Liu Jian led the two high-ranking officials from the Cabinet and the Ministry of War into Yangxin Palace Hall.
Zhu Youtang stood with his hands behind his back, still looking at the sand table on the table in a daze.
"They're all here."
"Zhang Min, bring a few chairs over and let the lords sit down.”
Zhu Youtang said.
Liu Jian and the others bowed their heads and thanked him.
They all had doubts in their hearts.
Zhu Youtang rarely summoned them alone. Usually, he would only appear when the cabinet and the six departments were in the warm cabinet.
Now that he had suddenly summoned them, he must have something important to instruct them.
The few of them had solemn expressions as they waited for Tian Zi to speak.
Zhu Youtang didn't look at the ministers and said to himself,""Ever since the 22nd year of Hongwu, Emperor Taizu set up the Hami Guard. Hami has always been the territory of the Ming Dynasty.”
"Now, Turpan Aheima is quickly sending troops to dismember Hami's loyal king, Hanshen. A small foreign state with more than 50,000 people can dismember Hami's king under the eyes of the Ming court. This is tantamount to provoking the Ming Dynasty's heavenly might.”
Zhu Youtang paused for a moment before looking at the few important officials who were trembling in fear.
"Tell me your opinions."
This was a matter of the Ministry of War. Liu Jian and the other cabinet ministers knew that the emperor was waiting for the Ministry of War to speak.
They didn't dare to say anything.
The person who had brought this up must have been the Ministry of War.
Before the Minister of War Ma Wensheng could speak, the Minister of War Wang Qiongben spoke first.
Zhu Youtang frowned slightly.
It had always been a taboo in the officialdom to go past the superiors and claim credit first.
Zhu Youtang glanced at Wang Qiong indifferently and did not say anything.
"Your Majesty, Turpan is a small place, but we can send troops to Hami quickly. Our reinforcements are far from fast." Wang Qiong said loudly.”
"This is because the mobility of the Turpan cavalry is so strong that no country can compare to it.”
"This humble subject suggests that we abandon Hami and disperse the tribes that have submitted.”
Zhu Youtang frowned.
Wang Qiong continued to speak with confidence,"The thousands of troops from Hami that belong to our dynasty should be scattered in Shazhou. The tribe of Tubatimuge had 5,400 people and was placed in Baicheng Mountain. Hami Governor Qiji Bora tribe is located in the eastern part of Suzhou. Red jin governor thorn south east set up suzhou north mountain jinta temple. Han Dongdu command branch Dan set up Ganzhou Nanshan.”
Wang Qiong's reply disappointed Zhu Youtang.
Zhu Youtang looked at Ma Wensheng and said,"Minister Ma, you are the Minister of War. Tell me your opinion."”
Ma Wensheng thought for a long time.
He did not know what Zhu Youtang was planning.
Although Wang Qiong was his subordinate, Ma Wensheng was still somewhat afraid of Wang Qiong.
Wang Qiong had been an official for generations. In the third year of Chenghua, he was awarded the Imperial Academy's Lucky Scholar with the fifth place on the Jinshi List. He had a high prestige in the court.
Most importantly, his mother was the concubine of Emperor Chenghua, Zhu Jianshen. She was currently living in the harem and was the emperor's imperial concubine.
To put it bluntly, Wang Qiong and Zhu Youtang were related.
Ma Wensheng had to consider all these things.
His revenge was huge. He didn't just want Hami, but also the Wala and Tartar tribes in the north.
If he offended the Emperor, he would not be able to get an important position and his ambition would not be able to be displayed…
"With zhen here, what are you worried about? Speak!"
Zhu Youtang said in a deep voice.
He knew what Ma Wensheng was worried about.
Zhu Youtang did not dare to not know the thoughts of this group of old foxes.
Ma Wensheng was stunned and slightly raised his eyes to look at Zhu Youtang.
He was shocked and could not help but bite the bullet and speak.
"I believe that Hami cannot be lost or abandoned.”
"Back then, the reason why our ancestors set up Hami was to use it as a barrier for the inland counties in the northwest corner of our dynasty.
Now that the situation had taken a turn for the worse, it was indeed difficult to defend it. However, if that was the case, he planned to give up on it.
If Gansu was difficult to defend, should they give up on Gansu?
The reason why Hami was established at the beginning was that the nobles of the Yuan Dynasty could still stand on their own feet, so they were given a false reputation, and our dynasty could enjoy practical benefits.
Hami is an important town on the Silk Road and a barrier placed in the Tianshan Mountains. If this territory is given away, the Turpan people will no longer have natural barriers. As long as they send troops, they can attack Gansu.”
Wang Qiong immediately retorted," Back then, the dynasty could give up Daning, Jiaozhi, and other places. How can Hami's strategic significance compare to these places?”
"Over the years, King Hami has often sought refuge with Turpan and refused to be summoned by the Ming court. Even if he had to give up, it would be fine. At that time, the country would have one less military burden and retreat to the west of the Yellow River. At that time, these barbarians would not provoke the inland dynasties.”
Zhu Youtang interrupted their argument and looked at Liu Jian."Grand Secretary Liu, you're Big Ming's butler.”
Liu Jian was more conservative. He mentioned Ma Wensheng's strategic value and Wang Qiong's difficulties.
Zhu Youtang snorted coldly." You're the chief assistant of the Ming Dynasty's cabinet. If you're trying to smooth things over for me, who can I count on?"”
Liu Jian felt a chill run down his spine. He hurriedly got up from his chair and bowed."I will die."
Zhu Youtang did not let the old Liu Jian get up and let him kneel like this.
"Assistant Minister Wang is right."
When Ma Wensheng heard Zhu Youtang's words, his heart chilled.
"It's a pity to place his abilities in the Imperial Court.”
"From today onwards, you will go and manage the Annan chieftain.”
Swoosh!
The five of them were stunned to the extreme!
A Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Third Grade! He would be directly transferred to the desolate land of Annan!
His Majesty's courage!
"Emperor, this humble subject…"
Wang Qiong wanted to speak.
However, Zhu Youtang did not seem to have the intention to speak to him. He said directly,
"Ma Wensheng, I appoint you as the ambassador of Hami to protect my Xicui.”
"Hami is not easy to defend. There is Turpan in the west, Wala and Tartar in the north. Don't be afraid of difficulties. If you want money, I will give you money.”
"Zhen's Xichui should continue to advance 1500 li to the west.”
"Big Ming's bones should be a little harder.”
Zhu Youtang's intention was obvious. Defend Hami and annex Turpan!
Ma Wensheng trembled, goosebumps all over his body.
He stood up from his chair and respectfully lifted his robe. He bowed his head and knelt down, saying solemnly,"As long as I don't die, Hami will not be lost!"
"I won't die! The west is forever stable!"
"I won't die! Turpan will definitely be the territory of my Great Ming!"
Zhu Youtang waved him up.
"Get up, you can't continue to be the Minister of War. I order you to patrol the nine sides for the Right Qian Imperial Censor and promote you to the Governor of Hami.”
"Zhang Min, you, the ceremonial supervisor, go and approve the red decree.”
"Grand Secretary Liu, the cabinet that I want is capable of doing things. If you continue to play the trick of not offending people in the officialdom, don't blame me for not remembering our old friendship.”
"Ma Wensheng, Wang Qiong, you can leave.”
"The three elders will stay behind for the time being. I still have something to discuss.”
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