Inside the Imperial Palace, Wenhua Hall.
The atmosphere in the main hall was somewhat heavy. The burning incense made the atmosphere a bit stuffy, but no one spoke. Everyone was waiting for Zhu Yijun to speak. The civil and military officials stood on both sides.
Zhu Yijun's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and then he slowly said, "Today, I summoned you here because I have an important matter to discuss."
Hearing Zhu Yijun's words, everyone's expression became more serious.
"Ever since the Tumu Fortress, the Daming has been harassed by the border. During the reign of Jiajing, the Tatars attacked Beijing. This is the second time after the Tumu Fortress. Every time I think about it, I am in so much pain that I want to die."
"The Daming has allowed the Tatars to bully and humiliate us. It is truly the shame of the Daming."
"Ever since Taizu became emperor and swept the north, the Daming's treatment of the Tatars has been getting worse day by day."
Although Zhu Yijun's voice was not loud, in the ears of the officials, it was like a giant's roar.
On one hand, it was the Emperor's power and Zhu Yijun's power. On the other hand, it was the meaning behind Zhu Yijun's words.
The Emperor was going on a northern expedition!
Although everyone had the same idea before, they were still shocked when they heard the Emperor say so.
Especially since the Emperor had raised the tone so high. This time, the war would definitely not be small.
"Ever since I ascended the throne, I have been worried day and night. Today, the Daming is strong and has a strong army. I am going to sweep the north."
"To sweep away the decline along the Daming's Great Wall and restore peace to the people of the Daming who have been harassed all year round."
"Today, I summoned you here for this. After the court meeting, the Commander-in-Chief's Office of the Five Armies and the Six Ministries of the Cabinet can start to prepare.
I am going to use two years to prepare, and then I will send troops to the north. "
"In these two years, we will repair the roads, repair the armaments, stock up the provisions, and train the soldiers."
"In these two years, we will lay the foundation and sweep the north in one fell swoop."
Although Zhu Yijun's words meant that he wanted to discuss it, it was as if he had already made a decision.
The ministers did not speak for a long time. The Emperor had to prepare for two years!
That was two years. With the current strength of the Daming Empire and the current tax revenue of the Imperial Court, the preparations for these two years were enormous.
This time, the emperor was really going to make a big move. Once the preparations started, it would definitely be a big move!
Zhu Yijun's gaze swept across everyone's faces as he continued to speak, "We are prepared to sweep away the humiliation of the World Sect's Emperor and recreate the armors from when I became an ancestor. Does you have any objections?"
As soon as these words came out, the ministers immediately withdrew their objections.
Since the emperor has said so, it's not appropriate for you to stand up and oppose it.
Furthermore, didn't they have to prepare for two years? Who knew what would happen in these two years? They could take a look!
"Your Majesty is wise beyond measure!"
On the side of the commander-in-chief's office, the Marquis of Linhuai, Li Yangong, was the first to stand out. Then he lifted his clothes and knelt on the ground. Using his head as a support, he said, "I am willing to be the vanguard of the imperial army and sweep the northern frontier for Your Majesty."
Everyone didn't find it strange. The Marquis of Linhuai's line had been like this for a long time.
In order to bring glory to the family and regain the glory of their ancestors, the Marquis of Linhuai had fought generation after generation. In this generation, they finally saw the light.
Especially this war, it was a great opportunity for him.
"I, Qi Jiguang, am willing to fight!" Qi Jiguang also stood out at this time.
The other Honours and ministers also stood out. To them, this was a matter of attitude. It was necessary to support the emperor in the war.
Furthermore, there were benefits to fighting a war.
The last time they fought in the northwest, not only did they earn a lot of military merits and noble titles, but the subsequent business profits were also very large.
The income from the northwest had long made countless people envious. This time, if they fought again, the income would definitely be very large.
Compared to the northwest, the north and Liaodong were definitely good places. They were all money.
They had no reason to object at all.
On the side of the civil ministers, Shen Shixing was the first to stand out. "We are willing to be the vanguard of Your Majesty!"
The other civil ministers also stood out and bowed. "We are willing to be the vanguard of Your Majesty!"
Of course, these words were just for show. At most, they would be preparing the logistics in the back.
But this attitude was good, and it was enough to satisfy Zhu Yijun.
Zhu Yijun smiled and nodded. Then he said, "I am very comforted. Everyone, you may rise!"
When everyone stood up, Zhu Yijun slowly said, "Since you all agree, then this matter is settled. Next, let's talk about another matter."
"This is a war between nations, and with the addition of troops, it is a matter of national importance. It is a place of life and death, and the path of survival, so we must be careful.
I am going to set up a yamen, called the Grand Council, to be in charge of preparing for this war. "
"I will transfer people from the commander-in-chief's office of the five armies and the six departments of the Grand Council to the Grand Council."
"Firstly, they will be involved in the Grand Council to prevent leaks. Secondly, they can better and faster plan for this war.
As for where to set up the Grand Council, I feel that the Hall of Literary Glory will do. "
As soon as Zhu Yijun's words came out, the faces of the ministers below changed.
The establishment of the Grand Council was quite sudden. For a moment, everyone did not understand what the emperor intended to do.
Although the emperor wanted to prevent leaks and better plan for the war, the ministers present were not easy to deal with.
However, the ministers present were not easy to deal with. They could still hear something unusual from his words.
Ever since the Emperor ascended to the throne, the court had set up many new institutions, from the earliest Armaments Department to the later Discipline Department. Although these were all newly established yamens, in reality, they were all within the existing rules and framework.
But the Grand Council was different. This yamen was obviously above the commander-in-chief's office of the five armies and the Cabinet.
However, the Grand Council was different. This yamen was obviously above the Commander-in-Chief's Office of the Five Armies and the Cabinet.
But the Grand Council was different. This yamen was obviously above the commander-in-chief's office of the five armies and the Cabinet.
This involved armaments, provisions, soldiers, and soldiers. This included the allocation of money and provisions as well as the appointment of personnel.
What were the two greatest powers in the imperial court?
One was money, and the other was the power of personnel. The others were illusory.
Once one entered the Grand Council, it meant that he had obtained these two powers.
This was great!
Zhu Yijun looked at the ministers and did not speak. Zhu Yijun did not speak either. He quietly waited for the ministers to think.
In fact, Zhu Yijun's two-year preparation was also for the war to start two years later. At the same time, it was also to shift the contradiction and set up the Grand Council.
The first was to shift the contradiction and turn the contradiction of commercial taxes to the outside.
Stimulate domestic demand with a large number of infrastructure construction and military orders, so that businessmen can receive orders and make money. They can focus all their energy on the orders of the imperial court instead of thinking about how to be exempted from taxes.
Zhu Yijun was going to use two years to complete the collection of commercial taxes and the construction of the commercial tax system in Daming.
At the same time, he would further promote the military reform, at least in Nanjing, in order to maintain stability.
The second point was to set up the Grand Council. The purpose was simple. It was to further promote the status of the Honours and increase his power in military and political affairs.
To put it bluntly, it was to increase his centralization of power so that he could hold more power in his hands.
The two-year transition period, Zhu Yijun felt that it was about time. It would also take two years to build the cement road to the north.
The construction of the Royal Navy was almost done in two years.
The deadline of two years was a decision made by Zhu Yijun after a long time of comprehensive consideration.
The palace was filled with smoke. British Duke Zhang Yong could not stand still at this time. He stood up and bowed. "Your Majesty, I think this is a good move. The establishment of such a temporary yamen is indeed conducive to improving efficiency."
"There are many benefits to preparing for war. Please enter the Grand Council."
Zhu Yijun glanced at British Duke Zhang Yong. The political sensitivity of the House of Lords had always been very good. Not to mention Zhang Yong, his grandson Zhang Weixian was also a very powerful person in history.
In the three major cases, Zhang Weixian was known as a stabilizing figure.
This time, Zhang Yong once again saw that this was an opportunity for the Honours.
Honours could use the Grand Council to once again extend their hands to the center of power of the court and become a pivotal existence in the court, instead of listening to the orders of the civil officials. This was very important.
The second person to stand up was Duke Dingguo Xu Wenbi.
"I think this is a good move by Your Majesty. I congratulate Your Majesty and the Daming."
As soon as these two big shots stood up, needless to say, the others also stood up and sang praises. At the same time, they expressed their support for this policy.
Zhu Yijun glanced at the civil officials and waited for their reply.
"I think this is a good move by Your Majesty!" Liang Menglong, the Minister of Works, was the first to stand up.
No matter what others thought, Liang Menglong felt that this policy was very good.
From an official point of view, Liang Menglong felt that the Grand Council could directly meet the Emperor because it was set up in Wenhua Palace, a palace with a very special status.
This was very important to the military. He used to be the Governor of Ji Liao and knew the consequences of poor communication with the Emperor.
Whether it was a civil official or a eunuch, it was easy for problems to arise.
Compared to the Cabinet, the people selected by the Grand Council were all knowledgeable about military affairs. There were many advantages in this. The most intuitive thing was that there would be no amateurs commanding experts. This was very important.
From an official point of view, Liang Menglong felt that this was an opportunity for him.
As the Minister of Works of the Daming, Liang Menglong's qualifications were very shallow. He had just been promoted from the position of Ji Liao Governor, and the possibility of entering the Cabinet in the future was not high.
Even if he entered the Cabinet, there were so many people ahead of him, and his status would not be high.
The Grand Council was different. It was a newly established yamen, and it was very easy for him to be promoted. In addition, he was the Emperor's confidant and knew military affairs. This position was tailor-made for him, and it was impossible to say that he was not tempted.
From an official point of view, it was a good thing, and Liang Menglong had no reason not to support it.
As for whether it would reduce the power of the Cabinet, Liang Menglong did not care. He was not a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. Once he entered the Grand Council, who would care about the Cabinet? This was Liang Menglong's idea, and it was also the idea of others.
The Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Ceng Shengwu, also had the same idea.