Volume 4 Chapter 45: Good Man
The emperor's words were so clear that Yue Fei had already realized what was happening. He quickly pulled his stupid son away from the table and stood up. Then he bowed to him in the pavilion and said, "Your Majesty, this boy is rude and stupid. How can he be worthy of the princess?"
After hearing this, Tian Shizhong and Yang Yizhong remained calm, as if they had already realized what was going on. However, Zhang Xian was obviously stunned for a moment, and then he came to his senses. Yang Zaixing and Guo Jin were still a little confused until this moment, and their reactions were no better than Yue Yun's... It can only be said that in certain areas, there are still some differences between people.
"No problem." Zhao Jiu seemed to have expected this, and picked up an apricot and said, "Not to mention that there is already a precedent of royal family marrying meritorious officials in this dynasty, even if there are some obstacles, you don't have to worry about it, because after the Shaoxing incident, I made up my mind to re-establish some rules, and marrying a princess will not hinder his promotion and work in the future."
Yue Fei felt a little relieved, but still a little worried: "There will always be gossip outside..."
"If discussion was useful, the Jin people would have been gone long ago, and I would have been struck by lightning long ago." Zhao Jiu stroked the red apricot with one hand, still casually. "But Yue Qing, you are pushing it back and forth like this, don't you think my reputation is not good and you don't want to have anything to do with me?"
Yue Fei was stunned for a moment, and this time it was his turn to fail to react.
"The country has lost half of its territory. The people south of the Yangtze River only regard me as a tyrant who exploited too much. After the Shaoxing incident, many scholars and officials were offended. The reputation of the capital is not very good either, and there is a faint reputation of a tyrant..." Zhao Jiu said with a relaxed expression. "In this situation, if I don't capture you generals and take control of the military power, I am afraid that I can't even hold the throne. That's why I hurriedly begged to marry you and Han Taiwei."
Yue Fei knew that the emperor was joking, but he could not bear such a joke, so he could only bow his head awkwardly: "I have no such intention. If the emperor really likes this boy, I can only accept this great favor."
"You said that reluctantly." Zhao Jiu continued to laugh. "Do you really think my daughter will have trouble finding a husband?"
"Your Majesty." Yue Fei couldn't bear to hear that, so he could only look up and give a serious remonstrance. "Stop saying that... At this point, I know you are joking, but if some stupid people hear that, they might really think that your Majesty is in trouble and we can bully the royal family, and they might have bad intentions... Three people make a tiger, Zengzi killed someone, the rumors should be stopped for a while."
Zhao Jiu nodded with a smile, and Zhang Xian and others beside him realized that the emperor was joking.
Jokes aside, things still need to be settled, so after Zhao Jiu nodded, he opened his mouth to ask again: "Foyou and Shenyou are both eight years old this year, so we have to choose one. But an eight-year-old daughter is really a yellow-haired girl, and there is nothing to see when she is brought out. As a father-in-law, you can just choose one blindly!"
Having said that, how could Yue Fei choose blindly?
In other words, although both princesses were eight years old, they were born one after the other. How could he choose the second princess over the eldest? And of course, the closer their ages were, the better.
So, the man immediately pressed Yue Yun's head and bowed: "Thank you for your kindness, I would like to pray for the blessing of the princess for my son..."
Zhao Jiu nodded repeatedly and asked Feng Yi and Feng Erguan to take Yue Yun to see the two empress dowagers and two imperial concubines, saying that the empress dowagers would make the decision. But in fact, everyone knew that the marriage had already been done... Were the two reclusive empress dowagers crazy to get involved in such a matter?
Since the engagement was concluded, everyone knew that the princess would have to wait seven or eight years before she could really get married, and the emperor was there, so Tian Shizhong just stood up and bowed to Yue Fei indifferently to congratulate him. Then, the emperor did not say much about the matter, but took advantage of Yue Fei's advice to casually say a few words about the rumors in the capital.
"I was deliberately a bit lax because of the war in Jingdong, but now that the war is going so smoothly, I can be more restrained." Zhao Jiu said frankly. "But the peace in Jingdong has diluted the previous rumors, so there is no need to worry too much... The official report is still useful... Besides, I have other preparations."
It was not the business of a military official to say anything about this matter, but he was forced to speak. Since the emperor had agreed, Yue Fei nodded in agreement and did not mention it any further.
But at this moment, Tian Shizhong, the deputy commander of the right army of the imperial camp, saw that he was about to talk about serious matters, but he did not hesitate, and when the time came, he stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty, I have something to say."
"Come on." Zhao Jiu finally took a bite of the apricot in his hand. He had to admit that this big red apricot was sweet and less sour, juicy and really delicious. However, this kind of apricot was very suitable for making wine, but not for making dried apricot preserves. He might have to collect and sell them quickly before the arrival of autumn, otherwise he would have to take the almond kernels.
"I impeach Yue Fei, the commander-in-chief of the front army of the imperial camp, for acting out of selfish motives and harming friendly forces. In the battle of Zibo-Longshui, just because my troops were foreign troops, they were sent to the front, causing my troops to fight the longest and suffer the heaviest casualties..." Tian Shizhong's words were calm, and just like his notes, there were no superfluous harsh words. Apart from some of the inevitable heart-piercing remarks in the impeachment process, there was a sense of seeking truth from facts.
"I have read your letter. Your troops indeed suffered the heaviest casualties, and you were at the forefront of the battle." Zhao Jiu nodded slightly, threw down the apricot kernel, and looked directly at Yue Fei. "What do you say, Mr. Yue? They impeached you in front of the emperor, you have to give an explanation."
Yue Fei was silent for a moment, and could only bow again: "The troops of the Imperial Camp Right Army led by Deputy Commander Tian did suffer the heaviest casualties and made the greatest contribution in this battle, but my behavior that day was, firstly, as a military governor, I had the authority to dispatch the Imperial Camp Right Army and other troops; secondly, I thought that General Tian's troops had the strongest infantry combat power and should be the first in the entire army, so I sent them to the front in the oblique formation, but it was not out of personal motives."
Zhao Jiu nodded and looked at Tian Shizhong again: "Did you hear that?"
"yes."
"What do you want to say?"
"Nothing to say." Tian Shizhong responded respectfully.
"That's good. There should be less factionalism in the army. For example, in this battle, the two military governors have their own division of labor. The right army of the imperial camp is heading east, and the front army of the imperial camp is heading west. Your troops happen to be in the middle, so it is normal for you to be dispatched."
"Yes." When Tian Shizhong heard the words "each has his own division of labor", he knew that his purpose of making up for his father-in-law's strategic misjudgment had been achieved, and he felt relieved immediately.
"Then sit down." Zhao Jiu smiled again.
Yue and Tian sat down together, but the next moment, the official's subsequent smiling words made them both stern again.
"However, I have also thought about it. Things must not be done this way in the future. After all, I set up the imperial camp troops with the intention of making the entire army one and easy to use . There should be no discussion of other departments and my department." Having said this, Zhao Jiu sighed with a slight smile. "The only difference is that each unit has its own origin. I have led troops before, so how could I not know? For example, the rear army of the imperial camp is composed of the old members of the Western Army; the front army of the imperial camp is mostly composed of the old members of the Tokyo garrison; the right army of the imperial camp is composed of the old members of Zhong Shidao who came from Taiyuan, and then Zhang Boying developed them from Huaidong; the left army of the imperial camp is basically composed of the confidants brought back by Han Shizhong from Hebei, and they also recruited people from Huaixi themselves; as for Zhang Rong and Li Yanxian, they started from scratch and bypassed the court to set up their own teams in the local area. On one side is the Liangshanpo bandits, and on the other side is the righteous army in the Shaanxi-Luoyang area... These troops have entangled foundations, and most of them only recognize their own commanders. Even I can't easily divide or separate them, otherwise there will be mutinies."
At this point, Yue and Tian, who had just sat down, stood up again and left their seats.
This time, Zhao Jiu did not let them sit down. Instead, he looked at the two people who stood up and continued to speak slowly: "But I have to say it again... As Pengju said just now, my jokes were heard by some brainless bastards and they would have disloyalty. This is overthinking... Because I dare not guarantee other things, but I think I have some vision for the generals of the army. For example, Han Shizhong, Yue Fei, Li Yanxian, Zhang Boying, Qu Duan, Zhang Rong, and Wu Jie, although their personalities are completely different, they are all loyal. Secondly, if I ask you to fight for your lives, you can fight well and are all famous generals. So, just with people like you, I will make many emperors in ancient and modern times envy me."
Yue Fei and Tian Shizhong, who represented Zhang Jun, looked at each other, and it was Yue Fei who bowed and said, "We are ashamed."
"Don't be ashamed." Zhao Jiu turned his head and looked at the sparkling fish pond on the side and sighed. "I am grateful to you from the bottom of my heart... Yue Qing, Tian Qing!"
"I'm here." Yue Fei's heart sank and he immediately took half a step forward.
"I'm here." Tian Shizhong, who was extremely sensitive politically, was also startled. He had probably anticipated something in his mind, but he took half a step forward and stood solemnly beside Yue Fei in the pavilion.
"Although they are all famous generals, do you know that among these generals, some are even better than others?" Zhao Jiu picked up another red apricot. Then he asked seriously. "Just like Cao Cao and Liu Bei discussing heroes over wine, Cao Cao and Liu Bei are three points better than the two Yuan brothers, Liu Biao, Liu Yan, Sun Quan and other heroes at the end of the Han Dynasty."
Tian Shizhong had been silent for a long time. Yue Fei had no intention of responding to the conversation. Yang Yizhong remained silent as usual. Only Zhang Xian and Yang Zaixing and Guo Jin who were standing solemnly in front of the pavilion were obviously interested... The Three Kingdoms is very popular!
Guan Yu killed Yan Liang on White Horse, but unfortunately White Horse was changed to Shaoxing.
Zhao Jiu waited for a long while, and seeing that Yue Fei and Tian Shizhong were unwilling to speak, he understood in his heart, but smiled slightly, and then accepted it. He simply pinched the red apricots and looked at the fish pond, and spoke seriously: "I think that among the generals in the world, Han Shizhong first had the merit of supporting the emperor, and then he saved the emperor several times. He defeated Wuzhu on Huaishang, defended Talan in Changsha, and shot Loushi at Yaoshan. Most of them were the first in the world, and his qualifications were also the leader of the Western Army. I think he is the best general in the world, unparalleled in the world, and I often rely on him as my waist and courage... Do you think it's right?"
"The Prince of Yan'an has the best chance." Yue Fei quickly bowed in response.
Teacher Tian further confirmed his guess in his heart and quickly nodded in agreement.
Zhao Jiu nodded and said seriously:
"Besides Han Shizhong, there is a man who sacrificed his family for the country and was repeatedly despised by the court, but he also repeatedly saved the situation from danger. He started from Shanzhou, from nothing to something, spanning the inside and outside of the Yellow River, connecting the east and west of Guanyu, and refusing to give an inch. When the situation was most critical, the Song Dynasty was not divided into the east and the west, and the Jin people were not able to merge into the east and the west. This is all his credit... This man in Shanzhou, the sky fell and he could not be moved, the earth sank and he could not be moved. He can be said to have made great contributions, is that right?" Zhao Jiu continued to ask seriously.
Yue Fei sighed and responded in the pavilion: "I have often thought that Li Jiedu's contribution cannot be measured by how much he conquered or how much territory he recovered. It is really appropriate for the government to give him the flag of 'pillar of the middle stream'."
Tian Shizhong still bowed, but gradually became nervous.
Zhao Jiu nodded and said, "There is another person, who was born in Hebei, but he fought in many battles, and was displaced. He fought in more than 200 battles for seven or eight years, and won and lost, but his idea of fighting against the Jin army and the Northern Expedition never faltered. Moreover, he was strict in managing the army, and his discipline was the best in the world. He was honest and upright, and his personal morality was the best among the generals... I often regard him as a comrade! Yue Qing, at this point, your contributions and hard work do not need to be mentioned anymore. More importantly, your morality and ability are no longer questioned by anyone. I think you are also capable of surpassing other generals and being on par with Han and Li. What do you think?"
"I am ashamed! How can I be ranked alongside Han and Li?" Yue Fei rarely showed excitement.
"Mr. Tian?" Zhao Jiu was not in a hurry to communicate with Yue Fei, but looked directly at Tian Shizhong.
"I think so too." Tian Shizhong, who had just impeached Yue Fei in person, seemed to be prepared at this time and blurted out without hesitation.
Zhao Jiu nodded and became a little more serious: "I have something to tell you."
"yes."
"Now that Jingdong has been pacified, the Right Army of the Imperial Camp should abandon Xuzhou and other garrisons and move north to Qingzhou. You and Zhang Qing must have anticipated this... The Privy Council must have already issued some notice."
"I have indeed heard of it, and I had expected it."
"Once the Right Army of the Imperial Camp moves north, it will fight more jointly with the Left Army of the Imperial Camp and the Navy of the Imperial Camp against the Jin Army of Hebei. This is inevitable, and I think you should have expected it long ago."
"I, General Zhang, and other members of the Imperial Camp Right Army have indeed already guessed it."
"As for the Dengzhou sea vessels, I have already told Zhang Boying that sea vessels and river vessels are completely different. I will form a separate Imperial Navy in the Denglai area... It will not be a large organization, and may not have a dedicated commander, but it will also act independently, and will be ranked alongside the Navy, Right Army, and Front Army."
"Yes, the governor has already made it clear to me."
"That's good." Zhao Jiu paused for a moment, and then became more serious. "I have already written a private letter to Zhang Qing. Go back and tell him in person... Of course, he is still the commander of the Right Army of the Imperial Camp, and a governor of one side, but in the future, when the Front Army of the Imperial Camp and the Right Army meet and fight together, tell him not to compete with Yue Qing for priority, and always follow Yue Qing!"
Zhao Jiu paused for a moment before continuing, "I consider his seniority and do not want to lose face by issuing a special document, but I want to make it clear to him in this letter. You must convey it clearly... This is my intention... If he is dissatisfied, he must come and talk to me in person. Is that clear?"
"I understand!" Tian Shizhong had guessed that there would be such words, so when the time came, he actually felt somewhat relieved.
Zhao Jiufu looked at Yue Fei again and said, "Pengju, I know your intentions and ambitions. Adding a few military governors to the garrisons doesn't mean much to you. Let the Privy Council take care of it... The reason why I must call you here today to talk face to face is that I want to have another conversation with you."
"Yes!" Even though Yue Fei had a deep temperament, he was extremely serious at this moment, yet he couldn't help showing some excitement.
"Li Yanxian is in the center and cannot be shaken. To the west of Li Yanxian's jurisdiction, Han Shizhong will naturally be in charge of the overall situation. To the east of Li Yanxian, from today onwards, if there is no clear will or document from the central government, you will be in charge of the decision-making on the spot..." Zhao Jiu said slowly. "I will have clear instructions with Zhang Rong, Zhang Jun, Wang De, and Li Qiong, and let them take you as the leader when they encounter war. I have also chosen your old subordinate Li Bao as the first commander of the Imperial Camp Navy... From today on, my eastern side will be entrusted to you, Yue Pengju!"
This was to formally hand over the temporary command power of the lower reaches of the Yellow River to Yue Fei. In other words, except for Han Shizhong and Li Yanxian, Yue Fei actually had the right to temporarily command all other generals in the absence of a clear imperial edict or order from the Privy Council.
"I will never refuse even if I die!" Yue Fei bowed his head.
Zhao Jiu nodded and smiled again, then turned to look at Yang Yi Zhong. Yang Yi Zhong understood and looked at Ban Zhi behind him. A man immediately came out from Ban Zhi, holding a folded flag.
"This is for Han Liangchen. I was so confused that I just remembered it. It's a pity that I didn't give it to him in person." Zhao Jiu smiled. "But it doesn't hurt to show it to Yue Qing."
Following the official's words, the flags were opened on the spot by several squad leaders. It turned out to be a large banner embroidered with 'Unparalleled in the World', in the same shape as Li Yanxian's 'Mainstay'... Yue Fei, who was originally a little curious, was speechless for a moment. Even though he had never cared about these things, he couldn't help but feel a little envious today as he had won such a big prize.
Soon, the flag was taken away, placed in a wooden box, and sealed with the imperial seal... It was obvious that this was meant to be sent to Han Shizhong.
But soon, as if he had seen through Yue Fei's thoughts, Emperor Zhao waved again: "There are two more things for Yue Qing."
Yue Fei hurried to see, and saw a man coming up first.
"This is Zhang Zigai, Zhang Boying's most promising nephew. He has been in prison for a year. Today I will send you to the army as a general." Zhao Jiu quickly revealed the answer, as if he wanted to give Yue Fei an advantage over Zhang Jun, who had the most experience.
Yue Fei came to his senses instantly, and Zhang Zigai, under the complicated gaze of Tian Shizhong, bowed to the new commander, and then stood behind him and stood side by side with Yang Zaixing and Guo Jin, who had been watching the show for half a day.
"The second thing..."
Seeing another flag being brought over by Ban Zhi and delivered to Zhang Zigai, Yue Tian Zhang and the others were all curious and as expected, but Emperor Zhao suddenly laughed and prepared to keep the secret. "I wanted to let Yue Qing open it after he returned, but as the saying goes, a good boy rolls out the names outside Donghua Gate, some things are taken out to be seen by others. I like this kid Yue Yun very much, so don't wait, and go back from the main gate of Xuande Tower today with this big flag... This is the only time, don't refuse, Zhengfu (Yang Yizhong's name) will do it, and make sure Yue Qing indulges himself once."
After saying this, without waiting for Yue Fei to say anything else, Zhao Jiu simply waved his hand and chased the man away.
Just like that, let's not talk about how Yue Fei was urged by Yang Yizhong to mount his horse and arrange the ceremonial guards outside the Yiyou Gate, and then stared blankly at the opened big banner behind him... A quarter of an hour later, inside the palace, the whole hall of Chongwenyuan was in an uproar, and officials from the six ministries, nine temples, five prisons and one agency went out to see.
Even Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Liu Ji, Chen Gui and others could not sit still for a moment, and they also went out of the gate of Chongwenyuan to see, and then they were all stunned.
It turned out that Yue Peng was riding a horse in the middle wearing a brocade robe, with more than a hundred guards on his left and right, displaying the ceremonial guard of a prince, and walking through the palace in a show of force... That was fine... The most eye-catching thing was the large banner standing behind the commander-in-chief of the imperial camp's front army. The shape of the banner was similar to that of Li Yanxian, but the key point was that there were four large imperial characters written on the banner from top to bottom, which were 'Serve the country with loyalty'!
Such a magnificent procession and eye-catching flags passed straight in front of the main gate of Chongwenyuan, then turned left in front and came out of the rarely opened main gate of Xuande Building, and then music and gongs began to play.
Then, he continued to ride his horse through the gates and chant the names of people on the Imperial Street amid the stunned gaze of more Tokyo citizens, scholars, and officials.
Like everyone else in the capital, Prime Minister Zhao Ding watched for a long while, until the gong sound completely disappeared, then he twirled his beard and sighed: "From today on, there will also be good men riding horses in front of Xuande Tower! The way the emperor has gathered these generals is truly unprecedented!"
Prime Minister Zhang Jun shook his head and said, "In this case, there is no need to worry about the rumors about Jingdong. It is always a good thing!"
Deputy Prime Minister Liu Ji wanted to agree, but then he remembered that he had only shaken hands and chatted on Fangcheng Mountain, and he couldn't help feeling a little sad, so he simply turned back to the capital to work first.
