Chapter 364: Conspiracy against the Jin Party
This time.

It was Lan Yongzhen's turn to be stunned.

I just said that I hope Yan Shaoting can help Xuanfu Town.

This young guest of the prince asked for three hundred thousand taels of silver right away.

not much.

Also a lot.

It’s exactly three hundred thousand taels.

Lan Yongzhen couldn't help but look around.

I just delivered the urgent message to the capital today, and it is obvious that Yan Shaoting has been in Yan Mansion all day. He knows that Xuanfu Town hopes that the court can allocate 300,000 taels this time.

Previously, Yang Bo recommended himself to find the God of Wealth of the Ming Dynasty.

Behind him, there was the Right Assistant Minister of the Chancellery, who stood aside like a retainer.

just now.

As soon as he opened his mouth, he expressed his confidence that three hundred thousand taels could be allocated to Xuanfu Town.

This couldn't help but surprise Lan Yongzhen.

He was not even willing to doubt whether Yan Shaoting could get the court to allocate 300,000 taels to Xuanfu Town.

"This……"

Then, it was Lan Yongzhen's turn to look surprised and his tone became hesitant.

only.

Yan Shaoting stood up, walked forward and personally held Lan Yongzhen's arms.

"General Lan, please stand up quickly."

"You and I did meet once and for a reason."

"Xuanfu is under the jurisdiction of the imperial court and is also an important town in the Nine Frontiers. As an official in the imperial court, how can I not care about it?"

While talking.

Lan Yongzhen finally stood up with a look of embarrassment on his face.

Xu Wei led the other party to sit opposite him.

Outside.

A maid came in and served tea.

On this side, Yan Shaoting also sat down again.

He held the teacup in his hand, looked at Lan Yongzhen who was sitting opposite him with an uneasy look on his face, and said with a smile: "It's just..."

Lan Yongzhen had just picked up the teacup, but when he heard Yan Shaoting speak, he immediately put the cup down and clasped his hands together.

"Whatever the guest has to ask, I will answer all my questions."

Yan Shaoting smiled and nodded: "It's just that there is one thing I don't understand, and I really need the general to help me solve it."

Lan Yongzhen's face immediately became serious.

obviously.

Although the 300,000 taels are the court's silver, they are all genuine silver. Even if Yan Shaoting has the ability to allocate this money to Xuanfu Town, it is impossible for people to be good people for nothing.

Yan Shaoting asked, "According to the past rules of the court, the money and grain of the nine border towns have always been a top priority. The soldiers' salaries, food, and military equipment of each town are also provided every year."

The Nine Frontiers are the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

Once a crisis occurs in the nine borders, the Ming Dynasty will be finished.

This will be confirmed in a few decades.

Even though the Nine Borders would be broken into by bandits from outside from time to time, there would be no major problems as long as the towns in the Nine Borders were still there.

The court still has room to maneuver.

Just like in previous years, the Tatars rushed to Huairou and Shunyi, but in the end they had to retreat back outside the Great Wall.

But once border towns like Xuanfu and Datong are completely lost.

Then the area north of the Yellow River in the Ming Dynasty will truly become a place of chaos and war.

Yan Shaoting continued, "Even if there is an enemy situation outside Xuanfu Pass this time, Xuanfu can still deal with it according to past practices. Why do we have to send a letter to the capital at this time to request money and grain, and the amount is so large?"

Lan Yongzhen's heart skipped a beat.

really.

Even though the prince's guest was at home, he could still get timely news from the court.

Lan Yongzhen took a deep breath.

"The movements outside the Great Wall this time are different from the past. The general believes that the Anda tribe is very likely to attack the border in large numbers this time, and bring a large army to plunder our border towns, or even..."

Yan Shaoting's eyes darkened immediately: "What else does General Ma think?"

Lan Yongzhen's shoulders immediately trembled: "The general commander believes that the Anda tribe may want to destroy our Xuanfu border wall and make a dying blow."

This time.

Yan Shaoting and Xu Wei looked at each other quickly, and both saw the shock in each other's eyes.

Just as Lan Yongzhen said.

Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, over the years, the power of the people outside the Great Wall, whether it is the Tatars, the Oirat people, or the current Altan people, has actually been subtly weakened.

of course.

The Nine Frontiers, which had maintained peace on the Ming Dynasty's frontiers for two hundred years, were also rapidly weakening and accumulating countless drawbacks.

But if the Andada tribe really wanted to launch a large-scale attack now while they still had the strength to move south, instead of just plundering the border as usual, this would be a really big problem.

Yan Shaoting immediately asked, "What will General Ma do with the three hundred thousand taels of silver?"

"Urgently recruit civilians to repair the border walls and build garrisons, recruit soldiers to strengthen the border walls at various locations, and increase the defense of Wanquan Zuowei, Youwei City and Xuanfu City, as well as the inventory of food, fodder and military equipment."

Lan Yongzhen spoke truthfully.

Yan Shaoting narrowed his eyes.

According to Ma Fang's idea, Xuanfu was preparing for a tough battle, building walls, storing food, and hoarding weapons and armor to prevent the border walls from being defeated by Anda's troops. The various garrisons and military cities within the territory of Xuanfu Town would be used as hubs to contain the enemy and then intend to counterattack.

But will the Anda tribe really do as Ma Fang expected this time?

As far as I can remember, it would only take a few years for the Altan tribe to run into problems because of the internal power struggle, which eventually led to Longqing's decision to accept Altan's grandson, Bahan, to defect to the Ming Dynasty, and basically resolved the crisis that the grassland would bring to the Central Plains.

And this meeting of minds truly ended the crisis that the grassland had brought to the Central Plains dynasties for thousands of years.

Even at the end.

For a period of time, the Mongolian tribes on the grasslands helped the Ming army to deal with the Jurchen tribe in Liaodong.

Is it really as Ma Fang guessed, that this is the last dying struggle of the Anda tribe?
Yan Shaoting stood up again.

opposite.

Lan Yongzhen also quickly stood up and looked at Yan Shaoting anxiously.

Yan Shaoting smiled and said, "General Lan, please wait at the mansion. I will go to the West Garden to see the emperor now."

Lan Yongzhen was shocked again.

Can Yan Shaoting enter the palace to meet the emperor at any time?
Isn’t it said that the emperor is busy cultivating Xuan all day long?
But Lan Yongzhen did not dare to show it. He suppressed his surprise and bowed his head, saying, "Dear guest, if Xuanfu can help you ease the crisis on the front line, everyone in Xuanfu will remember your kindness!"

Yan Shaoting waved his hand.

The so-called kindness of Xuanfu Town is all empty words.

Because he knew about the major events in recent years, he didn't believe that the Andada tribe could bring much harm to the Ming Dynasty at this time. Perhaps it was just a matter of more or less losses in Xuanfu Town.

But now that someone has asked me for help.

This is not me taking the initiative to extend my hand to the Nine Sides!

So Yan Shaoting walked straight out of the mansion under Lan Yongzhen's gaze.

Xiyuan.

Longevity Palace.

Yan Shaoting naturally reported his purpose, and then saw the old Taoist priest who was chanting scriptures and practicing Taoism on the Taoist platform in the inner hall.

Lu Fang was serving on the side, responsible for serving tea and other things.

Zhang Guoxiang, the frivolous Taoist priest of Tianshi Mansion, accompanied the old Taoist priest and occasionally interpreted one or two profound words of their Taoist ancestor.

of course.

Most of the time, it was Zhang Guoxiang who was responsible for praising and flattering the emperor's profound Taoism.

I saw Yan Shaoting coming.

It was still because of the express delivery from Xuanfu.

Jiajing looked somewhat displeased.

It’s not because Yan Shaoting will be involved in the border military affairs of Xuanfu Town.

It was because this kid disturbed his cultivation!

On the platform.

Jiajing put down the scriptures and looked at Yan Shaoting with unfriendly eyes: "Tell me, what are you thinking about the things in Xuanfu Town?" Yan Shaoting raised his head with a dull look in his eyes.

He opened his mouth, as if he just realized something.

"Reporting to the emperor, it was the Xuanfu Lieutenant General Lan Yongzhen who came to my house. I don't know where he heard the nonsense, but he thought I could help him. When he arrived at my house, he knelt down and begged me without saying anything..."

This is nine-tenths true.

Jiajing hummed, and indeed his mood eased a little.

"Everyone in the world knows that you are the God of Wealth of the Ming Dynasty!"

This statement explained it for Yan Shaoting.

Jiajing snorted again, "You are the God of Wealth. The Minister of Revenue Gao Yao must hold you in his hands, fearing that something might happen to you. This time Ma Fang sent people to Beijing to request money and grain. The cabinet meant to follow the past rules. The people who came to Beijing would naturally inquire about the news of the court, and they would ask for you, the God of Wealth."

Yan Shaoting smiled innocently and shook his head repeatedly: "I am not the God of Wealth. Your Majesty just joked at the beginning. How can you take it seriously?"

Jiajing chuckled: "Whether it's true or not, it doesn't matter. I'm naturally relieved that you can do the job."

Yan Shaoting understood the old Taoist's words in his heart.

Then he spoke in a low voice: "So that person came to me for help, but I didn't dare to make the decision on my own, so I came to the palace to ask to see Your Majesty..."

After finishing speaking.

He also did not forget to look at the old Taoist priest eagerly.

Please watch it carefully.

We are in the same group. You are the boss and I, Yan Shaoting, am a royalist.

Jiajing was amused by Yan Shaoting's appearance.

He smiled cheerfully.

Then he rolled up his sleeves, lay sideways on the platform, and looked at Yan Shaoting: "Tell me, what do you mean by this?"

Yan Shaoting was in no hurry to speak.

Instead, he looked at Zhang Guoxiang behind the Taotai without disguising his eyes.

The meaning is obvious.

I am here to discuss military and national affairs with Your Majesty. How can you allow such an unruly Taoist priest to be present?

Jiajing was not angry, but instead appreciated Yan Shaoting's approach.

Even though Zhang Guoxiang was recommended to the palace by Yan Shaoting, Yan Shaoting's behavior when it comes to military and national affairs shows that he is cautious and careful.

As an official, one must be cautious and careful in military and national affairs.

And Zhang Guoxiang, who was behind the Taotai, rolled his eyes fiercely at Yan Shaoting.

The emperor will be busy with his cultivation, and when he has time, he will have to leave the palace and give Yan Shaoting a good beating.

No.

Three meals are enough!

Jiajing just waved his hand and said, "Master Zhang is devoted to serving the Taoist master, so it's fine."

Got the words from the old Taoist priest.

Yan Shaoting then pretended to be cautious, took three steps forward, and stopped almost in front of the Taoist platform.

He even whispered: "I think it's just a request for transfer of 300,000 taels. If I can take this opportunity..."

The next words were not spoken.

Yan Shaoting immediately changed the subject and said, "Among the nine border towns, Xuanfu is the closest to the capital. After passing Huailaiwei in Xuanfu Town, you will reach the border town of Shuntianfu, and behind it is Baiyangkou. And if you go down Badaling from Yanqing Prefecture and pass Juyongguan, you will reach Changping, which is a straight line from the capital."

This is an analysis of the topographical relationship between Xuanfu Town and the capital.

At last.

Yan Shaoting finally lowered his voice and said: "The Nine Frontiers are responsible for guarding the border, but Xuanfu's 100,000 soldiers can guard outside the border wall and can also..."

What else can it do?

Yan Shaoting still didn't say anything.

But Jiajing, the Taotai, understood it.

and.

He was moved.

It was Yan Shaoting who took care of it last time. Now, three thousand elite soldiers from the Beijing camp are permanently stationed in the West Garden.

It was precisely because of these three thousand elite troops from the Beijing camp that Jiajing could sleep peacefully for more than a year.

If it was the 100,000 soldiers from Xuanfu...

at this time.

Yan Shaoting continued to whisper: "Xuanfu is at the border after all, and the court is always slow to grasp the situation there, not as fast as the capital, so General Ma's judgment this time may be clearer than that in the capital."

Done.

Yan Shaoting looked at the old Taoist priest steadily.

same.

Jiajing once again understood the meaning of Yan Shaoting's words.

Although it is said that Ma Fang knows the situation at the border better than the capital, to put it another way, if something is to be done in Xuanfu, the capital will be able to grasp relatively less information and news.

Jiajing was completely moved.

One hundred thousand Xuanfu border troops.

Even if it’s only ten or twenty thousand!

That is also a force that cannot be underestimated!
Yan Shaoting finally stopped talking.

He just gave the old Taoist priest an idea.

Or.

He painted a pie in the sky for the old Taoist priest.

A big pie that would allow the old Taoist priest to see that he actually had an army under his command that could make the final decision.

As for whether this pie can be fulfilled.

Who knows.

But he could take the opportunity to interfere in the affairs that originally belonged to the Jin Party.

Xuanfu.

This is a great place.

Meanwhile, Jiajing, who was on the prefectural throne, could not help but hear the few words Yan Shaoting had just said.

But these words never disappeared.

Jiajing finally squinted his eyes and said, "Is this feasible?"

After asking.

Jiajing still felt a little worried, and continued to ask: "Three hundred thousand taels is nothing. Although the court is a little better off at the moment, it can still afford it. It's good that three hundred thousand taels can bring peace to Xuanfu this year. But if three hundred thousand taels are sent and Xuanfu still has trouble this year, what should we do?"

Yan Shaoting answered directly: "If something really happened, even if it was just a small setback, wouldn't it be better?"

moment.

Jiajing on the Taotai burst into laughter.

Yes!

Yes!

If I gave Ma Fang and Xuanfu 300,000 taels and they still got into trouble, wouldn't these people feel even more guilty?

After the laughter.

Jiajing waved his sleeves fiercely and said, "If I agree, how should I do this?"

This is asking for strategy.

Yan Shaoting also responded calmly, saying: "I believe that the whole country is ruled by the grace of the emperor. How about summoning the Xuanfu Lieutenant General Lan Yongzhen to meet your majesty?"

Jiajing's eyes turned.

I already understand what you mean.

He immediately sat up straight, leaned forward, and stared at Yan Shaoting who was standing under the platform with sharp eyes.

"Leave the palace now and bring this Lan Yongzhen to me in person!"

Yan Shaoting immediately bowed and nodded.

"Your Majesty is wise."

"Your humble servant."

"Leader!"

…………

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(End of this chapter)