His Majesty¡¯s decree was finally officially read out in the court on the first day of February, and the army was scheduled to set off for the northwest battlefield on February 12th. The date was slightly different from the previously rumored eighth day of February, but the general leading the army did not exceed people's expectations. It was General Zuowuwei Yu Manlou.
Yu Manlou is known as a Confucian general, and he is considered to be the older one among the generals of the Sixteenth Guards. In terms of age, he is the oldest besides Yu Zhengdong, the right-leading army general, and Luo Yao, the left-wing general. Yu Manlou led the troops to go on an expedition. This was a major event in Chang'an City. Since the founding of the Sui Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Taizong, there have been few examples of troops stationed in Chang'an City going out on an expedition. This shows that His Majesty the Emperor has confidence in the war in the Northwest, and it can also be seen that the Emperor is worried about the war in the Northwest.
Seven hundred thousand troops gathered in the northwest and successfully captured the Mandu Banner. There is nothing wrong with the emperor increasing his troops at this time, but the profound meaning of not deploying troops from the local area but from Gyeonggi Province is worth thinking about. The rumors that Prince Yi wanted to go to the northwest to lead troops became increasingly clear, but His Majesty did not mention it at all in the court. But sending Yu Manlou to increase troops in the northwest is a clear signal.
He has an unclear attitude towards Yang Kai, Prince of Xu County, who is currently in charge of military affairs in the northwest, but he is obviously dissatisfied with Li Yuanshan and other generals. Another meaning is that Prince Yi Yang Yin wants to go to the northwest to take charge of military affairs No need to discuss it!
After the decree came down, the courtiers had their own thoughts. People who were friends with Prince Yi sent people secretly to ask for instructions on how to deal with it next. Many people who were hostile to Prince Yi were secretly happy and finally felt a little more at ease. Most of those who opposed Prince Yi's military leadership were loyal to the Sui Dynasty. They don't want to see a prince holding a heavy army. This is definitely not a good thing for His Majesty and the country.
Since His Majesty¡¯s decree has been issued, Prince Yi naturally has to die.
After the morning court, General Zuo Wuwei Yu Manlou, Minister of War Zong Lianghu, Minister of Rites Huai Qiugong, Huangmen Minister Pei Yan and others were left by the emperor and asked them to go to Dongnuang Pavilion to discuss matters. Among these four people, only Duke Huaiqiu and Prince Yi were quite close to each other on weekdays, but only for fishing. When it comes to big issues, few people see it more clearly than Duke Huaiqiu. The emperor didn't seem to have any doubts about this veteran of three dynasties, and he was as honest as ever.
The four people first went to the court room to eat some food, and then led by the eunuch to Dongnuan Pavilion. The emperor was always lenient to his courtiers, so he specially ordered them to have breakfast before coming in to discuss matters. When the four people entered Dongnuan Pavilion, the emperor was eating and reading the newly sent memorials.
The emperor¡¯s appetite seemed to be poor. There was only a bowl of rice porridge and a few vegetarian side dishes in front of him.
Duke Huaiqiu, who was walking at the front, frowned slightly and couldn't help but lean down and said: "Your Majesty, although the state affairs are busy, the dragon's body is still the most important thing. How can you only eat these things"
The emperor smiled and waved his hand to stop him from continuing: "Perhaps I have been suffering from internal heat for the past two days and my appetite is not good. I can go down more smoothly if I eat something light. It will be fine after a few days The Tai Hospital opened a Qing Dynasty The prescription for calming the lungs and lowering the fire is a bit fussy. I wanted not to take it, but I couldn't help myself."
Duke Huaiqiu smiled and stood aside with his head bowed. Although the official position of Huangmen Shilang is not high, he has great powers. Although he came in last, General Yu Manlou and Minister of War Zong Lianghu deliberately left a place for him to stand beside Duke Huaiqiu. The courtiers were a little wary of this usually low-key and somewhat outrageous Huangmen Minister, and they would often make four-word comments like this when they mentioned him.
It¡¯s unfathomable.
"You guys sit down first. I'll tell you something after I finish eating."
The emperor pointed to the Hu stool opposite the Tukang, and then continued to drink his bowl of porridge. After reading the memorial for a few times, the emperor's brows frowned slightly.
With a snap, he folded the memorial and threw it aside.
"This Yuan Chongwu is getting more and more unruly His son died in Chang'an City. I sent people to comfort him, rewarded him generously, and made Yuan Chengshi a county prince I also gave him half a month's leave to deal with the funeral. But he He gave me such a note, saying that he was not only sad but could not handle official duties. Please allow him to take another month of leave I know that he was miserable and sad in his heart, but the war in the northwest was in full swing. What was his intention when he told me this at this time? !¡±
"Okay Since he wants to rest, let him have a good rest. Pei Yan made the decree, I heard your sadness, and my heart was heavy. As you said, take a good rest, and wait for your mind to calm down before serving the country again. Efficacy. In addition, another decreeDugu Xiu, the minister of the Ministry of Justice, was transferred to the governor of Shandong Province. On February 12, he left Beijing with the army to take office in the northwest. As for who will fill Dugu Xiu's actual vacancy, let the people from the Ministry of Civil Affairs draw up a list! "
"Your Majesty"
Duke Huaiqiu's heart tightened. He took a step forward and lowered his head and said, "This matterIt is better to take a long-term view It is understandable that Yuan Chongwu was heartbroken after losing his son. If I were to resign at this point, I might have some rumors"
"I have never been afraid of any rumors, and I have never only given rewards to courtiers!"
The emperor said slightly angrily: "Don't think that I can't see what his thoughts are behind this incident. If I issue an edict to persuade him sincerely, the impeachment of Mou Liangbi and Yang Kai in a few days will probably be a piece of cake." Just like flying in. If I don't interrupt these people's minds directly, they might do something nasty."
The four important ministers in Dongnuan Pavilion couldn't help but feel shocked because these two matters were involved by the emperor. Although the emperor has not mentioned Prince Yi these days, it is obvious that his patience has been worn out. Yuan Chongwu secretly wanted to test the emperor at this time, and he could only say that he was deprived of his official position.
He was just a second-grade feudal official. He could be exempted if he was told. The implications were so huge. The emperor had never been so irritable before.
Seeing that His Majesty¡¯s mind has been decided, Duke Huaiqiu doesn¡¯t feel like saying anything else.
Pei Yan leaned over and responded, then stepped forward to take the pen handed over by Su Buwei and began to formulate the decree.
The emperor's appetite seemed to be getting worse. He waved his hand and asked the young eunuch Mu San to take away the food: "I'll change it to a bowl of Tremella Fungus and Lotus Seed Soup. Why am I so angry?"
Mu San quickly agreed, packed up, and bowed out.
When he walked out of Dongnuan Pavilion, he faintly heard the emperor mention Prince Yi's name. So he deliberately walked slowly and listened carefully.
"I know what Lao Liu wants to do for the country, but he is too impatient! Now half of the civil and military people in the dynasty have jumped out to speak for him, haare you forcing me!"
Mu San¡¯s heart trembled and he quickly left.
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After drinking less than half of the bowl of Tremella Fungus and Lotus Seed Soup, the emperor lost his appetite again and waved his hand to Mu San to remove the bowl and chopsticks.
"Recently, the battle reports from the northwest are coming in one piece at a time. You all should take a look."
He pointed at the thick stack of papers on the table. Su Buwei quickly went up and picked up the battle reports and handed them to the leader, Duke Huaiqiu. The emperor rubbed his frowning brows and seemed to be in a gloomy mood: "More than 300,000 reinforcements from the Meng Yuan Royal Court have arrived at Keqin Banner, and 60,000 cavalry from Keqin Lelang, the leader of Keqin Banner, have also been assembled But the Meng Yuan team seems to be in no hurry to get back the lost land. There has been no movement for nearly a month, which is unusual. "
He looked at Yu Manlou and said: "After you arrive in the northwest, convey my will. Yang Kai, the king of Xu County, led the troops to conquer powerful enemies. He has achieved outstanding results and worked hard. I am very pleased. From now on, Yang Kai's salary will be as per the prince's regulations. After twice the amount was issued, Yang Kai's second son was granted the title of Marquis of the County, and the location of the food was left to the officials for discussion and decision-making. Yang Kai was rewarded with golden armor and golden swords, and was granted the title of Marshal of the Military Command in the Western Expedition to control the northwest. Si Dao. He has the power to make arbitrary decisions when the situation arises. During the war, officials below the fourth rank in the northwest can handle matters according to the situation. Tell him to fight this battle freely, I can trust him."
"besides¡¡"
The emperor paused and said: "The logistics of the army are all controlled by Mou Liangbi. Recently, he has been accused of corruption and recklessness many times, so he asked him to write a plea statement. If it is true as stated in the memorial, I will He won't tolerate it. After the army left the border, it was said that the winter clothes and boots were not distributed for a month. It was his fault. He was demoted to one level and fined one year's salary In addition, after you met Mou Liangbi, you told him that he I have read the memorial and I know it well. I heard that he contracted the cold in the northwest, so I specially asked the imperial doctor to prepare some decoction and you can give it to him in private so that no one knows."
Yu Manlou's heart moved, and he soon understood the true meaning of His Majesty's decree.
He hurriedly leaned over and said: "I obey the decree and will tell Lord Mou truthfully what your Majesty said."
The emperor hummed, looking a little lost in the memorial in front of him.
Duke Huai Qiu and Pei Yan looked at each other and saw each other's thoughts in their eyes. The emperor rewarded Yang Kai, Prince of Xu Commandery, in order to tell those who supported Prince Yi Yang Yin to stop imagining things. Yang Kai's position as commander is as solid as a mountain. Your Majesty just trusts him. Don't make any fools again. Prince Xu's eldest son will inherit the throne in the future, so His Majesty conferred the title of Marquis on his second son. Such a generous gift is enough to make Yang Kai grateful.
??Golden armor and golden swords, strict military discipline. This was the emperor's attitude toward Li Yuanshan and several others. Although the emperor was far away in Chang'an City, he was not completely ignorant of things in the northwest. The golden armor means that Prince Xu is marching on behalf of the emperor, and the golden sword means that he holds the emperor's orders. As for the decrees that Yang Kai can deal with at will below the fourth level, it increases Yang Kai's power to the extreme. If you go one step further, you will be able to directly deal with the third-grade general!
And the Mouliangbi will be demoted one level and punishedOne year of salary. This is to balance the dissatisfaction of those who participated in planning a good death, and also to stabilize the hearts of the people in the northwest. One reward and one punishment. The emperor's skill of balancing can be seen by anyone with a discerning eye, but it is impeccable. It not only hits those restless people without making them feel too embarrassed.
And the emperor asked Yu Manlou to secretly deliver medicine to Mouliangbi. This alone can make Mouliangbi burst into tears of gratitude!
"Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions for military affairs?"
Yu Manlou leaned over and asked.
"It's okay. You are a battle-hardened general. You are better at leading troops than I am. If I give random orders, the battle will get worse. Remember, you are the deputy commander-in-chief of the Northwest Army. Discuss everything with Yang Kai and take the war situation as the basis. Don¡¯t worry about anything else. Since I have chosen you, I trust you.¡±
"I will do my best."
The emperor hummed, looked at Zong Lianghu and said: "The errands of the Ministry of War are all on your shoulders, and you have worked hard these days. I have issued a decree for your eldest son to work in the Ministry of Etiquette. Please give me some advice. Sooner or later it will become my humerus."
Zong Lianghu was startled and quickly lifted up his robe and knelt down to thank him.
The emperor waved his hand and said: "I know who works hard, and I also know who wants to fish in troubled waters. I called you in today because I want to tell you to do things in a down-to-earth manner and not to be unrestrained."
He paused and said, "That's it. If you have any ideas, please tell me."
"Your Majesty"
Duke Huaiqiu was silent for a while and said, "Should we ask the Ministry of Punishment to send someone to accompany the army to the northwest?"
The emperor was startled for a moment, nodded and said: "If it wasn't for Huai Lao's reminder, I would have forgotten it. Let Huo Geng, the Criminal Division Chief of the Criminal Department, take the people. Since you want to gag, you must gag more tightly. Pei Yan Just come and draw up the decree, and then go find Huo Geng and see him."
Pei Yan lowered his head and said, "I obey your order."
The emperor put on his boots and got off the Tukang, walked under the huge map and looked at it. On the map that marked all the cities of the Sui Dynasty, a long and narrow triangular area was outlined with a red line in the northwest corner. It used to be the territory of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, but now it belongs to the Sui Dynasty It is the Mandu Banner, with a grassland two thousand miles long and hundreds of miles wide!