The Prodigal Son

With Qin Yu taken away, order was finally restored in the imperial court.

"Let's set aside the matter of the loan for now!"

Zhao Luan temporarily put a period to this matter, then turned her gaze to Qin Fumeng. "Duke of Wei, the Qin family's handling of the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet has greatly pleased both the Empress Dowager and me! I have decided to reinstate you as the Grand General of the State, concurrently serving as the Marshal of the Upper Army, and giving you overall command of the military affairs of the seven northern prefectures!"

What?

As Zhao Luan finished speaking, the assembled officials were shocked.

The title of Grand General Who Protects the Nation is nothing special!

Before resigning to recuperate, Qin Fumeng was a first-rank general who protected the country.

But the power of the Supreme Marshal is ridiculously large!

Ningguo has deployed nearly half of its military force in the seven northern provinces!

Qin Fumeng is in charge of the military affairs of the seven northern states. Doesn't that mean he holds half of Ningguo's military power?

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Lu Chunqiu was the first to stand up and object, "The seven northern states are of paramount importance to our dynasty's defense, and the military affairs in those seven states are numerous! The Duke of Wei is already old, and I'm afraid it's difficult for him..."

"I'm not consulting with anyone!"

Zhao Luan abruptly raised his voice to interrupt Lü Chunqiu, his sharp gaze sweeping over the ministers who were itching to offer their advice. "Anyone who thinks they are more capable than the Duke of Wei for this position is welcome to step forward and let me see!"

Meeting Zhao Luan's sharp gaze, several ministers who had been itching to act immediately lowered their heads.

Qin Fumeng, a veteran of three reigns, had followed Emperor Xiaowu in his campaigns since he was seventeen, and had fought in countless battles.

In terms of combat experience, even Xue Chengdao, the Minister of War, was inferior to him, let alone others.

"His Majesty!"

At this moment, Song Zhuo spoke up: "I believe that it is most appropriate for the Duke of Wei to take charge of the military affairs of the seven northern prefectures!"

"However, what Lord Lü said does indeed make some sense!"

"The military affairs of the seven northern provinces are unlikely to be properly handled by one person!"

"I believe Your Majesty might consider assigning two deputies to the Duke of Wei!"

"Your Majesty wouldn't want to exhaust Duke Wei, a veteran of three reigns, to the point of falling ill, would you?"

Hearing Song Zhuo's words, many people nodded in agreement.

The seven northern provinces simultaneously face the Yan and Beiqi states, resulting in an overwhelming amount of military affairs for them.

It is indeed very difficult for one person to manage the military affairs of seven states.

"I've already arranged that!"

Zhao Luan turned to Shangguan Youyi: "Proclaim the imperial decree!"

"Wait a minute!"

Qin Fumeng stopped Shangguan Youyi and asked Zhao Luan with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, may this old minister refuse?"

Zhao Luan sighed softly, looking intently at Qin Fumeng, "Duke of Wei, you've been recuperating for four years! It's time for you to shoulder important responsibilities! I won't let a veteran like you, who has served three reigns, go unused!"

Qin Fumeng wore a bitter expression, then gave the assembled officials an extremely "helpless" smile.

It's as if it's saying: Look, I can't get rid of it even if I try!

His smug look made the courtiers want to rush up and beat him up.

Showing off!

This old guy is just showing off!

At the same time, Shangguan Youyi unfolded the imperial edict and proclaimed: "By His Majesty's decree: Duke Qin Fumeng of Wei, with both wisdom and courage, and unwavering loyalty, has made outstanding military achievements for our dynasty. Now, Qin Fumeng is reinstated as the Grand General of the State and granted the title of Marshal of the Upper Army..."

Zhaoyang Marquis Guan Tingshan and Shangguan Youyi's father Shangguan Xun were appointed as deputy marshal and envoy respectively.

Upon hearing the contents of the imperial edict, Song Zhuo couldn't help but nod secretly.

Guan Tingshan and Shangguan Xun, one a scholar and the other a warrior, could indeed help Qin Fumeng with a lot of tasks.

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

After the imperial edict was read aloud, Qin Fumeng and Shangguan Xun both accepted the edict and expressed their gratitude.

Guanting Mountain is in Wuzhou and cannot receive the imperial decree for the time being.

Next, Zhao Luan spoke to his ministers about Yan's desire to engage in trade with Da Ning.

A few days ago, Yan Li proposed to her that he hoped to establish an official market between Panyang County in Dingzhou, Daning and Zhu County in Yan State.

Just like the Ping and Xing markets that Da Ning established on the border between the Min and Chu states.

As expected, Zhao Luan's words were met with fierce opposition from the court officials.

"Set up his maternal grandmother's official residence!"

"I'd like to establish an official brothel, so that all the women of Yan can become government prostitutes!"

"We in Great Ning would rather die of poverty and starvation than engage in trade with the Yan Kingdom!"

"The Yan bandits are treacherous and two-faced; we must never engage in trade with them!"

"If you want to trade, fine, but first cede three or five states..."

The courtiers were outraged, and even Su Yu, who always valued etiquette, resorted to rude and abusive language.

Suddenly, the imperial court became more bustling than a vegetable market.

There was no other way; too many of Xun Gui's sons died in that battle a few years ago.

Beiqi and Da Ning are mortal enemies, but at least others do things openly.

What about the State of Yan?

fickle, two-faced, treacherous...

The State of Yan has committed every despicable act imaginable!

If it came to criticizing the Yan state, these ministers in the court could do it all day without getting tired.

"My lords, please calm down!"

Song Zhuo stopped the crowd, "Your Majesty, Yan Li knows perfectly well that our people hate them to the bone, yet he still brought this up. Surely he will offer conditions that will tempt our dynasty?"

"It should be."

Zhao Luan nodded: "However, in order to put pressure on Yan Li, I directly offered to cede three prefectures, which Yan Li refused on the spot, so I did not discuss the matter with him again!"

"Now that the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet has passed, the purpose of Bei Qi's mission has not yet been revealed."

"Our dynasty needs to arrange for someone to contact and negotiate with Yan Li in advance, so as to avoid pushing Yan towards Bei Qi!"

No wonder she raised this matter in court!

Song Zhuo suddenly realized what was going on and smiled, saying, "Leave this matter to me!"

Upon hearing this, Lü Chunqiu immediately replied, "Why trouble Prime Minister Song with this matter? I'll go!"

"No, no! I'll go!"

Du Zhiwen immediately started grabbing.

"Wow!"

"Don't go, I'll go!"

"Don't anyone try to take it from me..."

The courtiers, as if injected with adrenaline, began scrambling to grab it.

Whether the talks succeed or not, nobody cares!

This is a chance to hurl insults at the prince of Yan right in front of him!

Zhao Luan looked helplessly at the ministers, then instructed Song Zhuo, "Master, you can handle this matter! However, you are, after all, the Prime Minister of Da Ning, so you shouldn't go and engage in such vulgar behavior yourself."

Song Zhuo looked disappointed but nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, Zhao Luan discussed some matters with the court officials before concluding the court session.

However, Qin Fumeng was surrounded by a group of officials demanding payment as soon as he stepped out of the Zichen Palace.

"I didn't borrow any money from you! Go find whoever did!"

Qin Fumeng glared at the crowd with his eyes as big as a bull's. "Also, I've just taken over military affairs in the north, and I'm sure I'll be very busy lately! If anyone dares to bother me with this nonsense, don't blame my fists for being merciless!"

After Qin Fumeng finished speaking, he immediately ran away.

Watching Qin Fumeng's retreating figure, the officials couldn't help but curse inwardly.

But after they finished scolding, the ministers were filled with worry.

"That old scoundrel is denying it, what do we do now?"

"Go find whoever borrowed it? Isn't that just being a scoundrel?"

"Qin Yu is locked up, how are we supposed to collect our debts from him?"

"I say, His Majesty wouldn't have locked Qin Yu up just because he's afraid we'll come after him for debts, would he?"

"Could it be that the loan is truly His Majesty's intention?"

As this speculation emerged, the court officials began to have doubts.

Qin Fumeng gained military power!

Qin Yu got the silver!

Could it be that His Majesty is being generous with their money, using their funds to supplement the military expenses of the seven northern provinces?

As soon as this thought came to mind, the courtiers became even more anxious.

No, no!

This silver is safest when it's in your own hands!

Regardless of whether Qin Yu was acting on imperial orders to borrow the money, they must get it back as soon as possible!

If that money is really spent, it will be as difficult as climbing to heaven to get it back!

That's not just a few dozen or a few hundred taels of silver!

That's tens of thousands of taels of silver!

Who wouldn't feel sorry for them?

"Find His Majesty!"

"Yes! Either His Majesty gives us an explanation, or we hand Qin Yu over to him for punishment!"

"This matter must be resolved today!"

The ministers grew increasingly agitated as they spoke, their eyes turning as red as bulls'...