Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 196 Zhu Houzhao was used

Chen Ce never imagined that so many people would come to his courtyard one day, and he never expected that all the bigwigs from the Hongzhi Dynasty would come to ask for...disciples.

The Minister of War Ma Wensheng, the Minister of Rites Yuan Shouzhi, and the Minister of Personnel Ni Yue.

These powerful second-rank officials in the court, who had once been plotted against by Chen Ce but had never met him, were vying to accept him as their students.

"Lao Yuan, this is not fair. It was clearly Ma who came first, so there should be a first come first served order, right?"

"Mr. Ni, what do you want from the Ministry of Personnel? Go back now."

Ma Wensheng felt that a talent like Chen Ce was suitable for being an official in the Ministry of War. After his training, it would be no problem for him to pass the imperial examination.

Chen Ce still didn’t understand what had happened that would cause these high-ranking officials to come looking for him?

As for alarming so many people?

A movable pulley set is certainly not worthy of so many high-ranking officials coming to visit Chen Ce in person. Most of those who could come today have observed the reaction of Emperor Hongzhi.

This means that Emperor Hongzhi knew this kid. If there is a young man who is favored by the emperor, why wouldn't the six ministries come to snatch him away?
There is a bright future ahead!
Chen Ce thought about it for a long time, and the only explanation he could give was the casual suggestion he made to Wang Shouren last night, but this was not enough to attract so many senior officials.

Chen Ce was a little confused for a moment as to the reason.

However, he politely declined, saying that he would visit them after he passed the imperial examination.

This was naturally an excuse, and he had no intention of taking the imperial examination.

I wonder if one day, when these senior officials find out that they are in charge of the internal factories, will they still be as enthusiastic as they are today.

In any case, Chen Ce didn't want to have anything to do with them. He might have to take action against this group of people in the future. If he had any entanglement with them, he would have a psychological burden to deal with them in the future.

Although they can be so enthusiastic today, they can also become cold and ruthless in the future. There is no good or evil in officialdom, and Chen Ce's heart is as clear as a mirror.

He didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble.

Several Shangshu had just left Huaihua Hutong when they suddenly saw a familiar figure.

"What happened to Minister Ma?"

Ma Wensheng shook his head and said, "Xing is because my eyes are blurry. Why do I seem to see the prince?"

Everyone smiled at each other. It was impossible that the prince would come to Chen Ce to recruit students. It was unrealistic. Ma Wensheng must be dazzled.

Chen Ce sent away this group of senior officials.

Zhu Houzhao followed closely and perfectly avoided this group of court officials, otherwise it would have been interesting if the two sides had met.

The separatist regime of chieftains in the southwest was an assignment that Jiao Fang assigned to Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao couldn't figure it out, so he came to Chen Ce to discuss it.

Chen Ce was used to Zhu Houzhao's stubbornness. This guy said he came to discuss, but actually he came to ask questions.

The exhaustion of the separatist chieftains in the southwest had indeed long needed to be resolved. Since Zhu Houzhao asked about it, it saved Chen Ce the trouble of finding an opportunity to bring it up.

According to Jiao Fang, the chieftains in the southwest are now in constant war and do not take the imperial court seriously at all. The imperial court should send troops to suppress them.

Jiao Fang had his own selfish motives. Qian Yue, the censor of Guizhou in the Censorate, was his student. He wanted Qian Yue to organize this war and get a chance for promotion through military merit.

That is why he went to discuss the issue of chieftains in the southwest with Zhu Houzhao.

Jiao Fang was using Zhu Houzhao to achieve his own political goals.

"My dear brother, the military situation in the northwest is now stable. After the tributary system was launched, the northwest has become much more stable, and the court can also free up its hands to deal with the chieftains in the southwest."

"Do you think we should start this war?"

Chen Ce shook his head and said, "I don't recommend mobilizing troops. Although there is constant war in the southwest right now, it's all internal struggles."

"Once the imperial court intervenes militarily, it will actually help the other side unite and face the outside world."

"It is not a good idea to start a war at this time." Zhu Houzhao said, "I heard that Qian Yue, the imperial censor who inspected Guizhou, knows the southwest very well. He wrote a letter saying that he is confident that he can win this war."

Chen Ce: “…”

Just like what Ma Wensheng and others said about Qian Yue, this person is mediocre and ambitious.

To put it bluntly, Qian Yue is good at talking on paper, but when it comes to putting it into practice, the result is that he is crushed to the ground.

After the Milu Rebellion broke out, it was Qian Yue who pretended to be powerful and said that the 150,000 troops in the southwest could ensure stability in the southwest.

As a result, the 150,000-strong army under his leadership was defeated by Miru's tens of thousands of troops.

Chen Ce said to Zhu Houzhao: "Can you believe what the scholar said?"

Zhu Houzhao said: "But Qian Yue spoke with full confidence, and his strategic plan analysis was very logical..."

Chen Ce didn't listen to Zhu Houzhao anymore, he was thinking about something else.

Perhaps, it is really possible to let Qian Yue, the cannon fodder, go to the southwest to fight a losing battle.

Chen Ce was silent for a while, and Zhu Houzhao asked, "What's wrong?"

Chen Ce thought for a moment and said, "Nothing serious. It's just that after listening to your analysis, I think Qian Yue is really a talented person."

"You can give it a try."

There will be sacrifices in the southwest, and Chen Ce cannot control this. As long as Qian Yue starts a war against the southwestern chieftains, a group of Ming troops will inevitably be lost.

But at this time Chen Ce's focus was not on the southwest, but on using the defeat in the southwest to solve the salary problem of the Ming royal family.

A few days ago, Liu Hong told Chen Ce that there was frequent communication between royal families from all over the country, and Chen Ce thought of a possibility.

Ask for salary.

The imperial court still owes salaries to these clan members, and has not paid them all. They will not rebel during this period, so what are they plotting?
It's nothing more than asking the court for wages.

Zhu Houzhao hurriedly asked: "Little brother, do you also think you can fight against the southwest?"

Chen Ce said: "Okay, but there are always risks. Anyway, be cautious. I don't think it's a good idea for scholars to lead the army."

"If the imperial court really has this intention, then let Qian Yue give it a try."

After a pause, Chen Ce looked at Zhu Houzhao and said, "But don't recommend Qian Yue."

Zhu Houzhao: “Why?”

Chen Ce said: "Because I think Qian Yue might lose."

what?
Zhu Houzhao didn't understand. Since you thought Qian Yue would lose, why let him try?
Chen Ce said: "There is no theoretical support, it is pure speculation. My opinion does not represent anything, and no one will listen to it."

"That's why I didn't ask you to recommend Qian Yue. Otherwise, if he loses the battle, the responsibility will be on you."

Silly child, I am trying to prevent you from being taken advantage of.

You can't bring up the issue of the southwest, it's nothing more than that group of people in the East Palace wanting to use you to promote Qian Yue.

If Qian Yue won at that time, everyone would be happy. If Qian Yue lost, with your endorsement as the Crown Prince, no one would dare to pursue Qian Yue's defeat.

As the crown prince, you cannot be so foolish as to let others take advantage of you. Whoever nominates Qian Yue will bear the consequences.

Zhu Houzhao nodded, not quite understanding, and said, "Oh, I understand. I don't care about it then."

Chen Ce hummed and said, "Don't worry about it. Whoever wants to nominate Qian Yue, let him do it."

"it is good!"

(End of this chapter)