Zhu Zhongyan said: "Your Majesty is wise."
The garrison commander is a fifth-rank military officer.
General Xuanwu was of the fourth rank.
Although it was only a promotion of one rank, the garrison commander was just a military general working in the local area, while the Xuanwu General was a symbol of honor.
It is equivalent to Ma Changda's General Dingyuan. It is not about how many soldiers he has under his command, but it is an honorary title.
Similar to Zhao Lin’s title of general in his previous life, it has nothing to do with how many soldiers he leads.
This means that Zhao Lin has both honor and real power.
You should know that the Governor of Beijiang, who was in charge of the military and political affairs of Jiujiang Province, was only a third-rank General Zhaoyi.
With the title of General Xuanwu, Zhao Lin is qualified to participate in the court's military discussions and can also lead troops to fight in other places.
Without the corresponding title of general, even if you have the ability, you cannot lead more troops.
This is the reward from General Xuanwu.
Zhu Zhongyan said, "Your Majesty, if you offer such a reward, I'm afraid the ministers in the cabinet will not agree."
The emperor's orders must be approved by the cabinet, not just by his consent.
The last time we assigned Zhao Lin to guard the city, it took a long time for both sides to agree on it.
Cheng ** snorted coldly and said, "This bunch of corrupt scholars have accomplished nothing but bad things. If it weren't for them causing trouble, Zhao Lin would have put down the rebellion long ago. How could he have lost two generals in a row?"
Zhu Zhongyan said: "Why not give them some space to refute?"
Cheng** asked: "What do you mean?"
Zhu Zhongyan said, "Your Majesty, please increase the reward and let them bargain."
Cheng ** said angrily, "Nonsense! I reward my meritorious officials, and yet I have to bargain with these people?"
Zhu Zhongyan quickly knelt down and said, "It was my fault for speaking out of turn."
Cheng** sighed, "Get up. You're right. If they won't agree, then we'll do as you say and promote Zhao Lin to General Mingwei."
General Mingwei was of the fourth rank, one rank higher than General Xuanwu.
It's roughly similar to the difference between a major general and a colonel.
Although it seems to be only one step away, for some people, it is a gap that is difficult to cross in their lifetime.
When the decree reached the cabinet, it almost caused an uproar.
"Your Majesty is really making a fuss!"
Li Chengqian said angrily, "It's just a rebellion of a few thousand soldiers, but he won two consecutive victories and was directly awarded the title of General Mingwei. What a joke!"
Shao Yutang also said, "Perhaps His Majesty, seeing the successive loss of two generals, thinks Zhao Lin's contribution is significant. In fact, the deaths of the Ma Dada brothers can only be attributed to their incompetence, and have little to do with the strength of the rebels."
The prime minister and deputy prime minister from different parties all spoke, and everyone else also spoke one by one.
This person said that Zhao Lin was already a prefect and a garrison commander at such a young age. If he were to be made a general of Mingwei, his promotion would be too fast.
Another said that if he was made General Mingwei for such a small achievement, wouldn’t there be no more rewards for him if he made new achievements in the future?
Some people also said that Ma Dada died at the hands of the rebels, but Zhao Lin put down the rebellion so easily. Was he colluding with the rebels? It was suggested that Zhao Lin be arrested and investigated.
Anyway, no matter what is said, the bottom line is that this reward is too huge.
The next day there will be a meeting.
Cheng** was dragged here by the ministers.
Li Chengqian spoke directly, "Your Majesty, Zhao Lin only quelled a minor rebellion, so he was rewarded with a small amount of silver. How can he be named General Mingwei? If everyone did this, wouldn't the entire court be filled with generals in the future?"
Even though the civil officials are superior to the military officials, these people do not want to see Zhao Lin become General Mingwei in one step.
Cheng** said slowly, "Do you all think so?"
Shao Yutang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe Zhao Lin is the prefect of Qingzhou, and suppressing the rebellion is his duty. Your Majesty is magnanimous in not holding him responsible for the rebellion under his jurisdiction. If you were to reward him in this way, wouldn't everyone follow suit?"
A minister stepped forward and said, "Master Shao is right. In my opinion, instead of rewarding him, we should issue an imperial decree to reprimand Zhao Lin. Why didn't a rebel appear in his own territory, but in Qingzhou?"
Another minister stepped forward and said, "I have a question. If Zhao Lin is such a skilled fighter, why didn't he go into battle earlier, waiting until General Ma and his brothers were killed in battle? Was it because the rebels were small and unknown before, and there was no benefit in suppressing them? So he waited until General Ma and his brothers died, and the rebels became famous, before suppressing them would be more beneficial?"
One after another, ministers stood up. Some opposed such a generous reward, some believed that Zhao Lin's merits and demerits offset each other, and some believed that Zhao Lin had ulterior motives and was suspected of colluding with the rebels and should be directly imprisoned and interrogated.
Such heavy pressure made Cheng**, who had been mentally prepared, furious.
"absurd!"
At the critical moment, Xiao Weilun, the Minister of War, stepped forward and shouted, "What is your purpose in slandering such a meritorious official?"
"A meritorious official?"
Shao Yutang sneered, "Could it be that Minister Xiao didn't hear clearly the suspicious points about Zhao Lin?"
Xiao Weilun said, "Lord Shao also said that it is a suspicion, not evidence. If there is a suspicion, then we can say this about a meritorious official. Then, can I also suspect that Lord Shao is a spy from the Northern Di and suggest that Your Majesty throw you into prison for interrogation?"
Shao Yutang was furious: "Minister Xiao, I was discussing Zhao Lin's matter with you, and you actually slandered me?"
Xiao Weilun said disdainfully: "When there is no evidence, Lord Shao says that others are suspicious points, but when it comes to himself, it is slander. He really has a good mouth."
Shao Yutang waved his sleeves and said, "Humph, aren't these doubts correct? If Lord Xiao can explain these doubts clearly, I will support him in being named General Mingwei."
"I can explain."
A voice was heard and everyone turned their heads to see two people coming together and kneeling down.
"Your Majesty, your servants Fu Chengwang and Li Xingye pay their respects to you. Long live the Emperor."
Cheng ** was very happy to see the two of them return, and quickly said, "No need to be polite, stand up."
Before the two men stood up and returned to their seats, Fu Chengwang glared at Shao Yutang: "Sir Shao, I don't know if there is anything suspicious about Zhao Lin. Tell me, and I will explain it to you one by one."
Everyone was secretly surprised.
Fu Chengwang has never liked Zhao Lin, especially after Zhao Lin kidnapped Fu Chengwang's daughter, causing Fu Chengwang to publicly announce that he would cut off ties with his daughter and refused to compromise. It was obvious that he was extremely dissatisfied with Zhao Lin.
Now he is speaking for Zhao Lin.
What happened on this trip to Qingzhou?
Shao Yutang said, "Alright! Let me ask Master Fu, there are no rebels anywhere else, but there are in Qingzhou. How do you explain this?"
Fu Chengwang said calmly, "First, there are also many rebels elsewhere, not just in Qingzhou. The Qingzhou rebels are not the largest or the most dangerous. Lord Shao, who is the deputy commander, doesn't know this. Is he too old?"
Shao Yutang was furious and asked, "You?"
Fu Chengwang ignored him and continued, "Secondly, the matter of the Qingzhou rebels has been investigated by this official and Lord Li for some time and is now clear."
Fu Chengwang glanced at Li Jingzhong indifferently.
Li Jingzhong immediately felt something was wrong.
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