Chapter 366: Digging a Trap in Front of Xu Jie
In the emperor's words.

Lan Yongzhen slowly raised his head.

into the eye.

He was an old man wearing a Taoist robe and with a kind face.

This is far from the image of the emperor in his imagination who rules the Ming Dynasty.

But Lan Yongzhen didn't dare to look any longer and lowered his head slightly.

Jiajing smiled and said, "Today, an urgent message came from Xuanfu. I immediately summoned the cabinet to discuss it. According to the cabinet, although the border is related to military and national affairs, it must be handled according to the rules. Why did you still ask to go to Yan Shaoting?"

Lan Yongzhen's heart tightened.

Although he looked like an ordinary old man just now.

But these words really came from the emperor.

The pressure can't help but rise.

Lan Yongzhen did not dare to delay and repeated what he had said to Yan Shaoting in Yan's mansion.

immediately.

The hall fell silent.

Lan Yongzhen didn't dare to ask and could only kneel on the ground and wait.

I don’t know how much time passed.

Jiajing laughed and said, "Yan Shaoting, do you think the three hundred thousand taels of silver should be taken by Xuanfu?"

Lan Yongzhen raised his eyebrows.

Although it seemed like just an ordinary question, it was clear how highly favored Yan Shaoting was in the eyes of the emperor.

He couldn't help but look up and look at Yan Shaoting who was standing beside him.

Yan Shaoting, however, had a calm expression and said, "Your Majesty, I think that General Ma has been guarding Xuanfu for many years because of your Majesty's trust in him. General Ma must be a steady person. Since General Ma personally ordered General Lan to send the message to the capital, I think the situation is different from what the court expected."

Having said this, Yan Shaoting stopped.

The old Taoist priest has to be in control of this matter now, and I am just playing a supporting role.

Lan Yongzhen's eyes showed gratitude.

The fact that Yan Shaoting could say this is enough to show that he really wants to help.

Jiajing nodded, turned his head and looked at Lan Yongzhen: "Xuanfu requested to transfer 300,000 taels. If it had been sent just now, the court would have had difficulty in coming up with this amount of money. The court is a little more well-off now, but it cannot spend it recklessly."

Lan Yongzhen immediately spoke up: "Your Majesty, when I went to Beijing, the general officer repeatedly told me that every penny of the money and grain allocated by the court to Xuanfu Town must be spent on the right things, all for the sake of preserving the peace of the border wall of Xuanfu and preventing the thieves from harassing the border!"

Jiajing laughed and suddenly asked, "But if the court doesn't give you money, will you not defend the court against the bandits? Or will you sit back and watch the bandits outside the pass harass our Ming borders and plunder our people?"

suddenly.

The emperor suddenly changed his tone and became stern.

Lan Yongzhen's heart was shocked and he quickly bowed down.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. The court is in trouble, and Xuanfu is aware of it."

"If the court is unable to allocate money and food right now, the 100,000 soldiers and horses of Xuanfu will defend the border wall to the death. Even if this general and I risk our lives, we will never allow the thieves outside the pass to attack the people of the Ming Dynasty!"

Lan Yongzhen was so nervous at this moment that his breathing and heartbeat were disordered.

If I respond incorrectly.

Then the emperor might completely reject Xuanfu’s request this time.

but.

Soon, Jiajing laughed again.

"But how can I sit back and watch and let all of you risk your lives?"

"The court can provide this silver, but you must understand that the court is not decided by me alone."

Say it.

Jiajing looked at Lan Yongzhen with profound eyes.

Lan Yongzhen also slowly raised his head and saw the emperor with a slightly frown on his brows.

Jiajing shook his head and said, "With three hundred thousand taels, the court can do a lot of things, build water conservancy projects, and pay salaries for several months..."

After finishing speaking.

Under Lan Yongzhen's gaze, Jiajing shook his head with difficulty and even sighed twice.

Yan Shaoting on the sidelines silently watched the old Taoist priest performing.

It's like he's possessed by a spirit of drama.

After a while.

Jiajing then waved his hand and pointed at Yan Shaoting, and spoke again to Lan Yongzhen: "At the beginning of the year, Yan Shaoting was also here and proposed to me that we should check the actual number of soldiers in the nine border towns and increase the strength of each town. According to your request from Xuanfu this time, I can allow you 100,000 taels to recruit soldiers and strengthen the military forces in various places in Xuanfu."

Lan Yongzhen was delighted, but immediately suppressed it.

One hundred thousand taels.

This is far less than 300,000 taels, not even enough for the bottom line that the general officer hopes to get.

That's the time.

Yan Shaoting said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, in fact, if we are talking about strengthening Xuanfu's strength, it may be too late to repair the border wall now to resist the possible invasion of enemies this year, but in addition to the 100,000 taels used to recruit new soldiers, the court can also provide a batch of weapons and firearms to Xuanfu..."

Jiajing clapped his hands immediately and said, "Yes! The most urgent task is to ensure that Xuanfu has available soldiers and weapons!"

Yan Shaoting immediately agreed and said, "Your Majesty is wise, this is what I mean. The court can also take out a batch of artillery and muskets in stock, plus bows, crossbows, swords, spears and armor, which can be worth more than 100,000 taels, enough to replace half of the Xuanfu soldiers. In addition, a batch of rations and beans and fodder can be urgently transferred, which can also be worth tens of thousands of taels. In total, it should be worth 200,000 taels."

How is it possible that three hundred thousand taels of real gold and silver were all handed over to Xuanfu Town?

This is absolutely impossible.

Even if it was to plot against the Jin Party, it would be impossible.

Part of it is given in silver, and most of it is given in kind.

This is normal operation.

Jiajing nodded quickly and turned to look at Lan Yongzhen: "Lan Yongzhen, do you think my idea is okay?"

Lan Yongzhen couldn't say no at this moment.

The silver was given, and the firearms, weapons, and food that were supposed to be given were still given. This was already an unexpected gain.

He immediately kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you. This time when I return to Xuanfu, I will defend the border wall to the death. Even if I die on the battlefield, I will never let your majesty down!"

Jiajing's expression was calm.

After Lan Yongzhen raised his head again, he looked at the other party and spoke slowly.

"Remember, tell Ma Fang for me when you return to Xuanfu."

Lan Yongzhen's expression immediately froze.

This seemed to indicate that the emperor wanted to convey the oral order himself.

Jiajing continued, "Just tell him that I have given him the silver, although it is not enough, but it is difficult for me. But since he asked me for it, I will definitely give him enough firearms, weapons, and food. I will not let him down, and I hope he will not let me down either. When we win a great victory, I will call him back to Beijing to drink with him!"

Lan Yongzhen's face was moved, and he bowed his head to the ground again.

The emperor said so.

It can be seen that even the emperor has difficulties in this city of Beijing.

The emperor probably has the final say over the 100,000 taels.

The emperor still had to wait in the capital to drink with the general.

This can be said to be a heart-to-heart talk.

Lan Yongzhen's forehead touched the ground.

"I will keep it in my heart and never forget it!"

Jiajing smiled and sighed, then waved his hand: "You can go down now. Go and discuss those firearms and armors with Yan Shaoting, who is in charge of military supplies, and bring them back to Xuanfu as soon as possible."

Finished in one sentence.

The curtains around the platform slowly fell down.

Lan Yongzhen never dared to look up.

It was Yan Shaoting who stepped forward lightly, pulled him, and then led him out of the Wanshou Palace.

Outside the palace gate.

Lan Yongzhen was already covered in sweat.

He glanced at the heavily guarded Wanshou Palace, then looked at Yan Shaoting in front of him, and immediately clasped his fists and said sincerely: "Your help today is a great favor. I will never forget it. I will remember your kindness for the rest of my life. If you need me to do anything in the future, I will do my best!"

Yan Shaoting just waved his hand: "It's just a small favor, not worth mentioning."

After he finished speaking, he looked towards the gate of the Wanshou Palace. Then he said to Lan Yongzhen, "Look, this is Eunuch Huang from the palace going to the cabinet to pass on the imperial edict. General, please go out of the palace and wait for the news. I will go to the cabinet to see my old man."

The pot hasn't been thrown out yet.

How could I just assume that this matter was settled?

Lan Yongzhen also glanced at Huang Jin who was walking over, understood what he meant, and bowed to Yan Shaoting again before walking out of the palace.

Here.

Huang Jin arrived in front of Yan Shaoting and smiled innocently: "Are the guests waiting for us to go to the cabinet together?"

Yan Shaoting also smiled and said, "I said that the smartest person in this palace is still Eunuch Huang!"

Huang Jin smiled cheerfully.

The relationship between him and Yan Shaoting does not involve any interests. It is purely because they like each other and feel comfortable with each other.

The two chatted all the way until they arrived at the cabinet.

Huang Jin conveyed the emperor's latest oral order. The content did not change. The court immediately allocated 100,000 taels of silver to Xuanfu Town, and another 200,000 taels of firearms, weapons, armor, and food were sent to Xuanfu Town.

This news shocked everyone in the cabinet.

After Huang Jin left, everyone's eyes turned to Yan Shaoting.

Li Chunfang frowned slightly and muttered, "Hasn't this matter been decided before the emperor to follow the rules? Why did the emperor change his mind at the last minute?"

He seemed unintentional, but his eyes were fixed on Yan Shaoting.

Yan Song waved to his eldest grandson, and when Yan Shaoting walked over, he opened a food box on the table.

"Drink the spring soup that the inner court sent just now."

The so-called spring soup is made by combining some fresh ingredients with herbs prescribed by the Imperial Hospital.

Nothing new in taste.

But it is best suited for drinking in spring.

Yan Shaoting didn't hesitate and drank it all in one gulp.

At this moment.

Yan Song then said, "Your Majesty has suddenly changed your mind. You and Eunuch Huang came here together just now. I guess you were in the West Garden before?"

This was undoubtedly the question that Li Chunfang wanted to ask but pretended not to ask.

And as Yan Song, the grandfather, asked the question himself.

Several old guards in the classroom also looked over immediately.

An obvious look of embarrassment immediately appeared on Yan Shaoting's face.

He even sighed deeply in front of everyone.

"Grandpa, you don't know where Lan Yongzhen, who came to Beijing from Xuanfu, heard these nonsense, saying that my grandson is the God of Wealth of our Ming Dynasty, and he actually came to our house to ask for help."

These words directly singled him out.

Everyone frowned slightly.

Xu Jie's eyes were shining with brilliance, and he seemed to be thinking about something.

Yan Shaoting added: "My grandson doesn't know what happened today, but when Lan Yongzhen came to our house, he knelt down in front of me and begged me for help. You said, that person is like this, and my grandson..."

Yan Song snorted coldly, with displeasure showing on his face.

Yuan Wei said with a straight face: "This is a trick to set up Runwu. I really don't know who gave Lan Yongzhen such an idea."

Yan Shaoting immediately looked at Yuan Wei and clasped his hands together, "Old Lord Yuan is the one who sees things clearly. I was framed at the time and had no choice but to come to the palace to see His Majesty, and then I brought up this matter. His Majesty then summoned Lan Yongzhen again, and then came up with this decree."

As he spoke, Yan Shaoting frowned.

I acted as if I didn't do this on purpose and I was also a victim.

Yan Song, however, looked unhappy and snorted, "I said at the beginning that His Majesty dotes on you too much. How could the so-called God of Wealth say that? Can the Ming Dynasty survive without you? Now that the word has spread, even the border troops know about it and are crying and begging. It's really ridiculous!"

The Prime Minister was angry.

Yuan Wei quickly glanced at the people in the classroom.

He smiled and said, "Please calm down. Your Majesty said that because he saw that Runwu was doing a good job. But how could a border soldier know about this and come to your palace to beg? This is really absurd. How can you do things this way?"

Li Chunfang said sternly: "I think it was probably Yang Weiyue who did it!"

As soon as these words came out.

Everyone turned to look at him.

Then, everyone's faces showed understanding, and they all seemed to think that this statement made sense.

Yan Shaoting still pretended not to know.

He glanced at Xu Jie.

Since I can't take the blame, then whoever I can put the blame on will have it be whoever I can put it on.

Yang Bo was just the person he chose to take the scapegoat.

Seeing Li Chunfang say this at this moment.

He immediately understood: "Ah? What does what Lord Li said have to do with Minister Yang?"

Li Chunfang glanced at Yan Shaoting but did not explain.

Yuan Wei smiled helplessly and said, "You don't know, today Xuanfu sent an urgent message. Minister Yang knew about this and went to the cabinet in person, hoping that the cabinet would agree to Xuanfu's request. But Elder Yan and Elder Xu, and of course, we all think that this matter should be handled according to the rules."

Yan Shaoting immediately took over the conversation, as if he finally understood: "So... it was because Minister Yang failed to get things done in the cabinet that he gave Lan Yongzhen some advice and asked him to..."

Yuan Wei slapped his palm lightly on the table.

"Yep!"

"That's exactly what you said!"

"He must have instructed the people from Xuanfu to come to you and beg you to help speak in front of the emperor."

Yan Shaoting nodded repeatedly.

It was as if I finally understood it at this moment.

Yan Song snorted coldly.

Then, under the gaze of everyone, he looked at Yan Shaoting unhappily.

"Confused!"

"If someone comes to your door and begs you, will you speak for him in front of the emperor?"

"You are allowed to interfere in such a military and national affair?"

Yan Shaoting immediately bowed his head and said without making any excuses, "My grandson knows he was wrong."

Yan Song still looked angry.

Gao Gong, who had been silent, suddenly waved his hand and said, "Lord Yan, calm down. Just now, Runwu said that it was the man from Xuanfu who came to the palace and knelt down to beg. Runwu only told His Majesty about this matter when he entered the palace. The final decision must have been made by the man from Xuanfu who begged His Majesty. Runwu was just unaware of it and asked for a chance to see His Majesty alone."

Yuan Wei immediately echoed, "That must be the truth. You really can't blame Runwu for this. Elder, please calm down."

Seeing Lao Gao and Lao Yuan say this.

Yan Shaoting immediately turned around and bowed to the two men: "Thank you, Elder Gao and Elder Yuan."

There was a cold look in Xu Jie's eyes at this time.

But he finally looked at Yan Song and said slowly: "Lord, although Runwu should not have come to the palace to see the emperor for this matter, he was not aware of it, and it is even more impossible that he made the emperor change his mind. Now that the emperor has issued an order, we should just follow it."

Hear Xu Jie speak.

Yan Song's expression just eased a little.

But he still glared at Yan Shaoting with a bad look.

"Are you okay?"

Yan Shaoting hurriedly pretended to shudder and said, "Grandson, take your leave."

After finishing speaking.

He didn't dare to stay and ran away quickly.

In the classroom.

Xu Jie stared at Yan Shaoting's white shadow slipping away with a gloomy face.

In front of everyone.

Xu Jie sighed helplessly.

"This Yang Weiyue..."

…………

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(End of this chapter)