There was only a bowl of rice, a bowl of soup, a plate of sauced meat, and a plate of green vegetables on the low table in front of him. At this time, Li Ke had already changed out of his official uniform, and sat in front of the low table in a green shirt and ate alone.

"Master, the Duke of Qi is here." Butler Li Fu reported in a low voice.

Li Ke put down his job and didn't even have time to put on his shoes, so he ran barefoot to the door. At this time, Zhao Zhen, the Duke of Qi, had already walked into the courtyard.

"Why is the servant in such a hurry?"

"I don't know that grace is coming, and I am afraid in my heart, so I am out of shape, and I ask for forgiveness."

"Hehe, the servants shoot barefoot to meet each other, there is a great style of the ancients seeking talent, and the old man can be blamed."

"I'm ashamed, please."

The two sat facing each other, and Li Ke personally served fragrant tea to Zhao Zhen. Zhao Zhen looked at the food on the low table and asked, "The servant has been in a high position for many years, why do you still treat yourself so harshly." With your current position, even if you don't have fine clothes and food, you don't need to be so shabby, right? ”

"Returning to the grace, Ke was born in a poor family, knowing the truth of being born in sorrow and dying in peace, in order to remind himself not to forget the past, so he did not dare to have the slightest luxury. Besides, as long as the food can fill the stomach, the more people are greedy for enjoyment, the greater their desire, so Ke has always insisted on this. ”

"Rick, you know what? When the old man handed over the phase to you, he still had some scruples in his heart. Because you are too young, and you are a person who has the trust of His Majesty. The old man thinks that you will inevitably get carried away. But the old man sees that you have always been light and simple, and you have never had a luxury. The old man was drunk happily, and he was happy that Dayan could have a minister like you. The old man has taken a closer look at all the things that have happened to you, and I beg my pardon for saying that when it comes to personal ethics, you are exemplary. As the prime minister of the Great Yan Kingdom, it is really commendable that you can never be fascinated by wealth and power. It's just that the old man doesn't understand. Why are you still alone? ”

"Returning to his kindness, Li Ke does not want to be disturbed by his family's affection, but he is afraid that he will be entrusted by His Majesty, so he is still alone."

Zhao Zhen nodded and continued: "Today, the old man's words are a little intense, don't take it to heart. The old man visited the servant tonight and shot at night. I just want to ask what the servant is planning in his heart? ”

"Eun Xiang, you also know the crux of Your Majesty's heart. It's not something that can be changed by one person or one word. Over the years, Ke has also been circling left and right, and the pain in his heart is not enough to speak to outsiders. Today's Majesty is different from the previous emperor, Ke not only has to worry about Da Yan, but also takes into account His Majesty's feelings. ”

Zhao Zhen nodded and said, "You don't directly resist Your Majesty, you want to compromise and seek perfection on both sides." Intentions are good. However, national affairs often cannot take into account all aspects, and you should be able to distinguish which is more important and which is more important, right? ”

"Enxiang, Ke is also indignant at the rebellion of the Far Eastern Rong Ministry. However, now that the Rong Department has become a climate, it is inevitable to raise troops to fight, but it is difficult to cut the grass and eradicate the roots. Dayan's national strength is now declining, and he thinks that he must not fall into the quagmire of the Far East. If Dayan is dragged into a situation of no return because of a place in the Far East, Ke will be Dayan's sinner for the ages. That's why Gram came up with such a solution. On the one hand, the construction of the border wall is to take precautions, and on the other hand, it is also to find a way for those people to survive. The intention of the gram. Did Eun Xiang ever understand? ”

"Your intentions are understood, but this does not mean that the Far East should be abandoned. The strategy you spoke of in the DPRK for dealing with the Far East is very good. It's just too conservative, only focusing on defense and not offense, how can this work. It is necessary to know that offense and defense are as indispensable as two fists of a person, and only by having both offense and defense can we be invincible. Let's change it, it's a lot better. The old man doesn't want to force you to persuade His Majesty to use the Duke of Qin, but who can take on this important task when you look at Dayan? ”

"This. Isn't there any one of the Sixteen Guards generals who can take on this task? Isn't it okay to be the son of the army, the great general Ulit? ”

"Ulit is brave but not wise, it is acceptable for a general, but it is definitely not good for a handsome. And Ullit, though brave but unruly, if you take him as handsome, don't you worry about the tail not falling off? ”

"Eun Xiang is still going to say. If it is not my race, its heart will be different? ”

Since the servant said this, the old man did not have to be obscure. Yes, that's what the old man is worried about. ”

"Enqi taught Li Ke when he was young: Dayan should have the mind and bearing to accept all rivers. And the sage cloud: there is no class in teaching. Li Ke deeply believes that although the son of the army is of a foreign race, he is a loyal and brave man who follows His Majesty. Isn't there even a large number of Liaodong children in the Zhenbei Army? Why is Eun Xiang so prejudiced against the son of the army? ”

"It's not that the old man is prejudiced, but the soldiers of the sons of the army are not descendants of the local Dongyi clan in Liaodong. His identity is very suspicious, and since he is suspicious, he cannot be entrusted with a heavy responsibility. Moreover, this time, the son of the army acted too ruthlessly in the counterinsurgency, and the good and the bad were killed on a large scale, and the people already complained. How can such a cruel man be handsome? ”

"Then the favor can be the right person?"

"Alas, after thinking about it, the old man has no suitable candidates except for Qin Guogong."

"Alas, Eun Xiang. If His Majesty can agree, why should he be in a dilemma. Eun Xiang, why don't you use a newcomer? ”

"Oh? Who is enabled? Who is the wrong candidate among the disciples of this sect? ”

"This person's name is Niu Tianci, and he comes from a poor family. I don't know what to do, Niu Tianci's bravery is abnormal, and his strategy is also superior. It's just that I'm too young and haven't been sharpened yet, which is why I can't make up my mind for a long time. ”

"But Jizhou Niu Tianci, a disciple of Qin Guogong?"

"Who else but him?"

"This person is suitable, and my Majesty will probably agree. But Niu Tianci hasn't reached the age of the crown yet, right? Can you afford such a heavy responsibility at such a young age? ”

"Ke is also pondering repeatedly, if only he could wait a few years and let Niu Tianci hone in the army."

"According to the old man's opinion, Niu Tianci can go, but he can't be handsome. We still implore Your Majesty to use the Duke of Qin, and there is currently Sima Yan as the temporary commander in the Far East, and he can support it for a while. Niu Tianci can be sent to the Far East under Sima Yan, which is not only a training but also an opportunity for him to make meritorious contributions. In time, he may be a famous general of Dayan. ”

"Since Enxiang thinks it is appropriate, then tomorrow Ke will ask His Majesty to allow Niu Tianci to join the army. However, the matter of enabling Qin Guogong still needs to be done slowly. ”

"Alas, we can wait, I'm afraid that the Far East can't wait. Well, do as you say. It's just that there is one more thing that the old man wants to remind you. The construction of border walls must not be made into a waste of money and labor. It can't cause a popular uprising, and the old road of the former Qin must not be followed. ”

"Rest assured, Ke will definitely send a competent official to handle this matter. And we are not in a hurry about the side wall, depending on the situation? ”

"Okay, if the servant has a plan, the old man won't say more. Farewell. ”

Li Ke sent Zhao Zhen out of the door, and did not turn around and go back to his house until Zhao Zhen's carriage was far away. When Li Ke returned to the study, Sikong Fu was already sitting in the study waiting for him.

"Qi Guogong is still here for that incident?"

"Yes, in order to avoid the courtiers from forcing each other step by step, I decided to use Niu Tianci."

"What? A commander under the age of twenty, this is too amazing, isn't it? Niu Tianci became the commander-in-chief, who would obey him? ”

"Hmph, it's better not to be convinced." Li Ke said faintly.

In the study of the prince of the East Palace, Long Xingrong and Niu Tianci sat respectfully on both sides. Looking at Emperor Suzheng in the center. The excited expression on Long Xingrong's face could no longer be suppressed, and his eyes shone as he looked at Emperor Su Zheng. And Emperor Su Zheng was carefully looking at Niu Tianci, Tianci was sitting in danger and was not angry or happy, he looked like a soldier who was ready to listen to orders. Emperor Su Zheng nodded and patted Niu Tianci's shoulder with his hand.

"The strategy for the Far East is your proposal, and if I send you to the Far East, do you dare to guarantee that the Far East will no longer be chaotic?"

"Then it depends on how much power His Majesty gives to his ministers?"

"Oh? What do you mean by that? ”

"What the minister means is that if His Majesty lets the minister guard a place, as long as the minister is three inches away, he will never let a soldier of the Rong Department cross the minister's position. If Your Majesty lets the vassals guard the Urakan Line. The minister dared to guarantee that the Heavenly Wolf Capital was safe and sound. If Your Majesty allows your ministers to pass through the Far East, the ministers will cut down the grass and eradicate the roots, and never suffer from it. But the condition is __"

"The condition is that you will have an army. Is it right to rule over the parties? ”

"Your Majesty is wise, exactly."

"Niu Tianci, why are you only here now? Ten years earlier, no, three or five years earlier, you would have been a marquis by now. ”

"Your Majesty. Tonight? ”

"Hahaha, it's not too late, it can be said that it's just the right time."

Emperor Su Zheng slapped his palms and laughed loudly, and Long Xingrong on the side laughed even more happily, and he also squeezed his eyes at Niu Tianci from time to time.

"God-given. I won't say how to do it. You are the only one in the Manchu Dynasty who has such a good idea. I can give you what you want, but not now. But I can only give it to you after you have truly mastered an army. If you can get your hands on the Zhenbei Army, you're the Grand Commander. If you can get the Northern Army to obey your command, I will let you sit in the Pingrong Grassland, and hold the Great Seal of Commander. How, do you have the guts? ”

"Thank you for your majesty's generous gift, and the minister wants to build an army by himself."

"Why?"

"I don't want to be injured by cold arrows flying from behind when I am engaged in a battle with the enemy."

"Oh? Don't you like the Northern Legion? ”

"No, the minister just wants the Northern Army to be loyal to His Majesty from top to bottom. If you want the Northern Legion to become a sharp sword in Your Majesty's hands, where Your Majesty's eyes can see, it is where the new Northern Legion long sword goes. ”

"Hahahaha. Good! Good! Good! is worthy of being a gift from the cow, and worthy of being a person valued by my prince. God-given, you say, what do you want now? ”

Niu Tianci smiled and took out a piece of paper and sent it to Emperor Su Zheng with both hands, Emperor Su Zheng took the paper and looked at it carefully for a long time, his brows were locked for a while and then loosened. Long Xingrong couldn't sit still at this time, he came to Emperor Su Zheng's side, grabbed one of Emperor Su Zheng's arms with both hands and shook it gently, as if he was coquettish to Emperor Su Zheng. Emperor Su Zheng couldn't help but smile when he looked at his beloved son. He turned his head to look at Niu Tianci.

"There are a lot of conditions, huh? But I can do it. But your resistance is not ordinarily large, and you will even be excluded a lot, do you really plan to do this? ”

"This must be done, otherwise it will never work as it should."

"Well, you can be so cruel to yourself, let alone to the enemy. A few days ago, King Yan and I lost a game of chess, do you know what the bet is? ”

"I don't know, please let Your Majesty say it clearly."

"It's Youliao Erzhou."

Niu Tianci's heart shook when he heard this, and he tried to suppress himself, making a puzzled expression on his face. Emperor Su Zheng looked at Niu Tianci and nodded with satisfaction.

"King Yan put forward a condition, whoever can pacify the Far East, King Yan will give these two states of Liao to whomever he wants. God, what do you think? ”

"Your Majesty, the ministers of the two states of Youliao are going to be decided."

Hahahaha, Emperor Su Zheng slapped the table and smiled, and Long Xingrong hugged Niu Tianci excitedly. Niu Tianci was smiling on his face, but his heart was full of gratitude to King Yan. The fief of King Yan was the largest among the princes, and it had independent control. Emperor Su Zheng had long been dissatisfied with this, but because of the status of the leader of Yanwang Shilin, he did not start. Now King Yan took the initiative to give up the two states of Youliao, which calmed the dissatisfaction in Emperor Suzheng's heart in one fell swoop. But at the same time, he put forward such conditions, which was to force Emperor Suzheng to make up his mind to pacify Liaodong, and secondly, to pave the way for Niu Tianci to obtain the two states of Youliao. King Yan helped Niu Tianci to such a point, this friendship is simply heavier than a mountain.

Emperor Su Zheng was also very satisfied, he was not angry at all about what Niu Tianci had just said. Because he thinks that if Niu Tianci opens his mouth to reject Youliao Erzhou, it will be wrong. According to Emperor Suzheng's way of thinking, a person who can turn a blind eye to such a big temptation must have great ambitions, and his plot will be greater than that of Youliao Erzhou. What is bigger than the two states of Youliao, of course Emperor Suzheng knows.

Therefore, Niu Tianci said that the two states of Youliao were going to be decided, but Emperor Suzheng completely relieved him. As the saying goes, the heart of a king is unpredictable, and when you are an emperor, you can't speculate about him according to the way of thinking of a normal person. Emperor Su Zheng got a satisfactory result, Niu Tianci got a chance to show his ambitions, and both of them were happy.

When Emperor Su Zheng left the East Palace, he looked back at Long Xingrong and Niu Tianci, who were high-fived each other.

"God, I'm waiting to hand over the two states of Youliao to you with my own hands. As for the seal of the Northern Legion, I very much hope that the crown prince will hand it over to you. Do you understand the implications? ”

Niu Tianci knelt down and said: "The minister understands, and the minister will let His Majesty get his wish." ”

Long Xingrong was stupid with excitement, and Emperor Su Zheng stroked Long Xingrong's face and said, "Look at your happy appearance, what's in a hurry, sooner or later it's all yours." In the future, don't be lazy, and follow your father and emperor to listen to the government. ”

"Father~~~~~." Long Xingrong's eyes were already flashing with tears.

"Godci, I hope that the crown prince and you can be like Emperor Shengzuren and Yan Wushuang, and they will be with each other for the rest of their lives. I wish I could see that day with my own eyes. ”

Niu Tianci fell to the ground, to be honest, Niu Tianci was also a little moved at this time. Long Xingrong can have such a good father, which is really the envy of Niu Tianci. (To be continued.) )