The Grandmaster Strategist - Chapter 187

[Chapter 18 The crown covers the capital]

In the third month of Yiyou, the eighth year of Longsheng, Emperor Yong issued an edict, appointing Qi Wangxian as the commander of the Jiangnan Xingyuan, appointing Prince Jun as the deputy commander, and the governor of Bashu, Xiangfan, Jianghuai, and the East China Sea. counselor.

– “Zizhi Tongjian Yongji IV”

On the 13th day of the first month of Yiyou in the twelfth year of Tongtai in Nanchu, the capital of Nanchu was built, and the Lantern Festival was approaching. The city was full of joy and happiness. Years ago, the Nanchu army held two big battles at Huaixi and Guazhou ferry. Victory made Nan Chu fall into a frenzy.

More than ten years ago, King Yong Li Zhi looted Jianye and kidnapped the lord and officials. The blow to Southern Chu exceeded many people’s imagination. Although this matter has long since passed, Nan Chu has a new lord, and it has been re-established. The Jianghuai line of defense has been consolidated, but almost all southern Chu people have a feeling of precariousness, and they are always worried that Dayong’s iron hoof will smash the prosperous splendor in front of them. Therefore, over the years, there have been many madmen in Jiangnan who are determined to take revenge. There are many more frivolous prodigal sons.

This time, Lu Can won the Huaixi Victory and the Guazhou Victory, which not only wiped away the shame of the year, but also restored the confidence of the soldiers and people in Southern Chu. Lu Can was no longer the target of those literati, but became a famous general who turned the tide. , can lead the soldiers and civilians of Southern Chu to fight against Dayong’s millions of troops and preserve the splendid and prosperous heroes in the south of the Yangtze River.

The Lantern Festival this time is just after the victory, so both the gentry and the common people want to express their joy by celebrating the festival, so this year’s lanterns are more lively than in previous years. .

There are thousands of lotus lanterns floating on the Qinhuai River, as if the stars and rivers in the sky have fallen into the world. Uploaded songs and dances, the singing is loud and clear, like the sounds of nature, and the dancing is graceful, like a fairy.

The fire tree and silver flowers are never night, this scene is ecstatic, and it completely forgets what the world is like.

This is only the thirteenth lighting up, if it is Shangyuan Day, the inside and outside of Jianye City will definitely be more prosperous.

The crown is all over the capital, and the people are alone and haggard. At this time of celebration, there are people who say that there is suffering. In the study of the Prime Minister’s mansion, it is cloudy at the moment.

Shang Weijun, who is powerful and powerful, sat behind the book desk with a sad face, and there were three people sitting or standing in the study.

A cautious middle-aged man stood behind Shang Weijun. He was Shang Weijun’s only son, Shang Chengye. Give up, so he can only hold an idle position in the Ministry of Personnel, and there is no seat for him in this study.

In fact, he is also a frivolous person outside, but he is trembling in front of his father and does not dare to be presumptuous.

A middle-aged man with slender eyebrows and long eyes is sitting on the Taishi chair on the left.

On the right sits an old Confucian scholar. He is Shang Weijun’s conspiracy master Ning Qian. Shang Weijun has been fighting with others in the eunuch field for many years, often relying on this person for poisonous plots.

After being silent for a long time, Shang Weijun finally couldn’t help saying: “Mr. Ning, Duanhua, do you have any ideas? The truth has already delayed the award, but the day after tomorrow will be Shangyuan, so it should be awarded anyway. The army is gone. But Lu Can is the Duke of Zhenyuan, and he is also the honor of the generals. If he wants to be awarded again, he will be a king. If he has a different surname, he is not a king. This is the golden rule. The military power has been lost, and the military power of Nanchu is in the hands of the Lu family. Once Lu Can is dissatisfied, I am afraid that we will all die without a place to be buried.”

Yin Duanhua said worriedly: “Yeah, Lu Can asked a few days ago to expand his army and prepare for war. He already controls almost all the military power, but he still wants to expand the army. Isn’t this intentional?”

Shang Weijun shook his head and said, “You are overthinking it. It is also necessary to expand the army. This time, the Huaidong army was almost completely buried. If the army is not expanded, the Jianghuai defense line will not be consolidated, and if the army is expanded, we also have the opportunity to place our own people in.”

A cold light flashed in the old Confucian student’s eyes, and he said, “Although Master Xiang has this intention, if Lu Can is allowed to recruit troops,

I’m afraid that these new troops will obey Lu’s orders.

”

Shang Weijun waved his hand and said: “There is no way, there is no one among us who can lead troops, that Luo Louzhen has buried all my efforts in Huaidong, sigh, let’s not mention it, let’s discuss how to award the reward. ”

The old Confucian scholar twisted his beard and said: “Master Xiang might as well exchange terms with Lu Can, doesn’t he want to expand the army? This matter must be passed through the court, and Master Xiang promised to support him in recruiting and preparing for war, but he asked him to give up the reward this time. , Xiangye can add some fiefs to him at will, but if he doesn’t upgrade his title, wouldn’t everyone be happy, and his face will pass, I think Lu Can will give up his title in exchange for the support of Xiangye.”

Shang Weijun nodded again and again, and said, “Mr. Ning is right, expanding the army is not a trivial matter. Without the government’s food and salaries, it would be impossible to proceed smoothly. Although Lu Can is hateful, he is not someone who does not know how to praise. Well, hasn’t his son achieved military exploits, this time he will be given the military position of a sixth-rank school captain, which will be counted as compensation.”

Yin Duanhua said: “This is cheap for Lu’s father and son, but how should other meritorious soldiers be rewarded? If the reward is light, these people will cause trouble. If the reward is heavy, most of these people are just grateful to Lu Can. Is it the grace of the lord and the lord?”

Ning Qian was fascinated and said nothing. He didn’t agree with Yin Duanhua’s words, but seeing Shang Weijun’s thoughtful appearance, he didn’t say anything against it.

At this time, Shang Chengye said: “Actually, the military is not monolithic. This time, Lu Can and Shi Guan have made great contributions, but although Yu Mian and Rong Yuan have made great contributions to defending the soil, they have little merit. Mian and Rong Yuan passed by, but Yu Mian was fine. That Rong Yuan was not Lu Can’s best friend, and he was a little narrow-minded, so he would definitely hate Lu Can because of this. Father might as well comfort him more privately. However, there are those who are truly talented, who are the old department of Prince De, who are loyal to the monarch and patriotic, and may be put under his father’s command.”

As soon as these words came out, not only Shang Weijun’s eyes lit up, but Yin Duanhua and Ning Qian also nodded.

Shang Chengye has never spoken much on such occasions, but today he suddenly offered a strategy, but it was such a clever strategy that Yin and Ning were impressed and praised again and again.

However, Shang Weijun knew the depth of this son, and asked in surprise: “You have something to say today, I don’t know whose idea?”

Shang Chengye blushed and said, “Father, he is a new friend I met, a scholar from a poor family, who has no intention of taking imperial examinations, and only composes and fills in lyrics for those singers in Fireworks and Willow Lane. Although people are surrounded by thousands of flowers, they are clean and self-righteous. The boy saw that he was arrogant, so he handed it over. I had a drink with him a few days ago, and inadvertently mentioned that the authority of the general is now more important than that of his father, he smiled and said that Lu Can still can’t cover the sky with one hand, if so In this way, it will be effective.”

Shang Weijun’s eyes flashed and he said, “You can check the identity of this person carefully. With your identity, you must be careful in making friends.”

Shang Chengye said sternly: “The boy only met with his poetry and wine, so he doesn’t know his background, but this person is elegant and talented, but it is a pity that he sees the world and has no intention of fame. If the father is interested, the boy can try to recruit him. to my father’s shogunate.”

Shang Weijun shook his head and said, “Let’s take a look first, you can’t be careless in hiring people, but this person is so talented, it shouldn’t be ignored. You should try to win him over first. If there is no problem with your identity, you might as well recruit him into the manor.” After that, Shang Wei Jun hesitated for a moment, then added: “There is one more thing, originally I had the intention to promise my righteous daughter Lingxiang to Lu Can’s eldest son. If I could get married, I would have more leverage to control the Lu family, but unfortunately Lu Can refused. See if there is room for recovery?”

Ning Qian frowned. He naturally knew who this Lingxiang was. She was the adopted daughter of Ji Xia, the head of the Yihuang Hall of Fengyi Gate, but she worshipped Shang Weijun as her adoptive father.

In fact, Ning Qian also knew about the ambiguous relationship between Ji Xia and Shang Weijun. Although Shang Weijun knew all the rumors about Fengyi, but the attraction of a woman who used to be Dayong Concubine was too great, so Shang Weijun still Trapped in the tenderness trap of Fengyi Sect.

Lu Can’s rejection of this marriage was as expected by Ning Qian. It would be strange if Lu Can didn’t reject it. The future owner of the Lu family should naturally marry a lady from a famous family in Southern Chu, how could he marry a woman of unknown origin wife.

After hesitating for a while, Ning Qian said tactfully, “Master Xiang, if you intend to marry, you might as well consider Eldest Princess Shuning.”

“Princess Shuning!” Shang Weijun murmured, Princess Shuning is the half-sister of the current state lord Zhao Long. She is fifteen years old this year. She had no status, and Shang Weijun didn’t even notice her existence. Now that he heard Ning Qian’s reminder, he felt a move in his heart. Wouldn’t this be the best way to win over a princess for Lu’s? After all, he still had to rely on Lu’s resistance. Dayong’s.

And if the Lu family has any objections, Princess Shuning can also play a role that ordinary people can’t.

Just when Shang Weijun and his cronies were conspiring in the study, Lu Can and others who were ordered to return to Beijing to accept the reward had already entered the city.

He didn’t want to disturb the people, so Lu Can walked into the city in a low profile, looking at the wealth and prosperity in his eyes, he sighed, although he won the victory of Huaixi and Guazhou this time, but he did not forget that the important towns of Chuzhou and Sizhou in Huaidong had already fallen. The hand of Yong Jun, and Yong Jun can mobilize the army to go south at any time, then the pressure on Nan Chu can only be greater.

And most importantly, when Dayong suffered such a fiasco, Emperor Yong would definitely use Jiang Zhe, fearing that when Dayong went south again, his mentor would go south with the army.

However, the distress in his heart obviously did not infect the two teenagers behind him.

Shi Xiu looked around at the lanterns on both sides of the road, her handsome face was full of surprise and longing, while Lu Yun pointed out the scenery along the way for her, like the most hospitable host.

This time, both of them entered the court by imperial edict to be rewarded. Although Shixiu was originally a woman and was not included in the awards as a rule, the two are now hailed as young heroes in Southern Chu, and because of the ambiguity of the military report, As well as Jianye’s mistakes, Shixiu also got the will of entering Beijing to be rewarded. Although Shiguan stated this in a letter, in the end, in order to motivate the military, Jianye decided to make mistakes and reward “Shi Yujin”, but it was vague in the intention. In other words, there is no indication that Shi Yujin is male or female.

Looking at the splendid lights on both sides of the street, Lu Yun was also a little uneasy in his heart. At first, he left Jianye and went to Yongdu without saying goodbye. After returning from Chang’an, he was sent directly to Jiangxia by his father, and then went to the Huaixi battlefield. It has been nearly ten months, so my mother must have broken her heart for him. I am afraid she will be severely punished this time. Although it is nothing to be punished by kneeling and being on a board, it would be too embarrassing to show it to my younger brothers and sisters.

After thinking about it, it is better to ask a few younger brothers and sisters to plead for themselves in front of their mother, but this requires bribing a few little guys first.

After thinking about it, my second brother also likes to ride and shoot, so I will give my second brother the rhinoceros horn bow that King Jiajun gave me. The bow and arrows refined by Dayong’s Ministry of Industry are the best choice, and I am embarrassed to use Li Lin as a gift. Give your bow to shoot Dayong’s soldiers.

Younger brother, you are still young, just give him the noodles and puppets you bought on the road.

As for the little sister, Lu Yun’s heart jumped, thinking of the golden ring in his arms, and then he remembered the charming face of Zhaohua County Lord, who was also happy and angry, and the already vague image of the charming girl became clear again.

At this time, Shi Xiu said impatiently, “Brother Yun, what are you doing in a daze? What kind of lamp is that? It’s so beautiful.”

Lu Yun woke up suddenly, blushed, turned his head to look at Shi Xiu, and saw that the girl who fought alongside him had a splendid brilliance on her face. For a moment, he suddenly felt that the girl beside him turned out to be a girl. Suddenly, he took out the golden ring from his arms and handed it to Shi Xiu: “Sister Xiu, this is for you.”

Shi Xiu was originally furious and was about to correct Lu Yun’s name when she saw the golden ring surrounded by flowers. In any case, she was a girl after all, with big bright eyes bent into crescent moons, she couldn’t put it down after taking the golden ring. .

Lu Yun thought to himself that Shi Xiu and himself were brothers and sisters, so it would be okay to give the golden ring to her, although Zhaohua County originally said that it would be given to his sister.

At this time, Shixiu handed the golden ring back reluctantly, and said in a low voice, “This is too precious, you should take it back.” Although Shixiu never paid attention to these details, this golden ring is so precious. Exquisite and exquisite, it must be hard to buy a thousand dollars, how could she accept such a precious gift.

A ray of light flashed in Lu Yun’s eyes, and he whispered: “This is also given to me by a friend, you should keep it for me.”

Shi Xiu wanted to refuse, but she didn’t know how to say it. She just lowered her head and played with the golden ring, her eyes flashed inadvertently, and she saw two small words as thin as rice grains in the stamens of the cold plum where the golden rings were connected. Xiu looked at it intently, but it was the word “Zhaohua”. He couldn’t help but move in his heart and said with a smile, “Well, I’ll take it for you first.”

Lu Yun only felt that he had put down the big stone in his heart, and said with a smile: “Wait until the fifteenth day, will I take you out for a lantern festival? Now it’s just a matter of time. There are many interesting places that you haven’t seen yet?”

Shi Xiu’s eyes lit up when he heard the words: “Okay, I heard that the Qinhuai River is very interesting. There are lotus lanterns on the water, and there are juggling and singing and dancing to watch.”

Lu Yun nodded again and again, a sweet smile appeared on Shi Xiu’s face, and the two immediately approached and whispered, discussing how to play. At this moment, the two were not famous young heroes in the south of the Yangtze River, but a pair who had not grown up. Just a child.

Lu Can heard the whispers of the two children clearly, and his troubles were relieved a little. When he thought of Shi Guan’s faint hint of marriage, he couldn’t help but smile. Then, when he thought of his wife and children whom he had not seen for more than a year, his heart gave birth to infinite possibilities. Tenderness, added a whip, increased the speed of the horse, and walked forward.

Zhenyuan’s mansion is located in the south of Jianye City. The mansion is solemn and solemn. Today, the central door is wide open, and the front door is decorated with lanterns.

Behind her stood two children, one on the left and one on the right. The boy on the left was about ten years old. He was similar in appearance to Lu Yun, but a little more delicate. He was Lu Can’s second son, Lu Feng, and the girl on the right was only seven or eight years old. , Although she is young, she is as beautiful as a fairy dew pearl. She is leaning on her mother’s side and secretly looking at everyone. She is Lu Can’s only daughter, Lu Mei.

Behind the three of them, there was a middle-aged woman holding a little boy of two or three years old. This little boy was born with a tiger’s head and a head, and was very cute, but it was Lu Can’s youngest son, Lu Ting.

Shi Xiu stood beside Lu Yun, her heart was pounding for some reason. She knew that Madam Lu was from a famous family, and she must have all the four virtues, but she was like a tomboy. Also so wordy can do.

At this time, Mrs. Lu brought everyone to greet Lu Can, and Lu Yun stepped forward to greet her mother uneasy. When Mrs. Lu saw the eldest son, her eyes suddenly became hazy. Just let go.

At this time, it was Shi Xiu’s turn to come forward to greet him. Shi Xiu took a peek at Lu Yun and stepped forward to bow down to greet him.

Mrs. Lu had received a letter from her husband long ago, she knew about Shixiu, and she also knew that her husband was interested in marriage. UU reading www.sonicmtl.com even knew that this girl in men’s clothing was very heroic. Already have a good feeling.

He stepped forward to pick up the girl, gently hugged her into his arms, and said, “You are Xiu’er, good boy, thank you very much, if it wasn’t for your life, my Yun’er would have died.”

Shi Xiu’s face flushed when she heard the words. She knew that what Madam Lu said was that she stabbed Dong Shan to death after cheating on the battlefield. Although it saved Lu Yun’s life in effect, it was actually the two of them. She was about to explain the joint effort, but she saw Lu Yun winked at her secretly, so she couldn’t help but say nothing.

Seeing the girl’s uneasy appearance, Mrs. Lu felt even more joyful in her heart. She took her hand and said, “Don’t be restrained. When you come here, it’s like you’re home. I’ll treat you like Yun’er.” She took the girl’s hand. , I felt that the slender hand was strong and strong, and the skin was a little rough, obviously the traces left by the years of martial arts practice, I felt pity in my heart, and then looked at Lu Yun’s nervous expression, I suddenly felt that it was not bad to have such a daughter-in-law, and it was still there. A trace of doubts disappeared without a trace, Han Xiao took Shi Xiu’s hand and walked inward.

Lu Yun only felt his heart widen, patted his chest, and felt less nervous. Then he saw the twinkling eyes of his second brother Lu Feng and his younger sister Lu Mei. The two pulled him from left to right, and Lu Feng said viciously: “Brother, you lied to me to steal for you, and as a result, I was punished by my mother on my knees.” Lu Mei said with tears in her eyes, “Brother, will you sneak away with Meier in the future?” The warm current flowed into the heart lake, and he stretched out his arms to hug his younger brother and sister. The excitement of reuniting after a long absence made him almost speechless.

When the gate of the Zhenyuan Mansion was slowly closing, in a restaurant across the street, in the box facing the street, a young man smiled and drank a glass of wine, looking at the closed vermilion gate, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

[End of this Chapter]