Chapter 61 Secret Plan
Seeing Zhu Yuhuan retreat, Wang Zhen then cautiously spoke to Zhu Qizhen: "Your Majesty, if we want to stabilize the northern border, there is more than just the dispatch of troops."
Zhu Qizhen said, "Tell me about it."
Wang Zhen said respectfully, "The Oirat invade the border simply for supplies, such as cloth and grain. If that's the case, Your Majesty, why don't you emulate the example of the late emperor, who established tribute and trade? That way, the Oirat get what they want, and naturally there's no need to confront the border troops and waste their own manpower."
It was not difficult for him to get what the Wala wanted, but the trouble was how to deliver these things to the Wala. Wang Zhen naturally had to find a suitable opportunity to facilitate his actions.
As if fearing Zhu Qizhen wouldn't believe him, Wang Zhen added, "Your Majesty, you should remember that when Lord Xuan permitted trade with the Wulingha, the Princess went to Liaodong and later frequently sent her merchants on voyages. If there were no benefits to be gained from the trade, why would the Princess have bothered to go?"
Hearing Wang Zhen's words, Zhu Qizhen pondered for a moment and said, "Mutual trade is not a bad idea."
But Wang Zhen was just a eunuch after all, and was very different from eunuchs like Liu Yongcheng and Yishiha. Before he was castrated and entered the palace, he was just a scholar and had never been to the border. His one-sided statement was not enough.
He also needed to find a few more people to "testify" for Wang Zhen, so that it would be easier to persuade those stubborn court officials, so that these court officials who were already opposed to fighting with Luchuan would not start to write letters to the emperor and interfere with his decision-making.
Wang Zhen saw his attitude soften, and continued, "Your Majesty, if you're worried, why don't you go and ask the Princess?" Seeing Zhu Qizhen looking at him, he immediately said, "I'm a shallow-minded person. These are just my own thoughts and won't affect Your Majesty's wisdom."
Seeing that he was so understanding, Zhu Qizhen was very satisfied and said, "Okay."
Wang Zhen saw that Zhu Qizhen was in a good mood at the moment, so he asked tentatively, "Fighting on the front line is quite far away from the capital. I'm afraid these court officials can't give their all."
If this had been said before ordering the military examination, Zhu Qizhen would certainly not have taken it seriously, but Wang Zhen seized the opportunity very cleverly, as it was right after the civil officials had previously responded negatively to the military examination.
Zhu Qizhen was already quite dissatisfied with the officials' caution and conservatism, and the passive response strategy made Zhu Qizhen remember it in his heart. His trust in these officials had long been greatly reduced. Now that Wang Zhen had reminded him of this, Zhu Qizhen became even more vigilant.
"What's the meaning?"
Wang Zhen said cautiously, "While Minister Wang, General Jiang, and Lieutenant General Toghto Boluo are loyal to their country, what will happen if the rear guard slacks off once a war breaks out?"
This was not without reason. Zhu Qizhen narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Then how do you think we can resolve this?"
Wang Zhen realized that Zhu Qizhen had begun to follow his words and thought, so he tried to suppress his excitement and said, "Of course, we should appoint someone whose status is enough to intimidate the court officials to fight on the front lines."
Zhu Qizhen raised his eyebrows, glanced at Wang Zhen, and asked, "Are you going to let me go to the battlefield myself?"
Wang Zhen never expected that Zhu Qizhen would blurt out such a statement. After all, Zhu Qizhen was neither married nor had any children. No matter where he personally led the army, if something happened, who would take charge of the situation?
Wang Zhen was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, "Your Majesty, your health is paramount. Although you may be brave and valiant on the battlefield, I'm afraid the swords will be merciless..." He caught a glimpse of displeasure flashing across Zhu Qizhen's face and quickly changed the subject, "Your Majesty, why don't you appoint Princess Shunde to oversee the battle? She's a member of the royal family and your most trusted person. If she goes into battle, she'll be acting on your behalf. With someone like her in charge, who would dare slack off?"
If he couldn't afford to offend the Princess, could he avoid her? He took this opportunity to have the Princess accompany the army. Her absence from the capital would facilitate Wang Zhen's covert manipulation of the smuggling scheme with the Oirat Mongols. For the Princess, this was also a good opportunity to enhance her prestige, and it was expected that the Princess of Shunde would not refuse.
If you think about it from a positive perspective, it is not difficult to take the head of a general in the midst of thousands of troops on the battlefield. If the eldest princess makes a mistake and passes away like the Empress Dowager, wouldn't that be better?
This choice was both unexpected and not unusual for Zhu Qizhen.
When Zhu Qizhen first ascended the throne, Zhu Yuhuan had already gone there in person to supervise the army. Although he did not fight in the battles, he was quite famous. All those who participated in the battles at that time praised the princess highly. It was not an exception to send Zhu Yuhuan again now.
But for Zhu Qizhen, he still felt a little unwilling.
All the glory was taken away by his eldest sister alone. It seemed that he, the emperor, had no power and could only rely on these few subordinates.
Wang Zhen sensed Zhu Qizhen's subtle resistance to Zhu Yuhuan's selection and continued, "In a year or so, the Emperor will also be choosing a queen. I believe within two or three years, he will have princes and princesses. By then, the Empress Dowager Cihui and Princess Shunde will no longer be needed to assist him in governing the country. If any foreigners dare to offend His Majesty, His Majesty can lead the army himself to fight them. Why rush now?"
Zhu Qizhen remained silent, but still a little hesitant. He said, "That does make some sense, but the battlefield is really dangerous. If something happens to my elder sister..."
The previous uprising they went to suppress was an internal war, and it didn't amount to much. But this time they were going to Luchuan. Not only were the foreigners strong and brave, but the climate in the north and south was also very different. If Zhu Yuhuan couldn't adapt, he would probably lose a sister.
Wang Zhen consoled him, saying, "The Princess has experience accompanying the army. Furthermore, the army is conquering Luchuan, and the Princess is in charge of supervising the troops. Why should she personally go into battle? She could just stay behind and take charge. Furthermore, the Princess is in good health, skilled in both riding and archery, and is no less physically fit than a powerful general. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, do not worry."
Zhu Qizhen simply waved his hand and said, "Let me think about this matter. You may leave."
Wang Zhen also knew that he couldn't be impatient, so he stopped persuading him.
He knew very well in his heart that in the upcoming court meeting, the performance of this group of stubborn ministers would certainly not disappoint him, and the eldest princess would have to leave even if she didn't want to!
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