General Zhendong came out of the palace holding a scepter, returned to his house, and immediately ordered:
"Here comes someone."
"General?"
"Take our military orders and go outside the city to the Northern Army, Tiger Cavalry Army, and Wu Wei Army, without any front troops, to surprise the Chen Army and ask them to organize their troops immediately."
"Send my order again, and ask the five army chiefs to come to the Central Protector's Mansion to discuss matters within an hour."
"Here!"
After giving the instructions, General Guan moved to the backyard of Zhongduhu Mansion.
As expected, the right lady and her two concubines are already waiting.
Behind the three of them, there were all the children in the house.
General Guan went straight to his seat and sat down, then said:
"I will send out troops soon."
Hearing this, Mrs. You and Amei Li Mu were not too surprised.
Shuangshuang, Ah Chong, Ah Shun and other older children didn't have much strangeness on their faces.
As the children of generals, they have been accustomed to this kind of thing since they were young.
A few of the younger ones stared with their eyes wide open, a little confused.
Zhuge Zhan, the eldest, had long known that the sister of the Guan family in front of him was the famous General Guan reported in the outside world.
But this was the first time he saw the Guan family's sister dressed as a man in court clothes, and there was unstoppable surprise in his eyes.
Liu Chen, who was standing next to him, was not only surprised, but also excited.
This is the most powerful female hero among men!
I never thought that one day I would see her lead an army on an expedition.
nice!
General Guan looked at these children and said in a stern tone:
"After I go on an expedition, you must remember to study literature on one day and practice martial arts on two days. You must not be slack for a single day."
"When I return from the expedition, I will personally assess each of you. If I find that someone has not kept up with the progress, I will show mercy, not the whip in my hand!"
Her eyes fell on Shuangshuang and Ah Chong: "You two are the eldest daughter and eldest son in the family, and they must lead the way for my younger brother and younger sister."
"Brother and sister made mistakes, and we must teach them to correct them. If you and the other two dare to take the lead in making mistakes, you will be punished double."
Shuangshuang and Ah Chong responded quickly.
The two of them are a bit naughty, but now they are no longer the ignorant children they were a few years ago and know the priorities of things.
General Guan looked at Zhuge Zhan again and said:
"Siyuan, you are the eldest and a generation older than them. They are ignorant, but you must not be ignorant."
"Not only must you set an example, but if you find them making mistakes on a daily basis, you must promptly dissuade them. If not, the punishment will be double."
Zhuge Zhan hesitated for a moment, but did not respond.
General Guan raised his eyebrows: "Huh?"
Zhuge Zhan raised his head and glanced at General Guan, and said with some hesitation:
"Sister, Zhan has a request."
"Tell me."
Zhuge Zhan mustered up his courage and said:
"Sister, Zhan has always wanted to have some experience in the military. This time, can you take me there to gain experience?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone present looked over with surprise.
Shuangshuang and Ah Chong looked at each other.
Siblings from the same mother and twins have a clear understanding of each other, and they both know that the other is thinking about the same thing:
"I didn't expect this stupid uncle to have such courage."
But General Guan suddenly laughed: "I didn't expect you to have such courage. Think about it, you are also fifteen this year, right?"
"Yes, sister, I am already fifteen years old. Logically speaking, I have to tie my hair."
When General Guan heard this, he nodded slowly: "It's indeed almost time to cut off your hair."
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Zhan only said that General Guan agreed to his request, and his face lit up with joy.
Unexpectedly, General Guan said:
"Have you ever mentioned it to your mother that you are interested in serving in the military?"
Zhuge Zhan's face froze and he said, "Not yet."
General Guan reprimanded:
"Since you know that you have reached the age where your hair is cut off, why don't you discuss such a big matter with your widowed mother first?"
A basin of cold water poured down, making Zhuge Zhan look ashamed:
"Sister taught me that."
Seeing his appearance, General Guan slowed down his tone:
"It's a good thing for a man to have great ambitions. After you go back today, you can talk to your aunt about this matter. If she agrees, I won't stop you."
"Since you are studying in the family, and you are allowed to be civilized and martial, it is ultimately up to you. When the time comes, I will personally ask for a place in the martial arts hall."
The quota in the martial arts hall may be a scarce resource for others, but for General Zhendong, it is just a matter of words.
After becoming a loyal martyr, you can be selected first to enter the academy and martial arts hall.
Just like the Yulin orphans of Emperor Xiaowu of the former Han Dynasty, they also selected the children of fallen soldiers and raised them in the Yulin Cavalry.
Not to mention that Zhuge Zhan is the son of the prime minister.
Without the Central Protector and the Prime Minister, not to mention the martial arts hall, even the most basic school, it would be impossible to build it.
If their descendants can't enter, wouldn't it be a joke?
"Thank you, sister."
"Don't be in a hurry to thank me." General Guan said calmly, "Even if I recommend you to enter the martial arts hall, it's just giving you a chance."
"If you want to become a true martial arts student, you have to pass an assessment. If you fail the assessment, you will eventually be sent back."
Students who have gone to the martial arts hall have always had a good reputation in the military, have good combat qualities, and dare to fight.
As long as they undergo training, they can basically become the backbone of the military at the grassroots level.
It relies on the assessment system that emphasizes strict entry and strict exit in the martial arts hall.
Therefore, even important ministers who are qualified to recommend must think twice before recommending someone.
Otherwise, if you are rejected in the assessment, it will not only be the student who will be embarrassed, but also the recommender.
General Guan reminded:
"You'd better be well prepared during these days when I go on an expedition."
"When I come back, I'm going to test you first. If you can't even pass my test, then stop thinking about it as soon as possible."
Zhuge Zhan said quickly: "Sister, don't worry, I will work hard."
General Guan waved his hand: "You all go down."
After all the children in the house had retreated, General Guan looked at Amei and Li Mu and asked:
"A few days ago, I asked you two to calculate the money and food of various families who intend to enter the Reserve Bureau. How did it go?"
Li Mu quickly replied:
"Back to Nujun, all the lists sent over by the Chancellor's Desk have been calculated."
"How much is the total amount converted into grain?"
"Not counting those that have not yet been completely determined, if all are converted into grain, there should be more than 3.2 million dendrobium."
Calculated by the standards of this era, an ordinary army of 10,000 horses would need between six and seven hundred thousand dendrobium, depending on the number of horses in the army.
Since there were more horses and mules in the Han army, the standard was higher, but no matter how many there were, it would not exceed one million dendrobium.
More than 3.2 million dendrobium is enough to support 50,000 men and horses for more than half a year. If you really want to save food, it will be enough for a year.
Moreover, these grains cannot be taken out all at once.
Later, the imperial court could also transport grain from Shu and Liangzhou, and transport beans for war horses from Longyou.
In more than half a year, the autumn grain has been harvested, which is enough to requisition a large amount of grain and grass.
Thinking of this, General Guan was completely relieved.
As long as this initial batch of food is available to support him, and when the Han Dynasty begins to transfer materials from various places, General Guan believes that the army will have no worries about the supply of food and grass.
"The Chancellor's Desk will send over the final list later. The two of you must complete the calculation as quickly as possible."
General Guan emphasized his tone, "After the calculation, we must immediately notify each family and ask them to make all preparations."
"If there is a shortage of food wherever the army goes, it will be dealt with according to military law!"
It has to be said that the aristocratic families in Guanzhong, Taiyuan and Hedong have really strong foundations.
It has only been three years since the First World War in Guanzhong, so we can produce so much food without any hesitation.
"I have noted it down."
Time is very tight, but with Amei here, this matter will not be a problem.
"Then go down and get ready."
Amei and Li Mu retreated, Guan Ji's eyes fell on Secretary Zhang Da who had been silent:
"After I go to war, all matters in the house will be left to you."
Secretary Zhang made a soft "hmm" and moved his lips a few times, but made no sound. There was just a hesitant look on his face.
Seeing her like this, how could General Guan not know that she had something to say?
"anymore question?"
"Um, Sister, I mean, the Queen..." Secretary Zhang stuttered, "This time Sister entered the palace, did Your Majesty mention the Queen?"
General Guan looked at her strangely:
"I entered the palace this time to talk about sending troops to rescue the Shangdang. What does it have to do with the queen?"
Secretary Zhang was startled.
Doesn't it matter?
Knowing what Secretary Zhang wanted to ask, General Guan continued:
"It is still unclear what the final outcome of the Shangdang war will be, so it is too early to draw a conclusion."
"Besides, the most important thing right now is to rescue Shangdang, not to hold anyone accountable."
Seeing that the worry on Secretary Zhang's face had not yet dissipated, General Guan knew what she was worried about and couldn't help but slow down his tone:
"The matter between the Central Governor's Palace and the Hedong Governor's Palace must be resolved by Alang and Wei Yan in the end."
"Now that Alang is gone, who in the court can make decisions for Alang?"
It is not a shame to lose a battle and suffer a loss at the hands of thieves.
The late emperor, the late father, Uncle Zhang, Uncle Zhao...
Which one has never lost a battle?
Even Wu Qi sometimes drew even with his enemies.
But Wei Yanqian should not have done anything wrong. He lost the county and land that should not have been lost, and lost a battle that should not have been lost.
Guo Xun, the culprit who opened Huguan to welcome the thieves into Shangdang, was even personally recommended and reused by Wei Yan.
Unless Wei Yan can lead the army to recover Shangdang on his own before reinforcements arrive.
Otherwise, the reputation and achievements he has worked hard for most of his life will be destroyed by this matter.
Even if General Guan is not good at politics, she can still understand:
Wei Yan offended too many people in his normal life. Once he lost power, I don't know how many people would rush up and step on him.
Not to mention that this time, Wei Yan still openly opposed the Zhongdu Protectorate, involving too many court factors.
He wanted to turn over, but it was basically hopeless.
Wei Yan's failure will also implicate the man in the palace.
General Guan didn't know to what extent he was involved.
But she knew that the one in the palace would at least be quiet for a while.
If you really don't know what's good and want to reach out to the military again, then you have to think about the consequences.
Some things can never happen again.
Even Wei Yan could miss. Looking at the entire Han Dynasty, who else can compare to the Zhongdu Protectorate?
Again, although the surname of the Han Dynasty is Liu, it does not just belong to the Liu family.
General Guan said meaningfully to Secretary Zhang:
"Alang's opinion on this matter is very important, and Alang's opinion is even more important. No one can make a decision for him, do you understand?"
Secretary Zhang was confused when he was concerned. When General Guan said this, he was stunned for a moment, and then he came to his senses.
She felt as if a stone had fallen from her heart. With a grateful look on her face, she said to General Guan:
"My little sister is confused, thank you for reminding me."
If others don't understand, how can she not understand A Lang, who has been sleeping with her for so many years?
Alang was definitely not the type to be patient and unforgiving - at least not in court.
As the successor of the prime minister, he has always maintained the tradition of the Han Dynasty dating back to the late emperor: not to kill ministers easily.
Thinking back to the Jingzhou Incident, Liao Li abandoned Changsha and fled back to Shu without a fight. Even the late emperor never blamed him.
After the death of the late emperor, this man did not want to repent, repeatedly committed serious crimes, and even slandered the late emperor. The prime minister just demoted him to a commoner and exiled him to a border county.
Based on this, even if Wei Yan really lost his way to the Shangdang, the most he could do was follow Liao Li's example, remove him from office, reduce his title, demote him to a commoner, and then add him to exile.
If Wei Yan can't die, how bad can the sister in the palace be, no matter how bad she is?
Zhang Xiaomei is a smart person, so she figured it out immediately after being prompted.
"Just understand. Okay, let's get busy. If such a big thing happens, my house will be busy again."
General Guan waved his hand, "I'm afraid the chief generals of each army will arrive soon."
Zhang Xiaomei stood up and saluted General Guan:
"Then the little sister will go out first."
She turned around, paused again, turned back, and said with determination:
"After this incident, I will find an opportunity to enter the palace and give more advice to the queen."
When General Guan heard this, a smile finally appeared on his face:
"It's good that you have this intention. Other things are easy to talk about, but when it comes to the palace and the house, it's the most difficult for you."
If it were someone else's family, it would still be said that the person she married was from that family.
But can the royal family be the same?
Zhang Xiaomei relied on the royal family to become the right wife of Feng Mansion.
And it was precisely because of having such a right lady in the Feng Mansion that the royal family did not have too much suspicion towards Feng Duhu.
If Mrs. Right really speaks on the side of Feng Mansion, it is unlikely that the royal family will become worried about Feng Duhu.
"Not to mention Alang, even I understand these things very well."
"So whatever the palace wants to do, that's the palace's business. You don't have to force yourself."
When Secretary Zhang heard these words from General Guan, his eyes became hot and he almost shed tears.
"Sister!"
"Okay, okay, we are all a family. It depends on what you look like. Don't go out and someone will say that I am bullying you."
Zhang Xiaosi burst into tears and laughed: "No way!"
She wiped her eyes and said, "Then I will go out, so I won't disturb my sister's military discussion."