Fenghou

Wang glanced at the letter in Qin Hui's hand again, and asked, "What did Tanlan say?"

Qin Hui smiled wryly and said, "It's similar to the content in the Queen Mother's letter, except that there is one more item."

"What more?"

Seeing his wife's curious face, Qin Hui really didn't want to talk about some things, but he also knew that if his wife's request was not met, she would not tell him the news about the Queen Mother next time.

Qin Hui could only say: "He wants a gunpowder barrel from Chen Qingjun, let me get it for him as soon as possible."

Wang was at a loss and said: "What's so strange about the gunpowder barrel? You can buy it on the street. Doesn't the Golden Congress have it?"

"I also found it strange at first, but the messenger told me that the gunpowder in Chen Qing's army was different, and they also tried to bribe Chen Qing's soldiers, but it is said that ordinary people can't touch it."

"Since ordinary people can't touch it, what can my husband do?"

Qin Hui pondered for a while and said: "There is only one way, let the officials put pressure on Chen Qing, let him hand over the secret of the gunpowder barrel, so that other Song troops can share it, it cannot be used exclusively by his army, as long as other Song troops have Now, it will be easy to get it."

Wang rolled her eyes and said: "Chen Qing is very cunning, he will definitely do everything possible to evade it, even if he handed it over, it may not be the real thing, it is better to let the government directly send a special envoy to fetch a few barrels from his army, and the husband will bribe him at the same time." Special envoy, hide a bucket in the dark, so that you can explain to Tarlan."

"That's a good idea!"

Qin Hui greatly appreciated it, but his wife had a brain.

At this time, he thought of Wan Yanchang's other two requests, and his head started to hurt again, to prevent Chen Qing from returning to Shaanxi, to convict Chen Qing and deprive him of his military power.

"Then you said Chen Qing should be convicted and deprived of his military power, what should we do?"

"Well! If you find his weakness, you might as well talk to Bo'er. He is Chen Qing's old enemy, so he should have a better understanding of Chen Qing."

Qin Hui nodded, it doesn't hurt to have a talk with Wang Bo.

……

In the morning of the next day, Chen Qing came to the Ministry of Officials. The Ministry of Officials was also responsible for conferring titles. He did not come here this time to report on his work, nor to show merit. It was Li Gang's job to apply for credit.

When he came to An'an, there was only one thing, conferring a knighthood.

Generally, he doesn't need to make a special trip to Lin'an for conferring titles. The main reason is that his title is the Duke of the Kingdom. This is not an ordinary title, and must be bestowed by the emperor himself.

In the Song Dynasty, the titles of the ministers were generally the highest, and only the relatives of the emperor had the opportunity to be crowned kings, or the title of the king after the death of the minister, anyway, it cannot be inherited by the descendants, and the title is actually meaningless.

Only Tong Guan regained the empty city of Yanjing because of Song Shenzong's last decree, and was granted the title of King of Guangyang County.

This is the first minister who was named a county king while he was alive, but it also set a precedent, so that generals such as Zhang Jun, Han Shizhong, and Yang Cunzhong were all named county kings while they were alive.

As for the duke of the state, it is not very unusual. Basically, famous ministers and prime ministers can be named duke of the state, especially in troubled times, there are more generals who can be named duke of the state.

But this time Chen Qing was indeed lucky to be the Duke of Jing, because Yang Yao was too harmful in Huguang, and he formed an alliance with the puppet Qi, but the imperial army was unable to destroy it after repeated defeats.

In desperation, Zhao Gou made a public promise at the court meeting to promote Yang Yao to three ranks and make him a Duke.

Originally, the title of duke of this country should have been given to Li Gang, because Li Gang was the commander in chief who defeated Yang Yao in Dongting Lake, but because the puppet Qi aggressively attacked Jingxiang, Li Gang had no skills at all. The important task was transferred to Chen Qing, so that the final reward and credit belonged to Chen Qing.

In addition, it is also related to Li Gang's poor popularity in the court. No matter Lu Yihao, Zhang Jun, Li Hui, Zhao Ding, or the emperor Zhao Gou, they all don't like Li Gang. Although Qin Hui doesn't like Chen Qing, he hates Li Gang even more. He would rather Chen Qing win the title than Li Gang's comeback.

Therefore, no one spoke for Li Gang, and the grand prize of Duke of the Kingdom fell on Chen Qing's head.

The person who received Chen Qing was Zou Yi, a doctor in the household department. He took out a stack of forms for Chen Qing to fill out, and said with a smile: "I heard that Chen Du ruled Yang Yao before, and many officials in the court thought that the possibility of being a Duke Big, maybe the title will be changed to the Duke of the county, but Mr. Zhang said, the officials keep their promises, how can they go back on their promises, and it turns out that the decree is indeed confirmed. It is the Duke of the State. Refill, you just happened to be here, so I simply let you fill it out by yourself, lest we make a mistake."

"Why refill?" Chen Qing asked.

Zou Yi shook his head, "I don't know either, the above didn't say anything."

When Chen Qing read the last letter of conferring titles, he understood that the wording should have been changed. In the past, he should be commended for his military exploits in annihilating the water thief Yang Yao. Qing made many achievements in Huguang, and was specially awarded the Duke of the Founding Duke.

The sentence 'many achievements made by Huguang' is very vague. It includes not only the achievements of destroying Yang Yao, but also the achievements of resisting the invasion of the puppet Qi army. It is the two achievements Zhang Jun made for himself yesterday. If so, the will will be renewed.

In fact, this kind of approach is a bit petty. Logically, as a dignified emperor, he should not care about this reward. If I guessed correctly, it must be related to the empress dowager's pressure.

Fortunately, Chen Qing didn't care. He quickly filled out various forms, signed and stamped, put down his pen and said with a smile, "What else?"

Zou Yi checked it carefully and was sure that the filling was correct. He looked at the address again and said with a smile: "I will report it today. After the Ministry of Officials approves it, it will be reported to the Shenzhengtang, and finally the Shenzhengtang will report it to the emperor. This process will take about ten days. , once it is approved, we will cast a seal, and at the same time, we will notify Chen Dutong of the specific time to meet the officials."

"After I have an audience with the official family, will there be another conferring ceremony?"

Zou Yi shook his head and said with a smile: "The audience with the officials is your conferment ceremony. The kind of separate conferral ceremony you mentioned is only for conferring princes. Generally, conferring the three princes is only until the officials meet."

Chen Qing nodded, "Then I have nothing to do now, just wait for news at home?"

"That's right. Of course, if there are other matters in Dutong, it has nothing to do with me. I only care about conferring titles."

"I understand, thank you Langzhong Zou!"

Zou Yi smiled, put away a stack of documents and left.

Chen Qing sat in the official department for a while, then got up and left...

Walking on the square, Chen Qing suddenly heard someone calling him from behind, and when he turned around, it was Li Gang chasing after him.

Chen Qing stopped, and Li Gang ran forward panting, "I said I was going to find you! I didn't expect to see you here."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Hey! I went to the Privy Council just now, and I was almost pissed off. This is not a place to talk. Let's go out and have a cup of tea."

It was still early for lunch, and the two came to a teahouse next to the imperial city. A tea girl ordered tea for them, and Li Gang waved her hand to let the tea girl go down.

Li Gang sighed and said: "I don't know what happened? The imperial court erased your name and credit from the credit book, and Li Hui said that he would count credit for you alone. I don't understand what he meant by this sentence? Judging from his tone, it seems that it is not a good thing."

"I went to the official department today, and the official department has already told me the reason, so I probably understand."

"What did the official tell you?"

"What they mean is that my contribution in the battle of Jingxiang should be counted together with the contribution of exterminating Yang Yao."

Li Gang frowned, "But these are two things!"

"Xuanfu envoy think about it, I just killed Yang Yao and named Jing Guogong, but in a blink of an eye, he wants to reward me again, what should the court do? The officials can't make me the king of the county anymore!"

"It's just nonsense! These are two completely different contributions, how can they be confused? Besides, you don't have to be a knight, and promotion is also good, why not give it to you? I'll talk to the officials. If you didn't send troops, Jing Xiang would have If it is lost, I, Li, will also jump into the Yangtze River to die for the country, basically it is all due to you alone, how can the court not count?"

Chen Qing smiled and said: "Actually, Mr. Zhang and I have already talked about it. I agreed to their arrangement, but I also made a condition."

Li Gang heard that Chen Qing had already agreed, so he could only smolder in his heart, and asked sullenly, "What conditions did you offer?"

"I give up the credit for the battle of Jingxiang, but all my generals will be promoted to another level in addition to the normal rewards, and then the soldiers who died in our army will be doubled."

Li Gang understood that Chen Qing actually gave credit to his subordinates. Normally, each person was promoted by one rank, but now each person was promoted by two ranks, and then doubled the compensation for the fallen soldiers.

Li Gang nodded, sighed and said: "You are really good, no wonder your subordinates are willing to work for you, I know, then I don't have much trouble, hey! I wanted to go to the Zhizheng Hall to have a big fight There is no need to offend them now, thank you Chen Dutong for the timely notification!"

Speaking of this, Li Gang bowed his hands to Chen Qing, and Chen Qing hurriedly bowed and said, "I should be the one who thanks the envoy Xuanfu for standing up for me!"

Chapter 343 Excuse

At the same time, in the Imperial Study Room of Zichen Palace, Zhang Jun was reporting the results of his conversation with Chen Qing to Emperor Zhao Gou, with Qin Hui and Zhao Ding beside him.

Zhao Gou is not a stingy king when it comes to conferring military merits. He is very generous to the soldiers who have done meritorious service. He was very generous in promoting Chen Qing before, but this time it was really because of the empress dowager's firm opposition.

Zhao Gou listened to Zhang Jun's report, pondered for a moment, and asked Qin Hui and Zhao Ding, "What do you two think?"

Qin Hui understood the emperor's intentions very well. He knew that this result was what the emperor wanted. Since he did not offend the queen mother and appeased the meritorious Chen Qing, everyone was happy. It is unbearable for him to gently confer the title of Duke, and he can accept it in his heart. Although His Majesty does not want to break his trust in the world and seal him as Duke, he must also consider Chen Dutong's own feelings. Since he has This idea, His Majesty, let him be fulfilled!"

Zhang Jun secretly scolded Qin Hui for being shameless, obviously Chen Qing had to accept the official arrangement, but in Qin Hui's mouth, it turned out that Chen Qing gave up his credit and became the official's favor for Chen Qing.

But Zhang Jun also knew in his heart that the officials wanted to hear such words, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and cooperate: "Mr. Your Majesty conferred the Duke of another country, which made him unbearable. Before interrogating Xu Yun, the commander of the Mingzhou Navy who surrendered to the Puppet Qi, he was dissatisfied with Chen Qingfeng, the Duke of the Kingdom, so he was drawn over by the Puppet Qi. He proposed that he should not grant a reward. Passing it on to his subordinates is also his response to Feng Guogong, His Majesty will fulfill him!"

Zhao Goulong was overjoyed, the two prime ministers were good at talking, and in the end they didn't reward Chen Qing, but instead fulfilled him by themselves.

Just as Zhao Gou was about to speak, Zhao Ding said first, "Your Majesty, I have something to say!"

Zhao Gou was really helpless. As soon as this upright gentleman opened his mouth, he knew something bad was going to happen.

"What did Mr. Zhao say?"

"Your Majesty, military merit rewards are always the result of weighing the pros and cons. It is a reward for those who have done meritorious service, and it is also to boost the morale of the entire army. Your Majesty bestowing Chen Qing as the Duke of the State is a good thing for a thousand dollars to buy a horse's bone in my humble opinion He can inspire tens of thousands of soldiers to be loyal to His Majesty. Xu Yun is just a special case, just one or two thorns in the fragrance of the garden, and it must not represent the thoughts of other soldiers. In this battle of Jingxiang, regardless of the Changlin rescue battle, the Jiangling defense battle, the Hanyang decisive battle, the Three Gorges blocking battle and the capture of Xiangyang, it was Chen Qing's own efforts to turn the tide. In the end, the court commended those who defended Jingxiang Credit, but not for Chen Qing, Your Majesty, what will the soldiers of the world think?"

There was no sound in the imperial study room, Qin Hui said with a dry smile: "Mr. Zhao is too worried. The court still wants to commend Chen Qing's merits, but only commend them separately. Two merits are combined into one merit. It is by no means that he has been forgotten."

Zhao Ding gave Qin Hui a disgusted look, "This is just deception. Everyone knows that Feng Guogong is because of the extermination of Yang Yao, and it has nothing to do with the defense of Jingxiang. If we insist on forcibly twisting together now, it will only make the world laugh. .”

Zhang Jun saw that the official's face was a bit ugly, so he quickly smoothed things over and said: "The puppet Qi army and Yang Yao secretly colluded. Among them, it also fully proves that the puppet Qi army's southern invasion was planned for a long time with Yang Yao, so there is nothing wrong with combining the two achievements into one. As for the title, you can explain it separately."

"That's it!"

Zhao Gou finally spoke, "Two meritorious deeds are combined into one meritorious service. I formally conferred the title of Lord Jing Guo. I agreed to his request and distributed his meritorious service to the generals under him. Doctor, seal up the guards, that's all!"

……

Everyone broke up unhappy, Qin Hui turned a corner and came back.

Seeing that Zhao Gou was still sulking, he persuaded: "Your Majesty, don't worry. He wants to distribute the credit to his subordinates. What does he have to do with His Majesty? Your Majesty has not treated him badly. Besides, as long as I don't Opinions, other people actually don’t care, and don’t need to think too much about other people’s feelings.”

"But Mr. Zhao is very dissatisfied!"

"Hey! What's wrong with Mr. Zhao?"

"That's right! Since when has he made me feel at ease with this thorny head?"

After thinking this through, Zhao Gou felt better again, and he asked Qin Hui again, "About Li Gang, do you think I transferred him to the court?"

Qin Hui was taken aback. The subconscious meaning of Li Gang's transfer to the imperial court was to be a prime minister. How could this be allowed?Although Chen Qing hates him, he doesn't pose any threat to him, but Li Gang is different. Once he becomes prime minister, he will definitely become his biggest political enemy.

"Your Majesty, Huguang was miserably devastated by water thieves and bandits, and was also invaded and destroyed by the puppet Qi army. Now it is time to restore vitality and people's livelihood. It is time to employ people. Li Gang has a high reputation in Huguang, and it is most appropriate for him to restore Huguang's people's livelihood. Not long after he was transferred to Huguang, he was simply asked to work for a few more years to save some political achievements."

Qin Hui said that he would not let Li Gang return to the court. In fact, why did Zhao Gou want Li Gang, a hardliner who resisted the gold, to be a prime minister?He just wanted Qin Hui to come up with an excuse for him.

Restoring people's livelihood is a good excuse, Zhao Gou said happily: "Li Gang will continue to serve as Huguang Xuanfu Envoy, and he will be crowned Prince Shaobao, promoted to Gold Ziguanglu Doctor, and University of Baohe Palace. Qi's work!"

A series of dizzying appointments, but the most important thing is that there is nothing wrong with Zhongshumen. Qin Hui put his heart down and said quickly: "Your Majesty is wise!"

"Is there anything else, Mr. Qin?"

"I still have something to report to His Majesty!"

"what's up?"

"That's right, Weichen chatted with several generals a few days ago. When talking about the reason why Chen Qing led the army in many battles, they all mentioned that there was a secret firearm in Chen Qing's army. It was very sharp, called the powder barrel, and it was amazingly powerful. , which is very effective in defending the city."

Zhao Gou was immediately interested, "Is there such a thing? Immediately ask him to take out a few barrels to the Military Weapons Supervision, make a large number of them, and promote them to the entire army."

"Weichen also heard that other army generals asked him for it. He always used the excuse of keeping secrets to prevent Jinbing from imitating it, and refused to take it out. Weichen estimated that he would use this excuse to shirk."

Zhao Gou frowned, "What will happen if Jin Bing gets it?"

"As long as weapons are promoted, the other party will know sooner or later. Which is not right? Golden soldiers also have firearms. The key is to consider the pros and cons. Firearms are more suitable for defense, while golden soldiers are more offensive, so they are more suitable for the Song army. Instead of the Jin Bing, the benefit to the Song Army is great, but the benefit to the Jin Bing is small. Chen Qing's situation is too small, and he takes his own interests too seriously. The humble minister's suggestion is to send a special envoy to Baling directly, and how much will it cost to take out His Majesty's handbook? As soon as the powder keg comes back, even if Chen Qing finds out about it afterwards, there's nothing he can do about it, so he won't have to find all kinds of excuses to evade it."

Zhao Gou was quite dissatisfied with Chen Qing's selfishness in his heart. Qin Hui's suggestion reminded him that Zhao Gou also wanted to give it a try. Would his handwriting work in Chen Qing's army?

"Yes, I will write a letter, and I will hand over this matter to Mr. Qin. If the firearms are sharp, they will be widely promoted in the army immediately."

……

When Qin Hui returned to the imperial court, he immediately found his confidant, supervised the censor Wan Qixie, and handed him the emperor's letter, ordering him to take people to Baling immediately to ask for gunpowder.

Wan Qixie said with a sinister smile: "There is a plan for a humble position. It is better to say that Chen Qing's subordinates do not recognize the emperor's handwriting, but only recognize the general's order after getting the gunpowder. In this way, Chen Qing can be impeached for raising a private army and questioned. , what does Xianggong think?"

Qin Hui pondered for a moment, this method seemed very good, but it might be self-defeating, and he couldn't bear to confront him face to face, once he tracked down the whereabouts of the gunpowder and found that it fell into the hands of the golden man, he would have to be dismissed and sent to prison, the consequences would be disastrous.

He said to Wan Qixi: "This matter can't be extravagant. If the other party doesn't give it, just tell the truth, but if it does, then do as I said, take five barrels and hand them over to the military supervisor for four barrels. When I asked more questions, I said that the other barrel fell into the river and was lost, do you understand?"

"Humble job understands!"

Wan Qixie led the order to retreat, and he immediately left Lin'an with a few of his men on horseback, and rushed towards Baling County.

Chapter 344

In the afternoon, Chen Qing came to Lu Mansion and formally came to meet Lu Yihao.

Lu Xiu's father, Lu Jin, met Chen Qing first. Although Lu Jin was the eldest son of Lu Yihao, he was relatively mediocre, far inferior to his uncle and brother, and his status in the family was not high.

But in the Lu Mansion, Chen Qing liked him the most. His kindness and love for his daughter moved Chen Qing very much.

"I heard from Xiu'er that my nephew is coming today, so I've been waiting in the mansion!" Lu Jin said with a smile.

"My nephew went to the Ministry of Officials in the morning, so I can only come here in the afternoon, making my uncle wait for a long time."

"No problem! No problem!"

Lu Jin asked again with concern: "Have you found your elder?"

"My nephew really couldn't find a suitable elder. Zheng Ping and I are like brothers, so I asked Zheng Ping's father, Uncle Zheng Guo, to offer me a betrothal gift. He is my elder."

"Oh! I know him. He's a nice guy. When will he come over to give the bride price?"