mesbooks Chapter 132: Promoting Sweet Potatoes 2
Chapter 132: Promoting Sweet Potatoes 2
Zhao Liangchen pondered for a moment and a suitable candidate emerged in his mind, but he had not discussed it with the other party, so he naturally could not recommend him rashly. He could only say tactfully: "There are several capable and loyal people in my imperial guards, but they are in the open, like the target of public criticism, and are being watched closely. If a few imperial guards disappear rashly, it will definitely attract others to investigate.
The same goes for other military generals. They all hold official positions. Not to mention whether they are willing to give up their bright future to help the emperor raise private soldiers, just the fact that someone is willing to go and a few generals suddenly disappear will certainly arouse suspicion.
However, the military generals in the capital are too dazzling and easy to be targeted, but the generals guarding the border are not easily noticed, and they are experienced and can more easily train a disciplined and iron-blooded army.
Moreover, not all children of noble families serve in the military. There are always some who have not yet obtained official positions. Even if these people lack experience, they have a deep family background and are influenced by their surroundings, so they will definitely not be too bad. Most of these people are used to being idle and no one pays attention to them.
The Emperor was well aware of this, which was why he asked Zhao Liangchen if he had a suitable candidate. He gazed at Zhao Liangchen's face, knowing that he already had a candidate in mind, though he just couldn't articulate it. Those who could establish a good relationship with Zhao Liangchen were simply members of the Imperial Guards, and the one with the closest ties to him, and whose family served on the frontier, was Zou Tai. The Zou family was a perfect fit, having guarded the northern lands for generations and achieving remarkable feats.
In addition to Zou Tai, the Zou family also has Zou Tai's brother Zou Sheng. As the eldest son in the family, he has followed his father to guard the border in the north since he was a child. He must have rich experience. It is definitely appropriate for him to raise private soldiers, but I don't know whether the Zou family is willing.
Even though raising private soldiers was a secret order from the emperor, if it were really discovered, the emperor would probably not admit it for the sake of his own reputation. If the emperor did not admit it, raising private soldiers would be tantamount to treason. The Zou family had a bright future and might not agree to their eldest son doing this.
As for the family of military generals that Zhao Liangchen mentioned, but who had no official position and was on good terms with Zhao Liangchen, the emperor suddenly thought of a person named Qi Lusheng. The Wuning Marquis Mansion was a family of military generals, but now no one in the Wuning Marquis Mansion served in the army, and no one had an official position.
In addition to Qi Lusheng, the Wuning Marquis's Mansion also has Qi Jingde, the son of Wu'an Marquis. When Qi Jingde was young, it was said that he was a man of both civil and military talents. Everyone thought that he would become a great military general in the future, but no one expected that he would travel around after he became an adult and did not enter the court.
Others going to Chanzhou might attract the attention of someone with ulterior motives, but Qi Jingde's secret trip to Chanzhou would not arouse anyone's suspicion. Moreover, although he had no experience as an official in the court, the emperor believed that Marquis Wuning must have carefully cultivated this son, otherwise he would not have had the reputation of being both civil and military when he was young.
In the past, the emperor would have been suspicious of the Wuning Marquisate and would not have dared to use it. But now the Wuning Marquisate is making money for the emperor and has obviously relied on him, so the emperor is definitely confident in using Qi Jingde.
After thinking it over, the emperor asked tentatively, "Is the prince of Wuning Marquisate still traveling outside?"
Zhao Liangchen: "Yes, I heard from Lu Sheng that his elder brother should be in the coastal area now. He may come back during the Chinese New Year this year. The wife of Marquis Wuning misses the prince very much and often thinks of him."
The emperor nodded and said, "It's time for him to come back. He's not young anymore. It's time for him to start a family and build a career."
Zhao Liangchen: "Yes, Lu Sheng said that the wife of Marquis Wuning has tried to arrange a marriage for the prince many times, but he has always refused. He said that he has not traveled enough and wants to see more of the beautiful mountains and rivers."
The Emperor: "Traveling more is a good thing, but everything is excessive. As the heir of a marquisate, he must shoulder the responsibilities of the marquisate. It is not right to wander around like this all the time. At his age, he should have done something."
Zhao Liangchen: "Yes, Your Majesty is right."
The emperor had an idea in his mind. The candidate Zhao Liangchen had in mind should be Qi Jingde, but this matter could not be decided by them alone. The emperor needed to meet with Marquis Wuning and they could discuss it. Now Qi Jingde had not returned yet, so there was no rush about this matter.
Although Marquis Wuning did not hold an official position, he had a title. Every year during the New Year's Eve banquet in the palace, Marquis Wuning would go to the palace to attend the banquet. It would not be too late for them to talk at that time.
The Emperor said, "Alright, I'll think about this for a while. Now it's the twelfth lunar month, so even if we find a suitable candidate, we can't go until after the New Year. As for the sweet potato issue, I'll have someone bring it up in the court tomorrow. You can go back first."
After Zhao Liangchen left, the emperor recruited Gu Yun, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, into the palace.
Gu Yun was a scholar during the previous emperor's reign. He was very talented, but because he came from a poor family and had no support, he was sent out after graduating from high school.
Although he had very good political achievements in the local area, he was an upright person and did not know how to adapt, so he was delayed in promotion. Later, after the emperor ascended the throne, he wanted to cultivate his own people, secretly found out about him, and transferred him back to the capital. However, because he had no foundation, his official position was not high, only the fifth rank. This time, the emperor secretly put in a lot of effort to get him the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
The emperor entrusted the sweet potato matter to him. He was an upright man who was dedicated to the people, so when he learned that there was such a good crop, he naturally took the matter very seriously.
After Zhao Liangchen left the palace and returned home, he asked Lai Fu to deliver an invitation to the Wuning Marquis' Mansion. Qi Lusheng arrived soon and brought a lot of things with him, most of which were food for Su Qin.
He entered through Zhao Liangchen's house, but he said hello to Zhao Liangchen and went straight to find Su Qin through the small door. Zhao Liangchen had no choice but to follow him again.
Qi Lusheng handed a large food box to Su Qin: "Miss Su, these are the cakes my mother asked me to give you. They are all the specialties of our chef. You can't eat them outside. Try them."
Every time Qi Lusheng came, he would bring a lot of food. Su Qin was used to it. She opened the food box and found several plates of exquisite pastries neatly arranged inside. The food box was insulated and the pastries were still hot.
Su Qin brought out the pastries and placed them in front of Zeng Lao first: "Grandpa, please eat."
Mr. Zeng picked up a piece of cake, put it in his mouth and commented bluntly: "It's a bit sweet. Next time, remember to ask the chef to put less sugar."
Qi Lusheng smiled and replied, "Okay."
He watched Su Qin eat, then turned back to look at Zhao Liangchen: "What do you want to talk to me about?"
Zhao Liangchen was speechless. He now didn't know if the teacher was his teacher or if Su Qin was his family. Qi Lusheng seemed more comfortable with them than he did.
He revealed his intention to have Qi Jingde raise a private army for the Emperor: "Today, I mentioned to the Emperor that Chanzhou needed a capable and influential person to raise troops for the Emperor, and the Emperor immediately thought of your brother. I think this is a good opportunity. Since your family has decided to join the Emperor, why not do it more thoroughly?
The Emperor is currently in need of men, and your brother's wanderings are not a long-term solution. It would be wise to seize this opportunity and have him return. Raising an army for the Emperor is not a risky undertaking, and there's no guarantee they'll be used. However, regardless of whether they're used, as the Emperor's personal guard, your brother will undoubtedly be valued by the Emperor in the future.
"Those soldiers were all trained by your elder brother himself, so they must have a deeper affection for him. They probably recognize him more than the emperor. This way, your mansion will have military power, allowing you to take the initiative in dealing with the emperor in the future, and also preventing the emperor from betraying you in the future."
Qi Lusheng's first reaction after hearing this was to look at Su Qin: "Is this your idea?"