"The emperor summoned me, how should I salute? What should I say? Should I tell him that the terrain in Liaodong is different from what he thought?" In an instant, hundreds of questions poured into Li Xu's head at the same time. Let him
He suddenly became dizzy, smiled stupidly, and followed Liu Hongji to the general stage.
On the general stage, all the civil and military officials have been looking forward to it for a long time. The emperor is happy today. Everyone has been in the officialdom for a long time and has long developed a good ability to observe people's words. When the emperor is happy, he likes to promote people to become officials. Those who become officials will be in the future.
The court will become the direct descendant of the recommender, and the recommender's own power will also increase with the performance of the recommended person. After a series of twists and turns, many people's eyes began to shine. Some were envious, and some were jealous.
, there are also complicated and complicated exchanges.
"Liu Hong, the last general, pays homage to the emperor. May my emperor live long live, long live, long live!" Liu Hongji walked to the general stage, stood up straight, clasped his fists, bowed, and then stood in awe.
"Li Xu, the last general, meets the emperor. May the emperor live long live, long live, long live!" Li Xu's words and movements were half a beat slower than Liu Hongji's. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell at a glance that he was trying to learn from others. Several veterans were betrayed.
His clumsy movements made people laugh, but no one laughed maliciously. Everyone was nervous when they met you for the first time. Li Xu's current appearance made many people involuntarily think of themselves back then.
"Two brave men, no courtesy!" Yang Guang moved his body forward and nodded with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liu Hongji and Li Xu bowed and saluted again, then stood up straight and raised their heads, so that His Majesty the Emperor could see his face clearly without any effort.
"Are you the son of the former governor Liu Sheng? I remember that you are from Yongzhou, how come you came all the way to Liaodong to join the army?" Yang Guang looked at Liu Hongji and asked, the expression on his face was intriguing.
"Your Majesty, I want to serve my country, but I don't have good horses at home. So I went to Turks without authorization and sold some horses back with my friends. I went in such a big circle for fear of delaying my military term.
So I went to Liaodong to offer horses, hoping to catch up with the army when it sets off!" Liu Hongji thought for a while and answered very seriously.
After hearing the words, all the ministers whispered among themselves. Many people couldn't help but regret that they were so stupid. They didn't expect to sell some war horses to please the emperor. Only Wei Wensheng, the minister of punishment, and Duguxue, the minister, secretly smiled.
, only a few people in the entire court knew that the two strong men paid the bill for horses not with copper coins, but with large swords.
"You are thoughtful." Yang Guang praised Liu Hongji lightly. He turned to look at Li Xu and asked in a low voice again: "Is the friend who went with you to sell horses beyond the Great Wall the same strong man beside you?"
"Your Majesty, that's right!" Liu Hongji replied loudly, with an expression on his face that was neither humble nor arrogant.
He and Li Xu are both authentic northerners with relatively large frames. In addition, both of them have practiced martial arts, so they look much bigger than ordinary people. The war is about to begin, and the most lacking thing in the army is strong men, so the big
Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty was very pleased. When the Emperor Shengming came to the throne, he paid attention to the unrivaled talents, so the two warriors in front of him must be caught in his hands. After scanning them several times, Yang Guang turned around and whispered to
Duan Wenzhen, Minister of the Ministry of War, said angrily: "Duan Qing, do you know the crime?"
"My lord, I don't know what a big mistake I've made. Please make it clear!" Duan Wenzhen, Minister of the Ministry of War, was startled. He quickly left the class and stood in awe, respectfully asking for advice.
"If it weren't for Tang Gong's recommendation of talents, I would have missed two heroes today. As the Minister of the Ministry of War, you didn't notice that there were such loyal and upright people under your command. Isn't it a big mistake?" Yang Guang smiled and woke up the innocent Duan Wenzhen.
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It turned out that Long Live was a joke. Duan Wenzhen raised his voice in an instant and his heart immediately returned to his stomach. After thinking about it, he whispered to Yang Guang: "Return to your majesty, I remember that their names were in the military book."
.Li Yuan, the governor of Sicang, has recommended them as brigade leaders and special generals, and the Ministry of War has sent a reply, but I don’t know whether the reply has been sent to Huaiyuan in time!"
"Who is the brigade leader and who is the other general?" Yang Guang nodded and continued to ask.
"I remember that the Ministry of War's approval is that Liu Hong and Liu Hongji will be generals, and Li Xu and Li Zhongjian will be brigade leaders!" Duan Wen reported the official positions awarded to Liu and Li by the imperial court. According to the old Sui Dynasty regulations, the appointment of official positions below the fifth rank was
This was the responsibility of the various ministers and servants, and the emperor never asked about it. But today it was rare that the emperor was happy, so the ministers were not willing to go against Yang Guang's wishes and let Duan Wenzhen act according to the emperor's temper.
"Liu Hongji, Li Zhongjian, well, the words are all good!" Yang Guang nodded and commented with a smile. After thinking about it, he said angrily, "Is it possible that all my military positions in the Sui Dynasty have been fulfilled? Since General Liu is my right honorary servant,
If you have merit, why were you awarded such a small official position?"
"Your Majesty, both Liu Hongji and Li Xu were recommended by the Treasurer and Governor. I will have time to verify their talents in detail in the future!" Duan Wenzhen secretly looked at His Majesty the Emperor in front of him and replied slowly. Treasurer and Governor
One position was bitten hard by him unintentionally.
Liu Hongji was such an experienced man. Hearing the conversation between the monarch and his ministers, he quickly bowed again and declined humbly: "Your Majesty, the last general has no virtue and incompetence. The post of general who protects food and supplies is no longer useful. Please temporarily suspend it."
Keep high positions to wait for real talents."
"Oh!" Yang Guang was stunned. Since he succeeded to the throne, he had only seen people who thought his official position was too small. He had never seen someone like Liu Hongji who thought his official position was too difficult. After thinking for a while, he already understood the reason.
, waved his hands with a smile, and said: "Tang Gong Li Yuan has been supervising food for me for half a year. He has worked hard and achieved great results, so he should be promoted. Besides, I just said that I will not forget my achievements, and of course I cannot live up to my words. Dear gentlemen, what do you think I should do?
Is the job reward for Li Qing’s contribution?”
Although this sentence was asked to everyone, the people who actually had the authority to answer it were only Nayan Yangda and Su Wei, two senior ministers with high positions. Previously, Liu Hongji was unable to be promoted, and the two senior ministers already knew that it was because
Because he is directly under Li Yuan. Li Yuan is the fifth-rank commander of the warehouse, and Liu Hongji was recommended by him to be the fifth-rank general. If Liu Hongji is promoted again but Li Yuan is not promoted, the management of the grain protection army will have great problems.
Thinking of this, Nayan Yang Da went out, bowed to the emperor first, and then suggested loudly, "I think that Tang Gong works in civil affairs and is diligent in common affairs. He should fill the vacancy of Wei Shaoqing and governor Huaiyuan, Liucheng and Yanjun."
Food for the three lands!”
"Old minister seconded the proposal!" Nayan Suwei echoed loudly.
Wei Wei Shaoqing is a fourth-rank official who is usually responsible for the management of ordnance and baggage. Li Yuan takes this position as the governor of the three regions. This suggestion must be said to be prudent. Yang Guang thought for a while, and then gave the two people who agreed
The suggestion was accepted, and an imperial edict was drafted on the spot, in which Li Yuan, the treasurer and governor, was promoted to the post of Shaoqing Wei Wei, taking charge of the food and fodder for the Eastern Expedition army.
Hearing the emperor's arrangement, Li Yuan quickly stood up from the end of the line of generals and thanked him with military salutes. Yang Guang nodded, said a few words of encouragement, and then ordered him to return to work. Then, he turned his attention to Liu Hongji and Li
He looked at Xu and asked with a smile: "Liu Qing, do you dare to accept the order if I deal with it this way?"
"General, I am willing to obey His Majesty's arrangements!" Liu Hongji quickly clasped his fists in salute and agreed loudly.
"Duan Qing, in your opinion, what position should Hongji be given?" Yang Guang smiled softly, turned his head and asked the Minister of War.
"According to the merits reported in the military books, Liu Hongji first sacrificed horses, and later sacrificed his life to defend the granary and repel the dead soldiers of Goguryeo. After all his merits, he can be promoted to the rank of Chariot and Cavalry Commander!" Duan Wenzhen was very good at figuring out the emperor's thoughts and thought.
After thinking about it, he stepped forward and started playing.
"His father, Liu Sheng, was once a governor and had a reputation as a virtuous man. As the son of a virtuous minister, with the qualifications of a good general, the Chariot and Cavalry Superintendent is too young to be rewarded for his meritorious service. It is better to promote him to a Chariot and Cavalry General, and actually be awarded the title of the fifth rank, to command.
What do you think of the officers and soldiers protecting the food supply in Huaiyuan Town?" Yang Guang thought for a while and asked.
"I think your Majesty handled it very appropriately!" Duan Wenzhen nodded in agreement.
"After seeing His Majesty treat a wise minister so kindly, who dares not to die for it!" Pei Ju, the Huangmen servant, went out to express his approval. He was the advocate of this crusade against Goguryeo and had always been favored by His Majesty the Emperor. When the ministers saw him coming forward, they also
They all expressed their approval. Although the Chariot General and the Chariot Captain are both fifth-grade military positions, their power is very different. Some people did not want to obstruct it, but considering that Liu Hongji, the Chariot General, was personally appointed by the emperor, it would not take much.
His appointment and dismissal would no longer be controlled by the Ministry of War, so he couldn't help but swallow back the objections that came to his lips.
In the envious eyes of everyone, Liu Hongji saluted and thanked him. He took the imperial edict with both hands, followed Pei Ju to the general stage, and was led to the end of the ranks of generals.
Li Yuan, who had slightly expressed his depression, turned his head with a smile and gave Liu Hongji a kind glance. Liu Hongji looked back at each other, and both of them raised their eyebrows at the same time. Their satisfaction was beyond words.
Next to the general platform, only Li Xu was left alone at the moment. Without Liu Hongji as his guide, he was a little at a loss. Fortunately, the emperor was in a good mood today and did not mind his subjects making some ignorant mistakes. He carefully examined the situation in front of him.
The Sui Emperor Yang Guang, a young man with slightly dark skin and a good build, asked kindly: "I heard someone said that you once led a hundred cavalry to defeat two thousand dead soldiers of Goguryeo. Is this the case?"
"Your Majesty!" Li Xu imitated the way the ministers responded, clasping his fists to his chest and bowing to answer, "I made a mistake and used a hundred cavalry to disperse more than two hundred dead men in black. The number of two thousand is actually
The rumors are exaggerated!”
After listening to the conversation between the two, the civil and military ministers looked at each other one after another. They had only arrived in Huaiyuan Town yesterday, and of course they had never heard of this story. In addition to being surprised, they looked at Li Xu with a little more respect.
Even his unfamiliar fist-clasping posture seemed much more pleasing to the eye.
"Oh?" Yang Guangyou exclaimed in surprise. Obviously, this was an answer he had not expected. He turned to look at the phalanx of Zuowuwei soldiers and asked in a low voice: "Li Qing, I also heard that,
Is it true that you once defeated General Qian Shixiong in a martial arts competition?"
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, I am General Qian. It was General Qian who asked me to do it on purpose. If I really do it, General Qian won't even be able to walk three times in front of me!" Li Xu's face suddenly turned red and he explained loudly. He followed Qian Shixiong.
After learning martial arts for nearly a month, he already knew how big the gap was between himself and his opponent. Therefore, he would not dare to accept the title of winner in a martial arts competition.
Seeing the young man in front of him blushing to his neck, Yang Guang felt that he was simple and cute. When he was happy, he wanted to give him a big surprise, but he didn't know what kind of official position would be more suitable. This young man is probably still
He was less than sixteen years old, and he was born as a commoner. The official position he was given was too big, which would inevitably arouse the criticism of the officials. But he was too young, and he was ashamed of his frank heart. He thought about it again and again, until Li Xu couldn't wait to wait in his heart.
Starting to tremble, he suddenly remembered a key question, raised his voice suddenly, and asked: "Since your surname is Li, are you and Tang Gong the same clan?"
"Your Majesty, the last general. The last general has the same clan as Duke Tang. According to the genealogy, he should be the junior of Duke Tang!" Li Xu thought about it and decided to answer truthfully. Since entering the food protection army camp, everyone has regarded him as Duke Li Yuan of Tang Dynasty.
nephew. After enjoying the advantage for a long time, Li Xu could not help but feel a sense of recognition for this unwarranted extra affection.
"I didn't expect that the Li family would have another talented person!" Yang Guang laughed and commented loudly.
After listening to His Majesty the Emperor's hearty laughter, Li Yuan hurriedly left the office and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, although Zhong Jian and Wei Chen are from the same clan, they are far apart and have never met each other. It was when he arrived in the army that I became a minister.
I know he is a junior Weichen!"
"Well, no matter whether he is your junior or not, he is a rare talent. Especially his frankness, I love him very much. Duan Qing, if there is any shortage in the food protection army, let Li Lu lead one to fill it. Yes.
The truth is that father and son are going into battle, don't separate him from Li Shaoqing!"
"Li Zhongjian is a son of a good family. He has the merits of sacrificing horses, training troops, and defeating sneak attackers. If the three merits are accumulated, he should be promoted to the rank of captain of the food protection school!" Duan Wenzhen looked at Yang Guang and then looked at him again.
Li Yuan started playing carefully.
"It's a pity that the child's surname is Li!" After listening to Duan Wenzhen's suggestion, Nayan, Yang Da and others couldn't help but shake their heads slightly. His Majesty the Emperor's love for young people comes from the bottom of his heart. If not for his last sentence, his answer was unholy.
I am afraid that there will be another young general in the court from now on.
Since the founding of the Sui Dynasty, martial arts has been illustrious. From princes and nobles to ordinary people, everyone is proud of practicing martial arts. For decades, young generals have made great achievements and have been the story of the government and the public. There was the former King of Jin, General Yang Shuang, and later there were Luo Yi, Bu
Lu Bing, if there is another Li Zhongjian, the daughters of many families will have another target to choose after returning from the expedition to Goryeo.
"What a pity!" Duguxue, the Minister of Punishment, also sighed in his heart. He was also a brave man who sacrificed his horse, but Liu Hongji never forgot his old master and was a loyal and righteous man in the eyes of the emperor. Just because Li Xu had the same surname as Li Yuan, he got completely opposite results.
This power of heaven is really a bit unpredictable!
"This kid, it's a good thing that I remind him to pay attention to his words!" In the ranks of military commanders, the old general Mai Tiezhang kept sighing in his heart. Telling the truth is a virtue, but the first priority in officialdom is to curl up the tongue to communicate with others. This skill cannot be learned.
Yes, he will never be able to stand up in the officialdom. After thinking about it, the old general felt relieved again. This kid is as good as jade and his position is too high, which may not be a good thing for him. If you get more experience below, maybe your future achievements will be even greater.
big.
"My lord, I would like to express my gratitude to Your Majesty for your great kindness!" Under the complicated gazes of the crowd, Li Xu, who had no idea that he had been ups and downs in the officialdom, happily thanked His Majesty the Emperor. He couldn't help but feel excited while holding the still-stained petition in his hands.
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I finally became a captain. Although I was an auxiliary soldier, I couldn't compare with the Tigers and Horses. After all, this was a good start.
All roads start with the first step. Without the first step, there is no ending. With sincere gratitude, the young man thought with great ambition. (To be continued)