The fiercest soldier of the border army

Lingzhou is one of the five states of Beiting!

The population was relatively small, with over 10,000 households and more than 40,000 people in Xiaxia. It was divided into five counties and bordered the Xiongnu.

But no matter how much manpower is needed, it is still a fourth-rank prefecture!

The governor is in charge of the military and political affairs of a prefecture, which is no small matter.

Moreover, Cui Yuanlang of the Hedong Cui clan is from a prestigious family. Although he has not yet taken up his post, the court has already made arrangements for him.

How dare a mere border army lieutenant openly demand this position?

The crown prince stared at Tang Shun, his eyes shifting uncertainly.

Tang Shun stood still, his back straight.

He knew how presumptuous this move was, but he also knew that only in this way could he break free from the constraints.

He wasn't after becoming an official; he was after getting things done.

If one only fights in the army, even if one is ennobled and appointed as a general, it is nothing more than bloodshed on the edge of a blade.

Only by governing a region can one truly bring peace and order to the people.

Tang Shun had finished speaking, and the four words "Prefect of Lingzhou" were like a stone thrown into a deep pool, stirring up a thousand waves, but there was no echo afterward.

The prince closed his eyes, his fingers resting on the edge of the table, remaining motionless for a long time.

Finally, he opened his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips. It wasn't a laugh born of extreme anger, nor was it a contemptuous sneer; rather, it was as if he had seen through something. He whispered:

"You've said so much, are you here for Lingzhou?"

"Or do you still believe that your military achievements and insightful advice will allow you to directly rise to the rank of fourth-grade red robe?"

The aide frowned slightly but ultimately remained silent.

Everyone present knew that a fourth-rank governor was no ordinary person.

That was not just a minor official in charge of taxes, criminal cases, and land reclamation in a prefecture, but a powerful official who could mobilize troops, manage the people, and control the subordinate counties.

Since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty, no border army officer has ever risen through the ranks in one step, skipping the ranks of colonel, commander, and chief commander, and directly taking charge of a major state after being transferred from military to civil service.

This is not just breaking the rules, it's breaking the mold.

Tang Shun neither retreated nor avoided the situation, but simply said, "Your Highness is discerning; I did not seek personal gain by taking credit for others' work."

The prince raised an eyebrow.

"Our dynasty employs people through the recommendation system."

Tang Shun said calmly, "I am not asking for a high position because of my military achievements, but because of my own talents and knowledge, and I am recommending myself."

"Lingzhou suffered from war, 30,000 refugees were unsettled, granaries were empty, and bandits roamed freely."

"This situation is not something that ordinary officials can resolve. I am willing to go, not for promotion, but simply to get things done."

He paused, then added, "If I cannot bring peace to the people of this region, I am willing to offer my head in return!"

"Then do you know why the governor of Lingzhou has been delayed for so long?"

"Because it's difficult."

"Then why did you dare to go?"

Tang Shun looked at him and said, slowly and deliberately, "Because I can."

The Crown Prince asked again, "Prefect of Lingzhou, the court has already discussed with Military Governor Li the appointment of Cui Yuanlang of the Cui family to govern. Aren't you afraid of offending the Cui family by interfering halfway through?"

Tang Shun responded again, "What is there to fear in speaking out for the people?"

Silence fell once again in the hall.

The crown prince neither laughed nor got angry; he simply looked at him quietly, as if seeing this person clearly for the first time.

He originally thought that summoning a border general would simply be to hear about his military exploits, give him some rewards, and then send him back.

It's already surprising that the other party has genuine talent and knowledge.

Unexpectedly, the other party dared to make such an extraordinary request right here in the guest room.

This is absolutely earth-shattering!

The crown prince slowly rose, paced back and forth in front of the desk a couple of times, and suddenly asked, "So, you want a powerful official position, but not military merit rewards?"

Don't want military merit?

Military merit is the foundation of a soldier's standing.

To refuse military merit is tantamount to ruining one's future.

This is yet another invisible and intangible soft knife.

His talk of wanting an official position, and his earlier "pleading for the people" were all an act; he's essentially an opportunistic and ambitious schemer.

Saying no would seem hypocritical; all those impassioned words were just an act.

Tang Shun answered decisively: "Military merit is not the work of one person, and I dare not make such a decision."

The crown prince was slightly taken aback.

Tang Shun glanced at the corner of the room and seemed to see the soldiers who were fighting and defending the city. "The soldiers risked their lives and shed their blood to protect their country."

"Some are buried on the frontier, their families are lonely and have no rice to cook, while others are disabled or seriously injured and have no one to help them."

"Your Highness may forgo military merit, but they are filled with fervent patriotism, and we hope you will show them the same favor!"

The crown prince gave a soft hum, the meaning of which was unclear.

"In that case, each of the dead will be given fifty taels to settle down, and the wounded will be given pensions according to the severity of their injuries, with those of rank of 100 taels and above receiving one hundred taels."

"Each civilian who aids in the war will receive five taels of silver. You will personally review the specific list and distribution details. What do you say?"

The hall fell silent once more.

Tang Shun understood that the Crown Prince was giving him the power to distribute rewards!

Tang Shun bowed and expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness!"

The Crown Prince turned to his advisor beside him and said, "Make a note of this. As requested, allocate the reward in full and have Tang Shun oversee its distribution."

The staff member bowed his head in agreement, the pen scratching softly on the paper.

The Crown Prince then looked at Tang Shun again, his tone softening: "Go to the side room and wait. I need to discuss the matter of Lingzhou with Military Governor Li before making a decision."

The words were a clear indication that the guest was to be asked to leave.

Tang Shun clasped his hands in a salute, then turned and left the main hall.

His boots trod across the blue bricks, his steps steady and unhurried, showing no sign of haste.

Once the scalded figure disappeared through the doorway, in the guest room, the Crown Prince sighed softly, leaned back in his chair, and frowned.

He seems to have something on his mind.

A nearby aide chuckled softly. "Is Your Highness tempted? Do you want Tang Shun to govern a province?"

"Sir, this man speaks with extraordinary eloquence, unlike any ordinary soldier. In terms of knowledge, he surpasses many scholars and intellectuals."

"Who knows, he might be able to turn the tide in Lingzhou's predicament."

"The problem is that the Cui family is very powerful and deeply rooted. If Cui Yuanlang were to govern Lingzhou, the Cui family would provide strong support, and supplies and fortifications would be deployed. It wouldn't be long before Lingzhou could recover."

The advisor chuckled softly and shook his head. "Your Highness, you're being too attached to appearances."

Whether Tang Shun is truly a man of great talent remains to be seen.

"The Cui family is indeed a very prominent family."

"If Your Highness truly favors Tang Shun, why not arrange for him to serve as a county magistrate in Lingzhou? If he achieves good results, he could be promoted to prefect. That would not be unreasonable."

The Crown Prince nodded slowly. "Please invite Military Governor Li to come and discuss this matter."

Tang Shun walked out of the guest room and came to the side hall on the east side.

He saw the military governor enter the guest room from another side of the corridor.

Presumably, the powerful figures in the guest room were discussing his fate.

Although the Crown Prince neither rejected nor agreed, he only said "to discuss," which left room for maneuver.

As for Li Qing'an, he didn't know how to handle the situation.

As a high-ranking military governor, he wielded great power and was responsible for the duties of the prefect of a prefecture.

Tang Shun bypassed the military governor and went directly to the crown prince, which was already an overstepping of authority.

Tang Shun walked slowly, repeatedly considering the possibilities that might happen next.

If Li Qing'an objects, what will the Crown Prince choose?

If Cui's disciples obstruct me, how should I deal with it?

In Lingzhou, the disaster is real, and the danger is real; one wrong step will lead to an abyss.

But he cannot back down.

The Xiongnu ravaged Lingzhou, looting everything, leaving the people starving to death by the roadside, and refugees gathered in response.

The current chaos in Lingzhou presents him with an opportunity to break the deadlock.

If you let him in, even if it's only for three months, he can restore the barren fields, bring the displaced people back to their homes, and fill the granaries with millet again.

The side room had a narrow entrance and contained a table and a stool. Commander Shi Hanshan was sitting by the table, dozing off.

Hearing the noise, he suddenly opened his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. "Only today did I realize that Captain Tang's ambitions are sky-high; he actually wants to soar to the heavens!"