The next morning, the army set out from Changheng County to the east. When it arrived at the Guangji River in the afternoon and was about to cross the river, a cavalry team of more than a hundred riders caught up with them. The visitor was a man escorted by the cavalry imperial army in front of the Jingcheng Palace.
The imperial envoy was none other than Zhu Zhirong, the powerful official of Kaifeng Prefecture. Lin Jue and others were very surprised. How could it be that Zhu Zhirong, the powerful official of Kaifeng Prefecture, did not get the job of conveying the edict to the army?
"Lord Lin Juelin accepts the order."
After a few simple greetings, Zhu Zhirong announced the order loudly in the simple military tent with a smile on his face.
Both Guo Kun and Guo Mian were a little puzzled. It turned out that this decree was only for Lin Jue, but had nothing to do with them. This was a bit surprising.
"Lin Jue, the criminal officer of Kaifeng Prefecture, had outstanding strategy and great efforts in the recent counter-insurgency campaign. He was not rewarded due to non-military duties. This move is very unfair and goes against the principle of clear rewards and punishments. The military officers and officers jointly named Lin Jueqing
I also know that the officials of the Kaifeng Prefecture of the Zhengshitang also submitted a memorial to me, clarifying the principle of clear distinction between rewards and punishments, and not abolishing the principle of fairness. In addition, I also know the details of the battle at Yangwu. Lin Jue, as a civil servant,
He is the key person in the war who charges blood and turns the tide of the war. With such extraordinary achievements, how can we not praise him greatly? Therefore, I have specially ordered Lin Jue to come back to the capital to see me. I will commend and comfort him in person, so as to make up for the previous mistakes and bring peace to the soldiers.
Resentment, but also the heart of serving the country loyally. I admire this!"
After Zhu Zhirong announced the decree, he smiled and said to Lin Jue, who was kneeling on the ground in front of him: "Master Lin, please take the decree quickly. Master Lin is really dignified. This is the first time that I, Mr. Zhu, have seen the emperor acting alone for a sixth-grade official.
The decree was issued for the award. And the award was summoned in person. Who can match this honor? Lord Lin has made a lot of money for my Kaifeng Mansion this time. I estimate that after returning to the capital to face the saint, Lord Lin will
I am afraid that you will leave Kaifeng Mansion and take up an important position in the Central Yamen. Although Zhu is reluctant to let you leave Kaifeng Mansion, he is still happy for Mr. Lin's rapid rise. First of all, congratulations to Mr. Lin and congratulations to Mr. Lin."
Lin Jue frowned and knelt on the ground blankly, lost in thought. He seemed to turn a deaf ear to Zhu Zhirong's words.
"Lin Jue, hurry up and accept the order. Haha, this is only fair. After the Battle of Yangwu, I have been complaining about you, and the whole army has also complained about you. It seems that everyone has jointly signed a petition to plead for you, and the court understands
Come here. My father is wise and will not chill the hearts of his loyal ministers." Guo Mian sighed sincerely at the side.
Lin Jue didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and Guo Mian was still in the dark about everything. He was in a good mood during this period. Every day he took a group of literati who came from his house in the capital to congratulate, travel around the mountains and rivers, write poems and lyrics, and write poems and lyrics.
The barren mountains and rivers around Changheng County were written in a fascinating way. He also spent two days taking people back to Bolangsha to recall the battle. Those literati wrote a lot of poems praising him, describing Guo Mian as if
It's like Sun Wu was reincarnated.
Guo Mian invited Lin Jue to participate in these boring activities, but Lin Jue naturally refused. Lin Jue and Guo Kun were so busy that they had no time to hang out with them. Guo Mian thought that Lin Jue was dissatisfied with him because of his military exploits.
Today, the imperial court came with a decree, and Guo Mian was also very happy. He actually hoped that Lin Jue would be rewarded, because he knew that if it weren't for Lin Jue, he would not be as carefree as he is now.
Lin Jue finally understood why Zhu Zhirong came to announce the decree to him, because he was originally from Kaifeng Mansion, and Zhu Zhirong was his superior, so it was appropriate to send him. But suddenly he was asked to return to the capital to face the saint to receive the award, and it was Zhu Zhirong again
Coming in person to announce the decree seems too grand. If you really want to make some amends, you only need to send someone to announce the decree and directly reward him. Why send your own superior to come in person, and just read out a summary?
His intention to return to the capital gave people the impression that all this seemed extremely unusual, and that he seemed eager to return to the capital.
"Lin Jue, what's wrong? You still haven't accepted the order?" Zhu Zhirong frowned.
Lin Jue reached out to take the imperial edict, shouted long live and thanked him and stood up. In order to verify his speculation, Lin Jue asked: "Master Zhu, I don't know when I need to go back to Beijing. I want to go back to Beijing later. Is it possible?"
"
Zhu Zhirong smiled and said: "That can't be done. I came here in person to ask you to return to the capital with me. The emperor said that he should rush back to the capital immediately. The emperor is eager to see you."
Lin Jue frowned and said: "But we still have matters in the army and we can't escape for the time being. It shouldn't be a problem if we give it a grace period of ten days and a half."
"What are you talking about? You are not the leading general in the army. The affairs of the army are decided by His Royal Highness Prince Jin and the young prince Du Yuhou. Why can't you leave? What? The emperor wants to summon you in person to commend you.
You want to push back and block the situation? Don’t be ignorant of the promotion." Zhu Zhirong waved his hand.
Lin Jue continued to ask: "Master Zhu, your Majesty is so kind to me, and I certainly don't dare to ignore the compliment. I just feel a little surprised. I have no great merit, so why do I suddenly receive such an honor?"
Zhu Zhirong smiled and said: "You kid, just have fun. This time, Mr. Lu is full of praise for you. The Battle of Yangwu showed the majesty of my great Zhou Dynasty. The fight was clean and neat. What Mr. Lu said personally was that the strategy of the Battle of Yangwu was
It was a hundred times more clever than the Battle of Yingtianfu, and the results were much higher. A person with such a clever strategy must be rewarded with honors. It was Lu Xiangli who asked the emperor to summon you in person and commend you in person. You will have to ask for it after returning to the capital.
It's better to thank Prime Minister Lu. I also borrowed your honor and was praised a few times by the emperor. Prime Minister Lu told me that I must bring you back to the capital to face the emperor, and I don't dare to go against Prime Minister Lu's words."
Lin Jue's heart suddenly brightened. Zhu Zhirong spoke unintentionally, but Lin Jue listened intentionally. Especially after learning that Lu Zhongtian had visited Yingtian Mansion not long ago, Lin Jue immediately figured out the whole thing. It didn't matter that the additional troops were rejected.
Even though I was ordered to strictly guard the five counties and not return to the capital, now I have been recalled to the capital. The whole thing seems to be done in a step-by-step manner.
What is the purpose of asking yourself to return to Beijing at this juncture?
This question was answered by Guo Kun, who was standing by with his mouth agape. The answer was obvious. Lin Jue was already his reliance for Guo Kun. Now Guo Kun would discuss all matters in the army with Lin Jue and get Lin Jue's approval.
He was willing to do it with confidence. Guo Kun was originally an arrogant person, but Lin Jue's ability showed that he had to be convinced. After the case of Prince Liang drowning Kang Zizhen, Lin Jue's strategizing saved Prince Liang's mansion. Since then,
Guo Kun recognized from the bottom of his heart the fact that Lin Jue was a hundred times stronger than him. That's why he invited Lin Jue to accompany him on the expedition because he knew that having Lin Jue by his side would be of great benefit to him.
Although this was a reminder from his father at the time, it was also the true thought recognized by Guo Kun in his heart. Otherwise, with Guo Kun's arrogance and arrogance, how could he be willing to admit that he needed Lin Jue's help. Facts have proved that letting Lin Jue accompany him
How wise it was for him to go to war. He almost ruined the event. It was only Lin Jue's resourcefulness and bravery that turned defeat into victory. The victory in the Battle of Yangwu was actually a reflection of Lin Jue's personal resourcefulness and ability. Since then, Guo Kun
I no longer dare to specialize in military affairs.
But now, Guo Xu's conspiracy to borrow a knife to kill people has been revealed. The Qingjiao bandits are about to gather in the west. When a battle is inevitable, the only reason why Guo Kun can remain calm is because Lin Jue is with him.
Without Lin Jue planning by his side, Guo Kun would not know how to deal with the upcoming situation.
Zhu Zhirong is here now to take Lin Jue back to the capital? Are you kidding me? Isn't this a move to pull out the roots of the problem? With Lin Jue gone, how will the next battle be fought? So Guo Kun was listening with a face.
All green.
Guo Mian smiled and said without knowing it: "It's a good thing, it's a good thing. Lin Jue, why are you bothering with such a good thing? My father called you back to reward you. You should go back to the capital immediately."
There is no need for you to worry about the matter. Besides, the bandits are almost finished now, so there is nothing to worry about. Follow Mr. Zhu quickly. I don’t want to ruin the scenery and ruin your good deeds. I allow you to return to the capital immediately.
.”
Lin Jue rolled his eyes and flew to the sky. This Guo Mian came to add fuel to the fire at this moment, which really made people speechless.
Zhu Zhirong smiled and said: "Look, the King of Jin has said so, why are you still pushing back? Just pack up and follow me back to the capital."
Guo Kun coughed and couldn't help but speak. Lin Jue saw that he looked unhappy and hurriedly said to Zhu Zhirong: "Master Zhu has come here after a long journey, how can he not take a rest? There is no need to be in such a hurry to leave. Why should he take a rest?
In the evening, let the entourage regain their strength, and it won’t be too late to leave early tomorrow morning. I will host a banquet for Mr. Zhu tonight to welcome the wind and wash away the dust. I invite the King of Jin and the young prince to accompany me, and it will be regarded as a farewell to me. What do you think?"
Zhu Zhirong thought for a while and said: "Well, it's really a long way to go. We rode hard for three days and three nights before we arrived. The people and horses really need to rest. That's up to you. But we must set off early tomorrow morning, and I can't delay.
.The Emperor is impatient to wait, and I can’t afford it.”
Lin Jue smiled and said: "That's natural. Prince Jin, young prince, please order someone to arrange a place to stay, so that Mr. Zhu and the accompanying brothers can rest."
After the soldiers took Zhu Zhirong and others to rest, when only Lin Jue, Guo Kun and Guo Mian were left in the tent, Guo Kun could finally vent his dissatisfaction loudly.
"They are taking money from the bottom of the cauldron. This is a conspiracy. If you come back to Beijing at this time, it is obvious that I will lose my right-hand man. No, Lin Jue, you must not leave. If you leave, who will help me deal with what's next?
The situation? Absolutely not possible." Guo Kun's face turned red with excitement and he shouted loudly.
Lin Jue frowned and said, "Don't be impatient, Hou Yu, don't be so excited."
"How can I calm down? Once you leave, who will plan the next fierce battle for me? This is to kill us. This is someone in the court cooperating with Guo Xu's plan to kill with a borrowed knife. How vicious and extremely vicious!
"Guo Kun roared.
Guo Mian was completely confused. He looked at Guo Kun and Lin Jue in surprise: "What are you talking about? Why don't I understand a word? What happened? Guo Kun, isn't this a good thing? Lin
Isn't this a happy event to feel rewarded? Didn't you complain about him before?"
"What a fart! King Jin, I won't play charades with you now. Do you think that after the Battle of Yangwu, we have a guaranteed victory and can sit back and relax? This counterinsurgency is already a successful conclusion for you.
Are you waiting for the master to return to the court to accept the cheers of the people and the awards from the court?" Guo Kun shouted, staring at the confused Guo Mian.
Guo Mian blinked and said, "Isn't that so? Are there still twists and turns in the Beijing-Beijing rebellion? All five counties have been recovered. Isn't it a complete success?"
"Hmph, you think it was a complete success, otherwise you wouldn't be traveling around the mountains and rivers every day. Since the suppression of the rebellion was successful, why was your memorial requesting a withdrawal of troops and a triumphal return rejected by the Privy Council? You must stick to the territory north of Beijing.
What? Even your request to go back to Beijing alone to rest for a few days was rejected?" Guo Kun sneered.
"Isn't that... isn't it because the religious bandits on the east and west roads of Beijing have not been wiped out yet and they need our help? To prevent them from crossing the river to the west and escaping to the northwest? That is Guo Xu's matter and has nothing to do with us. We are just
It's just stationed here. I am the commander-in-chief of the army, so naturally I cannot leave without permission, as it will affect the morale of the army." Guo Mian frowned and said.
"Hey, King Jin, your thinking is too simple. Half a month has passed since the battle of Yingtianfu. Guo Xu has received reinforcements from the court. Logically speaking, he should sweep away the remaining bandits and solve the Qingjiao rebellion.
Is it over? But what is the reality? So far, he has only tested the edges and recovered only a few corner cities. Now the bandit leader Haidong Qingren is in Chengwu County and is summoning surrounding bandits to gather in Chengwu County. Guo
Xu is indifferent and has no intention of sending troops to strangle them. What do you think he is doing?" Guo Kun sneered.
"This... maybe... Guo Xu wants to catch them all in one fell swoop? Or maybe... I'm really not very good at this matter of fighting, and I can't talk nonsense. Tell me, what is he trying to do?" Guo Mian frowned.
said.
"What are you doing? He is killing someone with a borrowed knife. He wants your life and mine. Unfortunately, you are still in the dark and don't understand anything." Guo Kun sneered.
"Ah? Where do you start talking about this...this...? How is this...possible? I don't understand at all." Guo Mian exclaimed in shock.
Guo Kun said: "Where to start? We stole his limelight in the first battle of Yangwu. This time to suppress the rebellion, Guo Xu wants to gain more limelight from his military exploits than you, the eldest prince. How can he let you steal his limelight?"
So you got angry out of shame, and after taking Yingtian, you deliberately stood still and forced the religious bandits to break out to the west to cause trouble for us. Do you understand this time?"
No matter how confused Guo Mian was, he now understood it. It was not that there were no understanding people around Guo Mian. During this expedition, someone analyzed the situation with him. They told him that this expedition was related to the subsequent fight for the position of the prince, and he must not
Screwed up. Although under the somewhat partial arrangement of the court, it is impossible to overshadow Guo Xu's contribution. Because Guo Xu is the main direction of attack and will definitely be the top contributor in the future. There is no need to argue about this, and it is useless to argue. But at least
, that is, the troops led by Guo Mian must complete the counter-insurgency mission of regaining the five counties in northern Beijing. Success is a success, as long as it does not fail.
Guo Mian may have lived a casual and dandy life, but he was definitely not dispensable with the position of prince. However, he had always believed that the position of prince belonged to him since he was a child. He was born to the queen.
, and being the eldest son, the position of prince is what he deserves. It is precisely because of his own advantages that his character is more outgoing than Guo Xu. He indulges in poetry and wine. To put it nicely, he is free and easy.
To put it mildly, it was a bit indulgent. In recent years, he himself had clearly felt that his father did not like his personality and behavior, but habits had become established and old habits were hard to change, so he only restrained himself a little. But no matter what, there was one thing
He firmly believed that the court's rules for establishing a prince would not change. It was an ancestral rule to establish a direct heir, and his father would not change it easily. Guo Xu's desire to covet the position of prince was a fool's dream.
This expedition was not unaware that it was a competitive expedition. He knew that his father wanted to see who performed better between himself and Guo Xu. Although Guo Mian believed that this kind of competition was actually unfair,
Fighting is his weakness. If it was a fair competition, why not let himself compete with Guo Xu in writing articles and poems? But naturally he did not dare to raise such questions. He only hoped that everything would be safe and if the rebellion was successful, then he would have achieved his goal.
.
Facts have proved that he was lucky. Although he was scared to death in Yangwu and almost ran away, Lin Jue strategized and defeated the religious bandits. He made great achievements, annihilated the invading enemies in one fell swoop, and won the favor of everyone in the court.
Even an award from his father. How could he not be happy about this? He was very happy these days, sitting back and relaxing, traveling around the mountains and rivers. In his spare time, he gloated and told the people around him that some people wanted to compete with him for something important, but
Facts have proved that he does not have that kind of virtue at all. People who are truly virtuous don't even have to worry about themselves. God has arranged for people to share their worries and do important things well. Those unscrupulous people who do not know their own abilities will waste their time.
Even if you try your best, you will end up in failure. This is the difference between a person blessed by God and a person who overestimates his own abilities.
The people around him naturally echoed and praised Guo Mian to an unknown degree. During this period, Guo Mian would laugh out loud while sleeping and live a life of peace of mind. At this moment, he heard Guo Kun's ruthless words
When the truth came out, it was like a bolt from the blue that shattered his sweet dreams, and when he realized that a great danger was approaching, he was naturally shocked and unbelievable.
Guo Xu is really brave. According to what Guo Kun said, he was so angry because he was stealing the limelight that he actually wanted to kill someone with a borrowed knife and use the hands of the Qingjiao bandits to kill himself. This younger brother of his usually looks like
Even though he looks taciturn, he is humble in front of himself. Could he really do this? How courageous is he?
"No, no, no, you must have made a mistake. Although Guo Xu is hateful, how dare he do this? This is a brotherly feud. Does Guo Xu actually want to kill his brother? This is impossible. I don't believe it." Guo Mian.
