Jiuxi

Chapter 318 Chapter 316 [Princes succeed one after another]

In the southeast corner of the palace, there is a pond named Tamamo.

In the Orchid Pavilion by the pool, Li Duan stood beside the railing, holding a small celadon cup in his hand.

He took out the bait from it and sprinkled it into the pond, and saw groups of swimming fish competing with each other, swinging their slender bodies to fight for it.

"I don't understand."

He seemed to be talking to himself, and the thirty-year-old military general in armor behind him answered: "What doesn't your Majesty understand?"

Li Duan held a small lamp in one hand, looked up at the clear blue sky, and said slowly: "I thought that after Lu Chen conquered Heluo, he would tie the entire Qi court to the military flag of Ruishi Camp, forcing me and the Manchu Dynasty to Gongqing drained the last drop of blood for the border army. Heluo is more than just a city for me and Daqi, it symbolizes the legal system and inheritance of Daqi. I was powerless before, and I could still deceive myself, but the soldiers of the border army regained this place. If Lu Chen insists on not retreating, I can only do my best to protect him."

The general was silent, as if thinking.

A trace of confusion appeared in Li Duan's eyes, and he sighed: "He had a reason to do that, because everyone knew that the resistance to the Northern Expedition was great, but he did not do that. Chen Qing's family, you were born in the Huaizhou Army, and you are related to Lu Chen Having had the experience of fighting side by side, I should be familiar with him. I wonder if you can help me clarify my doubts?"

The thirty-year-old general is Chen Lanyu, the commander of Nanya Zhenwei Army.

He said calmly: "Your Majesty, I feel that both Governor Xiao and Captain Lu are knowledgeable soldiers. Since they believe that the border troops need to rest and reorganize, this decision is reasonable. Your Majesty said this, could it be that he is dissatisfied with Captain Lu?" ?”

This style of speech is different from that of most officials in the court. It seems to have the harshness and freedom of the frontier, but Li Duan likes this style very much.

"It's not that I'm dissatisfied, but I'm very satisfied. I'm so satisfied that I'm a little worried."

Li Duan laughed at himself, turned around and asked, "Do you know why?"

Chen Lanyu lowered his head slightly and said, "I don't know."

"You have read the content of Lu Chen's memorial before. You should know that although his writing is rough and straightforward, it is every word of it. Almost every paragraph hits the point. Especially the initiative to suspend the Northern Expedition and return the power to restart it. In my hands, this move can be said to have caught all the ministers off guard, and even the left prime minister had to give in."

Li Duan handed the small lamp to the palace man next to him, turned around, walked to the stone table and sat down, and said slowly: "How old is Lu Chen? He is just a young man. His performance on the battlefield is almost perfect, that's all, I Just think that this is Xiao Wangzhi's teaching. However, he can even see the disputes in the court so accurately. This time he stepped back to retreat, and he understood the true meaning of the treachery in the court. You tell me, I should be happy, Or should I be worried?"

He looked up at each other, his eyes unclear.

Facing the emperor's direct gaze, Chen Lanyu said simply and directly: "Your Majesty still can't let go of the rumors about Captain Lu's life experience."

"It's not that I don't have tolerance for others. The ministers in the DPRK all have some problems. As long as he can serve the court with his heart, I can turn a blind eye. What's more, Lu Chen is far better than most people. Better."

Li Duan spoke softly and said with emotion: "But he did so well, it's so good that it's hard to believe."

Chen Lanyu understood that the reason why the emperor summoned him today was because he had some connections with the Huaizhou Army, Xiao Wangzhi and Lu Chen.

Thinking of this, he said sincerely: "Your Majesty, I dare not make random guesses about Captain Lu's thoughts, but I can guarantee that he is definitely not of Yang Guangyuan's bloodline."

Li Duan asked curiously: "Why?"

Chen Lanyu replied: "If Captain Lu was really a son of the Yang family, Governor Xiao would not have waited until the year before last to call him into the army, let alone let him waste nineteen years in Guangling. Based on my knowledge of Governor Xiao, he would have dealt with this matter The arrangement was perfect without any flaws. Therefore, Captain Lu's appearance was just an accident."

Li Duan looked at him steadily, nodded for a long time and said, "I believe you."

Chen Lanyu bowed his hands and said, "I thank your Majesty for your trust."

Li Duan changed the subject and said, "In your opinion, what should I do?"

"I dare not speak unreasonably about your Majesty."

"To put it bluntly, I don't blame you."

"If Your Majesty is worried, just wait until the border war is over and call Captain Lu back to Beijing to report his duties to the Holy Spirit. I believe that Lieutenant Lu will never delay and cause any delay."

Chen Lanyu's expression was calm and calm.

Li Duan secretly praised in his heart.

At this moment, the great eunuch Lu Shizhou tiptoed into the Orchid Pavilion, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, the three generals Li Xiang, Xue Xiang, Guo Privy, and Wang Liuli have arrived at the East Nuan Pavilion of Wenhua Hall."

Li Duan then said to Chen Lanyu: "You should go back to the capital camp. I will call you into the palace to talk with you after a while."

"The minister obeys the order."

Chen Lanyu bowed and resigned.

……

"See Your Majesty."

Li Duan walked into Dongnuan Pavilion, and six important ministers saluted in unison.

"No gift."

Li Duanyan spoke concisely and concisely, with a calm and firm expression.

Li Daoyan reported first: "Your Majesty, Mr. Xu, the Imperial Censor, has led more than ten capable officials to set off. They will rush to the border to assist the Huaizhou Governor's Office and start wartime negotiations with Jingguo."

Li Duandao: "Good."

The negotiation was requested by Lu Chen, but the Central Committee was not optimistic about it, because Jing Jun was still strong, and it was hard to imagine that Emperor Jing would give in because of a daughter of a county prince.

It's just that no one is willing to refute Lu Chen on such a trivial matter. Anyway, no matter whether the negotiation can be successful or not, Da Qi will not lose anything.

Xue Nanting, the right prime minister, then said: "Your Majesty, regarding the title of Duke of the State of Xiao Wangzhi, the governor of Huaizhou, after discussion, I have tentatively proposed to be the Duke of Rong. Please make your decision."

"Dr. Rongguo?"

Li Duan looked thoughtful.

This title is neither good nor bad, it is in the middle range among the official titles. Li Duan raised his eyes and looked at Xue Nanting, probably understanding the reason why the ministers chose this title.

One is a literal meaning, while the other implies the intention of sharing weal and woe and sharing the same fate as the country.

Thinking of this, Li Duan nodded and said: "Good. Zhongshu drafted a decree to send rewards and honors to the border areas according to regulations, and gave the Duke a palace in the capital. In addition, he wrote an article to announce it to the world, so that all the people of Daqi would know about Xiao Wangzhi His achievements and the court’s recognition of him.”

The two prime ministers should make the move at the same time.

Li Duan added: "Xiao Wang's parents are no longer alive, so his wife was granted the title of first-class Duke's wife, and his eldest son Xiao Lin was granted the title of Captain of Shangqingche, given a purple gold fish bag, and promoted to the governor of Taiping Prefecture. Secondly, His son Xiao Hong was granted the title of Captain of the Shangqi Command and promoted to the Commander-in-Chief of the Guangling Army of the Huaizhou Governor's Office."

This is the wife's shadow.

The reward given by Li Duan was not out of the ordinary, so none of the six important ministers objected.

After the matter was settled, Li Duan said to everyone: "Regarding the preparation of the Dingzhou Governor's Mansion, I would like to hear your thoughts from your family. The key point is who should serve as the Governor of Dingzhou."

In fact, some time ago, before Lu Chen led his troops to approach Heluo, the court had already confirmed that Xiao Wangzhi was about to regain the entire territory of Dongyang Road, and personnel appointments for that vast territory were already on the agenda.

The first thing confirmed was that Dongyang Road was restructured into Dingzhou, and the first governor of Dingzhou was Chen Chun, the former minister of the Ministry of Rites. However, the more important position of governor of Dingzhou was still unresolved.

The reason was that the ministers could not figure out Li Duan's thoughts, so they proposed several candidates for veteran martial arts, but they were rejected by the emperor.

Some people speculated that the emperor might be interested in Lu Chen, but then they felt that this conjecture was too bizarre.

No matter how much credit Lu Chen has, he is too young. Letting a junior in his early twenties serve as the head coach will probably cause criticism from both the government and the opposition.

The privy envoy Guo Congyi cleared his throat and stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I recommend General Li of Nanya to be the governor of Dingzhou."

At this time, Li Jingda was standing at the end, lost in thought.

Since his subordinate Xu Wen was investigated and punished for treason last year, the Nanya General's presence in the court has been continuously reduced. He can only continue to experience the majesty of the General in Nanya, and occasionally try to cause trouble for Chen Lanyu, but Never succeeded.

At this moment, he suddenly heard Guo Congyi mentioning himself. He raised his head slightly blankly and met the emperor's calm eyes.

"Guo Congyi, you old fool!"

Li Jingda cursed in his heart. He left the good general alone and went to the border to fight with the Jinglian people?

What's more, it's not like he didn't know that the border army was the territory of Xiao Wangzhi and Li Tianrun!

The imperial court did not want Xiao Wangzhi to take sole control of the military power of the two places. The governor of Dingzhou would inevitably have to fight with Xiao Wangzhi, and there would be a secret contest. No matter who went to Dingzhou, they would have to peel off their skin.

What if those old people who are idle at home don't practice cultivation, and I, the dignified General of Nanya, go to grab food from Xiao Wangzhi?

Are you sick!

Li Jingda was scolding secretly and thinking quickly. He had to refute Guo Congyi's sudden attack no matter what. However, before he could think of a suitable reason, Li Duan nodded and said: "Well... this is a good suggestion."

Li Jingda was stunned.

Guo Congyi took advantage of the situation and said: "Hou Yu, the governor of Chengzhou, has worked hard and made great achievements, and he has the ability to understand people and lead troops. I recommend Hou Yu to succeed the general of Nanya."

Li Duan muttered: "Hou Yu...Wang Qing's family, Liu Qing's family, what do you think?"

Neither Wang Yan nor Liu Shouguang objected.

Among the several frontier military governor's offices in Daqi, except for Xiao Wangzhi in Huaizhou and Li Tianrun in Jingzhou, only the governor's office in Chengzhou had to deal with the harassment of the seven Shazhou tribes, and wars often broke out.

In terms of seniority, military merit and age, there is indeed no one more suitable than Hou Yu to take charge of the Sixth Army of Nanya.

Li Duan said, "Then it will be as per Privy Guo's instructions."

In fact, he felt a little pity in his heart. When Guo Congyi proposed Li Jingda as the candidate, he wanted Chen Lanyu to temporarily take over the post of General Nanya. However, Guo Congyi immediately mentioned Hou Yu's name, preventing him from forcing the arrangement.

Compared with Hou Yu, Chen Lanyu lacks a lot in all aspects.

"His Majesty……"

In the peaceful atmosphere, Li Jingda's slightly trembling voice sounded.

Li Duanxun looked up, narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Is it that Li Qing's family doesn't want to share my worries? Or do they feel that they are not worthy of the position of governor of Dingzhou?"

Li Jingda squeezed out a forced smile and said quickly: "How dare I! I am willing to share your worries for Your Majesty! To protect the country and the people of Qi!"

Li Duan praised: "It's very good. The Qing family is worthy of being my loyal ministers."

At this point, Li Jingda could only bow down to accept the order and thank him, but in his heart he greeted Guo Congyi's maternal elders over and over again.

The candidate for the Governor of Dingzhou has been determined, but the matter is not over yet. After all, a Governor's Mansion cannot have only the Commander-in-Chief. The generals, troops and garrison arrangements under his jurisdiction, and even the appointment of subordinate officers of the Governor's Mansion are very troublesome.

These details were naturally drawn up by the Privy Council, and Li Duan only needed final review.

Guo Congyi and others were a little puzzled. The emperor seemed to have forgotten someone?

Even if Lu Chen's current age is not suitable for commanding the army, he cannot still be the former Shanyang County man and Ruishi camp captain. This obviously cannot convince the soldiers of the border army.

Xue Nanting was also surprised, so he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, regarding Lu Chen, the captain of Ruishi Camp——"

"Right Prime Minister, don't be impatient."

Li Duan seemed to have been prepared and said gently: "I have decided to confer Lu Chen the title of Marquis of Shanyang. This conferment will be announced to the world together with Xiao Wangzhi's imperial edict. I told the people in the capital on the city tower that day, I will never treat every frontier soldier badly. Anyone who has made military achievements will be rewarded, and Lu Chen will certainly not be an exception."

"In addition to this princely title, I also have several generous rewards. I will give them to him in person after he enters the capital."

There was a faint smile on the emperor's lips, which made people unable to grasp the deeper meaning.

(End of this chapter)