It should be said that after several tribes sent envoys to Xuanfu, the atmosphere in the entire Xuanfu City became tense.
Fortunately, the people in Xuanfu City have become accustomed to this state of war preparedness and do not feel much panic.
Especially after Yang Hong returned to Xuanfu, it was like giving everyone a reassurance.
In the shadow of a famous tree, no one trusted Yang Hong's ability to defend Xuanfu more than the people of Xuanfu.
You must know that during the Civil War, the army of bandits surrounded the city and attacked Xuanfu several times, but in the end, they retreated in the same embarrassment.
This time the battle was not as big as last time, so naturally it was difficult to cause any panic.
Therefore, except for the common people complaining about the inconvenience in Xuanfu City under the state of war readiness, everything else is going on as usual.
However, when they woke up that morning, many people discovered something unusual.
The security in Xuanfu City is much tighter than before. The number of officers and soldiers patrolling the streets is much more frequent than usual. The number of officers and soldiers on the city defense has also increased a lot.
More importantly, someone also saw Yang Hong, the Marquis of Changping, and Yang Xin, the deputy commander-in-chief, arriving at the city gate early in the morning, apparently waiting for something.
There was a lot of discussion in the city. Some people thought that a war was about to begin. Some people thought that a high official from the imperial court was coming. Some people were even more unreasonable and said that the emperor wanted to go on another personal expedition.
Such rumors spread like wildfire. Although they still did not cause any panic, many people gathered at the city gate to see what would happen...
At the same time, on the city wall, Yang Hong was standing in armor and holding a sword. Beside him was Jin Lian, who was wearing a scarlet robe. Behind him, in addition to Yang Xin, were Tao Jin who was demoted to deputy commander-in-chief, and the admiral.
Geng Jiuchou, almost all the big shots in the city are here.
However, facing this situation, Yang Hong was also very helpless. There was no movement in the distance, but more and more people were gathering below. He couldn't help but shook his head and faced Jin Lian and Tao Jin.
Open your mouth and say.
"Governor Jin, Deputy Commander Tao, and Admiral Geng, you really don't need to come here. I and Xin'er are here just because they want to see Jie'er as soon as possible. It's considered as if their own family members are here to greet Jie'er. Although Jie'er is favored by His Majesty now, he still can't.
It’s just that the commander of the first guard knows it well. If you come here, you will really defeat him..."
Yes, Yang Hong and others were waiting on the city wall early today just for Yang Jie who was about to arrive at Xuan Mansion.
Looking at Yang Hong with a wry smile on his face, Jin Lian smiled and said.
"What's wrong with this? Yang Jie rushed to the grassland this time and turned the clouds and rains. His wisdom and courage are amazing. He is such a young talent and the pillar of the country. I also want to meet him earlier. Is it possible? Yang Hou is so precious to this person.
My son, you don’t want us to see him?”
These words were somewhat teasing, which made the bitter smile on Yang Hong's face even stronger. Of course, he knew Jin Lian's purpose of coming here, or in other words, this was also his purpose of coming.
Yang Jie came from Datong with the order and naturally took a safe route. Therefore, Yang Hongyuan did not have to go into such a big fight and alert the whole city to come out to greet him.
However, he still did it for only one purpose, and that was to intimidate!
Recently, the negotiations with the Tatar ministries have not gone smoothly. The other parties have put forward many conditions, but after the negotiations, most of them are willing to make concessions. However, only in the case of Yang Jie, they refused to let go.
.
This gave Yang Hong a headache.
And, more importantly, it was Jin Lian who was in charge of the negotiations, not him. Although he held an army in his hands, Jin Lian had the royal flag in his hands.
Therefore, Yang Hong cannot really affect the negotiation process.
As the news spread that Yang Jie was about to arrive at the Xuan Mansion, the envoys were jumping up and down and shouting so loudly that Yang Hong was vaguely worried.
It was precisely for this reason that he went out to welcome Yang Jie with such great fanfare. His intention was nothing more than to declare to all the forces, both overt and covert.
In Xuanfu City, Yang Hong is still here, so don't even think about trying to take advantage of his son!
It should be said that it was not surprising that Tao Jin came over. Although Yang Hong did not call him, Deputy Commander Tao has always been a naughty person, not easy to stand out, let alone offend others.
As the chief soldier of Xuanfu, Yang Hong said that coming to greet him was a private act, but if you think about it carefully, you will understand that in Xuanfu City now, there are one chief soldier and two deputy chief soldiers. Yang Hong, the chief soldier, and Yang Xin,
The deputy commander-in-chief was already here, but if he didn't come, in the eyes of the officers and soldiers below, it would be easy to be regarded as being dissatisfied with Yang Hong's return as the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu.
Therefore, out of caution, it was normal for Tao Jin to come over.
However, as Yang Hong said, it seems that this kind of welcoming behavior is usually used between subordinates and superiors. Even though Yang Jie won the emperor's praise, in terms of identity and status, he was different from Jin Lian and even Geng Jiuchou.
Very far.
These two people were not like Tao Jin who was in the army and couldn't help themselves. Their coming was truly beyond Yang Hong's expectation.
Seeing Jin Lian's smiling face, Yang Hong sighed, hesitated for a moment, and solemnly saluted Jin Lian with clasped fists and said.
"Then, thank you Governor Jin!"
No matter what Jin Lian's thoughts are when he comes here, but since he is here, it represents his attitude.
From this perspective, Jin Lian's move was indeed helping Yang Jie, so of course Yang Hong wanted to express his gratitude.
Facing Yang Hong's thanks, Jin Lian accepted it calmly, the smile on his face faded slightly, and he said.
"Yang Marquis does not need to be so polite. Although I am a civil servant, I also know how much benefit Yang Jie has done to our border of the Ming Dynasty. I will not care about the court's decision. However, in my eyes, Yang Jie
Jie is a hero of the country, so naturally I will come to help him!"
He did not lower his voice deliberately when he said this. After saying this, everyone including Yang Hong and even Geng Jiuchou couldn't help but feel surprised.
You must know that as one of the Seven Ministers, the governor-general of both sides appointed by the emperor, and the person in charge of this negotiation, Jin Lian shoulders the responsibility.
Although he said these words in private, since he did not avoid people, it means that he is not afraid of spreading it, which means that it will reach the ears of the Tatar envoys.
So in fact, this is equivalent to Jin Lian publicly standing up for Yang Jie on behalf of the Ming Dynasty. What a person of his status says is irresistible. Even in the court, he will not take it lightly.
Clearly express your attitude.
Again, it was not easy for Jin Lian to come over and express his attitude in a subtle way.
Like now, it is no longer not easy to express your appreciation for Yang Jie so directly, but it also involves a real risk of a breakdown in negotiations.
This is a big favor for the Yang family!
Yang Hong took a deep breath and was about to say something, but at this moment, Yang Xin beside him suddenly became a little excited and said.
"Uncle, people are here..."
As a result, everyone's eyes immediately turned to the same direction.
Outside the city gate, a cavalry team of about fifty, surrounded by a carriage, had appeared in everyone's sight at some point and was approaching slowly. Although the leader was wearing armor, his neck was wrapped
Covered with a thick layer of white cloth.
Seeing this situation, Yang Hong trembled and his eyes were slightly moist. However, he quickly calmed down his emotions, turned to Jin Lian and clasped his fists again, saying.
"Governor Jin and all of you are able to come today. Yang will bear this in mind and I am deeply grateful."
"Now that I have arrived, I would like to ask you all to go down with me to meet him. How about that?"
Jin Lian and others smiled and nodded, and then they descended the city wall and came to the city gate.
Not long after, the cavalry team arrived, and everyone recognized it. The leader was none other than Yang Hong's son, Yang Jun!
The cavalry stopped outside the city gate. Following Yang Jun's order, everyone got off their horses and knelt down on one knee almost at the same time, saying.
"See the Commander-in-Chief!"
Then, Yang Jun raised his head, spoke with a sonorous voice.
"For your information, Your Majesty the Commander-in-Chief, fortunately, my subordinates have fulfilled their orders and have safely brought Yang Tongzhi back from Wala. I am here to report back to the Commander-in-Chief!"
Yang Hong said nothing, looking closely at the thick white cloth wrapped around Yang Jun's neck with a complicated expression.
"Okay, okay, okay, it's good that we are all back. You did a good job..."
There seemed to be thousands of words in my heart, but when it came to my lips, only this sentence came out.
However, just this sentence made Yang Jun's face become excited and he clasped his fists.
"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief!"
With that said, Yang Jun stood up with all his subordinates at the same time. At this time, Jin Lian on the side intervened at the right time.
"General Yang has worked hard all the way, but this is not the place to talk. General Yang has had a hard time here, so it's time for us to meet your famous fourth son in the grassland, right?"
"Master Shangshu, this is changing the law, saying that lower officials are arrogant..."
After Jin Lian's words fell, a clear voice soon came from the carriage opposite. Then, the curtain of the carriage was opened. Yang Jie, wearing a thick cloak, got off the carriage with the help of his entourage and walked away.
In front of everyone.
Although he was wearing a Confucian shirt and cloak, under the gaze of everyone, Yang Jie, like Yang Jun, knelt down on one knee, cupped his fists in salute, and said.
"My Lord Commander, I went to the grassland according to the order. Now I have fulfilled my order and returned to the Ming Dynasty. Please give me your instructions!"
"Okay, okay, okay..."
Yang Hong looked Yang Jie up and down, his voice trembling a little, but more importantly, it was filled with pride.
At this moment, no matter how much language he used, it seemed a bit pale. Yang Hong just repeated the good words and couldn't say anything else.
Jin Lian stood aside, filled with emotions in his heart. It should be said that when he first met Yang Jie, although he didn't know exactly what Yang Jie was going to do in the grassland, based on some of the things he vaguely guessed, he made
He is not optimistic about Yang Jie.
In his eyes at that time, he was just a frail noble son of a noble family. Instead of staying in the capital city to enjoy the glory and wealth and wait for the title, he would have traveled thousands of miles to the grassland to torment. He simply didn't know where he was.
What to think.
However, at this moment, Yang Jie, dressed in Confucian uniform, performed a military salute in front of Yang Hong, but Jin Lian suddenly realized that this might be what Yang Jie had been looking forward to...
Although it is said that Yang Jie's current official position is that of the commander of the Jingwei and he belongs to the military minister, from a ritual point of view, he and Yang Hong, the chief military officer of the Xuanfu, have no superior or subordinate relationship.
On the contrary, this time Yang Jie came here with an order to assist Jin Lian in resolving border negotiations. Therefore, even if he was to be called a lower official, it should be for Jin Lian.
Yang Jie should not be unaware of this.
However, he still knelt in front of Yang Hong as a military general!
Looking at Yang Jie's fair face that turned a little flushed due to excitement, Jin Lian seemed to vaguely understand why this young man who could have stayed in the capital quietly waiting to seize the title wanted to take such a big risk on the grassland.
Turning clouds and rain.
It wasn't until a moment later that Yang Jie finally calmed down, stood up and said to Jin Lian, cupping his hands.
"I have met the Governor, and I was rude just now. I never thought that I would be able to come to greet you. I am really flattered!"
Seeing this situation, Jin Lian gently waved his hand and said.
"No problem, this is what Yang Tongzhi deserves. This is not the place to talk. I learned that Yang Tongzhi is coming to Xuan Mansion today. I and Yang Hou have prepared a banquet at the General Military Mansion to welcome Yang Tongzhi and wash away the dust. Yang Tongzhi, please...
"
So, after a few more pleasantries, everyone entered the city together and arrived at the General Military Mansion.
Since it is a feast to welcome the wind, Yang Jie is naturally the main one.
Although Xuanfu is a military town, and the border situation is tense now, singing and dancing cannot be done, but it is still better than being clean.
During the banquet, Yang Jie and Yang Jun briefly talked about what happened to Wala and his party. Although they did not go into details because of the occasion, it was enough to make the listeners feel the thrill of it.
.
It was still because of the tense situation now that everyone ended the banquet without drinking or chatting.
Although there are still many things to talk about and ask, Jin Lian is also a sensible person after all. Knowing that Yang Jie has just come back, he must have a lot to say with Yang Hong, Yang Xin and others, so after the banquet,
He took Geng Jiuchou, Tao Jin and others and stood up to say goodbye.
However, at this moment, a boy suddenly came outside and reported to Yang Hong.
"Your Majesty, the Tatar envoys have heard that the Fourth Young Master has arrived at the Xuan Mansion. They have all come over from the inn and are clamoring to see the Fourth Young Master. Now they are all gathered outside the mansion. Please tell me how to deal with it. Your Majesty.
"
After hearing this, Yang Hong, who was still smiling at first, his face suddenly darkened. However, he did not speak, but turned his eyes to Jin Lian aside.
Seeing this situation, Jin Lian was a little embarrassed, but after hesitating for a moment, he still said.
"Go out and tell them that we have important matters to deal with today. If there is anything else, we will talk about it tomorrow!"
"yes……"
The boy was about to go down to deliver the message. At this moment, Yang Jie suddenly stopped him and then turned towards Jin Lian.
"Your Majesty the Governor, I came here this time just to assist the Governor in negotiating with these tribal envoys. Now that they have come to visit us, this is an opportunity."
"If your Excellency believes in the official, how about meeting them together with the official?"