When Gu Ting learned that the imperial court intended to send troops to the Western Regions, he tried every means to seize this opportunity.
He told Pei Man, "I've lived in the Northwest for many years. The climate in the Western Regions is similar to ours, so I don't have to suffer from acclimatization. Conquering the Western Regions will benefit both the present and future generations. I can't miss this opportunity no matter what."
"Attacking the Western Regions is just a rumor. Your Majesty and the Empress have not made a plan yet." Pei Man looked sad.
She didn't want to leave Gu Ting, and didn't want Gu Ting to work so hard at such an old age.
Gu Ting said to her, "You don't understand! These are just rumors, unconfirmed military and national affairs. Usually, it means that His Majesty and the Empress have already made plans in this regard, which is why such rumors are spread. If I wait until His Majesty and the Empress have officially decided on a plan, it will be too late for me to fight for it.
I must act quickly and seize this opportunity. You know, there will be many people vying for it. Everyone knows that Your Majesty has the ambition to expand the territory, and has the ambition and burden of a founding emperor. Following Your Majesty, fame and fortune will be easy to come by."
Pei Man said anxiously: "I don't need you to strive for fame and fortune. I just hope you can stay in the capital and be together as a family. You are already an earl, aren't you satisfied?"
Gu Ting sighed, "Manman, I want to fight, not for fame or fortune, but because I like the battlefield, I like fighting. If I stay in the capital, I'll feel like an old man retiring, with all my energy and spirit gone. I'm in my prime, I don't want to start retiring so early."
Pei Man cried silently, "Have you ever thought about me and the children? And you are still in mourning, how can you go out to fight?"
"Sending troops to the Western Regions won't happen overnight. I estimate we'll have to wait until next year. By then, I'll have finished my mourning, which will be a perfect opportunity for me. Manman, will you support me?"
Pei Man's eyes were filled with tears, and her heart was cold. "The Queen will not agree to you leading troops to attack the Western Regions. The Queen will definitely not agree."
Gu Ting asked her, "If the Queen agrees, will you support me?"
Pei Man took a deep breath, "Is it true that the capital city cannot keep you?"
"I……"
Gu Ting suddenly became speechless.
He looked at Pei Man's eyes, which were full of sadness and despair.
He suddenly realized that he had brought too much suffering and harm to his wife and children.
He hugged Pei Man and whispered, "I'm sorry!"
Pei Man cried and laughed, "No need to say sorry. The Gu Ting I like was born in the battlefield and is loyal to the battlefield. If you can convince the Queen, I will support you to go to the Western Regions."
"Thanks!"
Gu Ting hugged her tightly, unwilling to let go.
He was in agony.
On one side is his family, and on the other side is the war he longs for.
He had to make a choice.
He said sorry countless times in his heart, but he was still loyal to his inner ambition and chose war.
He just wants to fight!
Even if he died on the battlefield, he would have no regrets.
While His Majesty and the Queen were recuperating in Xiaozhu, Gu Ting drove to Xiaozhu.
I met His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi on the way.
The uncle and nephew started chatting happily on the side of the road.
King Liu Yu of Qi said, "Uncle, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to lead the troops to attack the Western Regions. To be honest, uncle, my father and mother both want to use younger generals and take the opportunity to send students from the military academy out for some training."
Gu Ting frowned, "A younger general? Aren't you afraid of mistakes in such an important battle? We still need an experienced veteran to lead us."
The King of Qi smiled and said, "King Pei Meng of Anxi is the most experienced veteran."
"Not right, not right! How can we let Pei Meng lead the army of the Great Zhou? We must have a general who can control the situation and go to the Western Regions to check and balance Pei Meng. A young general will not be able to survive a single round in front of Pei Meng and will be defeated."
"Uncle, what you say makes sense. We might as well try to convince Father and Mother from this perspective."
Huh?
Gu Ting looked surprised.
Is the King of Qi giving him some advice in a roundabout way?
"I am busy with official business, so I'll take my leave now. Goodbye, uncle!"
Looking at the carriage going away and recalling the unfathomable smile of King Qi, Gu Ting suddenly felt more confident.
The King of Qi's advice will definitely come in handy.
…
"Brother wants to lead the army to attack the Western Regions. Does sister-in-law agree?"
When the brother and sister met, Gu Ting directly stated his purpose.
Gu Jiu didn't say whether he agreed or disagreed, but first tried to understand Pei Man's attitude.
Gu Ting said: "Your sister-in-law means that as long as you agree, she will support me."
Gu Jiu picked up the teacup and shook his head slightly.
"Brother, you really don't understand women's minds! Sister-in-law said that because she didn't want you to go to the Western Regions. Before that, brother went south for several years, and only returned to Beijing to observe mourning when the old man passed away. Sister-in-law was alone in Beijing, busy with both work and other matters, and it was very hard. Brother is getting old, why don't you settle down here?"
"Born on the battlefield, loyal to the battlefield, and die on the battlefield. Letting me not fight is more painful than killing me. I am in my prime, I can still fight and fight. Moreover, to go to the Western Regions, we need a man of weight to compete with Pei Meng. I think I, the uncle of the king, am qualified enough."
Gu Jiu still shook his head. "Brother, don't forget that in the early years in the northwest, you were Pei Meng's subordinate. How can you be sure that you don't feel guilty when you meet Pei Meng? Maybe you subconsciously feel that you are a subordinate and simply put yourself down to him. For example, in terms of title, Pei Meng is a prince, and brother is only an earl. You can't surpass Pei Meng in any aspect."
Gu Ting was anxious. "Sister, this opportunity is very important to me! I dare not say that I can suppress Pei Meng, but I can guarantee that I can abandon the consciousness of being a subordinate and show the style of the uncle of the emperor."
Gu Jiu still shook his head, "Brother, you don't understand what I mean! To put it bluntly, you are not as good as Pei Meng!"
Gu Ting's face turned pale. "Am I really not as good as him? Even after all these years of overseas experience?"
Gu Jiu put down his teacup and asked solemnly, "In your eyes, brother, what do you think of Yang Ji? Who is stronger, brother or him?"
"Of course Yang Ji is stronger! He is a man of both civil and military talents, and quite strategic. I admire him!" Gu Ting was very straightforward, and military generals are always so direct.
Gu Jiu said softly, "In my eyes, Yang Ji can tie with Pei Meng, but he is not strong enough to suppress Pei Meng. So, do you understand, brother?"
"Sister, what you mean is that Pei Meng can be on par with Yang Ji, or even be slightly better than Yang Ji?"
Gu Ting looked stunned.
Gu Jiu said, "Brother, don't be surprised! Pei Meng looks like a rough guy on the surface, but he is actually very meticulous and cunning. Over the years, Pei Meng has been handling both military and civil affairs, and he has done a good job. People without strategy will never be able to handle both well. He can do it well, so he is not an ordinary person. Do you still think he is a rough guy now?"
Gu Ting's mind was a little confused.
"Is the Pei Meng my sister is talking about really the Pei Meng I know?"
"Yes, it's the Pei Meng you know. Brother, think carefully, besides being rude, has Pei Meng ever made any stupid mistakes? Think again, during the years you served under Pei Meng, has Pei Meng ever made any wrong decisions? Has he ever suffered a major defeat? Whenever faced with an emergency, was he always able to make quick decisions? Brother, we shouldn't judge a person by his appearance. Pei Meng's rough appearance doesn't mean he has a rough mind."
Pei Meng's face and his speaking style are too deceptive.
As soon as he opens his mouth, people think he is a rough guy who only knows how to fight and has no brains.
In fact, people's thoughts are hidden behind their faces, and no one can see through them.
Compared to those who have their shrewd calculations written all over their faces, Pei Meng hides it deeply enough.
And Pei Meng never minded that others treated him like a fool.
That’s amazing!
Don't care about empty reputation, just focus on practical benefits. If you don't show some real stuff, don't think about impressing Pei Meng.
Gu Ting wiped his face, his mind still a little confused, "Which general does my sister want to use? Is there anyone more suitable than me to lead the expedition to the Western Regions?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "For example, Gu Rui!"
"Him? He's the Grand Commander of the Northwest. How could he leave his post without permission?"
"Gu Rui is not good enough, and there is also the prince of the Zhuguo Mansion... Brother is not the only qualified noble. Compared with brother, their biggest advantage is that they have never served under Pei Meng, so they don't feel inferior to Pei Meng."
Gu Ting said weakly, "I am not inferior to Pei Meng either."
"Brother, are you sure?" Gu Jiu asked solemnly.
Gu Ting was speechless and didn't know how to answer for a moment.
Is he really not inferior to Pei Meng?
In fact, he was not sure either.
After all, he had worked under Pei Meng for more than ten years and was accustomed to obeying Pei Meng's orders.
Gu Ting was very disappointed. "So I don't have any chance at all?"
"Yes! From the very beginning, His Majesty had never considered using my brother."
Gu Ting was filled with frustration. "What can I do? I don't want to just stand by and watch. It makes me feel uncomfortable."
"Brother, go to the military academy. Go there and experience the world and settle down. There will be a chance for you to lead troops into battle in the future."
"Is there really a chance?"
"There will definitely be one."
As long as the pace of expanding territory does not stop, the war will not stop.
Therefore, there will definitely be an opportunity to go on the expedition again.
Gu Ting suddenly became happy and smiled happily.
"Then I'll listen to my sister. But I'm in mourning. Is it appropriate for me to go to a military academy? Others will definitely think it's unlucky."
"Soldiers see dead bodies every day on the battlefield. How can it be considered unlucky or not? The Military Academy doesn't care about that. Go ahead, brother."
"Thank you, sister."
Gu Ting left Xiaozhu happily.
When he returned to the mansion, Pei Man saw his happy face and her heart sank.
She asked nervously, "Does Her Majesty agree that you can lead the troops to war?"
"No!"
"No? Then why are you so happy?" Pei Man was dumbfounded and confused.
Gu Tingte said proudly: "The Queen Mother said that this opportunity should be given to others. The future opportunities will be given to me."
Pei Man was stunned at first, then burst into laughter.
"Did your Majesty really say that?"
"Of course it's true."
Ha ha……
Pei Man was overjoyed.
Gu Ting must not know that people in the capital privately call the Queen a big liar.
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