He suddenly appeared on the frontier and then suddenly returned to Beijing; he really hadn't figured out what excuse to use.
Just then, her small hand was suddenly enveloped by a warm touch. Su Wanyan looked up and saw that Yu Nanqing's eyes were full of tenderness.
Upon making eye contact, Su Wanyan inexplicably felt at ease.
He smiled and said, "It's all just a scheme by me to deal with the East Sea."
"Oh?" The Empress Dowager narrowed her loving eyes slightly: "I am foolish, but does Prince Gong mean... that he had already foreseen that Donghai would go to war with Dajin?"
How could that be?
She simply didn't believe it.
Yu Nanqing looked up, a hint of sternness flashing in his usually calm eyes: "The late emperor was also aware of this plan."
Upon hearing this, the hearts of all the ministers in the hall skipped a beat.
The Empress Dowager also fell silent instantly.
Did the late emperor know?
The ministers in the hall looked at each other in bewilderment. The late emperor had never mentioned this matter before his death.
Moreover, Yu Nanqing was imprisoned in the dungeon because of Su Wanyan's disappearance. Now, Yu Nanqing says that everything was a scheme to deal with Donghai, and Emperor Yuanhe also knew about this scheme.
The ministers in the palace, unaware of the situation, looked at each other, unsure whether the matter was true or false.
Back then, this matter caused quite a stir in the capital, and the officials in the capital were in an uproar because of Yu Nanqing's imprisonment.
Those who knew a little about the matter, such as Su Shiyan, could tell at a glance that Yu Nanqing was lying.
But at this moment, what does it matter whether it's a lie or the truth?
Su Shiyan saw it very clearly: Emperor Yuanhe was dead, and Yu Nanqing had won the battle. Whether the matter was true or false, the final result was what the Empress Dowager wanted to see. Based on this alone, even if the court officials in the palace or even the Empress Dowager herself doubted Yu Nanqing, so what?
Will they still pursue Yu Nanqing to find out what he did wrong?
No, not only will they not, but they will also record Yu Nanqing's words in history and include the absurd story of Su Wanyan's disappearance in the war history between the Great Jin and the East Sea.
As expected, the Empress Dowager did not press the matter further upon hearing this. Instead, she chuckled and followed Yu Nanqing's lead, saying, "I see. No wonder Prince Gong is so confident about this battle with the East Sea."
After saying that, she sighed again: "Alas, the late emperor left in a hurry. Prince Gong is on the frontier and probably doesn't know that after you went to war, an epidemic broke out in the capital. Everyone in the capital was in danger. The late emperor left without leaving a single word. Don't blame me for being curious and asking too many questions."
"I heard about this matter from Yan'er when I was at the border."
Su Wanyan lowered her head silently, concealing the thoughts in her eyes. What she had heard about was their masterpiece.
Fortunately, the Duke of Changguo's mansion and the Duke of Shunguo's mansion joined forces to find a prescription, which resolved the crisis in the capital.
Dai Jin'an and Xu Nianhe slowly rose and bowed respectfully: "This is the duty that we, as subjects, should fulfill."
"Speaking of which..." the Empress Dowager said with a smile, "The Dragon Banner Army has returned victorious, but I have not yet bestowed any rewards upon you. Now that Prince Gong has returned to the capital, this matter should be put on the agenda, especially since the New Year is approaching."
As he spoke, he raised his eyes and instructed, "Lord Quan, I'll trouble you to take this matter to heart and choose an auspicious day as soon as possible."
Master Quan is the newly appointed Director of the Imperial Observatory.
He rose from his seat, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey your command."
Because Yu Nanqing returned to the capital at a different time than the army, the military's investiture and commendation were delayed.
Su Wanyan glanced at him, not recognizing this Master Quan.
The Empress Dowager then turned her gaze to Yu Nanqing: "Prince Gong deserves much credit for this great victory. Besides his merits and titles, is there anything else he desires?"
Because he was already a prince, even the emperor had to call him imperial uncle. He had already been granted the titles of general and commander-in-chief during the reign of Emperor Yuanhe, and now there was nothing left to be granted.
Therefore, when it comes to rewarding someone, you should start with the people around you or by giving them a gift.
In the battle report submitted by Lü Cezhong, almost everyone mentioned in the battle was commended, and Su Wanyan's name was among them. So, whether it was a big reward or a small reward, Su Wanyan would always receive one.
On another level, the Empress Dowager also had no way to reward Yu Nanqing for Su Wanyan.
Yu Nanqing currently has no other close relationships, so she really can't think of any reward Yu Nanqing would need.
The Empress Dowager's words were exactly what Yu Nanqing wanted: "To be honest, there is something I do want."
The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh? Why don't you tell me? As long as it's something I can give you, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
Yu Nanqing lowered his eyes, exchanged a glance with Su Wanyan, smiled, and raised his eyes to say, "I have been in the army since I was a child, fighting against the southern barbarians, defending against the northern invaders, pacifying the outside and governing the inside, and now I have won a great victory in the East Sea, laying the foundation for the Great Jin. I have made meritorious contributions for many years, and..."
He lowered his eyes and looked at Su Wanyan with doting affection. Su Wanyan happened to look up at him and said, "Now that I have found the love of my life, so..."
Yu Nanqing looked at the Empress Dowager with a firm gaze: "I humbly request Your Majesty to grant me Fuzhou as a fiefdom, so that I and Yan'er may settle down here."
The Empress Dowager's eyes lit up immediately.
To be honest, Yu Nanqing's request was exactly what she wanted to hear.
Yu Nanqing has made great military achievements, and it is inevitable that some court officials will support her. However, with the young emperor's ascension to the throne, there are many officials in the court who are dissatisfied with her ruling from behind the curtain.
At this time, Yu Nanqing's presence in the capital posed a significant threat to her.
Moreover, Yu Nanqing's military power cannot be taken back immediately. She has received news that Donghai has no intention of surrendering, and negotiations with Lü Cezhong are not going smoothly. If they do not surrender, then there is still a possibility of war.
The location of Chengdao Island could have a significant impact on the East China Sea. If the East China Sea were lost, the threat posed by the Great Jin Dynasty would be further amplified. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether the East China Sea would fight to the death to save it.
Now, not only the East China Sea, but other countries are also seizing the opportunity to exploit the weaknesses of the Great Jin. Although she has seized power, now is not the time to let her guard down.
Because she was afraid of being overshadowed by Yu Nanqing, she had deliberately tried to suppress them earlier.
Now that Yu Nanqing has volunteered to be granted a fiefdom, that's perfect. As long as she's far from the capital, the center of power will still be in her hands.
but……
Then the Empress Dowager frowned again, "Fuzhou..."
Fuzhou is rich and prosperous, with a pleasant climate all year round. If Yu Nanqing went there, even after deducting the taxes paid to the court each year, the various taxes would be enough to support him in recuperating.
And the Dragon Flag Army was under his command...
She was somewhat worried; in fact, she would prefer that Yu Nanqing stay in Wengcheng.
After this great victory in the East Sea, she thought that Yu Nanqing could be responsible for guarding the border in the future. Wengcheng was not wealthy and still needed the court to support its troops, so she gave up the idea of Yu Nanqing privately raising his own troops.
Moreover, according to their report, Yu Nanqing was already working on the construction of Wengcheng.
Wengcheng was also rebuilt into the Prince Gong Mansion, which was also approved by the imperial court.
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