Gentlemen, listen to the sword chant

Chapter 92

"The master of the cabinet, the cabinet and the documents of the military government."

Guangling, Wangfu, Uesugi sits wearily on the throne that once belonged to King Wu. The bronze table in front of him is full of official documents, including traditional bamboo scrolls, silk brocade, and imperial yellow paper, without exception. , all printed with the golden seal of the cabinet and the military government.In the past few days, the cabinet and the military government have sent congratulatory letters one after another, commending and affirming the battle he commanded, and at the same time putting pressure on him, generally persuading him to execute Lin Guming as soon as possible. As long as Lin Guming is killed, the Allied Forces in 28 Towns will completely lose their leader, and they will no longer be able to fight, and Dongpu will take advantage of the trend to take the Wuyue area.

Uesugi rubbed his temples and laughed dumbfounded: "Let's put it here."

"Yes."

Miyamoto put down the document respectfully, hesitated for a while, showing hesitation: "Pavilion Master, what exactly do you plan to do with Lin Guming?"

"Miyamoto, how do you think I should deal with Lin Guming?"

Uesugi Kei pushed this problem to Miyamoto Jun.

"This..." Jun Miyamoto gritted his teeth and said, "Pavilion Master, you already have the answer in your heart. I think if you really let Lin Guming go, it's like letting the tiger go back to the mountain. If he makes a comeback in the future, he must belong to Dongying." I'm in serious trouble."

"However, if you kill him, can you, me, and the millions of soldiers from the First and Second Allied Forces withstand Lin Pojun's anger?"

Miyamoto was speechless.

"Miyamoto, you and I are both samurai, but those in the cabinet and the military are all politicians, and we are all pawns. They don't care whether the soldiers are dead or alive, but I can't just stand by and do everything for me. decided to take responsibility."

"But... Pavilion Master, if you do this, the cabinet and the military government will remove your military post."

Uesugi smiled slightly and waved his cuffs, "Go down and leave me alone."

Miyamoto nodded, but retreated helplessly.

Uesugi didn't even look at the document handed in from Dongying mainland, and put it aside, he thought for a while, got up and went to the dungeon.

dungeon.

Tick-tock-tock-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tock-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tock-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-sound-flowing-water-sound.

It's dark and humid here, and there's a foul smell in the air. Rats and cockroaches are crawling everywhere, and there's no sky here.

Lin Guming was restrained by more than a dozen thick railroads. He has already applied ointment, and his injuries are not serious for the time being. The last battle with Shang Shanqi hurt his muscles and bones. If he doesn't treat it, he may hurt his meridians. Broken martial arts.Seeing Uesugi, Lin Guming coughed and narrowed his eyes slightly, "Are you here to kill me?"

Knowing that the reason for the army's defeat was that they ate problematic military rations issued by the court, Lin Guming knew that this was a conspiracy. It's not good for Tie Jun and Lin's, and he, Lin Guming, is just an appetizer.Thinking about this, Lin Guming couldn't help feeling sad. The Lin family had guarded the imperial power for more than 400 years and was loyal, but he was about to be framed by traitors. He thought of the grandfather at home who couldn't bear the slightest bit of sand in his eyes, and the ignorant and careless young man. He felt unwilling to be a simple brother.

Uesugi shook his head slightly: "I don't want to kill you."

Lin was silent.

"In your country, there are many people who want to see you die. In my country, there are also many people who want to see you die. I am caught in the middle. It is difficult to do."

"Then kill me, you are a soldier, and the military order is like a mountain, I know you already have the answer in your heart." Lin Guming thought that Shang Shanqi was here to see him off for the last time.

Although he is not familiar with Shang Shanqi, he also knows that Shang Shanqi is an upright person, it is impossible to come here to persuade him to surrender.

"I'm going to let you go."

"Oh?" Lin Guming was surprised.

"But I have a few conditions."

Lin Guming showed an intriguing smile: "Shang Shanqi, you are negotiating terms with the wrong person. Now I am just a prisoner, and I have no qualifications or leverage to negotiate terms with you."

"You have." Shang Shanqi stared at Lin Guming with firm eyes, and met his gaze.

The eyes of the two are full of pressure, but neither of them will let the other.

"tell me the story."

In the end, Lin Guming compromised, not because he was greedy for life and afraid of death, but because he was afraid that after his death, his grandpa would be impulsive and fall into the hands of the traitor, ruining Lin's 400-year-old foundation.

Uesugi put his hands behind his back and said: "If you let me go, you can go back to Zhongzhou. I don't want to face the anger of hundreds of thousands of Zhongzhou Iron Army at all costs. You also really want to know who is behind your back and your family. ? That’s your business, oh yes, if you stay in Wuyue, I think it will be difficult for you to command the allied forces.”

Lin Guming didn't speak. In fact, when he commanded the battle of Guangling, his advantage was gradually lost due to uncontrollable factors. Then he remembered his grandfather's entrustment. He seemed to have grown a lot overnight. He began to re-examine himself, maybe, He, Lin Guming, couldn't be a qualified general at all, and couldn't be qualified to command the Iron Army. He still had a lot to learn, such as politics.Lin Guming made up his mind. He used to be rebellious and refused to listen to opinions. Now he decided to follow his grandfather's advice.

……

On May 24st of the [-]th year of Tai'an, Uesugi, the commander of the first and second allied forces in Dongying, announced to the public that he wanted to negotiate with the Great Liang court regarding Lin Guming. Once the news came out, the world was in an uproar.

The princes from all walks of life in the fourteen prefectures secretly commented that Uesugi was worthy of being a famous general of the East, with a forward-looking strategic vision.Some people secretly scolded the Japanese pirates for being cowardly and dared to kill Wuyue generals, but not a young Lin family who was a newborn calf. Isn't this bullying the weak and fearing the hard?It can also be seen from the side how powerful the deterrent power of the hundreds of thousands of Zhongzhou Iron Army is, even the brave and warlike Dongying people who have always been arrogant, dare not face the anger of the Iron Army head-on.Some people ridiculed that this time the imperial court accompanied his wife and broke up the army. Not only did they lose control over the princes, but they also damaged the face of the Tiejun. If a similar appeal against thieves is issued again, I am afraid not many princes are willing to buy it.The princes from all walks of life are watching in secret, there is no doubt that as long as anyone dares to rise up at this time and announce that he will break away from the control of Great Liang, many people will respond and seek independence one after another. Wait and see what happens, take one step and watch another.Some people also said that this time the Dongying people will definitely take the opportunity to open their mouths and blackmail the court severely. If they want to redeem Lin Guming from the Dongying people, they may have to bleed a lot.

In short, the court is under great pressure from public opinion.

……

Beijing.

Halfway through the Yin hour, just as the sky was lightening, all the officials were waiting in front of the palace gate, talking in low voices and whispering, and the topics around them were "Lin Guming was defeated". Wearing armor and carrying a knife to the court, this is a rare visitor. He has a livid face, listens to the discussions of all the officials, leans on the pillar alone, squints his eyes, and is domineering. No one dares to touch his bad luck at this time.

Prince Gong looked at Gongsun Lan who was not far away with a smile on his face, and the two exchanged a glance. Everything was in the words. This time the Allied Army was defeated, and the poisoning of the army rations was successful, thanks to Gongsun Lan's help.But after all, they are in the court. Although he and Gongsun Lan are both representatives of the Hawk Faction, they are both operating forces, and it is not good to have too close contact in private, so as not to be given the excuse that they are forming cliques for personal gain and forming cliques.Prince Gong looked at the taciturn Yan Dong again, took the initiative to walk up, and said with a smile on his face: "Master Yan, do you think that the Jian Guo and the Empress are going to announce the court today?"

Yan Dong rolled his eyes, thinking that this is not knowingly asking?He didn't speak, but glanced at Lin Pojun not far away from the corner of his eye.

Prince Gong smiled awkwardly: "The old marshals are here, they must be going to court, it's Xiao Wang's negligence."

Seeing Yan Dong still didn't speak.

Prince Gong got closer and said in a low voice: "Lin Guming was captured, those Dongying people are really brave. Didn't Dongying say they want to discuss Lin Guming with the imperial court? Lord Yan, do you think the Dongying people will What does the lion want from us?"

Yan Dong sneered: "From the moment they won the war but did not dare to kill the vanguard general, they have already lost. What do they want, is it up to us?"

Prince Gong was at a loss for words, he just felt unhappy, thinking that this old bastard, Takeshita Unsure, repeatedly assured himself that he would definitely kill Lin Guming, what happened?Now he only asks Shang Shanqi to speak loudly, and then he advocates refusing peace talks in the court. He has already thought up a set of rhetoric, and after thousands of calculations, who can count on Shang Shanqi's courage to disobey the military order?Therefore, Prince Gong wept and sighed, "The harvest has not been good in the past few years. From the outbreak of the Jingzhou War to the end, many states have suffered from floods and insects. The burden is heavy, our national treasury is empty, and now there are years of wars everywhere, alas, if the Japanese people want more, Lord Yan, I still hope you will act impartially."

Yan Dong pouted, thinking what does tax have to do with you?The common people are living in depression and distress, so the real money doesn't flow into your mansion every year?

At this time, a small eunuch came slowly, bowed slightly, and shouted at the top of his voice: "Master Jian Guo and the Empress have an order to announce that all officials will enter the court to discuss matters."

A group of ministers covered the fluorene board and lowered their heads and entered the palace gate, all the way into the Jinluan Hall.

Kneel down.

"The queen is blessed and safe."

Then there was another set of normal procedures for hundreds of officials to read out their own government affairs.

The queen is Lin Pojun's niece, after all, she is still Lin Guming's cousin. Lin Guming was imprisoned and went to Wuyue to fight for his military exploits for her son. When she learned that Lin Guming was defeated, the queen was heartbroken and shed tears. wash your face.The significance and impact of Lin Guming's defeat are far-reaching. For the political group represented by the empress, on the one hand, the imperial court lost its dominant control over the Wuyue War, and it would be difficult for the little prince to have military exploits to successfully ascend the throne; Life is dead, Lin Pojun leads the army to fight against Wuyue, the little prince will no longer have the chance to ascend the throne, and their life will not be easy, etc. In short, the impact is very bad.

Prince Gong gave Gongsun Lan a wink, and the latter understood, holding the fluorene board, and said in a respectful voice: "Reporting to the Queen, the supervisor of the country, the official has his own foundation."

"Talk." Huang Shi remained expressionless.

"I heard that the Japanese pirates coach of Guangling, Uesugi Qi, threatened General Lin Guming with the intention of negotiating with the court of Daliang. I feel that I should do my best to keep the general safe." Of course, Gongsun Lan would not be so kind. Said, is also the second best.

Huang Shi nodded: "Well, it makes sense. Although this battle was defeated, its details need to be studied. Whether it is merit or demerit, the forward general has an inescapable responsibility. Only when he is extradited back to Beijing and accepts investigation can the turmoil of the princes of the fourteen states be calmed down." Anger." Huang Shi is also a human being, and from another point of entry, he explained his determination to save Lin Guming, so as not to let himself down, and to avoid being ridiculed that he was partial to Lin.

Prince Gong looked at the two and sneered.

Gongsun Lan said again: "It's just that the national treasury is empty right now. If the Dongying people speak loudly and the household department is powerless, what should we do? Jian Guo, there are frequent wars at the moment. If you are really powerless, you should let it go. I will let it go. Wu Liguo has never cede territory, pay compensation, or make peace, and if it really involves a matter of principle, I ask Lord Jianguo and the empress to be careful."

Huang Shi sneered.

At this moment, Lin Pojun stepped forward with his sword in his hand, cast a sidelong glance at Gongsun Lan who lowered his eyebrows and nodded, and said calmly, "Don't worry about it, sir. If money is involved, someone has his own way."

Gongsun Lan smiled all over his face: "That is, that is, the old marshal is powerful in the world, if that Dongying person dares to ask for money or just wants to threaten our Great Liang to cede the land, the old marshal has shown his sharpness and has no eyes for swords and guns, forgive that Dongying A group of rats don't dare to say anything, and they will obediently send the forward general back." His words were ridiculed and flattering.

Seeing Gongsun Lan's obsequious face, as if he was pretending to flatter his horse, but in fact there was a sword hidden between the fronts of his words, all the officials felt shuddering.

What Gongsun Lan meant was that the Dongying people wanted money, but the Ministry of Households did not, and there was no example in Daliang of ceding land for compensation. Besides, it is impolite and unreasonable for the Daliang court to make an apology to the Dongying people for the sake of a mere vanguard general. , is also impossible.Want money?Sorry, there is no household department.Great Liang has a country established by martial arts, and its dignity is only above the edge of the sword. You, Lin Pojun, are capable, and you are a fearsome marshal. Since people use your grandson as a bargaining chip to threaten the court, then you should lead troops to fight. To subdue the Dongying people, if not, it would be ridiculed.It can be said that Gongsun Lan really killed people invisible, and he deserves to be one of the representatives of the Hawks.

Prince Gong looked at Gongsun Lan's taunting words, stroked his beard leisurely, and was very satisfied. He thought that Gongsun Lan had been able to hold this position for so many years, and there was some ink in his mind.

Lin Pojun looked at Gongsun Lan with a smirk, and the latter felt inexplicably hairy. He laughed and said, "It is true that the household department has no money, and the national treasury is also empty, but I heard that many officials hold 2000 taels of silver a year. However, he can go to extravagant places and spend ten thousand taels of gold in one night without blinking his eyelids. Well, ten thousand taels of gold is only bought for one night of singing and dancing. I don’t know how much property the family has and whether the income is legal. Know."

Baiguan complexion changed.

Threats, outright threats.

In this world, which official is not corrupt?If you are not greedy, who would become an official with that poor salary?Can you be an official without corruption?
"Hmm... Tiejun's military salary is 33 taels of silver per person per year, tsk, some people spent one night in Tingchao Tower, which is worth [-] elites' annual military expenses. I don't know if it's in it What's the inside story?" After Lin Pojun finished speaking, he looked at Huang Shi, an old eunuch wearing a splendid flying fish suit, sitting beside the dragon chair, and said with a smile, "Jianguo, didn't your Jinyi guards investigate? Is there really any ulterior secret in it?"

(End of this chapter)