The horse's hoofs stepped on the stone slabs of the palace, making a crisp sound. Hou Junji's thoughts gradually returned to the past along with the sound of the horse's hoofs.
Hou Junji is not as square as his square face. In his early years, he was more exaggerated. He could not learn bow and arrow, and he claimed that he was capable. To put it simply, in his youth, he was a reckless man with only muscles in his head.
During the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, he had no food to eat, so he joined the army and joined the Prince of Qin's Palace. His qualifications were relatively senior. But he was incomparable to Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, etc. His status in the Prince of Qin's Palace was similar to that of a guard captain.
That's all because he relied on his own bravery and fought with his life to achieve military exploits.
His starting point was low, so although he had made great achievements, he had never been able to enter the center. However, Hou Junji was not discouraged or resentful. He felt that Li Shimin was good enough to him, and he was also loyal to Li Shimin and worked hard with all his heart.
God will not treat those who are well prepared, and finally allowed him to wait for the opportunity. In the ninth year of Wude, the conflict between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng intensified. Li Jiancheng failed to win over Yuchi Gong, so he sent someone to assassinate him. The assassination failed, and Yuchi Gong was not easy to deal with.
In anger, he who originally adhered to neutrality joined Li Shimin's faction and asked Hou Junji to send a message to persuade Li Shimin to make up his mind to end things with Li Jiancheng as soon as possible.
Therefore, the generals, Hou Junji and Yuchi Gong, can be regarded as taking the lead.
During the Xuanwumen Incident, Hou Junji led three hundred troops to fight against the prince's left and right commanders. He was wounded in more than ten places. He was like a bloody man who really risked his life. Li Shimin did not treat him badly and removed him from his chariot.
The general was promoted to the general of Qianniuwei, the marquis was promoted to the duke, and he was given the title of Qianhu, responsible for guarding the imperial city.
Just looking at the rewards after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Hou Junji is no worse than anyone else.
But after this incident, the gap became apparent.
Except for the civil and military officials who participated in the Xuanwumen Incident, such as Yu Chigong, Gao Shilian and others who took a back seat, all the others were further reused in the following years. For example, Changsun Wuji, Tianguan of the Ministry of Civil Affairs,
Fang Xuanling, Shangshu Zuopushe, and others are the same, they are all important central positions with real power.
Hou Junji couldn't stop thinking. According to his thoughts, he was only ranked below Yuchi Gong among the achievements of military generals in the Xuanwu Gate incident. Since Yuchi Gong had retreated to the second line, then Hou Junji must be the first. Center.
Which position among important positions is worthy of him?
Hou Junji thought about it over and over again, but the position of Minister of the Ministry of War seemed to be tailor-made for him.
That’s it! Confirmed, it’s the Minister of War!
But the development of things was like a basin of cold water poured on his head. First, the former king of the Prince's Palace, Wei Zheng became a counselor in the court, and the king even became a minister and became the prime minister. This is okay, after all, he is a civil servant, and there is no such thing as a minister.
Relationship. But someone among the military generals also jumped out and snatched away the post of Minister of the Ministry of War that he regarded as his prize!
Li Jing! Ob, who was on the edge during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, how could he be so virtuous and capable as to dare to occupy the position of Minister of War?
Hou Junji is not convinced!
However, out of loyalty to Li Shimin, Hou Junji did not speak out, but kept it in his heart. But what happened next greatly stung his self-esteem.
Suddenly one day, Li Shimin summoned Hou Junji. Hou Junji came to see him excitedly, but saw that Li Jing was also there, and his face turned ugly for a moment. But Li Shimin was very happy, and he said to Hou Junji, I invite you to come today.
, I want you to worship Li Jing as your teacher and let Li Jing teach you the art of war.
How can Hou Junji be willing to do anything? Although he is about ten years younger than Li Jing, he feels that he is of the same generation as Li Jing. We all serve as generals in the same dynasty and are all Dukes of the country. Why should I worship you as my master?
The atmosphere became tense for a moment, and finally Li Jing spoke up himself, saying that the art of war could be taught and there was no need to become a disciple, and he just wanted to avoid complaints.
Hou Junji still wanted to refuse, but then he thought again, if you don't follow His Majesty's arrangement, he will definitely make Long Yan furious. And he also knows in his heart that Li Jing's military skills are indeed powerful, and it would be a good thing if he can learn them.
One pile.
So he agreed. Hou Junji handed over the task of guarding the imperial city to his successor Cheng Yaojin and began to learn the art of war from Li Jing.
This study lasted for three months. These three months were the most frustrating three months for Hou Junji in his life. These three months made him clearly realize the gap between him and Li Jing, and they arranged their troops accordingly.
He never defeated Li Jing in formations, plans and military exercises. The most important thing was that Li Jing won very easily every time. Hou Junji looked at Li Jing's calm face and felt deep ridicule.
He was like a child trying to challenge an adult. He tried his best every time and finally got close, but as soon as he raised his leg, he kicked him.
This deep sense of frustration made Hou Junji a little autistic. Finally, one day three months later, he couldn't stand it anymore and ran to Li Shimin to file a complaint. He told Li Shimin that he said that Li Jing was deceiving the emperor.
Although he promised to teach the art of war, he refused to explain every detail clearly, with ulterior motives! When Li Shimin heard about it, he was also very unhappy. He asked Li Jing to teach Hou Junji the art of war, just like the training before being promoted to future generations.
You want to cultivate Hou Junji, but Li Jing refuses to teach it sincerely. What does this mean? Are you worried that Hou Junji will affect your status?
Li Shimin scolded Li Jing, but Li Jing replied: "Now that the Central Plains is stable, the military art I gave to Hou Junji is enough to control the four barbarians. Now Hou Junji is studying the art of war from all his ministers, and he will have extraordinary ambitions."
Li Shimin naturally didn't believe it, but he didn't force it. The matter was left alone. The news reached Hou Junji's ears, and the feud between the two was concluded. From then on, Hou Junji regarded Li Jing as a thorn in his side.
, Everything must be compared with him, and every time he compares, he becomes three points more depressed. Because he found that in Li Shimin's heart, he was not as good as Li Jing in every way!
Last year, the imperial court finally decided to fight a decisive battle with the Turks. Li Shimin appointed Li Jing as the chief general, and Li Jing appointed Li Ji as the deputy general. Hou Junji was unwilling to be left behind and took the initiative to ask for military service, but he did not even get the position of general manager of the march. What is even more disturbing is that
, he was originally the one who guarded the imperial city. He went to study the art of war, so he handed it over to Cheng Yaojin. Now that he has nothing to do with marching and fighting, he wanted to get his original job back, but it didn't work out.
Back!
He was a reckless man, Cheng Yaojin was even more reckless, and Cheng Yaojin was shameless. When he sued Li Shimin, a general like Cheng Yaojin was rolling around on the ground... Hou Junji really couldn't let go of this face, and in the end
Naturally, the result was that he did not come back from his errand. He was exchanged with Cheng Yaojin and was responsible for training troops in the garrison outside the city. Li Shimin seemed to feel sorry for him, so he changed his title to Chen Guogong and rewarded him with some land.
But how can this make up for Hou Junji's inner trauma? He doesn't care what he is called, what he wants is to fight on the battlefield, what he wants is to become famous, what he wants is military glory!
Training troops? This is an errand that even a cavalry general would not do!
Hou Junji was completely autistic.
He thought back to the past few years, when he stopped working with Li Shimin and changed his mind to a job of training soldiers. What was he doing? He was simply stupid!
The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became. Hou Junji handed over the military training to his lieutenant, and spent every day in the camp just drinking to drown his sorrows. He knew about Li Ji's triumphant return, but he pretended not to know, and he had no face to see Li Jing's army.
Triumph, he also knew it, but he still pretended not to know, because he didn’t want to see that face!
He was so depressed, blocking out everything from the outside world, and kept squatting in the camp drinking. Until yesterday, the edict came, and the Minister of War, this position that he dreamed of, finally belonged to him, Junji!
However, good news spread in the delivery room, and Li Jing was promoted.
He is now the prime minister!
In other words, it was Li Jing who resigned from the post of Minister of War, and it was my turn, Hou Junji!
Why! Why! Why!!
Hou Junji yelled at the imperial edict for half an hour before he felt relieved. He really wanted to return the imperial edict, but he still couldn't bear it. After struggling all night, he squatted in the military camp.
After almost a year, Hou Junji, who was almost stinking, finally returned to his residence, washed himself up, went to the palace early to express his gratitude.
He finally got the privilege of riding a horse and riding a carriage in the imperial city, a privilege only reserved for important ministers.
But why is fate so tricky? Just when he was about to enjoy the pleasure of galloping horses in the imperial city, a young man galloped away in front of his eyes.
A young man!
juvenile!
Hou Junji suddenly felt a little heartbroken. He felt that he had lived like a dog for half his life. Compared with Li Jing, it was just that he couldn't compare. Why did another young man appear now?
Prince?
no!
Nowadays, there are only three princes over ten years old: Prince Li Chengqian, King Wu Li Ke, and King Li Tai of Yue. The prince lives in the East Palace, the King of Wu is already a vassal, and the King of Yue has his own palace. Moreover, because of his weight, the King of Yue never rides a horse, only rides
Che. This young man must not be a prince.
Hou Junji had no choice but to ask. The school captain guarding the gate was once his subordinate, so he naturally knew everything.
Zhuluhou Li Mu?
Hou Junji searched his memory and remembered who this person was. Although he was staying in the Tunwei camp and could not come out, the news from the court was naturally reported to him. But he had always been discouraged and didn't care much.
Li Mu, Marquis of Zhulu, was the man who found the imperial seal, brewed three cups of wine, and went to war with Wei Zheng.
Hasn't he already resigned? How can he still ride in the imperial city? Besides, even if he has not resigned, why should he ride in the imperial city?
Where is his hair?
Hou Junji did not attend yesterday's opening of Heaven and Earth, so he didn't know anything. There were question marks above his head, and no one in the imperial city could give him answers at this time.
Finally arriving at the gate of the palace, Hou Junji got off the carriage and stretched his legs. If he had not been promoted to Minister of War, due to his status, he would definitely ride a horse instead of riding a car. Riding in a car was too slow and did not suit his temper.
Walking to the gate of Tai Chi Hall, when he saw Eunuch Gao, Hou Junji quickly took out a purse from his sleeve and handed it over without revealing any trace. Both of them were old people in the Qin Prince's Palace and had known each other for a long time, but "rituals" were not allowed.
No matter, Hou Junji still understands the rules.
Eunuch Gao accepted it with a smile and said: "Mr. Chen is here to express his gratitude. I'm afraid you will have to wait for a while. His Majesty is currently meeting with Marquis Zhulu."