Duke of Zhenguan

Chapter 108 Liang Shidu

Yan Xiangshi was also in the side hall, and today it just so happened that he was in charge of recording the emperor's words and deeds. When he heard Li Shimin suddenly bestow a title upon him, he didn't react for a moment.

It wasn't until Li Shimin looked at him that Yan Xiangshi realized what was happening, and he stood up to reply, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

After promoting Yan Xiangshi, Li Shimin's gaze fell on Lin Chuan, and he said with a smile, "I see you have made great progress recently. It's not right for someone so young to be idle all day. Go to the Ministry of War and gain some experience. You'll be appointed as the Director of the Ministry of War!"

I just promoted Lin Chuan to Earl, so it's not appropriate to promote him to another rank for now. Let's keep his achievements for now.

Lin Chuan had absolutely no desire to return to his post as a junior official in the Ministry of War. He had finally managed to lose his position as an assistant minister in the Ministry of Works, and after returning from Longyou, he had enjoyed a long period of leisurely life—

Even though he was unwilling, he could only bow and reply, "Yes!"

The people in the side hall looked at Lin Chuan differently again. Li Shimin's intention was clearly to focus on cultivating Lin Chuan.

Jane is favored by the Emperor; her future is limitless.

Around noon, a group of high-ranking officials emerged one after another from the side hall. Officials from the three provinces and six ministries still had to go to their respective offices to handle matters.

Lin Chuan didn't want to go to the Ministry of War for the time being, so he followed Cheng Yaojin out of the palace.

After exiting Chengtian Gate, Cheng Yaojin glanced at Lin Chuan and said with a smile, "No wonder I haven't seen you these past two days. You've quietly accomplished such a great feat. Yan Qiju's success is also thanks to you, isn't it?"

"yes!"

Lin Chuan had nothing to hide from Cheng Yaojin. After hesitating for a moment, he awkwardly said to Cheng Yaojin, "Uncle Cheng, there's something I need to apologize for!"

"Oh? What is it? Did you ruin Chu Rou's body?" Cheng Yaojin asked, frowning.

"...

""

Lin Chuan paused, realizing that when he apologized to Yan Xiangshi last time, Yan Xiangshi's first reaction was the same: was this the kind of person they thought he was?

"What exactly is going on?" Cheng Yaojin asked impatiently when Lin Chuan remained silent.

"Uncle Cheng, it's your nephew and Miss Yan—"

Lin Chuan had no choice but to tell Cheng Yaojin the whole story about Yan Liu Niangzi.

Just as Lin Chuan had expected, Cheng Yaojin wasn't angry. Instead, he asked with a suspicious look, "Is Yan Qiju really willing to let his granddaughter become a concubine?"

"My nephew and Chu Rou are engaged, so I can only ask Yan Liu Niangzi to make do!" Lin Chuan explained.

"At least you have a conscience!" Cheng Yaojin nodded in satisfaction.

Lin Chuan is only sixteen years old at the time. He is not only a fifth-rank official, but also holds the title of Earl. He is at the age of great success, and it is only natural for him to take a concubine.

Moreover, given the Yan family's prestige, even if they switched places with his daughter, he wouldn't have much to say.

That's the Yan family, the dignified Confucian school!

"Young man, although Yan Qiju doesn't hold it against you, you can't be so ignorant. In my opinion, you should find an opportunity to ask His Majesty for a title for that sixth lady!"

"Otherwise, I'm worried you'll be drowned in spittle!" Cheng Yaojin suddenly said after walking for a while.

"Huh? Can we ask His Majesty for this?" Lin Chuan asked in surprise.

"Why not?" Cheng Yaojin retorted.

Lin Chuan was speechless. As expected, it had to be Cheng Yaojin. Who else had such a thick skin?

Cheng Yaojin still had business to attend to at the Right Martial Guard camp. When they parted at the Vermilion Bird Gate, Cheng Yaojin said to Lin Chuan with a stern face, "I won't concern myself with your affair with that sixth daughter of the Yan family, but you must appease Chu Rou. If Chu Rou suffers any injustice, I won't forgive you!"

"Yes!" Lin Chuan replied awkwardly.

Thinking that it had been several days since he last visited Cheng Churou, he turned his horse around and took Xu Laosan to the Cheng family home.

"Lin Lang!"

Upon arriving at the Cheng family home, Lin Chuan went straight to the small courtyard where Cheng Churou lived. Just as he entered the courtyard, Cheng Churou, who was practicing swordsmanship there, exclaimed in surprise, threw down her sword, and rushed towards Lin Chuan.

"What did Chu Rou just call me?"

Reaching out to hug Cheng Churou, Lin Chuan asked with a smile.

"My husband!"

Cheng Churou blushed and called out again.

Lin Chuan lowered his head and kissed Cheng Churou on the forehead, whispering, "Madam!"

"Why!"

Cheng Churou responded and reached out to hug Lin Chuan's waist tightly.

After lingering in the courtyard for a while, Cheng Churou pulled Lin Chuan into the house.

Charcoal was burning in the room. Cheng Churou helped Lin Chuan take off the cloak he was wearing and handed it to Cheng Chun. After sitting down, she personally poured Lin Chuan some hot tea and said with a smile, "Husband, please have some hot tea to warm yourself up!"

Seeing that Cheng Churou was so happy, Lin Chuan didn't mention Yan Liu Niangzi's matter, so as not to spoil Cheng Churou's good mood.

Lin Chuan stayed at the Cheng family's house until evening before taking his leave. He was going to report to the Ministry of War the next day and hadn't told Li Shi yet.

When he returned home and told Li about it, Li was naturally overjoyed. Her steps became lighter, and she quickly pulled Lin Chuan to the ancestral hall to offer incense.

After offering incense, someone was sent to the kitchen to inform them to add more dishes.

The next morning, Lin Chuan was woken up, ate breakfast, and then took Xu Laosan to the palace.

His official position was Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, which was a fifth-rank official, thus qualifying him to attend court.

After the court assembly ended, he was summoned to a side hall by an eunuch.

Upon entering the side hall, Li Shimin waved his hand to stop everyone from bowing, and after gesturing for them to sit down, he picked up several letters from his desk and handed them to Fang Xuanling, saying in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, these are messages sent back by our spies. Take a look!"

After all the high-ranking officials had read it, the letter finally reached Lin Chuan. Lin Chuan glanced at it and immediately understood the situation.

The above news reports that a sudden heavy snowfall occurred in the Turkic territory a few days ago, freezing many cattle, sheep, and warhorses to death.

Judging by the time, the army led by Chai Shao and Xue Wanjun should have arrived in the Xia Prefecture area by now. At this time, a sudden heavy snow fell in the Turkic territory, which was naturally a great thing for the Tang Dynasty.

If the Tang Dynasty were to attack Liang Shidu, the Turks would certainly send reinforcements. At that time, the Turks were not only facing internal strife among the Uyghurs and Xueyantuo tribes, but also natural disasters. Presumably, even if they came to reinforce Liang Shidu, they would not send too many troops.

"The heavy snow in the Turkic lands continues, which is the perfect opportunity to destroy Liang Shidu. What do you all think?" Li Shimin asked.

"Your Majesty, the Liang Shidu tribe is currently demoralized. Although they have tens of thousands of troops, they are nothing more than meat on a chopping block. What we should be wary of is the Turkic cavalry!"

"I think we should wait a little longer. Besides, it will take time for the new crossbows to be made in the Imperial Workshops. If we can get the new crossbows to the army before the war starts, and if the Turks really dare to send troops to rescue Liang Shidu, we can use the Turkic cavalry to test the power of the new crossbows!" said Du Ruhui, Minister of War.

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that proposal!"

A chorus of approval erupted in the hall.

It has only been a little over a year since the Turkic cavalry besieged the city, and even Li Shimin still harbors some fear of them.

Li Shimin knew he couldn't rush things, so he nodded, his gaze sweeping around the side hall before finally settling on Lin Chuan: "Lin Chuan, the matter of the new crossbows is entrusted to you!"