Although Yang Yuxuan was the Minister of War and held immense power, he was still far inferior to Cao Zhengchun, the Eastern Depot's chief.
Moreover, Yang Yuxuan had always directly rejected Cao Zhengchun's attempts to win him over. Over time, the two sides had long since become enemies.
Cao Zhengchun was extremely clever. He did not directly send his subordinate officials to submit memorials impeaching Yang Yuxuan to the Ming Emperor.
Instead, every day, he delivered Yang Yuxuan's memorials to the Ming Emperor.
Other officials desperately tried to break through Cao Zhengchun's blockade and submit their memorials to the Ming Emperor, yet they could never manage it.
Yang Yuxuan's memorials, however, reached the emperor's desk without obstruction.
This was not because Cao Zhengchun feared Yang Yuxuan. On the contrary, it was a vicious scheme.
Since ancient times, bitter medicine had cured illness, and honest advice had guided conduct.
As a key minister of the Ming Emperor and a former general who had led armies into battle, Yang Yuxuan saw Mingzhou declining year after year. The people suffered, the Jurchen pressed closer step by step along the borders, and Goryeo had begun to show signs of rebellion. Filled with anguish and indignation, he repeatedly advised and even admonished the Ming Emperor in his memorials.
What kind of man was the Ming Emperor?
A young ruler of a nation—how could he endure such memorials?
After more than ten consecutive occasions, the Ming Emperor grew increasingly disgusted with Yang Yuxuan.
Yang Yuxuan sought an audience several times, but Cao Zhengchun deliberately reported his requests while the Ming Emperor was enjoying himself, thoroughly ruining his mood.
As a result, the Ming Emperor no longer had the slightest favorable impression of Yang Yuxuan, nor did he retain even a shred of respect for a senior