Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 688 Discussion of Merit
When Zhu Shenzhui returned to Wenhua Hall from Qianqing Palace and was about to read a few memorials, Prime Minister Wen Tiren arrived.

Hearing that it was Wen Tihen who wanted to see him, Zhu Shenzhui had him brought in, and he picked up a memorial and flipped through it casually.

Zhu Shenzhu was different from Emperor Chongzhen. Emperor Chongzhen handled all matters personally, and he had to review all memorials before giving instructions. But Zhu Shenzhu was different. All memorials were reviewed by the Cabinet and the Imperial Household Department first, and then sent to the Wenhua Hall for Zhu Shenzhu to review after the Cabinet and the Imperial Household Department came up with opinions or disposal plans.

As for Zhu Shenzhui, he did not read all of them. He seldom paid attention to trivial matters. He would only randomly select a few of them every day to look at them. His main purpose was to supervise the efficiency and attitude of the cabinet and the Silijian. He would only personally review major matters and deal with the results of the cabinet and the Silijian's instructions at his discretion.

I have to say that the current cabinet and the Imperial Household Department are doing a good job, especially Wen Tihen, the Prime Minister, who is very serious in his work and the opinions he gives are basically appropriate. Even if there are objections or uncertainties, the cabinet and the Imperial Household Department will make notes on them and explain the situation for Zhu Shenzhui's reference and decision.

In this way, Zhu Shenzhui's work intensity was greatly reduced. He did not need to read memorials for seven or eight hours every day like Emperor Chongzhen, who was exhausted from morning to night.

Zhu Shencui would spend no more than two hours on memorials every day, sometimes a little longer but never more than three hours. This way he had more time and energy to do other things and think about other problems better.

Just as Zhu Shenzui was concentrating on the memorial in his hand, Wen Tihen was brought in.

After entering the hall, Wen Tiren stopped at the door, saluted towards Zhu Shenzhui, and called out "Your Highness the Regent, Wen Tiren."

"The teacher is here, someone come! Bring him a chair." Hearing the noise, Zhu Shenzhui put down the memorial in his hand, looked up at Wen Tiren, and a smile appeared on his face.

"I thank you, Your Highness..." Wen Tiren bowed again hastily. Zhu Shenzhui smiled and waved his hand: "Sir, you have worked hard. Come, sit down and talk."

Wen Tiren did not refuse. He had been dealing with Zhu Shenzhu for nearly three months and had already understood his master's personality and temper. Unlike Emperor Chongzhen, Zhu Shenzhu was a man of great courage. He not only dared to employ people, but also dared to delegate power. As the chief minister, these three months were the most comfortable days for Wen Tiren since he entered the cabinet.

There was no such thing as the master giving instructions one day and another tomorrow, not trusting his subordinates in everything and doing everything himself, which made the subordinates at a loss. Zhu Shenzhui generously handed over many government affairs to the cabinet, making him worthy of the title of Prime Minister.

Moreover, Zhu Shenzhu respected the attitudes of Wen Tiren and the cabinet on many matters, rarely rejected the cabinet's suggestions, and took the initiative to help Wen Tiren clear the obstacles in the court, making the government orders smooth and greatly increasing the cabinet's authority. These made Wen Tiren very happy, and he felt the "happiness" brought by power.

This is what Wen Tiren, who has always been keen on power, has always dreamed of, but he has only now truly felt it. But if you say that Zhu Shenzhui is just like this, then you are totally wrong. Wen Tiren did not dare to underestimate Zhu Shenzhui. In dealing with Zhu Shenzhui, he deeply realized that Zhu Shenzhui is definitely not a person who can be fooled.

Although Zhu Shenzhu dared to delegate power, he did not leave the cabinet and Wen Tihen alone. His control over the general direction and major events was even greater than that of Emperor Chongzhen. Moreover, Zhu Shenzhu now actually controlled the Jinyiwei, whose power had risen from the low point during the Chongzhen period to become the most powerful special department of the Ming Dynasty.

The entire capital, including officials and ordinary people, was under the surveillance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Zhu Shenzhui knew all the big and small things happening outside. If the cabinet wanted to make some tricks, it would be impossible to deceive Zhu Shenzhui. Wen Tihen had experienced Zhu Shenzhui's methods. In these three months, several officials in the court had pretended to obey and secretly made tricks, including colluding with and winning over cabinet ministers with ill intentions. Zhu Shenzhui acted secretly without making a sound and directly dealt with these people. Moreover, the reasons for the disposal were justified and the evidence was conclusive. No one could say anything, which frightened all officials.

But even so, for Wen Tiren, it was much better to work under Zhu Shenzhu than under Emperor Chongzhen. After all, as long as you don't make mistakes in principle, this master will not punish you for negligence. In addition, he will respect his subjects and discuss the matter with them. As long as the subjects' words are reasonable, Zhu Shenzhu will not act on his own. This is very different from Emperor Chongzhen, who is good at passing the buck and dare not take responsibility.

After having tea served, Zhu Shenzhui waited for the guards to leave and looked at Wen Tiren. He asked with concern, "I have noticed that you have become thinner these days. Is it because the cabinet is too busy? You need to take care of yourself. Someone, go get some Liao ginseng from Korea. Take it with you when you leave. Go back and replenish your body."

"Your Highness, I am grateful for your kindness. How could I have deserved such concern from Your Highness..." Wen Tiren quickly stood up and thanked Zhu Shencui, looking grateful and tearful.

"No problem, sir, you are the chief minister of the cabinet and the pillar of the country. I still need to rely on you for state affairs. You don't have to be polite."

"Thank you, Your Highness..." Wen Tiren thanked him again and sat back.

"Sir, why do you come to see me today?" Zhu Shenzhui asked directly, taking a sip of the teacup in front of him. Wen Tiren said, "I have three main things to see Your Highness."

Zhu Shenzhui nodded and listened to Wen Tiren continue to speak. Wen Tiren continued: "First, our Ming army defeated the Liaodong Jiannu and forced Huang Taiji's army to return empty-handed. This is a great achievement that our Ming Dynasty has never achieved in decades. The regent has established such a military feat. It is a blessing for our Ming Dynasty and the world! When the cabinet received the victory report, I summoned the cabinet ministers to discuss the matter. They all felt that we should publicize the victory of this battle, reward the soldiers generously, boost morale, and call on the world to stabilize the local area."

"I came here today to discuss this matter with Your Highness, how to reward them. In addition, the soldiers who went out to fight will return to the capital soon. How should the capital make the most appropriate arrangements for them when they return victoriously?"

"Oh, about this matter." Zhu Shenzhui asked with a smile: "Since you mentioned it, the cabinet should have a plan, right? What did the cabinet think after discussing it?"

Wen Tiren smiled and nodded: "The cabinet does have a plan. I have brought it with me. Please take a look, Your Highness." As he spoke, Wen Tiren took out something from his arms and handed it to Zhu Shenzhui. Zhu Shenzhui took it and opened it to look at it carefully. There were a lot of densely written proposals on it, with some deletions on it. They were all suggestions on how to reward the generals and soldiers after the battle, including how to welcome the triumphant troops, what scale of procedures to use, etc., in addition to other various arrangements.

Upon closer inspection, the cabinet's discussion was quite reliable. The reward for the commander-in-chief Wang Jinwu was a title and a promotion. Wang Jinwu was currently the governor of the military affairs of the Beijing Camp, a special promotion to the rank of Ronglu doctor, and the left governor of the Central Military Governor's Office. Because this victory not only protected the Great Wall defense line, but also repelled Huang Taiji's army. It was a rare victory for the Ming Dynasty in recent years, so he was naturally the first to win.

The cabinet proposed that Wang be granted the title of Earl of Jinwu and given the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, while his other positions would continue to be retained and he would still be in charge of the Beijing camp.

This plan was exactly what Zhu Shenzhui wanted. Wang Jinwu was Zhu Shenzhui's cousin and one of his most capable generals. Moreover, Zhu Shenzhui had appointed Wang Jinwu as the governor of the military affairs of the Beijing Camp in order to let Wang Jinwu control the Beijing Camp, which was nominally the most powerful central military force of the Ming Dynasty. Although the current Beijing Camp is no longer the elite army it used to be, the size of this army is still there, and its appearance is retained. No matter how bad this unit is, it is still an army and must not fall into the hands of other people. It must be controlled by people he absolutely trusts.

Moreover, in addition to the Beijing Camp, there are also the new army and elite cavalry that Zhu Shencui has spent a lot of effort to train over the years. These are Zhu Shencui's old foundation, and naturally he must keep them in his own hands. Wang Jinwu is Zhu Shencui's agent who controls the army. At the beginning, because Wang Jinwu was not famous, Zhu Shencui could not give him a title, but now that he has returned with a great victory, it is natural for him to be conferred a title and promoted.

Except for Wang Jinwu, the other generals also received rewards. For example, Wu Sangui led the Guanning Iron Cavalry and the Mongolian Cavalry to harass Huang Taiji's rear and made great contributions this time. The cabinet suggested that Wu Sangui be promoted to the rank of general and given the title of deputy general of the Right Army Governor's Office, Zhang Keda, the general of the Shandong Army, was given the title of right general of the Left Army Governor's Office, Shen Shikui, the temporary general of Dongjiang Town, was actually granted the title of general and deputy general of the Left Army Governor's Office, Li You was promoted to deputy general, and deputy generals Jin Riguan and Chu Jigong were all promoted and rewarded.

As for Shandong Bingbei Dao Li Xin, he could be given the title of governor, but his actual position was not determined and would be decided by Zhu Shenzhui. Sun Yuanhua, who had previously made meritorious contributions while serving his sentence, was reinstated as the Right Assistant Censor-in-Chief, while Lu Xiang, who led the Tianxiong Army in battle, was given the title of assistant minister of the Ministry of War, but his actual position was still not determined and would be decided by Zhu Shenzhui.

In Xuanda, the chief general Heilong Yun was promoted to the Left Commander of the Right Army, and whether he would be given a title was tentative. Heilong Yunlong's sons were also rewarded, some were given the positions of Lieutenant General and Deputy General. In addition, generals at all levels were either promoted or given official positions. The list was long, and there were dozens of people on it.

Judging from all this, the cabinet had made considerable preparations, and there were no major problems with the plans discussed. As for the etiquette used by the triumphant troops returning to the capital, it was also quite conventional. In addition, there was nothing wrong with the publicity of this battle, including the transmission of imperial edicts to local governments.

Zhu Shenzhu was very satisfied with this and immediately gave instructions. The cabinet's proposal was basically approved. Except for a few requests for him to make decisions, the rest should be handled according to the cabinet's suggestions. As for the rest, Zhu Shenzhu would consider it and then inform Wen Tiren to handle it. There was still time, so there was no need to rush for a day or two.

"Your Highness, there is a rather tricky question. Please give me some advice."

"what is the problem?"

"Official positions and promotions, including the appointment of officials through imperial concubines, are small matters. However, how to solve the actual rewards for the three armies, as well as the pensions for the soldiers killed in battle, etc. The court cannot come up with so much money right now, and I am really powerless." Wen Tiren spoke the truth and laid out the difficulties.

Zhu Shenzhui nodded silently. This was indeed a problem. Although the government was now in his hands, because he was the regent by mistake, the local authorities recognized him in name, but few people were truly obedient. Especially under the rule of Emperor Chongzhen, the Ming Dynasty's finances had gone bankrupt. The Ministry of Revenue was so empty that horses could run on it, and the grain taxes had been levied on the people for a long time and there was no money left.

The amount of money and grain consumed since the start of this war is not a small amount. Zhu Shencui spent more than 600,000 taels of silver in this battle. If the normal military rewards and pensions of the Ming army are used, nearly 300,000 taels of silver will be needed. Although Zhu Shencui is rich and can still come up with the money, he cannot afford to spend money like this in the long run if he has to pay for it personally, and the landlord has no surplus grain.

(End of this chapter)