At the Ministry of War, Song Zhen is packing his things.
"I'm old, what else do I want to have dignity? Hey! I should have left long ago! But I can't see the grand scene of the Tang Dynasty subduing the foreigners and all the nations coming to court."
He walked out of the check-in room.
A group of officials waited silently outside.
Song Zhen smiled and said: "I'm gone, even if I'm at home, even if I'm in a coffin, even if I become a ghost, I will still stand on the grave and look at Chang'an and watch the Tang Dynasty rise. All gentlemen, work hard!"
Everyone salutes.
"Farewell to Song Gong!"
Song Zhen waved his hand and said with a smile: "No need to send it away, no need to send it away, I can still leave!"
He walked out as fast as he could fly.
Everyone turned around to watch him off.
An old voice came:
"Young man joined the army and spent half his life in the army. Today he returns with gray hair.
I will live up to the Tang Dynasty and the world!"
…
Several cavalrymen rushed into Chang'an City.
The emperor suddenly ordered important officials to enter the palace.
"Does the head of state know what is going on?"
The weather was cold, and Zheng Qi was blown a few times by the wind when he went out, and his face turned livid.
Yang Songcheng shook his head.
Zheng Qi said: "It's not just the people who came to report victory in the southern expedition, right?"
Yang Songcheng said calmly: "It will happen when conditions are ripe."
Zheng Qi knew what the father-in-law was planning, "If we can make Southern Zhou bow in this battle, Southern Xinjiang will be at peace. In the future, we will use the Southern Xinjiang rebels to train troops. In this way, Xu Guogong will have great confidence in being the governor."
These words seemed to belittle Zhang Chumao, Duke of Xu, but Yang Songcheng had no objection.
The son-in-law seemed to be a young and talented man at first, but over the years, he seemed to have lost his talent.
Yang Songcheng glanced at Left Prime Minister Chen Shen in front of him and said, "Don't be complacent until the end."
At this time, a gust of wind blew by, and Zheng Qi shrank his neck, "That old dog, His Majesty is becoming more and more displeased with him now. But now His Majesty has raised another vicious dog."
"I don't like the emperor's dogs, especially Liang Jing. In the past, the emperor's dogs were mostly cruel officials with cruel methods, but they were easy to deal with."
Zheng Qi said softly: "That's a bad boy."
"Cruel officials act cruelly, and there are traces to follow, and they always move within the same box. Evil people are different, they cheat and deceive, they do all kinds of evil, and there are no traces to follow."
"The state leader is talking about the fields?"
"There aren't many fields, and the whole family doesn't care. But this incident reminds us that the dogs your Majesty keeps have begun to bite people."
"That vicious dog will be beaten to death sooner or later!"
"Luo Shangshu!"
Liang Jing's voice came from behind.
Luo Cai frowned slightly, turned around and said, "Shilang Liang!"
Song Zhen, Minister of the Ministry of War, has become an official. Liang Jing is now in charge of the Ministry of War until the new Minister is in place.
"Does Shangshu Luo have anything to do later?"
Liang Jing asked kindly.
Luo Cai shook his head slightly.
"Nothing."
"Then let's go and have a drink together? That's settled!"
Luo Cai: "..."
I am very old, and it would be embarrassing to go drink wine with you.
But Liang Jing didn't allow him to refuse. He strode forward, raised his hands to Yang Songcheng, and said sincerely: "Monarch, thank you very much."
hehe!
Yang Songcheng smiled.
"polite!"
Liang Jing's joy lasted until the emperor appeared.
The emperor's face glowed red, and everyone knew that something happy was coming.
"My lords, the southern expeditionary army has sent envoys to report their victory."
Everyone's hearts were shaken.
"Nian Xu gathered an army of 200,000 men, fought against my tigers, and was defeated."
Two words condense everything.
The endless thoughts and sacrifices of countless soldiers below were finally reduced to two words.
Rout!
The ministers were overjoyed and stood up one after another to congratulate him.
"The army immediately arrived at Yingshui, overlooking Bianjing. Bianjing was shaken, and the monarchs and ministers of the Southern Zhou Dynasty were frightened. After several negotiations, finally..."
The emperor looked with some morbid joy, his eyes were shining, "compensation is five million yuan."
Yang Songcheng calculated in his mind that five million dollars would naturally not be able to make up for the cost of this expedition, but it could be regarded as a powerful supplement. The life of the Ministry of Revenue would be much easier.
"Nian Xu's envoy will come to Chang'an with the army to apologize."
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
The ministers congratulated him again.
Going out with a large army and making the enemy surrender is a sign of strong military virtue.
"The army destroyed the city for seventeen years, but Nian Xu was timid and took the initiative to let the three cities go to let the army enter." The emperor said calmly; "The pride and arrogance at the beginning have now turned into bitterness. This battle should tell the world that the Tang Dynasty cannot be defeated."
bully!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
Big win!
The biggest thing this year has finally come to fruition.
Then, prepare for the reward.
Wang family.
Wang Douxiang is reading in the study room.
"Second uncle!"
Figures flashed outside and a clear voice came.
"Xian'er!"
Wang Douxiang raised his head and said with a smile: "Why don't you go to study?"
Wang Xian'er walked in and said, "Sir, he has contracted the cold and is taking leave today. By the way, second uncle, I heard that the Southern Expedition was successful?"
"Yeah!" There was a battle report on the desk in front of Wang Douxiang, which was very detailed.
Wang Xianer's eyes rolled a few times, "Second uncle, there are many books in your study, do you have any travel notes?"
"What do you want to ask? Tell me!" In Wang Douxiang's eyes, her niece's little trick was just a joke.
Wang Xianer said sarcastically: "Second uncle, what happened to that wild boy?"
"Wild boy?" Wang Douxiang was startled.
Wang Xianer said: "That's that Yang Xuan! That wild boy we picked up on the way back from Yuanzhou."
"Oh! Him?" Wang Douxiang took a look at the battle report, and inevitably had mixed feelings in his heart. "In this battle, he led the left army, and he was the most dazzling."
"That's it!"
Wang Xianer saluted, "Then I'm going back. Second uncle, I'll talk to Aye later and let me have less homework!"
"Let's do this! My second uncle is helpless!"
Wang Xianer begged again and again, and Wang Douxiang agreed.
"Then I'll take some time off today!"
Wang Xianer resigned excitedly.
After leaving the door, the smile on her face gradually disappeared.
The maid asked: "Is the young lady unhappy?"
"Happy."
"But the little lady looks very depressed!"
"No, I just thought of an old friend, and I felt a little... melancholy."
That wild boy!
I didn't like him at first.
"Do you know Yang Xuan?"
Wang Xianer asked the maid out of nowhere.
"I know!" the maid was lively, "That man got into the Imperial College thanks to our family's help. Unexpectedly, things happened along the way.
He rescued the imperial concubine and went to Northern Xinjiang to serve as an official. Later, he even married the daughter of the Zhou family.
Little lady, Zhou Ning is a beauty. When she married Yang Xuan, many people outside said it was a flower stuck in cow dung."
Wang Xian'er stood at one end of the verandah and looked at the other end.
The cold wind blew, she shook her head and said:
"He deserves Zhou Ning!"
…
Before the end of the year, civil and military officials with meritorious service in the Southern Expedition finally arrived in Chang'an.
The emperor excitedly sent his guards to greet him, and the leader was Han Shitou.
Facing the emperor's cronies, Zhang Huan did not dare to neglect him.
"I've met Young Inspector Han."
"Mr. Zhang is so polite." Han Shitou nodded slightly, "Your Majesty was extremely pleased when he heard that the southern Xinjiang army was victorious. He has already rewarded your lady..."
Zhang Huan had already received a letter from his family during the process. At this moment, he said respectfully: "Your Majesty is so kind to me, I don't know how to repay you."
Han Shitou turned his eyes and looked at the others.
"Shilang Zhou."
Zhou Zun just nodded.
During the Southern Expedition, Zhou Zun had to maintain order and was subordinate to Zhang Huan.
After arriving in Chang'an, he was relieved of his duties and this order ceased to exist.
Han Shitou fixed his gaze on Yang Xuan, "We remember you, Commander Yang of Northern Xinjiang."
"It's the official!"
The false emperor had such great trust in this confidant that even the princes would bow respectfully when they saw him, let alone the princesses and consorts.
Being stared at by this person is not necessarily a good thing!
So, don't be interested in me!
Yang Xuan smiled, but alarm bells were ringing in his head.
Han Shitou nodded, "I remember that His Majesty praised you last time and had high expectations for you. When I heard that you have made great achievements again this time, I guess I have kept His Majesty's words in my heart. However, young people, don't be complacent. You must be more humble.
yes."
This sounds more like a warning.
A warning from an elder.
It is also like Han Shitou's statement on behalf of the emperor to his young ministers.
Good job, kid, but don't get carried away.
This gesture is impeccable.
Yang Xuan followed up and said some clichés.
"...Your Majesty is so kind, I can't sleep at night every time I think about it..."
"Xiao Xuanzi, did you learn this from reading the memoirs of a corrupt official?" Suzaku was about to explode with anger.
Han Shitou's eyes twitched, and he thought to himself: Where did Lang Jun learn this? It's better than what those officials said.
As expected of... His Majesty's bloodline!
All the way into the palace.
Emperor Longyan was delighted.
Zhang Huan retired after his success and went to the Ministry of War.
Became Liang Jing's immediate boss.
Yang Xuan responded with a sympathetic glance.
Zhou Zun received a lot of praise and rewards.
When it's Yang Xuan's turn...
"...Marquis Dingyuan."
Been granted the title of Marquis.
In addition, a farm was awarded.
After he resigned, the people from the Ministry of Revenue were waiting outside the palace.
"Zhuangzi is thirty miles outside the city. It is a fertile field."
The officials from the Ministry of Revenue had a straight face and looked businesslike.
"Old Han, arrange for someone to take over." Yang Xuan also took care of business.
Because he still has something to do.
"Where is Mr. Song?" Yang Xuan rushed to Song Zhen's house, only to find that the house was empty.
The neighbor said: "Song Gong's family just left."
"Where to go?"
"It is said that fallen leaves have returned to their roots and returned to their hometown!"
"Thank you very much."
Yang Xuan chased him all the way.
Not far outside the city, there are many sheds.
Song Zhen is in the shed at the moment.
More than ten generals were seeing him off.
Song Zhen spent half his life in the army, and usually did not show off his mountains and dews, but now he showed some splendor.
"There are no civil servants to see him off, and those who say things like dogs are all arrogant people!" a general scolded.
"Song Gong has been in the Ministry of War for many years and cultivated many people, but now they have all become cowards."
Song Zhen's appointment to the official position was too hasty. Someone outside spread rumors that Song Zhen had offended the emperor in recent years.
These words triggered some other changes. For example, in the Ministry of War, several of Song Zhen's confidants stepped aside.
"Thank you." Song Zhen didn't defend himself, took the wine glass and drank it in one gulp.
After drinking, he looked at these old memories. No matter how reluctant he was to let go of them, he knew they would eventually be parted.
And this farewell is a farewell.
We can never meet again.
"I'm leaving now, everyone, take care of yourself!"
Song Zhen cupped his hands.
Everyone saluted and solemnly said: "Song, take care!"
As soon as Song Zhen got on the horse, he heard someone behind him shout: "Song Gong!"
He looked back.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Those who received my help refused to come, but this young man who only met me a few times came."
Yang Xuan came forward and saluted, "I just arrived in Chang'an and learned that Duke Song had returned, so I came here to see him off."
Song Zhen asked: "What do you think of the Southern Xinjiang Army in this battle? Hey! Why are you asking this after you have already retired?"
Yang Xuan said: "The southern Xinjiang army is quite brave. The only problem is that there are too many foreigners."
"There is no other way. With money and food, and the remoteness of southern Xinjiang, those people are unwilling to go."
The two talked quietly about the situation of the battle.
Unknowingly, we were getting further and further away from Chang'an.
Until a level appears ahead.
"If you send me again, I will be sent to my hometown." Song Zhen said with a smile.
Yang Xuan said: "Song Gong's sincere teachings to Xiaguan, Xiaguan will not dare or forget them in this life."
He could not forget the old man's help in the past. His unselfishness and dedication to the Tang Dynasty had a great influence on him.
From Yan Cheng to Song Zhen to Luo Cai, Yang Xuan did not notice that his three views were gradually changing as he came into contact with these people.
"Do a good job!" Song Zhen nodded, "By the way, did you change places when you came back this time?"
"No, I'm still in Chenzhou."
"That's a good thing."
Yang Xuan's heart moved slightly, "Is it a good thing?"
"It's common sense for young people to want to be promoted after making meritorious services. But many times, dormant for a while is not a bad thing." Song Zhen looked at him, hesitated, then smiled, "You have already retired and returned to your hometown, what are you worried about. "
"Does Zitai know the duties of a minister?"
This question... Yang Xuan said: "My ministers must be loyal to Your Majesty."
Song Zhen stroked his beard and smiled, with a calm expression on his face.
This is what the old man taught me before he left, and it should be a lesson to the ears.
"Wrong!"
Um?
Even though he knew that Song Zhen's instructions before leaving were not simple, Yang Xuan was still stunned by this answer.
"Wrong?"
"Big mistake."
"Please give me some advice from Duke Song."
"It's enough for you to know what I'm saying next."
"yes."
Song Zhen sighed, "Emperors all think that the ministers in the world will be loyal to them, and most of them are. But nowadays... I won't recognize these words if I say them."
"yes!"
"That's not the case today. The more loyal someone is, the more he will be suspicious of him and the less likely he will be reused. Zitai."
"Song Gong."
"Think carefully about today's past."
Song Zhen said some taboo words and treated him heartily. This kind of support and care for the younger generation moved Yang Xuan's heart.
He thought about it carefully.
Li Mi was born into the royal family. His father, Li Yuan, was the son of Emperor Xuande and Emperor Wu. He himself was the official grandson of the emperor.
But Li Yuan is not a prince.
Being filial to the emperor has a high prestige. When Li Mi met his uncle, he was said to be very respectful and even admiring him.
To Emperor Xuande and Emperor Wu, Li Mi showed his filial piety as a son and grandson, and also showed his loyalty to the emperor.
It was this impeccable performance that made the emperor and empress, as well as the filial emperor, care for him.
It was also because of this performance that Li Mi had access to some resources. These resources played a key role in their father and son's coup.
It can be said that Li Mi achieved the throne by performing.
But, what does this have to do with the loyalty of the ministers?
Yang Xuan was puzzled.
"Don't understand?" Song Zhen asked.
"Yes." Yang Xuan lowered his head and asked.
"A fledgling female prostitute wants to seduce an old madam into prostitution."
Song Zhen patted him on the shoulder and said, "Boy, the future is long and exciting!"
A fledgling female prostitute wants to trick the old madam into selling herself?
Madams are people who trick women into selling themselves.
Isn't this just a trick?
How true is the loyalty of the ministers to the emperor?
Everyone knows it well, it’s just one or two points at most.
Those who are good at acting will interpret their loyalty to perfection in order to gain the emperor's favor.
But Li Mi himself is a famous performing artist, and he achieved great success through his loyal performance.
If you play the loyal trick with him, isn't this just like the prostitute pretending to be pure in front of the madam?
Tsk!
These words are a priceless treasure!
Yang Xuan looked up and saw that Song Zhen's family had already reached the checkpoint.
He bowed.
"Song Gong, go slowly."
Song Zhen turned around and said with a smile, "Thank you for sending me off."
Today, the only civil servant who came to see him off was Yang Xuan.
Moreover, he had just arrived in Chang'an and came in a hurry.
This kind of friendship shocked Song.
Hence the taboo point.
Song Zhen's old wife looked back on the carriage, "Who is that?"
Song Zhen said: "A young man with love and righteousness."
"Oh! There are not many young people who are kind and righteous nowadays!"
"There aren't many left, so it's valuable."
Yang Xuan got on his horse and turned around.
Song Zhen dismounted and walked towards the checkpoint.
"I, Song Zhen, are preparing to return home. This is my fault..."
"I've met Mr. Song!"
The sergeant at the checkpoint was very respectful when he saw this former head of the Ministry of War.
Therefore, the inspection becomes simpler.
There is a long pavilion next to it. Several travelers were resting in the long pavilion. When they heard it was Song Zhen, they all stood up and saluted.
"Take another look at Chang'an!"
Song Zhen's family turned around.
Watch the young man rein in his horse and turn around.
Hands over here.
Song Zhen returned the gift.
Qingyue's voice came.
"Song Gong, don't worry about the road ahead without any friends. No one in the world knows you."