Feng Jing was the second-in-command of the Zhennan Border Army, a brave and skilled general, and Yuan Zhang's most trusted advisor.
Although he was only thirty-six years old, he was both wise and brave, and had been through countless battles. He could be said to be the most capable military general of the middle generation of the Great Jing Dynasty.
His words addressed the most crucial issue.
This is also the issue that Yuan Qi is most worried about.
"Change him to whoever comes next! I'll kill anyone who tries!" Huang Shi roared.
Feng Jing said, "If it's a normal change of commander, then someone should be chosen from among us to take over, so as not to affect the morale of the Zhennan Border Army. But if this is a deliberate conspiracy, then someone else will be replaced."
Yuan Zhang understood Feng Jing's meaning and asked, "Are you worried that someone might try to take this opportunity to get rid of me?"
Feng Jing replied, "If it's the emperor's will, then let the young general replace you, the commander-in-chief. I'm afraid someone is trying to stir up trouble in the emperor's name."
Tuo Tie Wu Hua, who had remained silent until now, advised, "General, you'd better not go. If you don't go, the Emperor won't have a chance to speak with you."
Yuan Zhang pondered seriously for a moment and said, "How can I be a coward? If the emperor really wants to replace me, then I will comply. But if anyone harbors ulterior motives, I will never let them go!"
Yuan Qi understood the implication in Yuan Zhang's words and asked, "Father, are you going?"
"You have to go too."
Yuan Zhang looked at his son and said, "The emperor summoned us, father and son."
Everyone knew that Yuan Zhang's word was law, so they stopped trying to dissuade him.
Yuan Qi asked, "Are Haiping and Wuyou going too?"
Yuan Zhang thought for a moment and said, "The child is still young, and Haiping is in poor health, so let's not make them travel so long."
Tuo Tiewuhua said, "General, I'll follow you."
Yuan Zhang nodded, looked at Feng Jing, and said, "I entrust my grandsons to you. After I leave, keep the news under wraps and keep a close eye on the Yang family army's every move."
"yes."
Feng Jingdian nodded and said, "Let Tuo Tiewuhua lead two thousand Northern Border Guards to follow you."
Yuan Zhang smiled and said, "I'm going back to visit my family, not to fight a war. Why bring so many people?"
Feng Jing blocked Yuan Zhang's path and said sternly, "If the commander-in-chief doesn't bring his men, I will never let you go, even if it kills me! Huang Shi!"
"Hey," Huang Shi replied.
Feng Jing said, "If the commander-in-chief doesn't listen to our advice, we'll just tie him up and then we'll both die when he's punished!"
Huang Shi immediately blocked Yuan Zhang's path and said, "Alright!"
"You two..."
Yuan Zhang was both amused and exasperated, and said, "Alright, alright, take off your black hat and you can choose five hundred men from the three guards of the Northern Border to follow me."
Feng Jing shouted sternly, "Two thousand men!"
Yuan Zhang shook his head and said, "Five hundred."
"At least one thousand!"
“Five hundred, five hundred it is.” Yuan Zhang said seriously, “The Northern Guards are the elite forces that can counter the Yang family army. They are much more useful here than with me. If the Yang family army makes any moves, you will need them.”
"But……"
"No buts."
Yuan Zhang put his hand on Feng Jing's shoulder and said, "I am different from Wen Tai and Zhao Huan. My surname is Yuan. Whether it is the emperor or the Prince Xin who holds power in the central government, they are all my relatives. Even if they want me to retire, they will not harm me."
Yuan Zhang glanced at Feng Jing and Huang Shi alternately, and said, "Don't worry, I'm just sending these five hundred men along to make a show of things. Nothing will happen."
Feng Jing sighed and said, "Take care."
Yuan Zhang was a decisive person, and he set off the day after receiving the imperial edict.
The three guards of the northern border were all cavalry. Yuan Zhang and his son rode on their warhorses and looked back to see Feng Jing, Huang Shi, and others leading the generals to see them off in front of the military camp.
Tu Haiping, holding her two children, Yuan Wushang and Yuan Wuyou, gazed intently at her husband.
Yuan Qi grinned at his wife and children and said loudly, "The warhorse is fast. My father and I will be back after we go to the palace to see the prince!"
Tu Haiping said, "I'll wait for you!"
Yuan Qi said no more and looked at Yuan Zhang. Yuan Zhang was speechless. He flicked his whip and immediately took the lead and rode forward.
“Sigh…” Feng Jing sighed softly from the crowd.
Huang Shi asked suspiciously, "Old Feng, why are you sighing?"
Feng Jing frowned and said, "I don't know why, but I just have a bad feeling about it."
Huang Shi immediately panicked and said, "Should I go and stop them?"
Feng Jing shook his head and said, "It's no use. Don't you know the commander's temper? I think the commander agreed so readily because he's been away for too long and is a little homesick."
With that, Feng Jing turned and walked towards the military camp, saying softly, "I hope my worries are unnecessary."
...
After entering Changsui City, Yuan Zhang and his son did not wander around because they had not been back for a long time, but went straight to the palace.
Yuan Zhang went to the Imperial Palace to see Yuan Xiu, but was blocked by Wei You on the grounds that the emperor was drunk and asleep. The father and son in the inner palace could not enter either, and they did not even get to see the princes.
Yuan Li received them and told them to go back to the Champion Prince's Mansion to rest. He said that a banquet would be held at Jianning Palace the day after tomorrow, and Yuan Xiu and Yuan Zhengzong would both be there.
The next day, Yuan Zhang and his son entered the palace as usual, but were still blocked outside the Imperial New Palace.
"Lord Wei, is His Majesty drunk again?" Yuan Zhang was somewhat angry as he looked at Wei You, who was arrogant yet smiling.
Wei You nodded and said, "His Majesty is in a great mood after the Empress gave birth to a prince, so it's no wonder he drank a bit more."
Yuan Zhang asked, "Did you tell His Majesty that I had come?"
Wei You smiled and said, "I already said it, His Majesty said we'll meet again at Jianning Palace tomorrow."
Yuan Zhang took a step closer to Wei You and said in a deep voice, "Is that really what His Majesty said?"
Wei You said, "How could I dare to make up anything Your Majesty says!"
"Hmph, I see that Lord Wei is now fearless!" Yuan Zhang snorted coldly and left with Yuan Qi.
The sun is setting.
On the way out of the palace, Yuan Qi noticed her father looked preoccupied and asked, "Father, is something wrong?"
“This is strange,” Yuan Zhang said as he walked. “His Majesty has no idea we’re here.”
Why?
“If Wei You really tells His Majesty that we have arrived, His Majesty will definitely see me immediately.”
Yuan Qi frowned and said, "What is Wei You's intention in deceiving His Majesty and us?"
Yuan Zhang said, "He's just a nobody; he's probably just following orders."
Yuan Qi asked, "Whose orders should we follow?"
"have no idea."
Yuan Zhang shook his head slightly, his gaze solemn, and said, "Tomorrow when we enter the palace, have Tuo Tie Wu Hua lead five hundred Northern Border Guards to accompany us on foot."
Yuan Qi thought for a moment and said, "Bringing five hundred men into the palace, isn't that a bit too much of a show of force?"
Yuan Zhang said, "This is exactly the kind of spectacle I want. Let's see who gets blown out of there."
Yuan Qi nodded and said, "I understand."
Yuan Zhang paused, glanced back, and said, "Changsui City is different from before, and this Jing Palace is also no longer the same."
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