After all, Qin Ran had no foundation in the court, and his power was dependent on the imperial power. If he didn't even dare to use Qin Ran, then no one in Kangxi would dare to use him!
That's why he directly named Qin Ran the General of the Southern Conquest!
Otherwise, with Qin Ran's qualifications, how could he be in charge of an army alone.
These thoughts circulated in Kangxi's mind, and he said to Qin Ran solemnly:
"Aran, you must not take it lightly when attacking Wu Sangui this time. Although you have learned the art of war very well, you have never been on a real battlefield after all. I will send Suo'etu as your deputy general. If you encounter problems, you have to fight with him.
He will consult more and don't be arbitrary! Do you understand?"
Suo'etu is the son of Suo Etu, the Minister of Gu Ming, who has also been on the battlefield for more than ten years.
"Yes, Your Majesty! I will definitely discuss this with Suo'etu!"
Qin Ran agreed, but he sneered in his heart. He sent Suo'etu to check with me, but he still didn't believe me!
Seeing that Qin Ran was so obedient, Kangxi nodded with satisfaction. He was very skilled in using the imperial method of checks and balances.
However, besides restraining Qin Ran, he also planned to give Qin Ran a sweet date as an appeasement.
"When you quell Wu Sangui's civil strife, I can give you whatever you want, even if I grant you the title of King!"
At this point, Kangxi paused. He suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but chuckled: "If you can successfully defeat Wu Sangui, I will leave all the tasks of ransacking his house to you!"
After saying that, he gave Qin Ran a meaningful look.
Kangxi could not have completely ignored the fact that Qin Ran had embezzled a lot of money during the raid on Ao Bai's house. Even some of Ao Bai's women were captured by Qin Ran and used as maids.
Regarding these, Kangxi did not want to discipline them, because he knew very well that if the water is clear, there will be no fish.
When it comes to corruption, it's not only Qin Ran who is corrupt, are others not corrupt as well?
It's obviously impossible.
If you allow those around you to be greedy, the people around you will be more loyal to you. If you allow those officials below to be greedy? What use do they have!
"My lord, thank you for your grace!"
Qin Ran pretended to be scared, but in his heart he sneered at Kangxi's words. Rather than raiding Wu Sangui's home, he was more excited to raid the emperor's home.
Kangxi patted Qin Ran on the shoulder with satisfaction, and the two discussed some details of mobilizing supplies, soldiers and horses.
After more than an hour, Qin Ran left the imperial study room.
He had just walked out of the imperial study room when a voice suddenly came from beside him.
"Brother Ran!"
Qin Ran turned around and saw Princess Jianning running over with a smile on her face.
"your Highness."
Qin Ran bowed to Jianning. After all, he was in the palace, so he didn't dare to be too presumptuous for the time being.
Looking at Qin Ran who took a step back, Jianning pouted and looked unhappy. However, although she was willful and playful, she also understood that Qin Ran's current status was very sensitive and he was acting too much for her as a princess.
Intimacy may not be a good thing.
The most basic point is that the prince-in-law has not been able to hold real power since ancient times.
So Jianning didn't mess around, but looked at Kieran reluctantly, "You must take care of yourself when you are out there! I'll wait for you to come back!"
"good!"
Qin Ran took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and quietly stepped forward and touched Princess Jianning's head, then turned and walked towards the outside of the palace.
Jianning reluctantly looked at Qin Ran's back, sighed slightly, and finally turned around and left.
And this scene was all seen by Kangxi in the imperial study.
A complicated look flashed in his eyes.
Sure enough! Did his sister have that kind of relationship with Qin Ran? Did Wu Yingxiong die because of this reason?
He vaguely knew something about the nonsense between Jianning and Qin Ran.
Through the imperial court's intelligence network, Kangxi naturally also heard about Wu Yingxiong's mysterious death.
Although Wu Sangui had long wanted to rebel, it was really abrupt to raise troops to rebel in such a hurry.
Now that I think about it, Wu Yingxiong's death may have something to do with Jianning or even Qin Ran.
Jianning didn't want to marry Wu Yingxiong, so he and Qin Ran killed him in anger.
When Wu Sangui saw that his son had been killed, he rebelled in anger.
This makes perfect sense!
Thinking of this, Kangxi smiled bitterly, but now it seems that this is not a bad thing.
Wu Sangui would rebel sooner or later. If he took action in advance, the Qing court would not necessarily suffer.
And Qin Ran showed great military talent, and he had an army of 100,000 people outside, and he was Han, so Kangxi might not really be able to rest assured.
Now that Qin Ran and Princess Jianning are involved, Kangxi is completely at ease!
As long as we can win over Qin Ran, what if we can grant him a marriage after pacifying Wu Sangui? At that time, we can just use the excuse that our relatives are not allowed to participate in politics and take away his military power.
Kangxi had a very good plan in mind.
After Qin Ran walked out of the palace, he turned back and glanced in the direction of the royal study, with a trace of sarcasm flashing deep in his eyes.
Kangxi must have never imagined that all of this was deliberately created by him, including the fact that Jianning came to look for him outside the imperial study, which was what he asked Jianning to do!
After all, he was a Han Chinese. Kangxi might change his mind at any time and change the army commander.
That's why Qin Ran deliberately used his affection for Princess Jianning to make Kangxi feel at ease.
After leaving the palace, Qin Ran changed into a suit of armor and took a few guards to the capital camp guarding the capital.
There are 200,000 troops stationed in the capital camp, and Qin Ran's soldiers are among them during this expedition.
Qin Ran wanted to select a suitable army of 100,000 from 200,000 people before going on an expedition.
Selecting soldiers is originally a very difficult thing, this kind of thing is quite tedious and complicated.
Fortunately, Qin Ran was well prepared. After confiscating Obai's home, he ordered people from the Tiandihui to investigate the identities and backgrounds of the soldiers in the Beijing camp.
After regaining Long'er, some members of the Shenlong Sect also participated in this task.
Qin Ran didn't need to select soldiers who were good at fighting, but he needed to increase the proportion of Han people as much as possible, as well as green battalions and new recruits. It was best to have no worries and proletarians in the entire capital.
Such an army will be more obedient.
With the help of everyone, Qin Ran selected an army of 100,000 in just two days.
Afterwards, a banquet was held for hundreds of military lieutenant generals to have a meal together, which was considered as a way to bond and win over.
Secretly, Qin Ran used seemingly intimate physical contact to quietly transfer the 'chronic poison' of his bone-transforming cotton palm into the bodies of these generals and control them.
In the next few days, Qin Ran stayed in the military camp, ate and slept with the soldiers, and basically sorted out the details of the army.
Soon, it was time for the army to set out for the expedition, and the swearing-in ceremony before the expedition was about to begin.
By then, most of the dignitaries in the capital will come to see him off.