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

Chapter 675

Others may not know the current military strength of the Ming Dynasty, but Xia Yan knows some of it. Putting aside everything else, just the two killing gods, Lin Lu and Lu Yunjin, either one of them could wipe out the Dongyu Dynasty several times over.

However, based on Xia Yan's understanding of Wang Mingyue, he knew very well that the reason she did this was mostly to test the Ming Dynasty. Since he hadn't given them a response and they didn't understand the Ming Dynasty's military strength, this was at most a test. The Ming Dynasty wouldn't destroy the Toungoo Dynasty because of this incident; at most, it would mediate, since the Toungoo Dynasty was currently subservient to the Ming Dynasty.

"Gentlemen, who knows more about this Toungoo Dynasty?"

Emperor Jiajing looked at the assembled civil and military officials and said...

“Your Majesty, I know a little about the Toungoo Dynasty. The king of the Toungoo Dynasty is now in his forties or fifties, but he is seriously ill and no longer pays much attention to state affairs. I have heard that the one in charge of the Toungoo Dynasty now is their prince, Mang Rui Ti. This man is very ambitious, and I estimate that the attack on Champa was Mang Rui Ti’s idea.”

Minister of Works Zhao Huang stepped forward.

As the Minister of Works, the Ministry of Works had the most contact with Southeast Asia among the Six Ministries. Although Zhao Huang's subordinates were usually the ones who dealt with people in Southeast Asia, he was not one to be trifled with. He always had his subordinates keep an eye on the movements and latest information of the Southeast Asian countries, so that he would have something to say if His Majesty asked him about it one day.

Zhao Huang could prepare for a thousand days and be of no use, but he couldn't wait until the emperor asked and then be completely clueless.

When Jiajing heard this, he nodded.

"Xi Feng is indeed a man of principle."

Xifeng was Zhao Huang's pen name.

Zhao Huang was overjoyed to hear this, thinking that after preparing for so long, he had finally made an appearance with this information.

"What are your opinions, my esteemed ministers, regarding the affairs of the Toungoo Dynasty and Champa?"

Emperor Jiajing changed the subject, looked at the assembled court officials below, and asked.

"Your Majesty, I believe that both the Toungoo Dynasty and Champa are vassal states of our Great Ming Dynasty. They are both equally important. Our Great Ming Dynasty can simply send envoys to mediate between them."

As the Grand Secretary, Yang Yiqing naturally had to express his views. The current Yang Yiqing was quite different from before; he was very active in the court. Every time Jiajing asked for the opinions of the court officials, Yang Yiqing would eagerly offer his own perspective, and most of the opinions he gave were quite pertinent.

"What the Grand Secretary said makes sense. However, I think we should use both civil and military means. Sending envoys to mediate is essential. But if the Toungoo Dynasty is ambitious and unruly, our Great Ming will show them the might of the Ming Dynasty. I believe we should send troops to accompany the envoys to Champa."

Wang Xian, the Minister of War, stepped forward.

Wang Xian now seems to thrive on chaos. Before becoming Minister of War, he served as Governor of Liaodong and Governor of Shanxi. He was also credited with defending Yingzhou and was granted the hereditary title of Commander of the Imperial Guard. He was a true warmonger. Hearing this, he became excited and wished he could personally lead troops to Southeast Asia and pacify the Toungoo Dynasty.

"Lord Wang, your words are inappropriate. The might of our Great Ming Dynasty is such that it can subdue the enemy without fighting. As a vassal state of the Great Ming, the Toungoo Dynasty should obey the orders of the Great Ming. The Toungoo Dynasty is just a small country. If our Great Ming sends troops without even talking, how can it show the majesty of a great power?"

Xia Yan stepped forward and retorted.

In Xia Yan's eyes, the Dongyu Dynasty was his backup plan. With the Dongyu Dynasty in existence, he could plan many things, so Xia Yan naturally did not want the Dongyu Dynasty to be destroyed.

However, Xia Yan's words were reasonable and well-founded. The current Toungoo Dynasty was not even in the same size as the Ming Dynasty. As the suzerain state, the Ming Dynasty played more of a parental role, mediating between the two sides. It was unreasonable for the Ming Dynasty to send troops at the drop of a hat. If the Toungoo Dynasty did not obey its rules, it would be justifiable to send troops.