Lu Fang said, "Old Huang Zhong also came with a secret memorial, also saying that peace talks were possible, hmm... And Yang Bo, after receiving the secret edict, he also complied and had already prepared troops to raid Tumuchuan, but he also said it would be best to talk peace... This servant is a bit confused."
Oh?
Jiajing was a little surprised and said, "Oh, read it out, is it that difficult to figure out? Look at how you're getting tangled up..."
Lu Fang then read:
"Your humble servant Bo respectfully memorializes:
Your humble servant supervises the military affairs of Ji and Liao, and has not dared to slacken for a single day. Having received your edict for several days, I personally selected eight thousand elite troops, led by the Shan Shan參將 Li Chengliang. This general is resolute and courageous, and possesses considerable military strategy. The plan to raid Tumuchuan is well-aligned with Your Majesty's grand strategy of encircling Wei to rescue Zhao.
However, your humble servant has been overseeing Fujian and Zhejiang for a long time, and at today's juncture, I truly cannot feel at ease. I dare not fail to truthfully present my deep anxieties as follows: Anda is indeed a hero, but the frontier has been depleted for decades. He may have far-reaching ambitions, but his immediate concerns are likely not territorial. To your humble servant's knowledge, Anda's greatest suffering stems from the poverty and hardship of his people and infighting among his various tribes, such as Chahar and Wuliangha. The sudden mobilization of a large army today seems to be a matter of necessity.
Your humble servant worries that a prolonged war of several years will disrupt all affairs. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to order the preemptive dispatch of troops to Tumuchuan. With a clever strategy, Anda will surely fear dissent among his tribes and be forced to negotiate for peace, allowing our Great Ming to calmly implement its domestic policies."
After finishing,
Lu Fang added, "This servant feels that Yang Bo is indeed a smart person."
Jiajing smiled faintly and said, "Of course, otherwise why would Yan Shifan have called him one of the three great talents in the world..."
"Indeed..."
Lu Fang continued, "Raiding Anda's stronghold was His Majesty's divine move. He couldn't wait... and then he talked about domestic policy implementation. He stopped there, without explaining clearly. Is he playing riddles?"
Jiajing ignored him and said, "What about Hu Zongxian's? Read that too."
Lu Fang naturally understood: Yang Bo wanted to play it safe. He didn't want to align himself with the Yan family, nor did he care about reform. He simply wanted to alleviate the crisis and achieve merit. In any case, the edict was already issued, and he couldn't be accused of not supporting Yan Song. This man was very cunning.
As for Hu Zongxian, what he said was even more brilliant. He read:
"Your humble servant Hu Zongxian memorializes:
Your humble servant hears that Xuanda is in urgent need of aid. I patrolled the various guards of Taizhou last night, fearing that the Japanese pirates might coordinate. The strategies previously devised by the imperial envoy are all without major flaws. However, what your humble servant fears are the rumors. Currently, the four provinces of Jiangnan are filled with joy among the populace, but the gentry are greatly confused. The academies and Confucian scholars often echo these sentiments, with some saying that Zhu Mo is like Qin Mo, and reform is revolution. Others say that Zhu Mo colluded with Anda to overthrow the Great Ming. There are even those who say that the founding emperor cannot be emulated, and that Yao and Shun are mere fabrications. All of these causes the scholars and the people to diverge, and the gulf between them deepens daily. Therefore, your humble servant believes that the current plan, peace is better than war. However, if there is even a slight setback, the gentry and Confucian scholars will stir up trouble and cause instability. My heart is clear, and I pray Your Majesty to see clearly."
Mmm-hmm,
Jiajing was very satisfied with this memorial, but suddenly asked, "Lu Fang, do you think this is reasonable?"
Lu Fang's expression was somewhat solemn, and he replied:
"Rumors are indeed fearsome. This servant has not read much, but I know of the Rebellion of the Three Guards. Even wise individuals like Guan Shu were misled by rumors and truly believed that the Duke of Zhou intended to usurp the throne... Alas, in this situation, this servant is reminded of Young Master Zhu's words, but then I think it's right, and then I think it's wrong again? What is going on? Why are these officials so fixated on Young Master Zhu? What does Yan Song rely on to make these officials, the gentry, and the scholars all follow him to force the palace? According to Hu Zongxian, if Zhu Mo really cannot win, will the gentry and scholars still revolt?"
Hmph,
Jiajing sneered and said, "Then tell me, what does Yan Song rely on? And why will they revolt?"
Lu Fang replied, "This servant cannot figure it out for myself. But earlier, I remembered Young Master Zhu's words: the prime minister is the father of all officials. These people, in the final analysis, rely on Yan Song for their livelihood... Zhu Mo offended Yan Song, which is equivalent to offending their parents, so naturally they will make a fuss... Fundamentally speaking, they are afraid that reform will ruin their power..."
"Heh heh, you were in his courtyard at the time, didn't you also talk about cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world? Have they cultivated themselves or not, do you finally understand now?"
Lu Fang nodded helplessly and sighed, "With things like this, what is there left to cultivate? This servant, in fact, understands these principles... But I just don't understand, why do they only care about their own interests and not the chaos in the world? What are they thinking? Why such strong obsessions? Isn't this creating sin? I don't think there will be any good outcome."
Jiajing sneered, "No good outcome? When have they ever suffered a loss in any dynasty? They only had a few decades of peace under the Founding Emperor. Zhu Mo is right, the Great Ming has reached a critical juncture. You watch carefully, who is loyal and who is treacherous?"
Lu Fang said, "Huang Zhong is loyal, Hu Zongxian is also loyal, Xu阶 can barely be considered loyal, and Zhang Juzheng is half loyal?"
Jiajing pondered for a moment and murmured, "Half loyal...? Zhang Juzheng, Zhang the Child Prodigy... clever... Lu Fang, do you know where his cleverness lies?"
Lu Fang said, "This servant has also heard from Zhu Qi and others that Zhang Juzheng is still carrying out reforms in Jiangnan, he hasn't stopped... This servant feels that this is very loyal, but he doesn't mention Zhu Mo, he just focuses on doing things. But reform was initiated by Zhu Mo after all... So, this servant says he is half loyal."
Mmm-hmm,
Jiajing said calmly, "That's well said. In the end, what the common people want is reform. Who carries it out, and whether their reforms are genuine or fake, they cannot distinguish... Although they also care about Young Master Zhu Mo, it is ultimately not the main issue... Zhu Mo, oh Zhu Mo, Zhang Juzheng will be your lifelong enemy from now on..."
Lu Fang couldn't help but nod, thinking: Zhang Juzheng is even one step ahead of Yan Song. When Prince Yu succeeds to the throne, he will be his opponent. If Zhu Mo is truly his son, perhaps that step can be considered... Otherwise, who knows where this situation will lead...
While thinking,
Jiajing suddenly said:
"Hu Zongxian, Yang Bo, and Huang Zhong all say that peace talks are possible. What do you say?"
Regarding this matter, Lu Fang had already thought about it and replied:
"This servant also feels that peace talks are good. First, it is for the safety of Young Master Zhu, and at the same time, it will pass this wave of fervor... All the officials, gentry, and scholars in the world are following Yan Song to implicitly criticize and force the palace. If this continues for another year or half, what will happen? It will directly overturn the heavens.
Therefore, this servant thinks Yang Bo's idea is good. Let him have that Li Chengliang attack first. According to His Majesty's strategy of encircling Wei to rescue Zhao, it will surely relieve the siege. At worst, they can give Anda a bit more. After all, it's a hurdle, let's get past it first."
Heh heh,
Jiajing couldn't help but smile and said, "Lu Fang, you are a good person... but remember, what others fight for is ultimately not yours. What you fight for yourself, that is truly yours..."