At the beginning, I gave up my military power with a cup of wine, and I ascended the throne

Chapter 157 Marriage Grant
"Good good."

The emperor was satisfied: "It is a good story that we both agree on this."

"I will ask the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to select an auspicious date tomorrow."

"His Majesty."

Xiao Han hurriedly said, "I may not be able to stay in the capital for a few days. Xiliang will soon start spring plowing, and there are many tedious affairs. Shangdang City has not yet been completed."

"Before I came, I received a secret report that during the spring ploughing season, the remaining grassland tribes in the west might invade Shangdang, and the Northern Wei people were also gathering heavy troops on Orange Island."

"Since the marriage has been decided, there is no need to rush. Military affairs are more important. You should return to Xiliang to take charge of military and political affairs, especially the spring ploughing. There is no time to delay."

The man on the dragon throne nodded, "Princess Ningxi is my most beloved daughter. This wedding must be announced to the world and held in a grand manner. It will take at least several months to prepare."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xiao Han thanks you.

"Retreat from the court."

"Retreat."

Gao Qian shouted at the top of his voice.

Marriage alliances are very common. Aristocratic families, wealthy nobles, and royal relatives all use marriage alliances to consolidate their power and status.

At first, Xie Xuanli wanted to marry Xie Wan'er, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei, to Xiao Han as a means of forming an alliance, but both of them were unwilling, so he had to give up.

There is no doubt that Xiliang is in the northwest and is in competition with Jizhou.

The emperor's original intention in supporting Xiao Han was to replace the position of Marquis Zhenbei, but Xiao Han's desire to become stronger could not avoid conflict with Jizhou.

At least for a considerable period of time, his opponent will not be the imperial court.

The Northern Wei guys in Jizhou were from the mixed Hu tribes surrounding Shangdang in the west.

Therefore, Xiao Han deliberately accepted this marriage and married a princess back home, which could not only enhance his own power and status, but also increase his trust in the heart of the emperor.

Thousands of thoughts ran through his mind, but he finally calmed down and was about to turn around and leave with the civil and military officials.

But he was stopped by Princess Ningxi.

"Marquis Xiliang, please stay."

The girl spoke, her voice was pleasant and very pleasant to the ear.

"What's up Princess?"

He stopped.

"I wonder if Xiliang Hou would be so kind as to have a simple meal in the palace today."

Princess Ningxi whispered.

"Oh, it's true that women are not allowed to stay in college."

The emperor on the dragon throne sighed deliberately: "Before we even got married, my heart was leaning towards someone else."

"Father."

The girl said shyly: "Isn't it that Xiliang Hou is about to leave the capital, so my daughter wants to have a meal?"

"I wonder if the prince has left a set of bowls and chopsticks for me."

The emperor teased.

"Hehe, there must be."

The girl nodded.

"Marquis Xiliang, please wait in the palace for a while. I will change into casual clothes and go to the Emperor's Palace with you."

The emperor spoke.

"promise."

Xiao Han bowed.

"Marquis Xiliang, I want to go back and prepare."

After saying this, Princess Ningxi left with Cui'er and a servant girl named Lin.

After a cup of tea, the emperor changed into his robe, and the emperor and his minister walked side by side towards Ningxi Palace, with Gao Qian following behind from a distance.

In early spring, the sky was filled with sparse snowflakes, and the cold air was lingering, bringing a biting chill.

"Is the situation in Xiliang serious?"

The emperor spoke.

“It’s a bit dangerous.”

Xiao Han smiled bitterly: "In a battle two years ago, we killed 130,000 Northern Wei cavalrymen, and last year we killed more than 100,000 more."

Given the empress's personality, I'm afraid she won't let it go.

"I estimate that the focus of the Northern Wei's southward advance will likely shift from Jizhou to Xiliang." The emperor nodded slightly, "Especially in the Shangdang County area, where there were many grassland tribes that could serve as a barrier."

"Now that you have conquered most of the grassland tribes, if the Northern Wei Dynasty conquers Shangdang, they can move southward from the Gansu-Shaanxi border and head straight for the capital."

"Your Majesty, don't worry."

He said: "This autumn, Shangdang City will be completed. By then, my Xiliang army will be able to rely on Shangdang City and be as strong as a rock."

"I feel at ease when you are in charge of Xiliang."

The emperor sighed, "I'm afraid that when the news of your ennoblement reaches Jizhou, your former commander will be restless."

"That old man, why did he let you go to Xiliang in the first place?"

"If I stay in Jizhou, it will be difficult for the Crown Prince to take over in the future."

Xiao Han did not make excuses for himself, but told the truth.

"That dandy boy?"

The emperor looked at her with contempt, "I heard that he was stealing and doing things in Jiangnan recently."

"I have never been on good terms with him, nor have I ever cared about him."

Xiao Han shook his head.

"Take good care of Xiliang."

The emperor chuckled: "I know that if you had no ambition, you would not have led five hundred cavalrymen to Xiliang."

"A good man should have ambitions to go far and wide and make great achievements. Now you are only given a title of nobility. Who knows, I may make you the King of Xiliang in the future."

"Do you want to be crowned king or prime minister?"

"think."

Xiao Han nodded.

"That's right."

The emperor said: "But there is no king of the opposite sex in this world. If you are the first one, the Marquis of Zhenbei will not accept it, and the other ministers will also..."

It was no longer a subtle reminder, but a direct statement. If Xiao Han wanted to be crowned king, he had to overthrow Xie Xuanli and take control of the court.

"You don't have to feel guilty."

Perhaps because he saw his trusted general was silent, the emperor said calmly: "He was unkind first, you just took back what originally belonged to you."

He did not continue to talk about this matter, but took the initiative to change the subject: "Do you still plan to continue to use troops against the Northern Wei this year?"

"Ah."

Xiao Han nodded: "Last year, we attacked Orange Island fiercely, and this year we are attacking Xihezhou as well. If I don't fight, the Northern Wei will also attack me."

"Why don't I strike first and hurt them, and scare them, so they won't dare to act recklessly."

"well said."

The emperor laughed loudly: "The offensive and defensive situation has changed. In the past, the Northern Wei Dynasty marched south every year, burning, killing and looting. In the future, it will be our Central Plains Heavenly Kingdom that marches north every year."

"Just go ahead and fight. If you need anything, just give me a report and I will do my best to get it for you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xiao Han said helplessly: "We don't lack anything at the moment. We have food, fodder and weapons, but we lack capable officials, especially in Xia Pi and Shang Dang counties."

"Your Majesty is well aware of the relationship between me and those great scholars from the aristocratic families in the Central Plains."

"When you and the emperor get married, I will personally select a group of capable officials and send them to Xiliang as your dowry."

until evening.

Xiao Han had just finished his meal and came out of the palace. Shen Pei, who had been waiting at the palace gate for half a day, saw his young master and hurried to greet him.

"Didn't I tell you to go home earlier?"

He said, "What are you doing waiting outside?"

"It's boring to go back."

Shen Pei showed excitement and said: "General, I heard from the imperial guards guarding the palace gate that you have been granted the title of marquis."

"Sealed."

He nodded.

"He is still the Marquis of Xiliang with 20,000 households."

"You are quite well-informed."

"Let's go back to the General's Mansion, pack our bags, and we'll leave the day after tomorrow."

Xiao Han put his hands behind his back and walked slowly onto the long street. The snow gradually became heavier, splashing and falling on his cloak.

(End of this chapter)