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

Chapter 635

Meng Ji eventually left. Even though the woman was reluctant to let him go, she couldn't bring herself to say a word to stop him. She knew very well that Meng Ji had been devoted to the country since he was young, and if she tried to stop him, it would only make him wish he were dead.

The Meng family was originally a wealthy family that raised horses for a living. It was not easy for Meng Ji to become an official. Naturally, Meng Ji's mother looked down on the woman he originally liked and arranged a marriage for him with someone of equal social standing. She even threatened to kill herself to force him to marry.

Meng Ji was caught in a dilemma, and in the end, it was the woman who was now the girl she once was who willingly became Meng Ji's mistress.

Meng Ji knew very well that he owed her too much, but since they were together, he couldn't keep thinking about what he owed her. If he kept thinking about what he owed her, he wouldn't want to see her again. So, for many years, Meng Ji had been doing his best to be good to the mother and son.

This horse, along with the job at the Southern Garrison Command, was Meng Ji's final gift to his son; he couldn't afford anything more.

On the day Meng Ji led his delegation away from Beijing, Jiajing led all the civil and military officials of the court to the north gate of the capital to see them off. When Ouyang Bijin went on his mission to Annam, there was not such a grand display, after all, the situation then was completely different from now.

At the time, many people in the court opposed the war against Annam. Only a few people knew the purpose of Ouyang Bijin's trip to Annam. In comparison, Ouyang Bijin seemed to have been wronged.

However, over the years, Jiajing has been openly and secretly bestowing gifts upon the Ouyang family, which can be considered a form of compensation for Ouyang Bijin.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to see me off any further. I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations on my journey to the Western Regions."

Meng Ji knelt before Jiajing and kowtowed.

Jiajing hurriedly helped Meng Ji up.

"My dear minister, you have sacrificed too much for my Great Ming Dynasty. I am truly reluctant to send such a loyal subject as you to the Western Regions."

Jiajing said with some sadness.

"Your Majesty, under Your Majesty's leadership, the Great Ming Dynasty is now reaching its peak. Once we conquer the Yarkand Khanate, the territory of our Great Ming will surpass that of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, I will be remembered in history. This is what I have always hoped for. Thank you for granting my wish, Your Majesty."

Meng Ji bowed and said.

"Good. When the territory of my Great Ming surpasses that of the Tang Dynasty, that will be the time for me to establish the Great Ming Zhenwu Hall. At that time, I will include all the meritorious officials of the Great Ming in it, and you will definitely have a place among them."

As Jiajing spoke, he patted Meng Ji on the shoulder.

Upon hearing this, Meng Ji felt a surge of excitement. He knew very well that the Zhenwu Hall and the Hall of Meritorious Officials were similar to the Lingyan Pavilion of the Tang Dynasty. As for why it was called the Zhenwu Hall, it was easy to understand. First, Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di was the incarnation of the Zhenwu Emperor in the orthodox lineage of the Ming Dynasty. Second, the current emperor believed in Taoism, so it was most appropriate to establish a Zhenwu Hall.

"Your Majesty, I thank you. I will certainly give the Ming Dynasty a legitimate reason to send troops."

Meng Ji spoke with great passion and enthusiasm.

Meng Ji led the mission on its way. The mission to the Yarkand Khanate did not even have a deputy envoy. Usually, the mission was led by a chief envoy and a deputy envoy. But everyone in this mission knew very well that Meng Ji, as the chief envoy, was destined to die in the Yarkand Khanate. The others in the mission were just waiting to inform the Ming Dynasty after Meng Ji's death.

In this situation, the deputy envoy faces extremely high risks and gains little merit, so few people are willing to take on the role.

"Your Majesty, Meng Wenxuan has already been sent as an envoy to the Yarkand Khanate. I expect that within half a year, he will give our Great Ming a reason to send troops. Now everything is ready, except for the railway on the grassland."

After Meng Jihe and his delegation had gone far away, Wang Xian came before Jiajing and bowed.

"You should go to Zhang Bingyong about this. He is the Minister of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works is in charge of overseeing the allocation of funds. What use is it for you to come to me?"

The Jiajing Emperor now felt a headache coming on whenever he saw Wang Xian. He never expected that Wang Xian, who was over sixty years old, would still be so warlike.