Jiuxi

Chapter 326 Chapter 324 [Rewarding Your Excellency]

Although Qing Yugong's premonition was very accurate, Emperor Jing did not mention Qing Yu Huaijin's issue directly. He said calmly: "The views of Prince Changshan are very insightful. The expansion of the Qi army's battlefield is not necessarily a bad thing. However, I want to say something now. It’s a problem within our own military.”

As soon as these words came out, all the officials were in awe.

"Fifteen years ago, our army broke through Heluo in half a month, and officially established the status of Dajing's army as the best in the world. The great Confucian of the Southern Qi Dynasty often said that the greatest prosperity must inevitably decline. This is a truth in the world. I deeply believe it. Regarding the decline of the army's combat power, I had expected it. However, I cannot sit idly by and watch them continue to weaken. Even if we are sailing against the current, we must stop this momentum."

Emperor Jing raised his thick eyebrows slightly, looked at Qing Yugong and said: "In the battle at Baotai Mountain last year, Pu San Si En was arrogant and arrogant. He repeatedly underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly without being familiar with the terrain of the mountain. In the end, he was blocked by a group of bandits. Surrounding and killing in the canyon is like killing pigs and sheep! In the battle of Yongquan Pass, the four thousand defenders did not arrange night sentries and allowed the enemy to climb the mountain on a snowy night to attack, causing the south gate of Dongyang Road to fall overnight!"

Qing Yugong lowered his head and eyebrows, and said with shame: "Your Majesty, please calm down. This is my dereliction of duty."

Emperor Jing said in a deep voice: "You have many things to take care of, and it is difficult to cover everything. I will not criticize you harshly. But you must also understand that just because I can allow your subordinates to have similar problems once or twice, it does not mean that I will tolerate it forever. "

"I will remember your Majesty's teachings."

Qing Yugong became more humble and understood the other party's deep meaning.

The emperor is very clear that he intends to indulge the situation on the southern front. Whether he wants to lure the Qi army out as he just said, or he has a hidden intention to support the invaders, the emperor will not care about it at the moment, he will just repeat it again and again.

Everyone else stood like quails.

Sa Gai was secretly happy, and then he heard Emperor Jing say: "Sa Gai, last year in the battle of Yanping in the Kingdom of Zhao, you led an army of 30,000 to besiege the city, but 800 cavalry attacked the camp at night, which almost caused a catastrophe. I I hope you will think carefully about how many lives and blood your Hui Luo family has sacrificed today, and don’t let your father’s spirit in heaven be shamed.”

Compared to when he scolded Qing Yugong just now, Emperor Jing's tone was calmer at this moment. However, Sa Gai was sweating and said with great guilt: "Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty. I will reflect on this and never do it again."

Emperor Jing responded expressionlessly and said slowly: "The biggest defeat in the past two years was the Battle of Leize, but I will not blame Prince Changshan for this battle. On the contrary, I think this battle was remarkable. Before the war, the plan of Mou Lianghu and others was flawless. During the battle, the female Lu Huan led 8,000 infantry to resist the main force of the Qi army of more than 40,000 people, and lasted for three hours. Even in the defeat. When the decision was made, Qingyu Huaijin and Bali Hai did not lose their minds and retreated with most of the cavalry."

"From these details, I can vaguely see some of the grandeur of the army back then, but this is far from enough! My army cannot only stand out in the Pingzhao War, but also must have the courage and ability to defeat any opponent in the world. "

At this point, Emperor Jing glanced at the ministers with stern eyes and said in a cold voice: "I will give you one year to prepare the army. Anyone who is arrogant, timid in battle, greedy for military pay, or authorized without permission will be punished according to the severity of the crime. . If you can’t do it well, or don’t have the courage to do it, I will let others replace you. Remember, there is no shortage of people who want to be officials in the world, and I will only give you one chance.”

The ministers were awe-inspiring and responded in unison: "I accept the decree!"

Emperor Jing said again: "Tian Jue."

"Chen is here!"

An official in his late forties in the corner bowed and agreed.

Emperor Jing said coldly: "You will supervise the entire army this time. If anyone is pretending to be pretentious, you must report it to me immediately."

"The minister obeys the order."

Tian Jue straightened up, clearly wearing a third-grade official uniform.

Qing Yugong's face was calm, and Sa Gai felt a sense of disgust in his heart, but he didn't dare to show it at all.

Tian Jue was obviously not from Jinglian, but he was in charge of the Chief Music Department. This seemingly ordinary official name made people talk about it in the capital city.

The State of Yan had a Procuratorate, the Southern Qi Dynasty had a Sutra Weaving Department, and the Jing Dynasty had a Department of Musical Instruments.

However, unlike the two yamen in the south, the Chief Officer is not open to the outside world but only internal. The chief officer Tian Jue is only responsible to Emperor Jing. And because of his status as a Qi man, he is naturally unable to integrate into the circle of Jinglian nobles. He can be called the emperor. The most loyal dog around.

He was taciturn and unsmiling, rarely smiling throughout the year, and was secretly scolded as a "living dead" by some Jinglian nobles.

Emperor Jing glanced at Tian Jue, and then said in a slightly slower tone: "Now that Zhao State has been decided, Yan State will be ignored. Our enemies include Dai State and Nan Qi. It's not time to enjoy ourselves yet. I have already drawn up a plan. Regarding the new military merit reward system, a copy of it will be sent to your house later by someone who is responsible for it. Read it slowly and carefully, and make it clear to the military commander."

The ministers responded respectfully.

"As for the peace negotiation conditions proposed by Nan Qi this time..."

Emperor Jing's eyes fell on the three pieces of letter paper again, seeming hesitant.

Qing Yugong knew that everyone else was secretly paying attention to his reaction. He only hesitated for a moment before he took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, Dajing must not accept threats from the enemy just because of someone's life or death. If this happens, it will happen in the future. There will be trouble later!”

Emperor Jing said slowly: "But that kid from Yongping is now in danger."

"Everyone has his own destiny, this is destined by God."

Qing Yugong took a deep breath and said with guilt and difficulty: "Although she is my daughter, I never want her to be the one who makes His Majesty make an exception. Nan Qi should not dare to do anything to her. I will not go to court in the end." If she is willing to negotiate for peace, she will most likely be released. If...if she is unfortunately killed by a murderer, I will personally avenge her in the future."

The civil servants on the left looked at him with complicated expressions.

As expected, the Prince of Changshan County was still as decisive as before. Emperor Jing shook his head and said: "The king's words are wrong. I have said many times that the importance of the court is to distinguish rewards and punishments. If you do not do well, you will be punished. If you do well, you will be rewarded. Otherwise, who would be willing to serve the court? After all, No one in this world can live without eating fireworks."

Qing Yugong didn't speak, just buried his head lower.

Emperor Jing continued: "The prince has worked hard over the years and has made great achievements. He is the pillar of the country that I rely on. If Yongping is allowed to fall into the hands of the enemy and does not care about your contribution to the great scenery, how can I control the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty? Furthermore, even if you have worked hard for so many years, I cannot give up rescuing your daughter just because of your success in pacifying Zhao last year."

"Your Majesty is so kind to me, and I deeply appreciate it!"

Qing Yu bowed respectfully, his tone trembling slightly.

"Get down quickly."

A look of emotion appeared on Emperor Jing's face, and he sighed: "The great scenery cannot be separated from your strategic planning, and I cannot be separated from your loyal minister. If this matter makes you depressed, who can I rely on to pacify the Southern Qi Dynasty? Of course. , I am not ignoring the efforts of others, but the county king should understand that I don’t mind taking a step back for you.”

"Your Majesty... I have nothing to repay, I can only be ruined!"

Qing Yugong was extremely grateful, but felt a chill in his heart, because he could sense that the other important ministers in the upper study were gradually stirred up in their hearts after hearing the emperor's words.

Emperor Jing nodded and said: "The prince must not be excited, but should cherish himself. I have already thought about it. Since the Southern Qi border army is destined to withdraw from Heluo, it is okay to be conceited for the time being, but these conditions must be negotiated. .”

He looked at the first minister on his right, who was over forty years old and had a thin face, and said in a deep voice: "Zhao Qing's family, you choose a few eloquent ministers to negotiate with Nan Qi. Regarding the three conditions proposed by Lu Chen , First of all, there is no need to mention the covenant, he is not qualified to discuss this matter with me."

The civil servant's name was Zhao Siwen, and his official position was Shangshu Ling. He was the number one prime minister in the Shangshu Province of the Jing Dynasty.

He responded unhurriedly: "I accept the order."

Emperor Jing added: "As for the territory occupied by the Qi army, of course we cannot admit it openly, but we can tacitly agree to it. I will not be in a hurry. Generally speaking, after the Qi army withdraws from Heluo, Dongyang Road will not be ignored for the time being. Xiao Wangzhi and Lu Chen Most likely they want to occupy the pass east of Heluo. Let's split it into two. I can accept them occupying Qingliu Pass, but our army must take back Yaoshan Pass. This is the Heluo barrier and cannot be handed over to the Qi army."

Zhao Siwen said again: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Emperor Jing glanced at Qing Yugong and Sa Gai, and said leisurely: "As for the third condition, I agree to him that you let people compete with each other in terms of numbers and try to give them as few war horses as possible. In short, whether Yongping or ordinary Soldiers, I hope they can all return safely. As for the whereabouts of the war horses, it is divided among the nine armies, including the Houtiao Army and the Loyalty Army."

As soon as these words came out, not only Sa Gai was troubled, but also several other Jing Lian nobles who held military power.

When they thought about it, exchanging war horses for prisoners would definitely be a loss-making business, not to mention that the prisoners exchanged this time were basically from the Qingyu family and had little to do with them.

However, the emperor's words were eloquent, and the two armies directly under the royal family were also among them, so others naturally had no confidence to oppose.

Zhao Siwen responded one by one without any suggestions, just like a clay sculpture.

Emperor Jing thought for a while and said: "Negotiations cannot be carried out without strong support. Now the soldiers and horses of the South Academy are still in Zhao Kingdom and Shanyang."

A Jinglian nobleman responded slightly unexpectedly: "I am here."

Emperor Jing said: "Take half of the Dingbai army southward to the Henan Road of Yan State and join Qing Yu Zhongwang's cavalry. On the one hand, you will assist our negotiating envoys, and on the other hand, wait for the Qi army to withdraw from Heluo." Seize Yaoshan Pass. Remember, Xiao Wangzhi is cunning with his troops and will definitely set up an ambush on the way Lu Chen leads his troops to retreat, so they cannot be pursued."

The Dingbai Army does not belong to the army of the two academies. It is currently stationed in the southeastern area of ​​​​Jingchao, not too far from the Yan Kingdom.

It's just that the Yan Kingdom has always been under the jurisdiction of the Nanyuan, so the Dingbai Army has never set foot in the Yan Kingdom.

Shan Yang quickly said: "I have written it down."

Emperor Jing turned to look at Qing Yugong and said calmly: "Does the prince have any objections?"

Qing Yu said respectfully: "Your Majesty's arrangements are extremely thorough and appropriate, and I have no objections. Your Majesty shows such care to me and my daughter, and I am deeply grateful. I can only thank you for your holy grace."

Emperor Jing smiled, stood up and said, "No need. When the Yongping child returns to Dadu safely, just let her come into the palace to talk to me."

"The minister obeys the order."

Qingyu bowed his head respectfully.

The court meeting ended, and all the ministers walked out of the study room with their own thoughts.

Sa Gai and the two Jinglian nobles looked at Qing Yugong not far away, snorted indifferently, then turned around and strode away.

Qing Yugong seemed unaware, he just raised his head and glanced at the dazzling sunshine.

Walked out of the palace in silence.

(End of this chapter)