Leopard room.

Concubine Li met with her "adopted son" Liao Han in the living room of her yard.

The living room is elegant, with gauze tent inside and outside. Concubine Li sat inside and holding a cat. She was as lazy as the cat in her arms.

In addition to the gauze tent, in addition to the kneeling Liao Han, there were also several eunuchs and palace maids who served.

Concubine Li never avoids her subordinates because she has a good way of managing her subordinates and can talk to others in public, and is not afraid of the news leaked.

Or she has a way to control the situation.

Liao Han talked about what happened outside the palace recently. In addition to the date of sending troops, there was also the news that Xie Qian issued the three sides.

"...This plan is very vicious. A capable minister like Mr. Xie was expelled from the capital, which means that no one in the capital could compete with him..."

Concubine Li suddenly commented.

Liao Han asked with a smile: "What is the Empress talking about the Minister of War Chen?"

Concubine Li shook her head: "How could it be Lord Shen? He is a smart person and will not slap his face in person. Especially the partner is still the chief assistant who has promoted his dynasty... Some people do things without any means."

Liao Han suddenly realized: "Since the Empress said that it must be Eunuch Zhang. I heard that Eunuch Zhang has not been idle recently and has recruited soldiers and horses... Didn't the court say that he wanted to replace the Minister of Rites? As a result, a large number of people went to curry favor with him, as if this matter could be decided by Eunuch Zhang in one sentence."

Concubine Li said angrily: "You know a lot, Lord Shen...is there any news?"

Liao Han said in embarrassment: "After Lord Shen left the capital, there were very few news. There were rumors that he was going to recuperate. Now it is basically confirmed that he is training troops, because the local trenched bandits were dealt with by him... I expected that Lord Shen would go back to the city in a few days. After all, His Majesty said that he would go to the battle at the 20th of this month. It would be okay if others didn't come back. Can Lord Shen be a performer as an executor?"

Concubine Li thought for a while, shook her head and sighed: "But Mr. Xie doesn't seem to wait until twenty years old, right?"

Liao Han smiled and said, "That's right, Your Majesty's imperial order, Mr. Xie will leave these days, from here to Sanlan for thousands of miles. If you don't set out one or two months in advance, you may not be able to arrive within the designated time. With Mr. Xie's body, he may not be able to reach the destination even if he gives him two months. Not only will the road be difficult to walk, but he will also face many troubles..."

Concubine Li nodded, frowned and thought, and after a long time, she ordered: "Let's find a few people and stare at the Xie Mansion."

"Empress, what do you mean?" Liao Han asked in confusion.

"Look at anyone who visits Mr. Xie... Not only should he stare at the Xie Mansion, but also the courtyard where Mr. Xie usually lives temporarily. Maybe someone in the south will come to see him." Concubine Li said.

Liao Han thought about it and questioned: "The person in the south that the Empress said was not the Lord Shen who was about to return to Beijing, right?"

"Just let you stare at it, why do you do so much nonsense? I just want to know more about the situation outside. The leopard room is really boring."

Concubine Li glanced around, and as she twisted her delicate body, the cat in her arms jumped out in frightened. She was about to escape, but was caught by the clever Concubine Li and brought back.

"You little thing actually want to escape. Do you think I didn't pay attention? I pretended to be asleep for so long and turned my back on you if you make a move. Don't I know the little bit of the colorful intestines in your belly?"

Liao Han was stunned when he heard this, not understanding what Concubine Li wanted to hint.

"Go and inform me of all the found information in time. I have a lot of rewards... People come and give Liao Baihu a hundred taels of silver!" Concubine Li ordered.

...

...

Xie Qian was demoted by Zhu Houzhao, which became the most sensational event inside and outside the capital.

The conflict between Xie Qian and the emperor was not publicly revealed, but as the matter continued to ferment, it was too difficult to continue to conceal it. As a result, it was spread inside and outside the court, saying that Xie Qian was openly opposed to sending troops in the court, and was furious by Emperor Zhengde to issue three sides to rectify food and salary.

Although Xie Qian was transferred, his attitude towards the war did not change. He was still a staunch anti-war faction and did not agree to the court retrieval of a penny and a grain of rice from the Ministry of Revenue.

Although Zhu Houzhao was unreasonable in transferring Xie to the three sides, he abides by the rules set by the Ministry of Revenue to remit money and grain, and did not move the national treasury, and everything was raised by himself. It seemed that the emperor was principled, but in fact he transferred the trouble to Chen Xi.

When the news reached Chenxi's army, it was already March 11th.

The palace examination was just over when Chen Xi had already sorted out his troops and decided to set off to return to Beijing on the 13th. He was stunned when he heard the news.

"... Now Mr. Xie will move all his anger to me and believe that everything is caused by me behind the scenes. Mr. Xie's good days in the court are over, but this also means that I will be constrained everywhere when fighting on the front line. How stupid is this to send an anti-war chief minister to the frontier..."

Zhu Houzhao originally wanted to send Xie Qian to the three sides to suffer some hardships as a punishment, but in Shen Xi's opinion, it was very inappropriate. After all, there were not many people who could take charge of the capital and take on the responsibility of "supervising the country". Apart from entrusting the orphanage of Xie Qian, it was really difficult to find a suitable partner among the foreign surnames who had abandoned the royal family.

Xie Qian's three-sided distribution means that it is difficult for the capital to find someone to take charge of the overall situation.

In addition, the thing that made Chen Xi feel a headache was that Xie Qian would cause trouble for him after he went to Sanbian, especially when the other party was prejudiced, he assigned a prejudice to him to manage military pay, which made him feel that his logistics lifeline was controlled. Even the combat materials he raised himself might not be used on the edge.

"Zhu Houzhao is a kid who is smart and thinks that adding one thing will allow Wang Qiong and Xie Laoer to maintain a rank-level relationship and be out of control of each other, but he forgets that Wang Qiong is an orthodox civil servant. For his own reputation and future in the court, how can he not give face to the chief assistant of the dynasty?"

"At that time, the three sides will only be Xie Laoer presided over. If he stands out everywhere to obstruct him, all military dispatches and military mobilizations will be rejected, and he is more likely to give up. He completely ignores Zhu Houzhao's orders. Anyway, he has no concern about his political future..."

Chen Xi felt that he was in big trouble, not from Zhu Houzhao or the court, but when he arrived at the battlefield, someone might pull his back hard behind him.

"If the war was postponed under the obstruction of Xie Laoer, my status would not change much. At most, I will continue to fight with him in the court. But if he causes trouble for me on the battlefield, making it impossible to implement a military mobilization, and the war is difficult to advance, and then leading to a complete failure, it will make my reputation all over the country, and I will become a sinner of the Ming Dynasty..."

Chen Xi realized the seriousness of the problem and quickly wrote to Zhu Houzhao, "pleading for Xie Qian" and trying to keep Xie Laoer in the capital.

No matter what Xie Qian does in the capital, it will not affect the frontline battle situation. However, if Xie Qian goes to the three sides, even if Zhu Houzhao does not give him any power, as long as Xie Qian takes the title of Chief Minister, the civil and military officials and generals of the army will act according to his expression. At that time, the coordination of the system fails, and Chen Xi's military orders may not be issued.

So Chen Xi had to plead for Xie Qian, but in fact he was also finding a way out for himself... He didn't want any changes in this war.

...

...

Chen Xi immediately wrote a letter after receiving the news. The letter was delivered to the capital on March 12th. However, because Zhang Yuan intercepted the news and tampered with it, Zhu Houzhao did not receive the letter until March 14th. Xie Qian set out two days ago to Yansui.

The person who delivered the letter to Zhu Houzhao was Zhang Yuan. At this time, he was full of energy and felt that the situation inside and outside the capital was under control.

"...What does Mr. Chen want to express in this letter? I arranged for Xie Yuqiao to go to the three sides. It was for him to consider how he would plead for Xie Yuqiao?"

Chen Xi was unable to explain the whole story in detail in the letter, which made Zhu Houbao confused after reading the letter.

Chen Xi was suffering, and he couldn't say that he shouldn't let Mr. Xie go to Sanbian. He would interfere with my on-site command. The military order I issued at that time would not be implemented. Didn't it be intentional to cause trouble for me?

But the problem is that Chen Xi must take care of the emperor's face. This time, Zhu Houzhao was in charge of the imperial army and was used to being stubborn on weekdays. All the orders in name should be taken by him. He would not think that Xie Qian dared to disobey the imperial edict and did his own thing.

Zhang Yuan took the opportunity to provoke: "Your Majesty, don't you see that? No matter how much conflict between Mr. Xie and Mr. Chen usually have, they still stand together on major events. After all, Mr. Chen was promoted by Mr. Xie. If Mr. Xie had not been Xie, Mr. Chen would have been preparing books in the Hanlin Academy now... Besides, they are in-laws, and their bones are broken and their tendons are connected!"

Zhu Houzhao's face turned dark and she didn't say a word.

Zhang Yuan continued to instigate: "As far as I know, Mr. Xie set out to Xuanfu the day before yesterday. I'm afraid he's almost at Juyongguan now? If someone is sent to recall it at this time, it will be inconvenient and will damage Your Majesty's face... Your Majesty, look..."

Zhu Houzhao stroked her chin and said hesitantly: "Realistically speaking, I should respect Mr. Chen's meaning. After all, this war is mainly commanded by him. Moreover, Mr. Chen said it very clearly in the letter that only by Xie Yuqiao in the capital can we stabilize the hearts of the army and the people and give the soldiers to the expedition a reassurance."

Zhang Yuan was full of disdain and a little teasing in his expression: "Your Majesty, I see that Shangshu Chen is obviously exaggerating. His words are not enough to leave a way out for Your Majesty to defeat the war, so that Master Xie can become Yu Qian and Yu Tingyi, who saved the Ming Dynasty from danger..."

"Um?"

Zhu Houzhao frowned even tighter when she heard this, and she glared at Zhang Yuan.

Zhu Houzhao could weigh other things, but he could not accept the serious consequences of the Tumu Fort Incident and the attitude was firm, because it was the negative lesson of the Ming Dynasty's failure to take the initiative to go to war. Not only did the emperor be captured, but he even experienced changes in the throne. Moreover, that person was his great-grandfather, his father, and himself almost lost the throne for this.

Zhang Yuan continued: "Your Majesty will definitely return triumphantly this time. Isn't this agitation shaken the morale of the army? Isn't it true that Mr. Chen said this? I thought that you must not leave Mr. Xie in the capital. This will make some people be lucky. I always think that if someone in the capital is in charge after an accident, I will not do my best to serve Your Majesty, but will lose morale..."

Even though Zhu Houzhao felt that Zhang Yuan had ulterior motives in speaking, she still listened.

No matter how arrogant he was, he believed that this war would definitely win, but he still had doubts in his heart, afraid that the same situation would occur as his great-grandfather. After all, Chen Xi, the god of war, could not guarantee a 100% victory.

Zhu Houzhao did not speak and repeatedly weighed the pros and cons of recruiting Xie to Beijing.

Seeing that the time was almost done, Zhang Yuan's tone became gentler. He approached Zhu Houzhao and seemed to be whispering, with a low voice:

"Your Majesty's words are pure and innocent. How can the things that have been decided be changed because of the advice of the minister? If Your Majesty really feels wrong, you don't have to refuse Shangshu Chen and symbolically send someone out of the capital to try to keep Xie Ge Lao. But if the messenger doesn't find anyone, the responsibility will not be on Your Majesty, and Shangshu Chen will not say anything."

"Zhang Yuan, you are so brave."

Zhu Houzhao suddenly stared at Zhang Yuan fiercely and said something terrifying.

"I don't know what Your Majesty meant." Zhang Yuan was stunned for a moment and quickly knelt down and kowtowed.

"snort!"

Zhu Houzhao scolded coldly: "The war has not started yet, you are just using tricks in front of me, which will make me and Mr. Chen feel awkward. If Mr. Chen turns around and knows that I have not tried to keep Xie Yuqiao, wouldn't he doubt my sincerity?"

Only then did Zhang Yuan realize that Zhu Houzhao was not really going to hold him accountable, but he just couldn't get over the hurdle in his heart.

Zhang Yuan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is the magistrate of the Nine Five. Do whatever you want. If you have any objections to this, it only means that he has not been loyal to the king and the country... Even if Mr. Xie has a lot of opinions on sending troops, he will not set off for Yansui? What if he was the Secretary of Chen? Could it be that he would have resentment towards Your Majesty because of His Majesty's decision?"

"Um."

Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly, as if she had been persuaded by Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan said again: "Your Majesty is like this, so that the war can be finally won. Only by burning the boat can one fight. There has been precedent in ancient times."

Zhu Houzhao nodded again: "What you, a slave, say makes sense... Well, I will put aside the matter for the time being, as if I have not received a letter from Shangshu Chen, Xie Yuqiao, wherever you should go, otherwise I will be annoyed when I see him!"

...

...

Zhu Houzhao forced Xie Qian to Yansui without having any discussion with Chen Xi.

During the days before sending troops, Zhu Houzhao wanted to be quiet and did not want to encounter any resistance from the court again. The best way was to send Xie Qian, the person with the most distinctive attitude towards the war, out of Beijing.

If Xie Qian was removed from his post, others would say that he was not aware of the right and wrong. Now he finally found a good solution, which was to throw people away, and neither deprived Xie Qian of the position of chief minister nor damaged the prestige of the emperor. This could be said to be "the best of both worlds". However, he did not know that this was a trick. Not only did Xie Qian be unlucky, he also pitted Chen Xi into it.

When Xie Qian went to the front line, he obviously would not help Zhu Houzhao and Shen Xi to fight the war smoothly. Xie Qian would use his own way to make trouble. By then, it is very likely that Chen Xi's military order would only be effective in the army he led, and even Zhu Houzhao's imperial edict might not be able to mobilize resources from the three sides.

"A total of a foolish move!"

Chen Xi learned that Xie Qian had set out for three sides and the court showed no sign of retention, and was furious in front of Yunliu and Xier.

At this time, Chen Xi felt disgusting as Zhu Houzhao forced him to eat a mouse shit before the war.

Yun Liu and Xier didn't say anything. They knew that it was because of their dereliction of duty that the letter fell into Zhang Yuan's hands. They didn't quite understand why Zhang Yuan's power expanded so quickly. In the past, when Liu Jin was in power, they could send messages to Xie Qian - Xiao Tiaozi - Zhu Houzhao, which was a channel. But now it is different. Xie Qian has a deep prejudice against Chen Xi, and it is difficult for Xiao Tiaozi to communicate with the outside world, which leads to the loss of control.

Chen Xi looked at the two girls and asked, "Why did the letter be delayed by His Majesty for two days? And was it Zhang Yuan who delivered the letter to Tianting?"

Xier didn't know how to answer, Yun Liu's pretty face turned red, and she lowered her head and said, "Now Eunuch Zhang has a great influence in the capital. The East Factory and the West Factory are all controlled by him. Some people outside the palace also do things for him. Eyeliners are everywhere inside and outside the leopard room..."

Chen Xi shook his head: "None of these are excuses."

Yun Liu said: "I took great pains to send the letter from a secret channel to the leopard room and handed it to the man who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the one who was the

"Um."

Chen Xi's face was not very good. At this time, he basically figured it out and shook his head and said, "I underestimated the enemy. I thought that the letter would be sent to the capital and His Majesty would take it back after seeing it. But now it seems that His Majesty has become wary of me, and many ideas are very different from me, a minister. At this time, as long as someone instigates, those opinions that are not accepted by His Majesty will be infinitely amplified, which will lead to His Majesty's will do whatever he wants."

Yun Liu admitted his mistake: "It was a humble official who did not expect that Eunuch Zhang's power in the court would rise so quickly."
Chapter completed!