Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 669 Choosing Generals
"woke up?"

Yang Yuan put his pen on the pen holder with a smile and looked up at Guo Yuxiu.

Guo Yuxiu was startled at first, then he quickly lowered his head to check his body, and found that his clothes were neat and tidy, then he breathed a sigh of relief.

Yang Yuan smiled and said, "What did Miss Guo want to shout in public when she left the examination room?"

Guo Yuxiu's eyes flickered and he said, "I don't know what Yang Jianyi is talking about? Why did Yang Jianyi tie me up and bring me here?"

Yang Yuan just looked at her with a smile, and drank a sip of tea leisurely, as if asking if she believed it or not.

Guo Yuxiu finally couldn't stand it anymore and said hesitantly, "I just felt that... I did well in the exam. I was so excited that I wanted to recite a poem in public to express my feelings."

"Really? Okay, whatever you want to chant, chant it for me now."

Guo Yuxiu was suddenly choked. Her mind was blank at this moment. What was she still chanting? She couldn't even chant a jingle.

Yang Yuan said, "Miss Guo, if you really have nothing to say, then I will have no choice but to lock you up."

Guo Yuxiu was shocked and angry: "The students did not break the law, why did Yang Jianyi detain them?"

"Miss Guo, whether you have broken the law or not is up to me. If I say you have broken the law, I will definitely have evidence that you have broken the law."

Under the light, Yang Yuan's smile looked somewhat "sinister", like a treacherous minister who had been "falsely accused".

Guo Yuxiu was frightened by him and glared at him fiercely, "Yang Jianyi, are you colluding with the Wen family, or... are my second uncle, third uncle, and fourth uncle trying to get close to you?"

Yang Yuan raised his eyebrows: "Wen family? Are you talking about the current Jinzhou Marshal Wen Xuanchen?"

Guo Yuxiu remained silent.

Yang Yuan asked, "Isn't he an old subordinate of your grandfather?"

Guo Yuxiu remained silent.

Yang Yuan's expression turned cold, and he said, "I don't like being used by others. If you can be honest with me, I really like to do something big and earth-shattering."

Yang Yuan thought of what Goose King Zhao Yu had said to him, and laughed again, "I like to stir up trouble, and I have a friend who likes to take the blame for others. The two of us work together, and we complement each other.

Miss Guo, what is your matter? Don't play tricks on me. Just tell me honestly. If I am interested, I will help you to expose it even today."

Guo Yuxiu looked hesitant, not sure whether he should believe him.

Yang Yuan said seriously: "You can choose to believe me or not. I just tell you that if you choose not to believe me, I will not let you do something that I am not sure about.

Even if the whole Lin'an and even the whole world knows that there is a female candidate like you, and even if you can successfully pass the exam, I have a way to make you disappear from now on. You will not have the opportunity to take the exam again, and you will not have the opportunity to say anything in public. "

Guo Yuxiu was obviously frightened by Yang Yuan. She thought for a while before raising her head again: "Yang Jianyi, do you already know my identity?"

Yang Yuan said calmly: "Your life experience is not a big secret. If I want to know, I will know it naturally."

Guo Yuxiu bit her lip and said in a deep voice: "Okay, I'll tell you!"

Guo Yuxiu told Yang Yuan all about her grievances.

Her grandfather was Guo Hao, the governor and pacifier of Jin, Fang, Kai and Da states.

Guo Hao had four sons, all of whom served as generals in the army. The eldest son, Guo Huai, was the governor of Kaizhou when Guo Hao was still alive.

When Guo Hao died, his other three sons were still young and not qualified to lead a state on their own. They were only mid-level officers in the Guo family army.

In order to stabilize the four states, when Guo Hao died, he chose his trusted general Wen Xuanchen to succeed him.

According to Guo Hao's arrangement, after his sons have grown up, Wen Xuanchen will return his troops to the Guo family.

However, after more than ten years, the Guo family's sons have grown up, but Wen Xuanchen has developed wolfish ambitions and does not want to hand over power.

Especially since his son Wen Shishuang has grown up, Wen Xuanchen focuses on training his son and wants to turn the Guo family army into the Wen family army.

Guo Hao had four sons: Guo Huai, Guo Di, Guo Gao, and Guo Guo.

Among them, the eldest son Guo Huai is Guo Yuxiu's father. He was the Pacifier of Kaizhou when her grandfather died. Among the four brothers, he is the oldest, the strongest, and the most prestigious, so he poses the greatest threat to Wen Xuanchen.

Therefore, Wen Xuanchen regarded him as a thorn in his side and had been plotting to kill him. Three years ago, her father suddenly died of a sudden illness, which was obviously caused by Wen Xuanchen.

Her father left behind a daughter and a son. She is the eldest daughter and has a younger brother who is only nine years old.

After her father died, her second uncle Guo Di took control of her younger brother on the pretext of taking care of his young nephew, and took the opportunity to seize her father's position as the Kaizhou Jinglüe Anfushi.

Wen Xuanchen, on the other hand, wanted to force her to marry his son Wen Shishuang, hoping to completely swallow up the Guo family's power through marriage.

What Guo Yuxiu told was almost a detailed version of the story told by Qiao Yuzhen, talking about how Wen Xuanchen appeared to be loyal but was actually treacherous, how he deceived her grandfather's trust and usurped military power.

Guo Yuxiu couldn't help but burst into tears when she talked about how her uncles had been scheming against each other, fighting for power, disregarding family affection, placing their own nephews under house arrest, and seizing her father's military power.

Yang Yuan listened and asked in confusion: "Since you have such an injustice, why don't you report it to the court?"

Guo Yuxiu said angrily: "Wen Xuanchen now controls many fortresses in the eastern route of Lizhou and controls the Jin army in the north. The court only cares about the stability of the country, so how could it move a general of the front army without permission?
What's more, in order to compete for the position of head of the family, my three uncles not only schemed against each other, but my second uncle even made a friend of the enemy and hooked up with Wen Xuanchen.

If I did not let the world know about the injustice suffered by my entire Guo family, but instead reported it to the court through formal channels, the court would definitely suppress the matter and let it go in the end."

"So, you took the imperial examination just to build momentum?"

"Not bad!"

Guo Yuxiu looked at Yang Yuan hopefully and said, "Yang Jianyi, you are not afraid of the powerful and you are honest and upright. I have long admired you. I originally intended to complain to Yang Jianyi.

It’s just that considering the Wen family’s power and the different intentions of my uncles in the Guo family, I’m worried that even if Yang Jianyi comes forward, he won’t be able to uphold justice for me, so I want to create momentum first, let the world know that the court can’t keep things quiet, so I can seek justice…”

Yang Yuan was silent for a while, then slowly asked, "Miss Guo, where is the court with all the things you just described?"

Guo Yuxiu was stunned: "Yang Jianyi, what did you say?"

Yang Yuan said, "I mean, where is the imperial court? You said that when your grandfather was dying, he passed the throne to his general Wen Xuanchen. Where was the imperial court at that time?
After your father passed away, your second uncle took over as the Pacifier of Kaizhou. Where was the imperial court at that time?

Wen Xuanchen took over your grandfather's position as commander, and your second uncle took over your father's position as general. Did your grandfather secretly transfer the military power to Wen Xuanchen, and did Wen Xuanchen secretly transfer the position of Kaizhou Jinglüeshi to your second uncle?" Guo Yuxiu finally understood what Yang Yuan meant, and said disdainfully: "The order of appointment naturally came from the court. My grandfather mistakenly believed in Wen Xuanchen and wrote to the court to recommend Wen Xuanchen, and Wen Xuanchen wrote to the court to recommend my second uncle, and the court just appointed him according to his words, that's all."

"You said your father was killed by Wen Xuanchen. Do you have any evidence?"

"My father was a military commander and was always strong. How could he die from an illness? This was clearly Wen Xuanchen's assassination. He is now the ruler of Jinzhou and has many ways to plot against my father. How can a little girl like me hold him responsible?"

Yang Yuan listened and felt that this girl seemed to have some paranoia.

The experience she described was very bitter and tragic, but it does not stand up to scrutiny at all.

She said that Wen Xuanchen murdered her father, but she had no evidence at all and it was all based on her own conjecture. Could it be that the court would target and investigate a military commander based on your conjecture?
Yang Yuan shook his head and could not help but said, "Miss Guo, if you were a princess of a vassal state of the Song Dynasty, your words today would be enough for the court to raise an army of justice for you and uphold justice for you. However, you are the granddaughter of Marshal Guo, the former garrison commander of Jinzhou..."

Yang Yuan smiled bitterly and said, "Why? Do you think that the four states of Jin, Fang, Kai, and Da are the private property of your Guo family? They should be inherited by your descendants from generation to generation? Moreover, it is the eldest son inheritance system?"

"What's wrong with this? In the Wu and Yang families, who doesn't inherit from father to son?"

"Children of military families are familiar with the military and have honed their martial arts since childhood. They have inherited and been trained by their fathers and grandfathers, so it is naturally easier for them to become famous generals than ordinary families. Therefore, they can inherit their fathers and brothers' positions. What does this have to do with hereditary succession?"

"When my grandfather passed away, why couldn't my father and several of my uncles inherit his position? Didn't they have a legacy and training?"

Yang Yuan said, "You just said that they were young at that time, lacked experience and prestige, and could not suppress a group of arrogant and brave generals. Even Ling Zu chose Deputy General Wen Xuanchen to take over his position for this reason. Isn't it because of this reason?"

"But now they have grown up and have great prestige in the army. Why does the Wen family still hold the military power and refuse to return it to my family?"

Yang Yuan frowned. Why is this girl so confused?

"Why? Isn't it because it doesn't belong to you in the first place?"

Yang Yuan questioned: "Since Fan Zhongyan, the Western Army has risen, and now Han Qi, Di Qing, the Zhe family, the Yang family, the Zhong family..., who are still alive among these famous generals and military families of the Western Army? How come in your Guo family, it has to be passed down from father to son? Official positions are public tools of the court, how can they be privately handed over and only circulated in the hands of your Guo family?"

Guo Yuxiu's eyes gradually changed from shock to grief, anger and despair.

"I knew it. I shouldn't have hoped that the imperial court would be able to do justice for my family! You don't care about the injustice suffered by my Guo family at all. I hate you so much!"

Yang Yuan was almost laughed out of anger by her. He probably understood why the two of them were talking at cross purposes and couldn't make any sense.

This Miss Guo has a set of ideas that are completely different from his understanding.

What seems ridiculous to me may be ridiculous in the eyes of this girl, right?

Yang Yuan suddenly felt a chill in his heart. Any concept is not formed overnight.

It would be fine if Guo Yuxiu was the only one in the world who had such an idea, but was she the only one in the Western Army who thought so?

Thinking of this, Yang Yuan's expression became serious, and he said, "My people have also invited your two followers back. You can study and prepare for the exam here with peace of mind. After the list of candidates for the exam is released, if you pass the exam successfully, I will arrange for you to continue taking the exam."

Guo Yuxiu said coldly: "It's not necessary. If it's not for redressing the injustice of my Guo family, what's the point of taking the imperial examination for me?"

"The National Talent Selection Ceremony is not your game!"

Yang Yuan stood up and said, "I will report what you just said. If there is indeed something wrong with your father's death, the court will not sit idly by."

Yang Yuan went out and signaled someone to keep an eye on Guo Yuxiu. Seeing that it was getting late, he decided to meet Prince Jin tomorrow to discuss the matter.

At this time, Prince Jin had not yet left the palace, and was discussing military affairs with Emperor Zhao Yuan in the imperial study regarding the Western Army.

Zhao Yuan said: "Brother Qu, the Jin Kingdom gave Lintao to Xixia. This is an open conspiracy. This Northwest wolf is willing to take this bait, and therefore has once again become antagonistic to our Song Dynasty.

Now that the Jin Kingdom has suffered a severe blow, it has temporarily ceased its activities. Our Great Song has also suffered heavy losses in Lianghuai. There are tens of thousands of newly recruited troops who need a training process, and the Lianghuai economy also needs to recuperate.

Now it seems that the northwest is the key to the rise of our Song Dynasty. If we don't hurt Xixia, we must also control Lintao, a major town in Longyou and a key road in the northwest. Otherwise, the favorable situation created by the New Jin for our Song Dynasty will be offset."

Zhao Yu nodded: "Although the Jin Kingdom has the New Jin to contain it from behind, once the Song Dynasty is contained by the Western Xia on the flank, the advantages and disadvantages of us and the Jin Kingdom will be offset."

"That's right, so the threat from Xixia must be eliminated first. In order to restart the war in the northwest, the three major forces of the Western Army will become the most critical forces."

Zhao Yu understood what Zhao Yuan meant: "Brother, are you worried about raising a tiger to cause trouble?"

Zhao Yuan's expression became serious: "The Western Army is now gradually controlled by the three major families, and it has become difficult to get rid of it..."

The three major forces of the Western Army are different from the previous Yue Family Army and Han Family Army. They are truly family armies.

Recently, there have been frequent rumors about the many illegal activities of the Western Army, which made Zhao Yuan even more worried.

It is unrealistic to make a major change in the Western Army. The three major families have many descendants, and there are also many students, old friends, relatives and fellow townsmen. It would not be useful to transfer one or two main generals.

In this situation, if we just keep giving them money, food, weapons and armor, regardless of whether we can drive away the Northwest Wolf of Daxia, I am afraid we will raise three more hungry tigers.

Therefore, in order to implement the Northwest strategy, it is necessary to first strengthen the control over the Northwest. Then the court needs to send a qualified official to sit in the Northwest and give the three major families a head start.

But Zhao Yuan was still undecided about who to send.

Because there are too few suitable candidates who can calm the Western Army without provoking their sensitive nerves.

Zhao Yu asked, "Brother, do you have a favorite candidate?"

"What do you think of Zhang Jun?"

"Zhang Jun had led the generals of the Western Army before, so he had enough prestige and experience. However, he was the one who made mistakes in command during the Battle of Fuping, which led to the loss of many soldiers and generals of the Western Army. I'm afraid..."

"There is also Yang Cunzhong. What do you think? Now the civil officials often impeach him and don't want him to continue to serve as the Privy Councilor. This is just right..."

“Yang Cunzhong is still above Zhang Jun in terms of seniority and prestige, but he is now the Prime Minister, the highest position among officials. How should we place him?
If he is sent there, he will be entrusted with the task of adjudicating the Sichuan-Shaanxi situation and taking charge of the overall situation, which would be a high position but an underqualified one.

Besides, no matter whether it is Yang Cunzhong or Zhang Jun, as long as they are sent, the Western Army will immediately understand that this is aimed at them, right? "

Zhao Yuan's hidden injury had not yet healed and her energy was already low. Upon hearing this, she felt her heart quickening and her chest tightness increasing, becoming even more anxious.

They are neither high nor low. Does the imperial court have any way to deal with these three tigers of the Western Army?

(End of this chapter)