That night, a grand celebration banquet was held in Zhangye. In the past, it would have been held in a certain military camp. But this time, the imperial court sent Pei Ju to reward the troops, so Yang Ji had to hold the banquet separately, and the soldiers were still in the west. The main camp, the generals who went out for the expedition, as well as the middle and low-level generals and soldiers who had performed outstandingly in the war, all called to the square in front of the Prefectural Mufu Mansion.
Pei Ju stood in front of the main seat and made a passionate speech. Then he took out the imperial edict in public and read out the imperial court's rewards for meritorious soldiers.
Yang Guang was very good at rewards and punishments. His rewards convinced all the generals. Not only the generals had their own rewards, but also Xue Ju, Yuchi Gong, Li Daliang, Ling Jing and others among Yang Ji's personal staff. There are rewards. As for the ordinary soldiers who went on the expedition, they received four times the military pay, and everyone was happy.
The only person who has not been promoted is Yang Ji, the chief hero.
Yang Ji is a prince. Even if he conquers the entire earth now, he will still have no title in the most valuable title. As for the actual civil service, he is a cool man with monopoly power and a rank comparable to that of a first-class official. Zhou Mu, as a local official, he still cannot be promoted; also reaching the top is the honorary official of Shangzhu Guo, the second rank.
As for military positions, he is the third-rank right-guard general, and the only one above him is the general. There are the generals of the auxiliary state and the generals of the hussars; the Wensanguan is the third-rank Jin Ziguanglu doctor, and the higher ones are the second-rank right Guanglu doctor, the second-rank Zuo Guanglu doctor, and the first-rank Guanglu doctor.
This means that before he stepped down as state pastor, there was no room for improvement except for civil and military officials, but nothing else. Of course, Yang Ji had nothing to worry about, because he was not an exception in the Sui Dynasty. There were many officials like him with no title in the capital. There are three main reasons for this phenomenon:
First of all, when Yang Jian succeeded the Sui Dynasty on behalf of Zhou Dynasty, in order to gain the support of officials and the Guanlong family, he directly sent out a large number of official positions, and the official positions he sent out were of extremely high grades, including Dukes of two countries and Dukes of many counties. There are many aristocratic families in the country, and those civil and military talents who defected to him were also awarded high-ranking officials and generous salaries. After these people received tangible benefits, they naturally served him sincerely.
This method of winning people's hearts did bring great benefits to Yang Jian and Sui Dynasty at the beginning of their business, but there is no doubt that it also left hidden dangers such as redundant officials, excessive personnel, and no seals. .
Secondly, the Sui Dynasty was in a period of change in history, and the official positions were quite chaotic; thirdly, there were many wars in the Sui Dynasty, and almost all the generals who survived on the battlefield were promoted step by step, and the next time, they were promoted step by step again. As time went by, it became impossible to seal it.
These three reasons combined created a large number of officials who could not be sealed.
Although Yang Guang was not promoted to Yang Ji's official position this time, he was very generous and generous to his own people, so he gave Yang Ji an astonishing amount of property and rare treasures.
Yang Ji naturally had no objection to this.
As the same state pastor, his real power and autonomy are several times higher than that of Yang Zhiji, Yang Lun, and Yang Jing. With an official like him, what else is there to complain about? Moreover, Yang Guang did not continue to promote him. In fact, he regarded him as one of his own and was protecting him. The emperor's trust and trust, in an era when imperial power was highly concentrated, were often rarer and more precious than any official position. This was also the invisible power that was longed for and envied by appointing an important minister.
Pei Ju announced the imperial reward, and had the seals of the generals who had made meritorious services be taken back and replaced with higher-grade new seals and new court uniforms; then he awarded the seals and court uniforms to the new generals who stood out.
Although the whole process was cumbersome and lengthy, everyone present did not find it cumbersome or lengthy.
Not to mention the generals who were promoted, but those who were not promoted due to lack of merit were also filled with enthusiasm and envy. Under this intense and stimulation, their desire for the battlefield and military glory was even greater than usual. A hundred times, a thousand times stronger.
Then came the celebration banquet; at the banquet, there were no dancing beauties, no silk and bamboo orchestral music, some were just a stream of fine wines and delicacies, and some were just boasts about "passing the Five Tigers Pass and killing six generals" As well as dirty words, some were just bursts of heroic laughter.
The banquet lasted until midnight on the moon and then ended.
When Yang Ji returned home, it was almost three o'clock; from a distance, he could see the sky-high halo in the direction of Yang's Mansion, which looked like a huge lantern in the dark night, pointing the way home for the returning Yang Ji. road.
After entering the square gate and crossing the intersection, you can see the tall mansion gate in the distance. However, there is a carriage parked more than a hundred meters in front. Zhu Can and a slender man seem to be talking, and there is another man standing next to him. There were more than twenty Xuanwu guards and a few strange servants holding lanterns.
When Zhu Can saw Yang Ji coming with a group of guards, he led the man who was talking to him and shouted: "Your Majesty, Mr. Dugu wants to see you."
Yang Ji has not arrived home yet. Now that he is approaching the door, he feels more urgent to go home. At this time, he heard that someone wants to see him in the middle of the night, and he is really unhappy. However, thinking that people come to see him in the middle of the night, maybe there is something urgent. Something happened, so he went up to meet him.
The young man following Zhu Can was handsome. Although he was wearing a scholar's uniform, he looked heroic under the light. Looking closer, Yang Ji couldn't help but was stunned again. This guy turned out to be Dugu Shun's grandson, Dugu. Virtue.
Speaking of which, Dugu Xianyi was not yet 30 years old. He was in his prime, and he was backed by the Dugu family and the Dugu sect. It stands to reason that a noble child like him with ability, family background, qualifications and background would , should have been the governor, governor, and state Sima long ago. However, as the direct grandson of the family head, like Yang Shidao, he started as a county magistrate, the magistrate of Changsong County, Liangzhou.
He suddenly appeared in Zhangye City in the middle of the night. What does this mean? No matter how arrogant you are, you still have to have a certain level, right?
In fact, Yang Ji had wronged Dugu Xianyi. He had been promoted from the magistrate of Changsong County to the general secretary of Neishi Province (Zhongshu Province) a few days ago. Although this position is only from the sixth rank, it has the power to introduce people to the court and communicate with the palace. All ministers who serve as ministers, civil and military officials, will be guided in and out by the minister, and they will be praised when they rise, worship, and go out. According to etiquette, the tributes paid by barbarians from all directions were also accepted and submitted by Tongshisheren. It even has the power to comfort the families of soldiers and soldiers and conduct inspections on a regular basis.
What's more important is that this position is very close to the emperor, and he can better demonstrate his talents to the emperor. Moreover, the prince Yang Zhao also serves as the internal historian, so there are countless people inside and outside the court who are thinking about it. Drill on this seat.
Valley concubine
This new position made Dugu Xianyi very excited, and his grandfather also told him that he would first be a member of Tongsheshe for a year or two, and then transfer him through personal connections to become the governor of a sparsely populated Xiazhou, and then use the Dugu family's The power and financial resources helped him make Xiazhou prosperous and prosperous, and he achieved dazzling political achievements. Then he was transferred back to the capital to be a middle- and high-level official in Shangshu Province. In less than ten years, he could use family power to push him to the top. Even if he is not qualified for the position of Minister of the Six Bubu, he can still be the Minister of the Six Bubu.
Dugu Xianyi was convinced by his grandfather's words and the family's strength. He came to Zhangyecheng this time. Firstly, he had to go through the procedures before leaving his job. If he got a good review from the state pastoral office, it would be more conducive to his future career; secondly, he His grandfather Dugu Shun was also at the Dugu family's house in Zhangye. He hoped to meet Yang Ji in private.
After the ceremony, Yang Ji also knew that he was here to go through the resignation procedures, so he pointed to the gate of the mansion not far away and said, "If you have anything to say, let's talk about it in the mansion!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty. However, Your Majesty has returned triumphantly and is tired of traveling and traveling. It is inappropriate to waste Your Majesty's precious time here. How can you enter the palace with a humble position?" Dugu Xian bowed his head politely and said, "It is actually a courtesy to stop you because of your humble position. My ancestor’s order came here. My ancestor heard that you are back and hopes to meet you.”
"The old master of the Dugu family is also in Zhangye?" Yang Ji frowned.
Dugu Xianyi nodded slightly and said: "Exactly!"
"When did the old master say we would meet?" After Yang Ji and Dugu Shun reconciled, the Dugu family continued to transport grain to Ganzhou. They sold it openly at the price in the capital, and finally brought down the high grain prices in Ganzhou. He suppressed it; Yang Ji couldn't refuse just this favor.
Dugu Xianyi replied respectfully: "My ancestor will return to Beijing the day after tomorrow, so he will hold a banquet at the other village tomorrow, hoping that the king will reward him."
"Definitely not tomorrow!" Yang Ji shook his head categorically and explained: "I have been away for so long, Ganzhou has a backlog of major events that must be handled by me, not to mention that Pei Xiangguo also wants to ask me about things related to the Western Regions, both of which It is closely related to national affairs, how can I have time?"
Dugu Xian said awkwardly: "Yes, but my ancestor is already ready."
"Please tell your ancestor what I just said, and then add another sentence, saying that I, Yang Ji, have always given top priority to state affairs and will not be free for the next two days." Yang Ji's tone became harsh, and he was so domineering even when he invited guests to dinner. Don’t even look at whose territory this is? Do you really think Zhangye is Guanzhong controlled by the Guanlong nobles?
Moreover, compared with him, Dugu Shun, a Sikong who only received a salary but did not do any practical work, could he have any major issues that he was anxious to return to Guanzhong to deal with? If something really big happened, he wouldn't come all the way to Zhangye.
"I understand my humble position. I will go back and reply to my ancestors." Dugu Xian noticed Yang Ji's bad attitude and his face changed slightly.
Speaking of which, the Dugu family was too presumptuous this time. Because when it comes to visiting, there are many taboos among the family members. For example, they cannot visit the owner when he is eating, sleeping, receiving guests, or having important events. Therefore, the visiting party must send someone to send a greeting note in advance. If the owner accepts it, , you can come to visit at the appointed time.
In particular, exchanges between high-level officials often have a strong political overtone. Both parties must make some necessary preparations, such as trying to figure out the other party’s intentions based on the current situation and factions. Only when these are clarified can the meeting be carried out. To get to the point, both parties had to make an appointment in advance. It was really presumptuous for Dugu Xian to stop the driver in the middle of the night.
Of course, it would be different if he was visiting as a subordinate and stating his duties to Yang Ji. However, he was representing the Dugu family at the moment, which made him make a big mistake in his relationship.
"No!" Yang Ji said nonchalantly. In fact, he knew that this was a skill at the negotiation table. The reason why Dugu Shun let his grandson stand in the way was actually because he deliberately used this eagerness to create a tense atmosphere, so that he would fall into the situation he set step by step out of curiosity and novelty.
"It's disrespectful of my humble position, but I still hope that your Majesty, King Haihan, will take my leave. Farewell!" Dugu Xian bowed to Yang Jishen, then boarded the carriage and drove away.
Looking at his carriage going away, Yang Ji felt a little unhappy. He knew that Dugu Shun had no intention of forcing himself. He was just anxious to make the relationship between the two parties further. He came to Zhangye from the capital for this reason; but even if He had reconciled with the Dugu family, and he didn't want or couldn't get too close to the Dugu family.
Yang Ji ran all the way to his mansion, and everyone got off their horses. Xiao Ying, who was waiting in front of the screen wall, saw Xiao Ying and immediately ran over with her skirt in hand, running down the steps like a nimble swallow. The light shone from behind her, coating the ends of her hair and the edges of her clothes with a golden halo, and the light stretched her figure long. She stood there, her big black and white eyes looking at the approaching Yang Ji without blinking, her hands unconsciously loosened slightly, and her skirt slipped down. When Yang Ji approached, he pulled up his skirt and bowed: "I respectfully receive my husband on his triumphant return."
"It's already very late, why haven't you slept yet?" Yang Ji helped his beloved wife up and teased: "Miss me?"
Xiao Ying glanced back. Behind her stood Liu Rumei and a large group of girls and Suzaku guards. They all had low eyebrows and seemed to be holding back their laughter. Her face suddenly heated up. She rolled her eyes at her husband and smelled him. With a strong smell of alcohol on his body, he looked around and said, "Although it's a celebration party, you can't drink so much!"
"I couldn't help it. Everyone was toasting to me, so I couldn't stop drinking, right? A little added up, so I drank a little more." Yang Ji looked at his beloved wife and his eyes lit up.
The light shines on her body, reflecting the white gauze, making her look hazy like a fairy, but it is obvious that she has been carefully dressed up, her lips are painted red, and her eyebrows are thin, and she is usually as graceful as water. It's very obvious, but there is a faint feeling of beauty and charm. The swaying ribbon, the floor-length skirt, and the white face had a different kind of beauty under the dim light.
Seeing her husband's absent-minded look, Xiao Ying was also very happy. She showed her most beautiful side to her beloved husband. He liked to see her meticulous makeup, which was a great happiness to her.
She said softly: "Mr. Lang, let's go home!"
"Well, okay!" Yang Ji climbed up the steps, signaled to the welcoming crowd, stepped over the brazier, and entered the mansion side by side with his beloved wife.
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