Hairpin Phoenix

   Chapter 702 Fanwai's Reserve (3)

The news of   Lichu reached Chu.

  Lu Lin did not hide the joy in his heart, and said to Li Xian with a smile: "I didn't expect that the emperor ordered the establishment of the reserve so early."

   Over the past year, Li Xian has repeatedly volunteered to fight, and has made a lot of military exploits. Never arrogant in identity, and humble in everything, Lu Lin and Li Xian get along very well.

  Li Xian's expression was a little complicated, and he said in a low voice: "Second brother was injured by the establishment of the reserve back then. I sat on the dragon chair myself, and I didn't want Brother Jue to suffer any grievances, so I established the East Palace early."

   If it wasn't for the dedication of the Lu family, Li Jing's road to establishing a bank would have been even more ups and downs.

   Now Li Jing has decreed to establish a reserve and announce it to the world, not only to stabilize people's hearts, but also to reward the Yue family. No matter what happens in the future, whether there will be other beauties in the palace or not, whether there will be a concubine prince, the position of the prince is the eldest son Li Jue.

   This point, Li Xian does not need to say it, Lu Lin naturally understands in his heart,

  Lu Lin said with a smile: "The ceremony of establishing the reserve will be in May next year. Let's move faster and return to Beijing as soon as possible."

  Li Xian cleared up his confusion and smiled happily: "That's exactly what he said."

  After winning the battle, the aftermath cannot be neglected.

   Thinking of Puyang Hou's memorial, Li Xian couldn't help but praise: "Puyang Hou took the initiative to submit the memorial, and asked the Zhao family army to stay in Chu and be a garrison. Such a high profile is really unexpected."

   Lu Lin's eyes flashed, and he said meaningfully: "This is what Puyang Marquis excels at. Everything can't go against the sky, and the right way is to push the boat with the current. You Weng son-in-law are all rare and intelligent people in the world."

   This is in praise of Li Xian's act of inviting himself to the land of Yanchu as the Overseer.

   One emperor and one courtier.

   When you are a prince, it is okay to be self-willed. Anyway, the person sitting on the dragon chair is his own father. Now that the elder brother is the emperor, shouldn't the younger brother correct his position as soon as possible?

   Li Xian laughed: "King Xingyang praised it so highly, but I was disrespectful, so I accepted it shamelessly."

   After joking, Li Xian said goodbye first and went to work on settling the Zhao family.

   Zheng Zhong, who was guarding outside the military tent, slipped in and asked excitedly, "Is the emperor really going to establish a prince?"

"The imperial decree was announced to the world, and it was specially sent to the army, how could there be a fake." Lu Lin spoke to his eldest son-in-law more intimately and casually: "The emperor is taking practical actions, Anlu The heart of home."

He smiled solemnly, his eyebrows flashed with contentment: "The Meng family's army's remnants of defeated soldiers are only more than 20,000 people. The Zhao family's army only has 40,000. The Royal Forest Army in the palace has suffered a lot, and our Xingyang army has a large number of soldiers. Once again, we have made great contributions, the emperor has always relied on us, and it is also appropriate to make Brother Jue the crown prince."

Lu Lin's smile faded, and he gave a fluttering and solemn look: "I will say this in private. In front of others, I have to be humble and low-key. I interrupted if there were rumors of arrogance and frivolity. Your leg."

  Seriously straightened his face immediately: "Don't worry, father-in-law. How can I not know how serious this is? It's because I was so happy that I said a few more words in front of my father-in-law. In the future, no matter who I'm in front of, I'll just keep my mouth shut."

  Lu Lin's expression softened, and his voice softened: "Xiaoyu is the Queen of Great Wei, and Brother Jue is about to be established as the crown prince. Xingyang's army is strong and strong, which inevitably gives people a bad association."

   "Why did the Marquis of Puyang take the initiative to hand over 20,000 troops of the Zhao family? Isn't he afraid that the overstrength of the army will cause the emperor to be afraid?"

   "Now that the war is settled, there is no need to raise so many soldiers. After returning to Beijing, I will file a memorial, and all the soldiers in the general who are over 40 will be released to their hometowns. There will be no need to recruit new soldiers in the future."

   solemnly surprised: "Father-in-law!"

   There are 10,000 or 20,000 veterans in the Xingyang Army who are over 40 years old. They are all seasoned veterans! If these veterans are returned to their hometowns, and new soldiers are not added, the strength of the Xingyang Army will be greatly reduced.

  Lu Lin gave his son-in-law a reassuring look: "Don't get excited. I've thought about this for a long time."

   "The fact that the Marquis of Guangping led the rebellion has far-reaching consequences. If I were the emperor, I would never allow any troops that could threaten the safety of the capital."

   "It was precisely when the Marquis of Puyang saw this clearly that he took the initiative to file a memorial and weaken his military strength. This not only showed his loyalty, but also avoided all kinds of embarrassment."

   "I'm the father-in-law of the emperor, and I can't make things difficult for my son-in-law. These things can't wait for the emperor to open his mouth, but take the initiative to do them."

   "The total strength of the Xingyang Army can be maintained at around 50,000 in the future."

   In the battle with the Meng family army, the Xingyang army lost 20,000. Over the past year, the Xingyang Army has lost nearly 10,000. After returning to the capital and returning the veterans to their hometowns, if you count them in seventy-eighty-eighty-eighty ways, wouldn't there be around fifty thousand left?

  Zheng Zhong felt a little sullen in his heart. He didn't say a word for a while before he said, "Could it be that the emperor can't trust his father-in-law?"

  Lu Lin said lightly: "Weng-in-law's feelings are one thing, and the general situation in the DPRK is another. It will be a matter of time to reduce the number of troops."

   It's not a matter of believing it or not, it has to be done.

  As the Son of Heaven, if he can't control the court and Chinese officials and generals, it is the real disaster.

   solemnly let out a deep breath: "Since my father-in-law has made up his mind, I have nothing to say. In short, I am still very early for Lent. Just drive me home."

Lu Lin laughed, and patted Zheng Zhong's shoulder neither lightly nor heavy: "Okay, don't complain. The two Dabao brothers are not too young. After returning to Beijing, they will be brought to the military camp for good training. "

   mentioned his son, solemnly in a better mood, nodded with a smile.

  …

   Two months later, the army set off for Beijing.

   At the beginning of April, when the spring flowers were in full bloom, Lu Lin led the army to return in victory.

  The Son of Heaven led a hundred officials to greet him at the city gate.

  Lu Lin also did not expect Li Jing to come in person. He was quite moved, so he hurriedly dismounted and bowed his hands: "My minister Lu Lin has seen the emperor."

  Li Jing smiled and helped Lu Lin up: "King Xingyang, please get up quickly. For more than a year, King Xingyang has led troops to fight against Yan and Chu, pacified the rebellion, and worked hard. It is right for me to come and welcome him."

   "I have ordered a banquet in the palace to wash away the dust for you."

  Lu Lin thanked him gratefully.

  Li Jing gave him another hand, lowered his voice and said with a smile: "Father-in-law, please don't salute. After returning, Xiaoyu must pin my ears."

   Lu Lin laughed and stood up straight.

   Li Xian on the side also smiled and came forward to salute.

  Li Jing helped Li Xian and looked up and down: "The fourth brother has been gone for more than a year, and now he looks more mature and stable."

  Li Xian couldn't help choking: "Second brother is three years older than me, and he speaks like an elder."

   Li Jing laughed: "Second brother made a blunder. Fourth brother, don't be annoyed. When I drink a few more drinks at the palace banquet, it will be an apology."

   "It's about the same." Li Xian grinned and smiled at his brother.

   (end of this chapter)