Chapter 248: Secretary of State
"The most important thing now is to resist the external enemies and stop the Tatars from advancing southwards." Lu Chenyang said in a deep voice: "As for the Yilin Army, I think we should focus on deterrence first."
The prince was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Lu Chenyang to say that. Their original plan was to stabilize the country before pacifying the external situation. Now Lu Chenyang had essentially reversed that plan.
Lu Chenyang turned his head and looked at Emperor Qianyuan. His eyes were gentle but firm, revealing an unspeakable strength.
"With the Tatar invasion, Dagan should be fully committed to fighting the enemy and protecting our country. Anyone who provokes civil war at this time will be a sinner for Dagan for all eternity! Even if I, Lu Chenyang, am unable to spare any time, I will not let anyone go after I have cleared the foreign lands. Anyone who dares to delay my fight against the foreign enemies will be my enemy!" Lu Chenyang said firmly. He said in a cold voice: "The most urgent task now is to resist the foreign enemies. All selfish thoughts should be put aside."
These words were full of meaning, and whether they could intimidate the Yilin Army was still unknown, but the expressions of Emperor Qianyuan and the Crown Prince changed.
Lu Chenyang was giving them a warning, warning them that even if they had any plans, they could not delay him from fighting against the Tatars. This was the most important thing at the moment.
They can fight among themselves, but only after they have defeated the Tatars.
At this moment, the responsibility and vision shown by Lu Chenyang are what the emperor should worry about.
Emperor Qianyuan didn't say anything, nor did His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but it was Lu Chenyang who said it.
Emperor Qianyuan and the Crown Prince both looked at him deeply.
Lu Chenyang looked at the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, when will the food and fodder be gathered?"
Lu Chenyang took the initiative in an instant, going from passive to active, and firmly controlled the rhythm.
His Royal Highness felt a little bitter. He had become a supporting role, and it was Lu Chenyang who held the sovereign power. But he was clearly the king and he was the subject.
But who could he blame? Lu Chenyang had asked for his opinion at the beginning. He had given up the initiative and asked for Lu Chenyang's opinion. Now that Lu Chenyang had given his opinion, with his strong character, how could he give up the initiative again?
The prince had no choice but to continue cooperating. He said, "Within ten days!" He gritted his teeth and gave this deadline. Now they had no time left.
During these ten days, even if he has to rob, he must get the food and supplies.
Lu Chenyang nodded slightly, turned his head, and said with a cupped hand: "Your Majesty, I will lead the troops to resist the Tatars and protect our country. I ask for your permission."
Emperor Qianyuan looked at him as he bowed with a humble attitude and a complicated look in his eyes.
He was begging, but his every gesture revealed an inexplicable strength, announcing his position. He was clearly the one sitting on the throne, clearly the one he had held for decades, yet he felt like he was usurping the throne.
Emperor Qianyuan's face was gloomy. "Yes!" He said in a deep voice, "I hope that Minister Lu can repel the enemy and enhance our country's prestige!"
"I will definitely live up to my mission." Lu Chenyang said solemnly.
Lu Chenyang stood up straight, exhaled lightly, but his brows were deeply furrowed.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince couldn't help but look at Yan Xing, hoping he could say something.
He hoped that Yan Xing could take command of this battle, but Yan Xing did not look at him and had no intention of speaking.
The prince couldn't help but feel anxious.
Lu Chenyang didn't pay attention to the prince's thoughts. He was thinking about how to fight this battle, and then he suddenly felt a gaze.
He looked up and saw the Minister of the Central Secretariat Cai Xiuyuan looking at him.
Cai Xiuyuan withdrew his gaze only after being discovered. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Everyone was immersed in the fact that Lu Chenyang was leading the troops into battle, and had not yet come to their senses. They also did not think that Cai Xiuyuan would have anything big to report.
Emperor Qianyuan thought the same, so he asked casually, "What do you want to report, Lord Cai?"
Cai Xiuyuan lifted his coat, knelt on the ground, and said with his hands clasped in his hands, "Your Majesty, my father has passed away due to illness. I failed to inform Your Majesty in time. I am guilty." He kowtowed and said, "I have served in the court for over forty years, but I have failed to fulfill my filial duty to my parents. Now that my father has passed away, I feel deeply guilty and have decided to return home to observe mourning. I ask for Your Majesty's permission."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire imperial study fell silent.
It was no secret that Cai Xiuyuan's father was in poor health; the entire capital knew about it. The old man might pass away someday. Cai Xiuyuan would undoubtedly observe a period of mourning, and the position of Minister of the Central Secretariat would then become vacant.
However, no one expected it to happen at this critical point!
Emperor Qianyuan's expression changed again and again, and his eyes turned red as he stared at Cai Xiuyuan.
How could it be such a coincidence? How could it be such a coincidence?! The old man must have passed away a long time ago, but Cai Xiuyuan has kept it a secret! What is he waiting for?!
Now that he has to go back to mourn his father, and at this critical juncture with internal and external troubles, who can be given the position of Zhongshu Ling, and who can hold on to it?!
Who else could it be except Lu Chenyang who just stole the show here!
Cai Xiuyuan was carrying Lu Chenyang's sedan chair and handing the position of Zhongshu Ling directly into Lu Chenyang's hands!
They were all foxes of a thousand years, serving in the same court, so who didn't understand who? Everyone immediately realized Cai Xiuyuan's purpose.
He was so decisive. He was so optimistic about Lu Chenyang that he wanted to give him the position of Zhongshu Ling? Even at the cost of offending Emperor Qianyuan?
When did the two of them get together? Lu Chenyang hadn't taken the initiative to visit anyone since arriving in Beijing. How did they end up hooking up?
Lu Chenyang was also slightly surprised by the look in Cai Xiuyuan's eyes.
Emperor Qianyuan looked at Cai Xiuyuan and sneered, "Very good, very good!"
Cai Xiuyuan's father died, but he kept saying "good" which shows that he was really angry.
Emperor Qianyuan looked at Cai Xiuyuan coldly, feeling angry at being betrayed.
The relationship between the Zhongshu Ling and the emperor was somewhat complicated. Behind the Zhongshu Ling stood the civil and military officials. He should be loyal to the emperor, but he also had to restrain the emperor. When the emperor was confused or impulsive, there should be such a person to come out and persuade the emperor.
But both sides can't get along with each other. The Minister of the Central Secretariat needs the emperor's trust, and the emperor needs the Minister of the Central Secretariat to do things. In simple terms, it is a love-hate relationship.
However, the relationship between Emperor Qianyuan and Cai Xiuyuan was very good. For more than forty years, Cai Xiuyuan had always supported Emperor Qianyuan. Some people even said that Cai Xiuyuan was just a running dog of Emperor Qianyuan.
This was extremely insulting, but Cai Xiuyuan never cared.
He had always supported Emperor Qianyuan, but when he was about to retire, he tricked Emperor Qianyuan. And he did it in such a way that almost broke off relations with him.
So Emperor Qianyuan was very angry at this time.
It was no secret that Lu Chenyang had his eye on the position of Zhongshu Ling. He wasn't exactly a power-hungry person; most of the time, Lu Chenyang preferred to quietly accomplish great things. He loved to hold real power, even if it meant no official title.
But now Lu Chenyang's power can no longer be concealed, and the position of a governor is no longer enough to bear his power.
The position of Zhongshu Ling is very suitable.
Cai Xiuyuan said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Old Chen is old and can no longer assist Your Majesty. However, the position of Zhongshu Ling cannot be left vacant. Your Majesty, please select a suitable person as soon as possible to avoid delaying government affairs."
Emperor Qianyuan said in a deep voice: "Lord Lu has made remarkable achievements in government and is deeply loved by the people. He is worthy of this position."
The dust has settled.
In the sixth year of Lu Chenyang's service in the court, he became the Minister of the Central Secretariat, a powerful official second only to the emperor.
Lu Chenyang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, thank you for your trust. I will do my best to fulfill my responsibilities and live up to your trust."
The prince watched the scene expressionlessly. It had nothing to do with him now.
In this crisis, Lu Chenyang is the only winner.
The prince took a deep breath.
Emperor Qianyuan stood up and walked away without paying any attention to anyone.
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