Jiuxi

Chapter 315 Chapter 313 [The title of Marquis is not my intention]

Above the court, there is no absolutely independent individual.

Even if such an outlier appears occasionally, he can only hang around in the middle and lower classes, and will never be able to enter this Dongnuan Pavilion and become a core member involved in deciding military and national affairs.

On the surface, Xie Zhen, the Minister of Rites, is from Jiangbei, and he is not from a wealthy family. He seems to have no connection with the Jiangnan family.

Li Duan knew that Xie Shangshu's family had purchased thousands of acres of fertile land somewhere in Luzhou. Although it was a complicated road with twists and turns, which seemed dazzling, the truth was not complicated.

These thousands of acres of fertile land were donated by the Jinlin Li family. In other words, Mr. Xie accepted a generous gift from the left prime minister Li Daoyan at some point in the past.

Because of the existence of Qin Zheng and the Sutra Weaving Department, Li Duan could know these secrets.

Each of the important ministers in the DPRK has a distinct label. For example, Ding Hui, Minister of the Ministry of War, is a staunch supporter of the left prime minister, and even dares to openly oppose the right prime minister Xue Nanting at certain times.

Generally speaking, Li Duan does not need to deliberately speculate on Li Daoyan's thoughts. He can roughly understand it just from the attitudes and opinions of Ding Hui and others.

Today, the news of the victory of the frontier army shocked the whole city. Because the incident happened suddenly, these important ministers in the Nuan Pavilion certainly did not have the opportunity to communicate privately. At this time, Xie Zhen was the first to stand up and express her position. If Li Duan did not know the secret between him and Li Daoyan, Maybe you really think that he is playing the sheng for the frontier general.

This is what makes him interesting.

It is very difficult to see people's hearts clearly. After fourteen years of service, Li Duan still did not dare to conclude that he could understand the thoughts of everyone in the court.

However, as his authority became more and more stable, the number of courtiers loyal to the Tian family gradually increased, especially the border troops who continued to achieve victories with his support, which allowed him to observe the people below more calmly.

Looking at Xie Zhen's face full of tears, Li Duan's heart was racing, and he sighed: "Old Minister's words are reasonable. This time the border army has made great achievements, I will naturally reward you heavily. However, I have always admired the collective effort of everyone in the important affairs of the court. , so I would like to listen to the opinions of the ministers first. Regarding how to reward the frontier army for their contributions in the Northern Expedition, the ministers may wish to draw up a charter first."

Xie Zhen was overjoyed and immediately shouted: "Your Majesty, your Majesty! Xiao Wangzhi, the governor of Huaizhou, presided over the Northern Expedition. He did not lose a single battle in more than ten battles. Now he has recovered the entire Dongyang Road and Heluo City one after another. It is really a great achievement for his hard work. Veteran minister I think we should first agree on Governor Xiao’s reward, so that we can set a standard for other soldiers.”

Li Duan nodded slightly and said, "Go on."

Xie Zhen took a deep breath and plucked up the courage to say, "Your Majesty, I have the audacity to speak nonsense. With the contribution that Governor Xiao has made so far, he should be given the title of Duke!"

After he said these words, Li Duan clearly felt that the atmosphere in the hall relaxed.

Xiao Wangzhi is already the Duke of Chong'an County, and further rewards can only improve his title. Gold, silver, and other property can only be used as a bonus, otherwise the world will laugh at him.

Many people thought that Xie Zhen, an old man with a fluent conversational skills, would never stop shouting out the sensational word "prefecture and king". Now that they heard that he was only a Duke, they naturally breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing that Li Duan was silent, the ministers immediately began to think. Could it be that the emperor was dissatisfied with this reward?

However, except for those military honors that established Daqi a hundred and fifty years ago, the dynasty has never had a precedent of ministers conferring titles on princes, and the Duke of the country was the apex.

Xiao Wangzhi's contribution is indeed considerable, but he certainly cannot be compared with the great sages who founded the country.

At this moment, Xue Nanting, the right prime minister, came out and said: "Your Majesty, I think it is not an exaggeration to grant Governor Xiao the title of Duke, and he should be allowed to join the Central Committee to assist Your Majesty! Governor Xiao has made many meritorious deeds in Huaizhou for more than ten years in charge of the army. , with profound military attainments and unique insight, he is exactly the talent your Majesty needs."

The other important ministers couldn't help but be secretly shocked.

Xiao Wangzhi can be said to be the magic needle in the sea for the Huaizhou Army, and at the same time, it can also play a certain deterrent effect on Jing Chao.

If you want the border troops to stop their Northern Expedition, transferring Xiao Wangzhi back to the center is indeed the best way.

Ning Yuanfu, the Minister of Civil Affairs, did not squint, but strange emotions welled up in his heart.

According to the arrangement of the left prime minister, after the frontier army regained Dongyang Road, Xie Zhen first proposed the reward, and then Ning Yuanfu came forward to request Xiao Wangzhi to be transferred back to the center.

Now he was actually taken over by Xue Nanting.

The question is, hasn’t the right prime minister always firmly supported the frontier army’s Northern Expedition?

How could he openly contradict the emperor?

If something goes wrong, there must be a monster. Ning Yuanfu frowned slightly and thought quickly in his mind.

Not only did he fall silent, but so did several other senior officials in the ministry.

After reviewing the case, Li Duan had a thoughtful expression on his face, but still did not give a clear attitude. He seemed to be seriously considering the feasibility of what Xue Nanting said.

The leader of the civil servants, Left Prime Minister Li Daoyan, had no expression on his face, but he smiled bitterly in his heart.

After Xue Nanting spoke, the old man quickly understood that this was the method of the monarch and his ministers. However, he had no way to solve it at the moment because the issue was not on him.

Sure enough, in the silence, the general in charge of the Sixth Army of Beiya, Wang Yan, came out of the squad and said: "Your Majesty, I do not agree with the suggestion of the Right Prime Minister."

Li Duan asked slightly strangely: "Why?"

Wang Yan replied unhurriedly: "The victory of the frontier army should be rewarded according to merit. Therefore, I agree with Xie Shangshu's proposal. The merits of Governor Xiao of Huaizhou are worthy of the title of Duke. However, the situation in the border area has been initially determined. It is still unstable, and the Jing Dynasty's army will move south at any time. Ding and Huaizhou cannot do without Governor Xiao. If he is transferred back to the center at this time, there may be repeated worries on the border. "

Li Duan pondered for a moment, then looked at Privy Councilor Guo Congyi and asked, "What do you think, Privy Councilor Guo?"

Guo Congyi lowered his head and eyebrows, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I think what the general said is reasonable and reasonable."

The two generals Liu Shouguang and Li Jingda, who were in charge of the Twelfth Army of Nanya, did not jump out to object.

At this point, Ning Yuanfu, Ding Hui and others finally came to their senses.

If according to their original idea, they would first promote Xiao Wangzhi's title and then use this as a reason to request the emperor to transfer him back to the center, even if the important ministers in the Privy Council were reluctant, they would not resist too much.

Because Xiao Wangzhi's foundation is in the border army, even if he does not return to Beijing alone, he will not be able to bring a large group of powerful subordinates with him. His power in the capital is obviously not comparable to that of Guo Congyi and others. At most, he will be appointed as Deputy Privy Councilor. make. However, no one expected that the Huaizhou Army would defeat Heluo in one battle.

In this way, if Xiao Wangzhi returns to Beijing at this time, his fame and power will be unparalleled for a while, and he can easily step down Guo Congyi and others, and it is not impossible to monopolize the power of the Privy Council.

In short, the issue of whether to transfer Xiao Wangzhi back to the capital should have been a tug-of-war between the central government and the frontier troops, and the former was likely to have the upper hand. However, because of the great victory of Heluo, the emperor only needed He calmly withdrew with one move, turning the matter into a conflict between civil servants and Wu Xun.

If these civil servants representing the interests of Jiangnan families insist on transferring Xiao Wangzhi back to the capital, they must first convince Guo Congyi and other important military officials.

After reviewing the case, Li Duan looked calm and felt relaxed.

After more than ten years on the throne, he could not experience the happiness of a king until this moment.

There is no need to go out personally, he just has to wait for the next two groups to decide the winner before making a decision, and he can exert influence in the process.

The atmosphere in the Nuan Pavilion was quiet and a bit awkward.

Ning Yuanfu and others couldn't help but look at Li Daoyan, who was always silent, with slightly anxious eyes.

If Xiao Wangzhi is allowed to continue to sit on the border, the emperor's will can be carried out unimpeded, and the Northern Expedition will inevitably continue to advance, but the court is not well-off.

The war has been going on for the past two years, and the national treasury has gradually become empty. If the war continues like this, they will probably have to spend their own money.

Guo Congyi turned his head and glanced at Wang Yan. The other person's eyes were extremely firm, and it was clear that he firmly disagreed with Xiao Wangzhi returning to Beijing at this moment.

After thinking for a while, Guo Congyi had no choice but to give up.

Seeing that there was no one in the hall, Li Duan coughed lightly and said leisurely: "Prime Minister Zuo."

Li Daoyan said: "I am here."

"What do you think of Wang Yan's proposal?"

"I second the proposal."

Li Daoyan's eyes were gentle and his tone was calm.

Li Duan was slightly startled. He didn't believe that Li Daoyan was willing to see Xiao Wangzhi continue to be in charge of the Huaizhou Army. Even if he could barely accept it, those below would not agree.

Facing the emperor's complicated gaze, Li Daoyan remained calm.

The old man sighed in his heart. After all, Ning Yuanfu and others were too impatient. At this time, forcefully advocating for the emperor to recall Xiao Wangzhi was undoubtedly an open break with those in the Privy Council, and such a rift involving everyone's fundamental interests was basically unstoppable. repair.

The emperor's move was very steady and wonderful. Today's sudden messenger's victory was celebrated all over the city, as well as the imperial students who led the people to the square outside the palace, and even Xue Nanting's change of tactics just now, are probably all the emperor's handiwork.

This was a conspiracy driven by conspiracy. Li Daoyan saw it clearly but had nothing to do, at least for now, so he decided to take a step back.

It would be the most stupid behavior to start a fight with Guo Congyi and others at this time.

Life is long, why be impatient?

Li Daoyan raised his head and looked at Li Duan calmly.

The monarch and his ministers looked at each other for a moment, and Li Duan smiled and said: "As for Xiao Wangzhi's reward, according to the opinions of the ministers, I plan to make him a Duke of the country. Zhongshu has drafted the title in the past few days and submitted it to me. "

Li Daoyan and Xue Nanting bowed at the same time: "I obey the order."

As for the question of whether Xiao Wangzhi will continue to stay in the border army, Li Duan did not give a clear answer. He only said: "Xiao Wangzhi is temporarily in charge of the military affairs of Huai and Ding Prefectures. A decision will be made after the preparations for the Ding Prefecture Governor's Mansion are completed."

All the important officials in the palace responded in unison.

At this time, General Wang Yan suddenly took a step forward and said: "Your Majesty, among the generals of the border army, the contribution of Captain Lu Chen of Rui Shiying is second only to that of Commander Xiao Wangzhi, so I have this report."

Just now, his objection to the transfer of Xiao Wangzhi caught the civil servants off guard. Seeing that he was one step ahead, the others couldn't help but feel a little worried.

Isn't this general worried that he can't even suppress a weak young man?

Li Duan narrowed his eyes slightly, nodded and said, "Tell me."

Wang Yan bowed and said: "A young man like Lu Chen who has outstanding meritorious service and loyalty should be highly rewarded by the court. Therefore, after repeated consideration, I sincerely request your majesty to confer the title of Marquis on Lu Chen. He can set an example for the soldiers on the border!"

The prince of the country...

These two words echoed in the ears of all ministers.

Famous generals such as Xiao Wangzhi and Li Tianrun were awarded the title of marquis in their late forties. How old is Lu Chen this year?

If they remember correctly, Lu Chencai will be twenty years old!

A twenty-year-old prince?

Li Duan looked at Wang Yan calmly. He glanced at Li Daoyan from the corner of his eye, and he had a clear understanding in his heart.

That kid Lu Chen was right in what he said in the secret, these bosses would eventually point the finger at him.

Only this time, they are afraid they will be disappointed.

(End of this chapter)