One hundred and thirty-ninth chapter Hongyan returns to the south, forming an alliance for thousands of miles [2]
Although the winter in Luoyang City is as snowy and cold as the northern border of Bingzhou, this is the imperial capital of the Central Plains. No matter how severe the cold wind coming from the north is, it will be blocked by the northern mountain barriers such as the Taihang Mountains. It's not that cold anymore when we get here.
In Luoyang Imperial City, above the pavilions and pavilions, there was a scene of joy, singing and dancing.
Above the tower, inside and outside the city wall, soldiers wearing iron scales and holding halberds are silently guarding the prosperity of Luoyang amidst the white snow.
On the banks of the waterside pavilion and inside the palace, singers dressed in silk ribbons and holding dancing fans were happily celebrating the victory of the Northern Territory in the scent of mist.
In the past two months, Emperor Cao Rui had received good news from the northern battlefield one after another, and he was in a good mood. Therefore, during this month, he often held banquets and banquets in the palace to celebrate.
"Hahaha, this time General Qiaoqi led the Chinese army to attack Xianbei, which not only enabled Kebi to defeat Mobei, but also made General Xie Guini of Xianbei lead his troops to surrender. It is really gratifying and congratulatory!"
"That's right, that's right. In addition, in October, the generals of the Budugen tribe, Daihu Alangni and others, also led their troops to surrender in Jinyang, Bingzhou. General Qin can be said to have made indispensable contributions."
The ministers who were having a feast at the banquet raised their glasses to praise this great victory, and everyone was also full of praise for Qin Lang.
"Um."
Emperor Cao Rui was in a good mood at the moment. He nodded with satisfaction, raised his wine and said with a smile:
"General Qin has indeed lived up to my high expectations. Come and pass on my instructions. General Qin Lang and the soldiers of the Xiaoqi camp have made indispensable contributions in suppressing the rebellion. The army is about to return to Beijing. It is winter. The journey here is long and the border is bitterly cold. , I will give you thousands of collars of cotton-padded jackets, a thousand jars of fine wine, a thousand legs of lamb, and five thousand catties of firewood and charcoal, so that I can celebrate my success in keeping the cold away from the soldiers!"
"No." Upon hearing this, Han Yong, the chamberlain beside Cao Rui, immediately went to Shangshu Lantai to announce the arrangements.
"Your Majesty, Wei Chen has also read the battle report. This battle can be accomplished in one fell swoop. Yulin Supervisor, Changling Marquis Xiahou Taichu, and Five Hundred Yulinlang are also indispensable. Therefore, Wei Chen believes that your Majesty's reward is , we should not forget Changlinghou and Yulinying."
When Cao Xi, the deputy general of the Wuwei camp, saw that all the ministers were flattering Qin Lang in front of His Majesty, he completely ignored Xia Houxuan, and he was already unhappy. In addition, he had rarely exchanged letters with Xia Houxuan in the past few months, and he missed him very much. Now Xiahou Xuan has made great achievements but has no reward, so he dares to speak out in front of Cao Rui at this moment.
"Third brother, it is your Majesty's responsibility to reward the three armies. It is up to you and me to intervene at any time. I haven't returned to my seat yet!"
Beside Cao Xi, General Wuwei and Shaoling Marquis Cao Shuang felt very dissatisfied when they saw Cao Xi being so reckless. For fear of the emperor being angry, he hurriedly reprimanded Cao Xi in a low voice and kept winking at Cao Xi, but Cao Xi remained unmoved.
"Your Majesty, I think that what Mr. Zhaoshu just said is quite reasonable."
At this moment, a civil servant stood up and left the table, and said this to the emperor in a loud voice.
When everyone raised their eyes to look, they found that the person speaking turned out to be Sanqi Changshi, Guannei Hou, Gaotang Long, Gaotang Shengping.
This Gao Tanglong was a native of Pingyang, Mount Tai, Qingzhou, and was famous for his ability to divine celestial phenomena. During the reign of Emperor Wu, he served as the guardian of Mount Tai and the postal supervisor. Emperor Wen Huang Chuzhong was promoted to the county magistrate of Tangyang. Later, under Emperor Wen, After being promoted, he served as Cao Rui, King of Pingyuan at that time, who is also your Majesty's current King Fu.
Later, when His Majesty came to the throne, he began to show his talents as the emperor's advisor. First, he was appointed as the prefect of Chenliu and governed a party. Due to his outstanding political achievements and often outstanding suggestions to the court, he gained the emperor's trust and was appointed as a regular attendant of Sanqi. , and was conferred the title of Marquis of Guannei by His Majesty, and became a very important figure around His Majesty. He was able to often provide advice and suggestions to Cao Rui and plan military plans.
When Cao Rui saw that it was his teacher Gao Tanglong, he had deep respect in his heart. Therefore, he did not interrupt Gao Tanglong's words, but continued to listen patiently.
Gao Tanglong stroked his long beard and continued:
"I have carefully read the battle report on the northern frontline a few days ago. I heard that although the Yulin camp had a very small number of people, it volunteered in front of the battle and braved the wind and sand to go deep into the enemy's rear. This turned the battle situation around. Therefore, I agree with Zhao. My uncle’s proposal just now is to reward the Yulin Camp together to show His Majesty’s sage.”
Hearing this, Cao Rui thought thoughtfully and finally nodded.
"I don't agree with what Lord Gaotang just said."
As soon as Gao Tanglong finished speaking, someone retorted slowly.
"oh?"
When Gao Tanglong looked back, he found that it was his Majesty's favorite minister, Sanqi Changshi, and Zhongshu Supervisor Liu Fang. Gao Tanglong was not angry, but asked calmly:
"If you have any opinion, Mr. Zhongshu Supervisor, you might as well speak up."
"I secretly thought that although Xiahou Taichu was born as a general and was quite talented, in the end he was just a weakling. He had neither the talent to lead an army nor any actual combat experience. Now he suddenly used military equipment to weaken the Five Hundred Yulin, Changwu In the northern border, I am emerging, I really doubt that this credit is just a false report for General Qin who is interested in making friends with the Xiahou family. I hope your Majesty will find out clearly."
As soon as Liu Fang said these words, everyone at the table immediately started talking.
Originally, everyone was discussing whether the Yulin camp should be rewarded, but Liu Fang changed the subject. Even Qin Lang, who had made outstanding contributions, said that he was a clique, falsely reporting his achievements, and wooing the courtiers. Everyone was silent for a moment. I didn't dare to talk nonsense, for fear that I might accidentally get hot and get into trouble.
Although Luoyang seems to be elegant and peaceful, how many turbulent undercurrents and intricate conflicts of interests are there?
Many people don't know, they don't want to, and they don't dare to know.
Cao Xi at the table and Cao Zhao, the Marquis of Changping beside the emperor, couldn't help but become angry after hearing Liu Fang's words. Even Shaoling Marquis Cao Shuang, who had been cautious and silent, couldn't help but frown at this moment. Frown.
Although few people noticed it, Cao Zhao, Cao Shuang, who had been in palace confinement for a long time, and Cao Xi, who had served under his eldest brother Cao Shuang for several years, had long been aware that Liu Fang and Sun Zi were openly My father-in-law only focused on solving problems for His Majesty and making suggestions, but in fact, he had already communicated with some ministers in the court and had some ambiguous relationship.
As for the ministers who were in the same boat with them, they might be Sima Yi, the general of Wuyanghou, and they also seemed to be Jiang Ji and others of the Central Guard Army.
Although there is no clear evidence for this, what Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao and others can be sure of is that Liu Fang and Sun Zi, for the sake of political interests, have already brought Cao Zhao, Qin Lang and other clan members whom His Majesty trusted, as well as His relatives and ministers regarded him as his enemy.
What Liu Fang just said was killing three birds with one stone. Not only did he want to wipe out the contributions of Qin Lang, Xia Houxuan and others to Peiping Xianbei, but he also unknowingly gave Gao Tanglong, Cao Xi, Xia Houxuan and Qin Lang three
People labeled them as cliques with each other. These few of them were either in charge of the imperial guards in the palace, or were the emperor's eyes and ears. Once they formed a clique, they would naturally be a big threat to His Majesty, so Liu Fang
This is a trick that I have to say is indeed both destructive and effective.
"Your Majesty."
Cao Zhao understood that although Cao Shuang had a close friendship with His Majesty, he had always been cautious and wise in protecting himself. He would never stand up for Qin Lang and Xia Houxuan at this moment. And although Cao Xi was frank and fearless, he
After all, he was too naive and could easily fall into the trap of Liu Fang and others. Therefore, at this time, the only way for His Majesty to eliminate his suspicions about Qin Lang and others was by speaking out. He continued to speak:
"I believe that the credit of Yulin Camp is absolutely true, and the credit of General Xiaoqi and Xiaoqi Camp are even more true."
Seeing that the emperor showed no dissatisfaction, Cao Zhao continued:
"Your Majesty, do you still remember that a few months ago, you and your ministers went to inspect the Yulin Camp? I believe your Majesty can see that although the Yulin Camp was once demoralized and its armaments were depleted, after Changlinghou's attack
After training, the Yulin Camp has become brand new and is ready for a battle. Therefore, what Master Liu Da said just now, "The Yulin Camp lacks combat strength and has no talent to lead troops at the beginning" is purely conjecture and heart-breaking.
Word!"
Cao Rui also felt that what Cao Zhao said was quite reasonable and couldn't help but nodded. The vague suspicion that had arisen in his heart immediately dissipated.
"Also, Your Majesty should also know that although General Qin Lang likes to make friends, he has never had any thoughts of forming a party for personal gain. Besides, the position of Marquis Changling is only a small fifth-grade Yulin Supervisor. It is difficult to win him over to Qin Lang.
What good can a general do? Furthermore, Your Majesty also knows Xiahou Taichu's temper. He has always been aloof and arrogant, and even refused to beg for mercy from Your Majesty over and over again. How could he accept this false military merit? Therefore.
, Weichen believes that the contributions of Yulin Camp and Xiaoqi Camp are all real and there is no falsehood. I hope your Majesty will make a clear decision."
Cao Zhao's words were resounding, and everyone at the table was convinced. Liu Fang, the supervisor of the Central Secretary, looked at Cao Zhao with a hint of coldness that was hard to detect.
Cao Rui pondered for a moment, nodded and said with a smile:
"Everyone has contributed a lot to the soldiers who went to the northern border this time. Come and pass on my instructions to give the northern soldiers more than a thousand cotton-padded jackets, as well as more than 200 fine wines and lamb legs each as a reward.
.”
"Your Majesty, your Majesty!" All the ministers at the banquet knelt on the ground. Cao Xi also breathed a long sigh of relief and looked at Cao Zhao with grateful eyes.
"Report——"
At this moment, an envoy came to Cao Rui holding a brocade box in his hand.
"Your Majesty, this is the memorial sent by Qin Lang, the Cavalry General, from the north."
When Cao Rui heard this, his heart tightened and he thought: Could there be another change in the military in the north?
Thinking about this, he immediately ordered someone to take the brocade box and took out the memorial.