Jiuxi

Chapter 880 878 [Climbing the Long Stairs]

It had been several days since the execution, but the bloody smell in the capital still seemed to have not dissipated.

More than 800 people were beheaded at one time, and they were all high-ranking officials in the court, powerful families and their direct descendants. This caused a great shock to the people in the capital. One must know that four years ago, when the Beijing army rebelled, only four prominent families were finally liquidated, which was far less involved than this time.

However, when the court gradually announced the evidence of these traitors' crimes, especially those like Li Shizhi and Fu Yangzi who had helped to instigate the rebellion of the Beijing army, no one sympathized with them anymore and their properties were confiscated and their families were exterminated. Even the upright literati who had always liked to sing a different tune in the court collectively supported Queen Ning's decision this time.

"It's still too risky after all."

Lu Tong put his hands in his sleeves and sighed softly.

He didn't go anywhere during this period. Apart from helping Lu Chen with the planning, he stayed quietly in the Duke's Mansion afterwards, not wanting to cause any trouble for Lu Chen.

Lin Jie sat opposite him and said calmly, "He doesn't have to take risks. As long as he doesn't go back to the capital, what can Li Zongben do? Even when Li Shizhi killed Li Zongben, he led his personal guards to leave the capital with the help of Xier, me and the brothers in the gang, and joined the 3,000 cavalry outside. Li Shizhi could only watch. But in this way, Lu Chen would have no way to occupy the righteous position, and could only lead the border troops to become a traitor."

"Of course I understand that."

Lu Tong sighed and continued, "It's just that when people reach middle age, they have already lost the vigor of their youth and it's inevitable that they worry about gains and losses."

Lin Jie couldn't help but sigh, "I still remember that when you secretly transported grain to Baotai Mountain, the old leader was simply amazed by you. After all, there were government troops everywhere outside Baotai Mountain at that time. If you were not careful, you would end up being crushed to pieces, and your family would also be implicated."

"Old."

Lu Tong shook his head and said, "A hero never brags about his past achievements. I am becoming more and more worried about Chen'er's future."

Lin Jie looked at him with a hint of confusion.

Lu Tong explained: "This time he thwarted the conspiracy of Li Shizhi and his followers and helped Li Zongben to avenge his hatred, which can be regarded as saving the Great Qi Dynasty again. At this time of prosperity, I can't help but wonder if this court can really accommodate such a young minister who monopolizes power."

Lin Jie frowned slightly and asked, "Is there anyone who would dare to jump out and target him now?"

"Definitely not for the time being."

Lu Tong obviously understood the rules of officialdom better than Lin Jie, and said in a deep voice: "But Chen'er can't retreat at all now, and the court is a situation where the ruler is weak and the ministers are strong. You don't have to doubt the determination of those loyal ministers. The most important thing is that the emperor is young and ignorant now, and although the queen is smart, she is a woman after all. In addition, Chen'er has been advancing and retreating in moderation during this period, so it can be relatively peaceful. However, the emperor will grow up one day. When he is sixteen or seventeen years old, Chen'er will not even be forty years old. Do you think the monarch and his ministers can live in harmony?"

Lin Jie was silent.

This trip to the capital, witnessing the entire thrilling four days, forced him to revise some of his ideas.

Killing people is indeed useful in this world, but if you want others to follow you wholeheartedly, you cannot pick up swords and guns at will. Even if you want to kill, you must do it according to the law. Just like Lu Chen ordered the execution of more than 800 criminals a few days ago. Apart from scaring some timid people, it did not cause any waves. Instead, many people said that he did a good job of killing and respected him as a meritorious pillar of Da Qi.

As Lu Tong said, although Lu Chen has not yet been conferred the title of king, he has undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of human officials, at least the power in his hands has reached this level.

Thinking of this, Lin Jie murmured, "When the time comes, I must take that step."

“That’s what worries me.”

Lu Tong sighed softly and said slowly: "My son is good in everything except that he cares too much about friendship. Li Duan promoted him from an unknown frontier general to the head of the military in those few years, and conferred him the title of the youngest marquis in the history of Da Qi. This favor is not to be underestimated, and it is normal that he has always found it difficult to give up. Being loyal and righteous is of course an excellent character of a person, but at his position, if he pays too much attention to it, it is a bit..."

Lin Jie understood what he had not said and suddenly laughed softly.

Lu Tong looked at him in confusion.

Lin Jie smiled and said, "Brother, perhaps you really don't know your son very well."

Lu Tong asked curiously: "Do you know?"

"I'm sure you don't understand as much as I do, but you're too concerned."

Lin Jie put away his smile and said seriously, "It's true that my son-in-law values ​​friendship and loyalty, but he is not the kind of pedantic Taoist who believes that if the emperor wants his subjects to die, they must die. If he really didn't care about his own safety, why didn't he stop Li Shizhi from taking action? Others may not understand, but don't you and I know that he has actually seen through Li Shizhi's conspiracy? As long as he is willing to stop it, at least Li Zongben will not die."

Lu Tong was slightly stunned.

Lin Jie said confidently: "Today is the young emperor's coronation ceremony. He will definitely be rewarded according to his merits later. Lu Chen will definitely gain the most. I believe he will not refuse. Right now, he really needs enough status to enrich the power around him."

A smile gradually appeared on Lu Tong's face, and he nodded and said, "As expected, a bystander sees things more clearly. You see things more clearly than I do."

"Because you love him too much, you respect his opinion too much. You should know that he is not alone now."

Lin Jie raised his hand and pointed at him, then at himself, and then at the outside of the flower hall, and said calmly: "Even if he really wants to be a loyal minister of the Great Qi and die in vain, you, me, Xi'er, the daughter of the Wang family, the daughter of the Li family, Jiusi, Xinyi, so many lives, aren't enough to make him change his mind?"

Lu Tong let out a long sigh and nodded, "That makes sense. We old guys should stretch our muscles and help him make some preparations in advance."

"I've been waiting for you to say this."

Lin Jie smiled cheerfully and said, "Everything is up to you."

They both raised their tea cups and saluted from a distance.

……

The 27th day of national mourning had not yet ended, but the country could not be without a ruler for a day, so at the repeated requests of civil and military officials, the only son of the late emperor, the five-year-old Crown Prince Li Daoming, ascended the throne as emperor. The two Empress Dowagers were honored as Grand Empress Dowagers, and his biological mother, Empress Ning, was honored as Empress Dowager. The reign was scheduled to be changed next year, so Dingzheng was destined to become the shortest reign title of the Great Qi Dynasty so far.

As the new emperor was too young to take power, Empress Dowager Ning was appointed as regent. After the coronation ceremony, Empress Dowager Ning and the new emperor summoned all the officials to the Duancheng Hall and announced a series of awards and appointments and dismissals.

The left prime minister Xue Nanting was given the title of Taifu and granted the title of Ronglu Doctor.

The right prime minister Xu Zuo was promoted to Shaofu, granted the title of Guanglu Dafu, and temporarily took the position of Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel.

Duke Rong Xiao Wangzhi was promoted to Shao Bao, and Duke Wei Li Tianrun was promoted to Tai Bao.

Chu Huaizhong, who had originally retired, was reinstated as the Minister of Rites and was given the title of Ronglu Doctor, responsible for the funeral ceremonies for the late emperor.

Wang An, a scholar of the Secret Pavilion, was promoted to a scholar of the Hanlin Academy.

Gao Huan, the Minister of Punishments, was transferred to the position of Minister of Revenue for his meritorious service in trying the regicide case and arresting the traitor. Yin Bo, the Left Vice Minister of Punishments, was promoted to the position of Minister of Punishments.

Minister of War Chen Xincai and Minister of Works Zhu Heng remained in their original positions.

A number of military generals were rewarded, the most eye-catching of which was Li Jingda, who was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Brave Camp.

Although there are still many vacancies in various departments of the court, the most critical positions have been taken over by capable officials, which can at least ensure the normal operation of the court. In the future, the emperor and his ministers only need to work together to appoint virtuous and capable people, and I think those problems can be gradually solved.

After more than ten days of preparation, most of the rewards and appointments announced by Empress Dowager Ning today were known to the public in advance, so the atmosphere in the palace was relatively peaceful and there were no harsh voices.

Empress Dowager Ning sat high on the dragon throne, looking around at the ministers below, and her emotions gradually calmed down.

Even though she had been preparing herself mentally for the past few days, she was still nervous when she brought Li Daoming back to the palace from the Imperial Ancestral Temple and came to the magnificent and solemn Duancheng Hall to face hundreds of officials. Fortunately, the court meeting went smoothly. Perhaps it was the deterrent effect brought by the more than 800 heads that caused all the officials to behave themselves from beginning to end.

Her eyes fell on the military honors column, and Queen Dowager Ning subconsciously cleared her throat, then said loudly: "Duke Qin."

Under the gaze of all the officials, Lu Chen calmly stepped out of his post and said, "I am here."

Queen Mother Ning said slowly: "I have lived in the harem for many years, and I also know that you have made countless contributions. Since the 12th year of Emperor Gaozong's Jianwu reign, you have devoted yourself to the army to serve the country, braved arrows and stones, and fought bravely time and time again, making great contributions to the Great Qi. In the 13th year of Jianwu, under the command of Duke Rong, you led a surprise attack on Heluo, severely crushed the enemy's spirit, directly caused the demise of the Pseudo-Yan, and greatly increased the prestige of our army and people. In the 14th year of Jianwu..."

All the civil and military officials in the court listened quietly.

In fact, they were already familiar with Lu Chen's achievements, but Empress Dowager Ning was so solemn at this moment, obviously to pave the way for the reward later.

After all, up to now, only Lu Chen, the greatest contributor, has not yet been rewarded.

Queen Mother Ning briefly described Lu Chen's previous achievements, and then said with emotion: "Li Shizhi entangled with his cliques, committed treason and murdered the emperor first, and then framed loyal and honest people, intending to spy on the imperial power and subvert the country. Fortunately, the loyal people in the court protected the royal family, and Prime Minister Li dragged his old body to kill his relatives for the sake of justice. Most importantly, Duke Qin remained calm in the face of danger and was willing to take risks to deal with them. In the end, we were able to thwart the traitor's conspiracy and prevent the rebels from succeeding. I am grateful to you forever."

Lu Chen bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I don't deserve your praise. I have received your grace many times, so I should be loyal to my country."

Today, Empress Dowager Ning is in charge of the government. Although Li Daoming, as the new emperor, is sitting next to her, Lu Chen and all the civil and military officials still have to address him as "Your Majesty". This is the rule of the court.

Queen Mother Ning nodded and said, "My dear minister, you are modest, but I cannot treat you unfairly, otherwise it would be unclear about rewards and punishments."

Hearing this, all the ministers couldn't help but prick up their ears.

Xue Nanting and Xu Zuo's expressions were somewhat serious. In fact, before today's court meeting, they had asked Empress Dowager Ning how she would reward Lu Chen, but Empress Dowager Ning did not say it clearly, only saying that she needed to think about it.

Queen Dowager Ning raised her voice slightly and said slowly, "Duke Qin, please accept the title."

Lu Chen lowered his head and said, "I obey your order."

Queen Dowager Ning looked at this minister who was two years younger than her and said word by word: "Appoint Duke Qin Lu Chen as the Prince of Huai'an, grant him the title of Grand Protector, and make him the Grand Commander of Dingzhou, and grant him the power to command the military affairs of the three states of Ding, Huai, and Jing in Jiangbei!"

Inevitably, there was a commotion in the hall.

Civil and military officials were filled with mixed emotions; they finally saw a living prince with their own eyes.

In fact, it was not uncommon for people of different surnames to be crowned kings in the history of Da Qi. Not to mention two-character county kings, there were even one-character princes. However, most of the royal titles were awarded posthumously, such as Han Lingfu's Prince of Dongyang.

If Lu Chen's title of Prince was within the expectations of some court officials, then Queen Dowager Ning's last words were completely beyond their expectations.

The year before last, when the Northern Expedition Army suffered a defeat at Kaocheng and the Jing Army marched southward in large numbers, the late Emperor also granted Lu Chen this power, but he also made it clear that he was only holding the power "temporarily". Today, Empress Dowager Ning made it very clear that this was a fixed position.

The difference of one word can make a world of difference.

Lu Chen raised his head and looked at the young empress dowager calmly.

Queen Mother Ning sensed the commotion in the palace. When some court officials expressed doubts, she said without hesitation: "My dear ministers, Jing State has already defeated Dai State's defenses. They will solve their worries and will definitely move south with all their strength. Da Qi is about to face a life-and-death situation. How can we continue to argue and hesitate? I believe in Lu Chen's loyalty and ability. Only he can lead the soldiers and defeat the powerful enemy for Da Qi!"

The hall fell silent instantly.

Queen Mother Ning stood up, looked at Lu Chen and said, "Mr. Lu, are you willing to accept the important task and make great contributions to the Great Qi?"

Lu Chen was silent for a moment, then he clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty has shown great love for me. I will do my best to live up to your trust!"

The young prince spoke with great force, but almost no one noticed that there seemed to be an indescribable meaning in his deep eyes.

(End of this chapter)