After returning to Luoyang, Zhao Changqing officially announced to the world that he canonized Daji as Concubine Li.

Her status is only below that of the four concubines in the harem.

Daji didn't ask for any honor or inferiority, she just thought that His Majesty could give her a status and she was satisfied.

After the canonization ceremony, Zhao Changqing has been immersed in handling government affairs.

Zhuge Liang has not been idle these days. After returning to the capital, he has many things to deal with.

For example, post-war pensions, mountains of government affairs, etc. all had to be reviewed one by one.

The two of them were busy in the Xuanzheng Palace from morning to night, with little rest.

During this period, except for Queen He Ning who came to visit and brought some food and drink, no one came to disturb him.

Because Zhao Changqing had given repeated orders before that when he was handling government affairs in the Xuanzheng Hall, no one except the queen and the prince was allowed to visit.

Late at night, Zhao Changqing was reading the memorial, which was written by Xu Ming, Minister of the Ministry of War. The main idea was to detail the recruitment of troops from various places and the garrison support for the war.

There is generally nothing wrong with this memorial, except for a few typos.

"How old is this Xu Ming this year?"

Zhao Changqing closed the memorial and asked Zhuge Liang.

At this moment, the latter was also looking through a large number of memorials in recent days, without slacking off at all. After hearing the emperor's question, he was slightly startled, temporarily put down the memorials in his hand, took a sip of tea, thought for a while, and said: "

You must be in your sixties, right?"

"Well, it's time to retire. Issue a decree to give him a thousand taels of gold and go home to retire."

What Zhao Changqing said suddenly made Zhuge Liang feel a little stunned.

Time to retire?

So sudden?

"I wonder why your Majesty made this decision suddenly?" Zhuge Liang asked worriedly.

This Xu Ming has never had a history of corruption in his life, and he can be considered an upright official.

Moreover, he has served as Minister of the Ministry of War for many years and has good relations with many military leaders.

If you don't give a reason, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the public.

"There are talented people in history. If he doesn't give up the throne, how can the newcomers take over? He is almost turning into a bad old man. At this time, he must learn to be wise and protect himself. He will agree to abdicate and go down to issue the decree." Zhao Changqing has already made his decision.

Decide.

Zhuge Liang nodded and went to draft the imperial edict.

The imperial edict has been written. Even if people don't want to, what can they do? Dare they resist the edict?

In the early days of the dynasty, there was really no one who dared to resist and disobey the decree.

After writing it, I showed it to the emperor.

Zhao Changqing felt that there was nothing wrong with it, so he stamped the imperial edict with a jade seal.

The imperial edict was effective and when it reached the home of the Minister of War, Xu Ming accepted the edict calmly.

Feel good.

I was finally able to leave this officialdom.

Not easy!

It seems that a few typos deliberately written and falsely claiming that old eyesight is dim are still very effective.

He also received a thousand taels of gold in vain.

Earned.

Xu Ming saw through it anyway. Even if he died, he could only be a minister of the Ministry of War.

It is better to retreat bravely.

As a junior, Cao Cao is more proficient in business than me.

What are you still doing in this position?

I can't earn this thousand taels of gold even if I die.

In the Xuanzheng Palace.

The imperial edict has been issued.

The position of Minister of War is vacant and someone must be found to fill it.

"Your Majesty, who do you plan to appoint to the position of Minister?"

Previously, when Zhao Yun was in Luoyang, he had the false title of Minister of War.

This minister has no real power.

At this time, it would be a matter of course for Zhao Yun to take charge of the military department.

But Zhao Changqing had other plans, "I know what you are thinking. I have also considered Zilong as the Minister of the Ministry of War. But now Zilong has military power in his hands. After a few years, when the country has calmed down, it will definitely be necessary."

When the time comes to conquer the Tang Dynasty, Zilong, as the Five Tiger General, will definitely go with the army, so thinking about it, he is not suitable."

Zhuge Liang nodded.

Zhao Changqing continued: "Let Cao Cao, the minister of war, be the minister. By the way, do you still remember the old general Qi Dingyuan?"

There is no problem at all for Cao Cao to serve as Minister of War.

As the saying goes, don’t look at the monk’s face to see the Buddha’s face.

Relying on Cao Shen's remaining power, Cao Cao would have a much easier time dealing with the army.

"That old general who deserves to enjoy the Wuhun Palace?" Zhuge Liang asked.

Zhao Changqing nodded.

Zhuge Liang had already remembered, "Remember, why did your majesty suddenly talk about him?"

Zhao Changqing rubbed his head and said: "He has a son named Qi Jiguang. He made a lot of contributions during the war and has been acting as my personal guard. However, he is overqualified and overqualified. I plan to let him go."

The Ministry of War will train him and see the results. If he doesn't work, let him serve under Chen Qingzhi."

Zhuge Liang bowed and said: "Your Majesty is wise."

The emperor had already spoken a lot.

He really couldn't find any reason to refuse.

It's just that he doesn't quite trust whether a fledgling general can take on the country's confidential missions.

Others don't know it, but Zhao Changqing knows it.

Letting Qi Jiguang serve as the Minister of War is really overqualified and underused.

However, there are currently no vacancies for each position, so we can only do this for now.

"Regarding the matter of Liangdi, after much thought, I plan to support Xiang Yu and let him and Chen Qingzhi jointly govern Beiliang."

Zhao Changqing expressed another idea of ​​his.

There is nothing wrong with doing so.

Although the wars in the past few years have reduced the number of young people in Beiliang to ashes, the folk customs are there after all.

If one of Chen Qingzhi and Xiang Yu is allowed to completely conquer Beiliang, this matter will be a bit big.

Zhuge Liang understood the emperor's concerns and said: "I fully support this matter, but your Majesty intends to support General Xiang Yu?"

"This is simple. I will grant him the title of Northern Liang Jiedu Envoy."

As soon as Zhao Changqing finished speaking, Zhuge Liang understood the purpose of this arrangement.

Xiang Yu became the governor of Beiliang, and Chen Qingzhi, who had most of the military power, could not interfere in the government affairs of Beiliang territory.

"Now the main focus of the Jin Yiwei is on the supervision of the Tang State. I heard that because of this war, the Tang State also had a big financial problem? But later, the Song State gave the Tang State a sum of money?" Zhao Changqing asked

road.

Zhuge Liang replied: "This matter has not been confirmed yet."

"Eighty percent is true." Zhao Changqing snorted coldly and said: "If we want to pacify the Tang Kingdom, I have made a rough calculation and estimate that we need at least two million troops. According to the strength of our great Wei Dynasty, when will we be able to raise two million troops?"

All the supplies needed for a million-strong army to go on an expedition?”

Zhuge Liang frowned and thought: "At least...I'm afraid it will take five years."

"Five years?"

It's a bit long.

"Three years!"

Zhao Changqing is decisive.

Zhuge Liang was shocked.
To be continued...