Adhere to the gentleman's principles

Chapter 109 Recommending Zhao Junhao to Lead the Army to Battle

Qin Zhuoyuan saw that Xiao Xuanjing's expression changed from being slightly touched to being hesitant. Just as he was about to step forward to speak for Xiao Zhengchu, Xu Gong suddenly stood up.

Xu Gong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, what Minister Li said is indeed true. As everyone knows, General Zhao has always been cautious and does not easily send troops to fight. If we can send three generals to fight this time, it will not only not dampen their spirits, but will boost their morale."

Upon hearing this, Li Ziyan turned to look at Xu Gong, who glanced at him quickly and then lowered his head. At this time, Xiao Xuanjing listened carefully to Xu Gong's words and asked, "Then may I ask if you two have found a suitable candidate?"

Xu Gong thought for a moment, then replied: "In my opinion, General Zhao's son is a good commander and can be entrusted with an important task." Hearing this, Li Ziyan couldn't help but feel a little puzzled, not understanding why Xu Gong recommended Zhao Junhao. However, Xiao Xuanjing seemed to remember something and asked: "Oh? Could it be General Zhao's son - Zhao Junhao?" Xu Gong nodded quickly, and Xiao Xuanjing smiled slightly: "I have seen this person before, and he is indeed a talented person."

After careful consideration, Xiao Xuanjing finally made a decision: "In this case, let's follow Prime Minister Xu's advice! Order Zhao Junhao to set off immediately to Liangzhou to fight against the foreign enemies."

Seeing that Xiao Zhengshu seemed to have something else to say, Xiao Xuantang hurriedly stepped forward, bowed and said, "Father, I have another suitable candidate in mind who can go with General Zhao." He paused, and then said, "This person is Shangguan Qinghe's son - Shangguan Kou."

Xiao Xuanjing frowned slightly, thought for a moment and asked, "Oh? Shangguan Kou? I have never heard of this guy. Xuantang, why did you recommend him?"

Xiao Xuantang answered confidently, "Father, although Shangguan Kou is still young, he is highly skilled in martial arts and has extraordinary wisdom. Moreover, he has followed his father to fight on the battlefield since he was young and has a lot of experience. Letting him fight side by side with General Zhao this time will definitely increase the chances of victory."

Xiao Xuanjing nodded in approval: "Well, it seems that Shangguan Kou is indeed a useful talent. Well, let's do as you say and order him to go with General Zhao. Young people are always full of vigor and confidence. I hope they can live up to everyone's expectations and return triumphantly!"

After leaving the court, Li Ziyan walked down the steps silently, with a solemn expression and without saying a word. Seeing this, Xu Gong quickly stepped forward, put his arm around his shoulders, and asked with concern: "Xiao Zhiyun, you have been promoted, you should be happy! Why do you look so sad? Have you encountered any troubles? Tell your uncle about it."

Li Ziyan forced a smile and replied, "Uncle, please stop teasing me now."

Xu Gong couldn't help laughing out loud: "Haha, Xiao Zhiyun, your uncle has told you a long time ago that in the court and in the officialdom, everyone only cares about their own interests. People's hearts are unpredictable, and you have understood this truth since you were a child. You must feel bad after being frustrated in the court today, right?"

Li Ziyan looked at Xu Gong, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes. Xu Gong gently patted his shoulder, and the two walked side by side. As they walked, Xu Gong suddenly said, "When my uncle first entered the officialdom, he suffered much more setbacks than you did. Our Xu family has been a family of scholars and warriors for generations, so it is not difficult for us to produce a top scholar. But I first entered the Ministry of Rites, and was just an insignificant sacrificial official. Can you guess what I was thinking at that time?"

Li Ziyan asked curiously, "What is it, uncle?"

I couldn't help but fall into deep thought. My father is the famous Marquis of Zhendong. Who in the world doesn't know him? But His Majesty only entrusted me with a trivial position as a sacrificial ritual bookkeeper. You know, I am a top scholar! However, when I saw Wen Yongxing first enter the Imperial Hospital, he only served as a humble medicine-pounding official, but this did not discourage him, but instead became his motivation to move forward. With his unremitting efforts, he is now famous. Not only is he known throughout the palace, but he has also become the well-known imperial physician and director of the Imperial Hospital of the Great Wei Kingdom.

Xu Gong stared at Li Ziyan and said with emotion: "Xiao Zhiyun, when we met last year, you were the same height as me. I didn't expect that you are half a head taller than me now, and your personality has changed after marriage. These are all good signs! However, are you also curious about my arrangement for Jun Ning's brother to go to Liangzhou?"

Li Ziyan nodded slightly, expressing his agreement: "Father-in-law has always been reluctant to let Jun Hao join the military career, but I didn't expect that he would send him to the battlefield now." Xu Gong gently waved his hand and comforted him: "You don't have to worry too much. Before you returned to Beijing, I had an in-depth conversation with your father-in-law. Your father-in-law is an extremely cunning old fox! He has a lot of plans in his mind. As a military general, if his merits are outstanding enough to surpass the monarch, then the consequences will be disastrous. That's why he didn't want Jun Hao to join the army. But now, he has obviously figured it out. So, you don't need to worry about it, just go home and accompany your wife with peace of mind. After all, the affairs of the Ministry of Works are by no means something that can be handled by ordinary people."

After a short pause, Xu Gong continued, "Uncle certainly understands your worries, but as for which one the princes should rely on and assist in the future, that is something your generation needs to face and decide. The only wish of our generation is that the future Wei will usher in a peaceful and prosperous era with long-term stability. The changes in the court are far from being as simple and clear as they seem on the surface. You need to gradually explore, get in touch with, and continue to grow."

"Little Zhiyun understands uncle's teachings." Li Ziyan continued, "Uncle hasn't called me by my nickname for a long time." Xu Gong said, "Your nickname has the fragrance of books. When I gave you this nickname, I wanted you to be brilliant in literature. I didn't expect you to be worse than Wen He - Zhiyun. But looking at you now, I think it suits you well. But your wife's nickname is a nickname that suits the person - Wan!"

The two walked out of the palace gate, and the carriage arrived. Xu Gong said, "Both of our carriages have arrived." Xu Gong said in the carriage, "Dad and son are here to take you home." Xu Gong said with a bad face, "You have a conscience." He patted Li Ziyan on the shoulder, "Don't think too much, go home." Li Ziyan also got on the carriage, and in the carriage, "Fei Zhou, where is Jun Ning?"

Fei Zhou said, "Young Madam went out early this morning, saying that she was going to survey the city's terrain and select a few good shops, and Mo Yu followed her." Li Ziyan was relieved after hearing this: "Then let's go back to the mansion and wait for her. By the way, don't call Jun Ning Young Madam in the future, just call her Madam. Now that I have a mansion and Jun Ning is the mistress, then he is yours too." Fei Zhou heard this: "Fei Zhou understands."

"Miss, we have already bought three shops today, a cloth shop, a rouge shop, and a food shop." Fuling said. Zhao Junning looked at the house in front of him, "Let's open a grain shop."

Yuan Xinghui and Wang Ningyi were shocked when they saw the new shops: "Jun Ning, your shop is pretty good." Zhao Jun Ning saw them and walked up to them: "Ning Yi, Xinghui, why are you here?" Yuan Xinghui and Wang Ningyi looked at each other and said: "We went to the restaurant you owned to look for you, but we heard from Gan Cao that you were managing a new shop on East Street." Zhao Jun Ning nodded: "Yes." Wang Ningyi was curious: "Can you handle so many shops?" Zhao Jun Ning smiled and said: "Who would complain about having too much money?" After Yuan Xinghui looked at the shops, "It's also because our Jun Ning is smart and has a great ability to make money."

The three of them laughed, and Zhao Junning asked Yuan Xinghui: "Xinghui, are you going back to Yangzhou tomorrow?" Yuan Xinghui nodded: "Originally I was going to go back, but my father wrote to me today saying that my grandmother and her family are going to live back in Pingliang. My father said that after repelling the foreign enemies this time, he will take off his armor and return!"

Zhao Junning heard this and said, "That's right. Uncle Yuan has been guarding the border for ten years, right?" Yuan Xinghui nodded, "Yes." Wang Ningyi said, "It seems that after Uncle Yuan comes back, Xinghui may be urged by the two elders to arrange a marriage."

Yuan Xinghui looked distressed after hearing this: "I get annoyed when I talk about this. You guys said that Jun Ning is the youngest and got married first among us, so let's not talk about that. Her family and her husband's family are old friends, and they are in love. I don't have any plans to get married yet, and I haven't even met someone I like."

Wang Ningyi whispered, in a voice that only the three of them could hear, "Doesn't the King of Qin like you? He went to Yangzhou to pick you up by ferry to Pingliang just for you. If it weren't for your status, I'm afraid he would have sent you directly to Liangzhou." Zhao Junning laughed softly. Yuan Xinghui was ashamed and angry: "Oh, you two are teasing me again. He is a prince and I am the daughter of a general. It's impossible. Besides, if I get married, I want someone who is devoted to me alone. He will definitely have a concubine when he becomes a princess in the future."

Zhao Junning deliberately teased and said, "It seems that you care about her very much. Maybe she will give up her concubine for you." Yuan Xinghui forced a smile and said, "There is only one man like this in your Li Ziyan. Li Ziyan only has you in his eyes and heart." Zhao Junning was secretly happy when he heard this. He knew that Li Ziyan was such a person.