Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 648 The imperial edict arrives

Li Zisheng returned to the posthouse to meet Tan Chang.

After repeated questioning by Qin Chang, Li Zisheng revealed that he wanted to use Wang Fang to assist in escorting military supplies.

Qin Chang looked incredulous and said with a glare, "Minister Li, you are clearly asking for trouble! To put it more seriously, this is arbitrarily mobilizing troops and showing disrespect for the imperial court... Where do you get the authority to mobilize troops?"

Li Zisheng said confidently: "Eunuch Tan, we have requested the governor of Datong to send troops to escort us along the way in advance, right? The governor of Datong has also promised to provide some necessary help, right?
"We were ordered by the Emperor to escort cloth and military uniforms to the northwest. We encountered bandits blocking the way along the way. I asked the local garrison soldiers to help with the transportation, but I didn't say I was going to take them out of the border to fight. How could it be considered that I mobilized troops without authorization?"

"That's true, but if someone really impeaches you, can you reason with them?"

Qin Chang was a little angry.

He was blaming Li Zisheng for not consulting him before doing this, as if he was deliberately dragging him into this.

Li Zisheng narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Eunuch Tan, you actually got angry at the local generals after entering the fortress. Don't forget that we are now on their territory. If an order is issued, it may not be a disaster for both sides... I did all this just to get closer to them and to facilitate the completion of the next task. How can it be my fault now?"

Qin Chang said: "So you did nothing wrong... When you are out, it is not appropriate to get on good terms with a tiger... But, what was the result of your communication with him? Did the captain surnamed Wang agree?"

"No."

Li Zisheng shook his head and said, "He said that he couldn't make the decision and could only follow orders."

Qin Chang rolled his eyes when he heard this, as if asking: What the hell are you talking about?

Li Zisheng had a confident smile on his face, twisting his beard and said, "But I always feel that he seems to be moved, but he has not made the final decision yet.

"Think about it, he is just a thousand households. If we hadn't come here, he might never meet a senior official in his life. Even if he came here, he wouldn't be promoted and given a chance to make achievements... If he can climb up the ladder, why wouldn't he seize the opportunity?"

Qin Chang looked at Li Zisheng with suspicion and asked, "So... you plan to continue to instigate him? You have to think clearly. For some crimes, you don't need to wait for someone in the court to impeach you. All you need is an impeachment memorial from the local inspector, or a complaint from the governor of Datong, and you will be in trouble."

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "Eunuch Tan, it's not me, it's the two of us...Aren't we both in the same boat this time?"

Qin Chang thought to himself, I was exiled to the northwest to do hard labor because I offended the big backer behind you, who would ride in the same boat with you?

Even if I change my mind and want to ride on the same boat with you, will Zhang Guozhang accept me?
I have thoroughly offended him, and now we are irreconcilable.

Li Zisheng said: "We still need to start a new fire. It would be best if you, Eunuch Tan, could stand firmly on my side. We can say that Eunuch Huai also supports us in doing this. What do you think..."

"No, no, no."

Qin Chang rejected it immediately, "You are deceiving the frontline generals. They are risking their lives to help you, but you want to fool them? If they find out, do you know what will happen?"

Li Zisheng frowned and retorted, "We will be far away by then, why should we be afraid of this? Besides, am I the kind of ungrateful person? He helped me, and I will definitely find ways to repay him after returning to Beijing. Do you think that with my background and Zhang Guozhang's character, I can't help him, a small frontier army commander?"

Qin Chang said with a dark face: "If that's the case, then why do you still need our family?"

"Of course it's to make my persuasion more convincing!"

Li Zisheng said, "With your support, Eunuch Tan, he will be more convinced and will make the final decision. I am doing this for the smooth completion of our mission, and I have no selfish motives... Think about it, His Majesty is in the capital, but he earnestly hopes that we can complete our mission and return as soon as possible."

"you……"

Qin Chang didn't seem to be as determined to oppose as before, and became the hesitant one. However, he was also like Wang Fang, unable to make up his mind. He shook his head and said, "Let's wait and see how this happens... We will stay here for a day or two and make a decision after observing the situation clearly."

……

……

Just when Qin Chang was looking around and undecided.

An imperial edict from the capital was quickly transmitted from the rear to the Qianhu Suo.

The imperial edict was conveyed directly to Tan Chang and Li Zisheng. When the post horse delivering the imperial edict broke into the fortress where the Qianhu Suo was located, Qianhu Wang Fang personally delivered the imperial edict to the post station where the two were staying.

"Don't leave yet."

Li Zisheng greeted him, "Captain Wang, have you thought about what I told you yesterday?"

"This……"

Wang Fang hesitated to speak, obviously still unable to make up his mind.

Li Zisheng looked at Qin Chang again and raised his chin, meaning that you have to stand up and speak for me and help me persuade him.

However, Qin Chang turned his head away, pretending not to see Li Zisheng's little action.

Li Zisheng shook his head and smiled bitterly, then was about to open the imperial edict.

Qin Chang hurriedly reminded: "Should we wait until all the strangers leave before we watch?"

"It doesn't matter."

Li Zisheng waved his hand and said, "Captain Wang is not an outsider, there is no need to be shy."

After saying that, Li Zisheng opened it directly. After he finished reading it, his eyes lit up instantly and he immediately handed the imperial edict to Qin Chang.

Qin Chang took a look and his expression changed drastically. He immediately looked at it carefully.

Li Zisheng smiled and said, "Captain Wang, you don't have to avoid me... How about I show you the imperial edict?"

Wang Fang quickly cupped his hands: "I dare not."

"To be honest, I am now serving as the Right Censor-in-Chief, and I am working with the court to transport food and military supplies to Ningxia. Eunuch Tan is also fortunate enough to be stationed in Ningxia, and he will go with me. Duke Baoguo, as the general, will draw troops from the Beijing camp to Ningxia on official business, and he will be under my control and command on the way."

Wang Fang was stunned and looked confused. It was obvious that he didn't quite believe these things.

You just entered the Qianhu Suo where I am stationed, and this place is just a desolate Qianhu Suo castle on the border, at best a frontier outpost to protect military settlements, with your face facing the loess and your back facing the sky. You just led your troops to hide in here yesterday, and today you are promoted to a big shot who controls the military power in the northwest?

But the problem is, I have never heard of you, Li Zisheng, having any actual ability to command troops. Why would the court send you such an important mission?

Seeing Wang Fang's face full of disbelief, Li Zisheng was not angry and continued, "If you don't believe it, just take a look at the imperial edict. It can't be faked... If you are sure, I plan to use your troops to cooperate with me to go to Pianguan."

Wang Fang looked at Qin Chang, as if asking for instructions.

After all, this imperial edict was sent to Li Zisheng and Tan Chang.

Tan Chang nodded and said, "What Minister Li said is true. You will know it after you read it."

Wang Fang respectfully took the yellow imperial edict from Qin Chang's hands. As a low-ranking general, although he could read, he could not recognize many words. He could not really understand a formal imperial edict. He vaguely knew the general idea, but he also knew that the possibility of forgery was almost zero.

"Eunuch Qin, you and I have an important mission, so we must hurry up."

Li Zisheng seemed extremely excited and said loudly, "The promotion of you and me this time shows that His Majesty trusts us and has high expectations for the soldiers in the northwest.

"Captain Wang, let me ask you one more question. Are you willing to follow my orders and go to Pianguan with me?"

Wang Fang said in embarrassment: "I'm afraid I still have to ask the governor of Datong Town for permission."

"What else do you want to ask for instructions after all this?"

Li Zisheng said angrily, "Isn't it clear in the imperial edict? As the Chief Censor, I can help mobilize the Northwest Army... You dare not follow orders, are you trying to deceive the emperor?"

(End of this chapter)