While Xu Rao was recuperating at home, he kept a close eye on the news from the court.
On this day, Marquis Yongning came in a hurry. Xu Rao was lying on a recliner under the shade of a tree. The recliner was made of bamboo. When he lay on it and rocked gently, it would creak and groan, which made people feel that the sound was somewhat charming.
Upon seeing the Marquis of Yongning approach, Xu Rao quickly stood up. The Marquis waved his hand and said, "Don't get up so quickly."
Xu Rao slowly straightened up, holding onto the armrests on both sides of the recliner. Seeing that the Marquis was covered in sweat, she quickly poured him some tea. The tea room had refreshing herbal tea that was sweet and sour, and the Marquis drank two cups in a row.
Unless it's something urgent, the Marquis won't come here. As a father, he never easily sets foot in the courtyard of his married children.
After finishing his tea, the Marquis wiped his mouth and said, "I came to tell you that Feng Zhongyi has been relieved of his post as the garrison general of Wuzhou. The court is currently discussing sending a general there. As you know, in this great war with the Great Jin, we have dispatched troops from both the Northwest and the Southwest. The Great Yan probably thinks that we are in a period of turmoil and is eager to make a move."
Xu Rao scratched his head and said with a smile, "Father, just tell me who in the court proposed it and who came."
Marquis Yongning sighed and said, "It was the Minister of War who recommended Zheng Boyuan."
Upon hearing this, Xu Rao said with some surprise, "Boyuan? He's leading the navy now. I could understand sending Cheng Kai, but I don't quite understand sending Boyuan to lead troops across different branches of the military."
Marquis Yongning said helplessly, "You can't understand, and neither can I. Today, the court was in an uproar over this matter, and His Majesty was so angry that he turned around and went to the Imperial Study."
Xu Rao gently stroked the armrest of the recliner with her hand. The armrest was made of a single smooth bamboo, which had become very smooth from years of use.
This is a subconscious action of Xu Rao. When he is thinking about a problem, his hand will unconsciously reach for something. Even if there is nothing to touch, he will touch the table.
Xu Rao quietly pondered the pros and cons of Zheng Boyuan going to Wuzhou. Xu Rao believed that since someone had already brought it up, this matter would eventually become a reality. It was not for any other reason than for himself, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who was a third-rank official. The Minister of Revenue was getting old, and now the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue were basically handled by the two Vice Ministers. The former Left Vice Minister had gone to Jiangnan to take charge of the textile industry in Jiangnan. This was a lucrative post, and even without a promotion in rank, it was still extremely sought after.
Xu Rao frowned, recalling what the Marquis had just said—that the matter was proposed by the Minister of War—and asked, "Father, why was it the Minister of War who proposed this?"
The Marquis said, "The transfer of military officers is naturally proposed by the Ministry of War, not by the Ministry of Personnel for the promotion of court officials."
As he finished speaking, the Marquis's voice grew softer and softer. Compared to the powerful ministries of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue, the Minister of War was not a particularly prominent figure. After all, the promotion of military officers was usually announced by imperial decree after a victory, while the promotion of the subordinate officers under the generals was done by the generals themselves writing recommendation letters to the Ministry of War, which then reported to the court. Such promotions were generally without any obstacles.
Seeing that the Marquis had noticed this unusual place, Xu Rao couldn't help but sigh and said, "Father, my promotion this time has really offended too many people."
After hearing Xu Rao's words, the Marquis remained silent for a long time. After a long pause, he said, "Both thunder and rain are the Emperor's grace. If His Majesty wants to promote you, can you refuse?"
Xu Rao couldn't help but laugh and said, "Father, since they've brought it up, we should naturally try to make it happen. In that case, we should figure out how Boyuan will establish himself in Wuzhou after he goes there."
When the Marquis thought of Wuzhou, especially the area where it bordered the Great Yan, he shook his head and said, "The Great Liang and the Great Yan have been at peace for many years. It was also the emperor who ascended the throne in the Great Yan a few years ago who has been developing the country's strength. He felt that he was now capable of fighting the Great Liang. Most importantly, the Great Liang just had a major battle with the Jin people, and he thought it was the perfect time."
Xu Rao couldn't help but sigh and said, "They're still too young. They don't realize that sometimes war isn't fought on the battlefield with real swords and spears. Many of their goods are transported from our Great Liang. If we cut off this trade route, they probably won't last long."
Upon thinking of this, Marquis Yongning couldn't help but laugh and said, "It really is that matter."
Xu Rao sighed deeply and said, "War is actually caused by people wanting to obtain what they don't have through a war. Those who start wars are just robbers."
Marquis Yongning stroked his beard and said, "According to you, we still need to make a trip to Wuzhou."
Xu Rao patted his leg and said, "Father, you still don't understand. This is a show of force against me. I haven't even arrived yet, and they're already trying to make me look bad. After all, Boyuan is my son-in-law."
When Marquis Yongning left Xu Rao's courtyard, his complexion was much better, but the Marquis Pingxi's residence was not so peaceful at the moment.
Marquis Pingxi does not attend court, but today's important matter in the court concerns his eldest son, who has already been adopted out. Naturally, there were those who would tell Marquis Pingxi about it.
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