Slowly putting down the express report that had been urgently forwarded from Jiangling 800 miles away, Li Xingchen was speechless for a moment.
Not many people have been granted the title of marquis at the age of twenty-two, in the past and present.
Li Xingchen had to admit that the Nanchen court, or His Majesty Chen Xu, had indeed given him a huge surprise.
However, in addition to this surprise, the "Princess Shang Lechang" in the back made Li Xingchen immediately shocked.
He was promoted to Princess Shang in one go. Chen Xu wanted to lift himself to the sky.
You must know that the consorts in the Southern Dynasties never had real power. Once they became the consorts, they could only travel around and indulge in sexual activities, and it would be difficult to continue to make breakthroughs in the officialdom.
However, now Chen Xu has broken the old rules. It is true that Li Xunchen became the consort in accordance with the decree, but he is still the general of Zhenxi and the youngest marquis of Nanchen. Bashu is still under Li Xinchen's control.
This is definitely not the power that a prince-in-law should have, and it is definitely not the position that a prince-in-law should sit in. Therefore, Chen Xu's "marriage granted by the emperor" looks like a marriage, which makes Li Xingchen feel an indescribable awkwardness.
Li Xingchen has been in this time and space for a long time. He has met all kinds of people and experienced too many power struggles. He knows who he is worthy of. He treats everyone who is close to him well and everyone who challenges him.
He dealt with all the people seriously.
Among so many people, the ones Li Xingchen felt most sorry for were probably the villagers who died tragically in the cave. His former friends and brothers, Song Fei and Zheng Qing, their bones are still in the deep pool, and Li Xingchen
I don't even have the ability to go back and burn a stick of incense.
In troubled times, human life is like a piece of grass, drifting uncertainly. Even Li Xingchen cannot completely control his fate now, so all he can do is to try his best to protect the people around him so that these people can survive in troubled times.
After establishing a foothold, Li Xingchen could do his best to calm this troubled world.
Bashu was the place Li Xingchen chose to establish his foothold. At least now that Li Xingchen had a foundation, he could safely deal with foreign enemies in the future.
But among these people, the one Li Xingchen least wanted to see, or the one she was most ashamed of, was probably Princess Lechang. The surprise when they first met on Shitou Mountain, and the life-and-death hardship of falling off the cliff on Huarong Road made Li Xingchen have a special affection for Lechang.
He couldn't tell whether it was love or admiration. He always wanted to stretch out his arms to protect this weak and stubborn woman from the wind and rain, so that she would not have many twists and turns in her life.
However, later when Li Xingchen entered Shu and was on the same level with Nanchen's court, Li Xingchen tried his best to forget the silhouette deeply hidden in his heart. He was no longer Nanchen's minister, but became Nanchen's.
The enemy, if he wants to realize his dream of unifying the world, Nan Chen is the opponent that must be defeated.
Lechang is the princess of Nanchen. Her world may not be that big, and the things she wants to protect may not be as many as Li Xinchen's, but protecting Nanchen's royal family and bloodline is what she wants to do.
When Li Xingchen desperately attacked northward, he was destined to be unable to maintain the original relationship between emperor and minister with Nanchen. At that moment, he and Lechang were already on opposite sides.
Li Xingchen knew Lechang's thoughts very well. This woman who dared to love and hate never minded expressing her attitude in the letters she exchanged. Moreover, Li Xingchen also knew that Chen Xu had promised Lechang that she would choose her husband by herself, so
Li Xingchen was always worried that Princess Lechang would do something stupid regardless of her, and she would end up being caught in the middle, so Li Xingchen simply kept thinking of ways to alienate her.
Even in the end, Li Xingchen did not reply to the letters sent by Princess Lechang. It was not until four or five letters were accumulated that he replied, citing the tense war as an excuse. Of course, this was also true, but after the war, Li Xingchen was not ready to even send letters.
There was no way to reply - no more letters were sent from Lechang after that, but Li Xingchen believed that this stubborn and silent girl must still be looking towards the west silently.
Failing Lechang's infatuation made Li Xingchen very ashamed. He didn't want to let down the world, so naturally he had no choice but to let her down.
But Li Xinchen never thought that Chen Xu would grant a marriage. He didn't know whether this was Lechang's own wish or Chen Xu's order. Even Li Xinchen didn't know how he should face this job that involved so many families.
The love of national hatred.
"Shizhong, you are so proud. His Majesty has been on the throne for so many years, but he has never granted anyone a marriage. This move is to betroth your most beloved His Highness Lechang to you. We are extremely envious." Xiao Shilian.
Said with a smile.
Li Xingchen could only smile bitterly. He had no intention of rejecting Chen Xu's marriage offer.
The marriage granted by Chen Xu to his father-in-law can slightly ease the relationship between Li Xunchen and Nanchen. At least now that Bashu under Li Xunchen is waiting for help, he doesn't want to directly go against Nanchen in a big way. If he can establish a relationship between Northern Zhou and Nanchen
It is of course the best to maintain a balance, stabilize the situation and develop for a few years with peace of mind.
With selfishness, who is willing to reject the girl he loves and let her continue to wait indefinitely?
Looking at Li Xingchen's expression, Pei Zilie realized something and couldn't help but frown and tugged Xiao Shilian's sleeve. Xiao Shilian hurriedly stopped his smile.
He knew Li Xinchen's thoughts very well. Now Chen Xu took the initiative to show his kindness to Li Xinchen, which just gave Li Xinchen the buffer and breathing space he wanted most. I wonder why Li Xinchen was not happy?
And Li Xinchen forced out a smile in an instant: "I am waiting to receive the order. Being able to receive such a commendation from the court depends on your hard work. Xinchen is not talented, so I would like to thank you in advance."
As he spoke, Li Xingchen raised his hands to the civil and military officials in the hall.
These people present are all members of Li Xinchen's team. To put it mildly, they are all Li Xinchen's confidants, and to put it worst, they are all grasshoppers on the same line. When Li Xinchen's credit book is handed over, the label of "Li Xinchen's party" will naturally be washed away from them.
It won't fall anymore.
Therefore, the officials present also smiled and returned the courtesy. In any case, the imperial court's uncharacteristically generous reward this time, no matter what the purpose, is not a bad thing after all, and everyone still hopes for promotion.
Li Xingchen then said seriously: "Mr. Gu, the envoy from the imperial court is expected to arrive soon. Mr. Gu was born in Guanglu Qing Dynasty and knows etiquette better than Mr. Gu. Can I leave the reception of the envoy to Mr. Gu?"
King Gu Ye looked around. None of the young people had much experience in this field, and indeed there was no more suitable candidate than him. So he was not unambiguous, and solemnly said: "I obey my order. Now I am the leader of Yizhou."
The governor is the chief registrant of General Zhenxi. The general can be called by his official position, but the name 'Sir' is absolutely unworthy of him."
Li Xingchen smiled and nodded to show that he understood.