In the leopard room, Zhu Houzhao sat behind the desk, looking very formal. After listening to Wang Qiong's detailed report on the food shortage in the northwest region.

After Wang Qiong finished speaking, Zhu Houzhao sighed: "I didn't expect that Liu Jin would be corrupt and abuse his power and transport all the grain in the Jiubian granary to the capital. What was his purpose in doing this? He was not afraid of famine in the local area? Then, transporting the grain back was so complicated that it was simply a joke to treat the Ming Dynasty's human resources."

Wang Qiong was a little amazed when he heard Zhu Houzhao's words.

Wang Qiong thought to himself: "Others say that the saints are young and ignorant, and they are ignorant after ascending the throne. They don't care about worldly ethics. Unexpectedly, just one sentence is so profound. The misunderstanding of the saints is very deep."

Zhu Houbao looked at Chen Xi: "Chen Qing's family, how do you view this matter?"

Chenxi Road: "According to Wang Zhongcheng's report, there is a grain shortage in the northwest, so a batch can be transferred from the capital."

"That's it."

Zhu Houzhao said, "Didn't Wang Zhongcheng submit this matter? Why has the relevant yamen not put into practice yet?"

Wang Qiong glanced at Chen Xi. He knew that some things were not something that Zhu Houzhao could decide, and he did not want Chen Xi to disclose some conflicts in the court to Zhu Houzhao.

Although Chen Xi knew that Xie Qian and Zhang Yuan were interfering, he chose to avoid it and said: "It was because of the serious corruption in the court when the eunuch party abolished power, and the famine in the Central Plains, which led to insufficient grain reserves in the capital city."

Zhu Houzhao frowned, thought carefully about Chen Xi's words, and at the same time she wanted to make a solution.

When Wang Qiong saw the conversation between Zhu Houzhao and Shen Xi, he realized something.

Although Wang Qiong was a first-class famous minister in the history of the Ming Dynasty and his ability was extraordinary, he had not yet entered the core level of the court. It was the first time he had seen Zhu Houzhao, let alone understand the way of getting along with the king and his subjects.

Chen Xi gave him a good experience.

Zhu Houzhao said: "I could have raised it myself, but I think that in the past few years, the military farm harvest has been transferred to the capital. How could there be so much grain stored? Shangshu Chen, there must be a solution. You should discuss with Shangshu Yang of the Ministry of Revenue to see if you can draw some grain from the side."

Chen Xi shook his head: "Since the capital is short of food, even if the Ministry of Revenue is willing to allocate it, it will definitely take it from the side, resulting in a deficit."

Wang Qiong didn't expect Chen Xi to exonerate the Ministry of Revenue. He wanted to say that there was clearly food in Taicang. Since you have brought me to meet the saint, why don't you tell the truth? Could it be that you, Shangshu Chen, also watched the soldiers and civilians in the northwest starve to death?

Zhu Houzhao frowned: "What if that's the case? Is it true that the Northwest military and civilians are not full? This is not yet the war. What if there is a shortage of food after the beginning of next spring? After all, the war has been scheduled to start and the next time the food harvest has not yet arrived, and the food shortage will definitely be even more serious by then."

Chen Xidao: "If you say to your Majesty, in my opinion, you can temporarily allocate food from the capital to solve the urgent problem. The rest can only be raised from the people. Now that I have recovered, I will raise food in the shortest time after the New Year, so that the soldiers and civilians in the northwest can have a full meal."

Chen Xi actually took the initiative to undertake the important task of raising military rations for the soldiers in the northwest.

This is no longer a wartime event, but maintaining the daily operation of the northwest region. It means that so many soldiers in the northwest will no longer be supported by the Ministry of Revenue, but Chen Xi is responsible for raising money and grain to support it.

Wang Qiong smiled bitterly. If he could choose, he would rather not eat this meal, but he also knew that this was an honor. Such a thing could even be written into the family tree so that future generations could feel his glory at this time.

Soon, the wine and food came up, just like Zhu Houzhao said, it was an ordinary light meal, without big fish and meat, all steamed fried. Wang Qiong didn't feel that it was too luxurious, and he wondered: "Your Majesty is so approachable and the meal is so simple, why is it completely different from the rumors outside?"

Wang Qiong's perception of Zhu Houzhao came from the folk news. He had never felt the real Zhu Houzhao, so he could not make a judgment.

After serving six dishes, Zhu Houzhao got up and poured wine for Chen Xi and Wang Qiong himself. Chen Xi said, "Your Majesty is the king of a country, and you should toast you by ministers."

Zhu Houzhao said: "Mr. Chen is here. You are my mentor. When I was in the Eastern Palace, I received a lot of teachings from you. Today, students toast to Mr. Chen, which is natural."

Chen Xi shouldn't have agreed, but seeing that Zhu Houzhao was very sincere, he didn't insist anymore.

When Zhu Houzhao poured wine for Chenxi, Wang Qiong was frightened by the side and thought to himself: "Have there been a precedent for the emperor to pour wine for his ministers since ancient times?"

After Zhu Houzhao filled the wine for Chen Xi, she looked at Wang Qiong and said, "Let me pour wine for Wang Qing's family."

Wang Qiong quickly refused: "Your Majesty, I have never taught you, so I dare not take such a polite manner."

“Add to be aware.”

Zhu Houzhao said, "Since I ascended the throne, there have been frequent changes in the northwest. The Wang Qing family has been staying on three sides to manage military and political affairs for me and ensure the stability of the people's livelihood in the whole place. Now there is a food shortage in the northwest. The Wang Qing family has traveled thousands of miles to the capital to run. You are the strong minister of the Ming Dynasty. What's wrong with me pouring wine for the heroes of the country and the country?"

After saying that, Zhu Houzhao did not wait for Wang Qiong to express anything, and went forward to pour wine directly. When Wang Qiong heard this, shed tears, as if the suffering and grievances he had suffered since becoming an official were not worth mentioning at this moment. As long as he was appreciated by the king, he would have the passion and impulse that would be difficult to repay.

After Zhu Houzhao filled Chen Xi and Wang Qiong with wine, he poured wine for himself, saying, "I am not a great scholar like you who came from the imperial examination. He is very talented and knowledgeable. I don't know how to say it. All the words are in this glass of wine. Mr. Chen, Wang Qing's family, have we used it together?"

Chen Xi and Wang Qiong raised their wine glasses at the same time and said, "Treat your Majesty."

Zhu Houzhao drank it all, and then Chen Xi and Wang Qiong drank the wine in the glass. Then the one who came to pour the wine was no longer Zhu Houzhao, but the eunuch serving next to him.

Zhu Houzhao felt a little proud after drinking, as if she felt that she had done a good job of buying people’s hearts. After all, Wang Qiong was already in tears. Zhu Hou took a look at Chen Xi and asked again: “Mr. Chen, how are you ready to go to the frontier to fight against the grassland next year?”

Zhu Houzhao asked this question in front of Wang Qiong, which was equivalent to using Chen Xi’s mouth to inform Wang Qiong of the situation, so that Wang Qiong would be mentally prepared.

Chen Xi thought to himself: "You have just bought the hearts of the people and started to ask for rewards. Do you want Wang Qiong to promise you that you will agree with your military service?"

Chen Xi replied: "As far as Your Majesty sees, the biggest problem in using troops in the northwest today is not the lack of soldiers, but the shortage of military supplies. In this way, the next year, the use of troops must be refined and simplified. There is no delay. This war needs to be completed in a short period of time."

Chen Xi's answer was beyond the reach of Zhu Houzhao.

This is different from the answer I had before. Chen Xi said that using elite soldiers to fight a quick battle was very different from his expectation that millions of soldiers would flatten the grassland. Zhu Houzhao liked the grand and majestic war scenes to reflect the powerful strength of the Ming Dynasty, rather than the small-scale war that only seeks purpose but not process.

Zhu Houzhao thought for a while and said, "Then this battle is not easy to arrange. What does Wang Qing's family think?"

This problem stumped Wang Qiong. It was not that Wang Qiong had never imagined the battle of the grassland next year, but that he did not understand the reality of the Ming army, nor did he know Zhu Houzhao's attitude. He was a "newcomer" at the core of the court and could not master the standards well, it would be better to say some ambiguous words.

Wang Qiong replied: "As Shangshu Chen said, the northwest region lacks food and supplies. If you want to pacify the grassland next year, you must respond with elite troops and not involve too wide areas to prevent the Tatars from taking advantage of the situation."

Wang Qiong's answer was completely following Chen Xi's meaning. This would be beneficial. Even if Zhu Houzhao was not satisfied, he would not blame him alone. Anyway, Chen Xi was above him, and Chen Xi was the first to be respected. Zhu Houzhao wanted to blame him and Shen Xi would be the leader.

Zhu Houzhao frowned: "What I want is to pacify the grassland, not to fight a random battle to intimidate the Tartars. If the troops are refined and the government is simple, it will be inconsistent with my expectations."

Chen Xidao: "I wonder what your Majesty expects for the final result?"

"Um?"

Zhu Houzhao was a little puzzled, "I don't understand what Mr. Chen means very much."

Chen Xi was in good condition: "If the Tatars voluntarily surrendered after several victories, and even the Dayan Khan tribe surrendered, I wonder if Your Majesty can accept this result?"

Zhu Houzhao wrinkled his nose: "Those Tartars are arrogant and arrogant, and they are afraid they will not give in so easily? As far as I know, these people are unwilling to see the Ming Dynasty strong, and they will come against their will. When they recover and develop slightly, they will definitely betray their faith. So this time I will completely destroy the Tartars and leave no one left! I will set up a Protectorate in the north of the Frontier, imitating the measures of the Han and the prosperous Tang dynasties, so that the grassland will surrender to the Ming Dynasty from then on!"

Zhu Houzhao was full of ambitions, but his wish seemed like a delusion no matter how he looked at it. At least one hundred people on Wang Qiong did not agree.

Because of the existence of Chen Xi, it seems that Zhu Houzhao's plan has the possibility of success, but the probability is slim.

Wang Qiong thought to himself: "Since the Tang Dynasty, the wars against grasslands in all dynasties in the Central Plains have been on the defensive stance. Even if there is a small victory, it is difficult to maintain for a long time. The best result is to stop the war rather than conquer... Your Majesty is ambitious, how many soldiers should be buried in the grassland?"

Zhu Houzhao was full of energy when he was given a banquet and conceived a grand blueprint for pacifying the grassland. As for Chen Xi's suggestion, he refused to adopt it at all. In his opinion, pacifying the grassland must completely subdue the grassland, just like fighting the Huns during the Han Dynasty or fighting the Turks during the Tang Dynasty, so that he could leave his name in history.

Although Wang Qiong had a lot of things to say, he held back because he was not sure what trouble he would cause him after saying these words.

At the dinner table, Wang Qiong was the most restrained one. He often turned his eyes to Chen Xi, wanting to see Chen Xi's reaction. Finally, based on his observation, it seemed that Chen Xi had no intention of dissuading the war next year. In this way, a great war next year may be inevitable.

Seeing that the banquet was over, Zhu Houzhao said: "...In the coming year, I will personally lead the troops to fight, imitating Emperor Taizong to lead the troops out of the frontier, and eliminate the remnants of Tatars in one fell swoop. The two families of the two will definitely be my right-hand man at that time. I believe that you can help me win this battle..."

Wang Qiong was frightened when he heard this. He was originally a member of the war-oriented faction, but after hearing Zhu Houzhao's unreliable idea, he had a big question about the war.

After the banquet was over, Zhu Houzhao was going to rest and regain his energy for the evening entertainment program. Chen Xi and Wang Qiong left the Leopard Room together.

After the two left the door, Chen Xi said: "Why did Brother Dehua lose his words after seeing His Majesty, and even did not comment on future wars?"

Wang Qiong told the truth: "The bigger the battle next year, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, and the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be, the more it will be

Chen Xidao: "At the beginning of His Majesty's ascension to the throne, he was understandable for some expectations for the war, but in the implementation, he was always the ministers of us. After leaving the barriers, the situation of the war may change day by day. How could it proceed completely according to His Majesty's expectations?"

Wang Qiong frowned: "But Your Majesty wants to lead the army in person..."

"It is impossible for the imperial commander to charge forward in person."

Chen Xi glanced at Wang Qiong, his eyes full of profound meaning, "Many things can be turned around by themselves, and everything may not be rigidly followed... Perhaps Brother Dehua has doubts about the war next year, but unfortunately this war cannot be cancelled or postponed..."

Wang Qiong was puzzled. It was unrealistic to completely pacify the grassland, but Chen Xi insisted on doing it and did not even give any room for discussion. However, he vaguely understood one thing, that is, Chen Xi had to win prestige in the court and the country through this method.

Wang Qiong said in his heart: "If there was no such war, then Shen Zhihou would always be in the back and be restricted by Xie Zhongtang and others. But if this war could be won, he could have the right to speak in the court, and during the war, the court would accept his deployment. This is the purpose of his insistence on fighting this war, right?"

As his mind moved, Wang Qiong thought he had been taken advantage of.

Chen Xi saw Wang Qiong's face with a hint of avoidance, and knew that Wang Qiong had misunderstood his intention.

Chen Xidao: "Many things will not be decided until the war is really started. Now it is too early to make a judgment. Brother Dehua goes back to rest first. In the past few days, I will completely decide on the allocation of military rations to the northwest. I will not let the soldiers on the three sides lack food!"
Chapter completed!