Xiangcheng went to find the emperor, but the emperor was not in Taiji Hall today. Instead, he went out of the palace to visit the heroes. Hou Junji is lying at home, and Qin Shubao is also lying at home due to a recurrence of his old injury. These two are the most seriously injured in this battle, so they need to visit one by one.
Hou Jun lost his troops and defeated his generals, and the new cavalry of the Tang Dynasty was wiped out at once. He felt guilty, but the emperor encouraged him.
Now that Jieli has been captured, the Turks are leaderless. We only need to send troops there in the next spring to pacify and suppress them. From now on, the grassland will be our back garden. Are we still worried about not having horses to form a cavalry?
Didn't Xiao Rui create that three-piece war horse suit? When Su Lie comes back, he will allocate his 10,000 cavalry to you. From now on, there will be more and more new cavalry. Are you, Hou Junji, still worried about not having any troops?
Hou Junji said in confusion, "Su Lie has achieved great success this time. He is already a veritable famous cavalry general. His 10,000 new-style cavalry are no less than the Xuanjia Army. Doesn't it seem inappropriate for Your Majesty to deprive him of his military power like this?"
The emperor comforted him and said, "Don't worry, Su Lie's military exploits this time are not small. I have prepared to upgrade him. There will be another appointment when the time comes. His 10,000 soldiers and horses were selected from your Luoyang army, so by It is most appropriate for you to take over. In the future, we will use this as a basis to develop and expand the new cavalry of the Tang Dynasty."
"Recuperate in peace. When you recover, there will be many big things waiting for you to take over."
Hou Junji was a shrewd man. He didn't ask any more questions because he understood that the emperor was depriving Su Lie of his military power. Su Lie was too close to Xiao Rui. This time he acted like Xiao Rui's relative. Just like a soldier, without the emperor's order, you, Xiao Rui, have ten thousand dedicated soldiers following you?
The Xuanjia Army was ordered by the emperor and will not be suspected, but this is not the case with these 10,000 soldiers and horses. They were trained under the guidance of you, Xiao Rui. It would be inappropriate for it to be in the hands of you, Xiao Rui.
In the Yiguo Duke's mansion, Qin Huaidao was serving beside his father. Emperor Li Er came to visit, and everyone in the Qin family came out to greet him.
On the hospital bed, watching Qin Shubao endure the torture of illness, Li Er hesitated to speak, unable to say what he had planned.
Qin Shubao understood and smiled and said: "Your Majesty, you don't have to be like this. He is just a broken body. He has been used to it for many years of fighting. Being able to participate in this battle is only possible because of the great efforts of Dr. Sun, Daoist Ge and Xiao Rui. In this life, I have no regrets. It’s just that I’m afraid I won’t be able to go into battle to kill the enemy again.”
"Brother Shubao, don't say anything anymore. Take good care of yourself and destroy Jie Li. There will no longer be a threat to the north of the Tang Dynasty. We will still watch the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty together."
Qin Shubao waved his son and his family to leave, leaving him and the emperor alone. "Your Majesty, I want to give the champion Hou Xiaorui..."
Li Er stretched out his hand to hold down Qin Shubao, "It goes without saying, I understand. You have watched Xiao Rui grow up, so why don't you care? I don't really want to punish him. He has made great achievements on his own this time. How can I not Wouldn't it make people jealous? Shubao, didn't you see the faces of the people in the military department in the court..."
them……
Qin Shubao was ill at home and did not attend the court meeting.
When he heard what the emperor said, Qin Shubao coughed violently and said angrily: "A bunch of villains! They have the ability to break the city and capture Jie Li. Now that he has captured him, are they jealous? That's Xiao Rui's ability. With that, Why let them go?"
The emperor patted Qin Shubao's chest and said, "Calm down your anger. Even so, the Tang Dynasty can't rely on Xiao Rui alone to support it, right? People are not saints, they all have shortcomings."
Qin Shubao hated evil and said directly: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. There are not many civil and military people in the dynasty like Xiao Rui who do practical things without considering personal gain. It is precisely this kind of people who are dedicated to the country. Others. People claim to be working hard for their country, but inside they are just seeking fame and wealth."
Li Er burst out laughing, held Qin Shubao's hand and said: "Brother Shubao, who said you don't understand the court? You can see it better than anyone else. Why don't I know it? They say I prefer Xiao Rui more than myself. Son, is it because of Xiao Rui’s talent? No, it’s because of his innocent heart that he likes this child.”
"There are rumors outside that Xiao Rui is the master of shock because of his superior skills. That's why I put him in jail. Hahahaha... Ridiculous! It's a short-sighted statement. Anyone in the world can be the master of shock, but Xiao Rui can't. He has a lazy temper. , I am worried that he will not bear the burden, so how can I worry that his achievements will overwhelm the master?"
"This time things were done well. I got the profit and solved my troubles. How can I not be happy?"
"It was just to protect him that I put him in jail to silence others. Otherwise, if all the civil and military officials were offended to death, how could he still be walking in Chang'an?"
Qin Shubao smiled and said, "If your majesty can trust this child, I will feel relieved."
At this point, Li Er mentioned the real reason for coming, "Brother Shubao, I'm afraid I'm going to wrong you for something. Xiao Rui just ate alone. I can put him in jail without mentioning his merits, but others can't, so follow The soldiers who kill the generals and capture the flag together will still be rewarded. So..."
Qin Shubao suddenly realized and said readily: "What did your Majesty say? What about grievances and not grievances? This old minister's life belongs to the Tang Dynasty. Your Majesty can take it at any time as long as the Tang Dynasty needs it."
"With this broken body that has been bedridden for a long time, I will no longer be able to lead troops in the future. Even if Your Majesty doesn't mention it, I will prepare to submit a letter to resign one day."
Li Er was moved and held Qin Shubao's hand tightly: "Oh! I...I'm sorry for you. I won't say more, but I want to give Su Lie the position of General Zuowuwei. What do you think?"
Qin Shubao burst into laughter, "Well, Su Lie has the talent of a general, is proficient in bow and horse and martial arts, and is also proficient in military strategy. Zuo Wuwei can rest assured when he is entrusted to his ministers."
Li Er nodded, "That's it, it's settled. In addition, I have decreed that your Duke Yi will be changed to the Duke of Hu, and will be granted the title of Shangzhu. Brother Shubao, do you have any other requests? For example, children... "
Qin Shubao shook his head, "Your Majesty is grateful for the favor he has given to me, and I dare not be greedy for merit anymore. As for Huai Dao, he seems to have the idea of abandoning martial arts and embracing civility. No matter what, it depends on his own choice. If it can be used, your Majesty will keep him." If you can't bear the big responsibility, it's good to come back and be a rich man."
Li Er smiled, "Don't worry, this child Huai Dao will not be lower than you in future achievements. He will definitely be a pillar of the country."
"By the way, there is one more thing. The Liang Kingdom officially surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. But I wonder how Xue Li should arrange it? Does Brother Shubao have any good suggestions?"
Qin Shubao waved his hand and said: "Your Majesty, you'd better ask Song Guogong Xiao Yu about this matter. After all, Xue Li is his adopted son. How can I know this?"
The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time. Yes, they threw this question to Song Guogong Xiao Yu. Xue Li is your adopted son. Now he is famous, talented and accomplished. You can choose whatever official position you want for your son.
It seems to be an honor, but in fact it is a problem. The high official position seems to be greedy. The official position was so small that Xue Li's achievements were buried. This is exactly where Li Er is worried.
Qin Shubao's words seemed to be a refusal, but in fact he had given a suggestion, and it was an excellent suggestion.
