[Red House] But for the sake of the king

At the cold gate of the city, a group of people guarded the spacious carriage in the middle, and entered the city in a mighty manner.Just after entering the door, a general in armor came forward, and without saluting, he said loudly to the carriage, "If you dare to ask, it's Mr. Lin, the imperial envoy from the capital."

The guards next to the carriage are all the cronies of the imperial guards specially selected by Junqi. presumptuous."

The general didn't care, and said with a smile, "The humble job is the general of the Fujian Navy, Bai Changshuo, who was ordered by the general to meet the imperial envoy."

Lin Ruhai listened in the carriage, and wondered whether this person didn't know the depth or whether the general wanted to give him a warning, but if I remember correctly, the leader of the army this time was Chang Feng, the general of Dingnan, who had no friendship with the Lin family and had no relationship with the Lin family. It seems that he is dissatisfied with the court's order to Zhao'an this time, the general Chang Da.

"Come here, pass on my words and let General Bai Shen lead the way to the yamen."

The deliberately low voice was deep and deep, and it came from the carriage, and Bai Changshuo could hear it clearly without the guards telling him.Bai Changshuo also started his career by relying on his military exploits. He made it through the bloody storm, and climbed to the current position as a general by relying on his hard bones. His mind is full of fighting and killing.What happened just now, firstly, he was a rough guy who didn't care about trifles, and secondly, it was Chang Feng's orders.Seeing the imperial envoy's reaction now, I don't know how to respond, so I scratched my hair and sent a small soldier to go to the Yamen to report the letter first, and walked ahead to lead the way, thinking that these civil servants are troublesome, and they don't even show their faces when they arrive. The officer has a big temper.

Lin Ruhai held the jade pendant, or half of it, and was still thinking about how to deal with this general after meeting him for a while. No matter how he talks with the Izumo Kingdom, he must not mess up his own position. He must first stabilize the morale of the army. just work.Of course, judging from the situation just now, Chang Feng might not be seen today.

Lin Ruhai expected it to be true, when he arrived at the yamen, he did not see Chang Feng waiting outside. After asking, he found out that Chang Feng took people to inspect Haiphong yesterday, and he would not be back until two days later.Lin Ruhai thought to himself, Chang Feng is worthy of being a lunatic Chang who was sealed by the emperor himself, and he just put on a face like this if he is not allowed to fight, and thanks to always fighting outside, he can sit firmly on the throne of the general.In contrast, his eldest cousin Tang Yan can be regarded as resourceful, of course not referring to the way of using troops.

Bai Changshuo looked puzzled, the general ordered him to meet the imperial envoy when he got up early, why did he say he was going to inspect the coastal defense now?But he was too stupid to say it, and he returned to Lin Ruhai with a guilty face, and took the initiative to greet the imperial envoy. Fortunately, the room where the imperial envoy stayed had been cleaned out in the yamen, so it would not be so rude.

Lin Ruhai was not angry, but he did not lose his status as an imperial envoy. He ignored all the officers and men in the government office and ordered the accompanying guards to set up defenses. He even said in front of everyone, "I have been traveling all the way, just in time to take advantage of General Shen's absence to take a good rest." After a while, when General Shen comes back, I will report immediately. I can wait, but the emperor who cares about the battlefield can't wait, and the soldiers who are desperately fighting on the front line can't wait. You all cheer me up, don't look out No one is in charge of the capital. Although I am a civil servant, I am not ignorant of military affairs, otherwise the emperor would not have sent me to be this imperial envoy. After this mission is completed, it will be of your benefit to go back. If it's smashed, none of us can escape the responsibility!"

Bai Changshuo didn't quite understand what he said, but as Chang Feng's military adviser, Wu Kai, who had been hiding among the crowd early in the morning, understood the meaning. Seeing that the imperial envoy returned to his room with a smile, he immediately sent two Xiaobing hurried to the unusual peak.Therefore, before Lin Ruhai had lunch on the second day, he heard that General Chang rushed all the way back from the front line.

Lin Ruhai said with a smile, "General Chang is well informed. It's been a hard journey all night." The previous one sent someone to say that he would arrive yesterday, but he didn't see anyone when he arrived; he hasn't sent anyone yet. I went to call and came back after only one night. The well-informed statement is really extremely ironic.But of course no one will say it out of self-indulgence, after all, it is good that everyone knows some things well.

Chang Feng didn't know if it was because he felt ashamed of the ineffective dismounting, and he didn't show off in front of Lin Ruhai, and he was very respectful to this imperial envoy.After all, he is a first-rank official and the emperor's confidant, and the imperial decree also clearly stated that all matters should be decided by the imperial envoy, so he can do things cheaply.Such a will is no different from Shang Fang's sword, even if he is to be replaced as a general, it is not impossible.Of course, people who can do this would probably not do such a mindless thing.It's just that he, Chang Feng, wholeheartedly serves the country, and would rather die in battle than let these scholars go to peace talks so uselessly.They have been fighting for so long with no results, let this helpless adult go, besides getting married and paying compensation, is there any other way to fail? It's just nonsense!

Lin Ruhai did not meet Chang Feng immediately, but sent someone to tell Chang Feng to wait for him in the gazebo in the back garden after lunch.Chang Feng guessed that the imperial envoy was humiliated yesterday and couldn't swallow this breath, so he wanted to retaliate against him.It was just for the soldiers who had worked hard for a year on the front line, so he had to swallow his anger and wait until he understood what the imperial envoy meant before he acted.

It's just that Chang Feng's class, even for an hour, will wear down no matter how good his temper and patience are, let alone such a hostile general like Chang Feng.Not to mention him, the lieutenants who followed beside him had already had their eyes full of fire. If he hadn't stopped him desperately, they would have gone to the door a long time ago.

Just when Chang Feng was about to run out of patience, Lin Ruhai, dressed in normal clothes, came slowly with a folding fan.The weather is neither hot nor cold, so this fan is naturally not for fanning.

Before entering the gazebo, Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "General Chang has worked hard all the way. It takes at least two days to get here from the coastal defense line, but the general came back so soon. It's just that I came here on orders. It's more important than war. Since the general is going to inspect the coastal defense, he shouldn't come back so easily. If someone who doesn't know what's inside spreads it, he thinks that the situation has changed, and it will be my fault for causing chaos in the army. .”

Chang Feng's face froze, "Master Lin is serious. There is nothing wrong with the coastal defense. This general is only worried about the Izumo Kingdom's surprise attack after seeing that the Lord has not come, so I went ahead to have a look, so I can rest assured."

Lin Ruhai still had a smile on his face, "My horse is naturally not as good as the general's experienced horse. But I specially invited the general here to discuss important matters. yes……"

Chang Feng understood what Lin Ruhai meant, but he didn't give in at all, "Don't worry, my lord, these are good brothers who have been born and died as officials, and they are absolutely trustworthy."

"General Chang said this, and I feel relieved. After all, the matter involves confidentiality. If someone who cares listens to it, it will not be good."

As soon as Lin Ruhai said this, one of the violent lieutenants was about to rush forward to argue, which clearly did not believe them, but fortunately the other lieutenant quickly stopped him.Chang Feng was holding his breath in his chest, and it was uncomfortable, but the person in front of him was not easy to move.Even if there are generals who do not accept military orders abroad, he has to think about the overall situation.

Lin Ruhai didn't seem to see them all getting angry, and continued, "The general must also know that the emperor sent me here this time to negotiate peace with the Izumo country. The emperor meant that this battle has been fought for long enough , It’s not that we don’t want to win, it’s just that it’s not good for us to waste it like this. Since the Izumo Kingdom has actively requested peace talks, we will follow the trend, save face, and save the people from suffering from the flames of war. Isn’t it the best of both worlds.”

Chang Feng said, "My lord, the last general also knows that this battle has dragged on for a long time, but now that the Izumo Kingdom is willing to negotiate peace, it must not last long. The previous few battles were more victorious than defeat, why don't we take this opportunity Take it in one fell swoop. The Izumo Kingdom also negotiated peace with our court, and it was only ten years of peace at most. After that, it still came to the coastal areas to burn, kill and loot. Cut the grass to get rid of the roots!"

Lin Ruhai said, "It would be the best if we can cut the grass and root out the roots, otherwise the emperor would not have deliberately asked people to form the Fujian navy. It's just that General Chang also knows that what is needed for this war is not only food, grass and money, but also a large number of troops. Do the math yourself, this year, how much you have spent as a naval officer, and how much you have replenished your troops. The north has not yet settled down, so you can’t afford to spend like this. People say that if you are not in charge, you don’t know how much firewood is expensive, and the emperor is also punished. There is no other way. Not to mention the deployment of defenses in the north and southwest, this year there was a severe drought in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, floods in the two rivers, and cholera broke out in northern Shaanxi. Where is the place where money is not used, how can it withstand such a toss. Of course, this Izumo country It’s a shame, but the common people have to live first, and they can get ten years of peace, why not. After ten years, General Chang’s subordinates will still be like today, unable to take down Izumo for a whole year.”

Chang Feng was at a loss for words for a while, ten years is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge, but this is not his style.It’s just that what Lin Ruhai said is indeed what he has to face. The military’s salary is increasing day by day, and the casualties of soldiers are too many, which makes it even more difficult for the people along the coast to live in peace. I am not qualified to say anything more.

Lin Ruhai sighed, "It's just that there is no turning point now. Don't let yourself out. After all, Izumo Kingdom took the initiative to ask for peace, so we naturally have to raise our profile so that we won't lose out. General Chang took advantage of this Train well in these peaceful days, there will always be a place for you to use your skills."

Chang Feng's square face was flushed red. If it wasn't for his black face, it would have been very spectacular, but he looked very much like Guan Erye, only missing a long beard and a Qinglongyanyue knife.The imperial envoy's words have reached this point, what else can he say, it must be the emperor's intention, it seems that he can only swallow his anger for the time being, and deal with those bastards in Izumo country in the future.

Lin Ruhai twirled his fan twice, left behind a sentence, "Since General Chang has figured it out, then I need General Lao to send someone to send a message to the people in Yunguo, saying that the imperial envoy for peace negotiation has arrived" and left.Seeing this, several lieutenants hurriedly gathered around and persuaded, "General, is it possible to really listen to this shit imperial envoy? How many brothers have we lost? Now that we have some advantages, how can we give up lightly? Don't we let those Brother gave his life in vain, to make the rest of the brothers feel cold."

Chang Feng said helplessly, "Then what can we do? What the imperial envoy said is also reasonable. There is no military salary, no matter how we fight, we will not let the brothers go to the battlefield hungry. After all these days, they have not been able to take them down. We are at a loss, the emperor's failure to punish the crime is an extrajudicial mercy, and we can no longer let us do it."

The lieutenants were still unconvinced. They were obviously good fighters, so why should a scholar tell them what to do, and just said that they were useless, and they couldn't fight Izumo for such a long time. They were not deaf.While they were still swearing, Lin Ruhai went back and forth, handed the folding fan in his hand to Chang Feng, and said with a smile, "I didn't expect the weather in Quanzhou to be so good, but it's not so hot that I need to use a fan. I think General Chang The anger is very strong, why don't you give it to General Chang, and go to the fire."

Lin Ruhai left after finishing speaking, without giving them any time to react, and when everyone reacted, they became even more angrily, wishing to cut him alive right away.Chang Feng squeezed the fan bone tightly, almost crushing it, but in the end he kept his sense, stopped his subordinates, angrily went back to his room, and looked at the folding fan carefully.