Chapter 535: Secret Deal on the Ascension Meeting
The eunuch Lu Fang was the seal-holder of Silijian.

As an old acquaintance in Beijing, his voice immediately quieted down the originally noisy Huangji Palace Square.

Hai Rui's eyes followed Yan Shaoting as he wiped his mouth and walked back to his original position. He followed slowly, lowered his head and thought silently for a moment before speaking in a low voice.

"I know that the late emperor knew me and would not give me a fiefdom, but the Sansi Inspection Office is the most suitable for me."

Hai Rui seemed to be talking to himself.

Then he took a deep breath and smiled faintly.

Looking at Yan Shaoting who was looking at him sideways.

Hai Rui said with a smile on his face, "If one day, I, Hai Gangfeng, can take charge of the government, I will definitely not disappoint Mr. Yan. I will strictly abide by the law and keep a close eye on his every word and action in the court."

Yan Shaoting just smiled slightly.

He was getting himself into trouble.

However, letting Hai Rui keep an eye on himself and the Yan family in the Censorate was also a clever move.

After all, Hai Gangfeng couldn't really be so ruthless to him, right?
Besides, Hai Rui doesn’t have a guillotine yet!

No longer think about what will happen to Hai Rui in the future.

Yan Shaoting had already followed the civil and military officials gathered in front of the Huangji Palace, and divided into two groups, civil and military, walking towards the Huangji Palace in front.

According to his rank, he could enter the Huangji Hall to watch the ceremony.

Although a third-rank official is nothing in Beijing, it is not something that anyone can get.

At most, there were only this many civil and military officials of the third rank and above in the entire city of Beijing.

The Huangji Hall can not only accommodate all the Beijing officials above the third rank, but also those lower-ranking but extremely noble censors.

As for other officials below the third rank, they can only continue to work hard and stand outside the Huangji Palace.

Walk into the Huangji Palace.

Yan Shaoting looked around but couldn't find where he should stand.

His current position is very awkward.

Before going to Nanjing, he served in the Hanlin Academy, the Zhanshi Palace, and the Ministry of Revenue.

Although his official positions in the Hanlin Academy and the Zhanshi Palace were not revoked, he was allowed to enter the palace as a guest of the crown prince.

After all the calculations, there is no suitable position for him.

Looked around.

In the end, he could only wear the bright red court robe and the five-beam crown and move closer to the Ministry of War's standing position in the hall.

The leading Minister of War Yang Bo couldn't help but look back and glance at Yan Shaoting who actually ran to his own Ministry of War area.

But Minister Yang didn't say anything.

Yan Shaoting looked at the Jin Party chief who probably had no hope of entering the cabinet, smiled in his heart, picked up his pace again, squeezed behind Yang Bo, and looked at the two assistant ministers of the Ministry of War, Wang Zhigao and Wu Guifang, who were on his left and right.

Yan Shaoting moved his mouth and smiled: "Minister Wang, Minister Wu, thank you for your hard work. I want to get closer to Yang Butang today."

He spoke politely, but his actions were not weak at all.

He forcibly pushed Wang Zhigao and Wu Guifang aside.

Wang Zhigao and Wu Guifang also looked helpless.

Both of them were transferred to the Ministry of War this year. One came from the border areas, and the other came to Beijing from the south.

In Beijing, Yan Shaoting is the local boss.

The two of them could only hum silently, step aside and push the others away.

Yang Bo naturally noticed what was happening behind him.

But he just stared calmly as Yan Shaoting leaned over to his shoulder.

"Yang Butang..."

Yan Shaoting squinted his eyes and smiled, and greeted softly.

Behind the Huangji Hall, groups of palace servants were already walking around, making final preparations for Zhu Zaigui to put on the emperor's robes and crown.

Yang Bo observed for a moment, then tilted his head and smiled: "I wonder if Runwu has any advice for me?"

In view of the current cooperation between Jindi and Yan family on overseas matters.

Yang Bo still maintained a certain politeness.

Yan Shaoting was even more polite: "How dare I give you advice in front of the minister?"

"Oh?"

Yang Bo looked curious.

And out of the corner of his eye, he also glanced at Yan Song, the prime minister of the current dynasty, who was standing at the front row of the civil service team and had the most crowns on his head.

Yan Shaoting's expression became more respectful: "Speaking of which, I actually have something to trouble the Minister, but the Minister is in charge of the Ministry of War and is the Grand Marshal of this dynasty. He is very busy, so I dare not disturb him rashly."

I saw that Yan Shaoting actually wanted to ask me something.

Yang Bo's vigilance immediately decreased. He smiled and asked, "Runwu, please tell me what you need. If I can help, I will definitely help you. But I am only the Minister of War, and my ability is limited. Runwu can't rely on me all the time."

Yan Shaoting's smile became more intense: "Don't worry, Minister, this is exactly what I want to ask for, and you can help me."

Yang Bo, who had just relaxed a little, suddenly became nervous again.

He even turned his body slightly, stared at Yan Shaoting vigilantly, and began to ponder in his mind.

Since Yan Shaoting said so, it was obvious that he was targeting me.

If I don't answer well, I might fall into the trap of this kid.

He said yes.

Yang Bo pretended to wait and see.

Yan Shaoting lowered his voice and said: "In fact, this matter is also related to the late emperor's will..."

When the four words "the late emperor's last will" came out, Yang Bo's brows suddenly tightened and his spirits perked up.

He quickly looked back and didn't see the crown prince appear, so he nodded and asked, "What last words did the late emperor leave?"

"Expel Altan Khan and recapture the Hetao area."

Yan Shaoting looked at Yang Bo dimly, and saw the other's face change several colors in an instant.

Yang Bo laughed silently with an awkward expression, then he looked deep in his eyes and said in a long voice: "Runwu... How can I interfere with the late emperor's will? Today, the crown prince ascended the throne, and he should discuss this matter with the new emperor."

Yan Shaoting shook his head repeatedly: "The minister doesn't know, the new emperor already knows about this. But the minister is the Grand Marshal of the current dynasty, in charge of the Ministry of War, and in charge of the troops and horses of the garrisons in the world. The late emperor's will was entrusted to me, but I have never led troops to defend the border. If I want to fulfill the late emperor's will, I must ask for the strong support of the minister to raise money and food for troops and horses in the border towns of Xuanfu, Datong, Shanxi, Yansui, etc., so that I can accomplish great things, recover Hetao, and create unprecedented achievements!"

Yang Bo's eyes flashed for a moment.

He looked at Yan Shaoting with some uncertainty: "Runwuyu wants to personally lead the army to fight against the bandits for the country?"

After understanding Yan Shaoting's intention.

Yang Bo began to think quickly.

If Yan Shaoting personally went to the border town to lead troops to war after the new monarch ascended the throne, what impact would this have on himself and the Jin area?

Don’t you see, the prince guest in front of you has already included the four towns of Xuanfu, Datong, Shanxi and Yansui among the nine borders when he just opened his mouth.

Coincidentally, the influence of the Jin people on the nine borders is mainly concentrated in these four towns.

Does the Yan family want to start interfering in the Nine Frontiers?
When Yan Shaoting heard Yang Bo's question, he knew what the other party was thinking.

But he changed the subject and said, "I dare not disobey the late emperor's will. But I have never been to a border town, so I would like to ask the Ministry to lobby. The current Right Censor-in-Chief and Ningxia Governor Wang Xuefu has been in the border town for a long time and has rich experience. If the Ministry can persuade me, I think I can get the talent of a prince, use troops on the border wall, drive out the bandits, and recover Hetao."

Yang Bo's eyes became more serious at this moment.

He didn't expect that Yan Shaoting not only wanted to personally lead the troops in the border towns, conquer Altan Khan, and recover Hetao, but also wanted to extend his hands to the territory of the Jin people in Jin.

That noble Wang Xuefu is actually Wang Chonggu.

He was from Puzhou, Pingyang Prefecture, Shanxi Province, and was the uncle of Zhang Siwei, a member of the Imperial Academy. And Yang Bo was also from Puzhou.

Yang Bo smiled as he thought: "There are countless civil and military officials in the court, and many capable generals and ministers in the border towns. I never thought that Runwu would mention using Wang Xuefu."

His words contained a sigh, but also a tentative meaning.

Yan Shaoting also smiled and responded, "Earlier, when I went south to Nanjing, I became acquainted with Master Wang Qian of the Wang family. We were good friends for a while, so I also knew a lot about the Wang family. The Wang family and the Ministry of Personnel were from the same place, and they were working in the border towns. That's why I thought that if the Ministry of Personnel came forward, I would definitely be able to get help from the Wang family who was familiar with the border town affairs."

After knowing the reason, Yang Bo just nodded.

He did not ask or question whether Yan Shaoting could command the troops in the border towns and conquer the Altan tribe.

After all, he knew very well what kind of power and position the Yan family held in the court.

In addition, Yan Shaoting just said that the new emperor already knew about this matter.

It seems that as long as Yan Shaoting himself is willing, it is a foregone conclusion that he will lead the army as the commander-in-chief of the imperial court.

However, Yang Bo's eyes flashed. He suddenly looked at Yan Shaoting deeply, and then smiled: "Runwu mentioned the late emperor's will today. I remembered that the late emperor also issued an edict before his death, which mentioned three things: measuring land, clearing the army, and making a list..."

Yan Shaoting smiled.

Look at Yang Bo, whose shrewdness is evident in his pores.

He nodded honestly and said, "Your Excellency is wise. I really want to take this opportunity to personally visit the border town and conduct a thorough investigation of the border troops!"

It is true that Yang Bo is the Prime Minister of the Jin Party.

It is true that the Jin people and the Jin Party also controlled the border towns.

It is also right that I want the Qing army.

Moreover, he did not hide his desire to conquer the Qing army from Yang Bo.

But it was precisely his honest answer that made Yang Bo suddenly not know how to respond.

On the contrary, Yan Shaoting looked relaxed, but he was watching Yang Bo with extreme vigilance in his heart.

I have now laid everything out to him.

Next, it depends on whether Yang Bo will agree to use Wang Chonggu and whether he dares to secretly obstruct his Qing army.

As long as Yang Bo dares to do so.

Since he was able to pull the Jin Party to do maritime trade in the past, now he dares to pull Li Chunfang and his gang of Qingliu old party to go to the Nine Borders to do business at the checkpoints!
Yang Bo suddenly laughed.

He shook his head repeatedly, tears almost coming out of the corners of his eyes.

If he had not been in the Huangji Palace at this moment, with many people talking around him, he would probably have laughed out loud.

He shook his head for a long time.

Yang Bocai narrowed his eyes and said, "I heard that Changping has been studying how to make sheepskin into clothes and quilts in the past two years. However, the craftsmanship is quite shabby, and many people in Changping are constantly criticizing it."

Yang Bo suddenly changed the subject and mentioned the industrial upgrading of Changping.

Yan Shaoting smiled knowingly.

He smiled and replied: "The sheepskin factory produces a lot of odor and pollution. It's a little better in autumn and winter, but once the weather gets hot in spring and summer, it's unacceptable to live near the factory."

Yang Bo nodded and continued, "When I was studying in my hometown in my early years, I also looked at the Daqing Mountain and Yinshan Mountain from afar. The Hetao area is divided into the front and back areas, which are all rich in water and grass, and herds of cattle and sheep. Even in the north of the mountains, there are also grasslands in the south of the desert. In the early years, it was the location of the Mongolian royal court and the so-called Golden Family. Although such places cannot be used to grow grains, they are excellent places for grazing cattle and sheep and breeding war horses and pack horses."

The Minister of War suddenly started talking about farming and breeding.

And inside the main hall.

The eunuch Lu Fang, who was in charge of the Imperial Household Department, also started shouting.

Under the gaze of the crowd and surrounded by countless palace servants.

Zhu Zaigui, dressed in imperial robes and with a dignified bearing, appeared in everyone's sight as he paced forward.

According to the rules set in advance, when Zhu Zaigui ascended the throne today, all civil and military officials were exempt from congratulations or announcements. They only needed to perform five bows and three kowtows to complete the ceremony.

As Zhu Zaigui sat down on the throne in the Huangji Hall.

All the civil and military officials inside and outside the hall, under the leadership of Lu Fang, performed the ritual of five bows and three kowtows.

After the ceremony, Feng Bao began to read the first edict of the new emperor's accession to the throne.

The imperial edict is nothing more than reaffirming the previous emperor, then praising the new emperor, and finally making changes to some of the long-standing malpractices of the previous dynasty and affirming the new policies.

Form is everything.

Ever since.

When Feng Bao, who had officially taken office as the eunuch commander of the Imperial Stables yesterday, announced the decree loudly.

Yan Shaoting silently took another half step closer to Yang Bo.

"Minister, you have a good eye. The Hetao and Monan areas have been good places for raising horses and cattle and sheep since ancient times. I know that in the past, when the Han and Tang dynasties controlled the Hetao area, there was no shortage of good horses in the Central Plains. Since we lost the Hetao area, the war horses used by the army are no longer as good as before."

In the hall, Feng Bao's voice was loud and clear.

It was the first time that he appeared in front of the ministers on behalf of the new monarch, and today he could be said to have used all his strength to perform.

Yang Bo smiled and whispered, "Runwu may not know this, but when I was at home, I often ate beef and mutton jerky made by herdsmen in the border areas, which was the most filling. If Runwu leads troops to the border towns in the future, he must taste it carefully."

Yan Shaoting narrowed his eyes and said, "I was born in Jiangxi and have been in Beijing for a long time. I am afraid I won't be able to find the delicious food that the minister mentioned. Even if I find it, I may be deceived."

"Then let Wang Xuefu accompany Runwu to the border town to look for food."

Yang Bo waved his sleeves lightly with a smile on his face.

Yan Shaoting nodded slightly and said, "In that case, I will trouble you, Minister."

Inside the palace.

Feng Bao read out the new emperor's accession decree with full energy, and his voice echoed throughout the Huangji Palace.

The edict was written in a grand and fair manner.

And inside the temple.

But there are two people who are conducting a despicable secret deal.

In just a few words, the interests of the nine borders of the Ming Dynasty were completely divided up.

Yan Shaoting's face was full of smiles.

After all, Yang Bo did not dare to monopolize the benefits of the Nine Frontiers and not let go.

However, he also had to develop the sheepskin business and more advanced leather-making technology. At the same time, he also had to let the Jin Party continue to share in the beef and mutton trade on the grassland.

Above the steps.

Feng Bao had already collected the imperial edict and glanced at the civil and military officials in the hall.

"The Emperor ascends the throne."

"Decide on the reign title, Longqing!"

"All the ministers attend the ceremony!"

offstage.

Yan Shaoting and Yang Bo looked at each other.

They both smiled knowingly.

Amid the cheers of all the civil and military officials in the hall, the two of them spoke at the same time.

"Your Highness, this is Yan Shaoting."

"Your Majesty, Yang Bo."

"Congratulations to His Majesty the Emperor!"

…………

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(End of this chapter)