Chapter 1特追李永奇绥德郡王

"...Specifically, posthumously grant Li Yongqi the title of Suide Prince, and allow his descendants to inherit the title for one generation without reduction, with Li Shifu inheriting the title and being additionally appointed as the Military Commissioner of Wudang."

Inside Tokyo, on the second floor of the Secret Archive in the Chongwen Institute of the Imperial City, Grand Supervisor Lan Gui of the Inner Attendants' Office finished reading another imperial edict and paused slightly, unable to resist reaching for water on the nearby table to drink, clearly parched from reading.

However, all the high-ranking officials present in the Secret Archive knew that this was definitely not over.

Actually, it was easy to figure out.

With the fall of Western Xia and the need for large-scale integration of the Tangut people, it was understandable that Li Yongqi and his son, who had made extraordinary contributions and were considered models of loyalty, were granted the title of Prince. But at the same time, how could Wang Yan, one of the original ten military commissioners who already had deep qualifications and had not lagged behind in this campaign, be left out?

Even further, aside from that 'Acting Prince,' seven princes had already been conferred. Including Wang Yan, who hadn't been read out yet, were there only four princes being rewarded? Which was more valuable?

Even if it was just to make up the numbers, a few more wouldn't matter. It was just a matter of who else besides Li Qiong and Tian Shizhong, who independently led troops... If Liu Qi was included, then Xie Yuan should be too. Could Wang Gui and Wu Lin make the cut?

"Eleventh decree:"

As expected, after taking a few sips of water, Grand Supervisor Lan Gui continued to read.

"Since the Jingkang Catastrophe, both Hebei regions have fallen into darkness. Wang Yan abandoned his home to save the country, first raising righteous troops in the Taihang Mountains. Nanyang was besieged, and the court was in peril, so he again raised the Eight Character Army to return south. In the fierce battle of Yaoshan, he held firm and met the challenge, commanding his troops at Dongpo Yuan. In Hebei, he raised troops, presided over the overall strategy, and erected an iron curtain at Huolu.

"His heart is loyal to the country, his integrity is unwavering, he advances and retreats with composure, and he is skilled in both civil and military affairs, truly a great general of the nation.

"Therefore, he is hereby promoted to Longde Prince."

This was an expected one. No one in the Secret Archive had any extra reaction, only listening quietly.

And Lan Gui did not hesitate, taking another imperial edict from the wooden box beside him and continuing to read, the wording unexpectedly becoming simpler:

"Twelfth decree:

"Since ancient times, warfare has been about practicality, and generals have been about sharpness. Tian Shizhong commanded the Beiwei troops of the Right Army of the Imperial Guards. He fought valiantly on the Huai River, risked his life at Yaoshan, distinguished himself at Daming, and initiated the Zhang Zai's Huolu strategy, his loyalty and bravery are truly undeniable.

"Therefore, he is hereby promoted to Fengxiang Prince, with the additional appointment of Military Commissioner of the Weiwu Army."

There was a slight commotion within the Secret Archive, but it quickly subsided... The reason for the temporary commotion was that the inclusion of Tian Shizhong meant that this conferment was truly a 'grand conferment.' The reason for the quick pacification was also simple: in today's bombardment of 'information,' such as the 'Hebei Spring Ploughing Inspection Team,' 'Only by killing Wushu can we negotiate,' and 'thirteen *wanhu* and one thousand seven hundred *paizi*,' even the previous information about 'seven princes' had long numbed people. What did a few more princes matter?

Sure enough, Lan Gui read faster and faster.

"Thirteenth decree:

"Liu Qi suffered setbacks at He, but crushed the enemy at Yaoshan, routed Shushu at Huolu, captured Wulinda at Qinshui, and drove Wushu out of Shenzhou. His divine tactics and martial strategies were all decisive actions.

"Therefore, he is hereby promoted to Deshun Prince, with the additional appointment of Military Commissioner of the Ande Army."

"Fourteenth decree:

"Since the Jingkang Catastrophe, Li Qiong abandoned his pen to join the army, fought on the rivers, defended Huazhou for ten years, resisted the Jin army seven times, participated in the campaigns of Yanling, the fierce battle of Dongpo, the sweep of Hedong, and the capture of Bali Speed. His war achievements can be described as outstanding.

"Therefore, he is hereby promoted to Anyang Prince, with the additional appointment of Military Commissioner of the Qingyuan Army."

"Fifteenth decree:

"Xie Yuan has long followed Prince Qin, his military achievements have been numerous and constant, he has crushed the enemy's flanks with bravery and meticulousness, a true example of integrity.

"Therefore, he is hereby promoted to Zhengping Prince, with the additional appointment of Military Commissioner of the Baoxin Army."

"Sixteenth decree:..."

Lan Gui suddenly paused, immediately drawing the attention of many distracted high officials in the Secret Archive. Soon, the latter understood what was going on.

"Sixteenth decree:

"Yelü Yudu, a close relative of the Liao Dynasty, is generous and righteous, and has always been virtuous. Unfortunately, he was constrained by a muddle-headed ruler and found himself repeatedly trapped. Once freed, he was able to broaden his horizons, so he devised a plan for Western Xia and offered land in the Yin Mountains... Now, he has recovered Datong and fought at Huolu. He must be rewarded to show the virtue of the Chinese Emperor and to demonstrate the friendship between Song and Liao.

"Therefore, he is hereby promoted to Linhuang Prince, leading the Khitan Autonomous Region as Pacification Commissioner, and enshrining the ancestral temple in the former Shangjing Road of Liao."

As soon as this edict was read out, it unexpectedly drew approval and praise from the people in the Secret Archive... The 'offering' of the vital Yin Mountain pass, which controlled the key points of eastern and western Mongolia, was a practical benefit, and the continuation of the Khitan remnants in Linhuang Prefecture through appointment was a disposition that very much conformed to Confucian values.

There was nothing wrong with this princely conferment.

Of course, the reason why people spoke out was also because they thought the edicts would end here... Because those with war merits and qualifications had basically been made princes, and the sudden appearance of a Khitan prince, Yelü Yudu, who seemed to be filling in the numbers, brought the total number to exactly sixteen. Naturally, they thought that the gunpowder pack that the Emperor had thrown over from afar would end here today.

However, just as everyone was waiting for Prime Minister Zhao Ding to step forward and lead the congratulations, Grand Supervisor Lan Gui unexpectedly coughed lightly, then took out two more edicts from the wooden box, and the Secret Archive immediately fell silent.

"The last two."

Grand Official Lan smiled knowingly, then straightened up again, but paused again after reading only three words. "Seventeenth decree...

"Seventeenth decree:

"Yang Yizhong's father and grandfather were loyal and unwavering for three generations, all pillars of the nation. He has served in the Palace Guard for ten years, obeying orders in the east and west, his loyalty to the ruler has been consistent, truly Zhao Yun of our dynasty.

"Therefore, he is hereby promoted to Jingse Prince, remaining in charge of the Palace Guard as before."

After this edict was issued, the entire hall was silent, as if contemplating something. However, the final prince had already been tacitly confirmed.

"Eighteenth decree:

"Liu Yan has traveled ten thousand *li*, following for ten years, truly loyal; he has been diligent and faultless in commanding troops within the palace, truly conscientious; he has used his troops on the battlefield, repelling Han Chang's arrows, truly brave; he has accompanied the Emperor in his tent, without questioning authority, truly upright.

"Therefore, he is hereby promoted to Liaoyang Prince, remaining in charge of the Palace Guard as before."

After reading everything in one breath, Grand Official Lan acted as if nothing had happened, only cupping his hands in a circle. "His Majesty has given an oral decree that all officials should listen to the edict in the Secret Archive and need not stand on ceremony... Everything should be based on reality."

After speaking, this experienced Grand Supervisor directly retreated to the corner, found a cup of tea, moistened his throat slightly, and then left straight away.

Of course, although Emperor Zhao said not to stand on ceremony, how could it really be possible not to?

Therefore, Prime Minister Zhao Ding and the other ministers, secretaries, vice ministers, nine ministers, and five directors immediately rushed out in turn, saluting the empty space to the north, and taking turns to offer congratulatory words.

After a good deal of commotion, the second floor of the Secret Archive gradually calmed down.

But the so-called calmness was not because there was nothing to say or nothing to discuss, on the contrary, there was too much to say and too much to discuss, to the point that they didn't know where to start for a while.

It must be known that today was different from before. Four days ago, only a brief report of the great victory at Huolu had arrived on horseback. The Secret Archive only knew that Emperor Zhao was unlikely to exaggerate and that it was indeed a decisive victory. They had already been in a commotion for an entire afternoon, discussing various contingency plans. Today, however, the news of victory arrived like flying feathers. The details of the battlefield were clearly listed one by one, the number of beheadings, captures, and spoils, as well as the post-war arrangements and rewards, were clear and accurate. The amount of information was astonishing, so how could the Secret Archive sit idly by?

"Let me say something... Eighteen princes in one breath, isn't this conferment a bit too excessive?" After a period of silence, it was Minister of Justice Ma Shen who broke the silence.

"The Ministry of Justice is overthinking it!" Censor-in-Chief Li Guang immediately stepped forward, preemptively responding. "This conferment is not ordinary... Firstly, it is indeed a great victory, almost preventing the Jin army from returning north with even a single horse. Furthermore, the restoration of our territory is just around the corner. Not to mention seven princes and eleven marquises, even seventeen or twenty-one, it is fitting to confer them. Secondly, didn't the Ministry of Justice hear what the previous edict said? This was a promise made by His Majesty on the battlefield... In the past, King Cheng granted Tang with a leaf, and Duke Zhou congratulated him. May I ask, can the Emperor go back on his word?"

Ma Shen was immediately speechless, even somewhat caught off guard, because Li Guang opposed him too quickly and too directly.

"That's right, not only can we not go back on our word, but it should be done sooner rather than later, and wider rather than narrower." Someone hurriedly echoed as soon as Li Guang finished speaking.

"If you ask me, the Ministry of Justice is really overthinking it." Then, even Vice Chancellor Chen Gui couldn't help but chuckle with his hands behind his back. "What are eighteen princedoms? Back in the days of prosperity and extravagance, there were dozens of princes alone. Now they are all vacant. Does the court lack that little bit of salary after the restoration of both Hebei regions? Besides, such conferment can actually determine that they are not real fiefdoms. It's nothing more than His Majesty undertaking an unprecedented undertaking, and thus having unprecedented achievements. He is using this to establish a ranking of merits, so that it can be recorded in the history books in the future."

Ma Shen paused slightly, then suddenly woke up, and immediately closed his mouth and stopped talking.

And who was Ma Shen? His awakening was not to say that he was convinced by these two people's words.

In fact, although he was dissatisfied with the excessive number of princes, especially those two close officials after Yelü Yudu, who were rewarded for 'consistency' and 'ten years of following,' he even vaguely felt that the Emperor's conferring of princedoms on Xie Yuan and Liu Qi was a selfish addition to appease people and prevent them from criticizing the conferment of princedoms on Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan... However, dissatisfaction was dissatisfaction, and this did not mean that he really cared about the title itself.

What was a princedom? As long as the ministers of the Great Song Dynasty did not cause any trouble, they would all receive a princedom upon retirement. Those who performed well could easily obtain a princedom of a large state... Compared to such a good thing, even a further princedom seemed a bit superfluous.

Therefore, even if he wanted to discuss Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan, it was just an introduction. In the final analysis, it was only because Emperor Zhao had conferred so many military generals as princes in one breath that Ma Shen was worried about the imbalance between civil and military officials.

But didn't Li Guang and Chen Gui directly explain it clearly?

The career that Emperor Zhao had been doing for ten years was now beginning to be compared to Guangwu. If he could do it for another thirty years without any problems, he might be able to compete with Emperor Qin and Emperor Tang.

Then Guangwu had the Twenty-Eight Generals of Yuntai, and Emperor Tang had the Twenty-Four Heroes of Lingyan Pavilion... Did Emperor Zhao only have the Eighteen Princes of the military origin of the Restoration?

What was a princedom? A princedom was just a kind of evaluation system, representing your merits and ranking.

Therefore, if there were eighteen military generals, there must also be eighteen civil officials!

Civil and military officials would make up the majority, and thirty-six would be just right. The military generals were promised before the war, so they were conferred first. When Yan Yun was taken down, or when the war was over, it would naturally be time to discuss the eighteen civil officials... If you disliked that there were too many eighteen princedoms, wouldn't that be equivalent to disliking that there were too many eighteen civil official positions?

Admittedly, removing Liu Qi, Xie Yuan, Yang Yizhong, and Liu Yan, fourteen pairs of twenty-eight heroes seemed more appropriate.

But if that were the case, how many of the people present would really be confident?

Since the Jianyan era, famous ministers had emerged like a torrent. Li Gang, Zong Ze, Wang Boyan, Lü Haowen, Xu Jingheng, Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Yuwen Xuzhong, and Lü Yihao were all definite choices. How many positions were left?

Chen Gui and Liu Ji were both uncertain, Hu Yin seemed more certain, but what about Liu Ziyu and Lin Jingmo? What about Li Guang and Ma Shen? Were there still Wang Shu and Hu Hongxi outside? Even Zhang Su, who died for the country, might be included... Who was really confident?

And precisely because being included or not was almost a definitive judgment on one's posthumous reputation, it was very problematic.

Therefore, not to mention disliking that there were too many eighteen princedoms, according to the thoughts of some people in the Secret Archive who were calculating in their hearts and sweating on their foreheads, Wang Sheng, Wu Lin, Wang Gui, and Fu Xuan could also be included, and Guo Hao and Shao Yun could also be included.

It would be best to have forty-eight heroes of the Yuetai, so that they might be able to catch the tail end of it.

Of course, that was wishful thinking.

If that were the case, it would be ridiculed.

Eighteen civil officials and eighteen military generals, thirty-six famous ministers of Jianyan, specifically referring to the merits of the restoration, was already a relatively suitable number on the larger side.

In this way, the topic of princedoms was hastily opened and then hastily closed with everyone tacitly understanding.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Ding, as the prime minister, suppressed various thoughts and entered the main topic: "His Majesty's promise before the war was indeed to first confer princedoms to appease the military, but the other military merits promised cannot be put down. The Privy Council must be prepared... It is still the same saying, it should be wider rather than narrower, sooner rather than later... Do not let His Majesty and the court lose credibility with the army. In addition, the matter of partial troop withdrawal and the return of the civilians must also be properly addressed."

"The Privy Council will definitely do its best." Zhang Jun and Chen Gui immediately stepped out together, solemnly agreeing.

"Also, the appointment of officials in the two Hebei regions should be handled as soon as possible." After a word, Zhao Ding paused slightly before saying this seemingly natural statement.

However, Minister of Personnel Chen Gongfu would not indulge Prime Minister Zhao. He directly turned around, cupped his hands and said, "Although that is the case, please make it clear, Prime Minister... Who has the authority to decide on the retention of old officials in the former territories of the two Hebei regions, us here, or the Spring Ploughing Inspection Team sent by His Majesty?"

"Follow His Majesty's words first." Zhao Ding replied calmly. "Temporarily follow the opinions of the Inspection Team... If there are any incidents, it doesn't matter, because His Majesty may return one of these days after today, or even if he doesn't return, he can communicate properly. At that time, we can directly ask in a memorial, so there is no need to worry."

Chen Gongfu shook his head slightly, but did not pursue the matter.

"What about the matter of awarding land for military merits?" Minister of Revenue Lin Jingmo asked next.

"What problems can there be with this matter?" Zhao Ding frowned and asked back, his tone hurried. "After the Battle of Changshe that day, when His Majesty was still in the old capital, this kind of thing was roughly done in the Central Plains. Later, His Majesty gradually introduced the national policy of suppressing mergers, clearly intending to implement the policy of equalizing land through land grants... Today, this matter is being carried out again in the two Hebei regions, it's nothing more than a larger scale and a more thorough implementation... Even if there are a few people who are dissatisfied, with the current situation in Hebei, the court's credibility, His Majesty's prestige, and the addition of 300,000 Imperial Guards, what can they do? If anyone dares to be dissatisfied, they will only be a clown!"

"That's right." Zhang Jun also smiled and waved his sleeves. "Prime Minister Zhao himself is going to equalize the land, but he hasn't been dissatisfied. Then who would dare to defy the world and seek His Majesty's displeasure at this juncture?"

Zhao Ding then smiled and said, "My family doesn't have many acres of land in Hedong in the first place, and I'm still hoping that this land grant can add a bit of assets to my family..."

The Secret Archive immediately burst into laughter.

Lin Jingmo also smiled, seemingly unaware that Zhao Ding was feigning ignorance, and Zhang Jun was helping Zhao Ding feign ignorance.

The matter was very simple. With this great victory, and also being from the ranks of His Majesty's close officials, Lin Jingmo would not question the feasibility of the policy at all, let alone the policy itself. What he was asking Zhao Ding was actually... Who would be responsible for the matter of awarding land for military merits, which was related to the foundation of the country?

Could it be that it should be handed over to that Spring Ploughing Inspection Team?

Of course, Lin Jingmo also knew Zhao Ding's difficulties, and even understood that saying certain things at this time would be disappointing, so he also smiled along.

After the laughter, the meeting continued.

Someone else suggested that since Chancellor Lü Yihao was repeatedly disturbed by his illness and was bedridden, and Fan Zongyin and others were unable to meet the demand, could they ask His Majesty to send some more officials to assist him in front of the imperial presence?

Someone else asked whether the Emperor's talk about peace should be sought.

It should be known that if peace was discussed, the conditions put forward by the Emperor might be too harsh. If the war continued, it would seem too fake.

The rest were endless.

This meeting finally lasted until dark before it was forcibly ended by Prime Minister Zhao Ding.

Then, the crowd reluctantly dispersed, and Lin Jingmo, as the on-duty minister, stayed on the second floor of the Secret Archive, waiting for the Secret Archive documents directly under the Department of State Affairs to sort out the non-confidential meeting information and the releasable information, and personally reviewing and signing them before preparing to go downstairs to leave.

According to the rules, the former would be sent to the Public Archives for review the next day, and the latter would be sent to the *Dibao* department tonight... Over time, the bureaucratic system would always become internally self-consistent.

Of course, aside from the political rules, it was only said that Minister Lin walked down this floor, which was probably the most heavily concentrated power in the world. Before he even went out, he heard the palace city outside was noisy... This was only natural, because the Chongwen Institute, located in the southeast of the Imperial City, was separated by a wall from the most prosperous Donghuamen Wai Maxing Street Night Market and the widest main road of the Imperial Street. Moreover, this noise had begun four days ago after the news of the great victory in the north was delivered, but it had only become more obvious these days.

And it was conceivable that from tomorrow onwards, as the news spread, in addition to the inevitability of some sadness in the Imperial Guard family area outside the city, Tokyo would probably be even more lively.

However, such a natural thing caused the current Minister of Revenue to be stunned for a moment, so much so that he stood in the dark Chongwen Institute, lost in thought.

After a long time, Lin Jingmo finally returned to normal, but turned out of Imperial Street, found his family who had been waiting for a long time, and then instead of going home, he went directly to Donghuamen and found a shop, asked the shopkeeper to cook some pork balls, half cold and half in soup, and quietly finished eating with his entourage and family on the street, before returning north to Jingyuan behind Yanfu Palace... Whether or not one could have a house here was the standard configuration of whether a senior official was in the Emperor's good graces.

But Lin Jingmo still did not go home when he returned here, but let his family and entourage go first, and went to visit Vice Chancellor Zhang Jun's residence alone.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Jun had not yet returned, so Lin Jingmo waited for another half an hour in the backyard before seeing the master.

"He went to the house of the Grand Clan Court."

When facing Lin Jingmo, Zhang Jun would not conceal anything. "Among the documents sent to the Privy Council today, in addition to those big edicts, there are also some small documents, one of which is the commendation of Zhao Bufan, the eldest son of the Grand Clan Court, who died for his country... It was not convenient to announce it in the Secret Archive."

Lin Jingmo slightly understood, then asked again while seated: "Zhao Bufan is the person who will inherit the title, and the Grand Clan Court is also a senior official of the court and a pillar of the imperial clan. There must be extra grace, right?"

"That is natural." Zhang Jun took the tea brought by the maid, sipped it slightly, and waved for everyone else to retreat. "He is specially allowed to inherit the title for three generations without reduction, and according to the Emperor's oral hint, he may also be given the title of Prince, but he is not included in this round of martial officials being conferred titles..."

"It seems a bit too heavy." Lin Jingmo said thoughtfully.

"It is a bit heavy, but there is a reason for it." Zhang Jun explained seriously. "Listening to the people who reported the deeds at the front line, it seems that Zhao Bufan died to save Prince Zhenrong Qu Duan... The Imperial cavalry suffered heavy casualties this time, and Qu Duan was deeply shocked, and even privately declined the suggestion of being granted the banner, and if Qu Duan didn't want it, even Wang De and Wang Yan wouldn't be good... And Zhao Bufan is also a close relative of the imperial clan, so it is right to take him out as an example."

At this point, Zhang Jun sighed slightly: "I originally thought that the Grand Clan Court's family would be overly grief-stricken, but after staying in his home for a while, I realized that grief was grief, but there was also some heroism... According to the Grand Clan Court's words, in the face of national disaster, one should end it in one fell swoop, dying in the right place, regrettable, pitiful, and glorious... A true man should be like this."

Lin Jingmo did not indulge the other party, but directly shook his head: "The country is prosperous in both civil and military affairs, and everyone performs their duties. Zhao Bufan died in the right place, but it would be a bit ridiculous if you, as the head of the Western government, still regret that you cannot imitate the deeds of Zhuge Wuhou."

"Let's not talk about these things." Zhang Jun looked slightly embarrassed and immediately became serious. "Minister Lin, you are looking for me so late, there must be something you want to teach me, right?"

"There are no specific words, it's just that I was on duty in the Secret Archive today, and I felt emotional when I went down."

"What kind of emotions?"

"People have sorrows and joys, separations and reunions, the moon has its cloudy, sunny, waxing, and waning. It is difficult to have everything perfect." Lin Jingmo replied with a sigh.

Zhang Jun was slightly stunned, then smiled and retorted: "Shouldn't it be said that such a good time and beautiful scenery is more suitable for celebrating with others? Ten years of hard work, one success achieved, the shame of Jingkang, all wiped away in one battle, even if there are some improper sacrifices, after all, it is ten thousand families with lights, a great achievement for the ages, so enjoy and cherish it."

"Both are true, seemingly contradictory, but actually human nature." Lin Jingmo also smiled. "Just like the Grand Clan Court's lamentable and magnificent words, and also like the contempt and admiration of everyone in the Secret Archive today for the eighteen princes, they are not contradictory."

"That's also true." Zhang Jun became more and more relaxed. "Then what is it that made you so 'cloudy, sunny, waxing, and waning'?"

"I am thinking about something." Lin Jingmo replied calmly, his smile undiminished. "Prime Minister, after this battle, how should the court and the Emperor get along?"

Zhang Jun was instantly stunned, but immediately shook his head: "The court is the Emperor, and the Emperor is the court."

"Is that really the case?" Lin Jingmo calmly asked. "Even if that is the case, does it delay the issuance of power from two places, causing estrangement between the ruler and his ministers? It should be known that for the Emperor, the court here both respects and fears him, and it is not contradictory."

Zhang Jun was speechless for a moment.

Speaking of which, Zhang Deyuan was very clear that it was too common for Lin Jingmo to have this concern. Many things in the Secret Archive today could not avoid the problem of the Emperor and Tokyo being divided into two. The essence of this problem was that Emperor Zhao had not returned to Beijing for several years since he began inspecting the southeast, including counting back to the many years of conquest before, Emperor Zhao was often not in Tokyo, so most of the government affairs were entrusted to this Secret Archive, which was composed of the two prefectures, six ministries, and five directorates.

Even further, probably because military needs made it difficult to distract, Emperor Zhao rarely interfered with the bureaucratic system outside of specific issues, even when he was in Tokyo.

As a result, the highest administrative power had actually formed a situation of division for a long time. Today's subtle discussions on the administrative power, appointment power, and reception power of the two Hebei regions, including some people wanting to run to the front of the Emperor, were essentially this problem.

Of course, unlike many people who had been secretly worried that there would be conflicts between the two sides, this seemingly dangerous system had actually been operating properly for ten years of Jianyan.

The reason was simple: first of all, the power in Tokyo was authorized by Emperor Zhao, so there was a legal basis for Zhang Jun's statement of 'the court is the Emperor, and the Emperor is the court.' In addition, the Emperor had been winning battles outside and enduring hardships inside, and his reputation was outstanding.

Of course, there was also the most important point: he held military power, and he held it more and more firmly.

Therefore, the Tokyo bureaucratic system, that is, the court in Lin Jingmo's words, had no ability to resist in front of that Emperor, from the inside to the outside, from the essence to the surface. It was really 'you can only take what I give you.'

And after the Battle of Huolu, it was completely imaginable that this dominance would probably continue directly until a certain Emperor breathed his last.

Only then did the words have to come back, and at the same time, the bureaucratic system was also a bunch of living people, and seeking power and seeking security in power were natural pursuits... The tricks of the ruler and the ministers, the superiors and the inferiors, for thousands of years, were destined to be unclear.

"Minister Lin, you and I are both trusted aides of the Emperor, and you are even from the ranks of close officials." Zhang Jun was silent for a long time, and finally pointed out a fact.

"But we are also important officials of the country." Lin Jingmo replied calmly. "We should be more aware of the dangers when we hold two powers, and make considerations for the Emperor and the court sooner rather than later, so as to avoid future troubles."

"What troubles can there be?" Zhang Jun was still a little puzzled. "The affairs of Baima and Shaoxing, and the gathering of the martial world in the southeast, were they not all properly handled? The Emperor's prestige is here."

"This is one time, and that is another." Lin Jingmo was still calm. "Prime Minister Zhang... Back then, when I followed the Emperor from Mount Bagong, upstream along the Huai River, I thought at the time that this was truly a chaotic world, and in the future, we must not be bound by ordinary rules, and we should not be shaken by seeing anything bizarre and extraordinary. Today, when I heard about the great victory at Huolu, I had only one thought, that is, the world is really going to be at peace... May I ask, Prime Minister, can a chaotic world and a peaceful world be compared? Can the way things were done before continue in the future?"

"Then what should we do?" Zhang Jun was silent, and also couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

In a chaotic state, he, Zhang Deyuan, could rely on his status as a trusted aide of Emperor Zhao to become the Emperor's spokesperson in the court and capital, follow the Emperor's wishes to participate in military affairs, and even calmly contend with Zhao Ding. But what about when the chaotic world was about to be settled?

"How many years have passed, why are you still so confused?" Lin Jingmo finally laughed again. "The Emperor is trying his best to promote Yang and Liu. Could it be that he is an Emperor who is ungrateful and deliberately profound? Where to go and what to do, why not ask frankly?"

As he said that, the Minister of Revenue directly got up and cupped his hands, apparently bidding farewell to return home.

Zhang Jun also smiled suddenly, and got up and cupped his hands: "That's right, thank you for reminding me today, Minister Lin... Tomorrow, I will recommend Minister Lü (Lü Zhi) in the Secret Archive to go north to comfort the troops, and ask him to send a 'secret note' to the Emperor on my behalf."

Lin Jingmo nodded slightly and directly bid farewell and left.

Zhang Deyuan also did not send him far. He returned to a two-story small pavilion in the backyard, looked at the still obvious lights in the city of Tokyo, stared for a while, then returned to the room, spread out the ink and paper, then pressed the table with the paper, preparing to write this secret note.

"Your Majesty."

Just as Zhang Jun returned to the study and picked up a pen to write a secret note, almost at the same time, inside Zhen Ding, in a spacious courtyard, under the lights, in the midst of a banquet, a person suddenly pressed his hand on the table in front of him, but suddenly stood up. "I have something to say!"

The spring breeze shook the twilight. Seeing this person stand up, the dozen or so 'Princes' present all changed their expressions and then became solemn.

For no other reason than that this person was the main guest of today's banquet, Minister of Works Hu Yin Hu Mingzhong who had come from the rear... His reputation was well-known, especially being deeply involved in the army. Whether it was a Prince, a Prince, or any other close official, there were really not many who were not afraid of him.

Only Vice Chancellor of the Privy Council Lü Yihao, who was seated side by side with Prince Qin Han Shizhong, still looked at ease and did not care.

"If I told Mingzhong to speak tomorrow, I'm afraid Mingzhong wouldn't listen." As for Emperor Zhao, he was stunned for a moment, but still shook his head and smiled in the seat. "Speak... I'm prepared."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Hu Yin replied solemnly, then stepped forward and cupped his hands. "First of all, does Your Majesty's conferment this time have the suspicion of abusing titles?"

There was an awkward silence in the seat. Among them, although some people were obviously drunk and were once ready to stand up and refute, they were also coldly glared at by several princes such as Han Shizhong.

After a long while, Zhao Jiu laughed lightly: "Mingzhong is overthinking it. The rivers and mountains have been restored, the old shame can be wiped away, the country rewards merits, what are a few titles of princes?"

Hu Yin immediately shook his head: "To let Your Majesty know, meritorious officials are difficult to raise... The princes are here today, and it seems that they can restrain themselves for a while, but in the future, as they live in this merit for a long time, they will inevitably generate arrogance and slowness. When that day comes when they cause trouble, Your Majesty will have to personally remove them sooner or later, and then it will be detrimental to the grace between the ruler and his ministers."

"Well said." Zhao Jiu actually nodded in approval, causing the princes present to be nervous for a while. "People's hearts are difficult to predict... It is really too difficult to have a long-lasting relationship between the ruler and his ministers."

Hearing this, the princes all had the intention of sobering up, and then Han Shizhong took the lead, and they all stepped forward.

Then, this Prince of Qin took the lead in expressing his position: "To let Your Majesty know, Your Majesty is so divine and martial, and the Minister is so alert, who dares to be unpredictable... Please rest assured, Your Majesty and the Minister."

Hu Yin was too lazy to pay attention.

On the other hand, Zhao Jiu looked at the princes in front of him, his smile undiminished: "I don't mean to use Mingzhong's words to beat you, and there is no need to. I am just simply lamenting, because some things are probably inevitable... Even Emperor Taizong of Tang, who was the most appropriate for meritorious officials, could not avoid the matter of Hou Junji. Our ruler and ministers are not natural saints, how can we avoid vulgarity? The only thing we can ask for is that if something really happens in the future, we can still do it to the level of Emperor Taizong and Hou Junji."

Han Shizhong had now read books and knew that Emperor Zhao's words were sincere, but he could not refute them.

A small interlude, not worth a smile, Zhao Jiu waved his hand for everyone to return to their seats, and then looked at Hu Yin: "Mingzhong, although people without distant worries must have near troubles, it is not the behavior of a wise ruler to make some narrow things now because of possible future worries, right? The eighteen princely titles have been decided, and all merits and rewards are appropriate, so it is useless to say more."

"Yes." Hu Yin did not argue, but continued to cup his hands. "Your Majesty, I have another question to ask... Using civilian scholars to inspect spring plowing with the army is naturally a very wonderful arrangement, but what about after spring plowing? Are you going to let them take over the matter of confiscating rebellious property and awarding land for military merits?"

"That's right." Zhao Jiu nodded in response. "Can't I?"

"It's not that you can't, but where does this place Tokyo?" Hu Mingzhong asked directly.

Zhao Jiu finally frowned: "I do not mean to ignore the intentions of the two governments and six ministries in Tokyo, but the military affairs here have not stopped, what does it mean to bypass this layer? Moreover,