Jiuxi

Chapter 439 Chapter 437 [Heaven and earth last forever]

Life does not meet, moving like participating in business.

This autumn in Yongjia City, farewell has become the theme.

The death of some people earned countless respects and remembrances, such as the eldest prince and the soldiers of various armies who died of injuries after a bloody battle with the rebels. The emperor personally led hundreds of civil and military officials to hold funeral and memorial ceremonies for them.

The departure of some people was met with all kinds of curses and applause, such as the thousands of rebels led by Guo Congyi and Wang Yan. That day, the market was crowded, and Lu Chen, witnessed by countless people in the capital, threw out one execution ticket after another.

There is not only separation in death, but also separation in life.

In the end, Lu Chen respected Li Bingxue's idea and did not leave the city to see her off. The heroic female general, as the first female commander in the history of Da Qi, led the Feiyu Army northward to the frontier.

When the blood in Caishikou dried up, the rebellion that shook the capital was declared to have subsided. At least for the people in the city, peace could be restored. It was nothing more than one more thing to talk about in the future.

The subsequent battles between the various forces and the changes in the court have little to do with them.

It may be many years before the world understands that this rebellion has brought the emperor's authority to an unprecedented level.

Could this be the reason why Li Daoyan invited him?

The carriage stopped slowly, and the voice of the guards came from outside.

In the carriage, Lu Chen leaned on the soft pillow and looked at the exquisite invitation in his hand.

In appearance, Li Shizhi has a white face and short beard, a medium build, a slender face, and gentle eyes. He naturally has a noble and elegant bookish air, which makes people feel like spring breeze when they get along with him.

Li Shizhi walked down the steps with square steps, cupped his hands and said, "I have met Shanyang Marquis."

The Privy Council was successfully reorganized into the Military Academy, and the seven military ministers became new forces in the Daqi military. The Minister of Personnel, the Minister of Hubu, and a number of new faces who were promoted to high officials appeared in the court. Daqi experienced fifteen years of hardship and war. After dormancy, it gradually showed an upward trend.

However, with the collapse of the four families of King Guo and Ningle, serious divisions will inevitably occur within the Jiangnan family. Even if the emperor expresses his intention to appease him by offering favors to Li Shizhi, the future of the Jiangnan family is still unclear.

Li Shizhi smiled slightly and said: "The arrival of Marquis Lu in person will make the plum blossoms in my mansion shine."

This invitation was written by Li Daoyan, the Prime Minister of the Left, and invited him to visit the government.

Lu Chen said: "Your Majesty's words are serious. I'm going to visit the old Prime Minister today."

Lu Chen responded, stood up and stepped out of the carriage. The first thing he saw was the majestic gatehouse of the Li family mansion, and then Li Shizhi, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, and a group of juniors of the Li family standing on the steps.

Lu Chen said calmly: "Shilang Li, there is no need to be polite."

But today is the first time he has met in person the newly appointed Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Rites, who will also be the examiner for next spring's examination.

"Master Hou, we're here."

Lu Chen admired the prime minister who had been in charge of the court for more than ten years. After all, the emperor's ability to take back power step by step in the past two years was inseparable from Li Daoyan's concession and support.

This is a capable minister with a great perspective and decisiveness. Although he has not been as popular as Xue Nanting in recent years, anyone with a discerning eye knows that he is the true leader of a prominent family in Jiangnan.

During his two visits to the capital, he met all kinds of high-ranking officials and dignitaries, including capable officials like the two prime ministers, mediocre people like Guo Congyi and Wang Yan, as well as staunch people like the eldest prince Li Zongchao, and sinister people like the third prince Li Zongjian. It can be said to be all kinds of strange things.

Lu Chen thought to himself and felt that the wise old man would not place his hopes on a young martial artist. After all, he had personally executed thousands of people in the past few days, most of whom were descendants of the Jiangnan family.

The reform of the four forbidden armies and the three capital camps has not encountered any resistance. It is foreseeable that in the near future, the capital will form a guard force with 50,000 forbidden troops inside and 120,000 capital troops outside. Moreover, these soldiers and horses are all in the capital. Under the direct control of the emperor.

In such a peaceful and peaceful atmosphere, a spacious carriage departed from Shanyanghou Mansion in Yonghuafang, Nancheng, passed through the streets and alleys, and headed to Pingkangfang in the southeast.

This invitation was not as simple as Li Daoyan simply wanting to treat him to a meal. Lu Chen was not that naive.

He has been an official for nearly twenty years, and his official reputation has always been excellent whether in the capital or in the lower state capitals. He not only has the ability to manage common affairs, but also has profound academic attainments, especially his first-hand classics and meanings, which are full of praise.

Some people even sighed, saying that if Li Shizhi had not had a more powerful father above his head, who had been suppressing his promotion, he would have entered the ranks of the prime minister long ago. How could he fall behind Zhong Cheng?
Facing Lu Chen, who was twenty years younger than him, Li Shizhi did not feel any discomfort at all. He invited him into the house with a smile and stayed with him all the way.

"The rebellion in the capital was quelled this time, and Marquis Lu took the greatest credit. At that time, Xiaguan was recuperating in his mansion, and when he suddenly heard the voice of rebellion, his heart skipped a beat. Later, I heard that Marquis Lu led the elite border troops to the capital, and Xiaguan I was relieved."

Li Shizhi's tone was calm and he did not deliberately show surprise.

Lu Chen said calmly: "This is all due to your Majesty's command and the soldiers' bravery to take the lead. I just did my duty."

"Marquis Lu is too modest."

Li Shizhi smiled and said: "I heard that Marquis Lu was going to Shazhou to solve the hidden danger that had lasted for more than ten years, so I wish Marquis Lu a safe journey and make further achievements." Lu Chen turned to look at him. , also smiled and said: "Thank you for your good words."

While chatting, they arrived outside Jinlin Hall.

Li Shizhi sent Lu Chen into the hall, where the host and guest were greeted and the servants offered tea. Then he bowed to his father and left.

Walking in the quiet and elegant corridor, this middle-aged man's eyes were calm, like still water running deep, making it difficult to discern the true meaning.

……

In Jinlin Hall, the fragrance is lingering.

There is both the fragrance of tea before the rain and the mist of agarwood in the furnace.

Li Daoyan was sixty-six years old at the time, which was naturally considered a long-lived age in this era, and it was difficult to determine how long he could live.

The old man was sitting on the Taishi chair at the top. Seeing the concern on Lu Chen's face, he joked: "If I hadn't posted this post, I'm afraid you still wouldn't take the initiative to visit me."

Lu Chen said honestly: "Old Prime Minister, you are the prime minister of the current dynasty, and the junior is the military minister and the commander-in-chief of the Beijing camp. Naturally, we have to keep a distance in private. Since ancient times, there have been differences between civil and military affairs. Especially in today's situation, we must pay attention to avoid Get some people’s attention.”

The old man raised his old finger and pointed at him, smiling: "Not entirely true."

Lu Chen smiled honestly and did not refute this criticism.

Li Daoyan sighed leisurely and said slowly: "It's okay not to mention these details. I specially invited you here today. I just want to ask you what you think of the future situation of the court?"

This question is too general and vast.

Lu Chen asked calmly: "What specific aspect will the future government situation refer to? Please ask the old prime minister to make it clear."

Li Daoyan pondered and said: "Then let's ask another question, what hidden worries do you think the Daqi court has today?"

For some reason, Lu Chen suddenly remembered that the second prince had asked a similar question in Mo Garden a few days ago.

However, the second prince asked the question from the perspective of his own needs, while Li Daoyan asked the question out of overall considerations.

After a moment of silence, Lu Chen said calmly: "Old Prime Minister, this doesn't seem to be an issue that juniors should consider."

He briefly talked about part of the exchange with the second prince in Moyuan that day, and then continued: "This junior is still young, and at most he only knows some military knowledge. When it comes to governing the country and deciding the overall situation, even the old prime minister has nothing to do with it. If you can’t compare, how can you talk nonsense?”

Seeing that he was so sincere, Li Daoyan looked at him quietly for a moment, then laughed dumbly and said: "This is really unexpected. Lu Chen, do you still think that you are just a warrior who has only fought a few victorious battles on the border and is not qualified yet?" Young people meddling in national affairs?”

Lu Chen would not be too contemptuous of himself, so he said: "This junior knows that he has great power in his hands, so he must be more cautious and self-reflective to avoid irremediable consequences."

Li Daoyan shook his head slightly and said seriously: "You might as well think about it, in the 160 years of our country, has there ever been such a person? His connections span the two most important frontier military governors' houses, and countless elite soldiers and generals are willing to become him. The two governors of the border army who were granted the title of Minister of Military Affairs, one regarded him as a nephew, the other also admired him very much, and even his only daughter secretly admired him. "

The old man did not make subtle insinuations like the emperor did, but directly pointed out the relationship between Lu Chen and Li Bingxue, which proved that even though he was old, he was still well aware of all kinds of secret information.

Lu Chen did not deny it, because since Li Daoyan could speak frankly to his face, it was meaningless for him to refute.

Li Daoyan did not dwell on this issue and continued: "The border army will not mention it. He now controls a Beijing camp and is the Minister of Military Affairs appointed by His Majesty. Coupled with the forces that actively rely on him, he is in the capital." This land also has deep roots. As for the rebel army he controls in the north, it includes most of the masters in the world, including Lin Jie, the number one person in the green forest, no matter he is twenty. Years old, thirty years old or even teenagers, how can age be an obstacle that limits his hands and feet? "

Lu Chen suppressed the shock in his heart and said with a wry smile: "In front of the old prime minister, the juniors can hardly keep any secrets."

"This information is not difficult to collect. I know that your secrets don't stop there, but as you can see, I am already in my dying years and don't have much energy to go deep into it."

Li Daoyan sighed softly, and then said: "I like to read history, and read about the great years and vicissitudes of life from those old papers. There is no record of an outlier like you in the history books, but some somewhat similar examples can also be found. Talented people There are some who are amazingly talented and beautiful, and there are also those who are born noble. However, it is extremely difficult to see a stable ending for these people. They will either change their fate against the will of nature, or they will be shattered to pieces, which is very sad to read. "

Lu Chen gradually realized the old man's intentions, and his expression became serious.

Li Daoyan slowly sat upright, his old eyes fixed on Lu Chen, revealing a sharp light.

"Now that you have been promoted to a prince at a young age, the authority in your hands is getting deeper and deeper. I believe that more and more talents will gather under your command. However, the titles and official positions in the imperial court will eventually come to an end. In the long decades to come, In the years, you can’t keep rising.”

"Every time I think about this, I can't help but worry secretly. When you have no promotions and no rewards in the future, will you still be content with the status quo?"

"can you?"

(End of this chapter)