The Child Emperor

It was early winter when the patrolling team arrived in Luoyang, the road was bleak, and the city was not very lively. The local officials adhered to the purpose of frugality and did not greet the emperor with great fanfare. The curious people were separated a few streets away, and they could only see the flag flying. .

There was news from the East China Sea that Qu Zixi was still investigating the case, and Huang Pugong had already led his army to the south.

Huang Pugong is an arrow that has been shot. How far it can fly and whether it can hit the target will take a while to know the result.

In Luoyang, there are many things that the emperor needs to deal with as soon as possible.

Chai Yue had already arrived in Luoyang from outside the Great Wall. He was born in a concubine, and he did not have a particularly harmonious relationship with the family. He did not have many servants in the field, so he did not object to the emperor's decision at all.

After a long talk, Chai Yue was named the Great Sima of the Southern Army the next day. Together with the original Great Sima of the Northern Army, he commanded the two armies by himself, which was unprecedented since the founding of Chu.

Han Ruzi must firmly control the army. As long as there is no large-scale rebellion, he can continue to confront the ministers. Once the army is in chaos, no matter how tough the emperor is, he has to bow his head.

Huang Pugong refused to participate in the government, and Han Ruzi lost a major Sima of the Southern Army. Looking at it, there were no suitable candidates among the generals of the Manchu Dynasty. They were either too young or unreliable.

Chai Yue was in charge of the two most elite armies of Da Chu at the same time, one was stationed in Broken Iron City and the other was stationed in Mayi City, and the duty changed from defending the capital to defending the frontier.

The appointment drew overwhelming opposition.

The entourage officials were of lower rank and had always been more patient. They did not plead guilty and resign like the ministers of the capital. When the emperor announced that the southern and northern armies would be handed over to the same person, and the two armies would be stationed outside the fortress for at least a year, they quit. , and there was a dispute with the emperor on the spot.

Han Ruzi still lived in the house last time. The living room was not big. Most officials could only line up in the courtyard. If they wanted to speak, they had to report first before entering the house. Even so, they could not stop their opposition.

The first attack was the Ministry of War. Jiang Juying, the minister of the Ministry of War, was in Luoyang, but he was a victim of crime. He wrote three times to ask for an official position, so he did not attend today's court meeting. One of the chiefs of the Ministry of War, nearly sixty years old, the emperor just announced his decision. , he stood up.

Your Majesty, this is absolutely absolutely impossible. The principal, surnamed Liu, stuttered a little when he was in a hurry.

Why? Han Ruzi expected the objection and was ready to refute it.

The southern army and the northern army have always been led by two great Sima respectively. This has been the case since the time of the Taizu. It has never changed for more than a hundred years. How can it be easily changed? Moreover, the capital is the most important place in the world. If you guard the capital full-time, and occasionally send it out to fight the enemy, how can you be stationed outside the Great Wall and become a frontier army? In this way, the capital is empty and there are no soldiers to defend, even the soldiers of the two armies will feel cold.”

Han Ruzi nodded and hummed, but did not immediately launch a counterattack.

Another official stood up, even more excited than the head of the Ministry of War, Your Majesty, soldiers are the most powerful weapons of the country. The southern and northern armies are the most powerful weapons of the Great Chu, and they must not be awarded to the same person. Chai Yue is young and has no outstanding military exploits. It’s not a clan’s heavy relationship, and he leads the army alone, this… this… absolutely can’t be.”

He made a start, and the next officials found a more suitable target, and they all aimed at Chai Yue, thinking that he was not qualified for this.

Chai Yue stood aside, bowing her head respectfully, not saying a word, let alone defending.

An official in the courtyard was allowed to enter the hall, first saluted the emperor, and then pointed at Chai Yue and said, General Chai has great merits from the dragon, but he must not be in charge of the southern and northern armies at the same time, because he has bad conduct. A few years ago, In the year when the emperor ascended the throne, Chai Yue was immoral after drinking, fought with others, and publicly claimed that the Great Chu would be turned upside down, and the real heroes should have established themselves early. Isn't this a rebellious heart? The reason for this case is The Ministry of Rites has verified and recorded in detail, and His Majesty can refer to it at any time. Chai Yue, do you think this is true?

Chai Yue received the emperor's order, but she still didn't say a word, but her face was a little red.

Seventeen officials raised objections one after another, from different ministries and departments, and they were quite immortal.

When the momentum of the officials slowed down a little, Han Ruzi said, I can't explain the rationale, and I'm not clear about the matter. Zhu Qings objected to Chai Yue's control of the two armies. I have heard it, can anyone support it?

Of the nearly 100 officials inside and outside the hall, no one came forward.

Chief Liu of the Ministry of War stepped forward, cupped his hands and prepared to speak again. In any case, he had to give the emperor a step, but before he could speak, a voice came from the corner, Wei Chen thinks this appointment is the most suitable.

Everyone was surprised, looked around, and finally saw the speaker by the wall.

This is a regular official court meeting every day, accompanied by officials. Many advisors selected by the emperor usually wait for the officials to disperse before coming to see the driver. Today, a few advisors stayed in the hall and did not join the queue, but were far away. Standing far away against the wall, he has not been paid attention to.

Kang Zijiao, this is not the place for you to talk. Director Liu reprimanded.

Kang Zijiao didn't even have a formal official position, but he was famous and everyone knew him.

Kang Zijiao took a few steps forward, Should I speak or not, it should be decided by Your Majesty.

Han Ruzi raised his hand, Tell me your reasons.

The emperor ordered, but no one dared to object, the head of the Ministry of War Liu returned to the queue angrily.

Kang Zijiao walked up to the emperor, bowed deeply, then turned to face the officials such as Mr. Liu, and said loudly: Everyone only talked about the disadvantages, let me talk about the advantages. First, it is not appropriate Working in the world, the southern and northern armies are ready-made armies, and they are used to guard the frontier and have the least impact on the world...

Director Liu hurriedly said, Don't you need guards in the capital?

Kang Zijiao smiled slightly, When the bandits come home, is the master guarding the gate of the courtyard or the door of the bedroom? Where do the enemies of the capital come from? Of course, they are outside the fortress. What is there to fear?

Don't forget the rebellion in Qi. Director Liu reminded coldly that not all enemies in the capital came from outside the Great Wall.

Don't forget Your Majesty. Kang Zijiao turned around and saluted the Emperor, Your Majesty's patrolling is the most powerful deterrent, how dare you follow the example of Qi?

Director Liu sneered, If you say no, then there is no?

Kang Zijiao bowed deeply to Director Liu, Master Liu is serving in the Ministry of War, and he seems to know something. It's better to say it directly, so that His Majesty can take precautions.

Mr. Liu was startled and hurriedly said to the emperor: Wei Chen didn't hide it, and he didn't know where it might be a hidden danger. It's just... just be prepared, and some things have to be guarded against.

The vigilance of the Ministry of War is actually justified. Several civil strife in Da Chu has just been settled, and it has not yet reached the point of sitting back and relax. Maybe something will go wrong.

But Han Ruzi was willing to take this risk. If he wanted to restore his national strength, he would have to cut taxes more and recruit less troops. If he had fewer troops, he would be faced with a dilemma. Whether it is to stay inside or outside is a risky choice.

Han Ruzi nodded, indicating that he would not blame anyone.

Kang Zijiao said again: Not to mention that there are tens of thousands of old guards, enough to protect Your Majesty?

Su Weijun had also arrived in Luoyang by order and was stationed outside the city.

Another official said, Even so, there is no need to hand over both the southern and northern armies to the same person, let alone Chai Yue.

Kang Zijie shook his head, No, when the southern and northern armies were in the capital, the leader was His Majesty himself, so they belonged to two great Sima, but outside the Great Wall are different, the Huns have been merged into one family, and one person is ordered. If there is an accident, the frontier will go to the capital. Asking for instructions, after going back and forth, the fighter jets have already been delayed, and a general must adapt to the situation.

Hundreds of thousands of elites belong to one person. Chai Yue can't afford this heavy responsibility, at least he must be a royal prince.

The rebellion in Qi that was just mentioned by Mr. Liu from the Ministry of War was initially provoked by the princes of the clan. Kang Zijiao blocked the opponent's mouth with these words, and then raised his finger to Chai Yue, The Ministry of Rites just claimed that General Chai was of bad character. , but I want to ask, how old was General Chai when it happened?

Chai Yue is not yet thirty years old now. The year the emperor first ascended the throne, he was only in his early twenties, when he was young and vigorous.

Kang Zijiao added: Since the Ministry of Rites investigated the case back then, but did not impose any punishment on General Chai, it must be because they think it is not a big deal, right?

The officials of the Ministry of Rites were still in the hall, and their faces turned red when they heard the words, and they were speechless.

In my opinion, there are two reasons why you think that General Chai cannot lead the two armies. One is that sharp weapons cannot be given to outsiders. I have nothing to say about this. I understand, Your Majesty believes in General Chai, and I have no reason to doubt it. The second reason is your selfishness. The world knows that among the three armies in the capital, there are many noble children in the Suwei Army, and officials in the South and North armies have many relatives and relatives outside the Great Wall. It’s bitter cold, and it’s dangerous, and it’s enough to go there once in a while to make a military exploit, but it’s not worthwhile to be stationed all year round…”

The officials scolded him all over the place, and Kang Zijiao faced it calmly. When the voice stopped for a while, he said, I just want to ask, who would dare to stand up and say that there are no relatives in the southern and northern armies?

The hall fell silent for a while.

The status of the Southern and Northern Army is slightly lower than that of the Suwei Army, but they are stationed in the prosperous part of the capital, and their treatment is much higher than that of the ordinary army. moon.

However, the main force of the soldiers of the two armies is still the children of good families in several counties around the capital. They are well-equipped and well-supplied, and their combat power has always been strong, so no one cares.

Han Ruzi didn't either. Compared with turning soldiers into slaves, this was really not a big deal.

Being speechless was like acquiescence, and several officials reacted and hurriedly knelt down to the emperor, swearing and swearing, claiming that they had no selfishness in raising objections.

Han Ruzi still did not blame anyone, and announced that the court meeting was over, and there would be a formal order tomorrow.

After the dynasty was dispersed, Han Ruzi left Chai Yue behind and said to him, I have wronged General Chai.

Chai Yue hurriedly cupped her hands and said, It's a great grace to have your Majesty's trust, so what's the grievance?

Yesterday I asked you if the Xiongnu would invade the border again. You said you had to think about it, but will there be a result?

I have thought about it carefully, and I am 70% sure that the Huns will invade the Great Chu next spring.

Although he couldn't make it out of his mouth, Han Ruzi looked forward to this war in his heart.