I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 323 Clinging to a Powerful Backer! The Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War Clash Over Grand Secretary Shen

After the trial lecture on martial arts.

Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng specifically instructed the officials who were listening in that nothing Shen Nian said should be divulged.

Shen Nian's new strategy of literary conquest actually reflects a ruling view that "the Ming Dynasty is the common ruler of the world".

It requires a slow and steady approach, with the ruler and his ministers considering a century-long perspective and long-term planning, to handle war and relations with neighboring and overseas countries with a broader vision and a larger framework.

Only in this way can the Ming Dynasty enjoy a long reign and its descendants prosper forever.

……

Afternoon, the front hall of the Ministry of War.

Duke Zhang Rong of England, Vice Minister Liang Menglong of the Ministry of War, Vice Minister Wang Yi'e of the Ministry of War, and Director Jiang Zun of the Ministry of War's Department of Military Affairs gathered together.

This is a trial lesson for the martial arts class.

That was absolutely a resounding slap in the face to the Five Military Commissions and the Ministry of War.

Zhang Rong and the others did not blame Shen Nian, but only regretted their own limited abilities.

For a long time, due to the national policy of governing the military with civil officials, military officers in the capital and those who had passed the imperial examinations and held military positions followed the survival principle of "not seeking merit, but seeking no faults."

Especially military generals who wield real power in the field.

They would rather miss a crucial opportunity than dare to follow the suicidal rule of "a general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders."

If someone performs exceptionally well for a period of time, they will inevitably have to deliberately make some minor mistakes.

For example, living a life of extravagance, taking concubines, and being addicted to alcohol, etc., otherwise, if one's prestige in the army is too great, it is easy for civil officials to accuse him of "being too powerful as a military general and having the suspicion of separatism."

Because of this atmosphere, military officers are becoming increasingly invisible.

Some military officers weren't that bad to begin with, but because they were constantly supervised by civil officials and patrolling eunuchs, they gradually stopped using their brains.

However, things are very different now than they were in the past.

Anyone with eyes to see could see that the young Wanli Emperor was preparing to reform the military system and firmly grasp military power in his own hands.

If military officers continue to display a "harmless and complacent" attitude, they will most likely have to retire prematurely.

After this incident...

Even if military officers cannot come up with strategies to strengthen the military, they must at least demonstrate an attitude of striving for innovation.

Otherwise, the Five Military Commissions, which were already being sidelined, would become an even more useless decoration, while the real Minister of War would always be the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

Zhang Rong stroked his beard and said with some frustration, "The Five Military Commands and the Ministry of War may not have much of a presence in the court, but they cannot be regarded as incompetent by the civil officials!"

"We've lost face to this extent; we must regain our dignity. Do any of you three have a good plan to elevate the status of military officers and generals?"

Wang Yi'e, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, slightly pursed his lips.

"It's not that there aren't good solutions, but they're difficult to implement. If the court could allocate one million taels of silver annually for the invention and manufacture of firearms, it would be guaranteed that more powerful firearms could be developed within three years at most; if His Majesty could reward military officers from time to time and double the funding for the Beijing garrison, the soldiers would feel that they have something to strive for, and their combat effectiveness would definitely improve significantly..."

"Alas! It's useless to bring up any plans regarding money. In March, our Department of Military Affairs applied for a warehouse, but we still haven't received it," said Jiang Zun, a senior official in the Department of Military Affairs of the Ministry of War, helplessly.

They also have their own difficulties.

The current imperial court is filled with discussions about the Single Whip Law, the elimination of redundant officials and positions, and how to feed the people. In addition, the young Wanli Emperor is focusing all his attention on the Jingwu Academy, so many unimportant matters concerning the Ministry of War and the Five Military Commissions are naturally not being taken seriously.

Then, Jiang Zun looked at Liang Menglong, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, who was standing to the side.

"I've heard that at the beginning of next year, Minister Liang will be going out to inspect maritime trade, while Minister Fang (Fang Fengshi, the Minister of War) in Liaodong is about to retire. So at the beginning of next year, the structure of our Ministry of War will most likely be that Minister Liang will be promoted to Minister and then go on the maritime trade inspection, while Minister Wang will take over the affairs of the Ministry of War. At that time, our Ministry of War will be even weaker. Does His Majesty and the Cabinet think that our Ministry of War is not busy enough with this arrangement?"

"Major decisions are made by the cabinet, so the Ministry of War is indeed not busy!" Wang Yi'e, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, said the truth helplessly.

Standing to the side, Duke Zhang Rong of England snorted coldly and said, "The Five Military Commands are not in a hurry!"

In the early Ming Dynasty, the Five Military Commissions were the highest military command, but now their responsibilities are limited to managing the daily drills of the Beijing Garrison and the archives of soldiers in the garrisons throughout the country.

The noble families of military commanders were only involved in trivial matters.

As for the Ministry of War, although it has the power to mobilize troops and select generals, appoint military officers, manage postal services, military equipment, and transmit military orders, this power is now firmly held by the cabinet.

Therefore, the Ministry of War was in charge of all the trivial matters, and the Five Military Commissions were responsible for even more trivial matters.

These kinds of trivialities are the easiest to wear down one's fighting spirit.

At this moment, Liang Menglong, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, rolled his eyes and revealed a smile.

"Gentlemen, I think that if we propose any new military policies at this time, it would be nothing more than a minor oversight, and might even be rejected due to insufficient consideration. Minister Fang is about to retire, and I do need to inspect the maritime trade early next year; the cabinet has already given the word!"

"What if...what if...I don't appoint him as Minister of War, but instead recommend Grand Secretary Shen for the position?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rong, Wang Yi'e, and Jiang Zun's eyes lit up immediately.

If Shen Nian could become the Minister of War, then the days of military officers and generals would be over!
Shen Nian's approach of requesting funds from the imperial court to develop the Ministry of War would be far more effective than theirs and would greatly enhance the Ministry of War's influence in the court.

“That makes sense! As a cabinet minister, Ziheng is qualified to serve as the Minister of War. In addition, the Ministry of Revenue is already under the control of Grand Secretary Yin. It’s time for Ziheng to come to the Ministry of War!”

"Minister Liang, what a noble cause!" Zhang Rong cupped his hands in greeting to Liang Menglong, who quickly and modestly returned the gesture.

"Haha, if Grand Secretary Shen comes to the Ministry of War, our Ministry of War officials will definitely have a day when they can stand tall and proud in front of the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Rites!" Wang Yi'e said.

At the end of last year, the Ministry of Revenue completed the nationwide land survey on time. The scene of a group of Ministry of Revenue officials lining up to report the results filled Wang Yi'e with envy.

Until now.

When officials from the Ministry of War met officials of the same rank from the Ministry of Revenue, they all felt inferior to the other party and would always bow first when they met.

If you're late, you'll feel like you've lost your manners.

“It’s possible, very likely! His Majesty is currently in the right position to recommend Grand Secretary Shen, and he is also interested in military affairs. As long as we find a good opportunity to recommend him, His Majesty will definitely agree!” Jiang Zun said excitedly.

“Alright, then let’s wait for the right opportunity and recommend Grand Secretary Shen to be the Minister of War!” Liang Menglong said loudly.

……

If Shen Nianruo heard these four people's discussion, she would definitely be so happy that she would burst out laughing.

He had already planned to vie for the position of Minister of War, and the actions of Liang Menglong and others were like adding wings to a tiger. He only needed an opportunity to make his wish come true.

……

October 13th, early morning, at the usual court session.

Emperor Wanli officially appointed Shen Nian as a martial arts lecturer, with five lectures per month, scheduled after the daily lectures, each lasting one hour.

After the regular court.

Emperor Wanli immediately ordered someone to bestow upon Shen Nian fifty taels of silver, three layers of silk fabric, and three boxes of pastries.

The three boxes of pastries were all different.

It was also specifically stated that one box was given to Shen's mother, one box to Shen's wife, and one box to Shen Nian's son and daughter.

The young Wanli Emperor was so meticulous because he understood that Shen Nian valued her family very much, and that it was better to treat Shen Nian's family well than to treat Shen Nian well.

The martial arts lesson was not taught before the reward was given.

It was clear that Shen Nian's martial arts lecture completely overshadowed the other military officers. Although many officials did not know the content of Shen Nian's martial arts lecture, they already felt that no one could stop Shen Nian from continuing to rise in rank.

The favors bestowed upon him by the young Wanli Emperor surpassed those shown to Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang in the past.

……

In the afternoon, the autumn sun shone brightly.

Li Youzi, the 67-year-old Minister of Works, and Zeng Shengwu, the 48-year-old Vice Minister of Works, sat around a stone table in the courtyard.

Li Youzi said, "Sansheng (Zeng Shengwu, courtesy name Sansheng), I plan to retire this month!"

"Huh? Minister, why so suddenly? Didn't you say at the beginning of the year that you wanted to work for another year?"

Li Youzi smiled and shook her head.

“My body simply can’t take it anymore! Initially, I planned to retire after Shi Liang (Pan Jixun, courtesy name Shi Liang) had successfully managed the river transport, and then I wanted to see how effective the Single Whip Law would be, so at the beginning of the year I decided to work for another year. But now, I really can’t do it anymore. Haven’t you heard the nicknames my subordinates have given me?”

“Nickname?” Zeng Shengwu shook his head seriously.

"If you keep pretending to be stupid, I'm going to hit you! Tell me, what's your nickname?" Li Youzi reached out to hit Zeng Shengwu.

Zeng Shengwu had no choice but to utter three words: Li Sanhu.

Li Youzi is obese and enjoys drinking alcohol and tea.

This hobby was known to all the officials in the imperial court.

In the past two years, as he has gotten older, he has been frequently ill and has become somewhat unable to control his body. Therefore, a chamber pot is placed in both his official residence and the carriage he rides in.

The teapot, wine pot, and chamber pot are all part of the Li family's arsenal, hence the name "Li Sanhu" (Li the Three Pots).

He even had to carry a chamber pot with him at all times, which shows how bad his health was.

Li Youzi continued, "Tomorrow, I will prepare to submit my retirement petition, and as for the new Minister of Works, I will recommend someone even more suitable than you, Grand Secretary Shen!"

"Grand Secretary Shen? That...that's certainly more suitable than me!"

Li Youzi continued, "Today, after Grand Secretary Shen took office as the military instructor, I saw that the Left Vice Minister of War Liang Menglong and the Right Vice Minister Wang Yi'e were all smiling. I guess they may have already come up with the idea of ​​recommending Grand Secretary Shen to be the Minister of War!"

“It’s possible! Minister Fang of the Ministry of War is about to retire. If Minister Liang recommends him, Grand Secretary Shen might actually become Minister of War!” Zeng Shengwu analyzed.

Li Youzi nodded.

"Therefore, we should intercept him and let Grand Secretary Shen take charge of the Ministry of Works. Grand Secretary Shen may not be technically proficient, let alone understand the construction of bridges, roads, houses and waterways, but he can raise money and people. He might even be able to move the manufacturing of firearms to our Ministry of Works. This move will greatly benefit the Ministry of Works!"

“Sansheng, you are only forty-eight years old. It is not too late for you to become Minister of Works two or three years later. After two or three years of guidance from Grand Secretary Shen, the Ministry of Works that will be handed over to you will surely be a Ministry with a stronger voice in the court, more silver reserves, and a greater influence on the new policies. Are you willing to take a step back, write a memorial, and recommend Grand Secretary Shen?”

"I...I'm willing, I couldn't be happier! If the Ministry of Works lets Grand Secretary Shen lead, he'll definitely lead better than I can!" Zeng Shengwu was particularly excited.

"Very well, then tomorrow, after I submit my retirement memorial and recommend Grand Secretary Shen to take charge of the Ministry of Works, you should submit a memorial stating that the Ministry of Works needs the support of a Grand Secretary and recommending Grand Secretary Shen!"

“No problem!” Zeng Shengwu said excitedly.

If the Minister of War, Fang Fengshi, retires at the end of the year, and the Ministry of War recommends Shen Nian for the position, they will most likely lose to the Ministry of War when they try to recruit Shen Nian.

……

Early the next morning.

The memorials submitted by Li Youzi, Minister of Works, and Zeng Shengwu, Vice Minister of Works, were then sent to the Office of Transmission.

Subsequently, they were distributed to the cabinet office, in front of Zhang Juzheng.

"Hmph! How wishful thinking! These two are treating Ziheng as the savior of the Ministry of Works. Right now, which government office wouldn't want Ziheng as their chief official?"

Immediately, Zhang Juzheng rejected Li Youzi's memorial requesting retirement during the drafting of the memorial and ordered the Secretariat Drafters to summon the two men to the Cabinet.

at the same time.

Liang Menglong, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, heard the news that Li Youzi, the Minister of Works, had resigned and that Shen Nian had been recommended to take charge of the Ministry of Works.

Liang Menglong was shocked, never expecting to be outmaneuvered.

He was worried that the young Wanli Emperor and Zhang Juzheng favored Shen Nian too much, so he directly agreed to appoint Shen Nian as Minister of Works. He immediately summoned Wang Yi'e, the Right Vice Minister of War, and went straight to the cabinet.

……

Cabinet value.

Zhang Juzheng was pondering how to give Li Youzi and Zeng Shengwu a good scolding when he suddenly heard that Liang Menglong, the Left and Right Vice Ministers of the Ministry of War, and Wang Yi'e had important business to discuss. He immediately summoned the two men to his presence.

Liang Menglong was an impatient person who spoke directly and to the point.

"Your Excellency, you absolutely must not agree to appoint Grand Secretary Shen as Minister of Works! Grand Secretary Shen has made outstanding achievements in military affairs and is also His Majesty's military instructor. At the end of this year, Minister Fang will retire, and at the beginning of next year, I will be inspecting maritime trade. Appointing Grand Secretary Shen as Minister of War would be a much better choice!"

“Yes! Grand Secretary Zhang, our Ministry of War especially welcomes Grand Secretary Shen. Only by coming to the Ministry of War can Grand Secretary Shen showcase his military talents. Going to the Ministry of Works would be a waste of his abilities!” Wang Yi’e added.

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Juzheng immediately understood what the two men were planning.

The two men, like Li Youzi and Zeng Shengwu, thought that they could not come up with a good plan to reform their department, so they wanted Shen Nian to go.

Just as Zhang Juzheng was about to reprimand the two men, the Imperial Secretary walked to the door.

Zhang Juzheng looked at him and said, "Speak!"

"Your Excellency, Minister Li and Minister Zeng from the Ministry of Works have arrived!"

Zhang Juzheng paused for a moment, then looked at Liang Menglong and Wang Yi'e.

"Gentlemen, the two ministers from the Ministry of Works share your thoughts. Why don't you discuss it in the tea room next door first, and then come find me?"

After saying this, Zhang Juzheng made a gesture of invitation.

Liang Menglong and Wang Yi'e bowed to Zhang Juzheng and then withdrew.

The two men felt that the Ministry of Works was stealing the Minister of War they had reserved, and they had a lot to say to the Ministry of Works!
……

A moment later, inside the tea room.

The two ministers of the Ministry of Works and the two ministers of the Ministry of War got into a quarrel.

"Minister Li, Minister Zeng, you've gone too far! Grand Secretary Shen is clearly more suitable for our Ministry of War. You know that Minister Fang of our Ministry of War will retire at the end of the year, yet you've come to snatch him away ahead of time. Isn't this a despicable act?"

"Minister Liang, Minister Wang, what do you mean by saying that Grand Secretary Shen is more suitable for your Ministry of War? I am ill and request to retire. I also have the right to recommend a new Minister of Works. How is this competing with your Ministry of War for personnel? Has your Minister Fang submitted a memorial to the court to retire? You didn't even submit a memorial, yet you're making a scene in front of Grand Secretary Zhang. Do you really think that my Ministry of Works is afraid of your Ministry of War?"

"I...I...I will immediately write to Minister Fang, requesting him to submit his retirement petition at once. Minister Shen belongs to our Ministry of War, and your Ministry of Works absolutely cannot take him away! Minister Li, I see that your complexion is ruddy and your voice is very loud. I'm afraid you are deceiving His Majesty. His Majesty will definitely not allow you to retire early!"

"I'm deceiving His Majesty? Do you know that the clerks in the Ministry of Works already call me Li Sanhu (Li the Three-Bottle)? I, the Minister of Works who can't live without a chamber pot, would be a disgrace to the court if I didn't retire soon!"

……

The argument among the four major ministries was very loud.

Zhang Juzheng sat at the table and heard almost everything clearly.

He said angrily, "The four ministers have really lost all shame in their fight for Ziheng!"

(End of this chapter)