Wang Qiong returned to the inn.

When he came, he was full of expectations, and when he met the saint, he was full of emotion. After seeing Zhu Houzhao, he was full of doubts.

For Wang Qiong, many things are hard to think about. After all, they are not at the core level of the court. I don’t know who the fighters behind this political struggle are. On the surface, it is now a rift between Xie Qian and Shen Xi, but he vaguely feels that it doesn’t seem that simple.

After Wang Qiong came back, a guest came to see him in the afternoon. This person was Yang Yiqing, the general manager of the front three sides.

Wang Qiong was very respectful to Yang Yiqing. After all, Yang Yiqing was older than Wang Qiong, and now he became the Minister of Revenue and has a high status. Now Wang Qiong still needs Yang Yiqing to help him allocate food.

After Yang Yiqing came, he opened the right path: "... His Majesty has arranged for people to say hello to the Ministry of Revenue in the afternoon. After the New Year, he opened Taicang to allocate a batch of grain to the northwest. Although the specific quantity has not been determined, it is not expected that it will be too much, because the Minister of War Chen has agreed to raise some military food and materials by himself..."

When Wang Qiong faced Yang Yiqing, he was a little absent-minded.

His thinking is no longer limited to the problem of food shortage in the northwest, and after Yang Yiqing explained the matter, he vaguely felt that Wang Qiong seemed to be worried.

Yang Yiqing asked, "Why is Dehua worried about his expression? Today, he should have been to meet the saint with Zhihou. Is it not going to be a good match for him when he meets the saint?"

Wang Qiong shook his head and said, "On the contrary, Your Majesty will leave me and Shangshu Shen to have dinner in the leopard room before coming out."

Yang Yiqing felt incredible and said, "This is a good thing, why do you feel full of thoughts when you come to you?"

Wang Qiong sighed lightly, as if he was very confused, and asked: "Shangshu Yang, in your opinion, should this battle in the northwest be fought next year? In fact, I think it is feasible before entering the court. The internal disputes of Tatars are divided, which is actually the best opportunity to flatten the grassland. If we wait until it is unified and integrated, we will talk about flattening the grasslands will be delusions..."

Yang Yiqing smiled faintly: "Why, after arriving in the capital, I found that this was not the case?"

Wang Qiong said: "I feel that Your Majesty and Shangshu Shen insist on going to war. My Ming Dynasty is now in troubles internally and externally. The chaos in the Central Plains has not yet been completely quelled. The northwest lacks food and supplies. This war will be fought in the beginning of spring, which is too hasty, but it seems that Your Majesty has no intention to delay the war."

Yang Yiqing sighed: "If a war is just what you see on the surface, it is not a war."

"How can I explain this?"

Wang Qiong looked full of hope and wanted to get some experience from Yang Yiqing, a colleague who had already entered the core level of the court.

Yang Yiqing said: "It's not that the court has no food, you should know this, but the cabinet and the rank of the ranks do not agree to use the food for the northwest. This is a resentment with the Ministry of War, and it does not involve personal grudges. Instead, most people in the court have not regarded the war in the coming year as a must. Even if the war is won, they cannot change the current situation of the court. If they are defeated, it may bring great trouble, especially on the basis of the imperial commander-in-chief."

Wang Qiong thought for a while and asked, "Brother Ying Ning means that someone insisted on fighting for power?"

Yang Yiqing shook his head: "It's not entirely true. As for the right and wrong between Xie Ge Lao and Zhihou, no one can decide. Others are obsessed with him and the wars next year, which is understandable. After all, there are lessons from the Tumu Fort during the reign of Emperor Yingzong, but everyone knows that if anyone can really pacify the grassland, it is probably difficult to find a more suitable candidate than Zhihou within hundreds of years. Now is the best time, so why not give it a try?"

Wang Qiong nodded: "This is the case now. The Northwest Army is full of expectations for the war next year, because the reputation of Shangshu Chen's unbeaten is too loud, and the soldiers all want to make achievements."

Yang Yiqing said: "Everyone in the army wants to fight this battle from top to bottom, and Your Majesty also wants to fight, but how can those who can win this battle avoid it? Therefore, even if Zhihou wants to stand on the side of Xie Zhongtang, it is difficult to resist the pressure from Your Majesty and the desire of all the soldiers."

After hearing this, Wang Qiong finally understood, widened his eyes and asked in an incredible tone: "Listen to what Yang Shangshu said, isn't Chen Shangshu also forced to fight this battle?"

Yang Yiqing smiled and said, "You have been in the court for a long time, but you have never understood the officialdom of the capital. Before, I always thought that Shihao was too persistent, but with his attitude towards the eunuch party and his later attitude towards Xie Zhongtang, I found that he had no intention of competing for fame and fortune. Instead, Xie Zhongtang was too harsh on Shihao."

Wang Qiong sighed and said, "I didn't expect that Shangshu Yang would stand on Shangshu Shen's side. Does this mean that Shangshu Yang will also support this war next year?"

Yang Yiqing shook his head again: "Emotionally support, but in reality I have to stand on Xie Zhongtang's side. This is the principle. Most ministers in the court do not want this war to happen, and you and I can see the consequences of the failure of this war. Even if the victory is a waste of money, it will be a waste of money and it will not be worth the loss. Since this is the case, why should I stand up to support the war?"

Wang Qiong frowned: "I'm a little confused after hearing what Yang Shangshu said. Should I fight or not this battle?"

Yang Yiqing said: "Maybe it was what I said before that made you confused, but it is easy to understand. Zhihou was forced to fight this battle, but in fact, Zhihou himself didn't want to fight, because like the people in the court, he could see that the cost of going out to the frontier was too high and the consequences of failure were difficult to bear. Who would be willing to sacrifice his reputation to fight this battle? Could Zhihou win, he would be in power? Will Xie Zhongtang give way to him?"

"Um?"

Wang Qiong was still very confused and didn't understand the reason.

Yang Yiqing continued: "This battle should not be fought, but Your Majesty and the soldiers in the army insist on fighting, with sufficient reasons, so whether it is a war or not, it makes sense. We only need to do our duty well and maintain the stability of the northwest. As for the final result, there is no need to force it. If the war begins, the upper and lower levels will be united. If there is no war, the upper and lower levels will be united. If there is no war, the territory will be defended. If there is no war, the war or not, it is not your responsibility!"

Wang Qiong finally realized it.

Yang Yiqing talked for a long time and told him not to express his opinion easily and do his job well.

No matter whether he fights or not, just do your own thing well and wait and see what happens.

Wang Qiong nodded in agreement at first, but after careful consideration, he had different opinions and thought to himself: "According to Yang Yingning's approach, wouldn't he hand over the decision-making power to others? As a minister, you cannot express useful opinions to the court? Yang Yingning was originally a loyal and upright person. Why did he be so timid after returning to the court and became the Minister of the Court? Could it be that this court is a place to destroy people's enthusiasm? After returning to the court, you must follow the rules and regulations and cannot even have your own opinions?"

...

...

On New Year's Eve, not many people came to Shen's house to give gifts.

It’s not because Chen Xi’s status in the court is not high, but because Chen Xi usually keeps people thousands of miles away. In addition, the senior officials with deep qualifications look down on Chen Xi’s rapidly rising upstarts. In addition, Xie Qian usually suppressed Chen Xi, so Chen’s mansion became a forbidden area for many people in the court.

But even so, the gifts received at Chenxi Mansion are very expensive.

Anyone who involves local military positions, even if they are not in the capital, will find a way to send gifts to the capital. Taking advantage of the last day before the Chinese New Year, the gifts to the Shen Mansion are very low-key. The boxes that look ordinary are all valuable after opening them, and some simply give gold, silver and jewelry directly.

“…The gifts can be withdrawn, and the gifts cannot be withdrawn directly serve as military funds.”

Chen Xi's instructions to Zhu Qi were very simple, "Everyone knows that food is short of food in the northwest. Now the price of grain in the capital is also rising silently. If you buy materials that involve people's livelihood, try to buy them as much as possible and send them directly to the northwest after the New Year."

Zhu Qi seemed very surprised: "Master, these gifts are given to you by the officials below."

In Zhu Qi's opinion, it is understandable that his master does not accept gifts, but it is difficult to understand that he will give the gifts he received directly to the court. It is unheard of for receiving gifts to be returned or left silently for his own use and used as military expenses.

Chen Xi said: "Dad Zhu, how I arrange for you to do whatever you want. Don't worry about what the censors say. Anyway, I have been impeached a lot in the years I have been an official."

Chen Xi was very open-minded about giving gifts and just took them from the people to the people. Zhu Qi did not dare to contradict Chen Xi. Anyway, the gifts he sent were fixed, and he would return them directly to the person who sent them. If the person was not in Beijing or the person who sent the gifts was hidden, he might as well save the gift and send it to the Ministry of War.

When Chen Xi entered the backyard, it was almost dusk. Xie Yun'er came out and asked, "Why did the master come back so late? Could it be that there is something big in the court?"

Chen Xidao: "Originally, I just said to go to the yamen for a walk, but I took Wang Qiong, the general manager of the three sides, to the leopard room with him. He was left behind by His Majesty for a simple meal, and then he dealt with the matter of raising food and grass for the three sides. He came back late."

Xie Yuner nodded and said, "I have basically cleaned up the backyard. The mansion is very lively tonight. Does the master have any arrangements?"

"I have to go out later, and I may not come back later." Chen Xi shook his head with a wry smile, "It's a bit difficult to raise local military rations in the northwest. I must make proper arrangements today. I won't go to my parents' place to pay New Year's greetings tomorrow morning. I have to go to see the representatives of the local chamber of commerce. The matter of celebrating the New Year at home will be completely left to you."

Although Xie Yuner was a little regretful, she had become accustomed to presiding over the holidays at home alone for so many years, and immediately said: "My master wants to do big things, just go there. I will handle the affairs at home well."

Chen Xi felt a little relieved when he looked at his wife with such a virtuous heart.

He just came back to the house to take a look, and after brief explanation, he wanted to leave the house.

When he walked to the door, Zhu Qi came over and said, "Master, it's strange that there are foreign envoys who give you gifts."

Chen Xi frowned: "Tartars? Or envoys of small countries in the Western Regions?"

Zhu Qi thought about it carefully and said, "It seems like a Korean... Master, you can't just collect the gifts sent by the country's envoys, right?"

Chen Xi thought for a while and said, "If there are no gifts given by people who are unidentified or from the origin, they will be rejected. You can save the gifts."

"Yes, yes, don't worry, the young man, let's send the gift to Huitong Hall." Zhu Qi knew the rules and knew where to send the gift without Chen Xi's instructions.

...

...

When Chenxi saw the clouds and willows, the sky was already dimming.

After Yun Liu explained the general situation, Chen Xi realized that he still did not find Fatty Zhou's whereabouts.

"...The low-level position is useless. A large number of detailed investigations have been sent around the capital, including inns and restaurants, but they have not noticed Zhou Laosan's people..."

Yunliu was cautious in doing things. Even if the city was blocked with heavy snow, he still sent people to search for major traffic arteries and inns. However, due to severe road blockage, he had to find Fatty Zhou among the huge crowds stranded in the Gyeonggi area.

Chen Xidao: "With Fatty Zhou's vigilance, he should know that there are many places such as inns and restaurants that are not safe, so he will not go to these places. He may have specialized in finding remote villages to stay in. And since someone helps him, there should be a place to stay along the way, and it will not be too hard."

Yun Liu asked for instructions: "I wonder where the adults think this person might go?"

Chen Xi sighed: "Or it may go north to the frontier and contact the Tatars, or it may go south to Jiangsu and Zhejiang to contact the Japanese pirates. This person will go south and north to do business, and send people to pursue them. If you really can't track them down, you don't have to force them."

Yunliu felt guilty for doing something wrong, lowered her head and did not dare to face Chen Xi head-on.

Chenxi Road: "It's the Spring Festival, and the chambers of commerce in the city should have festivals tomorrow. I'm going to launch a meeting to call representatives of chambers of commerce from all provinces and regions to gather together, and have an open and honest talk... Have you ever greeted them before?"

Yun Liu replied: "Someone has been sent to inform us. As for whether they will come, I don't know whether the job is low. Someone may be slandered."

Chen Xi nodded and said, "Fatty Zhou's affairs will have an impact on my reputation. He will transfer his case to Shuntian Mansion and let Shuntian Mansion investigate his crimes in the open and foreign countries. As for whether to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys or to alert the snakes, there is no need to worry about the reactions of those representatives of the chamber of commerce... let them."

"It's all about negligence in doing things in a humble position." Yun Liu admitted his mistake.

Chen Xi smiled and said, "Fatty Zhou wants to run away, so he can let him die. No matter how he hides, he will die sooner. Doing so will only make him die faster. Soon he will have nowhere to live. I will not leave him a way out!"

Yunliu knew that because of her improper investigation, Fatty Zhou's crime was not found out and gave her a chance to escape. She kept blaming herself for this.

Chen Xi did not want to blame Yunliu, so he deliberately changed the topic and said, "When I first left the government, I learned that the North Korean envoys came to the palace to give gifts. You can check what the purpose of these North Korean envoys are."

Yun Liu frowned and said, "This... it may be difficult to find out clearly. After all, our spies cannot enter North Korea."

Chen Xi looked at Yun Liu and said, "Remember, this is related to the internal disputes between North Korea. Zhongzong... that is, the nominal lord of the previous lord, who has not been granted the Ming Dynasty since he took office. And now the Tatars are strong and threatened the interests of North Korea, so they urgently hope that the court can approve the canonization of them... Just go and investigate, who the envoys they came this time, and the specific situation of their domestic coup, you can send someone to contact them, that is, they say, the people sent by the court, they will believe it!"

Yunliu was surprised. She felt incredible that Chen Xi knew about the things outside the Ming Dynasty without leaving her home, as if she could not hide anything from Chen Xi.
Chapter completed!