreated into Ningjin and Guannei.
If the Jurchens are destroyed, should these people be relocated back?
What should be done with the Jurchens who have already surrendered, as well as the newly captured Eight Banners and bondservants after they conquer Shengjing?
How should merits be rewarded and how should Goryeo be treated after the war?
These are all complex and important matters, and we must convene the court officials to discuss them in detail before we can reach a feasible conclusion.
Zhu Youjian sighed again, "Alas, if Master Gao could teach his students a little faster, I would have an easier time."
"Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong were both great talents."
"It would be good if I had a few more people like that under my command."
Luo Yangxing quickly reassured him, "Your Majesty need not worry. The new batch of students has already been selected, hasn't it?"
"I imagine that in a few more years, you will have plenty of talented people at your disposal."
Zhu Youjian nodded silently and did not continue the topic.
Seeing this, Luo Yangxing said no more, but returned to the main hall and told Wang Chengen what the emperor meant.
When he first entered, the courtiers looked at him expectantly, hoping that Luo Yangneng would bring some good news.
After Luo Yangxing finished speaking with Wang Chengen, several old ministers immediately walked over pitifully.
"Eunuch Wang, has His Majesty issued any new decree?"
"Our ability to write poetry is really not good."
"Could you please let us go back, have a good meal, and then come back to write poetry?"
They began to beg for mercy.
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