Xu Guangqi's words confused the rest of the scholars.
"And then?"
"And then the Tumers are our Daming's allies. They have been guarding the borders for us for many years. At this moment, we should give them enough food to appease them so that they can continue to block disasters for us and reduce the casualties at the borders. Everyone, it is obvious which is more expensive: military expenses or food expenses!"
Some scholars nodded their heads slowly after hearing this. They seemed to agree with Xu Guangqi's words, but there were also people who did not agree.
"Zixian, you are muddle-headed! The nine borders are already short of food, and the food has to be transported from Jiangnan. The transportation fee is already very expensive, and it is not easy to supply the soldiers at the nine borders. If we give the food to the Mongolians, what will our soldiers eat? What will the people in the nine borders who are starving and freezing eat? "
Xu Guangqi hurriedly said, "It is not to let them starve and freeze, but to eat less and give more food to the Tumers so that they can arm themselves to block disasters for us.
They have been fighting with the other Mongolians for more than ten years, and they already have a blood feud with the other Mongolians. As long as the Daming supports us, they will stand firmly on the Daming's side. In this way, how many casualties will the soldiers at the nine borders be reduced? "
"No, no, no. The Northern Barbarians are Northern Barbarians after all. They cannot be trusted easily. Of course, the food that the Daming has to be Daming's soldiers and people to eat. Only then can they guard the borders."
"But …"
"Zixian! Don't say anymore! "
The fellow tugged on Xu Guangqi's shoulder and gestured for him to look around. Xu Guangqi looked around and saw many strange gazes. He quickly stopped talking, but he still couldn't help but worry in his heart.
He remembered that his teacher, Jiao Hong, who was kind to him, had said that the military of the Nine Border was in disarray and had long lost the sharpness of the country at the beginning of the dynasty. Every year, there was the danger of being breached. Every year, they struggled to hold on, and they did not know when it would end. Now that it was cold, it was even more unsuitable for fighting.
The Daming lacked a famous general who could reorganize the nine borders, and a Grand Secretary who could act decisively and make bold and decisive reforms. There was only one Zhang Juzheng, and no one could become the second Zhang Juzheng. The court officials only knew how to fight openly and secretly against each other, but they did not know how to do practical things.
He didn't know how this incident would affect Daming.
Xu Guangqi drank a cup of wine to drown his sorrows. Just as he was feeling gloomy, he suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves and the soldiers' shouts.
"Out of the way! Get out of my way! Everyone get out of the way! Everyone get out of the way!! "
Xu Guangqi hurriedly turned around and looked out of the tavern. He saw a cavalryman flying past the entrance of the tavern, throwing the entire street into chaos and causing a wave of curses.
"What's going on? Is that a messenger cavalryman? "
"I'm not sure. Why are they in such a hurry? Could it be that some refugees are rebelling?"
"Nonsense. The refugees have all been sent to Myanmar. Where would there be any refugees left?"
"Then what's going on?"
The few scholars sat at the table, discussing one after another. Xu Guangqi, however, stood up uneasily and ran to the outside of the tavern. He gazed from afar at the knight galloping away, and the uneasiness in his heart grew heavier and heavier.
The cavalryman flew through the streets and alleys of the capital, heading straight for the Imperial City. At the gate of the Imperial City, the soldiers guarding the gate were about to stop him when the cavalryman took out a token from his bosom.
"Urgent report from Datong! Northern Barbarians invading the border! Urgent report from Datong! Northern Barbarians invading the border! Urgent report from Datong! Northern Barbarians invading the border! "
With these shouts, no soldiers stepped forward to stop him. Instead, they opened a path and watched as the cavalryman galloped in. Then, they gathered together and whispered to each other, discussing the Northern Barbarians invading the border in Datong.
There had been quite a few such incidents in the past, but it was truly rare for someone to directly bypass the border towns and report the matter to the Imperial Court. Usually, any matter that needed to be reported to the Imperial Court was no minor matter. If it was a small matter, the border towns could resolve the matter themselves and report the casualties, and then they could be rewarded.
Just what had happened this time?
In the cabinet, Zhao Zhigao and Zhang Wei were in the middle of a cold war. The two disliked each other and would snort when they saw each other, as if they were competing to see who could snort better.
In the past, there had been times when the cabinet was nervous, but it was rare to see such a serious conflict between the Grand Secretary and the Second Secretary. Even if Zhao Zhigao wasn't a powerful Grand Secretary, with his status, Zhang Wei should still give him some face. However, Zhang Wei had completely disregarded the Grand Secretary's face and was going against him. This was against the rules.
The other three assistants didn't understand why Zhang Wei was trying so hard to stop this. So what if they transferred some rations? Was the rations really that tight? Couldn't they allow any to help Tumert? Wasn't this too disloyal?
Suddenly, everyone in the cabinet heard a commotion outside the cabinet. Zhao Zhigao was feeling vexed and asked unhappily, "Who's making a ruckus here? Don't you know that loud noises are not allowed in the cabinet? Officer on duty, quickly go out and see what's going on! "
Immediately, an officer on duty left to carry out the order.
Zhang Wei looked out the door and frowned, deep in thought.
Soon, the officer on duty came back in a panic and reported, "Minister, it's bad. There's an urgent report from eight hundred kilometers away from Datong Town. The Northern Barbarians have invaded the border!"
Zhao Zhigao was taken aback.
The other three assistants were also taken aback.
Zhang Wei's eyes flickered. He paused for a moment and pretended to be in a daze.
It wasn't a small matter for the Northern Barbarians to invade the border, but it wasn't a big deal in previous years either. The nine sides would deal with it themselves. After the war, they would report the losses and results of the war and reward them according to their contributions. This was the usual practice. When did they have to report it directly to the imperial court? Or was it an urgent report from eight hundred kilometers away?
The border town was in danger of being breached.
Although the Daming Border Town's military equipment was weak and they weren't as sharp as they were in the early years of the dynasty, the Mongols were no longer the same as they were in the past. They couldn't threaten the Daming Border Town too much. Most of the time, both sides were like chickens pecking at each other. You peck me, I peck you, and then you go home. There wasn't any fatal danger.
The last time they encountered such a critical situation was when they invaded the border during the Jiajing period. Many people died then.
But after the Long Qing Peace Conference, both sides stopped fighting and started trading. How many years had it been? Why did something like this suddenly happen?
"The Northern Barbarians invaded the border? An urgent report from eight hundred kilometers away? What's going on? Where's the messenger? "
Zhao Zhigao asked hurriedly.
"He's outside!"
"Call him in!"
"Yes, sir!"
Very quickly, the messenger rushed into the cabinet. He knelt down on one knee and presented the military report.
"Minister! I'm here to deliver this urgent report on the orders of Datong's Inspector-General, Mei Guozhen! The Northern Barbarians have invaded the border with an army of a hundred thousand. Mei Futai is struggling to hold on. I hope that the imperial court can quickly send reinforcements. If it's too late, Datong will be destroyed and Shanxi will be in danger! The Xuan Residence will also be in danger! "
"What?! A hundred thousand?! "
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