Ming Jiajing: Starting from Immortality

Chapter 243: The civil and military affairs broke up, and Yuanfu’s brother died!
When the white snow covered the sky, the wind was howling, and the roar that shook the earth was carrying the snow curtain all over the sky.

At the entrance of the central army tent, the commander of the imperial army stood like a giant rock, holding the hilt of his sword without moving in the snow. Dozens of imperial soldiers on the west side and around the tent also stood like giant rocks without moving in the snow.

There was only a small charcoal stove in the big tent, spitting out green flames, boiling the medicine soup in the medicine pot. White steam rushed straight into the medicine pot resting on two chopsticks, making a faint knocking sound.

Yu Dayou was standing in front of the medicine jar. He opened the lid and gently blew away the white steam. He used tongs to pick up a few pieces of red charcoal from the stove, placed the lid on two bamboo chopsticks, and let the medicine soup in the jar slowly boil over a low fire.

Then, he looked in the direction of the central military case.

On the recliner in front of the large desk, Wang Chonggu was half lying and half sitting on a quilt. In front of him was a low table with a Go game in the middle on it. Opposite the Go game, Qi Jiguang was sitting upright.

Wang Chonggu placed a black piece on the chessboard, and Qi Jiguang stared at the black piece, thinking hard.

"Don't you know how to plant this seed?" Wang Chonggu covered himself with the quilt that was half-cushioned on the recliner and half-covered on his body, and leaned back to lie down.

Qi Jiguang had no intention of playing chess, and he didn't know why the Grand Marshal suddenly fell ill when the Northern Barbarians surrendered and the grasslands returned to the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, only the three people in the tent knew about his illness. He simply put down the chess piece and said respectfully: "Please teach me, Grand Marshal."

This request.

Not only on the chessboard, but also outside the chessboard.

“There is only one truth for everything in the world. Everyone has different perspectives, but as long as you are willing to look for it, you can find the right way.”

Wang Chonggu looked at Qi Jiguang, his face expressionless. Instead, he lay down completely, slowly closed his eyes, and said, "For example, if you look at the other side of a river, if you stand on the south side of the river, the north side is the other side, and if you stand on the north side of the river, the south side is the other side."

this moment.

Qi Jiguang seemed to hear the sound of swords and spears coming from afar. He held his breath and just stared at him quietly.

"Let's take a look." Wang Chonggu said with his eyes still closed.

There was a letter under the paperweight on the central military case.

This letter was written by Qi Jiguang himself a few days ago, and was to be sent back to the country to inform Zhang Juzheng, the chief minister of the cabinet, that his brother Zhang Juyi had been thrown into the death camp.

Apparently, the letter was intercepted by the Grand Marshal.

Qi Jiguang stood up suddenly and tried to take the letter, but as soon as his hand reached the paperweight, Wang Chonggu held it down and said, "Bring the stove over here."

Wang Chonggu's words.

It was said to Yu Dayou.

Yu Dayou thought he was afraid of the cold, so he quickly added a few more pieces of charcoal, blew up the fire, and then moved the stove next to him.

"Whether to burn or not, the decision is up to you, but this time, it concerns the rest of your life, so think carefully."

After saying this, Wang Chonggu slowly released the hand that was suppressing Qi Jiguang.

The separation of the military and politics.

It will be opened when the New Year arrives. This is something that all the civil officials and military generals in the Ming Dynasty have long known.

As the supreme commander of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Chonggu could be sure that the specific major changes would take place when the army returned triumphantly to the court.

At that time, the situation where the civil and military powers are not subordinate to each other will become a reality.

But the division of power had already begun in secret.

Civility is civility, militaryity is militaryity, and with the cooperation of civil and military, the Ming Dynasty will enjoy long-lasting peace and stability.

However, between the civil and military officials, the only thing left is cooperation, and no private relationship can exist anymore.

Especially the personal relationship between senior military generals and the heads of the court civil officials.

History has proven the dangers of this too many times.

His Majesty will never allow it.

Wang Chonggu has quietly severed all ties with Zhang Juzheng, the Zhang family, and the court's civil service group.

He also cut off all his retreat routes by sending Yuan Fu's brother to a squad of death warriors.

Now, it was Qi Jiguang's turn to make a decision.

Whether to continue to maintain contact with Yuan Fu or cut off contact from now on.

Qi Jiguang was stunned for a while, and said: "I am deeply supported by Yuan Fu..."

"I feel the same way." Wang Chonggu replied.

In the current military structure of the Ming Dynasty, many people have been promoted by Zhang Juzheng.

He, Qi Jiguang, Li Chengliang, Li Rusong, Liang Menglong, Fang Fengshi, and other military generals.

"I cannot go against my conscience," Qi Jiguang continued.

"conscience?"

Qi Jiguang's words shocked Wang Chonggu so much that he looked at him with disbelief in his eyes.

"Does the commander-in-chief have no conscience?" Qi Jiguang was also incredulous.

Wang Chonggu shook his head and said with a smile: "I am only the Grand Marshal of the Ming Dynasty, responsible for fulfilling His Majesty's expectations. What does conscience have to do with me?"

For the sake of himself and his family, he buried the Shanxi merchant family with his own hands. If he still had a conscience, he would have died of pain long ago.

Conscience, what a luxury.

It is enough to be loyal to His Majesty.

Qi Jiguang finally realized what kind of person was in front of him. He suddenly felt dizzy and fell back to his original position.

On one side is the grace of support, and on the other side is the emperor's fear.

Qi Jiguang seemed to be in a huge darkness, and no matter where he went, he would be shrouded in darkness.

Yu Dayou, who was standing aside, understood Qi Jiguang's dilemma, but he was much luckier because the one who promoted him was the cabinet elder Hu Zongxian.

When the plan for separation of military and politics was first formulated, Hu Zongxian sent him a letter, which, in addition to giving him a lot of encouragement, also reminded him not to have any further contact with him.

The so-called promotion was nothing more than his selection of talents for the country when he was fighting against Japanese pirates in Zhejiang. There was no selfish motive, only public interest.

It was the present emperor who reminded Yu Dayou to repay his kindness.

Report your favor on the golden platform, and bring Yulong to die for the king.

Since.

Hu Zongxian and Yu Dayou completely severed their personal relationship and each put national affairs first.

Unlike Hu Zongxian, Prime Minister Zhang Juzheng was a power-conscious person. What Hu Zongxian was able to give up, the Prime Minister wanted to hold on to tightly.

Even though the military and politics were separated, the prime minister still tried to directly or indirectly influence the military and maintained personal relationships with senior generals.

If Qi Jiguang could not distinguish right from wrong, and continued to keep in touch with Yuan Fu, constantly reporting the military's every move to the court, he would probably not be tolerated by the emperor and the military.

By then, Qi Jiguang might become the first general to be kicked out of the military ranks and stripped of his title after forty years of Jiajing's reign.

And Yuanfu’s fate will definitely not be good.

After a long time, Qi Jiguang reached out to the desk again, removed the paperweight that was pressing on the envelope, picked up the letter to Zhang Juzheng, and put the letter towards the stove.

A corner of the letter caught fire, and then the flame slowly devoured it until the four words "Yuan Fu Jun Jian" on the envelope were burned to white ashes.

When the flame on the envelope reached his fingertips, he put the last corner into the furnace. Then Wang Chonggu gave the order, "Qi Jiguang!"

"I am here!" Qi Jiguang was shocked.

"Immediately notify the Death Squad, when the snow stops, the entire battalion will attack and hunt down Altan!" Wang Chonggu seemed to have recovered from his illness, and he said in high spirits.

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Juyi must die.

This will not only break all the tentacles of the court that want to reach out to the military and try to gain military merits.

Moreover, the imperial court and the military also needed the death of one person to declare a breakup.

The title "Prince's younger brother" couldn't be more appropriate.

……

The second prime minister’s residence.

It is a courtyard with three entrances.

Although the pavilions, towers, rockeries and rocks, and flowing water are not very gorgeous, they do have some of the flavor of Jiangnan gardens.

After dinner that day, Gao Gong was walking in the yard with his hands behind his back. The housekeeper Gao Fu hurried over and handed him a visiting card.

Her name is Shao Fang.

Gao Gong carefully recalled the people he had come into contact with in the past, or the celebrities of the time, but had no impression of them at all.

After becoming a cabinet minister, Gao Gong declined visits from outsiders, but this visiting card was presented to him by Gao Fu.

"Master, there is a valuable gift, 'Helouxuan Ji'." Gao Fu said in a low voice.

"Record of Helou Pavilion" is a cursive script work written by Mr. Yangming when he attained enlightenment in Longchang. It is also the longest cursive script among his calligraphy works handed down from generation to generation.

This piece of handwriting may not be the best one written by the saint, but it is definitely one of the most expensive ones.

The visitor presented the saint's handwritten letter as a gift, just to ask for an audience with Gao Gong. No wonder the housekeeper had to present the visiting card from a man named Shao Fang.

Gao Gong twirled his beard and pondered for a long time. He probably guessed who was behind this person and asked slowly, "What can this person say?"

The only one in the world who could casually take out the saint’s handwritten letter as a gift was the great master.

On the first day of the first lunar month, he teamed up with Yuan Fu to fool Qian Dehong, leaving him with nothing and finding out nothing, and even wasting his time writing a sacrificial text to the saint.

It seems that Qian Dehong has thought it over. As the second debate among Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism is getting closer, for the sake of Confucianism, he can't help but feel a little anxious.

But he did not show up in person again. After all, he had lost face once, so he sent out an agent.

"They said they came to relieve the elder's worries." Gao Fu repeated the original words.

"Oh?"

Gao Gong became interested. The Confucianist had changed his tactics. He smiled faintly and said, "Bring the people to the flower hall to meet him."

"Yes."

Soon.

Then a man in casual clothes was seen entering the flower hall of Gao's mansion under the guidance of Gao Fu.

"Greetings, Second Prime Minister." Shao Fang bowed solemnly.

Gao Gong sat in the main seat, motionless, and ordered, "Bring tea."

No seat was given up.

Shao Fang had no choice but to stand, but he didn't look embarrassed. After thanking him, he took the tea, but didn't drink it. He just held it and said, "I wonder if you have any prospects for meeting the Prime Minister of the Cabinet this time?"

Gao Gong coughed and looked at Shao Fang with a bit of hostility. The struggles within the cabinet have always been exposed.

Who in this world doesn't know that he has been coveting the position of Prime Minister for a long time?

You can't make fun of this person by using a letter written by a saint, right?
Shao Fang understood that if he didn't show his cards, he would be expelled. He smiled and said, "If the second prime minister is interested, I am willing to lend a hand."

Gao Gong neither believed nor disbelieved him, he just watched his performance.

It was really a bold idea for Confucians to overthrow a prime minister of the cabinet.

"I think that the power of the Prime Minister lies in two aspects: first, he actually controls the Ministry of Personnel, and second, he is favored by the Emperor."

Shao Fang carefully analyzed the source of Zhang Juzheng's power, his power to transfer personnel in the two capitals and thirteen provinces, and his trust from the palace, and then said: "I am not talented, but I am willing to solve these two problems for the second prime minister, or even let them belong to the second prime minister."

Gao Gong narrowed his eyes slightly. It was interesting, and it was becoming more and more interesting.

Confucianism is about to formally interfere in government and palace affairs, and seize the power of the prime minister.

"I have a long history with the Minister of Personnel Yang Bo, and I would like to help bring him and the minister together."

Shao Fang showed his trump card and said confidently: "I have some friendship with Chen Hong, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department and the governor of the East Factory. I would like to act as a bridge to bring him and the Prime Minister together.

I am familiar with many of the ministers in the court, and I am willing to serve you at my utmost.”

Gao Gong was moved.

Zhang Juzheng always regarded the Ministry of Personnel as his own reserve of power. He constantly placed his students and former officials in important positions in the court in order to increase his power and expand his influence in the court.

For such an important matter, the Minister of Personnel, Zhang Juzheng, also gave it careful consideration.

That Yang Bo.

He was a Jinshi in the eighth year of Jiajing, served in the court for more than thirty years, and made outstanding contributions in military affairs.

No matter who was the Prime Minister, they all treated him with great respect. Even the Emperor often praised him. Even when the treacherous Yan Song and his son controlled the government, the young cabinet minister Yan Shifan often flattered and praised him: Among the three great talents of the Jiajing Dynasty, you must be one of them besides me.

But this man was extremely low-key. Even though the emperor had hinted at it many times, Yang Bo repeatedly refused to join the cabinet and become prime minister.

From today's perspective, Yang Bo was very smart not to join the cabinet. He avoided many court whirlpools and effectively protected himself.

All the cabinet chief ministers in the 40th year of Jiajing and before had a bad ending. Zhang Cong, Xia Yan, and Yan Song all had worse endings than each other.

Relying on his real abilities and being able to get along with everyone, Yang Bo lives a very comfortable life.

When the struggle between the Yan Party and the Qingliu Party was fierce, Yang Bo and his Jin Party members were also the targets of both sides' attempts to win over.

Yang Bo was from Shanxi and had frequent dealings with Shanxi merchants. However, when the Shanxi merchants were destroyed, Yang Bo and other officials from Shanxi in the court cut ties with them.

Everyone says that there are many factions in the court, including the prime minister's party, the second prime minister's party, and various other factions, but the Jin Party is always a force that cannot be ignored.

Yang Bo had been wavering in the court for decades. Zhang Juzheng entrusted the Ministry of Personnel to him because he valued that Yang Bo would not lean towards other forces.

Now, Shao Fang's words are obviously going to subvert everyone's cognition.

Rujia and Yang Bo got together somehow, and I have to choose one person to serve.

It has to be said that Gao Gong was tempted. If he could gain the support of Yang Bo and the Jin Party, it would be equivalent to gaining the two most important ministries of the six ministries of the court, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue.

With both personnel and financial power in his hands, it was not too difficult to sideline Zhang Juzheng.

If he could establish contact with the inner court and learn about the emperor's mood at any time, the position of Prime Minister would not be far away.

Serving the Lord, serving the Lord, isn’t it serving joy?
The emperor would come to see the emperor when he was pleased and would retreat and disappear when he was angry.

Although Gao Gong hated flattery, he was willing to endure temporary grievances for the position of prime minister.

Gao Gong pointed to a chair in the hall and said, "Sit down and talk."

"Thank you, Prime Minister!"

Shao Fang took a seat.

A secret plan targeting the Prime Minister of the Cabinet was launched, but no one expected that the Central Plains and the grasslands would become linked, and the impending storm was quietly approaching...

(End of this chapter)