Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 132 County Magistrate (Part 1)

Yang Lin's gaze lingered on the map for a moment, then he stroked his beard and pondered, "I have a great general under my command named Zuo Dumao. He was once the Wuhu General of the puppet Chen dynasty and is extremely familiar with the waterways of Jiangnan. His soldiers are also highly experienced in naval warfare."

"Although he was born into the puppet Chen dynasty, he has made many military achievements since he surrendered to our dynasty. His son, Zuo Tiancheng, also served under us. Both father and son served our dynasty and their loyalty to our dynasty is evident. He is the best candidate to guard the Guazhou ferry crossing."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jian repeatedly examined the Guazhou ferry crossing on the map. After a moment, he nodded slightly and said, "I naturally trust the person recommended by my Imperial Uncle. Zuo Dumao is a former general of the Chen dynasty and is skilled in naval warfare, so it is indeed appropriate to have him station troops at Guazhou."

Seeing that Yang Jian was interested, Yang Lin said softly, "Your Majesty, Zuo Dumao is familiar with the military affairs of the puppet Chen dynasty. With him guarding the Guazhou ferry, we can not only cut off the puppet Chen dynasty's grain transport, but also restrain the puppet Chen dynasty's garrison troops in Jingkou and Caishi."

Yang Lin paused for a moment, then added, "However, as Guazhou Ferry is a vital point for the puppet Chen regime, the puppet Chen rulers and ministers will certainly not sit idly by."

"After Zuo Dumao takes office, he may be frequently harassed by the Chen navy. In my opinion, we can allocate 5,000 elite Sui soldiers to strengthen his forces, and at the same time, deploy 20 warships to enhance the navy's combat power."

Yang Jian crossed his arms, pondered for a moment, and then nodded, saying, "What you say is absolutely right, Imperial Uncle. I hereby order He Ruobi to secretly dispatch the navy to patrol the north bank of the Yangtze River. If Guazhou is in danger, they can rush to its aid immediately."

After saying that, he glanced at Jiankang on the map, his eyes becoming more profound, and said, "Once Zuo Dumao has established a firm foothold in Guazhou and formed a confrontation with Caishiji, it will be time for us to take action against the false Chen."

Yang Lin agreed wholeheartedly, a look of worry on his face. He said, "As long as Xiao Mohe is at Caishiji, he will be a major threat to our dynasty. How does Your Majesty intend to sow discord and make the puppet Chen dynasty destroy its own Great Wall?"

Yang Jian chuckled and said, "Isn't General Jiang by Chen Shubao's side?"

"This man is greedy for power and fond of money. I have sent someone with a large sum of money to sneak into Jiankang and bribe Jiang Zong to speak ill of Xiao Mohe to Chen Shubao and sow discord between Xiao Mohe and the false Chen emperor and his ministers."

"It is said that public opinion can melt metal and accumulated slander can destroy bones. I do not believe that the false Chen emperor and his ministers will not have any doubts."

Yang Lin stroked his beard and laughed, saying, "Indeed, a greedy and avaricious man like General Jiang, once he receives a large sum of money, will surely spare no effort to slander Chen Shubao. Even if Xiao Mohe is loyal, under the instigation of such a villain, the relationship between the ruler and his subject will inevitably sour sooner or later."

"Speaking of which, this General Jiang can be considered a lucky star of our dynasty. Zuo Dumao had a grudge against General Jiang and was ostracized and suppressed, which is why he defected to our dynasty in the north. If we can use General Jiang to get rid of Xiao Mohe, then General Jiang will truly be the greatest contributor to our dynasty's conquest of Chen."

At this point, Yang Jian and Yang Lin looked at each other and burst into laughter, their laughter echoing throughout the Ganlu Hall for a long time.

During the Warring States period, Zhao had Guo Kai, who drove out Lian Po and killed Li Mu, thus paving the way for Qin. Now, in Southern Chen, there is also Jiang Zong, who may become the second Guo Kai.

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As dawn broke, sunlight filtered through the thin clouds and shone on the glazed tiles of the Daxing Hall.

Within the Inner Secretariat, the Imperial Secretary was writing furiously, and drafts of edicts regarding the bestowal of titles upon the generals of the Northern Expeditionary Army were gradually taking shape under his pen.

After being polished by Yang Su, the Grand Secretary, these imperial edicts were quickly presented to Yang Jian.

Yang Jian carefully reviewed the imperial edict, a satisfied expression on his face.

This Yang Su is indeed capable; it is no wonder that he promoted Yang Su to the position of Grand Secretary.

It should be understood that the promotion from the third-rank Imperial Censor to the third-rank Grand Secretary was not only a leap in rank, but also a significant increase in power.

The Grand Secretary, a third-rank official, was in charge of the Inner Secretariat, one of the three ministries of the imperial court, and was referred to as the Inner Minister by the officials.

Yang Jian picked up the vermilion brush and gently affixed the imperial seal to the edict. He then instructed the eunuch beside him, "Quickly convey my decree, instructing Minister of War Su Xiaoci to take the edict to the homes of the meritorious soldiers and inform them that they will receive their titles at the Daxing Hall at noon three days later."

“Yes,” Chen Dexin leaned forward slightly and respectfully accepted the imperial edict.

He then took a few steps back, turned around, and strode away from the Daxing Hall.

Upon exiting the palace gates, Chen Dexin dared not delay for a moment and headed straight for the Ministry of War.

At this moment, Su Xiaoci was handling official business at the Ministry of War when he heard that the Grand Attendant had come to deliver an imperial edict. He immediately straightened his hat and belt and hurried out to greet him.

Upon seeing Su Xiaoci emerge, Chen Dexin hurriedly presented the imperial edict with both hands, saying, "Minister Su, His Majesty has decreed that you take these edicts to the residences of the generals of the Northern Expeditionary Army and inform them that they will receive their titles at the Daxing Hall at noon three days later."

Su Xiaoci accepted the imperial edict with both hands and solemnly said, "Your subject accepts the order and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust."

After seeing Chen Dexin off, Su Xiaoci dared not delay. He immediately led the clerks of the Ministry of War to check all the copies of the imperial edicts, and carefully arranged for several capable constables to carry the documents and rush to various places in Daxing City.

He himself selected the residences of several key generals of the Northern Expeditionary Army and went there personally to proclaim the imperial edict.

The carriage carrying Su Xiaoci made a dull rumbling sound on the bluestone road, and soon arrived at the Qi County Duke's Mansion.

Upon hearing the announcement, the steward Lü Quan hurriedly came out to greet him, his face beaming with smiles. He said, "Minister Su's presence is an honor to our humble abode. Please come in!"

Su Xiaoci nodded slightly and stepped steadily into the mansion. She passed through the ornately decorated courtyard, around the rockery and pond, and arrived at the main hall.

Lü Yongji and Lü Shang had already received the news and were waiting in the hall dressed in plain clothes.

Upon seeing Su Xiaoci enter the main hall, Lü Shang quickly stepped forward and said, "Lü Shang greets Minister Su."

Su Xiaoci held the imperial edict high and announced loudly, "Lu Shang, the heir apparent of the Duke of Qi and the vanguard of the Northern Expeditionary Army, receives this decree!"

He slowly unfurled the imperial edict and said, "By imperial decree: In the campaign to conquer the north, Lü Shang led his troops to decisively defeat the enemy's advance, pursued them relentlessly, swept away their territories, and displayed his might on the northern frontier. Now, Lü Shang is hereby specially appointed as Grand General and Duke of Lu County."

"He is to be granted a thousand ingots of gold and a thousand bolts of silk. He shall go to the Daxing Hall at noon three days from now to receive the bestowal."

"General, Duke of Lu,"

Lu Yongji, standing to the side, sighed with a trembling voice, "Thanks to His Majesty's great favor and the blessings of our ancestors, my son has finally brought glory to our family."

Lü Shang accepted the imperial edict with both hands and said respectfully, "Your subject Lü Shang is deeply grateful for Your Majesty's great favor. I will repay your kindness with my life."

Su Xiaoci personally helped Lü Shang up, his face full of smiles, and said, "Nephew, congratulations! This conferment of a title shows His Majesty's high regard for you, and your future is limitless."

He took Lü Shang's hand and sat down on a carved nanmu chair in the hall. He patted Lü Shang's hand warmly and said, "You have made great contributions this time. His Majesty is very pleased. Who in the court does not praise you?"

Faced with Su Xiaoci's blatant overtures, Lü Shang and Lü Yongji exchanged glances, and Lü Yongji shook his head slightly.

Seeing Lü Yongji shake his head, Lü Shang immediately understood. His smile vanished, his expression turned solemn, and he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Su Xiaoci, saying, "Minister Su is too kind; I dare not accept such praise."

(End of this chapter)