Chapter 3526: Scheming
After hearing Ma Zhou's words, everyone pondered deeply.
As the saying goes, if a tree is beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy it. Although Youtun Guard has made great achievements, the reward must be just right. If it is too light, it will be difficult to repay the merit; if it is too heavy, people will not be convinced.
All in all, this is the dilemma that the East Palace is facing right now. Every move must be made with extra caution. A slight inadvertence will cause internal turmoil. This is also something that cannot be done...
Li Chengqian knew that Ma Zhou was thinking about the Youtun Guards and did not want him to be the target of public criticism, but after much deliberation he came up with no idea, so he could only say: "You guys, I love the idea of helping the orphans. How can we get it just right?"
At this time, political wisdom is most demonstrated. He is still a little immature when weighing the pros and cons of various parties.
A few people were silent for a moment, and Xiao Yu stroked his beard and said: "Everyone knows the importance of Xuanwu Gate, so the merits of Youtun Guard can be regarded as the guardian of heaven. Between me, the official position of General Yunhui is still necessary. Otherwise it is not enough In order to reward his merits, he might as well be demoted to the rank of Commander of Cavalry. This will also encourage Gao Kan to make new achievements. After this battle, he can be promoted to another rank if he makes new achievements. "< br>
The twelve ranks of the Tang Dynasty's honorary ranks correspond to the second rank to the seventh rank. The rank has no actual duties, let alone real power. It is just a level of military merit, and officers are awarded accordingly.
His meaning was very clear, it didn't matter if he had a lower rank, since he had no actual duties anyway. However, without any actual duties, it is also a symbol of military merit and honor, and it is also the basis for the imperial court to confer officers. If Gao Kan is awarded the rank of Captain of the Seventh Rank Qingqi Commander now, he will be generously rewarded after defeating the thief. It just so happens that Gao Kan has made new achievements, and he has to How to reward?
It should be noted that the awarding of honorary ranks also takes into account family background. Starting from the eighth rank of Qingqi Captain, it can only be awarded to nobles and nobles. Gao Kan is just a branch of the Gao family in Bohai, leading a horse in front of the gate of Shen Guogong Gao Shilian. A distant family who is not even qualified to fall off the pedal...
Therefore, unless there is any accident, the rank of Captain Qingche is Gao Kan's upper limit. If he succeeds in one step now, how will he be rewarded if he makes new achievements in the future? It is better to leave some leeway, which can not only appease the generals in the East Palace system, but also leave a blank for future promotion.
Li Daozong nodded and said: "It is very good that the Duke of the Song Dynasty has grown up to seek for the country."
With this kind of Machiavellian wisdom, they are indeed inferior to Xiao Yu, who has stood firm in three dynasties...
Li Chengqian said happily: "In that case, let's follow Song Guogong's suggestion and reward him like this."
Xiao Yu stroked his beard and clicked his tongue, feeling that something was not quite right. It is said that Gao Kan's achievements can be almost regarded as a blessing to the East Palace. After all, the "Change of Xuanwu Gate" is not far away. Everyone knows that Xuanwu Gate is important to Taiji Palace. It is not an exaggeration to call it the "throat". With half the force of the military guard, it continuously defeated the full strength of Zuo Tunwei and San Tens of thousands of rebel troops were on foot and cavalry, but they defended the Xuanwu Gate with their own strength, turning the entire strategy of the East Palace from passive to stalemate. No matter how exceptional the reward was, it would not be exaggerated.
But now that the prince's edict has been issued, there must be many people who think that the reward is insufficient. Later, they find out that they were the ones who "stood in the way" and deliberately suppressed Gao Kan's reward... Doesn't this offend someone?
Although the Xiao family of Lanling married Fang Jun, she had not completely sided with Fang Jun before. She often swayed and jumped around because of interests. Although Fang Jun did not show any dissatisfaction on his face as always, he still used his strength to With such a character, don’t you have any thoughts in your heart?
Then it was revealed that he was the one who suppressed him...
He shook his head and couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart. Although the prince in front of him was a little weaker and his methods were still immature, as a king, he was born with the desire to balance the relationship between his ministers. Driving a nail between himself and Fang Jun is still so invisible and will not affect the current situation of the Donggong family fighting side by side and working together as one. It is really clever.
Kind people also have small thoughts...
But now that the matter has come to this, what can he say?
Immediately, a chamberlain took the prince's seal, and Li Chengqian wrote a reward edict, stamped the seal, and ordered the chamberlain to go out of the city to deliver the decree.
Li Daozong stretched out his hand to stop the edict and said with a smile: "The promotion and appointment of military generals in the army is the responsibility of the Ministry of War. Now that the Minister of the Ministry of War is far away in the Western Regions, we might as well let Weichen, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, make a trip. Youtun Guards Gong, it would be a bit disrespectful if only the internal servants went to read the edict.”
Xiao Yu raised his head and glanced at Li Daozong, approving in his heart.
Although Fang Jun was not in Chang'an at the moment, even if Gao Kan was dissatisfied because he believed that Xiao Yu suppressed the merits of the Youtun Guards, it would not affect the situation of joint efforts to fight the enemy, but it was still a hidden danger. Although the situation is at a stalemate at this moment, the passive party is still the East Palace, and if there is a slight mistake, it may be irreversible.
Li Daozong went to read the edict in person, obviously to explain...
Work very steadily.
Li Chengqian nodded happily: "The prince is not only the official minister, but also the emperor's uncle of Gu. He has a distinguished status. If you go there in person, it will better reflect the importance of Gu and help the prince."
Li Daozong hurriedly said: "Things within one's duty should be done as a matter of course."
Immediately, Li Daozong took the prince's edict and went to Xuanwu Gate with Li Junxian, and read out the crown prince's reward to the Youtun Guards outside Xuanwu Gate. Li Chengqian saw Xiao Yu looking haggard and exhausted, knowing that he couldn't stand it after a night's sleep, so he was taken to a room on the side to rest for a while. Li Jing and Ma Zhou got up and left, heading to the Tai Chi Hall to handle matters. Take charge of the overall situation.
After everyone dispersed, Li Chengqian let out a long breath, picked up the tea cup and took a sip.
Li Xiang jumped out of the back hall and came to Li Chengqian. He picked up the teapot with his little hand and wanted to pour tea for his father.
Li Chengqian put down the tea cup and caressed the top of his son's head lovingly, feeling filled with joy. If the army is defeated this time and the imperial city is captured by the rebels, not only will his position as prince be saved, but his life will also be difficult to save. Even his wife, children, and family members will be brutally slaughtered.
The sins that my father did to Prince Jiancheng and Prince Yuanji of Qi after the "Xuanwumen Incident" took place will definitely be repeated on him...
How humiliating is it for a man to be a father and a husband but not be able to protect his wife, children, and family?
Crown Princess Su came out of the back hall immediately, stepped forward and lightly slapped Li Xiang's hand, and said angrily: "The tea is cold, how can you drink it? Go and play, don't wink."< br>
With that said, he poured out the tea in the teapot, put the tea leaves back in, took the kettle and poured boiling water in, waited a moment, and filled the teacup in front of Li Chengqian with tea.
Li Chengqian looked at it with a smile, his son's mouth pouted in annoyance, his wife's beautiful face calm and graceful, her pair of slender hands making tea elegantly, and her exquisite and slender body exuding a faint fragrance, which was the same as the fragrance of tea. Mixing together made him feel peaceful and happy.
He will protect this happiness to the death...
Crown Princess Su watched Li Chengqian put down the tea cup and refilled the pot with tea. She suddenly sighed and said softly: "Thanks to the Duke of Yue."
"Huh?"
Li Chengqian was stunned, wondering why his wife said such a thing.
Su explained: "The rebels suddenly launched, and the East Palace hurriedly responded to the battle, and finally retreated to the imperial city, forming a stalemate... But has your Highness ever thought about it, it was the Duke of Yue who strongly advocated that the Sixth Army of the East Palace be taken away from his father? Come, we will intensify our efforts to reorganize it, and strongly recommend Duke Wei to take charge of the overall situation. Otherwise, we are afraid that it will be the place where the rebels start an uprising. Having fallen into the hands of thieves, how can they still resist? Not to mention the remaining half of the Right Guards, who have been able to defeat powerful enemies and keep the Xuanwu Sect intact... Each and every one of them depends on it. The Duke of Yue has taken precautions. We have the current situation and even hope of turning defeat into victory. Naturally, we should be grateful to the Duke of Yue. ”
Since the last time she wanted to get involved in the power of the East Palace and was beaten by Fang Jun, she completely changed the situation and stayed in the palace without daring to get involved in government affairs. But this also gave her a clear understanding of "being on the outside", and she was able to deeply realize that the reason why the East Palace is what it is today, or the reason why the prince is what he is today, is all due to Fang Jun's contribution.
How could she not be grateful to such a loyal and courageous minister? The slight resentment that originally arose has long since dissipated completely, and I only have good feelings in my heart, without any dissatisfaction at all.
And how could Li Chengqian not know what she said?
He sighed softly and said: "Erlang has truly given me the gift of reincarnation. I will never let him down in this life!"
After a pause, he continued: "Just now Song Guogong said that Erlang would be transferred back to the capital, Wanli Qinwang, Gu refused on the spot. Not to mention that Gu could not give up the Western Region to Dashi and the Turks for the sake of reserve, but Erlang's expedition number Thousands of miles away, the troops are at an absolute disadvantage. At this moment, we are trying our best to deal with the enemy. How can we have the heart to ask him to abandon the bloody battle and travel thousands of miles back to Chang'an? "
Crown Princess Su felt the persistence in the prince's heart, so she sighed softly, turned to look at the heavy snow still falling outside the window, and said quietly: "The environment in the Western Region is bitterly cold, and I don't know how he is doing now..."
When Tuyuhun invaded the country, all the civil and military officials in the dynasty were afraid of the enemy and were timid to fight. Only Fang Jun took the initiative to volunteer. This courage deserves the praise of a "great man", and women have always admired the strong.
A branch of red plum stretched out slantingly outside the window, and the light red blossoms on the skinny branches swayed and trembled in the cold wind, blooming in the cold weather. (End of chapter)