Capital, Changping Marquis Mansion.
Wynn, wearing a python suit, kept pushing away Yang Hong who wanted to come out to see him off, and kept saying.
"Yang Hou is so polite. We are here to visit you on behalf of His Majesty. He specially told you that you don't have to get up to see me off. As long as you are in good health, that is the most complete etiquette."
Despite this, Yang Hong still followed him to the courtyard, and then stopped and asked his legitimate son Yang Jie to continue sending Hua En out.
At this moment, Yang Hong is obviously much thinner and haggard than when he was in Xuanfu, and his body has become slightly rickety, as if he is just an ordinary old man, without any trace of the famous "Yang Wang" style.
.
In fact, this is the norm for most generals fighting abroad.
When guarding various places, they seemed to stand tall like a monument, bringing a vigorous military spirit to the entire army.
However, once they were transferred back to the capital, they seemed to suddenly become older.
Not only the whole person's energy and spirit, but also the originally healthy body will continue to have various problems.
This is not just an accident for Yang Hong, but the norm for many generals.
Generals like them, who have been on the battlefield all year round, are like a long sword that has gone through hundreds of battles, soaked with blood and killing. Just by looking at it, you can feel the aura of killing coming towards you.
But in fact, this long knife has already been scarred.
Every trace of dried blood on its body is achievement and glory, but also a scar.
When he was in the army, he had a strong spirit to hold him up, but as soon as he left the army, this spirit was drained, and all kinds of old wounds came one after another.
For Yang Hong, during his time in Xuanfu, he was like a long bow.
The string of the bow was constantly pulled and stretched. Over the past few years, the more powerful he became, the more uneasy he became.
Because he knew that his long bow had been drawn to a full circle, and if he continued to draw it any longer, sooner or later the string would break and the bow would be destroyed.
Therefore, when the emperor transferred him back to Beijing, Yang Hongming knew what this meant, but he still came back without hesitation.
He no longer knows how long he can hold on...
It was almost October, and the weather in the capital was getting colder and colder. Yang Hong had an old injury on his leg, which would relapse in this season.
Therefore, as soon as I came back from the courtyard, the study was tightly closed, and several stoves were burning at the same time, making the room very warm.
"Father, Eunuch Wynn is gone."
The door was pushed open through a small gap, and a rather handsome young man flashed in. While talking, he stood next to the stove and warmed his body first to get rid of the cold.
He came to Yang Hong's side and served him carefully.
Yang Hong waved to him to sit down, but his expression was a bit complicated.
This is his second son, Yang Jie, and at the same time, he is also his only legitimate son. However, because they are not together all year round, there is always something between the father and son, and there is always some separation between them.
The Yang family has been serving in the army for generations.
This is even more true when it comes to Yang Hong's generation. He has an older brother and a younger brother who both went to the battlefield, but in the end, he was the only one who survived and achieved his current achievements step by step.
As for his elder brother and younger brother, they both died young and died on the battlefield.
Fortunately, there are still some bones and blood left, namely his two nephews, Yang Xin and Yang Neng.
Yang Xin, Yang Neng, and his eldest son Yang Jun were in the same town on the border, creating the heroic reputation of the Yang family.
However, few people know that Yang Jun is just the eldest son of Yang Hong, and his real legitimate son is the young man in front of him who has never been on the battlefield, named Yang Jie.
It's not that Yang Hong is partial, but that Yang Jie is inherently deficient and cannot practice martial arts at all. Although he is talented and intelligent, he is frail and sickly.
Therefore, Yang Hong could only put him in the capital and take good care of him.
As a result, Yang Jie was different from his brothers and cousins. Yang Jun and others were brave and strong, with a martial style, but Yang Jie wore a green shirt and a scholar's crown, just like a scholar trained by a scholarly family.
It should be said that this is not a bad thing.
The battlefield is dangerous, and Yang Hong himself does not want one of his nephews to go to the battlefield to fight. It is also a good thing to study at home with peace of mind.
However, what made him feel helpless was that, perhaps because they met too few times, or perhaps because he had read a book, Yang Jie was always polite and thoughtful in front of him, unlike Yang Jun and others who were as casual and casual.
Of course, Yang Jie's filial piety has not diminished at all.
During the period when Yang Hong returned to Beijing, Yang Jie personally took care of his food, clothing, housing, and transportation. This child was careful, humble, gentle, and well-mannered.
Only this child would notice the small details of dispelling the cold air just after entering the door.
After trying hard to put away his stern face for many years and put on a kind smile, Yang Hong patted the cushion beside him and said.
"Sit down, you heard what Eunuch Huai En said just now. Tell me, what do you think the emperor means?"
Yang Jie was a little hesitant, not because of Yang Hong's questions, but because of Yang Hong's attitude.
He knew that his father's personality was not like this, but he was deliberately changing it for himself, but to be honest, Yang Jie didn't want him to be like this.
Yang Hong felt that Yang Jie was unfamiliar with him, but why didn't Yang Jie feel the same way?
Since childhood, his father had been very strict with his three brothers, but he had never scolded him. After coming back this time, he became even more cautious.
This made Yang Jie a little helpless, but he had no choice.
With a slight bow, Yang Jie sat down next to Yang Hong. Looking at his father's little bit of joy, he couldn't help but sigh.
Some things do take time to truly melt...
After collecting his mind, Yang Jie thought about it and said.
"Father, you know that my son is weak, so he has never participated in military affairs with you. However, today's incident, my son has to ask, but what happened in the army?"
Hearing this, Yang Hong pondered for a moment, but did not answer directly, but said.
"You haven't answered dad's question just yet."
"Prosperity blooms with brocade, and fierce fire cooks oil."
Yang Jie softly uttered eight words, but the worry in his eyes could not be concealed.
He couldn't help but stood up again, stepped on the soft carpet, walked back and forth gently, and said.
"My father has guarded the Xuanfu for many years and made great contributions in the Battle of Oala. He is well-deserved for the title of Marquis. Your Majesty transferred my father to the capital. It is a matter of reliance and trust. Please note that before my father, he was the admiral of the capital camp.
The one who is more modest than Shaobao."
"Let's talk about the brothers. The eldest brother continues to guard Xuanfu. Although he has not been awarded the title of Lord, his ability to stay in Xuanfu is in itself a sign of His Majesty's trust in my Yang family. The same goes for the second and third brothers. Although they are in the border town,
But they govern all important areas."
"My father spent his entire life in the military and carried forward the Yang family, which is now at its peak."
"However, there are some things where too much is too much. My father once said to the child that when the bow is fully drawn, it needs to be loosened. If you continue to draw, the bowstring will break..."
After Yang Hong's elder brother and younger brother died in the battle, Yang Xin and Yang Neng were adopted by him. In order to show equal treatment, he called the children brothers.
The eldest brother in Yang Jie's mouth is Yang Xin, the second brother is Yang Jun, and the third brother is Yang Neng.
"From what I've seen, your majesty's decree is just pulling the strings!"
Yang Jie sighed, stopped and looked at Yang Hong.
Yang Hong was silent.
So, Yang Jie continued.
"Since Ye Xian's large-scale advance, Yu Shaobao was ordered to admiral the capital camp as a civil servant. He made drastic changes and changed the old structure of the three major battalions into ten regiments, under the supervision of the admiral. The ten regiments and battalions are not subordinate to each other, but serve each other.
Checks and balances will prevent excessive power from appearing."
"However, now that my father is in charge of the capital camp, your majesty has sent the second brother and the third brother back to take charge of a battalion each. This is no longer a matter of trust, but a test."
"What's more, His Majesty also promoted my eldest brother to a higher rank. All these things made me have to worry about what happened."
"These days, my father rarely goes to court due to illness, and there are not many important events in the military government and the Beijing camp. Therefore, if there is any change that makes your majesty do this, it must be the Xuanfu army...
"
After saying these words, Yang Hong couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and looked at his son with approval.
At the same time, a pang of regret arose in his heart again.
With such eyesight, Yang Jie would have been a good general as resourceful as Yang Xin if it had not been for his innate deficiencies. Unfortunately, now he can only live in the capital, holding a medicine jar every day...
This time, Yang Hong finally did not remain silent, but said.
"You guessed it right. A few days ago, your eldest brother sent a message saying that Yu Qian was in Datong and Gansu, etc., under the guise of investigating the arms reselling case in Luotong, but in fact he was secretly investigating the status of privately cultivated land and military settlements in various places.
, Now, Yu Qian has touched all these border towns, and if you go further down, it must be the Xuanfu..."
"Privately reclaiming land and occupying military villages?"
Yang Jie frowned and looked at Yang Hong with some confusion.
So, Yang Hong sighed and explained.
"Taizu established military camps in the hope that the border troops could be self-sufficient. However, after so many years, the military camps in various places have long been depleted. Many sergeants were diverted to reclaim wasteland. There were even many fields in the military camps that were used in various ways.
This method was hidden and became people's land."
"This is already a chronic disease of the border army, and Xuanfu... naturally has it too!"
At this time, Yang Jie's brows furrowed even more tightly, and he subconsciously wanted to blurt out more specific information.
However, just when the words came to his lips, he took them back abruptly and asked.
"No, father, since Yu Shaobao is conducting a secret investigation and only visited Datong and Gansu, then even if there is news, it should come from these two places. How can the eldest brother get revenge when he is in Xuanfu?"
Yang Hong was also stunned. After a moment, he took out a letter from his sleeve, unfolded it and read it, and finally nailed the sentence that he ignored.
"Ningyuan Marquis Renli sent someone to deliver a message..."
At this moment, Yang Jie also took the letter from his father. Coincidentally, his eyes immediately fell on this sentence.
At this time, Yang Hong's voice had a hint of coolness and he spoke.
"Before Ren Li, he guarded Gansu for many years. Now, if Yu Qian wants to check the military garrison in Gansu, he will definitely get the news. This Ningyuan Marquis intends to use my Yang family as a gunman..."
Yang Jie said nothing.
No matter what the purpose of Ren Li's message was, there is one unchangeable fact, that is, the actual situation of Xuan Mansion is there.
The conflict between them and Yu Qian exists naturally and is not deliberately created by someone.
Ren Li certainly played a role in fueling the situation, but without him, this matter would not have calmed down.
Then, the most important thing is...
"Father, can you tell me how much my Yang family is involved in this matter?"
Taking a deep breath, Yang Jie's face became more cautious than ever.
After hearing this, Yang Hong's face became even more bitter.
Although he usually wouldn't deliberately tell Yang Jie these things, there is nothing to hide from his own children, not to mention the current situation.
Holding the tea bowl tightly with his right hand, Yang Hong said softly.
"It's so deep that once it's traced, all my father's achievements in hundreds of battles will be in vain."
The crackling sound of the stove sounded in the room, which was particularly harsh.
Yang Jie stood there, with waves of blood filling his pale face.
After a long while, he asked: "Then, what is father's plan?"
Yang Hong shook his head. This veteran of many battles actually showed a trace of confusion at this moment and said.
"My father... I haven't thought about it yet. Your eldest brother originally wanted my father to ask Your Majesty to ask Yu Qian not to pursue this matter any further, but..."
Looking at the edict in his hand, Yang Hong couldn't help but sigh.
As Yang Jie said at the beginning, when the fire cooks the oil, the flowers bloom.
The emperor's attitude is already very clear!
He will not stop Yu Qian, nor does he want others to stop him.
The old man will give him the honor and favor he deserves...
However, dragons have reverse scales that cannot be touched.
The bitterness at the corner of Yang Hong's mouth became even stronger.
Of course he understood the truth, but precisely because he understood it, he hesitated even more.
He knew better than anyone how deep the water in Xuanfu was, and he saw the emperor's determination.
However, when everything is nakedly exposed to the sun, is the emperor really mentally prepared enough?
Although Yang Jie is frail, he has a delicate mind.
As soon as Yang Hong's words came out, he was keenly aware of the faint possibility contained in them, so he immediately stood up straight and said.
"Father, if my prediction is correct, Yu Shaobao should have arrived at Xuan Mansion by now. Could it be possible, eldest brother would like to..."
Just thinking about this possibility makes Yang Jie feel cold down his back.
Fortunately, Yang Hong immediately shook his head and denied it, saying.
"Don't worry, if it were your second or third brother here, he might have such thoughts, but your eldest brother wouldn't!"
Among Yang Hong's descendants, Yang Xin is the most outstanding.
Otherwise, he would not have handed over the Xuan Mansion to Yang Xin. He truly trained Yang Xin as his successor in the army.
Therefore, he knew Yang Xin's character.
What Yang Jie is worried about will never happen to Yang Xin!
After hearing this, Yang Jie let out a long sigh of relief.
After pacing back and forth in the room for a few steps, he frowned, turned around, and said solemnly.
"Father, I don't know what kind of things are hidden in the Xuan Mansion. However, I know that Your Majesty is someone who cares about old relationships. Therefore, the only way to save the Yang family is to survive by cutting off one's arms."
"The second and third brothers' power over the regiment must not be taken away. If necessary, father's power over the capital must also be handed over. And the eldest brother must fully cooperate. If it doesn't work, the eldest brother will also return to the capital."
"As long as we can make a clean break, I believe that His Majesty will not go too far. Moreover, this matter must be done quickly, before Yu Shaobao finds out the truth, otherwise, I am afraid there will be no chance.
"
As Yang Jie said himself, he didn't know what exactly the Xuan Mansion was hiding.
However, he knew what kind of person his father was. Even if we were together less and separated more, he knew that his father was a person who would not bow his head easily.
For him to show such an expression can only show that this matter is indeed involved beyond Yang Jie's imagination.
Yang Hong said nothing.
Of course he understands the truth, but...
Doing this would be tantamount to giving up all the years of operations on the border. The Yang family would be left with nothing but the lintel of the Marquis Mansion.
Moreover, even if he gives up everything, he may not be safe.
How could the people involved in this matter be allowed to escape? Can His Majesty really be lenient?
After pondering for a long time, Yang Hong finally said.
"Okay, you go down first. As a father, I need to think about this matter again."
Yang Jie opened his mouth, but in the end he did not continue to persuade him. He just bowed respectfully and exited the room.
Carefully closing the door, the last thing Yang Jie saw was, against the backdrop of the warm fire, his father, the "King Yang" who had dominated the battlefield for many years and made countless bandits fearful.
At this moment, it was as if someone had taken away the spine, and the whole person was stooped...
Standing outside the door, he suddenly heard his father's old whisper.
It seemed like she was talking to him, but also like she was talking to herself.
"When the boy was fifteen or twenty, he captured Hu Maqi on foot."
"If you shoot the white-fronted tiger in the mountains, you will be willing to kill the yellow-bearded children in Ye!"
"One body has traveled three thousand miles, and one sword has served as a division for millions."
"..."
This chapter has been completed!