In the end, Emperor Liang did not agree to King Yu's suggestion and asked Wang Gang to lead troops to fight against the Beidi barbarians.
After going to court, Wang Gang and Wang Yu were about to go have a drink, but the eunuch Gao Zhan stopped him alone.
"Your Highness Prince Jing, Your Majesty will allow you to have your meal in the palace." Gao Zhan said to Wang Gang with a smile.
"Thank you, father-in-law, will your father leave me alone?" Wang Gang asked.
?Gao Zhan lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty did not mention anyone else."
?Wang Gang turned to King Yu and said, "Brother Five Emperors, it seems we can't drink today."
King Yu smiled and said: "My father allowed you to have dinner because of the incident in Beidi."
Prince Jing said politely: "I would also like to thank Brother Five Emperors for the recommendation."
King Yu shook his head and said: "It's just to raise talents for the country. Besides, you are the most suitable general for the whole dynasty."
Wang Gang said a few words of courtesy to King Yu, and then followed Gao Zhan into the palace.
After King Yu turned his back to Wang Gang, his smile immediately faded, he snorted softly, and strode out of the hall.
Wang Gang found out that Gao Zhan was leading him all the way to the inner palace, as if he were heading towards Concubine Jing's Zhiluo Palace.
"Your Majesty has ordered us to have dinner at Zhiluo Palace today. Someone has already gone to Zhiluo Palace to deliver the order for Concubine Jing to prepare." Gao Zhan seemed to know what Wang Gang was thinking and reminded him specifically.
Wang Gang understood that this was Gao Zhan's expression of goodwill, and after thanking him, he took a money bag and handed it to Gao Zhan.
Gao Zhan did not take the money bag, but glanced at Wang Gang in slight surprise.
Wang Gang instantly understood what the problem was?
In the past, Jamel Xiao was an upright man who hated the practice of bribery. He was usually very polite to palace maids and eunuchs, and was quite aloof.
Wang Gang’s behavior of giving money is not in line with Jamel Xiao’s character.
"Excuse me, Eunuch Gao, please give these to my mother when you have the opportunity." Wang Gang handed the money bag to Gao Zhan and said:
"Every time I give it to my mother, she rejects it."
Gao Zhan held the money bag and said with a smile: "This slave must be handed over to Concubine Jing."
Wang Gang nodded, continued to maintain the character of Jamel Xiao, and followed Gao Zhan to Zhiluo Palace.
At this time, in Zhiluo Palace, as Emperor Liang was coming to have a meal, things had started early, so Concubine Jing had to freshen up, change out of her usual clothes, and put on the gorgeous clothes that fit her status.
After a stick of incense, Emperor Liang arrived belatedly.
"Today is a family banquet, so there is no need to be restrained." Emperor Liang seemed amiable as soon as he arrived and pulled Concubine Jing to sit next to him.
In fact, the couple had not seen each other for a year. Emperor Liang had set foot in Zhiluo Palace for the first time in three years. He might have almost forgotten what Concubine Jing looked like.
"Jingbin, you gave birth to a good son for me. This time he defeated the Yan army in the north, which is very good." Emperor Liang said to Jingbin with a smile.
Concubine Jing said humbly: "Jingyan is born as a prince, and it is his duty to share your Majesty's worries."
Emperor Liang turned to Wang Gang and said, "You are not promoted to a noble title this time, and you feel resentful towards me."
Concubine Jing immediately stood up, knelt down, and said to Emperor Liang: "Your Majesty's words are serious. Jingyan has only made some achievements, so how dare he ask for a title."
Emperor Liang looked at Concubine Jing thoughtfully and said, "I'm asking about Jingyan, not you."
Wang Gang stood up and knelt down without being humble or arrogant, and said: "I dare not resent my father. The defeat of the Yan army this time was all thanks to the lives of the soldiers. Commander Fang commanded it well, and I dare not take the credit."
Emperor Liang said with satisfaction: "It's good that you know. Don't think that a small victory is all your own credit. Get up and have a meal!"
Wang Gang stood up and sat down again, and Concubine Jing began to serve Emperor Liang's meal.
During this period, no one in the family spoke, until Emperor Liang said: "Jingyan, what do you think of Beidi's entry into the customs?"
Wang Gang put down his chopsticks and said respectfully: "Beidi invades our Daliang border and has to be guarded against. Ye Qin has to punish it even more when it takes advantage of it. Otherwise, it will not be enough to suppress other small countries."
Emperor Liang sighed and said, "I just had a court meeting. King Yu recommended you to lead the army, but I didn't agree. Do you know why?"
Wang Gang replied: "This year, the harvest in the fourteen prefectures of Jiangzuo is poor, and the national finances are tight. My father is worried that the war will resume, and the Ministry of Revenue will not be able to support it."
Emperor Liang's eyes lit up and he said with a smile: "It's rare for you to have such knowledge, and you have indeed made a lot of progress. What do you think, should we fight this battle?"
Wang Gang said without hesitation: "This battle must be fought."
Emperor Liang was surprised and said: "You know the difficulties of the imperial court, but you still want to fight?"
Wang Gang nodded and said: "The most important thing about Beidi's invasion this time is Ye Qin's attitude. If I, Daliang, turn a deaf ear, small countries like Ye Qin and Xili will no longer obey Daliang's discipline, and then there will be no peace in the Western Region."
Emperor Liang frowned deeply and looked sad.
"I also know that Beidi invades the border and will cause endless troubles. But where will the money, food and soldiers come from for the war?" Emperor Liang sighed.
Wang Gang took the initiative and said: "My son is willing to donate one hundred thousand taels of silver for this war."
Prince Jing's palace is not short of money. Let's not talk about the annual court salary. Xiao Jingyan has won battles in these years. Although Emperor Liang is stingy with titles, he can reward him a lot.
Jamel Xiao lives alone, lives a simple life, is not a womanizer, does not need to win over courtiers, and has no place to spend the money he has.
"Okay." Emperor Liang smiled and said, "Jingyan is indeed my good prince. It is his duty to set an example for the royal family when the country is in trouble!"
One hundred thousand taels was exchanged for a compliment from Emperor Liang. Wang Gang lowered his head and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Emperor Liang asked Wang Gang to sit back down and said, "Many ministers in the court have proposed to abolish the Xuanjing Department. What do you think about this matter?"
With one sentence, the atmosphere in Zhiluo Palace became depressing, and Jingbin's heart beat faster.
The Xuanjing Division is the official intelligence organization of Daliang. It has great authority. It not only has the responsibility of visiting enemy countries, but also has the power to monitor hundreds of officials. It is the eyes and ears of Emperor Liang. It is a bit like the Jinyiwei of the Ming Dynasty, but has more power than the Jinyiwei.
Twelve years ago, the former Prince Qi Wang Xiao Jingyu proposed to abolish the Xuanjing Division and merge it into the Ministry of War. However, not long after, he was wrongly accused of forming the Red Flame Army and conspiring to rebel, and was given a glass of poisoned wine.
Emperor Liang suddenly mentioned such a sentence, which seemed to be a test question, but in fact it was a proposition. No wonder even Jingbin became nervous.
Jingbin wanted to answer for her son, but Emperor Liang glanced at her coldly, and Jingbin lowered her head.
Wang Gang thought for a few seconds and then said: "My son is opposed to the abolition of the Xuanjing Division."
"Oh!" Emperor Liang became interested and asked, "Tell me your reasons?"
Wang Gang looked around as he hesitated to speak.
Emperor Liang understood this and asked all the maids and servants of Zhiluo Palace to go out and not to come within ten feet.
When only Wang Gang, Emperor Liang, Jing Bin and Gao Zhan were left in the palace, Wang Gang opened his mouth and said:
"My son is opposed to the abolition of the Xuanjing Division, but Xia Jiang is no longer suitable to be the head of the Xuanjing Division."
Concubine Jing's breath was stagnant, Gao Zhan's eyes lit up, and a dangerous light appeared in Emperor Liang's eyes.
Wang Gang continued: "My son is opposed to the abolition of the Xuanjing Division because in troubled times, heavy codes are used. Daliang is surrounded by tigers and wolves. If there is no powerful espionage force like the Xuanjing Division, it will be very passive."
Emperor Liang's face softened slightly and said: "It's rare for you to have such insight. All the civil and military officials in the dynasty are afraid of the Xuanjing Division, but they don't want to think about how without the Xuanjing Division, what can Liang do to resist the tiger and wolf countries of Dayu, Dayan, and Chu?
.”
Wang Gang said: "The courtiers want to abolish the Xuanjing Division because they don't want to have a sharp sword hanging over their heads. In the final analysis, they are still too selfish."
Emperor Liang said happily: "Yes, yes, Xuanjing Division is my eyes and ears. Without this sharp sword, those courtiers still don't know how to deceive me.
Please tell me again, why Xia Jiang is not suitable to be the head of the Xuanjing Division?"
Wang Gang said without hesitation: "Xuanjing Division has too much power. Xia Jiang has been in power for more than 20 years, which is too long!"
Emperor Liang was slightly stunned and thoughtful.
