"Fengtian carries the emperor, and the edict says: Shengren Guangyun, where the sky is covered with earth, do not respect relatives; The emperor ordered the general Pu, and the sunrise at the corner of the sea, recklessly. Turtle Newdragon Chapter, far away to the domain of the four seas; Zhenmin big seal, the mountain of Rongshi Zhenguo. ”

In the temporary festival hall in the northern city of Heluo, a middle-aged civil official with a weathered face stood solemnly in front of the incense case, spreading out a jade scroll with both hands and a bright yellow holy decree, his eyes did not squint, and his tone was sonorous.

The generals of the Western Route Army were all gathered together, and Lu Shen stood in the first place as a matter of course, not only because he was the chief general of the Western Route Army designated by Xiao Wangzhi, but also because he was the protagonist of today's proclamation ceremony.

The middle-aged civil official continued: "Today, there is Lu Shen, the commander of the Ruishi Battalion of the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion, who is handsome and well-studied, talented, both civil and military, and meritorious service to the country. Ztegafenger is the Marquis of Shanyang, and Zhun Er staff officer Dingzhou military affairs, and gives Beijing a mansion of the Marquis of China. Temporary Xi Wu Ben, plus Pi Ji, admirable. ”

Everyone in the hall was excited.

Duan Zuozhang and others were both envious and gratified, envy is human nature, after all, Lu Shen was awarded the title of Marquis at the age of a weak crown, which is quite rare in the history of Daqi for more than 160 years.

Ascending to the position of a prince means that Lu Shen has entered the ranks of senior generals in the army and is qualified to take charge of the army.

Although they are envious, these commanders will not be jealous, one is because they have a very close relationship with Lu Shen, and the other is that they know very well how much credit Lu Shen has made in the past two years.

Therefore, they also felt very relieved that Lu Shen's marquis showed that the wind direction in Beijing was very correct, and the Son of Heaven did not waste the blood paid by the soldiers of the border army.

The middle-aged civil official put away the holy decree and said to Lu Shen: "Lu Hou, please accept the decree." ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lu Shen stepped forward to accept the order without humility or arrogance, and said to the middle-aged civil official: "Lord Xu has worked hard all the way through the mountains and rivers. ”

The middle-aged civil official is Xu Zuo, the middle of the imperial history, he looked at Lu Shen's too young face, and smiled: "Where the duty is, don't dare to say bitterness." ”

Lu Shen shook his head.

Xu Zuo said to the others: "Generals, before leaving, Your Majesty has personally instructed the imperial court to temporarily draw up the Duke of Xiao Du and the Marquis of Lu Duwei, but I will not forget your merits. The imperial court is now agreeing on the details of the rewards for all the soldiers of the border army according to the records of the war exploits, and please be calm. ”

A warm voice of gratitude resounded in the hall.

After a while, the generals of the Western Route Army who had received the promise left the festival hall satisfied, and Lu Shen said to Xu Zuo: "Lord Xu, please take a seat." ”

The two sat down as guests of honor, Xu Zuo looked at Lu Shen quietly, and said secretly in his heart: This son's ambition is really extraordinary, and he can maintain such a peaceful state of mind at such a young and sudden dignitary.

Of course, the prince of the prince is not a cabbage, there are only twelve marquis who are still alive in the Qi Dynasty, two each of the county duke and the prince of the country, and then only the children of the clan have been awarded the title of prince and prince.

Lu Shen jumped directly from Shanyang County to Marquis this time, and crossed the two levels of the founding son and the founding uncle, in the more than 100 years of history of the Qi Dynasty, only the founding group of martial artists had such a record.

According to the unspoken rules of the officialdom of the Qi Dynasty, as long as the princes and above did not commit the major crime of rebellion and rebellion, they would not have to worry about their lives, even if they did something angry and resentful, at most they would take away their titles, and they would not even confiscate their family assets.

In short, even if Lu Shen quits the army now and honestly guards the business name, it can also ensure the prosperity and wealth of the Lu family for several generations.

Lu Shen probably knew the thoughts of this middle-aged civil official, and he didn't want to talk in front of him, so he took the initiative to provoke the topic and said: "Lord Xu, about the negotiation with Jing Dynasty, I don't know if Your Majesty can explain?" ”

Xu Zuo said: "Your Majesty has something to say, let me ask Lu Hou more, after all, I am not familiar with the situation here, and it is not appropriate to make my own opinions." ”

Lu Shen remembered the cold posture of this person impeaching Qu Fenghua in the court, and he couldn't figure out his original intention of being so humble for a while, so he briefly said the three conditions, and then said: "During this time, I have been in contact with Qing Yuzhongwang, the general of the Jing Army, and judging from the latest feedback, the Emperor of the Jing Dynasty agreed to accept the peace talks. ”

Xu Zuo's face was calm, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "It seems that Emperor Jing Dynasty does not want to use troops against the south for the time being. ”

Lu Shen said: "Our army has been fighting for the past two years, and the main force of the Jing army is also in a similar situation, and it took a lot of effort for them to pacify the Zhao State. As a last resort, Emperor Jing would not use troops in a hurry, he would definitely want to be fully prepared before waving his army south. ”

Xu Zuo said: "With Lao Luhou to solve my doubts, I know what to do." ”

Lu Shen said: "The negotiation location is set at Linying, a small city more than seventy miles north of Heluo, and I will arrange for a thousand cavalry to escort Lord Xu and the mission." ”

"Thank you, Lu Hou."

Xu Zuo smiled, and changed his words: "There are a few more things, Your Majesty asked me to tell Lu Hou." ”

Lu Shen sat down and said, "Lord Xu, please speak." ”

"The first thing is related to the Dingzhou Governor's Mansion, through the recommendation of Guo Shumi and the secondment of the important ministers of the DPRK, His Majesty has agreed that Li Jingda, the general of the Southern Ya, will be appointed as the Governor of Dingzhou, in charge of Dingzhou's military affairs."

Xu Zuo said as he carefully observed the change in Lu Shen's expression.

Promotions in the army pay more attention to seniority and military merits, perhaps in the minds of many people, with Lu Shen's merits this time, even if he can't serve as the governor of Dingzhou, it is natural to be promoted to deputy governor.

The lord of the prince is naturally the most noble, but if there is no corresponding military position match, it may not be a good thing for Lu Shen's future future.

Lu Shen said unhurriedly: "General Li? As a courtier, I can't discuss the decision of the king, but I always feel that General Li has been staying in the capital and has not personally experienced the frontier war, and Dingzhou will definitely be the first battlefield of Jingjun's plot in the future, and it may not be appropriate for General Li to take over the military affairs of Dingzhou. ”

Xu Zuo asked, "Does Lu Hou have a more suitable person to recommend?" ”

Lu Shen knew very well the hidden meaning of this sentence, and said indifferently: "Actually, this matter doesn't need to be too complicated, let Xiao Dudu temporarily lead the military affairs of the two states, and General Li, as his deputy, will first familiarize himself with the border situation, and then let him be the governor of Dingzhou after a while, isn't it more safe?" ”

Xu Zuo was stunned, but some words were inconvenient to speak.

Xiao Wangzhi has a deep foundation in Huaizhou, how could the center of the imperial court let him lead the Dingzhou army again?

Lu Shen's calm eyes seemed to be able to see through Xu Zuo's thoughts, and he shook his head and said, "That's it, I'm just a superficial idea, don't take it seriously." ”

Xu Zuo echoed and smiled, and changed the topic and said, "Lu Hou is too modest. His Majesty also said that he hoped that you would split the Ruishi battalion, and then form two armies with the cavalry army as the team, which would belong to the Dingzhou Governor's Mansion. ”

Lu Shen's eyes were slightly condensed, and he asked, "A cavalry army?" An infantry army? ”

Xu Zuo bowed his head and said, "Yes." According to the planning of the Privy Council, the Dingzhou Governor's Mansion will set up six armies, and General Li has already led the Beijing army to the north with the southern Yazhenwei army. The other five armies were transferred from the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion to the Feiyun Army and the Lai'an Army to the Dingzhou Governor's Mansion, while Lu Hou's Ruishi Battalion was rebuilt into two armies, and the last army was composed of new troops recruited in Dinghuai and Huai. ”

Lu Shen did not give an immediate answer.

The arrangement of the imperial court seemed to be very reasonable, and Li Jingda needed a physical force of his own, so he drew the Zhenwei army from his original subordinates and merged it into the Dingzhou army. However, the important ministers of the court also knew the importance of Dingzhou and the risk of facing the Jing army in the future, so they transferred two elite armies from the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion to the north.

However, the expansion of the Rui Shi Battalion into two armies, is this to strengthen the power that belongs to Lu Shen, or to quietly deprive him of military power?

Lu Shen said slowly: "The matter is serious, I need to ask Governor Xiao." ”

At least so far, the Ruishi Battalion is subordinate to the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion, and the Feiyun Army and the Lai'an Army are even more so, and it is impossible for these arrangements to directly bypass Xiao Wangzhi.

Xu Zuowen said: "This is natural, Your Majesty has already informed Governor Xiao in a letter that he will be sent to Ruyin City together with the holy decree of the Duke of the Imperial Crown. Lu Hou doesn't need to worry, His Majesty allowed you to consult the military affairs of Dingzhou, hoping that you could assist General Li in preparing for the establishment of the Dingzhou Governor's Mansion. Except for the three armies of Zhenwei, Feiyun and Lai'an, the candidates for the generals of the other three armies, Your Majesty has decided to be recommended by Governor Xiao and you. ”

Lu Shen's heart moved, it seemed that the Son of Heaven did not intend to take away his military power at this time, but he intuitively felt that this matter was not so simple.

Sure enough, Xu Zuo said again: "Governor Xiao needs to sit on the border to stabilize the situation, and it is really not appropriate to leave, so when the negotiations are over and the army returns to Dingzhou, Your Majesty hopes that Lu Hou can return to the capital." Regarding the specific matters concerning the preparation for the establishment of the Dingzhou Governor's Mansion, the next step of the Northern Expedition, and the future layout of the Jing Dynasty, His Majesty would like to hear Lu Hou's views in person. His Majesty also said that a prince of the kingdom is not enough to reward you for your merits, and there are still several great rewards waiting for you to return to Beijing to receive. ”

"Your Majesty, I dare not be ashamed."

Lu Shen said it in a sophisticated manner, and strange emotions flashed in his heart.

Generous reward?

Back to Beijing?

He noticed that almost everything in Xu Zuo's relayed holy will carried the word "hope", and it seemed that the complicated mood of the Son of Heaven could also be seen from this word.

Xu Zuo has completed the task assigned by the Son of Heaven, he is just a messenger, naturally there is no need to get to the bottom of the landing Shen, and after this short conversation, he is sure that he can't understand this young man's thoughts, so he got up and said: "Lu Hou, I will now go to prepare the content of the negotiation and say goodbye." ”

"Master Xu walks slowly."

Lu Shen sent him outside the door, staring at the man's thin back, his eyes deep and distant.

After a while, Li Chengen walked quickly through the atrium to Lu Shen, and arched his hand: "Young master, Miss Lin went to that small courtyard." ”

"Huh?"

Lu Shen frowned slightly.

Li Chengen said with a little embarrassment: "The young master said that no one is allowed to approach Qingyu Huaijin, but we really don't dare to stop Miss Lin. But please rest assured, there is no movement inside. ”

"You'll have to change it in the future."

Lu Shen raised his hand and patted Li Chengen's shoulder, and then sighed in a complex tone that was difficult for Li Chengen to understand: "Family affairs, national affairs, world affairs, everything makes people's heads big." ”

As he spoke, he shook his head and walked out.

(End of chapter)