Chapter 374 Recommending Niu Jizong
Why is Datong so important? Although Datong is not a border, it is the most direct barrier to the outside world. Outside Datong is the Great Wall that runs through the southwest and northeast. If foreign troops cross the Great Wall, there will only be a few hundred miles of land from Datong to Shenjing, and there is almost no defense in between.
Therefore, Datong is the western gate of the entire Shenjing, and for this reason, the safety of the Datong area is naturally extremely important. This is also why there are two large camps along the Great Wall defense line. The purpose is to prevent the western Dangxiang people from using troops.
After finishing speaking, Jia Cong also bowed and said, "If Your Majesty agrees, I am willing to lead the troops there personally. With me in charge of Yehu Ridge, if any Dangxiang people dare to come, I will let them know the power of Daqian."
Emperor Longxing simply waved his hand and said, "Forget about you. You just stay in Shenjing safely. If a war really breaks out, you will have to go there. But now we are only sending troops for defense. There is no need for you, the Marquis of Guanjun, to go there in person. Your Beijing camp does not need to go there either. Select a troop from the four camps and go there."
The reason Emperor Longxing did not allow Jia Cong to go was only one of the reasons he mentioned. The second reason was that the mourning period for the old empress dowager was about to end, and it was time to arrange a marriage for his son. If his son went to Fengzhou to guard the border now, he would probably be gone for three or two years. Wouldn't the arranged marriage be delayed?
At that time, let alone what he thinks, he might not be able to pass the test of the Queen. Therefore, unless the situation really requires it, he naturally does not want his son to leave Shenjing. Besides, although his son is good at fighting, he can't really be the commander of a large army. A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. What's the matter with his legitimate son always fighting for his life? Is Daqian really empty?
He had already made plans. His son's influence in the army naturally could not be lost. However, in the future, it would be enough for him to accumulate this prestige. He would let others lead the troops to fight.
The battlefield is full of dangers, and those who are good at swimming are prone to drowning. My son is indeed very capable, but who knows if he will get into an accident? By then, it will be too late!
He had finally found this legitimate son, and if anything happened to him, he would not forgive himself. Moreover, he had high hopes for this only legitimate son.
Upon hearing this, Jia Cong could only nod awkwardly.
"Which camp do you think is best to go to?"
"I am willing to go!" Xiangyang Marquis Qi Jianhui said immediately, "I will lead the Western Camp and will never let your Majesty down."
Although one has to be chosen from four camps, the East Camp of Marquis Kaoshan is the base of the retired emperor. Unless the retired emperor wants to chop off his head, the retired emperor will never send out this trump card easily.
The Beidaying in Meng Hua's hands is Meng Zong's base, and it is also his greatest confidence. Therefore, it will not be easily transferred out.
The only two left are the West Camp and the South Camp.
Marquis Xiangyang was also the mainstay of the Yuanping lineage and was in charge of the Western Camp, while the Southern Camp was led by Marquis Jinxiang of the Yuanping lineage, with Niu Jizong as deputy commander.
However, with the support of Jia Cong and the founding lineage, Niu Jizong has not only gained a firm foothold in the past two years, but has also been able to compete with Jinxiang Hou. Under the operation of Jia Cong and others, many officers have also been replaced by people from the founding lineage. Of course, this is also related to the deliberate concession of Yuanping lineage.
Power is naturally good, but Meng Zong also knows that when the water is full, it will overflow.
There are five camps, and Yuan Ping's family controls three of them. How can this make the emperor and his majesty feel at ease? Therefore, although giving up a camp is painful, it may not be a bad thing.
In this way, two camps were set up by the founding lineage, two camps were set up by the Yuanping lineage, and the remaining camp was controlled by the royal confidants. This was the situation that everyone wanted to see. Therefore, Meng Zong specifically informed Jinxiang Hou that he did not need to argue too much with Niu Jizong, otherwise it would be counterproductive.
"Your Majesty, I think we should let the South Camp go!" Jia Cong naturally had to speak for his own people, "Besides, we are just on guard now, the Dangxiang people may not really send troops, so there is no need for the entire South Camp to go!"
"When we went to Lanzhou to defend the border, Niu Jizong was the commander-in-chief, and we won a great victory. This time, why not let General Niu do the same and select 30,000 elite soldiers to guard Yehuling. Marquis Jinxiang, as the commander, can still stay in the main camp."
Niu Jizong immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go!"
The Yuanping clan and the Kaiguo clan argued for a few words, and then Emperor Longxing waved his hand to interrupt everyone, "Marquis Guanjun is familiar with military affairs, so let's listen to him! Niu Jizong, when you return to the camp, gather your troops and set out on a certain day. I will ask the Ministry of Revenue to prepare food and fodder for you in advance ."
"The importance of Datong does not need me to elaborate. I just hope you will not let me down."
"I am willing to fight to the death for Your Majesty!" Niu Jizong said without hesitation.
As a military hero, fame and fortune are gained on the battlefield. It is a good thing for him to lead the troops there. If he makes some achievements, his title may not be able to be promoted. But as the saying goes, a title for a wife brings honor to a son! Those achievements may fall on his son.
"Alright, let's just leave it like this for now. I will go and inform the Emperor about this later. If the Emperor has no objection, I will issue an edict to make the final decision!"
"The rest of you can go back first, Jia Cong, you stay!"
Everyone bowed and left the hall. Emperor Longxing said to Jia Cong, "You should sit down too. I will talk to you after I finish reading these memorials."
Xia Shouzhong, who was standing by, quickly brought a brocade cushion for Jia Cong to sit on, and had someone bring tea and snacks to sit next to Jia Cong.
It took a long while for Emperor Longxing to finish dealing with the memorials, and then he stood up and stretched.
"Come with me!"
After the father and son left the hall, they headed towards the small garden nearby. After walking for a while, Emperor Longxing sat down beside a fish pond.
"I won't let you lead the troops, do you have any ideas?"
Jia Cong chuckled, "Your Majesty is considerate of me and allows me to stay safely in the capital. If you ask me, I am grateful. Besides, I am only going to the border temporarily, not to fight a war. There is no point for me to go."
"Um!"
Emperor Longxing pointed to the stone pier beside him and asked Jia Cong to sit down, then patted his shoulder and said, "It's good that you know this. I will not be stingy with your rewards. Let alone your current title of Marquis, even a Duke or a King is nothing in my eyes."
"But you can't always fight with a knife. The battlefield is dangerous, who can be infallible?"
"You are not young anymore, and I will arrange a marriage for you this year. It is not appropriate for you to go out now! However, if the situation really deteriorates, I will not detain you in Shenjing."
