According to the rules of the Daming Dynasty, if an official made a meritorious service, the civil officials would be promoted, and the generals would be conferred nobility. Li Rusong was just a nobody, so it was not difficult to reward him. The only problem was that his father was Li Chengliang, who was also an earl. In this context, all the civil and military officials were trying to suppress Li Chengliang. If both father and son were conferred nobility, it would only encourage Li Chengliang's momentum. Therefore, it was not easy for Zhu Yijun to make a decision.
There was no need to mention Xiao Ruxun. He was the first person to make a meritorious service in the Korean War. He had solved many big problems for the Daming Dynasty. Not only did he have military talent, but he also had a certain political talent. He was a talented general who was well-versed in both the pen and the sword. He was personally promoted by Zhu Yijun and was his trump card.
However, he was already an earl and the commander-in-chief of the army. It was impossible for him to continue to be promoted. The only way was to raise his title. However, he was promoted to a marquis at the age of 23. If he made another great contribution in the future, how would he be rewarded? Would it put him in an awkward position?
Song Yingchang was a civil official, so he did not have to think too much about the issue of conferring nobility. However, the position above the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War was the Minister of War. The current Minister of War, Shi Xing, did not make any mistakes. How could Song Yingchang be promoted to this position for no reason?
Previously, when Ye Mengxiong made a great contribution, Zhu Yijun had tacitly allowed the civil officials to criticize Ye Mengxiong's behavior. However, Song Yingchang did not do anything wrong. Criticizing him would make the civil officials feel bitterly disappointed. What should they do? Send him to be a governor?
Wang Xijue could also understand Zhu Yijun's troubles. No matter how much trouble Xiao Ruxun and Li Rusong made, they were still generals and would not affect the overall situation of the court. However, Song Yingchang was different. He was in charge of the logistics and laid a solid foundation for the army. This was Song Yingchang's contribution. Logically speaking, such a great contribution should be rewarded with a promotion. However, Song Yingchang was already the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War. If he was promoted again, it would mean that Shi Xing would have to abdicate his position.
The conflict between the purely civil officials and the civil officials was no less than the conflict between the civil officials and the military officials. Ever since the Wang Yangming incident, the conflict between the civil officials and the civil officials had always existed and could not be resolved. Compared to the military officials, the civil officials were more afraid of the civil officials and had the excuse that they absolutely could not allow the civil officials to enter the cabinet.
Even so, one could not refuse to reward Song Yingchang. If Song Yingchang followed in the footsteps of Ye Mengxiong, it would probably cause a wave of discussion in the court. The civil officials would be bitterly disappointed, and the scholars with such ambitions would also shrink back and play it safe. In the end, no one would be willing to take up similar positions. Moreover, if they did so, the civil officials' behavior would be too ugly.
Wang Xijue decided to test the waters first.
"Your Majesty, I think that, putting aside the matter of Song Yingchang for the time being, Xiao Ruxun is already an earl at such a young age, so he should not be conferred a title of nobility. After all, he still has a long time to live and needs to continue fighting. Otherwise, it will not be good if there is no title in the end. It is better to reward him with some money and land, and then confer him a position in the capital camp. Isn't it the best reward for the border generals to be transferred from the bitter and cold northwest to the capital?"
Zhu Yijun frowned slightly and then said, "Then how to reward Li Rusong?"
"I have observed that Li Rusong has fought 16 battles, big and small. Every time, he has been the vanguard, taking the lead, and his bravery is unstoppable. The cavalry under his command has beheaded more than 5,000 people. With such a great contribution and Li Rusong's age, it is time to add a title of nobility to show honor and favor. Then, he will be transferred to the Liaodong Army so that his son can inherit his father's career and stabilize the heart of Liaodong. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Xijue saw Zhu Yijun looking at him with a faint smile.
"You, you really cherish old friendships and protect your son! Why? After being pestered by Li Chengliang, you can't help but want to protect him? "
Wang Xijue was shocked. He hurriedly knelt on the ground and said loudly, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please understand! I have no selfish motives! I have no collusion with Li Chengliang! Your Majesty! "
Zhu Yijun picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and then breathed a sigh of relief.
"Okay, okay, get up. Don't kneel so easily. You are really a loyal subject. What's the matter with always kneeling? Well, I don't care what relationship you had with Li Chengliang in the past. It is not a secret that this general has found a backer in the capital. I have also heard about it. I just didn't expect that the backer Li Chengliang found was really big. "
The more Zhu Yijun said, the more Wang Xijue regretted it.
Why did he have to test the Emperor? Wasn't he just looking for trouble?
Aiya!
"This old subject is guilty! This old subject is guilty! "
The Emperor had already said it so clearly. He must have some decisive evidence in his hands. It must have been information obtained by the Imperial Bodyguard or the Eastern Faction Guards. If he still wanted to deny it, then he would be courting death. The Emperor would definitely not let him go. The only way was to admit and plead guilty. He wanted the Emperor to know that he was an honest person who would admit his mistakes and not form a clique for personal gain.
Which Emperor would not be afraid of colluding with the Prime Minister, the Minister, and the generals?
When Zhang Juzheng controlled the six ministries, famous generals like Li Chengliang and Qi Jiguang were only his dogs. Zhu Yijun was uneasy day and night. When he was most afraid, he was even afraid that when he woke up, Zhang Juzheng would be standing outside his palace wearing a dragon robe with his troops and horses, asking him to abdicate. But now, Zhu Yijun felt that he needed to change this situation. Otherwise, if every official had a general under them, what difference would that be from a feudal lord?
The biggest threat to the Emperor's power should not be the threat of military power. The reason why the politics of the civil officials prevailed in the Daming was because the civil officials would not rebel, and the Emperor could rest assured. But now, you have developed to the point where the generals are serving the civil officials. Where do you think the Emperor is? In the end, the Emperor's control over the army is inferior to the Prime Minister's control over the army. What should you do?
Quickly beg for mercy!
Zhu Yijun felt a little better when he saw Wang Xijue kneeling on the ground and begging for mercy. He had just made an alliance agreement with Wang Xijue today, so he didn't want to offend Wang Xijue immediately. He got up and helped Wang Xijue up from the ground. He gently brushed the dust off Wang Xijue's body and said warmly, "I don't want to blame you. It's just that it's time to change the evil atmosphere in the court. The things that happened in the past have been exposed in this battle, and it's shocking to see.
If we don't change, the Daming's empire will fall in our hands. We don't want to be the ruler of a fallen country. We won't have the face to meet our ancestors in the afterlife. So, We still need to rely on an old official like you to do some things for us. You have to be the role model when you do things. If you can't do it yourself, how can you expect others to do it? So, Minister Wang, there are some things that you have to take care of yourself. "
Zhu Yijun's words were very clear and very vague. He didn't use a single swear word, but it made Wang Xijue swallow continuously. He realized that this battle had changed the Emperor a little too much. The Emperor didn't seem to want to continue hiding and admit defeat. He seemed to want to reform the court!
Was this a good thing or a bad thing?
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