The ecstatic posture, facing the sun's rays, is a little dazzling.

Enduring the discomfort, everyone saw King Qi hit the ground heavily, and when his body was bounced, the unicorn jade pendant worn on his waist smashed on the ground and shattered into several pieces.

The unicorn jade pendant was given to him by the emperor when King Qi was born, and he never left his body, but now it is smashed.

At the bottom of the eyes of the king of prayer, there was a chill that penetrated people.

"Self-inflicted humiliation," the corners of Lian Xuan's mouth rose, and he was in a very good mood.

could have fought in a proper manner, but I had to draw a snake and ask my eldest brother not to show mercy, but now I got my wish, happy, right?

He can maneuver under the hands of the eldest brother for a long time, but the eldest brother is afraid of hurting him, and by the way, he also tries how high his martial arts are.

He prayed to the king, he was not a friend or foe, and he also wanted to enjoy his treatment, which was really naïve, and could only be described as innocent.

Lian Xuan wiped the bruises on the corners of his mouth, smiling handsomely.

Xu Mao and Zeng Fei leaned over, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Before, I admired your feet very much, but now, just now, I changed my mind, your feet are compared to your eldest brother's, which is insignificant, and there is no comparison at all." ”

Zeng Fei nodded again and again, "It seems that your eldest brother's speed is much faster than yours, you have to work hard." ”

Lian Xuan's shoulders were weak, and his eyes rolled together, "I still have to work hard?" Please, are you embarrassed to say that? If you want to fly like King Qi, I can help you, no thanks. ”

Xu Mao and Zeng Fei shook their heads like wave drums, and they wanted to be kicked when they were stupid.

The failure of praying for the king came too quickly and was unexpected.

Especially when he was helped up, there was blood at the corner of his mouth. His face was pale, and a clear-eyed person knew at a glance that he had been kicked out of internal injuries.

Empress Dowager Xu looked cold, blamed Xiao Zhan and said, "On the test table, how can you shoot so hard?" He also ruined the reward given by the emperor to the king of prayer. ”

Thinking of Lian Xuan and Xiao Zhan, Empress Dowager Xu was angry and the roots of her teeth itched.

One of the Qi Kings who beat them all had skin injuries, and the other was more straightforward, and they directly hit internal injuries.

Originally, the deputy marshal was already praying for the king, but Lian Xuan ran out to grab it again. I'm mad at her!

No wonder King Qi said. The third prince is not to be afraid, he Xiao Zhan is the biggest enemy, and sure enough.

Xiao Zhan stood there with a cold face and glanced at the Empress Dowager Xu. Xiao Zhan said. "I use my feet."

A few words that are light and light. made Empress Dowager Xu angry and couldn't wait to slap the table.

A group of ministers couldn't help laughing, they really didn't expect Xiao Zhan to have such a humorous time.

The corners of the emperor's mouth rose slightly, and he waved his hand. "Okay, King Qi took the initiative to challenge, and asked Zhan'er not to show mercy to his subordinates, he has a real temperament, he will do it if he agrees, and King Qi can be regarded as having his wish, this matter will be revealed, don't mention it again."

At this time, Gonggong Xu held the handsome seal and handed it to the emperor.

At this time, the queen spoke, "Your Majesty, Young Master Xiao Biao won the competition to win the handsome, and he should hand over the handsome seal to him, but before, the emperor also asked him to lead 30,000 soldiers and horses, that is 130,000 soldiers and horses, is it too much?" General Ao only led 100,000 soldiers and horses. ”

Giving Xiao Zhan 30,000 soldiers and horses before was to prevaricate the Xiao Guogong Mansion, everyone knew it and did not object.

At this time, who would like to give another 100,000?

No, as soon as the queen reminded her, the ministers agreed.

Xiao Zhan led 100,000 soldiers and horses, and the 30,000 soldiers and horses should be handed over and another commander should be elected.

Then, a minister said, "Why don't the 30,000 soldiers and horses be led by King Qi?" ”

The minister's surname is Xu, and he is the cousin of the Empress Dowager Xu.

When Lian Xuan heard this, he was not happy, "Lord Xu, you treat me as a dead man?" ”

is also a deputy marshal, 30,000 soldiers and horses are handed over to King Qi, he has no, Lian Xuan looks at Lord Xu very unkindly.

An Rong sat there and drank tea for a long time.

These people are really whimsical, the 30,000 soldiers and horses, you said that you asked for Lian Xuan from Xiao Zhan, there is still a three-point possibility.

They actually asked for it to the king of prayer.

I don't know if I have entered the Xiao Guogong Mansion, is it difficult to come back to the sky?

The emperor listened to the words of the ministers and raised his eyebrows.

It's true that you can't give more soldiers and horses to the Xiao Guogong Mansion, and if you give it, you won't come back.

"I gave you 30,000 soldiers and horses before, but I really didn't think about giving you another 100,000 soldiers and horses," the emperor said with a smile.

Xiao Zhan frowned, and was about to speak, when Xiao Laoguo smiled over there, "It's okay to go back, the emperor gave Zhan'er 30,000 soldiers and horses before, in order to train an invincible army, my Xiao Guogong Mansion paid 400,000 taels to buy weapons and armor, and now there are 100,000 more soldiers and horses, and this money has to be doubled several times, and it is really not enough......." ”

Note that this money is not enough, not to reduce the pressure by 30,000 soldiers.

Rather, if the emperor wants to go back, he can return the military salary that Xiao Guogong's Mansion helped him pay back first, and he needs to use it if he is short of money.

You must know that the 100,000 soldiers and horses are fully equipped, and the combat effectiveness is only stronger than the 130,000 soldiers and horses, so Xiao Laoguo is not distressed at all.

Besides, if it was really given to King Qi, how could Lian Xuan be able to get half of it.

Xiao Guogong's Mansion eats everything, but it doesn't suffer.

The ministers are silent, and they all understand the code words in it.

The emperor and Xiao Laoguo are the relationship between the monarch and the minister, and the relationship between the creditor, which is mysterious.

The emperor's forehead was bruised, this old horseman, as soon as something goes wrong, he will ask him to pay back!

What money?!

The money wasn't used for him, was it used to build a palace for him, or was it used for extravagance and waste?!

He wanted to pay more taxes and pay back the money earlier, but he kept stopping it!

Where is he going to get the money for him?!

Thinking about it, the emperor felt aggrieved and panicked.

The military pay should be taken from the treasury.

But Bingquan, did he see it, like a baby, holding it in his arms, and not allowing others to think about it.

The military merit belongs to the Xiao Guo Mansion, and the military prestige belongs to the Xiao Guo Mansion, and there is only a butt of debts left to him, who is the emperor!

Not to mention, as long as Xiao Laoguo mentioned paying back the money, the emperor wanted to cut Xiao Laoguo to vent his anger.

But just think about it, Xiao Laoguogong's prestige in the army. It was a hundred responses, he wanted to kill Xiao Laoguogong, and he didn't know who was killed first.

It's just that he was so persecuted by Xiao Laoguogong, he compromised, how can he still look like an emperor?

Pei Youxiang saw that the emperor was embarrassed, and hurriedly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the 30,000 soldiers and horses should not be returned. This is the position of the great general. It was also Young Master Xiao Biao who won by his true ability, if he lost, the emperor of the soldiers and horses would also give it to others, how could he turn back because he had given the soldiers and horses before? This is a reversal. What is a gentleman's doing? ”

The emperor frowned slightly. It seems to be weighing.

Empress Dowager Zheng rubbed her temples. A little weakly said, "Your Majesty, the mourning family has a headache." This sun is very vicious, you hurry up and hand over the handsome seal to Young Master Xiao Biao, and then discuss the rest when you return to the palace. ”

It is false that Empress Dowager Zheng is unwell, and it is true that the battle for military power has been diverted.

Empress Dowager Zheng rubbed her temples and said, "Grandma Xiao Biao is familiar with medical books, I don't know if there is any prescription that can cure the headache of the mourning family?" ”

An Rong was stunned for a moment, quickly got up, and stepped forward to greet Empress Dowager Zheng.

Lowering her head, An Rongzui pouted, Empress Dowager Zheng's headache, where did she have the ability to heal?

Empress Dowager Zheng was unwell, the emperor did not dare to delay, took the handsome seal, handed it to Xiao Zhan, and after saying a few words, he was about to drive back to the palace.

An Rong naturally wanted to follow Empress Dowager Zheng into the palace.

There are also Xiao Zhan, Xiao Laoguogong, Lian Xuan, etc., who entered the palace to discuss the war.

King Qi was seriously injured, and the emperor asked him to go back to the house to recuperate.

King Qi doesn't want to go, as soon as he leaves, the military power may be gone, the deputy marshal and the main marshal, although it is only a word difference, but the rights are very different, the official level crushes people to death, how can there be someone in his own hands?

But he couldn't go if he didn't go, the injury was really serious, and his whole body hurt.

The Royal Palace, the Imperial Study.

The emperor helped the Empress Dowager Zheng to sit down, and said worriedly, "Is the Empress Dowager better?" ”

Empress Dowager Zheng smiled, "Much better." ”

Saying that, Empress Dowager Zheng glanced at the imperial study and said with a smile, "The mourning family hasn't come to the imperial study for a long time, and the mourning family knows that the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, but there are some things that the mourning family has to ask a thing or two today." ”

An Rong stood beside Xiao Zhan, and saw Gonggong Xu waving his hand, and the palace maids and eunuchs who were waiting in the room all withdrew.

Empress Dowager Xu didn't follow, she wanted to come, but Empress Dowager Zheng didn't let her.

The queen mother wants to ask, how dare the emperor not let her, this is his own mother.

Empress Dowager Zheng asked, "Your Majesty, how much silver does the imperial court owe to the Xiao Guogong Mansion?" ”

“…… From the time Mrs. Xiao lent money to the emperor, to me, it was almost 20 million taels. ”

Hearing this huge number, Empress Dowager Zheng was stunned, and An Rong gasped.

But if you do a closer calculation, 20 million taels is not much.

You must know that the imperial court's salary is not once a month, but once every three months.

Ordinary soldiers, four to five taels of silver for three months.

The Xiao family has 300,000 soldiers and horses, and the annual military salary is at least five or six million taels, as well as the purchase of weapons and good horses......

Counting from Mrs. Xiao, it has been almost thirty years until now, and twenty million taels is indeed not much.

The Jade Pavilion has to prepare at least 40,000 taels of silver every month for military purposes, at least 500,000 taels a year.

Empress Dowager Zheng looked at Xiao Laoguo and said, "Xiao Laoguogong's loyalty to the imperial court, the mourning family understands, but you take the money back everywhere as a persecution ......." ”

Without waiting for the Queen Mother to finish speaking, Xiao Lao Guogong interrupted loudly, "The soldiers and horses belong to the Great Zhou, if the emperor really wants to take it back, I will not stop it, but the money is earned by the Xiao Guo Mansion, doesn't the Queen Mother want the old lady to lose both her wealth?" ”

In a word, the choked Queen Mother had nothing to say.

Empress Dowager Zheng frowned and said, "The Duke of Xiao Guo allocates good horses and weapons to the soldiers, is it paid for by himself, or is it regarded as lending it to the emperor?" ”

Hearing this, Xiao Laoguo Gong laughed, "If you really count with the emperor, the imperial court will not only owe me 20 million taels of Xiao Guogong's mansion, but it will not be enough to double it!" ”

Knowing that the court had no money, Xiao Laoguo didn't mention buying war horses and changing weapons, he only wanted the emperor to give military salaries and grain and grass.

Which army in Da Zhou has such peace of mind?

Empress Dowager Zheng looked at the emperor, who was flushed and did not speak.

Empress Dowager Zheng sighed in her heart, it seems that Xiao Laoguo raised the soldiers and horses of the Great Zhou Dynasty as the soldiers and horses of the Xiao family, and it is strange that he can come back.

Moreover, Empress Dowager Zheng glanced at Xiao Zhan and looked at the face that was exactly the same as the previous emperor......

The Queen Mother sighed in her heart.

"That's it, Your Majesty, those 30,000 soldiers and horses are not 20 million taels in the treasury, so they won't come back," Empress Dowager Zheng said with a smile.

The eyebrows were kind, and there was no anger, but after the Empress Dowager Zheng finished speaking, she added, "It's okay to let Zhan'er lead 130,000 soldiers and horses, but the mourning family has one condition!" ”

"On what terms?" Xiao Lao Guogong asked.

"The debt of 20 million taels will be written off."

Old Duke Xiao laughed, "Zhan'er, return the handsome seal to the emperor, and help my grandfather go to the treasury to carry the silver in a while." ”

The handsome seal is not in Xiao Zhan's hand, Lian Xuan is holding it, no, he will send it forward.

Empress Dowager Zheng slapped the table angrily, "Old Duke Xiao! ”

Xiao Laoguo glanced at the Queen Mother, "The old man can not want the 20 million taels, but the old man has one condition!" ”

This time, the Empress Dowager Zheng asked what the conditions were.

Xiao Laoguo said fairly, "The 130,000 soldiers and horses don't need to be paid by the imperial court, once the supply is grain, the old man only has one request, within three years, no matter how Zhan'er leads the troops to fight, the imperial court can't interfere!" The emperor can rest assured, rape, robbery, burning, killing, looting, and tomb robbery, my Xiao family will never do it. ”

The emperor frowned slightly, "What about three years from now?" ”

"Three years later, whether the emperor will take back the military power or leave it to Zhan'er, the old man will never ask!"

Before Xiao Laoguogong's voice fell, Lian Xuan twisted his eyebrows and said, "Grandfather, are you stupid, the eldest brother has worked hard to lead the army for three years, and the last soldier is not left, isn't this a cow and a horse for Da Zhou?" ”

The eldest brother is a cow and a horse, but the problem is still him, how do you think, how unhappy.

Ignoring Lian Xuan's complaints, the emperor played with his dragon robe and said, "I agreed!" ”

It's not enough to just agree, but also to write a holy decree and cover it with a jade seal.

An Rong stood beside Xiao Zhan and asked in a low voice, "Isn't it too much of a loss?" ”

She thinks the same as Lian Xuan.

Xiao Zhan's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "Now I see that I have suffered a loss, and I won't be able to wait until I get out of the imperial study." ”

After paying such a big price and not having enough benefits, how could Old Duke Xiao agree?

In the future, this army of 130,000 people can be expanded to 300,000 people, or even more.

In the future, if they go to the battlefield, if they win the battle in a row, Dongyan and Beilie are defeated and sue for peace, without Xiao Zhan's consent, the imperial court has no right to agree.

In other words, within the past three years, these 130,000 soldiers and horses are only under the control of Xiao Zhan alone, no matter what they do, the court can only watch dryly.

An Rong could hear it in the clouds, inside the imperial study and outside the imperial study, but only a dozen steps, is there such a big difference?

When he got out of the imperial study, An Rong understood what Xiao Zhan meant by this.

No, Lian Xuan complained, "Grandfather, the eldest brother is a handsome, he has 130,000 soldiers and horses, I am the deputy marshal, why do I need 350,000 soldiers and horses?" ”

Xiao Laoguo frowned angrily, "It's stubborn, give you thirty or fifty thousand soldiers and horses, and all the civil and military officials will jump to their feet!" ”

The corners of Lian Xuan's mouth twitched, and he leaned in with a dead face, laughing and calling out for grievances, "Grandfather, you are not a person who is afraid of those people, you can't watch me be a bare-bones general, two fists are hard to beat four hands." ”

As he spoke, he was still tugging on Xiao Laoguogong's sleeve and shaking it coquettishly.

Although in An Rong's opinion, he is looking for a fight.

No, Xiao Lao Guogong shook his sleeves with a disgusted face.

Lian Xuan's skin is very thick, so he didn't come up again.

It's like a dog skin plaster, and you can't shake it off.

Xiao Lao Guogong didn't hesitate and said, "Let your eldest brother give you 3,000 soldiers and horses, and you will be responsible for the military salary, grain and grass, you only have one task, and you are optimistic about King Qi." ”

Lian Xuan's face suddenly burst into a dog-legged smile, "Guarantee to complete the task!" ”

After speaking, he said, "Isn't there another 3,000 people missing from the eldest brother, what I want is to rub someone else's, not the eldest brother's......." ”

Xiao Lao Guogong said angrily, "If you are in a panic, help your eldest brother recruit three thousand people." ”

Lian Xuan hurriedly said, "I'm out of the horse, three thousand is enough, it's not enough to stuff my teeth, at least recruit ten thousand!" ”

Only then did An Rong smile.

Grandfather, what a fox.

Thinking of money, Lian Xuan was a little worried, but when he thought of something, he jumped up and said, "Grandfather, I still have something to do, I'll go first!" (To be continued......)