Qianqi Captain is actually Zhechong Captain, who has just crossed the threshold of a general-level officer. But because Qianqi is the emperor's personal guard, Qianqi Captain's rank is quite high, above the fourth rank.
This was already a very high level in the Tang Dynasty.
In the Tang Dynasty, because Li Shimin served as a minister of the second rank, after he became emperor, his official rank could not exceed the second rank, and the prime ministers could only be of the third rank.
The first and second grades are just honorary positions. Whoever is promoted to the first and second grades is not a happy thing, it is equivalent to early retirement.
Of course, things here are more complicated and involve the struggle between imperial power and prime ministerial power. In order to weaken the prime minister's power, the prime minister was deliberately not given a high grade.
In any case, Chen Jingke's fourth rank was already a very high rank in the Tang Dynasty, and if he went one step higher, he would be on the same level as all the prime ministers.
However, Chen Jingke was not too proud. The Qianqi Captain was actually a vacant position, and the real power of Qianqi was in the hands of Li Xiaoyi and Wang Fangyi.
Not to mention Li Xiaoyi, the cousin of Wang Fangyi, a member of the Li Tang clan with a well-established foundation, is already on her way to Beijing, and will soon become a concubine of the East Palace.
It was precisely because of the two of them that Li Shimin dared to expand the Hundred Cavalry into Thousand Cavalry with confidence.
As for why he was given the title of Captain Qianqi, it was just to pave the way for marrying Xiao Sizi.
Thinking of Xiao Sizi, Chen Jingke's heart moved and said: "Your Majesty, aunt, does Xiao Sizi have no class today?"
Li Shimin said vigilantly: "There is a class, what do you want to do?"
Chen Jingke scratched his head and said, "I promised to take her out of the palace to play. Since she has classes..."
Changsun Wugou smiled and said: "It doesn't matter, I will send someone to call her back now, but she must be sent back before the palace door is locked."
Chen Jingke said quickly: "No problem, I'm going to take her to Baiqisi to watch football, and she'll be back soon."
Changsun Wugou nodded and sent someone to call Xiao Sizi back from the Royal Academy - she had reached the age and started to attend school.
Xiao Sizi was very happy to see her brother. When she heard that she would be taken out of the palace to watch a football match, she was so happy that she felt like she was flying when she walked.
When they left, Li Shimin's face dropped and he said, "He must be hiding something from me."
Changsun Wugou knew what he was referring to, but he had long been accustomed to it. He smiled and said: "He has hidden many things from you, and this is not the least of them."
Li Shimin said angrily: "You are my wife, do you know who you should talk to?"
Changsun Wugou chuckled and said, "Of course I'm looking after you, Erlang. Jing Ke is protected by little Si Zi, so I don't bother to care about him."
Li Shimin shook his head and said seriously: "How do you think he knew that Li Xiaoyi and Wang Fangyi were talented? Did his elders tell him, or did he really find out by himself?"
Changsun Wugou thought for a while before replying seriously: "I prefer that he found out about it himself."
Li Shimin asked: "Oh? What's the reason?"
Changsun Wugou explained: "We have been investigating his origins since he appeared. With the manpower we have invested, as long as they are still active in the Tang Dynasty, clues will inevitably be found."
"But there have been no clues for more than two years. This is very abnormal."
Li Shimin couldn't help but nod, this was what he was puzzled about. In the past two years, he had invested thousands of people in searching all over the Tang Dynasty.
Instead, we found evidence of many lawless elements, cult organizations, bureaucratic corruption and bribery, and disgusting deeds of noble families.
The only thing I didn't find was any information related to the Chen family, which was so abnormal. Given the strength of the Tang Dynasty's control over population mobility, this was simply impossible.
Changsun Wugou continued: "Using the elimination method, there is only one possibility left. They have completely withdrawn from the Tang Dynasty, or the family has perished as Jing Ke said."
Li Shimin said: "It makes sense. It depends on the caravan. If they can't find any clues overseas, just think that his family has been destroyed."
Changsun Wugou's eyes flashed with a hint of relief, and he smiled: "Actually, this is good for everyone."
Li Shimin nodded and changed the subject: "What do you think about changing the title of auxiliary machine to Zhao Guogong?"
"I will avoid it if it concerns my brother. You can make up your own mind about this matter. I will leave first." After saying that, he waved his sleeves and prepared to leave.
Li Shimin quickly grabbed her and said: "Okay, okay, if we don't talk about the auxiliary machine, can't we do it? You see you are getting anxious, can we talk to others?"
Changsun Wugou reluctantly said: "Then you say it, I will listen."
Li Shimin knew that she wanted to avoid suspicion and did not want to give people a reason to interfere in the harem. But her willingness to stay showed that she had compromised and just wanted a fig leaf.
So he didn't expose it, and just started chatting like this: "What would be a better change to Cheng Zhijie, or Lu Guogong?"
Changsun Wugou said: "You are a saint, you have the final say."
Li Shimin smiled and said: "Then it's Duke Lu... It's time for Qin Shubao's Duke Yi to change... How about giving him the title of Duke Ba?"
Changsun Wugou knew that he was deliberately teasing him, so he rolled his eyes at him and said: "It's too low, it's better not to change. I think Hu Guogong is good."
Li Shimin immediately said: "Then it's Duke Hu..."
The State of Hu was a third-class feudal state among the vassal states of the Western Zhou Dynasty. The title of Duke of Tang Dynasty was based on the hierarchy of the vassal states of the Western Zhou Dynasty. The State of Hu was a third-class feudal state, and the State of Ba was a fourth-class title.
As for Duke Yi Guo... Yi Guo is just another name for another country. Strictly speaking, there is no Yi Guo. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is a bastard.
Changing from the low-ranking Yi Guogong to the third-class Hu Guogong is a qualitative leap.
According to the original history, in the eleventh year of Zhenguan, which was the second year after Changsun Wujia died of illness, Li Shimin suddenly thought about the title of Shifengshi, and also adjusted the titles of many ministers.
Due to various reasons in this life, the title of Shishishi did not happen, so naturally there was no large-scale revision of titles.
But this time it came more violently, and the vassal states were directly enfeoffed. It was reasonable to adjust the titles of some ministers accordingly.
And this adjustment is also a signal for a full-scale attack on the nobles.
…
On the other side, Chen Jingke took Xiao Sizi to the Baiqisi camp. Because they were playing for fun, they did not walk very fast and allowed the horses to walk naturally.
Xiao Sizi was too young to ride a horse alone, so the two of them rode a horse together. Her two maids followed each other on horseback, as if they had not seen this scene.
"Xiao Sizi, did you miss me?"
"Um."
"Well, what does it mean? Do you want to or don't want to?"
"I wonder...why does my brother ask me this question every time?"
"Because every time I hear Xiao Sizi talk about thinking about it, I feel very happy."
While Chen Jingke was admiring the scenery along the way, he kept talking about local love stories.
But it was just right for little Sizi, who was shy and wanted to listen.
The Baiqisi camp is not far from the palace, and it didn't take long to arrive.
Jing Hengyan, who came out to greet him, secretly gave him a thumbs up. The meaning was obvious. He had just married another woman, and then he took the princess on a trip. It was amazing.
Chen Jingke glared at him angrily and said: "The princess is here to watch the football match today. Let the brothers cheer up and play hard. If the princess is satisfied, there will be heavy rewards."
Sheng Liwei patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I'm sure the game will be lively."
While they were talking, everyone came to the barracks. Chen Jingke sat on the main seat with a golden sword, and Xiao Sizi sat next to him obediently.
Everyone secretly gave him a thumbs up again.
Although men are superior to women, the husband should sit on the throne. But they are not married yet, and the princess's status is higher. His current behavior is considered to be beyond the rules.
But he did what he should do, Xiao Sizi had no objection, and the two palace maids pretended not to see it. This is their status.
After they made arrangements for the football match, Chen Jingke said: "Let me tell you good news first. The Saint has approved the expansion of Baiqi Division into Qianqi Division."
Jing Hengyan and Sheng Liwei both said in surprise: "Really? That's great, Zhenren..."
At this point, the two of them glanced at Xiao Sizi and quickly changed their words: "Thank you, Saint, for your grace. We can only express our gratitude to the Saint by serving the country with our lives."
Chen Jingke smiled and said: "A scholar dies for his bosom friend. You should really repay the grace of God. As for the appointment of generals, I have been appointed as the Qianqi Captain, and I can be regarded as your immediate superior."
Jing Hengyan and others said in unison: "Congratulations to the captain, congratulations to the captain."
Chen Jingke waved his hand and continued: "Li Xiaoyi and Wang Fangyi will serve as Captain Guoyi on the left and right. Li Xiaoyi is the legitimate son of King Huai'an, and Wang Fangyi is the grandson of Princess Tong'an. You must not be disrespectful."
The people who serve the emperor every day are smart enough. They immediately guessed the purpose of these two appointments and said, "Here, I will definitely cooperate with these two captains."
Chen Jingke looked at the two of them again and said, "Your positions remain unchanged. You won't blame me for not promoting you, right?"
The two of them were stunned for a moment before they came to their senses, and said ecstatically: "How could it happen? Thanks to Captain for the promotion."
They are both captains, but the captains of the Hundred Cavalry Division and the captains of the Qianqi Division are completely different. On the surface, their duties seem to remain the same, but in fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that they have even been promoted several levels.
Chen Jingke added: "Most of the other officers will be selected from among the current brothers. I tell you to study hard what I teach you. Don't fail the assessment when the time comes and you can only watch others get promoted and get rich."
Everyone also said happily: "Here."
After everyone's excitement subsided, Chen Jingke continued: "How is Wu Yuanshuang doing recently?"
Jing Hengyan said: "Don't worry, Lieutenant, he is very good. He has become particularly diligent now and rushes to do everything."
Chen Jingke nodded with satisfaction and said, "That's good. Call him over and I'll have a few words with him."
Jing Hengyan made an excuse to ask people to leave, and the others also found excuses to leave. Xiao Sizi realized something and hesitated whether to go out too.
Chen Jingke touched her bun and said, "Just sit here. It's not a secret."
He briefly talked about Wu Shu and Wu Yuanshuang.
Little Sizi tilted his head and thought for a moment and said, "Just like my mother's uncle, right?"
Chen Jingke nodded and said: "Xiao Sizi is really smart, that's all. And Wu Yuanshuang is even worse. He actually wants to sell Wu Shu and her sister to a rich family."
Xiao Sizi said angrily: "It's so abominable, I must teach him a lesson."
Chen Jingke said: "So, I got him into Baiqisi and asked everyone to teach him a lesson and let him know how to be a human being."
Xiao Sizi nodded his head fiercely and said: "Brother is doing the right thing, I support you."
Chen Jingke smiled and said: "Little Sizi is so good."
Soon Wu Yuanshuang was brought over.
The enemy was extremely jealous when they met, and Wu Yuanshuang glared at him fiercely. Then he saw Xiao Sizi beside him, with a look of surprise in his eyes.
Naturally, he didn't know Princess Jinyang, so he would inevitably be curious as to why Chen Jingke brought a woman into the military camp, and she was still a little girl.
"How brave." The maid on the side yelled angrily: "You dare to be rude to the princess, you should be beaten."
Princess? Wu Yuanshuang immediately guessed who this little girl was. Princess Jinyang, it must be her. No wonder she would follow Chen Jingke, no wonder she could enter the military camp.
He was shocked when he guessed the identity of the other party. How could he offend the princess or her legitimate princess?
Strictly speaking, it was indeed rude for him to look at the princess with a critical look just now, and a severe punishment would not be excessive.
What? You don’t know she is a princess? Can you just stare at an ordinary girl from a good family? She should be beaten even more.
Thinking of this, he broke out in a cold sweat, and quickly saluted and said: "Your Highness, please forgive me for any offence."
"Humph." Xiao Sizi turned her head angrily and gave him a slap on the back of the head.
Wu Yuanshuang only thought that she was angry at his rudeness just now, but did not know the real reason.
I scolded Jing Hengyan and the others countless times in my heart. If they had told me in advance, this wouldn't have happened.
He wanted to continue explaining to himself, but Chen Jingke was too lazy to listen to his nonsense and said, "Okay, I wanted to talk to you, but seeing your attitude just now, it's not necessary. Let's go out."
Wu Yuanshuang said angrily: "You..."
Chen Jingke stared at him and said, "If you dare to say one more word, all the punishments you receive will be doubled from today on."
Wu Yuanshuang felt suffocated and swallowed back the curse words that were on his lips. He gave Chen Jingke a hateful look and left in frustration.
Xiao Sizi said doubtfully: "Brother, didn't you want to talk to him about something? Why did you let him go?"
Chen Jingke shook his head and said: "After so many days of lessons, I thought he would make some progress. At least he would know what it means to be a good man and not suffer the immediate consequences."
"Seeing that his performance just now didn't show any signs of improvement, I didn't bother to talk to him. It would be of no use."
Little Sizi didn't understand. How could he make progress if he wasn't taught? But she didn't ask any further questions and said obediently: "Well, then ignore him."
Chen Jingke did not talk about this matter anymore, but asked her what she had learned in school and whether she was tired from studying.
There is no doubt that Xiao Sizi excels in all subjects and is praised by her teacher every day.
Naturally, Chen Jingke kept praising her, which made the little girl smile so happily that she couldn't close her mouth.
After a while, Jing Hengyan cautiously poked his head in and said, "Princess, Captain, the game is ready. When do you think it will start?"
Originally, Chen Jingke wanted to seek Xiao Sizi's opinion, but when he saw her expectant eyes, he knew it was unnecessary and immediately said, "What are you waiting for? Let's start now."