Xiangcheng went to find the emperor, but the emperor was not in the Taiji Hall today, but went out of the palace to visit the heroes. Hou Junji was lying at home, and Qin Shubao was also lying at home with the recurrence of his old injury, these two were the most seriously injured in this war, so they needed to be visited one by one.

Hou Jun collected losses and lost generals, and the new cavalry of the Tang Dynasty was reimbursed once, and he was ashamed in his heart, but the emperor encouraged him.

Now Jieli has been captured, the Turkic dragons have no leader, and in the spring of the next year, they only need to send troops to the past to pacify and suppress, from now on, the grassland is our back garden, and there is no war horse to form a cavalry?

Didn't Xiao Rui make out that three-piece set of war horses? Wait for Su Lie to come back and allocate his 10,000 cavalry to you, there will be more and more new cavalry in the future, are you still worried about Hou Junji having no soldiers?

Hou Junji was puzzled, "Su Lie has made great contributions this time, he is already a veritable famous cavalry general, and his 10,000 new-style cavalry is no less than the Xuanjia Army, it seems inappropriate for His Majesty to deprive him of his military power like this, right?" ”

The emperor reassured, "Don't worry, Su Lie's achievements in this battle are not small, and I am ready to upgrade him." There will be another appointment at that time. His 10,000 soldiers and horses were selected from your Luoyang army, so it is most appropriate for you to take over. In the future, based on this, we will develop and expand the new cavalry of the Tang Dynasty. ”

"Recuperate with peace of mind, when you recover, there are many major things waiting for you to take over."

Hou Junji is a shrewd person, he didn't ask any more questions, because he figured it out, the emperor was depriving Su Lie of his military power, Su Lie and Xiao Rui were too close, this time the performance was like Xiao Rui's personal soldiers, without the emperor's order, you Xiao Rui would have 10,000 desperate personal soldiers to follow?

The Xuanjia Army was ordered by the emperor and will not be suspicious, but these 10,000 soldiers and horses are not, but they are personally guided and trained by you Xiao Rui. If it's in the hands of your Xiao Rui, it's not suitable.

In the Yiguo Mansion, Qin Huaidao served beside his father, Emperor Li Er came to visit, and everyone in the Qin family came out to greet him.

On the hospital bed, watching Qin Shubao endure the torture of illness, Li Er wanted to speak and stopped, and he couldn't say what he had thought of.

Qin Shubao understood, smiled and said, "Your Majesty doesn't have to be like this, it's just a crippled body, and I've been used to fighting for many years." To be able to participate in this war, it was Sun Shenyi, Ge Daochang and Xiao Rui who made great efforts. There are no regrets in this life. It's just that I'm afraid I won't be able to go into battle to kill the enemy anymore. ”

"Brother Shubao, don't say anything. Take good care of your injuries and destroy Jieli, there is no threat to the north of Datang, and we have to watch the prosperity of Datang together. ”

Qin Shubao waved his hand to let his son and family retreat, only him and the emperor were the two, "Your Majesty, the old minister wants to give the champion Hou Xiaorui ......"

Li Er stretched out his hand and pressed Qin Shubao, "Needless to say, I understand." Xiao Rui can be regarded as you grew up, how can you not care? I don't really want to punish him, he has made a great contribution alone this time, how can he not attract envy? Shubao, didn't you see the faces of the people in the military department in the court......"

They......

Qin Shubao was sick at home and did not attend the court meeting.

Hearing the emperor say this at this time, Qin Shubao coughed violently and said angrily: "A group of villains! They have the ability to break the city and capture Jieli by themselves, but now that they have been captured, are they jealous? That's Xiao Rui's ability, why should you let them? ”

The emperor helped Qin Shubao pat his chest, "Dissipate your anger." Having said that, the Tang Dynasty can't rely on Xiao Rui alone, right? People who are not saints and sages have shortcomings. ”

Qin Shubao was jealous and hateful, and said directly: "Your Majesty, please forgive the old minister for bluntly saying that there are not many people in the Manchu Dynasty who are civil and military, like Xiao Rui, who do practical things regardless of personal utilitarianism, and it is precisely this kind of person who is a talent who is dedicated to the country." Others shout about serving the country, and they are all fame and fortune inside. ”

Li Er laughed, held Qin Shubao's hand and said, "Brother Shubao, who said you don't understand the court?" You see it better than anyone else. Why don't I know? It is said that I prefer Xiao Rui more than my own son, is it because of Xiao Rui's talent? No, it's the innocence of liking this child. ”

"It is rumored outside that Xiao Ruigong is the master, so I will take the prison, hahahaha...... Absurd! Rat-eyed statement. Everyone in the world can be high-spirited, but Xiao Rui will not. He is a lazy character, I am worried that he will not carry the burden, how can I worry that he will be high? ”

"This time the matter was done well, I took the Jieli, and I was troubled by my heart, how can I not like it?"

"It's just to protect him that he was put in prison to gag other people's mouths, otherwise he would offend hundreds of civil and military officials to death at one time, how could he still walk in Chang'an?"

Qin Shubao smiled, "Your Majesty can trust this child, and the old minister will be relieved." ”

Having said this, Li Er mentioned his true intention, "Brother Shubao, there is something I am afraid to wronged you." Xiao Rui ate alone, I can put him in prison without mentioning his merits, but others can't, and the soldiers who follow the generals to capture the flag still have to be rewarded. So ......"

Qin Shubao suddenly realized, and said briskly: "What did Your Majesty say? What grievances are not grievances? Lao Chen's life is all Datang's, as long as Datang needs it, His Majesty can take it at any time. ”

"With this bedridden body that has been sick for a long time, it will be impossible to lead troops in the future, even if Your Majesty does not mention it, the minister is ready to write to Japan to resign."

Li Er was moved to hold Qin Shubao's hand tightly: "Alas! I...... I'm sorry for you. Don't say more, I want to give Su Lie the position of General Zuo Wuwei, what do you think? ”

Qin Shubao laughed, "Okay, Su Lie has the talent of a general, the bow and horse are skilled in martial arts, and he is also proficient in military strategy, and Zuo Wuwei can rest assured that he can entrust his ministers to old age." ”

Li Er nodded, "That's it, that's it." In addition, I have already decreed that you will be renamed the Duke of Yiguo to the Duke of Hu and the Shangzhu Kingdom. Uncle Bao, do you have any other requirements? For example, children ......"

Qin Shubao shook his head, "Your Majesty is grateful for the favor of the old minister, and he doesn't dare to be greedy anymore." As for Huai Dao, he seems to have the idea of abandoning Wu Congwen, no matter what, it depends on his own choice, if he can use it, His Majesty will stay by his side and call it, if he can't bear the big responsibility, it's good to come back and be a rich man. ”

Li Er smiled, "Don't worry, Huaidao's achievements in the future will not be lower than yours, and he will definitely be a pillar of the country." ”

"By the way, there is one more thing, Liang officially surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. But I don't know how Xue Li should arrange? Does Uncle Bao have any good advice? ”

Qin Shubao waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, it's better for you to ask Xiao Yu, the Duke of Song, about this matter, after all, Xue Li is his righteous son." Where does Lao Chen understand this? ”

The two glanced at each other and laughed at the same time, that's right, throw this question to Xiao Yu, the Duke of Song. Xue Li is your adopted son, and now he is famous, talented and meritorious, what official position do you want for your son, choose it yourself.

It seems to be a favor, but it is actually a problem, the official position is high, and it seems insatiable. The official position is too small, burying Xue Li's merits. This is also where Li Er is worried.

Qin Shubao's words seem to be prevaricating, but in fact, he has already given a suggestion, and it is an excellent suggestion.