Jiuxi

Chapter 651 649 [Three Heroes of Jingzhou]

Ruyin City, the Governor's Mansion.

Although he is a new official, Lu Chen is different from Li Jingda. His words are law here and no one dares to disobey his military orders. At most, they can only provide some reference opinions in a tactful way.

The reorganization of each army was carried out in an orderly manner, and the filling of vacancies and the selection of soldiers were carried out at the same time. Thanks to the hard work of the officials under the Governor's Office, all affairs progressed very smoothly.

The Chief Secretary of the Military Governor's Office is Lu Chen's old acquaintance Huang Xianfeng. This man has followed Xiao Wangzhi for many years and was once the military commander of the Huaizhou Military Governor's Office. This time he was promoted to Chief Secretary and became the highest-ranking civil servant in the Military Governor's Office.

In addition, the military secretary, military advisor, military assistants, and heads of various departments are all talented people. Some are officials recommended by Xiao Wangzhi, while others are talents prepared for Lu Chen in advance by Lu Tong. After a short period of running-in, these people gradually become Lu Chen's powerful assistants.

Among them, Liu Yuan and Chen Xun were particularly outstanding. The former was good at making decisions and the latter was good at planning. They were both knowledgeable and proficient in general affairs, and they quickly stood out.

Although Huang Xianfeng had a lot of experience, he knew that these two people were highly trusted by Lu Chen, so he never put on airs in front of them. The relationship between the three of them became more and more harmonious, helping Lu Chen to support the backbone of the Governor's Office.

Of course, this does not mean that Lu Chen can be a hands-off boss. After all, the business is still in its infancy and almost everything requires his final decision. He has been extremely busy these days and often cannot rest until late at night.

In the backyard, Lin Xi personally held the teacup and placed it on the table. Looking at Li Bingxue's half-smile, he couldn't help but smile and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Li Bingxue praised sincerely: "I haven't seen you for many years, and you look even prettier."

This is natural.

Lin Xi already had an outstanding appearance, and now that she was married, she became even more graceful and elegant, just like a blooming green lotus with endless tenderness.

Lin Xi turned around and sat down, saying softly: "I didn't expect you would say such coaxing words, it's quite rare."

Li Bingxue blinked and said, "It's not surprising at all. I just said it out of inspiration. On the contrary, it's the fact that my sister is finally willing to meet the sister of the Wang family and ride in the same carriage with her on the wedding day. In my opinion, this is the truly surprising thing."

Lin Xi said helplessly: "What else?"

In the beginning, she and Li Bingxue were not actually very harmonious. Not to mention the confrontation at Lu's residence in Guangling City, they even fought each other in Jianghua City. Although it was just a small exchange, it also made Lu Chen nervous.

However, later on, the two had the experience of fighting side by side, and gradually they came to understand each other's temperament and character. Those entanglements dissipated with the wind, and the two became closer and closer.

Another point is that Lin Xi knew Li Bingxue's feelings for Lu Chen. Being a kind person like her, it was inevitable that she would feel pity for Li Bingxue.

Li Bingxue knew these details, and her tone became more relaxed: "In fact, I already knew that the two sisters would not be estranged, because you are gentle by nature and would not do such jealous things. It just benefited the guy outside. Otherwise, he would definitely be in a state of panic and would not be able to be the governor of Dingzhou so peacefully."

Lin Xi was a little surprised.

She didn't feel any bitterness in Li Bingxue's tone, especially her eyes which were as bright and clear as ever.

Putting herself in Li Bingxue's shoes, she felt that if she were in Li Bingxue's position, she would definitely not be able to be as open-minded as her. She couldn't help but admire her and her tone became softer: "I thought you would go to the front house first. After all, the three generals are all from Jingzhou."

Li Bingxue sensed her concern and smiled, "They came to Ruyin with me and tried to persuade me to meet Lu Chen. They were not very familiar with Lu Chen and had not met him much in the past, so they were inevitably a little nervous, but I still rejected their request."

"Why?"

"They used to be my father's generals, but now that they have been transferred to Dingzhou, they naturally have to listen to Lu Chen's orders. Dingzhou is full of powerful generals, and your majesty has decided on the system of one battalion and nine armies. Some generals have even been forced to retire. Of course, they cannot be superior to others and must rely on their own efforts to command the army. I don't want to go to the front house because I don't want them to have the illusion that they can dictate Lu Chen's decisions based on my father's relationship."

Hearing this, Lin Xi couldn't help but sigh: "You are really thoughtful."

Li Bingxue's eyes curved, and she said softly, "There is another reason. Compared to Lu Chen, I certainly want to see my sister first. After all, we haven't seen each other for a long time since we parted in Yongqiu."

Lin Xi smiled and said, "I miss you too. I will cook for you later."

Li Bingxue praised: "It would be the best if I could taste my sister's cooking right away."

The two of them were talking and laughing happily, and even the birds in the cages outside the corridor seemed to be infected by the laughter and couldn't help but chirping.

In comparison, the atmosphere in the main hall of the front house seemed much more serious.

Lu Chen sat in the main seat, and below him were three military generals with their backs straight.

Before, when they were in the capital, Li Tianrun had mentioned to him that three people should be selected from the Jingzhou Military Governor's Office and transferred to Dingzhou to serve under his command.

Although he had cooperated closely with the various units of the Jingzhou Army on the battlefield several times, Lu Chen was not particularly familiar with the Jingzhou generals, and his understanding of the Huaizhou generals was far less than that.

When I met him today, my first impression of him was very good.

The first general sitting on the left is named Xu Gui, the former commander of the Anping Army in Jingzhou.

This man was a brave warrior, especially good at attacking strongholds. He performed well in the Battle of Xifengyuan, leading the Anping Army to an unstoppable force and taking down Niu Cunjie's central army. He was a burly man with a resolute face, especially his round, bulging eyes, which gave him an air of majesty without even getting angry.

Sitting next to Xu Gui was Huo Zhen, the former commander of the Yangdi Army in Jingzhou. He had a completely different temperament from Xu Gui. He was always cautious and meticulous, and his style of leading troops was to plan before taking action.

Lu Chen was a little more familiar with him, because in the twelfth year of Jianwu, the late emperor summoned twelve generals from the border army to come to the capital, and he and Huo Zhen were among them, and the two had some contact.

Facing Lu Chen's gaze, Huo Zhen smiled slightly, with an attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

Lu Chen looked at the third person again. This person was Huangfu Yu, the former commander-in-chief of the Yingze Army in Jingzhou. He was also among the twelve generals entering the capital.

"Three generals, please don't be restrained."

Lu Chen took his time to start the conversation, and then said, "When Uncle Li talked about you, his face was full of pride and pride, and your contributions are worthy of Uncle Li's praise. To be honest, it is a great honor for me that you are willing to leave Jingzhou and come to Dingzhou to help me."

The three of them looked at each other, and Xu Gui spoke first, "Grand Commander, you are too polite. In fact, when the Duke went to Jiangnan to recuperate, the emperor transferred the eldest son back to the capital to be the Minister of War, and I didn't want to stay in the Jingzhou Commandery any longer. I originally thought that I might as well take off this battle robe and go to the capital to serve the Duke, but the Duke didn't allow it, and I didn't dare to disobey. Later, the Duke pointed out a clear way, and I came to seek refuge with the Grand Commander. I hope the Grand Commander will not despise me."

As expected of a hero who switched from the outlaws to the military, Xu Gui still retains his upright character.

If it were any other time, Huo Zhen would definitely stop him, but at this moment he said nothing and just smiled at him.

"Why would you dislike it?"

Lu Chen looked calm as usual, praising: "General Xu defeated the enemy in one fell swoop and established victory in Xifengyuan. His divine power and courage are invincible."

Xu Gui raised his hand and touched his forehead. It was obvious that Lu Chen's words touched his heart.

After laughing and chatting for a while, the slight strangeness between Lu Chen and the three people disappeared without a trace.

Huo Zhen then said, "Grand Commander, please allow me to report that we have been transferred to Dingzhou Commandery, and our military positions have not yet been determined. I know that you have countless brave generals under your command, but there are only nine commanders, so please make your own arrangements. Even if you are demoted to deputy commander or even lieutenant, we will be happy with it."

Xu Gui and Huangfu Yu quickly agreed. It was obvious that the three of them had reached a consensus before coming.

As the saying goes, there are too many monks and too little porridge. Lu Chen only has so many regular positions and can't even arrange for all the generals under Xiao Wangzhi. How could it be possible for the three Jingzhou generals who have no foundation here to get their turn?
Lu Chen looked at them one by one, then smiled and said, "The qualifications and military achievements of the three generals are impeccable, and you are sent by Uncle Li, so I will make proper arrangements no matter what. But as General Huo said, His Majesty is very strict about the establishment of the Dingzhou Governor's Office, so I can only take some compromise measures. Please don't mind."

The three of them said in unison: "Please give us your instructions, Grand Commander."

Lu Chen first looked at Xu Gui and said, "General Xu, do you know the Huaizhou Zhenbei Army?"

Xu Gui smiled and said, "How could I not know? This is the elite Tiger Guards created by Duke Rong. They have repeatedly made contributions in the battles with the enemy over the years. Although I am far away in Jingzhou, I have heard of the reputation of the Zhenbei Army more than once. Of the two previous commanders, Duke Rong needs no introduction. The successor, Commander Chen, is now the commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp, which is enough to prove the strength of this mighty army."

Lu Chen nodded and said, "Before you arrived, I talked to Pei Sui, the current commander of the Zhenbei Army. Deputy Commander Zhu Jing has other uses. Can General Xu temporarily take on the position of deputy commander?"

Xu Gui was delighted, and he quickly stood up and saluted, saying, "I will obey your orders!"

Huo Zhen, who was sitting next to him, felt a slight movement in his heart, and the smile on his face became more sincere.

Xu Gui, a straightforward man, obviously did not understand the deeper meaning of Lu Chen's arrangement.

But it’s better this way. Lu Chen is not doing this entirely out of Li Tianrun’s entrustment, but because he treats them sincerely.

Lu Chen said to Huangfu Yu again: "General Huangfu."

"The end will be here."

"The Feiyu Army is currently lacking a deputy commander. Are you willing to work with General Li?"

"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief. I will obey your orders!"

Huangfu Yu was also in a happy mood.

Although he was once the commander-in-chief of the Yingze Army, that was one of the four new armies in Jiangbei established by the late emperor. It was completely inferior to the main forces of the Jingzhou Military Governor's Office, not to mention the extremely rare cavalry Feiyu Army?

Moreover, being able to lead troops under Li Bingxue is a blessing for any Jingzhou general, because they are generals brought up by Li Tianrun after all, and they always have extremely deep feelings for the Li family.

After the two of them had made arrangements, Lu Chen looked at Huo Zhen, who had been waiting calmly, and said with a smile: "General Huo is good at strategy, so please stay in the Governor's Mansion for a while and give me advice."

Huo Zhen seemed to have expected this. He stood up calmly and saluted, saying, "How dare you disobey my command!"

Lu Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at these three talented soldiers, he suddenly felt that the Dingzhou Governor's Mansion was still a little small.

(End of this chapter)