weaving

Chapter 12: The Platform Calls to the Battle
Beijing city, inside the imperial palace.

Hanging the Minister of the Ministry of War and the title of Yushi of Youqian Capital, giving Shangfang the sword, the governor of the world, the king of soldiers and horses, and the governor of Xuan, Da, and Shanxi Lu Xiangsheng walked all the way from the west of the Huangji Hall, passed through the Youshun Gate, and came straight to the front of the platform. Emperor Chongzhen was already sitting on the Panlong throne and waiting for him.

The platform is located in the middle and rear of the Jianji Hall in the imperial palace. It is located on the three-fold white jade railing and opposite to the Qianqing Gate. The Yuntai Gate is also facing the latter. The east is called the rear left gate, and the west is called the rear right. The door is the left and right doors of the cloud platform, also known as the "platform".Where officials such as cabinet ministers are called, or on the platform, that is, the rear left door.

Behind the throne, there are maids holding umbrellas, fans and other things. There are many eunuchs standing on both sides. Two bronze crane censers with a height of one person are emitting thin smoke, and the whole hall is full of strange fragrance.

Outside the hall stood two rows of guards in brocade clothes. The axes and axes they held in their hands shone brightly in the morning sun.

Governor Lu Xiangsheng knelt down on Danbu to Emperor Chongzhen and performed the usual court salute. He held an ivory wat in his hand, bowed his head and knelt on the ground paved with white marble, waiting for Emperor Chongzhen to question him.

The rule at that time was that the courtiers had to stand in silence, the emperor sat there, and when they encountered problems, they called the names of the officials, and the officials stepped forward and knelt there to answer. When the emperor gave permission, they could also stand there and speak.This is called platform.

Sure enough, within a short while, he heard the eunuch coming out of the hall pass an order, saying that the emperor asked him to enter the hall for questioning.

Lu Xiangsheng got up quickly, bowed his waist, climbed up the steps from the left side of the platform, walked slowly into the hall, knelt down again and performed the three-kneeling and nine-kowtowing ceremony. After the ceremony, he did not dare to raise his head, and was still cautious knelt where he was.

Although, as early as the eighth year of Chongzhen, Lu Xiangsheng was promoted to the right deputy capital censor, the prime minister of the military affairs of the five provinces of Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Huguang, and Sichuan, and concurrently served as the governor of Huguang.

Soon after, he was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of War, supervised the military affairs of Shanxi and Shaanxi, and granted Shangfang Sword, which made a lot of contributions to Emperor Chongzhen, but this was the first time Chongzhen summoned him alone.

Lu Xiangsheng knelt there like this for a while, but Emperor Chongzhen didn't speak, just kept looking up and down at Lu Xiangsheng with his eyes.

This capable official of the court who was born as a Jinshi, but was proficient in martial arts and familiar with strategy, made a very good impression on Chongzhen today.

Lu Xiangsheng was only 39 years old at this time, his skin was fair, and he looked tired and tired, his chin was slightly pointed, and he looked very thin, with a sparse beard.

He is completely like a scholar, and he is not at all like a warrior who is good at riding and shooting, who dares to take the lead and personally charge into battle.

But with his sword eyebrows, high cheekbones, and broad forehead, he looked calmly and resolutely at Lu Xiangsheng, who was kneeling in front of him with his head bowed.

Emperor Chongzhen finally spoke: "Now the captives are invading, and the capital is under martial law. Aiqing can work hard for the king for thousands of miles, be loyal to the king's affairs, and support the king for the governor of the world, resist the eastern captives, and protect the capital. It shows that Aiqing is loyal and diligent Jia. My heart is also very relieved."

These two words of comfort from Emperor Chongzhen moved Lu Xiangsheng deeply, and tears filled his eyes unconsciously. He felt that even if he broke himself to pieces, it would not be enough to repay the current emperor's "kindness of knowing you".

Lu Xiangsheng was still kneeling, and sincerely replied softly: "The foolish minister is not a general at all. He only knows to serve His Majesty loyally and never avoids dangers. I feel so sad that I am mentally disordered, which is far from what it used to be.

Kuang Yichen is in such an ominous state now, if he is in command of the three armies, not only will he not be able to convince others in front of a group of King Qin soldiers, but even the golden drum of the Chinese army will not be able to beat it effectively.The heart of the minister is always afraid of failing to live up to the grace and increasing the crime of the minister. "

Lu Xiangsheng's father passed away in May of this year, and the imperial court knew about it. At that time, Lu Xiangsheng wrote more than ten times to the imperial court, imploring him to allow him to return home to Ding You, and to keep his father's filial piety for three years.

But Emperor Chongzhen categorically rejected his request, asking him to take responsibility for his father's filial piety in the place of duty.

Therefore, when Lu Xiangsheng mentioned this matter, Emperor Chongzhen comforted him with warm words: "To be loyal is to be filial. It is common for ministers to win over state affairs. At present, state affairs are difficult, and you must concentrate on loving your ministers." Don't be too sad when you do anything, it's a disappointment to me."

Having said that, Chongzhen called the eunuch to come in, holding a tray full of flower silver and python satin, and awarded it to Lu Xiangsheng on the spot as a token of appreciation.

Lu Xiangsheng had no choice but to kowtow again to thank him.

Only then did Emperor Chongzhen get to the point, and then asked: "Nowadays, the soldiers in the East are in full swing, and the ministers in the foreign court have different opinions, and they can't agree. From Aiqing's point of view, how should we deal with it?"

Lu Xiangsheng was bowing his head and kneeling on the ground, when he heard the emperor voluntarily raised this question, his tone seemed to be vacillating, and suddenly he forgot to be afraid, and he also forgot to pay attention to the etiquette before the emperor, so he raised his head.

He stared at the current emperor on the throne with piercing eyes, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty ordered the ministers and governors of the world to assist the king from all walks of life. The ministers are determined to fight with the captives so that the captives will be defeated before they can be driven back." Li, don't dare to offend my important place in Gyeonggi again!"

After Lu Xiangsheng finished speaking, all the eunuchs and maids present looked at Lu Xiangsheng who was kneeling on the ground with surprised eyes, and secretly glanced at Chongzhen's face on the throne from the corner of their eyes, thinking that the emperor would be angry about it. Everyone was terrified, sweating for Lu Xiangsheng.

At this moment, Lu Xiangsheng also realized that his attitude was a little reckless, so he quickly lowered his head again.

However, the normally irritable Emperor Chongzhen did not get angry because of this. He just tilted his head slightly, leaned against the armrest of the throne, and looked at Lu Xiangsheng who was kneeling on the ground.

After a long time, the emperor finally spoke: "This matter is of great importance. After Aiqing leaves, you can discuss it carefully with Yang Sichang and Gao Qiqian. From Aiqing's point of view, which is better, fight or defend?"

"Foolish ministers think that since ancient times, when fighting against the enemy, there is only the law of war, but no law-abiding. Only those who can fight can keep their words. If you can't fight, but only know how to keep your words, you will be more and more controlled by the enemy. !” Lu Xiangsheng bowed his head and replied.

Chongzhen pondered for a while when he heard the words, and then said: "War and defense must be balanced."

Lu Xiangsheng still knelt and replied: "War is defense. Today's affairs must be based on war and supplemented by defense. Only by being able to fight first can we control the enemy and not be controlled by the enemy."

When Chongzhen heard the words, his complexion turned pale, and he continued to ask: "According to Aiqing, the best strategy is to fight, but we have not gathered all the troops of King Qin, so how should we fight?"

Lu Xiangsheng replied generously: "The foolish minister thinks that the current illness is not because of our weak military strength, but because the court is determined to fight and defend! Now the reinforcements from Guanning, Xuan, Da, and Shanxi are no less than [-].
In addition to guarding the city, the three major battalions in central Beijing also have tens of thousands of troops lined up outside Dongzhimen and Chaoyangmen. As long as the imperial court is determined to fight, unite as one, and motivate the soldiers, even if the three battalions are not used, [-] King Qin's soldiers are enough for one. war. "

Speaking of this, Lu Xiangsheng paused for a moment, he licked his lips, and continued: "Kuang Donglu invaded on Qingqi this time, and went deep into our territory in Jifu, so he can only get food locally.
Xiang Sheng implores His Majesty to issue an edict: Strictly order the prefectures and counties in Jifu to fortify the walls and clear the fields, so that the soldiers of the Eastern Captives will have no way to feed; all the officials and generals who guard the land must live and die with the city, and those who abandon the city and flee will be killed without mercy.

The Shaanxi army led by Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting in Shaanxi is a powerful force, and some soldiers and horses can be mobilized immediately to help. Moreover, the soldiers and people in our Jifu have been ravaged by captive cavalry many times, and they are all filled with righteous indignation.

As long as the imperial court can persuade them, it is not difficult to gather a crowd of [-] people. Although they have not been trained in the military camp, they can still serve as the support of Qin Wang's soldiers and horses! "

　Celebrate the signing, two updates today!

　　Special thanks to Gentlemener, Life Is Like Coffee, Yumian Langjun myc, Xue Shao, accompanying reader Wei Xia's Ghost Face Buddha, Qiu Mingshanren for their support.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)