The Last Action Is His Chapter 9

Emperor Chongzhen gave each person an imperial decree to act as they see fit from now until tomorrow morning, and then watched them leave the hall.

These people may or may not be capable, but they have one thing in common, that is, they chose to die for their country when the Ming Dynasty fell.

Perhaps they chose to die for various reasons, not necessarily out of loyalty to Emperor Chongzhen. But, what's the harm? At least they are better than those who eat the emperor's salary and then betray him!

Thinking of this, watching them all disappear at the entrance of the palace, Emperor Chongzhen looked at Charles Wang and told him: "Send Xinle Marquis Liu Wenbing, the son-in-law of the emperor Gong Yonggu, Xuancheng Earl Wei Shichun, Huian Earl Zhang Qingzhen, Zhangwu Earl Yang Chongyou, Ningyuan Earl Li Zunzu, Pengcheng Earl Zhang Guangzu, Dingyuan Marquis Deng Wenming, Zhenyuan Marquis Gu Zhaoji, Xining Marquis Song Yude, Qingping Marquis Wu Zunzhou, Yangwu Marquis Xue Lian, Gongshun Marquis Wu Ruzheng, and Xincheng Marquis Wang Guoxing to the emperor immediately."

When Charles Wang heard this, he roughly guessed that this was Emperor Taizu's dream, pointing out the nobles who were loyal to the emperor and the Ming Dynasty.

He was a little surprised that there wasn't even a duke! You know, hereditary dukes were the most generous treatment given to people of other surnames in the Ming Dynasty, but there wasn't one?

Moreover, many of these marquises and earls were conferred titles because of their status as royal relatives. Their ancestors had made contributions to the Ming Dynasty, so when the Ming Dynasty needed them, they would lose their backbone?

He did not dare to ask this question, but just agreed immediately and then assigned his eunuch to convey the order immediately.

At the same time, Wenyuan Pavilion had also received news from the emperor.

"Your Majesty, what is your intention in summoning all the military commanders? If you have something to tell us, you should have informed our cabinet!" Wei Zaode, the youngest Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, the number one scholar appointed by the Emperor in the 13th year of Chongzhen, walked out of his seat and came to the Prime Minister Chen Yan, saying with some dissatisfaction, "How about the Prime Minister go to see His Majesty and ask about the situation?"

Chen Yan was already old. Ever since he succeeded Zhou Yanru as the Prime Minister, he had been preparing for him to retire and return home. Seeing Wei Zaode coming to talk, he simply said, "Shi Ling is the most favored by His Majesty. If you want to know more, just go to His Majesty directly. Why do you need me to come forward?"

Shi Ling is Wei Zaode's pen name. He was selected as the top scholar in the 13th year of Chongzhen, and became the Grand Secretary of Dongge in the 16th year of Chongzhen. This speed of promotion is simply unheard of. A cabinet minister at the age of 38 is also shocking!

Chen Yan himself was a Jinshi in the second year of the Tianqi reign. He had endured many ups and downs for so many years before he finally became the Prime Minister. To be honest, he couldn't stand Wei Zaode in his heart.

However, he is cunning and self-protective, and at least on the surface he appears to be amiable and harmless.

When Wei Zaode heard what he said, he couldn't help but curse in his heart: "He is holding the position of Prime Minister and is the most active in collecting money, but he is a coward when it comes to doing things. Bah!"

Just as he was about to say something to Chen Yan, another newly appointed cabinet minister, Fan Jingwen, interrupted and said, "Li's army has invaded Shanxi with great force. Shanxi's troops alone may not be able to resist them. Therefore, Your Majesty is probably considering sending reinforcements!"

He was the only civil servant among the cabinet ministers who had experience in training and leading troops. He was both civil and military. He had offended Yang Sichang in order to save Huang Daozhou and was dismissed by Emperor Chongzhen. He was just recalled and promoted to the cabinet.

Fan Jingwen's words on military affairs have a certain authority.

However, Wei Zaode was not convinced. He immediately walked over upon hearing the voice and retorted with great aura: "Didn't we just send 2,000 reinforcements... Oh, by the way, Lord Fan just joined the cabinet and didn't know about this!"

Seeing him walk away, Chen Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he was thinking about something, or as if he was resting his eyes.

When Fan Jingwen heard Wei Zaode's words, he shook his head without hesitation and said, "Two thousand reinforcements are just a drop in the bucket and will not help!"

"Hasn't Lord Fan heard that quality is more important than quantity?" Upon hearing this, Wei Zaode immediately spoke eloquently, "Although Li the thief has a large army, most of them are a motley crowd. Once the imperial court's elite troops are deployed, they will surely be able to defeat the larger force with a smaller one, stop Li the thief's army in Jin, and even defeat the thief army!"

Fan Jingwen frowned, but patiently explained to Wei Zaode: "The bandits have been fighting for more than ten years, how come they are still a mob? Isn't it a clear proof that the government troops have been defeated in many battles?"

When Wei Zaode heard this, he raised his eyebrows and waved his right hand, saying: "Haha, the generals are incompetent and they are just exhausting the army!"

At this point, he turned to look at another cabinet minister who was buried in a document and said, "Fourth Brother, you are in charge of training the troops, so you should understand what I am saying, right?"

Sichang was Fang Yuegong's pen name. He had just been appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War and the Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion, and was in charge of the grain transport, military farming, and military training. At this moment, when he heard Wei Zaode's words, he did not even raise his head, but just said "hmm", which seemed very perfunctory.

Wei Zaode was a little dissatisfied, so he turned around and walked to the other side of the cabinet minister and asked again: "Brother Zhongbao is good at managing finances and troops. You must understand the principle that quality is more important than quantity, right?"

Zhongbao is Jiang Dejing's pen name. He entered the cabinet last year as the Minister of Revenue, the Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion, and the Grand Secretary of Jin Prince's Guard. He has always opposed the increase in pay and is investigating the actual situation of the border troops. When he heard Wei Zaode's question, he looked up at him, nodded, and said, "It is true that the quality of soldiers is more important than the number of soldiers!"

Wei Zaode was delighted when he heard this. Just as he was about to continue, he suddenly saw the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department stepping into the inner chamber. He turned to look at Victor Wang, bowed slightly and said, "Why are you visiting the inner chamber, Eunuch Wang?"

Although Wei Zaode was arrogant, he had witnessed the consequences of Zhou Yanru's offense against the imperial guards. Therefore, he could look down on any colleague in the cabinet, but he did not dare to disrespect Victor Wang and was the first to pay his respects.

When Prime Minister Chen Yan, who was just daydreaming, heard the voice, his eyes widened, and he immediately stood up and walked around his seat, quickly walking towards Victor Wang, and said with a smile on his face: "Ah, Eunuch Wang, you have come to the cabinet, which makes it glorious!"

If people who don’t know him see him, they would think he is Victor Wang’s younger brother. They would not know that he is the number one civil servant in the Ming Dynasty!

Victor Wang looked at them, smiling but not smiling, and said calmly: "The Emperor's order!"

Upon hearing this, the ministers in the cabinet looked at each other, probably thinking, see, there is no need to ask, the emperor’s decree has arrived.

So they hurriedly accepted the order.

After receiving the imperial edict, Chen Yan was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Eunuch Wang, these few days are not the time for a grand court meeting. If Your Majesty wants to hold a grand court meeting, why not tomorrow but the day after tomorrow?"

Victor Wang actually didn't know why the emperor decided to hold the meeting the day after tomorrow. He felt that the emperor seemed to be dissatisfied with him, so he didn't dare to ask. However, at this time, in front of these civil officials, he just said calmly: "Scheduled the day after tomorrow instead of tomorrow, wouldn't it give you more time to prepare, so that when the grand meeting comes, the civil and military officials in the court will not fail the emperor's grace. Prime Minister, don't you agree?"

As for what kind of betrayal he had done to the emperor, he didn't say it, but I believe the people in the cabinet can guess it.

As he said this, he stared at Chen Yan on purpose. Then he left without staying any longer.

Chen Yan obviously noticed his gaze and immediately felt unhappy.

Wei Zaode, on the other hand, seemed to be gloating and said, "It seems that His Majesty is going to train troops again, but the salary has not been settled yet! Haha, anyway, I am penniless, so I have no money even if I want to donate!"

When Chen Yan heard this, his face became even gloomier.

Now most of the court officials have joined him, only Wei Zaode relies on the emperor's favor, and he is also from Tongzhou, which is equivalent to the local snake in the capital. Although he is sarcastic to him, he can't do anything to Wei Zaode, so he can only pretend not to hear it.

Fan Jingwen next to them glanced at the two of them and didn't say anything.

Although he had just been reinstated, he had heard that the Prime Minister Chen Yan was mediocre in talent, mean, good at colluding with eunuchs, and widely accepted bribes. The Emperor was expected to donate money for military pay again this time. I wonder how much the Prime Minister would donate?

After Chen Yan sat back in his seat, he ordered, "Pass on His Majesty's order, especially to the father-in-law. Don't forget to inform him. His Majesty has instructed that he must be present."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zaode knew what he was planning, but he did not expose it. Let the father-in-law take the lead, and everyone will spend less money, why not do it!