The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 676

"Your Excellency Xia is right. As the Celestial Empire, our Great Ming should naturally demonstrate the magnanimity of a great power. I believe we should first send envoys to mediate. If the Toungoo Dynasty remains obstinate, then it is not too late to send troops."

Han Jie stepped forward.

Upon hearing this, Jiajing nodded and then looked at Wang Xian.

“Wei Gang, I know you have a warlike heart, but the Toungoo Dynasty is just a small country, why should we go to war? Who is willing to make a trip to Champa?”

Emperor Jiajing looked at his civil and military officials and said.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go!"

Sun Jiaojiao's father, Sun Hong, stepped forward and spoke.

This is a good opportunity to make contributions to the Ming Dynasty. Although mediating is not a great achievement, it is still much better than staying in the capital.

Not only Sun Hong, but many others realized this problem and stepped forward to request to be sent as envoys to Champa.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go!"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go!"

...

Sun Hong is now the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a high-ranking official of the third rank, and he has taken the initiative to request to be sent on a mission. How could others possibly resist?

Jiajing glanced at Sun Hong.

"Wencheng, I know your intentions, but the Ministry of Personnel cannot do without you as Vice Minister. Let others handle the mission."

Jiajing laughed.

The operation of the Six Ministries relies heavily on the Vice Ministers and Ministers. Each of them has their own duties, and many documents require their approval. Previously, Yan Song had dismissed many redundant officials in the court. Although there are still some redundant officials in the Six Ministries, there are not many left. If the Ministry of Personnel were to lose its Vice Minister Sun Hong, many documents would go unapproved, which would cause problems.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go. I am willing to go to Champa to spread the power of the Ming Dynasty."

Wen Zhengming stepped forward at this moment.

Upon hearing this, Jiajing's eyes lit up. Wen Zhengming, as the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, often mentioned him. Although Jiajing knew that Wen Zhengming meant well, he couldn't help but feel annoyed.

Moreover, as the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, Wen Zhengming was naturally very knowledgeable about the etiquette and rules of the Ming Dynasty, making him the most suitable person to go to Champa.

The main reason was that Jiajing wanted some peace and quiet.

"As the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, Hengshan is most familiar with the rules and etiquette of our Great Ming. On his trip to Champa, in addition to mediating between the two sides, he can also take the opportunity to promote the etiquette and rules of our Great Ming and enlighten them."

Jiajing looked at Wen Zhengming and said.

"Wen Zhengming was appointed as an envoy of the Ming Dynasty to go to Champa and mediate the war between Champa and the Toungoo Dynasty."

Jiajing said solemnly.

"I accept the decree."

Wen Zhengming bowed and said.

The officials were not surprised by Jiajing's appointment of Wen Zhengming. In fact, when Wen Zhengming stepped forward, many people knew that he was the only one who could be the envoy.

On one hand, the emperor was annoyed by Wen Zhengming's constant nagging; on the other hand, what was Wen Zhengming's status? He was Zhou Chu's teacher. Just based on that status alone, no one could rival Wen Zhengming.

"Retreat from the court."

After all the matters had been discussed, Jiajing said.

After the court session ended, Zhou Chu came before Wen Zhengming.

"Teacher, the journey to Champa is long and arduous, and your health is..."

Zhou Chu hesitated before speaking.

Wen Zhengming is now over fifty years old, and Zhou Chu is worried that Wen Zhengming will not be able to endure such a long journey.

"Don't worry, I'm not Tang Bohu, I'm in good health."

Wen Zhengming said nonchalantly.

Zhou Chu believed this. According to Zhou Chu's memory, Wen Zhengming could live to be around ninety years old. Now he was in his fifties, and his health was indeed extremely robust.

"You brat, don't even think about stopping me from making contributions to the Ming Dynasty."

Wen Zhengming smiled.

Zhou Chu laughed when he heard this. In the present Ming Dynasty, all the civil and military officials were like they had been injected with chicken blood, thinking about how to squeeze into the Zhenwu Hall.

"The Toungoo Dynasty's attack on Champa is mostly a test, a test of the Ming Dynasty's attitude. Teacher, you must be firm in your stance. Mang Rui Ti has not yet inherited the throne and will not make a big fuss. As long as you are firm enough, the Toungoo Dynasty will surely withdraw its troops."

Zhou Chu offered advice and strategies to Wen Zhengming.

"Of course! As the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, how could I possibly tarnish the prestige of the Ming Dynasty!"

Wen Zhengming stroked his beard and said.

After saying this, Wen Zhengming looked at Zhou Chu.

"Weighing instruments, is that old bastard Tang Bohu at your residence?"

Zhou Chu nodded upon hearing this.

"Ever since the student got married, I've let the teacher and his family live in my house."

"It's been so long since the three of us drank together. I wasn't at the same table as you at your wedding. Let's have a good drink before I go on my mission."

Wen Zhengming said with high spirits.

"Alright, today the student will keep the teacher company until we're drunk."

Zhou Chu smiled.

Meanwhile, Xia Yan returned home and began writing a letter to Wang Mingyue. The letter essentially stated that once the Ming envoy arrived in Champa and mediated, the Toungoo Dynasty would immediately withdraw its troops. The Toungoo Dynasty was no match for the Ming Dynasty at present, and they needed to expand in other directions first.

This was the first time Xia Yan had replied to Wang Mingyue. After writing the letter, Xia Yan suddenly realized that the reason why the Dongyu Dynasty attacked Champa was probably partly because Wang Mingyue had forced him to reply to her.

After all, if he wanted to rely on the power of the Toungoo Dynasty, he wouldn't just watch it be destroyed by the Ming Dynasty.

After figuring this out, Xia Yan couldn't help but curse Wang Mingyue inwardly as a crazy woman.

Inside the Zhou residence, Zhou Chu, Tang Bohu, and Wen Zhengming were drinking together.

Tang Bohu was somewhat worried when he heard that his old friend Wen Zhengming was going to be sent as an envoy to Champa.

"You all say that prince of the Toungoo Dynasty is very ambitious. Will Zhengming be in danger on his trip?"

Zhou Chu shook his head upon hearing this.

"He is ambitious, but he is not stupid. The Toungoo Dynasty would never dare to clash with the Ming Dynasty, especially since the current king of the Toungoo Dynasty is still alive. Although he is in poor health, he is still capable of making decisions. That king, while not exactly cowardly, would never allow the Toungoo Dynasty to defy the Ming Dynasty. Mang Rui Ti is probably just testing the Ming Dynasty's attitude this time."

“That’s right. I have the support of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty is now comparable to the Tang Dynasty, and it’s even about to surpass it. Even if the Toungoo Dynasty had ten times the courage, they wouldn’t dare to disobey the Ming Dynasty.”

Wen Zhengming picked up his wine glass as he spoke.

"Come on, let's drink until we drop!"