Jiuxi

Chapter 350 Chapter 348 [The world is in trouble]

The second prince's anger was justifiable.

He worked hard to organize the Mo Yuan literary conference. It cannot be said that he is completely unselfish, but there is nothing blameworthy on the surface.

Although there are hundreds of literati who participate in the Literary Society every year, very few of them are juniors from aristocratic families or officials. Most of them are students from poor families like Lang Sanyuan.

They suffer from the fact that they have no way to show off their talents and knowledge, and not everyone is good at imperial examinations. Fortunately, Mo Yuanwen will open another door for them and give them a chance to become famous.

The reason why few people in the capital criticize the second prince on this matter is because the influence of these children from poor families is very limited. If the second prince wants to win over them and cultivate close confidants, let alone whether this is possible, it will take at least twenty or thirty years.

In the final analysis, whether the second prince is using this to support his hopes or he truly cares about these poor children, at least he has given them a way forward.

However, there are people who are ignorant and want to destroy his hard work. How can he not be angry?

The prince, who had always been brilliant and graceful, pressed his hands on the railing, staring coldly at the scholar below.

If Lu Chen hadn't come forward in time today, he would have almost made a fatal mistake - instead of exposing the trap in Lang Sanyuan's words on the spot, he would have used force to drive him away to confirm his accusation.

The soldiers of the border army fought to the death with the enemy in the north, but the central government chose to hold them back. The Northern Expedition that the emperor had been calling for more than ten years turned out to be a lie. Otherwise, how could Lu Chen be forced to lead his troops to withdraw from Heluo?

However, now that he heard Lu Chen's empathetic statement, Lang Sanyuan couldn't help but suspect that those people's judgment was wrong.

As these words came out, Lang Sanyuan gradually regained his composure. He looked up at the nobles upstairs and said with sadness and regret: "As a general of the border army, don't you think this is a tragedy for the country! "

When the second prince was about to have an attack, Lu Chen suddenly said softly: "Your Highness, calm down, I can handle it."

This is the core part of Lang Sanyuan's words. If he was kicked out of Moyuan today, as long as someone among the scholars participating in the literary meeting said what he said, it would definitely deal a blow to the prestige of the emperor and the central government. At the same time, It is very likely to cause an uproar in Daqi official circles.

According to the analysis of those people, Lu Chen had an upright temperament and would rather bend than bend, and after being suspected several times by the court, he must have resentment towards the central government. As long as he could arouse his anger, he would definitely intensify the conflict between the central government and the border troops.

Lang Sanyuan seemed calm, but suddenly felt uneasy. Lu Chen's reaction was far beyond his expectation.

Lu Shenwei hoped to get an answer from these literati who were not familiar with general affairs, and raised his tone slightly: "Let me tell you, the cost of supporting an infantry for the imperial court. Taking the infantry of the Huaizhou Army as an example, the monthly ration for the soldiers is two stones. One tael of military pay is only the most basic expenditure. Before the Northern Expedition, the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion had two battalions of the Ninth Army, with a total of more than 114,000 soldiers. It required 230,000 dan of food every month, and the total military pay was about 10 Forty thousand taels. Just adding these two items together, the imperial court has to spend close to two million taels a year."

The second prince turned to look at him, took a deep breath, nodded and said, "Thank you, Lord Lu."

This turmoil will inevitably spread to the border troops.

"The money needed to train a cavalry is about five times that of infantry. We don't have many cavalry, but it is still a huge expense. Governor Xiao told me that roughly speaking, one infantry requires fifty people. To provide support, the people must be healthy and able to work.”

Lu Chen continued: "When I asked Governor Xiao of Huaizhou for help with questions similar to yours, he taught me a very simple but important lesson."

"Do you know how much money is needed to support the four frontier governor's offices of Huaizhou, Jingzhou, Chengzhou, and Taipingzhou, the Nanya, Beiya, Imperial Army of the Beijing Army, and the Xiang Army of the Jiangnan states? And as I said just now, these It’s just the most basic expenses, in addition there are expenses for ordnance, armor, clothing, medicinal materials, etc., as well as expenses for handymen, auxiliary soldiers, civilian husbands, craftsmen, doctors, etc.”

He realized that the danger was coming, and hurriedly shouted over there: "Lord Marquis Lu, calm down, how could the students have such treasonous thoughts? The students firmly believed in His Majesty's love for the people, but the border troops withdrew with all the advantages. Heluo is also true! From this we can see that there must be traitors in the court who will use various excuses to thwart His Majesty’s determination to make the Northern Expedition and let the blood of the frontier soldiers go to waste! "

There was silence in the hall.

Although the distance was far away, Lang Sanyuan couldn't see clearly the expression of the second prince upstairs, but he could vaguely feel the fierce killing intent.

These scholars would naturally be eloquent if they talked about the Classics and History Collection, but Lu Chen's question left everyone speechless.

Thinking of this, the second prince could hardly suppress the anger in his heart.

It has to be said that this person's words were very inflammatory. The hundreds of young scholars in Kanzhitang were at an age where passion can easily arise. Although they did not dare to be impatient because of the presence of the second prince and the royal guards, there was a vague sense of suppressed emotion present. Spread between.

Lu Chen looked at Lang Sanyuan from a distance and said calmly: "Lang Caizi, I understand your grief and indignation. In fact, before the Northern Expedition was launched, I had similar views to yours now. Your Majesty has been in power for fourteen years. The Northern Expedition and the return to the old capital have been called for fourteen years, but there has been no movement. This will definitely make most people doubt whether His Majesty and the imperial court have thought about using troops to attack the north, and whether they have thought about cleaning up the fifteen years. The humiliation imposed on Daqi by the people in the future."

Lang Sanyuan's lips moved. He probably understood what Lu Chen wanted to say, but he had no reason to stop him, let alone the ability to shut up the dignified prince.

He paused slightly, raised his eyebrows and asked: "You are all well-educated people. Can anyone answer my question? How much does it cost for the court to support an infantry? How much money does it cost to support a cavalry?"

"Everyone, this is just the cost of supporting the army in peacetime. If it is in wartime, taking into account the recruitment of civilians, transportation of grain and grass, soldiers' rewards and pensions, military expenses will rise sharply, and may even reach more than six times of the usual level!"

In the huge hall, only Lu Chen's gentle but determined voice echoed.

Many people couldn't help but look thoughtful.

Lang Sanyuan swallowed with some difficulty.

Lu Chen said slowly: "Lang Caizi, do you understand now why the imperial court did not launch the Northern Expedition until fourteen years later?"

Faced with countless stares from the audience, Lang Sanyuan exclaimed: "Students understand."

"I come from the frontier, and I am not as knowledgeable and talented as you, but I know how much effort your Majesty and the princes in the court have put into the Northern Expedition of the frontier army." Lu Chen's expression was serious. The anger on the face of the second prince next to him faded away at this moment, and there was a hint of anger in his eyes. A bit of gratitude.

"I have personally witnessed the soldiers of the border army sacrifice their lives for the country countless times on the battlefield, but the central government, especially the two prime ministers, gave the border army strong support, which cannot be ignored."

Speaking of this, Lu Chen's eyes were extremely sharp at Lang Sanyuan, and he said word by word: "I will tell you clearly now that the reason why the Huaizhou West Route Army withdrew from Heluo was because I and Governor Xiao After deliberation, I specifically requested His Majesty to withdraw the troops. There is no need for me to tell you the reasons for choosing the battlefield."

"Whether you are naive and ignorant of the sufferings of the world, or you are instigated by others to try to sow discord between the central government and the border troops, I would like to take this opportunity today to tell you: Your Majesty and the governors have never forgotten the people of the North. It is impossible to forget the shame of that year, and the Northern Expedition will not end until the blood debt is paid in blood!"

"well said!"

The second prince couldn't help but raise his arms and shout, and there were a lot of people in the hall who responded.

Lang Sanyuan's body trembled uncontrollably. He wanted to open his mouth to argue, but was drowned out by the angry literati in the hall.

"Your behavior is no different from that of an animal!"

"You have ulterior motives and you are so ambitious!"

"This is a traitor to the country!"

"Kill him!"

Lang Sanyuan was knocked back several steps by the surging sound and fell to the ground in a hurry.

The second prince's cold and stern tone sounded at the right moment: "Come here, drive this person out of Mo Yuan!"

"Here!"

The royal guards had been waiting for a long time, and now they could finally show off their skills, effortlessly lifting up Lang Sanyuan and walking outside.

After all, today is the Fengya Literary Meeting. The Second Prince does not want to fight and kill, so he can just expel this person. Furthermore, the Sutra Weaving Department will definitely not ignore this unruly scholar with evil intentions. I believe he will be invited to the blue-grey mansion later. yamen.

……

Royal Palace, Cloud Observation Platform.

A bright yellow figure stands alone on the railing, quietly looking at the floating clouds in the sky.

The Sutra Weaver raised Qin Zheng up the stairs in a hurry, came behind the emperor, bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, there is news from Moyuan."

Li Duan said calmly: "Speak."

Qin Zheng briefly recounted the controversy that had just occurred in Mo Yuan.

Today, Moyuan seemed to be just holding a cultural gathering. However, because Lu Chen's participation had already attracted close attention from all parties, the Warp Weaving Department would naturally send top experts to monitor the whole process.

After Qin Zheng finished speaking, seeing that Li Duan did not respond, he respectfully asked: "Your Majesty?"

Li Duan slowly exhaled a long breath, and then said softly: "I never thought that those words would come out of the mouth of a young man in his early twenties."

Qin Zheng probably understood the emperor's seemingly calm but actually turbulent mood at this moment, and sighed: "Although Shanyang Marquis is young, he understands your majesty's difficulties far better than those literati."

"Yes, it's not easy for me, it's not easy for the border troops, it's not easy for the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty, it's not easy for everyone."

Li Duan narrowed his eyes slightly, with a gentle gaze, and said: "The fact that he said these words is enough to prove that I have not misjudged the person and that I have high hopes for him."

Qin Zheng was silent.

Li Duan said slowly: "I want to use this literary meeting to see what they are thinking, but Mo Yuan may not be at peace today. You must make arrangements properly and not let the second child and Lu Chen be in danger."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I have made arrangements."

Qin Zheng bowed and felt a strange emotion in his heart.

Unexpectedly, in the emperor's heart, Lu Chen's status was already on par with the prince.

Li Duan said no more and looked up at the clear and vast sky. In his eyes, there seemed to be picturesque mountains and rivers thousands of miles away.

(End of this chapter)