Lu Xingjian had just presented this memorial to the officials for discussion.
Prince Ning then submitted a memorial requesting the casting of seals for the guards and the offices of the Zhenfu Division, totaling fifty-eight seals.
Officials who opposed the emperor's restoration of the Prince of Ning's guards and land reclamation immediately became suspicious and public opinion was in uproar.
Now, it's common knowledge that Prince Ning harbors ulterior motives.
Fewer and fewer officials in the capital dared to openly accept bribes from the Prince of Ning's residence.
Many officials have even begun to distance themselves from the matter.
"Fifty-eight seals?! What is Prince Ning planning?!"
A censor from the Ministry of War cried out in shock in his office, his face turning deathly pale.
"Guards, officials, garrison commanders, and centurions—is this an attempt to rebuild a small Ningwang court independent of the imperial court?! This isn't a vassal king; this is clearly..."
Shh! Quiet down!
His colleagues hurriedly covered his mouth, their eyes scanning the doors and windows with fear. "Watch your mouth! Watch your mouth! The Prince of Ning is currently enjoying great favor with the Emperor. If these words get out..."
"Imperial favor?"
Another, more experienced doctor sneered, his voice low and filled with a sense of profound sorrow.
"I'm afraid it's a death warrant! Even the simpleton selling pancakes on the street can see through Sima Zhao's intentions! Does our Prince Ning want to die even faster?"
Panic quickly turned into actual alienation.
Those once bustling and lively liaison points of the Prince Ning's Mansion in Beijing seemed to have been infected with a plague overnight.
The officials who used to come to the door in an endless stream, bringing all sorts of "tribute," have vanished without a trace.
The stewards and attendants sent by the Prince of Ning's mansion to various departments to gather information and smooth things over, who used to be greeted with smiles and invited into a side hall for tea, now find it difficult to even step through the main gate. They are often coldly turned away at the gatehouse.
"The lord is in the middle of a meeting and will not receive guests!"
"The Minister is unwell today and will not receive any guests!"
"Please return! We can discuss anything after Prince Ning's memorial arrives at the ministry!"
A few who couldn't refuse and were invited in were met with the indifferent, businesslike demeanor of their superiors and the wary, scrutinizing gazes of their subordinates. After only a few pleasantries, they would be politely escorted out by various high-sounding excuses.
The warmth and tacit understanding that once characterized the exchange of gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, and calligraphy and paintings with the Prince Ning's mansion had vanished.
There was an atmosphere of panic, a desperate attempt to distance themselves from the situation.
The Ning Prince's mansion's reach in the capital was frozen and severed by an invisible ice in just a few days.
The name of Prince Ning was quickly nailed to the pillar of shame for "plotting rebellion".
Just as the capital's officialdom was rife with undercurrents and everyone was on edge due to the controversy surrounding the Prince of Ning's seal, an urgent message from the northern frontier once again shattered the brief peace.
"Report! Urgent report from Xuanfu! Dayan Khan has personally led 40,000 cavalry to attack Xinkou again! War is raging, and the fortresses are in dire need of attention!"
Before the matter of Prince Ning and Prince Lu had been settled in the imperial court, Dayan Khan led 40,000 cavalry to invade Xuanfu.
It's truly a case of "taking advantage of my illness to kill me."
Having gone through so many years of trials and tribulations, Lu Xingjian had faced many storms and was no longer flustered. He calmly selected 20,000 officers and soldiers from the Beijing Garrison to be sent to the front lines.
However, choosing who to oversee the army became a major problem.
Last year, the Marquis of Xianning, Qiu Yue, was used, but the result was that the cost of the battle was extremely high, ten times the gain, which was condemned by the court officials.
Besides the Marquis of Xianning, who else is available?
Lu Xingjian wanted to go, but he knew that the current situation simply didn't allow it.
Seeing his dilemma, Su Wanwan suggested a candidate: "Zhang Yong, what do you think?"
Lu Xingjian frowned slightly, staring at Su Wanwan, "Why did you recommend him?"
"This purge within the palace has indeed cleared Zhang Yong of suspicion that he deliberately set fire to the palace in an attempt to regain his position. Zhang Yong was loyal and capable in leading his troops; what's wrong with that?"
Lu Xingjian's voice carried a hint of sourness, "You seem to value Zhang Yong quite a bit."
Su Wanwan paused slightly, "How can you talk like that?"
Lu Xingjian snorted coldly, "Don't think I don't know what he has feelings for you."
Su Wanwan immediately turned cold: "What nonsense are you talking about? What kind of thoughts could a eunuch have?"
“Eunuchs are men too, with their own emotions and desires,” Lu Xingjian said with a cold look in his eyes. “Otherwise, why would Liu Jin go to such lengths to amass wealth?”
Su Wanwan didn't recall her deliberate attempts to win over Zhang Yong back then.
Based on the clues I've been following these past few days, and my instinctive impression of Zhang Yong, I feel that he is someone I can entrust with my life.
Su Wanwan was too lazy to argue with him. "You decide for yourself. If you don't think it's suitable, choose someone else."
In fact, Lu Xingjian did not have a better candidate.
Zhang Zhong, true to his name, is loyal but lacks competence.
Even Qiu Yue couldn't defeat the Tatar cavalry; Zhang Zhong leading his army there would be a complete disaster.
He quickly devised a plan: "Zhang Yong will oversee military affairs, Zhang Zhong will supervise the eunuchs, and General Bai Yu will lead 20,000 troops from the capital to reinforce Xuanfu."
Once he finishes dealing with Prince Ning and Prince Lu, he will definitely take Yan Ge'er to Xuanfu in person and have a real showdown with Dayan Khan!
Zhang Yong came in person to receive the imperial decree and express his gratitude.
Lu Xingjian didn't hide anything, "It was Wanwan who recommended you to me, Grand Master. Don't let me and the Empress down."
Zhang Yong looked up in surprise.
Empress... Su Wanwan has already been deposed as Empress, but the Emperor still calls her Empress.
It is clear that in his heart, Su Wanwan has always been the Empress, and her position is irreplaceable regardless of whether there was an edict restoring her to the Empress's position.
Over the years, he has witnessed the ups and downs, life and death separations of this couple, and their continued devotion to each other.
He himself experienced ups and downs in his official career, having almost been granted a title as a eunuch, and also having been sidelined and ignored by everyone.
Now, this old eunuch, who had been out of work for several years, has been reinstated.
This affection transcends traditional romantic love.
It is mutual understanding and trust.
It also means to fulfill and support.
"Your subject is determined to devote himself to the cause until his dying breath!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, and the young prince must also take care of themselves and avoid any further danger!"
The words are concise yet full of deep affection.
Lu Xingjian was somewhat moved.
Of the many eunuchs who served the Crown Prince in those years, Liu Jin and Zhang Yong were the most favored.
One was in power, the other commanded the army.
It is truly remarkable that someone in power, who has been in command of troops for so many years, can still maintain such unwavering loyalty.
In the past, when large armies went on expeditions, eunuchs would be sent to supervise the army, civil officials would be in charge of military affairs, and military generals would lead troops to fight the enemy. The three would advance in parallel.
The fact that Zhang Yong, a eunuch, was in charge of military affairs this time demonstrates the height of imperial power and the emperor's trust and reliance on him.
An army marches on its stomach.
Before the army even set out, it had already spent 100,000 taels of silver.
The Ministry of Revenue kept complaining about the empty national treasury.
Lu Xingjian felt a little more at ease after having the ten inner warehouses inventoried.
With the money Liu Jin embezzled in recent years, we haven't been unable to pay salaries.
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