Just as the capital was engulfed in an atmosphere of terror.
Inside Li Qin's residence in the capital, lanterns and decorations were everywhere.
Li Qin's wife was directing the servants throughout the mansion to set up celebrations.
Li Qin looked at his wife, Zhuang Xiaoyu, who was so busy she barely had time to breathe, and shook his head helplessly, saying:
"There's no need to make it too extravagant. The imperial court will hold a celebration banquet for this triumphant return later."
"That's different. You returned victorious from your campaign in Shanxi this time."
"The imperial court's victory banquet—that's the court's affair. Shouldn't we, at home, also celebrate, distribute some rewards, and share the joy?"
Zhuang Xiaoyu looked at Li Qin in front of her and said.
Li Qin shook his head helplessly and said:
"You decide what to do, but I'm planning to call a few people over later."
How many people?
Zhuang Xiaoyu looked at Li Qin in front of her with a puzzled expression and asked.
"Those few of my own people that I promoted into the army."
This time they also contributed to the logistics and got familiar with the army. I'll call a few of them over later to test what they've learned.
Inviting them to the family dinner can also help strengthen relationships and make them feel like they are part of our family.
I can feel more at ease sending them out to command troops in the future.”
Li Qin took a sip of tea as he spoke.
Faced with Li Qin's words, Zhuang Xiaoyu said helplessly:
"You're the head of the household, so you can add whoever you want."
After hearing Zhuang Xiaoyu's words, Li Qin nodded.
After tonight, he planned to involve these people in the next operation to encircle and annihilate Zhao Shuai Town.
Let them gain more experience, and then, under the guidance of veterans, send them and the new recruits from Liaodong to Henan to fight against peasant armies, get some experience, and earn some merit.
After that, they were transferred to the border to fight against the Tatars.
They've been tempered enough, so we can move them to command positions, and of course, we'll assign them some capable deputy generals.
According to his calculations, in the future, the commanders of his army will all be replaced by his own family members, replacing those generals from other families.
If you have many sons, you can replace them with your sons in those important positions.
Just as Li Qin was envisioning the future.
After listening to the maid's words, Zhuang Xiaoyu glanced at Li Qin, who was sitting in the main seat.
Just then, Li Qin also noticed her gaze and asked:
"What's wrong?"
Zhuang Xiaoyu glanced at the maid beside him and said:
"Keep your mouths shut, and tell everyone in the manor to keep their mouths shut too."
"Yes, madam."
The maid then obediently left.
Zhuang Xiaoyu then walked up to Li Qin and said:
"The former Crown Princess, Jiang Qingyue, is pregnant."
"Got it?"
Li Qin was also surprised for a moment, then nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
After all, we've been together so many times without any protection, so it would be strange if we didn't use any methods, right?
"What do you plan to do with this child?"
Jiang Qingyue's identity cannot be revealed at this time.
Zhuang Xiaoyu sat down in the seat next to Li Qin, looking at him with a serious expression.
She was worried that Li Qin might act impulsively and reveal Jiang Qingyue's identity.
After all, everyone knows about this kind of thing; if you just play around with it in private, everyone will pretend they don't know.
You can't just publicly announce it and weigh yourself.
Facing Zhuang Xiaoyu beside him, Li Qin slowly took a sip of his tea and said:
"Once Jiang Qingyue gives birth, you can take the child under your care and raise her. As for her status, just say she was born to a maid or concubine in the household."
You can handle the specifics yourself; just minimize the impact.
It's best if nobody notices.
"I understand, I'll take care of it later."
Zhuang Xiaoyu breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Li Qin's words.
Li Qin, however, was thinking that now that he had Jiang Qingyue, he should try to find another trophy to play with.
Who should we replace?
How about we take a stroll inside the palace?
As night deepened, the family banquet at Li Qin's residence finally began.
Li Qin also brought his two sons, Li Ruwen and Li Ruwu, to the banquet, and had them sit on either side of him.
The people standing before him were all members of the royal family whom he had nurtured and on whom he placed high hopes.
Li Qin raised his wine glass and said:
"Everyone, this is a family dinner. Everyone here is family, so please don't be shy and do whatever makes you happy."
Upon hearing his words, everyone present raised their glasses in response.
Although they remained well-behaved, they were rather nervous in front of Li Qin.
However, the atmosphere has clearly eased considerably.
As the family dinner continued, the atmosphere gradually became more lively.
Many people raised their glasses to praise and sing Li Qin's great achievements in conquering Shanxi.
Li Qin was chatting and laughing with them.
As the family banquet came to an end, Li Qin watched them leave, stretched, and said to the servant beside him:
"Go and rest. Let Zhang Qianrou do it today."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Chang'an, Shaanxi.
Hong Chengchou listened to the reports from the people in front of him, his expression also grave.
Li Qin had essentially taken control of the entire Shanxi province and had even sent troops to seize the ferry crossings between Shanxi and Shaanxi.
In other words, if Li Qin were to attack him, he wouldn't need to go through Tongguan at all.
It is entirely possible to cross the river from Shanxi.
Now his Guanzhong Plain was completely exposed to Li Qin.
Just as Li Qin was conquering Shanxi, he was also preparing to send troops.
However, at that time he had just eliminated the Yang family and incorporated the troops of Guyuan Town into his own forces.
A large number of members of the Yang family, as well as those related to the Yang family, were killed in the army.
The military is facing a severe shortage of officers.
He is selecting officers to consolidate his control over the army.
In his original estimate, even if Li Qin attacked Shanxi, Yang Zhiyong in Taiyuan could hold out for a while.
Li Qin wouldn't be able to take Shanxi anytime soon, but who knew that Yang Zhiyong would actually run away.
The officials in Shanxi surrendered to Li Qin immediately.
It was too late for him to mobilize the army.
The situation in Shanxi has been settled.
With Shanxi and the Yellow River crossings falling into Li Qin's hands, Shaanxi, which was under his control, was now under Li Qin's military might.
If Li Qin wanted, his cavalry could roam freely across the Guanzhong Plain.
I absolutely cannot fight him head-on.
What I need to do now is to integrate the troops of the other three towns in the Northwest as soon as possible and strengthen my own power.
However, a subsequent imperial edict from Li Qin further enraged him.
Because the governors and commanders of Ningxia Town and Yulin Town actually defected directly to Li Qin.
Li Qin issued an edict forbidding him from attacking the two towns.
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