"Old Duke...!" Huangfu Zheng was surprised, but he immediately understood that in this situation, Sima Lan had no choice.
In the eyes of the ministers, Sima Lan was an auxiliary minister. It was precisely because of this status that he was able to control the government. Now the emperor asked him a question. It seemed to be a simple question, but it had a deep meaning.
If Sima Lan persuaded the emperor in public not to grant the title because of his personal prejudice against Qing Ning, it would be like teaching the emperor to go against his promise.
The most important duty of the auxiliary minister is to help the emperor maintain discipline. If the emperor violates the laws of his ancestors or even fails in his moral conduct, as the auxiliary minister, he will naturally try his best to dissuade the emperor and prevent him from acting arbitrarily.
If Sima Lan had immediately persuaded Longtai when he issued the order, he might have been able to withdraw his order. However, when Sima Lan did not stop him when he issued the order, then he had acquiesced to the emperor's order. Now that Qining has successfully trained the horse, if To stop him would, firstly, encourage the emperor to renege on his promise and treat the imperial edict as nothing. Secondly, it would also make everyone think that the prince of the town was seeking revenge for personal gain. In this case, his prestige would inevitably plummet and his reputation would be greatly damaged.
Everyone knew that Sima Lan never wanted to see Qining actually be made a Duke, but in this case, he had to follow the emperor's wishes to show his selflessness as a loyal minister of the country.
"The Holy One has already made a decree. Since there was no one to advise him just now, you all naturally acquiesced." Sima Lan looked solemn and mature: "The emperor's words are as heavy as Mount Tai, how can you regret it?"
When the ministers saw Sima Lan's righteous speech, some secretly laughed in their hearts.
"Although Jin Yihou is young, you all have seen today that he is extremely brave and has astonishing skills." Sima Lan said slowly: "Moreover, three generations of the Jin Yi Qi family have made supreme contributions to our great Chu. Even if I fail to tame the horse today, the Holy Spirit will grant me the title of Duke, and I think it’s okay.”
Longtai said: "I am very pleased that my father-in-law is loyal to the country." He looked at Qining and said: "Qining, based on your qualifications, you should not be named a duke, but since I have made the decree, naturally I will not. You will break your own words." He thought for a moment and then said: "Qining listens to the order!"
Qin Ning knew very well that if it hadn't been for today's opportunity, he would have never had the chance to become a duke in another ten or eight years. But today, by chance, he unexpectedly became a duke. Of course, he knew that this was not a bad thing. Without saying a word, he knelt down and said, "I accept the order!"
"Qi Ning, the lord of Jin Yi, is brave and has accumulated many merits from his ancestors. He is now crowned as... Lord Protector of the Country!" Longtai looked solemn: "But I hope you will do more for the country. Don't live up to the reputation of the Jin Yi Qi family, let alone mine." expect!"
Qi Ning immediately said: "I accept the decree and thank the Emperor for his kindness. I must work hard to serve the court and repay the Emperor for his kindness!"
Longtai raised his hand and said: "Get back on your feet!" After Qi Ning got up, he said: "When Emperor Taizong was trapped, the Jinyi Old Marquis took off his clothes and offered them to Emperor Taizong, willing to suffer the cold. The Jinyi Old Marquis's loyalty was so inspiring. Feeling." He said to Liu Wei beside him: "Bring me my casual clothes!"
The ministers looked at each other in confusion, but Liu Jin quickly took out a piece of brocade silk casual clothes and said Longtai: "I will also give you a brocade dress today. I only hope that when you see the brocade dress, you will think of the loyalty of the old Marquis."
Liu Wei presented the brocade robe to Qi Ning, who took it with both hands and said respectfully: "I will live up to the great hope of the Holy Emperor!" He carefully held the brocade robe and retreated. The Jinghong horse was also temporarily held by the eunuch.
The surrounding ministers thought to themselves that today is the first day of autumn hunting, but Qining has already achieved a lot. Not only did he get a rare horse, but he was also named the Protector of the Country and given brocade clothes. Such honors, It's really rare.
"My dear friends, Jinghong has been acquired by Qin Ning, and there is still a black flash that has not been tamed. Is there anyone among you who is willing to give it a try?" Longtai looked around at the ministers: "I missed this opportunity. I will find this one next time. It’s not easy with a good horse.”
Although some people are unwilling to do so, they also know that if they go out at this time, they are undoubtedly asking for trouble.
Chi Fengdian went out to train the horse, but fell short. If he went on the field at this time, it would be embarrassing to lose. If he won, it would be like slapping Chi Fengdian in the face and offending the commander of the Guards for a horse. No matter how you calculate it, it is a loss-making transaction.
Moreover, the emperor has sent people to summon the three powerful generals, but the intention is also very obvious, that is, to let the three powerful generals try to show their skills. In this case, there is no need to make do with it any further.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Long Tai said: "In that case, all my dear friends, please leave first. I am also tired. I will come back when Chu Cangge and the others come."
At that moment, the emperor went back to his tent surrounded by the palace people. The officials saw him off and dispersed.
Qi Ning took the Jinghong horse and was very happy. He thought to himself that if there was any emergency in the future, this Jinghong could come in handy. He just rode Jinghong around in a circle. It was really galloping like lightning. Far beyond the reach of ordinary horses.
He secretly thought that if he could tame the black flash, he didn't know if two horses could be tamed together
Such a BMW is really worth a thousand pieces of gold. When the time comes, I can keep one and sell one, which will be really cool.
But he also knows that if this is really the case, it will definitely offend everyone. Given the current situation, it is better not to offend many others.
"My lord, I would like to congratulate my lord on the BMW." Qi Ning was about to mount his horse and ride around for a while when he heard a voice coming from behind. He didn't react at first, but soon realized that he was already protecting the country. Gong, when I turned around, it was Dou Kui.
Qi Ning has never had a good impression of Dou Kui as a person. Now this person is submissive to him because he relies on his big tree to protect him from wind and rain. However, today this guy is the first to stand up and ask the emperor to grant him a title. It was not easy for Dou Kui, so he smiled and said, "Master Dou, I have to thank you today."
Dou Kui, of course, was referring to what Qin Ning was referring to, and said hurriedly: "Don't dare, the Duke is making fun of you." He came forward and praised: "It is indeed a peerless horse that can be encountered but cannot be sought. This stunning horse Only a figure like the Duke can control it."
Qi Ning smiled and said: "If it is not a gift from the emperor, and Master Dou likes it, I can just give it to you."
"The Duke is joking." Dou Kui said with a smile: "I don't have the courage to ride on such a horse." Looking around, he saw the ministers scattering in twos and threes, and whispered: "My Lord, this autumn this year Hunting is really special. In previous years, we hunted in teams and never tamed horses. This year, not only did we tame horses, but the emperor also summoned Chu Cangge and the others. This... is a new scene."
"New atmosphere?" Qining held the horse's reins with one hand and stroked Jinghong's soft mane with the other, and chuckled: "Master Dou, you seem to have something to say."
Dou Kui whispered: "My lord, I believe that this autumn hunt is not only to boost morale, but the emperor also wants to select some brave generals for the Northern Expedition."
"oh?"
"Forgive me for speaking frankly, General Qi has passed away, Duke Yi is old, and there are not many generals available in the court." Dou Kui said softly: "Even the Commander-in-Chief of Donghai Navy Tantai has been killed. In this way, the real It seems that the only general who can act alone is General Yue Huanshan."
"General Yue also has a group of brave generals under his command. If we really want to make the Northern Expedition, they will all be men who are accustomed to fighting." Qi Ning said with a smile.
Dou Kui hesitated for a moment and then said: "My lord, I said a few words that I shouldn't have said. I hope your lord will not blame me."
"You and I have nothing to be polite about." Qining said, "If you have anything to say, just say it."
Qi Ning's attitude was kind, and Dou Kui looked slightly relaxed, and then he said softly: "My lord, I don't know if you know that whenever a war is imminent, the imperial court will send some generals to the front line. Although it is to enhance strength, but... in fact Everyone knows that it is also to monitor the generals on the front line."
"Oh?" Qi Ning was startled: "Is there anything else?"
Dou Kui nodded and said: "Exactly. When General Qi was alive, he was loyal to the court. Whether it was Emperor Taizong or the late emperor, they all had great trust in the Jinyi Qi family. Even so, they would often send generals from the court. Officer." After a pause, he moved closer to Qi Ning and whispered: "The general Yue now took office after the death of General Qi. The Duke also knew that the situation in the court was quite chaotic at that time. , the emperor had just ascended the throne and did not care about the front line, and Yue Huanshan had always been the deputy general under General Qi. General Qi passed away, and only Yue Huanshan could control the Qinhuai Army at that time, so... In order to stabilize the front line, the imperial court We can only let Yue Huanshan command the entire army."
Qi Ning frowned slightly and said softly: "Master Dou, what do you mean by this?"
"My lord, the imperial court trusts the Jinyi Qi family, but it does not mean that it will also trust Yue Huanshan." Dou Kui sighed: "Yue Huanshan was promoted by General Qi. He is naturally grateful to the Qi family, but whether he He is also loyal to the imperial court, but... no one can explain that."
Qi Ning's face darkened and he whispered: "Master Dou, that's all for now. Do you know that if your words are spread to General Yue's ears, it will be a life-or-death feud."
"My lord, in front of others, I can't say a single word to you." Dou Kui sighed softly, "But here, my lord, I still have to make it clear."
Qi Ning hesitated for a moment and then said: "If the court doesn't trust General Yue, then in this Northern Expedition... will he be the leader?"
"Changing generals on the spot will affect the morale of the army. The court will not do this unless it is absolutely necessary." Dou Kui said: "But even if Yue Huanshan is the commander in time, the court will definitely take precautions." Looking around, he saw that After making sure that no one was paying attention, he whispered: "The emperor's intention today, I would venture to guess, is probably to select a few generals to go to the Qinhuai Army to supervise Yue Huanshan."
"Sima Changshen has already gone to the Qinhuai Army. With him by his side, he will be the eyes and ears of the imperial court." Qi Ning said, "Why should we choose another general?"