In Taiyuan, Bingzhou, officials from Bingzhou headed by Ding Yuan and Li Yang arrived at the gate of Taiyuan early, preparing to welcome the returning army after victory.
Of course, Ding Yuan was naturally reluctant to come. After all, no one on the expedition was from his lineage. But if he doesn't attend such an important event, it will only damage his reputation. Therefore, no matter how much he was reluctant, Ding Yuan still turned his nose and came.
Not long after, a large flag with Chinese characters slowly floated in the distance. Immediately afterwards, countless soldiers wearing black armor and holding long swords came slowly from a distance.
At the front of the army, a big man wearing a general's armor and a fine iron sword hanging from his waist was seen riding forward. It was Fan Neng, the nominal commander-in-chief of the army. Beside him is a young general in a white robe and a white horse, holding a spear. If you take a closer look, you will find that the childish look on his face is our protagonist Li Xiang.
"Hahaha, General Fan, this battle was well fought. The general fought back the Xiongnu army and made a great contribution." Ding Yuan forced a smile and congratulated Fan Neng.
"You are so polite, Lord Governor. The victory of this battle depends on the three armies fighting to the death and the soldiers using their lives. How can the last general dare to take the credit of inviting heaven?" Fan Neng said with a serious face.
In fact, Fan Neng did not have anything to do in this battle. After he led the army to Yanmen Pass, he and Li Ming worked together to ensure logistics for the army, and only attended some major military meetings. Regarding the defense of Yanmen Pass, Li Xiang, Wang Meng and Meng Tian had always discussed it.
At night, after a noisy day, Li Xiang followed Li Yang back to his mansion. Today, in order to win people's hearts, Li Xiang went there in person to reward the three armies, and visited almost every camp.
After returning home, Li Xiang went straight to the study regardless of physical fatigue.
"Father, when the army comes back victorious this time, it is time to start the original plan." Although he was excited and anxious, Li Xiang still said calmly.
Li Yang was also very excited when he heard this. After all, as long as he can successfully become the governor of Bingzhou, then the Li family will definitely take a further step. And most of the children from aristocratic families spend their entire lives trying to achieve this goal.
"The next step is to go to Luoyang to recruit generals for Ding Yuan. I don't know how much gold and silver Xiang'er needs. I will prepare it for you right now."
Li Xiang smiled and said, "Father, didn't you notice that Mr. Jinglue didn't show up after returning from victory?"
Without waiting for Li Yang to ask, Li Xiang replied directly, "My son has already ordered Mr. Jinglue to go to Luoyang after the war. Next, Mr. Jin will serve as Ding Yuan's aide, carrying all the things he has prepared. With the gold and silver, he went to pay a visit to the general. With Mr. Jinglue personally taking action, Ding Yuan’s matter has been settled. Father, I’m afraid that Ding Yuan will have to thank you and me very much this time. If it weren’t for me, Man, I'm afraid Ding Yuan won't be able to be promoted to this official position."
Li Yang also laughed after hearing this, "Indeed, it is indeed true. The great success of defeating the Huns this time was to benefit Ding Yuan first."
After saying that, the father and son burst out laughing again.
But not long after, Li Xiang's face straightened, and then he said to Li Yang, "Father, in addition to dealing with Ding Yuan this time, I'm afraid there is another matter that requires my father's intervention to ensure that this matter is safe."
Li Yang was not surprised when he heard this. After all, Li Xiang briefly discussed his plan before setting off for the expedition. "Xiang'er said that you should contact some officials from the DPRK and China to advise me on behalf of the Li family. Don't worry, Xiang'er, our Li family still has contact with many people in the DPRK. Besides, you have planned everything, so how could your father let you do this? Falling short on the last step.”
Li Xiang finally felt relieved after hearing this. As long as everything went well with the plan, he didn't care about the process.
At the same time, Wang Meng, who came to Luoyang, also took action.
In front of the splendid gate of the General's Palace, Wang Meng was wearing an ink suit and a felt scarf on his head. Looking from a distance, he looked like an elegant and elegant young scholar.
"Brother, this is the salute that Ding Yuan, the governor of Bingzhou, ordered me to pay my respects to the general. I wonder if I can tell you that the governor ordered me to pay a visit to the general in person if I have something to do." After saying this, Wang Meng went to the general without leaving any trace. The boy handed over a piece of gold.
After the young man felt the weight of the thing in his palm, he immediately smiled and said, "Don't worry, sir, I will go and pass the news. I think since it is a matter for Governor Ding, the general will definitely summon sir."
Sure enough, as the boy said, General He Jin indeed summoned him. After a while, the servant led Wang Meng into a side hall.
Before Wang Meng could wait any longer, a middle-aged man with a body length of eight feet, a waist ten girth wide, heavy muscles, a broad face and a square mouth suddenly walked in.
"Are you the person sent by Ding Jianyang, the governor of Bingzhou?" As soon as he came in, He Jin went straight to the point.
After all, it was a matter of great importance to his lord. Wang Meng did not dare to neglect, and said in a long voice, "Reporting to the general, Xiao Ke is the person sent by Duke Jianyang, and he came here specially to offer a great gift to the general."
When He Jin heard this, he smiled playfully and said, "This gift from your lord is indeed a good gift, and I won my heart. However, Ding Jianyang sent you here for more than just this."
As expected, General He Jin was not an overly stupid person. Although Ding Yuan belonged to him, he sent someone to send him a large amount of money for no reason. Naturally, it was not just a gift, but something he wanted.
Wang Meng pondered for a moment, organized his words, and said immediately, "Although Lord Ding is on the border of Bingzhou, he always thinks about the general, and often hopes to return to the general and listen to the general's teachings. Therefore, Lord Ding sent this special mission. The villain comes here hoping that the general can transfer the master to the capital, preferably with the post of Ninth Minister, so that Master Ding can serve the master better."
He Jin was stunned after hearing this. Although he guessed that Ding Yuan must have something to ask for, he didn't expect that Ding Yuan had such a big appetite that he directly wanted the position of Yijiu Qing.
"This is a difficult matter to handle. After all, even if I am in the high position of Jiuqing, I can't control it." Naturally, He Jin would not really agree to such a request and easily promise the position of Jiuqing. What's more, as he said, he can't control the position of Jiuqing, which can only be granted by the emperor.
"Master Ding will naturally not embarrass the general. This time Master Ding commanded the army to defeat the Xiongnu. He wants to use this great achievement to advance his career. I hope the general can help me." Wang Meng said respectfully.
He Jin was shocked after hearing this, "The Huns were actually defeated?"
Then, as if he realized his gaffe, he let out a breath and said, "In this case, it is not difficult for Ding Jianyang to get the position of Jiuqing with this skill. You should go back and report to Ding Jianyang first, so that he can wait for the good news of this general with peace of mind. alright."
