Xie Ming

As time goes by, we can use others' strength against them.

Yao Zuyin was cunning and shrewd, and he handled Xiao and Qiu with ease, taking advantage of their situation.

I waited until I finished my court session to ask about the details of the matter.

Seeing this, Qiu Zhizhong had no choice but to straighten his posture and straighten his arms.

"OK."

Actually, this is how it is.

"Old Xiao, the reason I tried so hard to intervene at today's court meeting and didn't want you to mention the matter of being granted a title was actually because of the current political situation, and I had no choice but to do so."

"Well, this... this matter, for example, when Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, rose to power."

"In the first year of Hongwu, the remnants of the Yuan enemy forces in the north still existed."

"Therefore, when he first ascended the throne, he was not in a hurry to be granted titles and positions."

"But it wasn't until the autumn of the third year of the Hongwu reign that a large-scale ceremony of bestowing titles and rewards upon the generals was held in Nanjing."

"The purpose was nothing more than to consolidate the government and reward the founding heroes."

"The so-called Six Dukes and Twenty-Eight Marquises were all conferred titles at that time."

"Uh, what happened next?"

"In the fifth year of Hongwu, after the victory of the Northern Expedition against the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, generals such as Lan Yu and Fu Youde were posthumously granted the title of Marquis."

"The twelfth year of Hongwu"

Zhi Zhong sat down and began to discuss philosophy, his expression serious, behaving like an old Confucian scholar.

Hearing this, Xiao felt annoyed and impatiently interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

"Hey, ta-ta-ta."

"OK OK."

"What kind of ancient history is this? Can't we just leave it at that today?" Xiao complained impatiently.

"You know, what does this matter have to do with the government or the people? Just be straightforward and say it directly, won't that solve it?"

Why bring that up so much?

Xiao Jiang secretly criticized her appearance, but didn't take it seriously.

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Xiao Chuan is really anxious."

They love watching the drama unfold.

At this moment, Yao Zuyin, being observant and perceptive, sensed the irritation in Yao's tone and quickly cracked a joke to ease the tension.

But clearly, Xiao had no intention of buying it, and quickly turned the tables on the old monk.

"Hey, Master, you shouldn't be stirring things up here."

"As for me, I just feel that the new dynasty brings a new atmosphere, and things are different now than before."

Why insist on following old rules and refusing to let go?

With both hands outstretched, Xiao took the initiative, calling in reinforcements to put out the fire.

"Look at him."

"Feiyu, you're the same way. You've always deeply resented the legal doctrines of the Ming Dynasty."

"What about clarifying the world and reshaping the court? Isn't that your lifelong ambition?"

"How so?"

"This is just the beginning; now it's finally our turn to call the shots."

"You're lucky, you've grown back."

"Isn't this just getting worse as he gets older, huh?"

Taking advantage of the situation, Xiao Lang's argument, though seemingly a playful exchange between brothers, also carries a certain arrogance upon closer examination. His rambling and unrelated remarks seem rather like sophistry.

After hearing this, he stiffened his neck and, seeing that Zhong was also unwilling to accept it, glared and retorted.

"Hey, what kind of talk is that?"

"Why am I having a spasm?"

"We're just discussing the matter at hand."

"Bringing up this old calendar from the Ming Dynasty's founding emperor, isn't it just to give you, Old Xiao, a heads-up?"

"You heartless bastard."

To be honest, nowadays, I'm afraid only Qiu Zhizhong would dare to say such a thing.

And that's not all; there's more to come.

"Old Xiao, listen carefully."

"It's not that I'm telling you to be exactly like Old Zhu."

"But the key issue is that it's too early to confer titles now."

"Don't even mention your achievements in the Northern Expedition."

"Right now, the Jurchen Qing army is pressing in on the border, and they are still blocking the banks of the Yangtze River."

"We are already facing difficulties and dangers in protecting ourselves, and the pressure in the south is immense."

"The task is not yet completed, why are you in such a hurry to bestow honors and rewards?!" "And what kind of merit are you giving me?"

Zhi Zhong's words were relentless, pressing him to the very end, relentlessly pursuing the truth.

After listening, Xiao Zi was filled with grievances but had nowhere to vent them, so he simply poured out his grievances to Qiu and Yao, the two strategists, and vented his frustrations to the fullest.

"Feiyu, I disagree with what you're saying."

"Heh, you bring this up? Old Xiao, I know exactly what you're thinking."

"But, well, times have changed."

“You are afraid that if we grant titles and honors too early, everyone’s enthusiasm will slacken, which will be detrimental to future military training and the Northern Expedition.”

"I know that."

“But you have your reasons. I have been in the army for a long time, and I also have my own difficulties.”

When he got excited, Xiao Lai rolled up his sleeves and struck a pose.

"Leaving aside everything else, just take the past year as an example. I, Xiao Jingchuan, have been granted the title of Duke and had a grand wedding."

"Military achievements, status, family matters—we've almost got it all."

Sometimes, I feel a little dazed.

"Do you know how many people in the imperial army are envious and jealous?"

"The fact that the brothers are not speaking out does not mean that they are feeling better inside."

"Oh, I've come all the way through blood and fire."

"If you become a general, you'll accumulate merits and rise to the top in no time."

"You have it all: meritorious service and beautiful wife."

"What about us?"

"Back then, we all shared the same pot and the ladle, risking our lives and doing this dangerous job."

"Let's not talk about being shoulder to shoulder, we've all been given titles like Mountain King or Sea Dragon Temple."

"At the very least, now that we, Old Xiao, are in power and have the final say, we should at least give our subordinates some benefits. That would make sense."

"My current position is not because I, Xiao Jingchuan, want to act like a big shot or a pushover."

"Even if we disregard brotherly affection, we can still have a different perspective."

"Just like you, let's reason things out."

"On the fickleness of human relationships."

"Feiyu,"

"It's not easy to win people's hearts. Back then, when there were thirty or fifty people, or a hundred or so, we were all brothers who saw each other all the time, so it was easy to talk to each other."

"But things are different now, our operations have expanded a lot."

"They were armed with armor and spears, and their army numbered nearly 100,000."

"The logistics are inadequate, with insufficient food and rations, and a shortage of pay."

"Human hearts are inherently unpredictable."

"If you're not careful, you might cause some trouble; the matter could be big or small."

"Moreover, we're stuck at this critical juncture."

"Over in Nanjing, near the riverbank, the enemy and I are locked in a fierce standoff, their positions intertwined, both harboring a fierce determination."

"Why don't you let these guys kill some bastards, have some fun, and get some benefits?"

"There's no guarantee that no one will have ulterior motives."

"If we take another step back, even if it doesn't cause any major trouble in the short term..."

"But once this thorn gets stuck in your throat, trying to pull it out of your heart is harder than climbing to heaven."

It was done with great seriousness, forming its own set of logic.

Xiao Jingchuan's words were all spot on.

Upon hearing this, Yao Zuyin also laughed heartily, slightly easing the heated atmosphere.

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Hahaha"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingchuan remained silent. Since the old monk had come to stir things up, he might as well drag him into the matter and let him dictate the outcome.

"Hey, Master, what are you laughing at?"

"Don't just watch the show, old man, why don't you offer some advice and be the judge?" Xiao said, changing the subject.

With a clear understanding of the situation, Yao Zuyin stroked his white beard, remaining unhurried and shrouded in mystery.

"Hahaha"

"You want me to give my opinion? Forget it, forget it."

"A man has his own reasons, and a woman has her own reasons."

"You two, in my opinion, are both right."

(End of this chapter)