Jinyi Town Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 555
Zhang Jing led Li Rusong into the palace and came to the main hall of Yongshou Palace.

Li Rusong kowtowed and said: "My lord, Li Rusong, the Commander of Liaodong Town, kowtows to the emperor."

Emperor Wanli actually violated the etiquette, stood up from the dragon chair, walked directly in front of Li Rusong, and helped him up: "General Li, please get up quickly!"

Li Rusong stood up.He was born tall and strong, with a strong physique.He was actually two heads taller than Emperor Wanli.

Emperor Wanli smiled and said, "What a heroic general! Zhang Jing, please give me a seat in front of the palace!"

In the Ming Dynasty, granting a seat in front of the palace was the highest courtesy given by the emperor to his courtiers.Even veterans like Qi Jiguang and Li Chengliang did not receive such treatment.

Li Rusong was overwhelmed by the flattery, and quickly knelt down: "The emperor dares not accept such honor."

Emperor Wanli said: "A young talent like you is the future of the Ming army. I say you can afford such honor, and you can afford it! Don't refuse, just sit down."

When Li Rusong heard this, he couldn't refuse anymore.Just sit down properly.

Although Emperor Wanli was only seventeen years old, he was more mature than his peers.He talked about a topic, and Li Ma drew closer to Li Rusong.

Emperor Wanli said, "I heard that you studied under Xu Wei and Xu Wenchang?"

Li Rusong replied: "Yes, Your Majesty. Since the Longqing period, Mr. Xu has been your teacher."

Emperor Wanli said with emotion: "I heard that Xu Wenchang was rated as one of the three great talents of the Ming Dynasty by Jiangnan scholars. He is as famous as Xie Jin of the Yongle Dynasty and Yang Shen of the Zhengde Dynasty. He made great contributions to the imperial court for making suggestions for the Southeast Anti-Japanese War. It is a pity that he had a very difficult life and never got an official position in his life. After Hu Zongxian died, he was full of grief and did not commit suicide. He is really talented. A man with strategy, love, and righteousness!"

Li Rusong was moved by the scene: "What the emperor said is true. The fate of my teacher's teacher is indeed bad."

Emperor Wanli said with a smile: "It is not a blessing to lose a horse. If you lose something, you will gain it. He did not get any official position, but he taught two good students! One is you, Li Rusong, and the other is your younger brother, Li Rubai! I often hear People say that Li Rusong, the Major General of Liaodong Town, was brave and courageous in battle. When he charged, he took the lead every time and set an example for the whole army. When I saw you today, you are indeed a young hero!"

Li Rusong said humbly: "The emperor's praise!"

Emperor Wanli smiled and said: "There is a saying that may not sound good when you say it. Qi Jiguang, oh, and your father commander Li Chengliang. These people are all veterans. Veterans, the battle is stable and stable. But often they just want to be stable. Shoucheng. Although you are young, you deserve the word 'violent'. Wars often do not follow the rules. The future of the Ming army does not rest on the shoulders of those veterans, but on young generals like you!"

Li Rusong was praised by Emperor Wanli.But he still said humbly: "Your Majesty, I don't dare to compare with Qi Shuai, a veteran with such outstanding achievements."

Emperor Wanli said: "Qi Jiguang is over 50 years old this year, right? Although he has made great contributions to the court, time is not forgiving. One day, he will be too old to ride a war horse! When that day comes, I hope you can Take up the important task of guarding the north for the imperial court! I will hand over the military power of Liaodong, Jizhou, and Xuanfu to you!"

Li Rusong was overwhelmed by flattery: "Who is this minister to be so loved by the emperor! The emperor can rest assured that I will do my best to repay your favor!"

Emperor Wanli said: "Who are you? You are the dragon and phoenix among the people of Ming Dynasty! Oh, looking at the nine sides, among the young generals who are less than 30 years old, you are the number one in martial arts, strategy, and loyalty! Alas, It's a pity. Mr. Zhang in the cabinet still prefers to use veterans. I can't break the rules and promote you now. Don't blame me."

Li Rusong said: "The emperor has already rewarded me with a lot of gratitude! Otherwise, I wouldn't have been a commander at the age of 29. How could I complain?"

Emperor Wanli deliberately provoked Li Rusong: "Being a commander at the age of 29? It's still a bit slow to get promoted. I heard that Qi Jiguang became a commander at the age of 16 under the shadow of his ancestors. At the age of 25, he commanded more than 20 guards in Shandong. Army. At the age of 29, he became the capital of Zhejiang!"

Emperor Wanli used the aggressive method to arouse Li Rusong's desire for comparison.But Li Rusong didn't fall for it: "Report to the emperor, Qi Shuai is the number one in military exploits in the Jia, Long, and Wan dynasties, I dare not compare with him."

Emperor Wanli smiled and said: "He is the number one in military exploits in the Jia and Long dynasties. Of course, there is nothing to say. But I am the number one in military exploits in the Wanli Dynasty. It may not be him. Maybe it will be you. After all, I am only 17 years old this year. If I enjoy the country for 46 years like Lord Jiajing, then I can be the emperor for at least 30 years. But Qi Jiguang is now more than 50 years old, how many years can he fight for the country? I just said , The future of the Ming Army depends on you, Li Rusong!"

At this time, Zhang Jing reminded Emperor Wanli: "Your Majesty, it's time for lunch."

Emperor Wanli said: "I won't go to the dining hall for today's lunch. It will be placed in this hall. I want to have a few drinks with my General Li!"

More than 20 young eunuchs carried two tables into the main hall and set up the wine and dishes.Emperor Wanli sat opposite Li Rusong.

Emperor Wanli picked up the wine glass: "Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty has a general Li: Li Guang. I also have a general Li: Li Rusong! Heh, for my general Li, come and drink this cup to the brim!"

Emperor Wanli kept praising Li Rusong, which made Li Rusong's skin crawl.He has self-knowledge.He is just a young general in Liaodong Town, so how can he be compared with Parachutist Li Guang?

After lunch, Zhang Jing reminded Emperor Wanli again: "It's time for the emperor to review the book."

Emperor Wanli said with insatiable desire: "General Li, I have talked with you for less than an hour just now, and I really can't get enough of it. When you return to Liaodong, I don't know when we will meet again."

Li Rusong quickly expressed his loyalty: "In the military career, the world is home. Even if I go to the ends of the world, I will always remember the emperor's kindness!"

Emperor Wanli said: "That's natural. General Li and I know each other as monarchs and ministers!"

After finishing speaking, Emperor Wanli turned his head and told Zhang Jing: "Go, get my Tianzi sword."

The Tianzi sword of the Ming emperor has a total of sixteen handles.Those who are bestowed with the sword of the Son of Heaven are like the emperor in person.When Emperor Longqing passed away, the situation in Beijing and China was still unclear.Empress Dowager Li gave He Liu one of the Tianzi swords, and ordered him to control the defense of the capital with the Tianzi sword.Later, Emperor Wanli ascended the throne smoothly.He Liu immediately returned the Tianzi Sword back to the palace.

Zhang Jing took the Tianzi Sword up.

Emperor Wanli said: "General Li, when we meet for the first time, I have nothing to give you. I will give you this Heavenly Sword!"

Li Rusong was completely shocked!It is the dream of every Ming army general to be bestowed with the Son of Heaven Sword!His father, Li Chengliang, had never received such a reward.Now in the Ming army, Qi Jiguang is the only one who wears the Son of Heaven Sword.Qi Jiguang's Longquan Tianzi sword was bestowed by Lord Jiajing for his meritorious service in fighting the Japanese in the southeast.

(End of this chapter)