The first person to express his opposition was the Duke of Sidon, the Imperial Minister of Justice. "Your Majesty, I think it is absolutely impossible. Local military and political control makes the power of the central government too great, and it is difficult for the central government to control it. Once power is given to inhumane persons, the empire will suffer too much loss." ah."
"My son also agrees with Lord Sidon. The geographical location in the northwest is very important. We must not allow another Lin family to appear. Otherwise, it will become another serious problem for the empire. Father, please think twice." Situ Tai also He had no choice but to come out to express his opposition. Originally, he was unwilling to offend Li Wufeng, who was now at the height of his power, but the northwest was related to his own interests, so he had to come forward to remonstrate.
"Yes, we have learned the lessons of the Lin family. We cannot be careless. Although Li Wufeng has made great contributions, we can praise him in other ways. This Jiedushi post is of great importance and should be undertaken with caution." The always mature and prudent Imperial Vice-President Duke Ning Yuanping, the Minister of Administration, also disagreed. Since Zhu Canglin, the Minister of Administration of the Empire, passed away due to illness three years ago, the highest administrative position in the Empire Central Committee has been vacant. He is acting as the agent for the affairs of the General Administrative Office. His words are quite weighty.
"But a few years ago, this northwest region was not so eye-catching. At that time, it seemed that the Luobi people could come and go freely there, but we seemed to turn a blind eye and avoid talking about it. Now Li Wufeng has defeated foreign enemies for the empire and regained lost territory. Some people On the other hand, he is doubting his loyalty. This is really a bit funny. Do you have to let the Luo Bei people or Sun Yuanliang, the lackeys of the Si Luo people, take over the empire?" Situ Biao did not care about the opinions of the ministers present at all. Feelings, unscrupulously mocking opponents in a mocking tone.
Sun Yuanliang of Yinchuan Prefecture is also an eternal pain in the heart of the empire. Eighteen years ago, the empire changed the candidate for the city guard of Yinchuan Prefecture. Unexpectedly, Sun Yuanliang, the city guard at the time who had already colluded with the Sisluo people, refused to be transferred and replaced the new city guard who came to take office. The Sisi Luo people also took the opportunity to station troops on the northwest border with the intention of annexing Yinchuan Prefecture. The empire also sent troops westward. However, the Kaman people also stepped in and reached an agreement with the Sisi Luo people. Once the empire sent troops to Yinchuan, the west Luo people would The Si Luo Empire and the Kaman Empire will jointly send troops to Yinchuan. In this case, because the empire is not ready to go to war with the Si Luo Empire and the Kaman Empire at the same time, and Sun Yuanliang also wrote to the Empire Central Committee, Willing to obey the leadership of the empire, Yinchuan Prefecture is still an indivisible territory of the empire. In the end, the empire had to reach a compromise with the three parties. The empire will not use troops in Yinchuan Prefecture, and no soldiers from the Sislo Empire and the Kaman Empire will set foot in Yinchuan. Otherwise, it will be regarded as breaking the agreement.
The imperial emperor Situ Mingyue, who was in his prime at the time, regarded this incident as a lifelong humiliation and vowed to wash away this shame. However, things have changed. More than ten years have passed, and Sun Yuanliang's relationship with the Sisluo people has become closer. , the relationship with the empire has become increasingly estranged, and the empire has no way to deal with Yinchuan Mansion. In addition, in recent years, the Luobei people have invaded wildly, and the entire northwest region has been in a semi-occupied state. The empire is even more powerless. This has become a An open secret.
Unexpectedly, Situ Biao uncovered the scar without any scruples. Many ministers present looked at His Majesty the Emperor in unison, but His Majesty did not seem to care. In fact, Situ Mingyue was not angry at all, but in the face of such a severe situation, His Highness and others could not come up with a good solution. Although what Situ Biao said was a bit harsh, it was very reasonable. If you think about it carefully, it is not impossible. Accepted.
Seeing that the ministers were somewhat unable to accept his opinions, and even his father was silent, Situ Biao increased his tone, "Isn't what I said the truth? In the past few years, the Northwest County, in addition to Taixuan Palace, was really controlled by the empire. Apart from our hands, which of the other five prefectures are really in our hands? The trade routes in the northern part of the empire were blocked, and domestic goods could not be exported. As a result, many merchants went bankrupt, and the prices of goods imported from the outside world increased several times. The common people complained. I believe Everyone feels that it was not easy for Li Wufeng to defeat the Luobi people, and a new atmosphere appeared in the northwest. You can take a look, what is the situation in Qingyang and Jinzhou under Li Wufeng's jurisdiction? What is the situation in Guide and Bonan? Now Sun Yuanliang of Yinchuan Prefecture is sharpening his sword with the support of the Xisluo people. His ambition is obvious and the situation is at stake. But we are still here hesitating about whether Li Wufeng is suitable for the post of Military and Political Envoy of Northwest County. If we continue to make decisions, we will be subject to chaos. If we do not make a decision, we will regret it too late whether Guide and Bonan fall into the hands of the rebels or are captured by Sun Yuanliang and the Sisluo people. Father, you must read this. Clear the situation."
Situ Biao's words not only aroused waves in the hearts of the ministers, but also resonated in the hearts of Situ Mingyue. Yes, the northwest fell a few years ago, and almost all ministers were taboo about mentioning the word northwest. , no one cared about it in court meetings, and was deeply afraid of being sent to the northwest region to serve. Once upon a time, the northwest county became popular. The remote area that no one cared about in the past is now afraid of others taking power. It is really disturbing. People don't have a taste. It seems that His Highness and these people all have their own plans and have not thought about my country and the country at all. Thinking of this, Situ Mingyue felt a sense of boredom in her heart. Looking at His Highness, a group of ministers who were originally quite pleasing to the eye, she suddenly felt I find it indescribably disgusting.
Seeing that there were still people who wanted to refute Situ Biao's opinions, Situ Mingyue waved her hand impatiently to stop: "Very good, Biao'er, I don't see that you have such a profound view of the situation in the northwest. You are far better than some who can only talk but can't help me." The guy who shares the worries is much stronger. According to your opinion, I will appoint Li Wufeng as the Military and Political Envoy of the Northwest County to take charge of the northwest affairs. However, I hope that he can take back the sovereignty of Yinchuan Prefecture in my lifetime, and I will not be in vain. Biao'er, my father will make you the Imperial Envoy. You go to the northwest to announce my appointment on my behalf, and order him to rectify the army immediately and put down the rebellions in Guide and Bonan as soon as possible. Pay attention to him to take strict precautions. Xi Luo and Sun Yuanliang, the traitor."
"My son, I obey!" Situ Biao happily accepted the order.
Unexpectedly, His Majesty the Emperor made a decision so easily. Some people originally wanted to dissuade him, but they heard His Majesty the Emperor's unkind tone and secretly retracted his words. Situ Mingyue glanced at His Highness's ministers with a sinister look, and announced his resignation expressionlessly.
The ministers who exited from His Highness were talking a lot, gathering in twos and threes to talk about the major events that took place in the court meeting today. The Imperial Deputy Minister of Administration Ning Yuanping and the Minister of Justice Sidon were quite dissatisfied with the Minister of Military Affairs He Zhiqiu who had not spoken. He Zhiqiu lowered his head: "Master He, why are you silent today? In the past few days, you have played the leading role in this situation?!"
Raising his indifferent eyes, He Zhiqiu replied sarcastically: "Master Ning, Master Sidon, a few times ago, my subordinates proposed that some troops from the Western Military Region or the City Guards be sent to the northwest. Didn't you all strongly oppose it?" Why are the troops in the hinterland of the empire empty, the local situation unstable, and there is a fear of changes, so it is not appropriate to mobilize them? Well, you have to come up with a plan to solve the northwest problem. If you can't come up with one, and you don't agree with the opinions of the military, then you can only adopt it. The opinion of His Highness the Sixth Prince."
He Zhiqiu's rhetorical question choked the two of them up and they couldn't speak. Seeing the embarrassed look of the two of them, He Zhiqiu also sighed, "The matter has come to this, there is no point in talking more. Your Majesty has already made a decision, so we don't need to think about it anymore. I hope Li Wufeng can bring good luck to the empire." Although he had different starting points from most people such as Ning Yuanping, Xidun, and Situ Tai, He Zhiqiu still disagreed with the emperor's appointment of Li Wufeng as the military and political envoy of the northwest county. . However, He Zhiqiu also knew that Situ Biao's words deeply touched His Majesty the Emperor's heart, and Situ Biao's suggestion should be the most effective solution to the problem in the northwest at present. The only worry is that this Li Wufeng is young. He has so much power despite being young. Is he a great hero who brings hope to the empire, or...? He Zhiqiu looked at the desolate autumn colors of the imperial capital under the setting sun, unwilling or daring not to think about it further.
The restless day passed like this. The astonishing performance of His Highness Six Highnesses in the court meeting was immediately noticed by those who were interested, and there were some new changes in the court. However, there are also many people who can't sleep at night. In addition to Li Wufeng's promotion, there is also Situ Biao's abnormal performance. The originally very clear image has become a little blurry in the eyes of everyone. Is it an accidental witty comment, or is it that it has been hidden for a long time and now its true face is revealed? Many people are thinking about this question.
Thousands of miles away, I still don't know about the change in my position, but I am also sensitive to the drastic changes in the surrounding situation. Maybe my fate will turn around at that moment.
"Fortune always favors those who are far-sighted." Excerpted from "Quotations of the Emperor of the Empire".
On October 6, I officially announced the establishment of the Qingyang Third Garrison Division, with Kang Jianguo as the division commander and Yuchibin as the deputy division commander. 20,000 people were selected from the Qingyang Prefecture reserve personnel to form two light troops. An infantry regiment, a heavy cavalry regiment, and a light cavalry regiment. I also transferred 5,000 Gaoyue tribesmen from Jinzhou Prefecture reserve personnel to form a heavy infantry regiment for the Qingyang Third Guard Division. The transfer of reserve personnel from a foreign county to another county's security force has obviously violated the regulations of the Imperial Ministry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, since I have never served as the city guard of two prefectures, there has never been a precedent. In addition, The officials under my command have long regarded me as their only loyalist, so my orders were carried out without any hindrance. At the same time, I also want the staff of the combat readiness departments of the two governments to take advantage of this great victory in the northwest to increase publicity efforts. On the one hand, they can consolidate the image of the army among the people, and on the other hand, they can also attract more knowledgeable people to join the army.
On October 11, forty officers who went to the Imperial Military Academy to study the year before last returned safely after graduation. In addition to these forty officers, Dean Williams also recommended twenty-three officers from other units to join him. When I arrived, this was a timely help. I was worried about the serious shortage of mid-level and grassroots officers. I was overjoyed and immediately held a grand welcome banquet. At the meeting, I encouraged the officers to go into battle to fight the enemy bravely and make meritorious deeds. I once again reiterated that I am here to only watch. Talent and merit, regardless of origin, nationality, race or otherwise, again won a warm welcome from the officers. Because they also had a premonition that I would soon launch a new round of offensive. As for who the opponent was, they were not sure.
These officers were immediately enriched into five divisions, especially the Qingyang Third Guard Division, which made other divisions think that I was partial. Many people have held positions at the level of deputy commander, group captain, and squadron leader, and some have even held positions at the level of commander. Among them, the former leader of the Purple Turban Bandits, Mao Jin with a spotted face, served as the Third Guard Division of Qingyang He Lianbo, the captain of the Regiment's Second Light Infantry Regiment and the leader of the Black Tigers, was appointed by me as Liang Chongxin's deputy—the deputy division commander of the Jinzhou First Guard Division. My act of disregarding previous suspicions also won the second prize. A person's undying loyalty.
As for the officers from other troops who came to serve, on the one hand, I extended a warm welcome and arranged appropriate positions in the army. On the other hand, I also arranged for people to notify Gu Ji, who was far away in the imperial capital, of the names of these people. He checked the details of these twenty-three officers for me in detail to prevent people with ulterior motives from being assigned by others to infiltrate my army.