Nancheng Pingkangfang, Lee's mansion.

"Father, you are waiting in the side hall."

There was a middle-aged man with a clear face and a noble body of literati, he was the eldest son of Li Daoyan, the left prime minister, and Li Shizhi, who was now a waiter in the Criminal Department, was forty-one years old at the time.

He was famous when he was young, and at the age of seventeen, he was named a first-class tanhua by the emperor at the age of nineteen, and was awarded the Hanlin review.

After the change of Yuanjia, he successively served as a scholar in Hanlin, a scholar in Yizhifu, a bachelor in the East Pavilion, and a waiter in the Criminal Department, and he was lenient in governing the government and won the hearts of the people.

Although he is the eldest son of Zuo Xiang and the next generation of the head of the Jinlin Li family, he has never been arrogant and domineering, treats people with a good demeanor, has a quiet and prudent personality, and is especially good at understanding and understanding the gorgeous articles with both law and law, and has an excellent official reputation in the court.

On the soft couch, Li Daoyan drank half a bowl of ginseng tea in small sips, and then handed the tea cup to the maid next to him, and said lightly: "What are they doing?" ”

Li Shizhi lowered his head and replied: "It must be related to today's court meeting." ”

Li Daoyan asked again: "Do you also think that it is inappropriate to deal with your father?" ”

Li Shizhi raised his head, looked at his father's gray sideburns, and said slowly: "There is nothing wrong. Xiao Wangzhi and Lu Shen took the initiative to stop the momentum of the Northern Expedition by retreating, so that they could occupy the first step in the truth and make the center blameless. Although what Lu Shen said was straightforward and sparse, the magic lies in the word temporary, which is equivalent to putting the choice in the hands of His Majesty. ”

Li Daoyan bowed slightly, and said a little tiredly: "Those people in the side hall ......"

Li Shizhi said: "Father, Ning, Ding, Chen, Le and other adults, it's not that they can't see through the intentions of the border army commander, but it's just that they are in the game and it is difficult to get out. In the past two years, the border army has continued to use troops, and the imperial court has been under great pressure, and now all the credit goes to Xiao Wangzhi and the generals under his command, and the center has been reduced to a corner, no wonder they are anxious. Moreover, it is not a good idea to be too stable within the border army. ”

"Your Majesty will not agree to transfer Xiao Wangzhi back to the capital, the water here is very deep."

Li Daoyan looked solemn and did not elaborate on the matter.

Li Shizhi said calmly: "No matter what, Xiao Wangzhi can't be allowed to take charge of Huai and determine the military power of the two places alone. ”

"It's nature."

Li Daoyan nodded, and said slowly: "My father has already talked to Guo Shumi about this matter, and the Dingzhou Governor's Mansion must ensure that more than half of the troops are transferred from the Beijing army, but it is difficult to decide who will be the governor of Dingzhou." ”

Li Shizhi pondered for a moment and asked, "How is General Li?" ”

"Li Jingda?"

Li Daoyan subconsciously showed a touch of sarcasm and said, "Do you think he can do it?" In the future, Jingjun will go south, Dingzhou will be the first line of defense, Li Jingda will be indulged in pleasure in the capital, and he may not be able to stop those tigers and wolves in the north when he goes to the frontier. ”

Li Shizhi said calmly: "Father, Your Majesty is willing to let Lu Shen sit in Dingzhou, as long as this son returns to Beijing and withstands the test, he will definitely be released as the commander of the road in the future, and Dingzhou is undoubtedly the most suitable battlefield for him." Before that, the first governor of Dingzhou was only a transitional candidate, and no matter who he was, he would not last long. ”

Li Daoyan quietly looked at his eldest son and asked, "What are your plans?" ”

Li Shizhi replied: "Father, the two generals of Nanya, Liu Shouguang is obviously His Majesty's person, although Li Jingda's qualifications are enough but insufficient, he can't balance Liu Shouguang at all." Rather than having his corpse fed, it is better to take this opportunity to let him hand over military power. ”

Li Daoyan was silent for a long time.

He said with a slightly strange expression: "Suitable, our Li family has never interfered in military power. ”

Li Shizhi: "My son understands, but if His Majesty holds both the Beijing army and the border army in the palm of his hand, no one can stop him from continuing to use troops." If he can really subdue Jing Guo, it will be fine, but his father must know that the main force of the Jing army has not yet moved south, and Qing Yugong has never made a move, and if the border army is defeated in the future, I am afraid that there will be no chance for Daqi to turn around. ”

He looked into Li Daoyan's eyes and said sincerely: "What my son is thinking about this time is not to meddle in military power, but to hope that the situation in the court can be balanced. ”

Li Daoyan took a long breath, weighed it and asked, "If Li Jingda is transferred to the governor of Dingzhou, who can take over the Sixth Army of Nanya?" ”

Li Shizhi said unhurriedly: "Governor of Chengzhou, Hou Yu." ”

"Hou Yu ......"

A dark face appeared in Li Daoyan's mind, and he didn't ask who would replace Hou Yu, after all, Daqi does not lack martial arts with sufficient qualifications, and this kind of thing is always more monks and less porridge.

He asked again, "Why Hou Yu?" ”

Li Shizhi said calmly: "Father, when my son was serving as the Yizhi Mansion in Chengzhou, he had several dealings with Hou Dudu. Although his reputation is not as loud as Xiao Wangzhi and Li Tianrun, he is not weaker than the two in military training, and he was born in the Dehua Hou family, and he has no friendship with the border army generals. Over the years, Hou Dudu has shocked the seven departments of Shazhou, and his military merits and qualifications are not lacking, and there is no more suitable person than him. ”

Li Daoyan pondered for a moment, and said slowly: "Okay, for my father, I will first discuss with Guo Shumi and others, and then make a statement to Your Majesty." ”

Li Shizhi responded: "Yes." ”

Li Daoyan thought of the senior officials waiting in the side hall, and couldn't help frowning slightly: "Ning Yuanfu and the others ......"

Li Shizhi arched his hand and said, "Father, let the son send them away." ”

"Okay."

Li Daoyan nodded with satisfaction, and when Li Shizhi was about to turn around, he suddenly said: "Your Majesty mentioned that the post of waiter of the Ministry of Rites was vacant two days ago, Chen Chun was transferred to Dingzhou Assassin History, and Shangshu Xie Zhen is already old. Your Majesty is going to let Ling become a waiter in the Ministry of Rites, and then replace Xie Zhen after two years, what do you think? ”

Li Shizhi was slightly stunned, and then shook his head and said: "Since the father is the ruler, the son should not be promoted too quickly, so as not to attract criticism." Moreover, it has been less than two years since he was promoted to the squire of the Criminal Department, and he is not familiar with many doorways, so he should study diligently and carefully to live up to the value and expectations of His Majesty and his father. ”

Li Daoyan sighed lightly: "It's naturally best if you think like this, it's not in vain that your father is hard for you." Go ahead and explain it to the grown-ups so that they can rest easy. ”

"Yes, father."

Li Shizhi bowed and slowly retreated.

As for the side hall, the furnishings here are elegant and quiet, but the smell of anxiety floats in the air.

Ning Yuanfu, the secretary of the ministry, Ding Hui, the secretary of the military department, Le Qinyi, and the other five senior officials above the fourth rank were seated left and right, and when they saw Li Shizhi walking in, everyone got up and saluted.

"My father felt a little uncomfortable, and he didn't dare to leave without permission, so I had to wait for a long time."

Li Shizhi made a group gesture and apologized politely.

Ding Huiden asked anxiously, "Is there a big problem with Xiangye?" Did the virtuous brother send someone to ask for a doctor? ”

"Brother Ding doesn't have to worry, my father is just a little tired, and it's fine."

Li Shizhi smiled at him, and between the two of them, their eyes intertwined, and there seemed to be a bit of deep meaning.

The eight people in the side hall are not only high-ranking officials in the court, but each of them has a deep-rooted Jiangnan clan behind them, and there are good people in the market who call them and Jinlin Li clan the "Nine Families".

In short, the combined power of these clans would be difficult even for the Son of Heaven, because it was not just nine surnames, they controlled countless fields and estates, and I don't know how many people depended on them for their lives.

After Li Shizhi threw out his opening remarks, everyone couldn't force them to ask, and in the end, Ning Yuanfu, the oldest official with the most qualifications, said: "Brother Xian, do we want to sit back and watch the border army continue to grow?" Now that Xiao Wangzhi, Li Tianrun and others are difficult to restrain themselves, I am afraid it will be inappropriate to continue like this. ”

Li Shizhi groaned: "Brother Ning is reasonable, but the influence of Heluo's victory is too amazing, and I am afraid it is not appropriate to make a big move at this time." ”

Ning Yuanfu hesitated for a moment, and said with a solemn expression: "Everyone is a little apprehensive in their hearts, the foolish brother took the liberty to ask the virtuous brother, what is the plan of the old man?" ”

Li Shizhi replied: "Father's intention, for the time being, the center and the border army are not in an opposing position, and we should not force each other. The border army is inseparable from the support of the center, and the center is also inseparable from the protection of the border army, and the two should be in the same boat and fight against foreign enemies. ”

"We all know that, but ......"

Le Qinyi shook his head and said with a wry smile: "If there is a Northern Expedition this year, the imperial court will definitely have to increase taxes, otherwise the treasury will be difficult to support." ”

"Don't worry, everyone, the boat will naturally go straight to the bridge."

Li Shizhi smiled and looked calm.

Everyone had no choice but to respond, chatted a few words and left one after another.

There is no doubt that Li Daoyan's decision is difficult to satisfy them, because the cost of the war is astronomical, and these expenses will eventually fall on the people of Jiangnan.

It's just that because of the authority that Li Daoyan has accumulated in more than ten years of power, no one dares to openly question it.

Li Shizhi stood under the porch, calmly watching these high-ranking officials leave, his eyes were like a thick fog, making people unable to see the clues.

About half an hour later, when the sky was dark, Li Shizhi came to a remote mansion in Dongcheng.

In the dark room, there is a military general in his thirties who is waiting.

He is one of the twelve commanders of the Beijing Army and the Huwei Army, and Yuan Xingqin.

After Li Shizhi came in, he raised his hand and said, "No need to be polite, sit down and talk." ”

Yuan Xingqin replied respectfully: "Yes, my lord." ”

Li Shizhi said straight to the point: "Li Jingda will be transferred to the governor of Dingzhou in the near future, and I have convinced my father that the imperial court will let Hou Yu, the governor of Chengzhou, succeed him as the general of Nanya." ”

Yuan Xingqin's face was overjoyed, and he arched his hand: "Congratulations to your Excellency for going further!" ”

"Thousands of miles away, just one step."

Li Shizhi's expression was indifferent, and he said leisurely: "After Hou Yu takes office, don't get too close to him." Just like for more than a year, Chen Lanyu has treated Li Jingda like he did, and he only needs to maintain official respect. ”

At the beginning, twelve border army generals entered Beijing, and only Chen Lanyu remained in the end, who succeeded Xu Wen as the chief general of the Zhenwei Army.

As the first general under Xiao Wangzhi, Chen Lanyu not only performed well on the battlefield, but also was at ease in the quagmire-like officialdom of the capital.

Li Jingda has not thought about finding fault with Chen Lanyu for more than a year, but the other party has never shown the slightest flaw, and gradually held the Zhenwei Army in the palm of his hand, just as he replaced Xiao Wangzhi in charge of the Huaizhou Zhenbei Army.

As Chen Lanyu's colleague, Yuan Xingqin saw this clearly, and he was jealous and a little admired.

Hearing Li Shizhi's advice at this moment, Yuan Xingqin said: "Please rest assured, the last general will know what to do." ”

Li Shizhi bowed his head and said: "Don't worry, what I promised you will definitely be done." ”

After all, Yuan Xingqin is a military general in the army, and he can't help but show an excited look when he hears this.

Seeing this, Li Shizhi said: "Seeing you today is just to remind you a few words, it's still early, don't be anxious." ”

Yuan Xingqin's heart was shocked, and he hurriedly got up and said, "Yes!" ”

(End of chapter)