Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 242 Military Plane
In the hall, Zhu Lang had a cold expression on his face. Lu Daqi and the other two looked at each other. After a moment, He Wuzuo had no choice but to bite the bullet and step out of the line and speak.

"Yesterday I was on duty at the Cabinet. I was in a hurry. Please punish me, Your Highness."

Lu Daqi and the other two were also a little confused. They didn't know why His Highness the Regent suddenly got angry.
At this time, the Ming court had basically no sense of confidentiality, and the documents circulating in the cabinet were basically not secrets to the officials in the court.
The cabinet's memorials and replies could be openly taken home by the cabinet ministers. Some of the cabinet's memorials and opinions would even be copied out by those with ulterior motives and directly displayed in front of the government office in order to achieve certain goals of all parties.
Because the Ming court disregarded confidentiality, during the Chongzhen period, the Qing court simply sent some spies to the capital at random, and they were able to easily obtain a large amount of information from the Ming court.

The rebellion in the Central Plains of the Ming Dynasty and even the Ming Dynasty's defense situation in Liaodong were easily detected by the Qing Dynasty. This was one of the reasons why the Ming Dynasty repeatedly failed in Liaodong.
Zhu Lang looked at He Wuzuo who was bowing and apologizing below, and said in a cold voice

"Zhang Xianzhong's intelligence was that Jinyifu sacrificed seven or eight cavalry scouts and just sent back from Sichuan. I only gave it to the cabinet for one day, and you made it known to everyone in the court."

"If there are Qing spies in the city, they can bribe an imperial censor and the Qing will get all the information about the Ming Dynasty."

"The information about Zhang Xianzhong is fine, but the Qing invaders are now in Sichuan. If the Qing invaders learn of the civil unrest in Yunnan, they will send troops to open up Yunnan and Guizhou and link up with the rebels in Yunnan. Have you thought about the consequences?"

"Today, intelligence from three provinces was leaked. If Li Mingzhong and others from Fujian Province send us a military report tomorrow, will it also be leaked by you? Is this how your cabinet does things?"

When Lu Daqi and other officials heard what Zhu Lang said, their faces changed slightly.

Zhang Xianzhong was killed by the Qing invaders, so it's fine if it's leaked, but if the Qing government really knew that Yunnan Province was in civil strife, I really don't know how the Qing government would act. It's possible that Yunnan and Guizhou might really usher in a war.

He Wuzuo's heart sank, and he glared at the censor Chen Zheng who was still at a loss, and had no choice but to say

"I was negligent in taking precautions. Please punish me, Your Highness."

Zhu Lang glanced at He Wuzuo below, but did not deal with him.
After Zhu Lang asked He Wuzuo to stand up, he spoke

"There are many people in the cabinet, and memorials are circulated up and down, which makes it difficult to keep the court documents secret. It is not someone's careless mistake."

He Wuzuo was relieved when he heard this, thinking that His Highness was going to let the matter go, but then Zhu Lang spoke again.

"The world is in chaos now. There will be constant wars in the future. The battlefield situation changes rapidly. Military affairs are no joke."

"In order to prevent the leakage of military information and to deal with military affairs in a timely manner, I have decided to establish a Military Affairs Office to specifically handle all military affairs in the court."

Lu Daqi, Chen Zizhuang and the others looked at each other, and immediately had a bad feeling in their hearts.
Although they had not figured out what the Military Affairs Office mentioned by His Highness was, they immediately realized, based on their instincts as officials for many years, that this Military Affairs Office must not be a good thing.
In the hall, the military officials were silent, while the civil officials were confused and looked up at Lu Daqi.
At this time, Qu Shisi was not in the court, so Lu Daqi was the leader of the civil officials. Lu Daqi was silent for a moment, then stepped out of the line to salute and said:

"May I ask, Your Highness, what is the specific responsibility of this Military Affairs Office?"

Zhu Lang glanced at Lu Daqi below and said softly

"Since it is the Military Affairs Office, it should naturally handle military affairs."

"From now on, all military affairs of the court and the provinces will be submitted to the Military Affairs Office for handling. After the Military Affairs Office discusses and approves it, it will be directly issued to the relevant ministries or front-line troops for implementation. All relevant memorials and military reports will be sealed in the Military Affairs Office and will not be passed through external hands to prevent military information from being leaked."

The expressions of the civil officials below suddenly changed when they heard this. The memorial was submitted directly to the Military Affairs Office and directly approved by the Military Affairs Office. Doesn't that mean that even the cabinet is not allowed to hear about it?

They were thinking about how to isolate and suppress the military officials in the court, but now, His Royal Highness the Regent has directly set up a government office to exclude the cabinet from military affairs.

At present, the imperial court can still rely on the Ministry of War to slightly control the few imperial guards in the court. If the Grand Council is established, military affairs will be reported directly to the emperor. The civil officials in the cabinet will not only suppress the military officials, but they will not even know what they are going to do.
They also saw that His Royal Highness the Regent was using this issue to make the military completely independent and under his sole control, so as to prevent the Cabinet from having any chance to interfere with the military.
When Chen Zizhuang thought of this, he immediately stepped out and said

"Military affairs involve a wide range of issues. The deployment of food, fodder, and soldiers requires the cooperation of various departments in the court. This should be put to the court for discussion. If a separate Military Affairs Office is established to make decisions on its own, how can the cabinet deploy without knowing the inside story? I think this matter is too hasty. Your Highness, please..."

Before Chen Zizhuang finished speaking, Zhu Lang interrupted him with a wave of his hand. Zhu Lang said softly:
"Mr. Chen, you are worrying too much. Military affairs involve a lot of people, so how can they be isolated from the cabinet? I set up the Military Affairs Office just to handle military affairs immediately and not delay the war."

"Li Guoyong"

Zhu Lang looked at Li Guoyong who was standing on the side. Upon hearing this, Li Guoyong also walked to the bottom of the stairs and spoke loudly.

"His Royal Highness the Regent has issued an order to establish a special Military Affairs Office to promptly handle military affairs in the court and prevent the leakage of military intelligence."

"Cabinet Grand Secretaries Lü Daqi, Chen Zizhuang, He Wuzuo, and Su Guansheng are given the title of Grand Secretary of the Military Affairs Bureau to assist in the military affairs of the court."

"The Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army, Jiao Lian; the Commander-in-Chief of the Right Army, Ma Bao; and the Duke of Dingguo, Zheng Hongkui, are given the title of Grand Councilor to assist in the military affairs of the court."

"Zhang Tongchang, Zhang Jiayu, Liu Xiangke, and Zhang Huangyan, assistant ministers of the Ministry of War, were appointed as clerks of the Military Affairs Office, and were appointed to serve in the Military Affairs Office and submit memorials for disposal."

"Gushibo Shi Lang, Longxiang Army's Educational Envoy Kuang Hong, Tengxiang Army's Educational Envoy Zhu Xuexi, entered the Military Affairs Office as a clerk, entered the Military Affairs Office to serve, and submitted memorials for disposal."

Zhu Xuexi was also a student who enlisted to defend Guangzhou.

After the Battle of Guangzhou, he joined the army as a missionary with Chen Qice and Kuang Hong. Because of his status as a student, he took over as the missionary of the Tengxiang Army after Chen Qice was transferred to the Wuxiang Army.
Lu Daqi, He Wuzuo and others who were about to step out to oppose the plan were hesitant for a moment when they heard about the personnel arrangements of the Military Affairs Office.
If His Highness really intends to abandon the cabinet and withdraw the army from the court and get rid of the control of the civil officials, then Lu Daqi and others will definitely strongly oppose it, even if it means collectively resigning.
Military officials are naturally fond of merit and war. If they are completely freed from the control of the court, who knows what they will do to persuade Your Highness.

But after hearing the candidates for the Grand Council announced by His Highness, Lu Daqi and others also understood His Highness the Regent's intention.

The Military Affairs Office established by His Highness was not so much for handling military affairs as for improving the status of military officials.

His Highness wants to allow high-ranking military officials to formally obtain the power to participate in government affairs in order to win over the military officials in the court.
However, the cabinet system had been set long ago, and military officials were obviously not allowed to join the cabinet. Dismantling the cabinet would cause unrest in the court, so His Highness simply established a military office to re-establish a cabinet.

Now that the world is in chaos, the civil officials know that it is difficult to make the military officials who hold the military power bow their heads. However, when they heard that His Highness really raised the status of the military officials in the court, Lu Daqi and others were still instinctively wary and resistant.
But before they could persuade him, the military officials on the right had already come out.

"Minister Jiao Lian receives the order"

Jiao Lian stepped out of the line and bowed in response to the order. Then Ma Bao, Zheng Hongkui, Shi Lang and others followed closely behind and bowed in response to the order. When Lu Daqi and others saw Jiao Lian and others directly respond to the order, their faces suddenly darkened.

The military officials appointed by His Royal Highness the Regent cover all the troops in Guangzhou at this time. Anyone who dares to oppose it will probably become an enemy of all the military officials in the court and His Royal Highness.
In this case, even if they knew that this would deprive the civil officials of some of their power, who would dare to speak out against it?
At this time, the military officials have bowed their heads and responded to the order, but the civil officials are still silent.

Lu Daqi and the other two saw His Highness the Regent sitting on the throne with a calm expression, and then looked at the military officials on the side who showed no signs of surprise. They knew that His Highness had probably already discussed the matter with the military officials in the court.
"Your subject, Su Guansheng, receives your order."

The three of them hadn't figured out how to respond when Su Guansheng, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stepped out to receive the order.

As Su Guansheng received the order, the eyes of His Royal Highness the Regent and all the civil and military officials in the court fell on Lu Daqi and the other two.

Lu Daqi and the other two looked at each other, a trace of helplessness flashed across their faces, and they could only bow and obey.
As Lü Daqi and the other two expressed their opinions, Zhang Tongchang, Liu Xiangke and others also came out to pay their respects.

Zhu Lang looked at Lu Daqi and others and nodded slightly.
When Zhu Lang proposed this matter, it was actually destined to be passed. It was not up to Lu Daqi and others.
An emperor who has both legal and military power cannot be restricted by civil officials.

The simplest example is Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang's treatment of the ministers in the court was considered cruel by the gentry, but what was the result? Didn't the gentry and officials still obey his orders?
Zhu Lang saw that the matter had been approved and was no longer prepared to waste time in the court, so he spoke directly

"But there is still something else. If there is nothing else, let's adjourn the court."

There was a moment of silence below, and then Mao Yuxiang, the Right Passenger of the Tongzheng Envoy, suddenly stepped out and said

"I heard that Your Highness wants to personally lead an expedition to Huguang. I think Huguang is located on the front line and the situation is complicated. If we send troops to Huguang at this time, it may cause the armies in Huguang to..."

Before Mao Yuxiang finished speaking, Zhu Lang from above interrupted him.

"This matter involves military secrets. To prevent the leakage of military information, it will not be discussed in the court."

Mao Yuxiang, who was standing below, froze for a moment, glanced at He Wuzuo, who was standing above him, and had to retreat back to the middle of the line.

After Mao Yuxiang returned, Wang Yinghua, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, stepped out again and said:

"I heard that the Yunnan rebel Sha Dingzhou has captured Kunming City. I think the court should give priority to supporting Lord Qu and pacifying Yunnan Province, and should not rush into Huguang..."

Wang Yinghua was just halfway through his speech when Zhu Lang interrupted him with a wave of his hand.
"This matter involves military secrets. To prevent the leakage of military information, it will not be discussed in the court."

Wang Yinghua looked helpless. He glanced at He Wuzuo above him and had to retreat back to the line.

The officials in the court also reacted at this time. No matter what they said today, they would only get this reply about military affairs.
Zhu Lang glanced at the ministers below and said

"The affairs of the three provinces are all related to military affairs. I will discuss with the ministers of the Military Affairs Office later. In addition to the affairs of the three provinces, do you have anything else to report?"

The civil officials below were all silent. The most important thing in the court at this moment was the intelligence from the three provinces that came out of the palace yesterday. The affairs of the three provinces were not allowed to be discussed. So what else did they have to say?

Zhu Lang ignored the ministers who were looking resentful. Seeing that they were silent, he spoke directly.

"Since there is nothing to do, then we will adjourn the court. All the officials of the Military Affairs Office will stay to discuss the matter."

Upon hearing this, the ministers below also bowed and then left the hall.

A group of ministers filed out of the hall. At this time, everyone looked at the military ministers and military officials who stayed in the hall, and a trace of envy flashed in their eyes.

Although the Military Affairs Office was just established today, everyone has already realized that the court will no longer be dominated by the cabinet.

At this time, all the ministers left, and the hall suddenly became empty. Lu Daqi and others had time to see the personnel situation in the Military Affairs Office.
It goes without saying that several cabinet ministers such as Lu Daqi and Chen Zizhuang should be included, and military officials such as Jiao Lian, Ma Bao, and Zheng Hongkui should also be included.
The intention of His Highness in establishing the Military Affairs Council is very clear, that is, to give equal weight to civil and military officials and to elevate the status of military officials in the court. This move is not only to win over military officials, but also to deal with the current chaos in the world.
Although the Longxiang Army's missionary Kuang Hong and the others were somewhat unexpected, everyone could understand after a little thought. Although the missionary system was first proposed by Su Guansheng, everyone knew who was the driving force behind it.

This missionary system was established by His Majesty the Regent himself to supervise the armies. At this time, the missionaries of the two armies were allowed to participate in the military affairs, which also showed that His Majesty the Regent valued this missionary system.
Among the remaining civil officials, Zhang Tongchang is a natural choice. Qu Shisi is the chief minister and is now stationed in your province. Zhang Tongchang is Qu Shisi's student and has made great contributions in Fujian. It is only natural for His Highness to order him to serve in the military affairs.
Zhang Jiayu attacked Zengcheng by surprise, burned the food and grass of Tong Yangjia and others, and cut off the way back to Tong Yangjia's army. This allowed the court to annihilate Tong Yangjia and others in one fell swoop. This time he followed into Fujian to persuade the King of Lu to borrow a ship to attack Zhangzhou by surprise.

Zhang Jiayu was born in an orthodox imperial examination system. He was a man of both civil and military talents. It was reasonable for him to serve in the military secretariat.

The same is true for Liu Xiangke. When Ding Kuichu was abusing power, Liu Xiangke was the first to impeach Wang Kun, and eventually overthrew Ding Kuichu's party. He followed Zhang Tongchang into Fujian to persuade the Fujian troops to surrender, and he also made great contributions. It is reasonable for His Highness to value him.
From the composition of the military office, it is clear that His Royal Highness the Regent attaches great importance to the military office.
The ministers of the Military Affairs Office were either important cabinet ministers or young ministers who had emerged after His Royal Highness the Regent ascended the throne. However, the only one left, Zhang Huangyan, left everyone a little puzzled.

It is said that Zhang Huangyan was a minister of the Prince of Lu who was forcibly summoned by His Highness the Regent when he met with the Prince of Lu. It is unknown what is so special about Zhang Huangyan that the Prince of Lu specially summoned him to the court and even allowed him to serve in the military affairs as soon as he entered the court.

The ministers in the hall looked around the field, and then looked at Zhang Huangyan at the end on the left, with inquiring eyes.

Zhang Huangyan could naturally feel that he was conspicuous at this time.
In the court of Gui Regent, so many vice ministers and deputy censors were not able to enter the Military Affairs Office set up by His Royal Highness the Regent. I, an outsider who had just transferred from the command of Prince Lu, was listed here. It was strange no matter how I looked at it.

In fact, Zhang Huangyan still hasn't figured out why His Royal Highness Gui Jianguo specifically asked him to come here.

His Highness the Regent asked him to come here to consult about Zhejiang Province, but from the time he arrived in Zhangzhou to the time he returned to Guangdong Province, His Highness the Regent never once asked him about the situation in Zhejiang Province.

The reason for consulting on Zhejiang Province's affairs was obviously not the real reason why His Royal Highness the Regent wanted him here.
But this confused Zhang Huangyan. If it wasn't for this reason, then why did His Royal Highness the Regent want him here?
Sometimes he even began to doubt whether his ancestors had any old friendship with the Gui Palace, otherwise why would His Highness think so highly of him?
At this time, everyone's eyes were focused on Zhang Huangyan. Zhang Huangyan felt the gazes of the crowd and his heart tightened, but Zhang Huangyan's face remained calm. He just lowered his head slightly and stood quietly at the end of the left side, without any strange expression.

Zhu Lang naturally didn't know what everyone was thinking. In fact, he didn't think that much when he put Zhang Huangyan in the Military Affairs Office.

In addition to the cabinet ministers and the generals in the army, the interpreters in the Military Affairs Office were basically people that Zhu Lang thought could be trained and used.
Although Zhang Huangyan had just arrived, he was obviously on Zhu Lang's list of people who could be of great use, so he conveniently put him in the Military Affairs Office.

In the main hall, Li Guoyong led the eunuchs and closed the door. When Zhu Lang saw that everyone had gathered, he also started to discuss matters.

(End of this chapter)