Beijing City, inside the Imperial Palace.
He was given the title of Shangshu of the Ministry of War and the Censor of Youqiandu, and was given Shang Fang's sword. He was the governor of the world and the king's soldiers and horses. Lu Xiangsheng, the governor of Xuan, Da, and Shanxi, walked all the way from the west of Huangji Hall, passed through the Youshun Gate, and came straight to the front of the platform. Emperor Chongzhen was already sitting on the Panlong throne waiting for him.
The platform is located in the center of the Jianji Hall in the imperial palace. It is high above the Sanlin white jade railing and is opposite to the Qianqing Gate. The Yuntai Gate is also facing the latter on both sides. It is called the rear left gate in the east and the rear right gate in the west. The doors are the left and right doors of the Yuntai, also known as the "platform". Whenever summoning cabinet ministers and other officials, it is usually on the platform, which is the back left door.
Behind the throne, there are palace maids holding umbrellas, fans and other objects, and there are many eunuchs standing on both sides. Two bronze crane incense burners as tall as one person are emitting wisps of fine smoke. There were two rows of ceremonial guards in brocade robes, and the axes and axes they held shone with dazzling golden light under the rising sun in the morning.
Governor Lu Xiangsheng knelt down and performed the usual court salute to Emperor Chongzhen on Danbu. He held an ivory ceremonial wat in his hand, bent over and lowered his head. He was still kneeling on the ground paved with white marble, waiting for Emperor Chongzhen to ask questions.
The rules at that time were that the courtiers should stand in awe, and the emperor would sit there. If he encountered a problem, he would call the official's name, and the official would kneel down and answer. If the emperor granted permission, he could stand there and speak. This is what the platform calls for.
Sure enough, after a while, he heard the eunuch coming out of the palace announcing that the emperor had asked him to enter the palace for questioning.
Lu Xiangsheng got up quickly, bowed his waist and climbed the steps from the left side of the platform, walked slowly into the hall, knelt down again and knelt three times and kowtowed nine times. After the ceremony, he did not dare to raise his head. He was still cautious. Kneeling in place.
Although, as early as the eighth year of Chongzhen's reign, Lu Xiangsheng was promoted to the right deputy censor of the capital, prime minister of the military affairs of the five provinces of Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Huguang, and Sichuan, and also served as governor of Huguang. Soon after, he was promoted to minister of the Ministry of War, supervising Shanxi, He was in charge of military affairs in Shaanxi and was given Shang Fangjian, which made a lot of contributions to Emperor Chongzhen, but this was the first time that Chongzhen summoned him alone.
Lu Xiangsheng had been kneeling there like this for a while, but Emperor Chongzhen did not speak. He just kept looking up and down at Lu Xiangsheng in front of him.
This talented official of the current dynasty who was originally a literary scholar but was proficient in martial arts and familiar with Tao strategy, made a very good impression on Chongzhen today.
Lu Xiangsheng was only thirty-nine years old at this time. His face was fair and had the look of a tired and tired person. His chin was a bit pointed and he looked very thin. With his sparse and long beard, he looked like a scholar. , is not at all like a battlefield general who is good at riding and shooting, and who dares to take the lead and charge into battle himself.
But his sword-shaped eyebrows, towering cheekbones, and broad forehead carried a calm and resolute air. After carefully looking at Lu Xiangsheng, who was kneeling in front of him with his head lowered, he carefully looked at him.
Emperor Chongzhen finally spoke: "Now that the captives have invaded, the capital is under martial law. I love you, you can work hard for the king, and you are loyal to the king. You also serve as my governor, the king of the world, to support the king, resist the Eastern captives, and protect the capital. This shows that I am loyal and diligent." Jia. My heart is also very relieved."
These two words of consolation spoken by Emperor Chongzhen deeply moved Lu Xiangsheng's heart. Tears filled his eyes unconsciously. He felt that even if he was shattered to pieces, it would not be enough to repay the current emperor's "grace of knowledge and opportunity."
Lu Xiangsheng was still kneeling and replied softly sincerely: "A foolish minister is not capable of being a general. On weekdays, he only knows how to serve your majesty loyally and does not avoid danger. However, since my father's death, my heart has been deep every day. I feel so sad that my spirit is so confused that it is far different from what it used to be. Kuang Yichen is now in such an ominous body. If he were to command the three armies, not only would he be unconvincing in front of a group of Qinwang soldiers, but I am afraid that even the gold medal of the central army would not be convincing. Even if the drum is beaten, it won't work. I'm always afraid of betraying the divine grace, which will increase my sins."
Lu Xiangsheng's father died of illness in May this year, and the court also knew about it. At that time, Lu Xiangsheng wrote to the court more than ten times, begging for permission to return home to Dingyou and observe mourning for his old father for three years. However, Emperor Chongzhen flatly rejected his request and asked He seizes love and serves his duties, and keeps filial piety for his father in the place of duty.
Therefore, when Lu Xiangsheng mentioned this matter, Emperor Chongzhen comforted him with warm words and said: "To be loyal is to be filial. It is a common thing in the past for ministers to seize love for state affairs. The current national situation is difficult, and you must concentrate on loving your ministers. Don't be too sad when you are doing anything, and don't betray my heart."
Having said this, Chongzhen called the eunuch in, holding a tray full of silver and python satin. He awarded it to Lu Xiangsheng on the spot to express his approval.
Lu Xiangsheng was helpless and had no choice but to kowtow and thank him again.
Emperor Chongzhen only then started to get down to the topic, and then asked: "Now that the Donglu army is in great power, the ministers in the outer court have different opinions and can't agree on one thing. From Aiqing's point of view, how should we deal with it?"
Lu Xiangsheng was kneeling on the ground when he heard the emperor proactively ask this question. His tone seemed to be hesitant. Suddenly he forgot about his fear and the need to pay attention to the etiquette before the emperor. He actually raised his head with bright eyes. Looking at the current emperor on the throne, he said in a voice like a bell: "Your Majesty ordered me to governor the world, King Qin, and all the reinforcements. I will fight with the captives to make their situation slightly weakened, and then I can drive the captives to retreat. I dare not Attack our important territory in Gyeonggi Province again!"
After Lu Xiangsheng said these words, the eunuchs and maids present looked at Lu Xiangsheng kneeling on the ground with surprised eyes, and secretly glanced at Chongzhen's face on the throne with their peripheral vision, thinking that the emperor would be angry for this. Everyone was terrified and sweating for Lu Xiangsheng.
Lu Xiangsheng also realized at this moment that his attitude was a bit reckless, and he quickly lowered his head again.
However, the usually irritable Emperor Chongzhen did not get angry because of this. He just raised his head slightly, leaning on the armrest of the throne, looking at Lu Xiangsheng who was kneeling on the ground.
After a long time, the emperor finally spoke: "This matter is of great importance. After Aiqing goes out, you can discuss it carefully with Yang Sichang and Gao Qiqian. In Aiqing's opinion, which one is better, fight or defend?"
"A foolish minister thinks that since ancient times, when facing the enemy, we only have the method of fighting but not observing the law. Only those who can fight can speak and defend. If you cannot fight and only know how to defend everywhere, the more you defend, the more you will be controlled by the enemy. !" Lu Xiangsheng bowed his head and replied.
After hearing this, Chongzhen thought for a while and then said: "War and defense must be balanced."
Lu Xiangsheng still knelt down and replied: "To fight is to defend. Today's matter must be based on fighting and defending as a supplement. Only by being able to fight first can we control the enemy without being controlled by it."
When Chongzhen heard this, his face turned a little pale, and he continued to ask: "As you said, war is the best strategy. However, King Qin has not yet gathered all his troops, so how should we fight?"
Lu Xiangsheng replied generously: "Foolish minister, I think that what is suffering at present is not that our troops are weak, but that the imperial court is not determined to fight and defend! Now the reinforcements from Guanning, Xuan, Da, and Shanxi have arrived at no less than 50,000, and the three major forces in Beijing have In addition to guarding the city, there are also tens of thousands of battalions lined up outside Dongzhi Gate and Chaoyang Gate. As long as the imperial court is determined to fight, united and motivated, even without three battalions, 50,000 King Qin's troops are enough to fight."
At this point, Lu Xiangsheng paused for a moment, then added his lips, and then continued: "Kang Donglu came with Qingqi this time, and went deep into our land of Jifu, so he could only get food on the spot. Xiangsheng sincerely asks your Majesty to explain The imperial edict: Strictly order Jifu states and counties to fortify the walls and clear the fields so that the soldiers of the Eastern Han Dynasty have no way to feed; all our officers and generals who guard the land must live and die with the city, and those who abandon the city and flee will be killed without mercy. Shaanxi Province was led by Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting. The Shaanxi army is a powerful force, and some soldiers and horses can be mobilized immediately to help. Moreover, the soldiers and people of our Jifu have been repeatedly ravaged by the captives and cavalry. They are all filled with righteous indignation and hate the Eastern captives for cutting their bones. As long as the imperial court can encourage them, they can gather a hundred thousand people. It’s not difficult, even though it has not been trained in the military camp, it can still assist King Qin’s troops!”
