Wang Yongguang immediately came out and said: "Your Majesty, if the ministers inspect, how will the relationship between the responsibilities and powers be determined?"

Chongzhen said without hesitation: "Since we are going to the border for inspection, it is natural that the imperial envoy should be the imperial envoy to resolve the crisis on my behalf."

At this time, Bi Ziyan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, came out and said: "Your Majesty, the national treasury is empty and the frontier army is short of food, grass and pay. How can we waste the national treasury just to save the hungry people of the Western Barbarians? Isn't it unwise?"

Emperor Chongzhen was furious when he heard this and said: "The hungry people of the Western Barbarians are at the border. They do not help the hungry people. They subdue Chahar and the Mongolian right-wing tribes. What will happen if they fall to the Eastern Barbarians?"

Bi Ziyan shouted without fear: "I don't know about the Xilu incident, but I know that the national treasury is empty. If we want to recruit money and food from the national treasury for this matter, I will definitely not be able to get it."

Emperor Chongzhen became even more angry after hearing this. He stood up and said: "The money and food in the national treasury must be used by the country. The Mongolian right wing is related to the peace of the Ming Dynasty. Why can't you figure it out?"

Han Xu, who was standing next to him, also said: "Your Majesty, the Chahar tribe's homeland was invaded by the Donglu, and its leader Lin Dan Khan hated the Donglu even more. He would never help them commit evil and submit to the Donglu. The court did not need to issue money or food at all, as long as

The border troops strictly defended themselves and refused to accept the hungry people, so the border was naturally unbreakable."

Qian Longxi said quickly: "This is absolutely impossible. Not to mention the Chahar tribe, Tumote and other Mongolian right-wing tribes are now in turmoil and famine is everywhere. If we don't help them this time, these Mongolian tribes will not be able to survive.

, they will definitely take refuge with Donglu at that time."

Han Xu sneered and said: "Master Qian is really worried. The right-wing tribes were defeated by the Chahar tribe and suffered heavy losses. Even if they defected to the Donglu, how could they threaten our Ming Dynasty?"

Seeing Han Xu's stubbornness, Qian Longxi said anxiously: "Don't underestimate the Mongolian tribes, Mr. Chengzu. When Emperor Chengzu demolished the guard posts and handed over the border to the Mongolian tribes, they lived in the Ming Dynasty border for more than two hundred years and were the most important in the defense of the Great Wall.

I understand that if they lead the way, the Donglu are likely to break through the Great Wall and threaten the interior of the pass."

Wang Yongguang also said hurriedly: "Sir Qian, the hometown of the Donglu is thousands of miles away from the Mongolian right wing. How can they pass through Horqin and other left wing troops and invade the pass? I think your worries are unfounded."

Qian Longxi said angrily: "Ignorant boy, what do you know? The Eastern captives used a three-pronged approach of peace, heavy rewards, and troops to conquer the left wing tribes in order to threaten the northern border of the Ming Dynasty. If the right wing tribes rebelled, our northern border gate would be destroyed."

There will be no more peace. The emperor sent Wang Xiangqian to Xuanda because he was worried about this matter."

Wang Yongguang heard this and said: "Even so, there is still the Great Wall at the northern border. As long as we guard the Great Wall and guard the passes, even if the Donglu army comes from the north, our army will be able to defeat the Donglu troops while waiting for work."

Qian Longxi was furious with this bookish man who had no knowledge of military affairs, but he could not vent his anger in front of the emperor. He held his chest and held his left wing in pain.

The minister next to him saw him and quickly helped him sit down.

Seeing this, Wang Yongguang's face became even more proud, and he said: "Nowadays, the refugees from the northwest and the eastern captives from the northeast are the most serious concern of the Ming Dynasty. The national treasury is empty of money and food, so good steel should be used for sword blades. I dare you to ask the emperor to make it clear."

Although Emperor Chongzhen was young, he was not easily deceived.

Guan Ningjin's defense line was tight, and he was already very relieved, but the border defense problem of the northern Great Wall came to the fore again.

He saw this problem last year and asked Wang Xiangqian to rectify the border defense and recruit the Mongolian tribes to act as a barrier. Unexpectedly, the report in the memorial was quite good, but in fact it had been corrupted to this extent.

Emperor Chongzhen wanted to kill these drunkards, but he understood that officials like them were still needed to maintain the border, and the eunuch case was not over yet, so he could not start another major case.

Looking at Wang Yongguang, Emperor Chongzhen said: "It is a good thing that the Mongolian people want to submit to the Ming Dynasty. I think Zhou Yanru's method is very appropriate, so just follow it."

The pride on Wang Yongguang's face froze, and he said unwillingly: "Your Majesty, how can the Emperor not listen to what I say from the bottom of my heart?"

Chongzhen didn't want to pay attention, but he could only calmly reassure him: "The northern garrison is corrupt and has weak combat power. It failed to stop Chahar last year. Do you want the people at the border to suffer from another military rebellion?"

Wang Yongguang said without giving in: "Last year, when Chahar invaded, the border officers were unprepared. Now with strict defense, we will be able to stop Chahar."

Emperor Chongzhen felt very troubled by such a stubborn minister, and ignored him directly. He looked at Bi Ziyan and said: "The Ministry of Household Affairs collected money and grain, raised 20,000 taels of silver, sent merchant Lin Danhan, and 800 carts of grain to relieve the victims."

Bi Ziyan knelt down with a cold face, raised his black gauze hat high, and said: "The emperor has wasted the treasury savings in such a way that I dare not obey your orders. I hope the emperor will be kind and allow me to retire and return to my hometown."

Emperor Chongzhen turned blue with anger. He had no way to deal with the stubborn Bi Ziyan. You must know that it was too difficult to become a household minister. There were no suitable candidates in the court to supplement him. Bi Ziyan did a good job. His resignation cannot be granted.

After calming down, Emperor Chongzhen said patiently: "I know that the household department is in difficulty, so let's do this. The silver 20,000 taels will be allocated from the internal funds, and the grain will be levied by the household department."

Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, Han Xu did not want to anger the emperor any more, so he said: "Since the emperor has his own way, I will obey the order."

When Bi Ziyan saw this, he could only bow down and obey the order.

Shen Yongmao saw this and knew that he was to blame for this incident, so he wanted to take the credit and said quickly: "I am willing to go to Xuanda to handle this matter, and I would like to ask for the emperor's permission."

Emperor Chongzhen was hesitant. He really doubted Shen Yongmao's ability. In his heart, Zhou Yanru was the suitable candidate.

When Wang Yongguang saw this, he immediately understood the emperor's thoughts. He had a grudge against Zhou Yanru, and he immediately said: "Your Majesty, Lord Shen is willing to serve the country. His loyalty is commendable. Your Majesty should support him."

Han Xu also said: "Shen Yongmao is mature and prudent, and he can be a candidate for the superior."

Seeing that both ministers supported Shen Yongmao, Emperor Chongzhen nodded and said: "In that case, Shen Yongmao will serve as the imperial envoy. He will set out immediately tomorrow to investigate the corruption at the Xuanda border, and Li Yi will serve as the disaster relief ambassador to handle it." Disaster victims matters.”

After announcing the decision, all the officials left.

Emperor Chongzhen rubbed his temples and stood up tiredly, but his body swayed slightly due to fatigue. If Cao Huachun hadn't supported him in time, Emperor Chongzhen almost fell to the ground.

Cao Huachun was shocked and said quickly: "Your Majesty, I will ask the imperial doctor right now."

Emperor Chongzhen waved his hand and said: "I'm just tired, it's nothing serious."

Cao Huachun's eyes were red and he said in a hoarse voice: "The emperor cares about all the people in the world and is worried about national affairs. The Ming Dynasty will surely realize the rejuvenation."

Emperor Chongzhen nodded weakly and said with emotion: "If my hard-working government can realize the resurgence of the Ming Dynasty, even death will be worth it."

Outside the Great Wall, the confrontation between the hungry people and the Great Wall defenders continued.

Li Yi and Song Tongyin led a thousand men and horses to rush out of the Great Wall and forced back the Mongols who were blocking the entrance.

The hungry Mongolian people retreated in fear, but when they saw that the Ming army did not raise their weapons to massacre them, they stopped in confusion and gathered around to watch.

Song Tongyin rode out on horseback and shouted to the Mongols: "You go back. It's not that we are cruel, there is nothing we can do."

"We can't go back. If you want to kill us, just kill us all. We would rather be killed than starve or freeze to death," the Mongols shouted.

Song Tongyin was a scholar. Although he spoke as loudly as possible, he sounded hoarse and like a woman, causing some Mongolians to point fingers at him.

Now Song Tongyin couldn't stand it anymore, so he stepped back and looked at Li Yi and said, "Okay, it seems they are determined to ask us for relief from the Ming Dynasty. Go and talk to them."

Li Yi nodded, clapped his horse and stepped forward. Looking at the mess of hungry Mongolian people in front of him, he shouted in a loud voice: "I am Li Yi, the censor of the Ming Dynasty, please listen to me."

The huge shouts were like thunder, exploding in the crowd. The Mongolians were so frightened that they looked at Li Yi with their eyes wide open. Oh my god, there is someone with such a loud voice in the world.

"If you want food, we can give it to you, but we must discuss it before we can give it to you, and you must abide by our rules, do you understand?" Li Yi said loudly.

The Mongolians nodded one after another. For them, as long as they can survive, no matter what.

"Okay then, you nominate ten leaders and I will discuss it with them."

Lama Zhuofan was elected by the Mongols, along with nine elders. It was obvious that the Mongols sent out all their think tanks.

These ten people are headed by Lama Zhuofan, which is what Li Yi hopes to see.

The meeting place was among the Mongols. There was a piece of snow covered with worn-out sheepskins. The hungry people formed a large circle, with the leader and Li Yi and Song Tongyin at the center. There was no obstruction, no hostility, all of them.

The Mongolians stared at the center with bright eyes.

Under the watchful eyes of all the Mongolians, the old Lama Zhuofan wanted to kneel down to Li Yi, but was supported by Li Yi.

"Lama Zhuofan, you are a respected elder, there is no need to kneel down." Li Yi said.

Lama Zhuofan's eyes were red and he grabbed Li Yi's arm. His thin fingers were like eagle talons and it hurt. "Master Li, you are the most kind-hearted person in the world. Today you stopped the river of blood and corpses from flowing.

Across the land, your merits are higher than those of Taitian."

Li Yi smiled bitterly and helped Lama Zhuofan sit down, pointing to Song Tongyin next to him and saying: "This is Song Tongyin, deputy envoy of Datong."

Song Tongyin looked uneasily at the dense crowds of hungry Mongolian people around him, with a forced smile on his face and said: "Lama Zhuofan, we are old friends."

Lama Zhuofan nodded and said: "I have met many officials of the Ming Dynasty, but Master Song alone has the clearest impression on me. You are a good official."

After hearing these words, Song Tongyin relaxed slightly, pointed at Li Yi and said: "According to the censor Li Yi, he is here on behalf of the emperor. You can talk to him."

Song Tongyin directly pushed Li Yi to the front, not because he was afraid of taking responsibility, but because Li Yi was indeed the most appropriate candidate.

Lama Zhuofan looked at Li Yi and said, "Does His Majesty the Ming Emperor know about our affairs?"

Li Yi nodded and said: "I have written a memorial and sent it to His Majesty the Emperor. His Majesty the Emperor already knows about your affairs. He cares about you very much, but he is also very worried."

"What are you worried about?" Lama Zhuofan asked calmly.

Li Yi said: "His Majesty the Emperor wants to know, if Ming Dynasty accepts you with open arms, how will you repay Ming Dynasty? Will you go back to find your own Taiji and master once you have passed the famine?"

Lama Zhuofan shook his head and said: "No."

Li Yi looked at the Mongolians around him and said with some suspicion: "Lama Zhuofan, can you say this on behalf of all the hungry Mongolian people?"

Lama Zhuofan looked at Li Yi and said: "Master Li, the Mongolian herdsmen used to have masters, and their masters were Taiji and noble people. But now they have been abandoned by their masters. Whoever saves them will become their new boss."

Their master. If His Majesty the Ming Emperor is willing to help them, they will also recognize the Ming Emperor as their master and will not betray them."

"Dear Sir, as long as you save us, we Chahar people will regard you as our master." A Chahar person shouted.

Li Yi was startled, shook his head and said: "I was sent by Emperor Ming. It was Emperor Ming who saved you. Your master should also be Emperor Ming."

The Chahar man said nonchalantly: "Since your Excellency is a nobleman of the Ming Dynasty, then the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is the leader of our master, and we are willing to respect him."

"What's your name?" Li Yi asked.
Chapter completed!