My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 448 The System's Power

"Outrageous! The cabinet is actually allowing these military men to interfere in politics!"

"And that Su Ze, he actually supports military men interfering in politics, impeach him!"

Inside the Censorate, officials from the Censorate gathered together, speaking with righteous indignation.

Because their offices were being taken over by the five gates of the Secretariat and the Chancellery, the Six Ministries dared not criticize the cabinet ministers in front of Su Ze. So they came to the Censorate and the censors to "participate in the grand event."

Every organization needs a leader, and everyone's eyes turned to Yan Yonghe, the most senior official in the Ministry of Personnel among the Six Ministries.

In a place like the Six Ministries and the Censorate, if someone is too brave, they will be seen as a thorn in the side by the cabinet ministers and will be purged early on.

There's no way around it; Su Ze's record is documented, and who wouldn't be terrified!

Chen Zan, a former supervising secretary of the Ministry of Justice, was demoted to Xuwen County, Guangdong Province because of Su Ze.

Since Su Ze entered officialdom, how many officials of the Six Ministries and the Censorate have been punished for this?

In addition, the cabinet also supports Suze.

This cabinet is also very strong, with Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, and Zhao Zhenji all being capable and resourceful ministers.

So this is a paradox: to become the leader of science and technology, one must be assertive.

But if they become too powerful, they will be purged from Kedao by the big shots.

Yan Yonghe was able to work for six departments for many years and become the most senior, which naturally shows his ability.

Yan Yonghe has two major "secret weapons".

The first trick is to "feign illness".

Feigning illness is not a new tactic; it has a long history of practice among Ming Dynasty officials, and former Grand Secretary Li Chunfang was a master of it.

But it's one thing for other officials to feign illness, but for officials in the Censorate and the Imperial Academy, who are supposed to be upright and honest, it would damage their reputation if they kept faking illness.

Yan Yonghe's feigning illness was quite impressive.

Yan Yonghe had been feigning illness even before he became a Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel.

He always had medicine with him, his house was always filled with the smell of medicine, and even his clothes smelled of medicine.

Every autumn and winter, he would often cough, pretending to be weak and sickly.

By relying on this tactic, Yan Yonghe has managed to avoid several fierce political struggles and survive in the Sixth Department until today.

Yan Yonghe was originally planning to use the same trick again this time.

Unexpectedly, several young censors rushed to his home and dragged him from his "sickbed" to the Censorate.

Yan Yonghe's other skill is "acting".

Yan Yonghe's domineering attitude was all an act. Just like last time when Su Ze came to Liukelang to seize office space, Yan Yonghe jumped out in "righteous indignation" to confront Su Ze.

After a strong performance, Yan Yonghe still obediently gave up the public housing.

He talks a big game, but he's really putting in a lot of effort!

Everyone works in the Sixth Department's office, so they see each other all the time. Is it really possible to impeach Prosecutor Su?
Yan Yonghe looked speechlessly at the indignant officials. "Don't you think impeachment is really useful?"

"Let's go to Zuoshun Gate and knock on the imperial court's door!"

It's unclear who shouted this, but everyone responded, becoming increasingly excited as they spoke.

Yan Yonghe was suffering in silence.

He wasn't supposed to be here!

If he hadn't been dragged here, he would still be happily recuperating at home. Why did he have to get involved in this kind of thing?
He knocked on the gate of Zuoshun! Whether he succeeded or failed, would the leader be pleased?
This group of people are putting themselves in a difficult position, wanting to be the one to stick their neck out and take the lead!
Yan Yonghe, driven by his survival instincts, suddenly coughed violently and then said:
"Please listen to me, everyone!"

Everyone looked at Yan Yonghe.

Since Yan Yonghe has been chosen as the leader of the alliance, we should also listen to his opinions.

Yan Yonghe coughed again before speaking:

"Gentlemen, since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has placed the greatest emphasis on pragmatism."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Emperor Longqing's governing style was indeed pragmatic, and that much was undeniable.

Yan Yonghe said:
“If we want to impeach important officials, using these empty slogans will only increase His Majesty’s disgust.”

"What are your thoughts, Lord Yan?!"

Yan Yonghe saw that the atmosphere had calmed down and knew that the matter was mostly settled.

The atmosphere is crucial for such matters of petitioning the emperor.

Once the atmosphere cools down, even if there are one or two more troublesome groups, they won't amount to anything.

After all, everyone is capable of calculating gains and losses. To petition the emperor and offend both the emperor and important officials would not benefit anyone's career.

Yan Yonghe said:
"This is a military council. Since it is a military council, as long as we point out the problems in the council, we can discuss the matter on its own merits and naturally exclude these uncouth military men from national affairs!"

Yan Yonghe used all his acting skills, and everyone nodded in approval.

At this moment, another uncooperative troublemaker jumped out and said:
"Does Lord Yan find any flaws in Li Rusong and others' memorials?"

Everyone looked at Yan Yonghe.

Wasn't it because Li Rusong's memorial was well-organized, cited classical texts, and offered usable strategies that the censors couldn't find any flaws, which is why they gathered here to discuss it?

After being tricked and circled around, everyone returned to square one.

Yan Yonghe remained calm. As a senior official, he had plenty of ways to control the pace of the conversation once it was in his hands.

Yan Yonghe said:
“We are all advisors, and military and political affairs are not our expertise.”

"This time, the memorial submitted by Li Rusong and others is encroaching on the authority of the Ministry of War!"

"The Ministry of War should be more anxious about this than we are!"

After he finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement.

Yan Yonghe, as expected of a senior official, truly hit the nail on the head!

That's exactly how it is; this is clearly a matter for the Ministry of War!

Why should we, the Science and Technology Bureau, fight on behalf of the Ministry of War?

Seeing that everyone had calmed down, Yan Yonghe said:

"The Sixth Department issued a document to the Ministry of War, requesting the Ministry of War to also formulate a national policy and military strategy to refute the memorials of Li Rusong and others from a military perspective."

"In that case, we should submit another petition to the court, requesting that these soldiers be prohibited from making unwarranted comments on state affairs. This is the right way!"

"What do you think?"

Yan Yonghe's meddling caused the crowd to lose their initial excitement and begin to calculate the pros and cons.

Yan Yonghe's method was indeed good, and everyone nodded in agreement.

"That's how it should be!"

Yan Yonghe then said to the two censors of the Ministry of War:

"I would like to trouble you two to go to the Ministry of War on behalf of the Censorate."
-
Indeed, as Yan Yonghe said, the Ministry of War was the most anxious about Li Rusong's presentation of national and military policies.

This was originally the Ministry of War's authority, but the Ministry of War failed to come up with an effective strategy for the Northeast. Now, a group of lower-ranking military officers have taken the lead, which is a great loss of face for them.

Minister of War Cao Bangfu was troubled. For a long time, Cao Bangfu had harbored conflicts with Zhao Zhenji, the Grand Secretary in charge of the Ministry of War.

Of course, the conflict between the two was not a personal grudge, but a difference in their approaches.

Zhao Zhenji advocated for a comprehensive reform of the new army, but Cao Bangfu believed that reforms should be implemented gradually.

On this point, the differences are growing increasingly pronounced regarding the handling of the remaining three major military camps in the capital.

After abolishing the three major battalions of the Beijing Garrison in the last operation, Zhao Zhenji still felt it was not enough and wanted to continue the reforms.

Zhao Zhenji experienced the period of lax discipline in the Beijing garrison during the Jiajing era. He almost died outside the capital city back then and had great distrust of the three major garrisons.

Cao Bangfu rose through the ranks from the Ministry of War. The three major military camps in the capital had intricate connections with the Ministry of War, with entanglements unknown to others. Moreover, reducing the number of soldiers would affect the security of the capital, so Cao Bangfu insisted on delaying the reform.

The political differences between the two made the Ministry of War's position in the imperial court very awkward.

In the other six ministries, there were cabinet ministers who spoke on their behalf within the cabinet.

Only the Ministry of War—Zhao Zhenji not only wouldn't speak up for the Ministry of War, but would also frequently find excuses to reprimand it.

For example, when Li Rusong and other military officers submitted a memorial, Zhao Zhenji claimed that the Ministry of War was "incompetent," which angered everyone in the Ministry of War!
Despite their anger, Li Rusong and his team's plan was indeed feasible.

Just then, Shen Shixing, the Assistant Director of the Military Selection Department, arrived at Cao Bangfu's office.

"Minister Cao, the Six Ministries have sent someone over to request that the Ministry of War refute the memorial submitted by Li Rusong and others, and to submit a new military strategy for the Northeast."

Upon hearing this, Cao Bangfu angrily said:

"The Six Ministries actually want my Ministry of War to be at the forefront? The upright officials of my Great Ming have lost their backbone!"

Despite his anger, Cao Bangfu was also helpless.

This was indeed due to the Ministry of War's incompetence in failing to propose a better strategy for the Northeast Army, which is why they were in such a passive position.

The Ministry of War has so many Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), yet they are not as good as a few Wujiansheng (students of the Imperial Academy). Cao Bangfu read Li Rusong's memorial several times carefully. His biggest regret was why they were not officials of the Ministry of War.

Shen Shixing frowned and said:
"Minister Cao, the Ministry of War is discussing countermeasures, but at present there is no better military strategy than that of Li Rusong and others."

Cao Bangfu was restless and agitated, and Shen Shixing said again:

"Should we ask those two officials to submit a petition as well?"

Cao Bangfu was taken aback.

The two officials Shen Shixing mentioned were Wang Chonggu, the Vice Minister of War stationed in Xuanfu and Governor-General of Xuanda, and Tan Lun, the Vice Minister of War stationed in Jizhou and Governor-General of Jiliao.

Both of them were high-ranking local military and political officials holding the title of Vice Minister of War, and thus considered to be from the Ministry of War.

Cao Bangfu originally didn't want the two of them to get involved.

He was appointed Minister of War after defeating Wang Chonggu on the strong recommendation of the former Minister of War, Huo Ji.

After taking office, although he did not suppress Wang Chonggu, he did marginalize Wang Chonggu's influence in the Ministry of War.

But at this point, Cao Bangfu thought for a moment and finally said:
"Send messengers to the two governors and ask them to submit their own petitions as well!"
-
The 18th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The chaos caused by Li Rusong's petition and Su Ze's seconding it continues.

If it weren't for the fact that the "Handheld Ming Dynasty" app was still displaying "In Progress," Su Ze would have thought his cheat system was malfunctioning.

However, the actual situation differed from the simulation.

The incident of officials from the Censorate knocking on the Zuoshun Gate of the Imperial Palace did not occur. Yan Yonghe, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, stopped the matter and passed it on to the Ministry of War.

This time, Ke Dao surprisingly avoided making any rhetoric and instead focused the issue on military matters, which helped to control the situation.

It seems that strict application of the law has had an effect.

Su Ze thought of this senior official in the Ministry of Personnel. It seemed that this Yan official was a talented person who could keep the censorate in check.

If we only discuss military operations, then the pressure falls on the Ministry of War.

I heard that the Ministry of War keeps its lights on until late at night every day, and the entire ministry is working overtime to come up with a better national and military policy than Li Rusong's memorial.

Su Ze felt some sympathy for his friend Shen Shixing. He heard from his wife Zhao Lingxian that Shen Shixing's wife, Wu, had been complaining that Shen Shixing hadn't come home for several days.

From this perspective, the system is still exerting its power; it remains to be seen how long the military will resist.

Once the Ministry of War gives up resistance, the Censorate and the Imperial Censorate will be unable to form a united front, and Li Rusong's memorial will be approved.

Just then, Su Ze heard a noise outside the window.

Su Ze opened the window, and a white blob flew in.

I've gained weight in autumn and winter, and I'm even rounder now.

Although Su Ze felt a little disgusted, wondering how a pigeon could be so fat, he still obediently took out the latest rye seeds.

The rye seeds were obtained by Tu Zemin from Arab merchants after he arrived in Guangxi.

Su Ze quickly began breeding using the [Home Planting Mat].

Rye is a cold-resistant crop native to Central Asia. Rye looks like wheat in shape and fruit, but the fruit is darker in color, hence the name "rye".

This crop failed to spread from the Silk Road to the Central Plains, mainly because of its poor taste; our ancestors deliberately gave it up during the rigorous selection process.

However, rye is cold-resistant, can grow as far as the Arctic Circle, and has a short growth cycle. It is very suitable for land reclamation in Northeast China.

In addition, rye is also a high-quality animal feed.

The Ming Dynasty needed to expand its borders in the Northeast, which required warhorses and livestock. Rye could grow in winter, and since the Northeast was slow to develop, rye could be used as early spring feed to solve the problem of livestock getting through the winter.

The fat pigeon took a few bites, but after tasting it, it decisively stopped eating and continued to stare at Su Ze with its cross-eyed eyes.

Su Ze could only take out another bag of fine rice, and only then did the fat pigeon obediently stretch out its leg.

Su Ze opened the letter box and was overjoyed after reading the letter.

So that's how the system works!

Su Ze did not expect that just as the Ministry of War issued a document requiring the two Vice Ministers of War stationed in the nine border regions to also present their military proposals, Xu Wei happened to be a guest at Tan Lun's residence in Jizhou.

Xu Wei and Tan Lun were old friends back when Hu Zongxian was fighting against Japanese pirates.

Later, Su Ze wrote a letter requesting that Hu Zongxian be exonerated, and also recommended Qi Jiguang and Tan Lun.

Therefore, after receiving the official document from the Ministry of War, Tan Lun, persuaded by Xu Wei, submitted a memorial supporting Su Ze and Li Rusong!

Great success!
-
On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, the memorials of Wang Chonggu, the Governor-General of Xuanfu and Datong, and Tan Lun, the Governor-General of Jizhou and Liaodong, both Vice Ministers of the Ministry of War, were sent to the capital.

To the surprise of all the officials in the capital, these two high-ranking officials from the Ministry of War actually sided with Su Ze and Li Rusong!
When Minister of War Cao Bangfu learned of this, he was stunned and knew that all was lost!
The Ministry of War still wanted to fight to the death, but both vice ministers surrendered!
How is this played?
Wang Chonggu and Tan Lun were on the front lines of military command and wielded considerable influence over matters concerning the nine border regions.

When the news reached the Six Ministries, Yan Yonghe, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, was overjoyed!

Of course, he sighed with a sorrowful expression:

"The Ministry of War has already switched sides; it's pointless for us to submit another petition!"

Several younger officials were about to object, but the rest of the officials began to sigh in agreement.

Yan Yonghe continued:
"The treacherous officials in the court are very powerful, so we should keep a low profile, protect ourselves, and not let this matter cause us any harm."

Yan Yonghe's exceptional acting skills have given him another chance to shine.

If the Ministry of War has surrendered, how can the Ministry of Science and Technology fight?

After the court debate subsided, the Longqing Emperor issued an edict, approving the "Memorial Requesting the Construction of Five Cities to Secure the Northern Border".

(End of this chapter)