Chapter 208 The Capital
On the third day after Qi Rong and Lin Changning captured Datong, the messenger finally arrived in Baoding.
The old prince was indeed eagerly anticipating the day. If he could capture Datong City with 3,000 troops, he would seriously consider handing over command.
When the messenger reported that Qi Rong had captured Datou and taken over a thousand prisoners, the old prince sat in the hall and said in disbelief, "A mere 3,000 men, have they really taken Datong?"
The messenger, kneeling on one knee, nodded: "Your Highness, Prince Qi did indeed lead the Right Guard of the Prince of Chu to capture Datong City."
The old prince rubbed the bracelet in his hand, and couldn't help but wonder why he had actually taken the Datong bracelet. After a moment of silence, the old prince called his servant.
"Someone, prepare paper and pen."
After writing his resignation letter, the old prince summoned someone to prepare to send the letter back to the capital.
Prince Qi has already captured Datong City, and coincidentally, he sprained his ankle. It would be a good opportunity to transfer command to Prince Qi, but this would go against the emperor's wishes.
However, there is indeed no good candidate at the moment. Once this letter reaches the capital, the emperor will probably have no choice but to go along with it.
As for what happens after he returns to Beijing, we'll talk about that later. We can't possibly do anything to an elderly person like him.
Beijing —
When the old prince's memorial arrived in court, the emperor sitting in the Golden Palace couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
There are really too few capable people in the court now. The late emperor valued civil affairs over military affairs, and most of the capable generals are on the frontier. What's more, many of them were born into the families of princes.
These people may be useful, but their loyalty is hard to trust.
Nowadays, the number of capable military officers in the court can be counted on one hand. The older ones have long since retired and are enjoying their retirement in their mansions, while the younger ones have mostly become spoiled brats.
There were a few middle-aged men who were usable, but since the Prince of Sheng rebelled, almost all of the capable ones were sent to quell the rebellion.
The noise from the crowd below was giving the emperor a headache, so he finally snapped and yelled, "Enough! Stop arguing!"
The officials below fell silent instantly and knelt down to beg for forgiveness.
The emperor at the head of the table sighed and waved his hand: "Just as the old prince suggested, the messenger will draft an edict to appoint Qi Rong as the Right Army Assistant General, in charge of the personal guards of the various princes' mansions, to coordinate the troops, and to be responsible for the border war situation. The old prince will remain as the Chief of the Army, in charge of the overall situation."
The people below shouted that the emperor was wise, and the emperor sighed.
He now desperately wants to take back the military power held by those vassal kings, but unfortunately, what was given away easily back then is now difficult to take back.
This group of people weren't stupid. It wasn't that he was leaving these uncles no way out, but that the court's military strength was limited and there were few capable people.
Most of the military generals were recruited by various vassal kings on the frontier. Although the number of soldiers under their command did not exceed the number set by the imperial court, it was still somewhat unsettling to have such a group of uncles occupying important positions in various places.
Ultimately, it's because his father didn't leave him a solid foundation. In the past two years, natural disasters and man-made calamities have continued, grain production has plummeted, prices have risen, and the people are suffering. Even after tax exemptions in several areas, the imperial court is also facing some difficulties.
He had clearly cut back on expenses considerably, but he was still struggling financially. He was not an extravagant emperor and was quite frugal in the palace.
However, since he ascended the throne, there have been both natural disasters and man-made calamities, with constant chaos and strife in various places. The court is short of money, and although he has military power, a quick glance reveals that there are hardly any capable people in the entire court.
If the military power scattered among the vassal kings could be recovered, or the tax revenue from the vassal kings' territories could be returned to the imperial court, life wouldn't be too difficult.
Things were progressing smoothly, but unexpectedly, the most mild-mannered Prince Sheng rebelled.
Helpless, he could only send troops to suppress the rebellion. If Prince Sheng could make a good start, it would be much easier to take military power from other vassal kings in the future.
The princes in various regions are now on edge, and he dares not make any rash moves. If one prince rebels, it's not a big deal, but if they all rebel and follow suit, his throne will be in grave danger.
If the regional princes were to declare independence, the country would likely descend into chaos.
So even though he knew that the King of Chu's good uncle had ill intentions and was sending people to seize Datong to take command of the personal guards, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and send people in.
After all, he could still distinguish between internal and external matters. As for what would happen next, he could only deal with it gradually.
However, he was still angry several times. After taking a few deep breaths, he looked at the group of ministers below who were still making a fuss.
He flicked his sleeves and ordered the court session to end. After returning to the imperial study, he rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.
There's no other way this time; we can only wait until we recapture the border cities before making any further plans.
At worst, he could just give a nominal reward; he remembered that the eldest son of the King of Chu was still unmarried.
At that time, under the pretext of bestowing a marriage, the Crown Prince of Chu will be summoned to the capital, and a mansion will be bestowed upon him. He will then be detained in the capital, so that both of the King of Chu's children will be in the capital.
I doubt he would dare to act rashly.
Keeping the Chu family alive would ultimately be a disaster, as his father had warned him before his death. However, since he ascended the throne, the Chu family had always been extremely cautious.
Surprisingly, they couldn't find anything wrong with him. His own daughter had been tormented like this in the capital, yet the King of Chu could still tolerate it.
The emperor clenched his fist. Now was the time when he needed capable people. The four border cities could not be lost. Qi Rong had a good relationship with the eldest daughter of the King of Chu. He should warn the people of the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion to prevent them from causing any more trouble and ruining his plans.
Thinking of this, the emperor waved his hand and summoned a young eunuch.
"Go to the Marquis of Jing'an's house later and tell him and his heir to behave themselves a bit more lately."
Although I've removed those spies from the King of Chu's camp, there are still other spies around. The border regions are in dire need of manpower right now, so let's not go too far.
If any scandal were to break out at this time, his family's marquisate would be over!!!
The young eunuch knelt down and said, "Then this servant will go to the Marquis of Jing'an's residence immediately."
The young eunuch, who had arrived at the gate of the Marquis of Jing'an's residence in a carriage, dusted off his sleeves, had his attendants knock on the door, and then went straight inside.
Marquis Jing'an, accompanied by his family, came forward to greet him: "Eunuch Qian, have you come to the Marquis's residence today because His Majesty has some decree to convey?"
As he spoke, he ushered the young eunuch into the main hall. The young eunuch returned the greeting, and a hint of disdain flashed in his heart as he looked at the subservient heir behind Marquis Jing'an.
"It's not an imperial decree, but His Majesty has something he wants me to tell the Marquis."
Marquis Jing'an bowed and said, "Please speak, Your Excellency."
Eunuch Qian gave the young master behind Marquis Jing'an a long look: "His Majesty said that the war in the four border cities has just begun, and the one leading the troops is the young master of the Duke of Qi, a descendant of the King of Chu. The princess is, after all, a noble lady, so please treat her well. His Majesty said that if any scandal or mishap occurs, your title, Marquis, will be..."
Marquis Jing'an understood the implication and turned to glare fiercely at his son.
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