Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 429 5.111 Officially recognized the “new boss” in front of me

Volume [-]

5.111 officially recognized the “new boss” in front of him

December [-]th, Zhen Guogong Mansion.

Standing in the courtyard not far from the entrance of the main hall of the main courtyard, Zhou Yang flipped through the gold-stamped scarlet stickers in his hand again in a complicated mood. He could still be invited to the meeting, so much so that when he saw the "seats" already arranged in the living room, he didn't rush in, but thought about it first.

There are two rows of seven chairs in the middle, and there is another row behind each. Six people are now seated in the middle. They are the six powerful people before the great meeting on the seventh day of December. Behind them are the younger generations of each family, or the second-tier people. Wu Xun's seats are all full now, and the last seat in the middle is empty, which should be his own - now, Wu Xun's general trend has been basically matched.

Niu Jizong, the Duke of Zhenguo, and Liu Fang, the Duke of Liguo, are still in office. They are also the first and second leaders of the Eight Dukes camp; Chen Ruiwen, the Duke of Qi, and Ma Shang, the Duke of Zhiguo, have been deposed, so Chen Yejun can only mix with Jia Baoyu. .

Xiu Guo Gongfu Hou Xiaokang and Xiu Guo Gongfu Shi Guangzhu are in special circumstances now. They are both "removed from office and retained in office, and made meritorious service." If there is no surprise, the former is still abolished, and the latter retains his position. Therefore, at the original funeral of Qin Keqing, the former was present to display , his son Han Qi also mingled with Jia Baoyu, who did not arrive because of "something at home", and he was the only one among the four princes and eight princes who did not attend.

As for the first-line and second-line and the younger generation who are standing or sitting behind, it is basically the same thing whether they are there or not. For example, General Feng Tang, who now has no real position as the commander of the Royal Forest Army, only hangs up in the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion. Well, if nothing unexpected happened, that would be the end of it. However, his son Feng Ziying was still smiling, and nodded in greeting when Zhou Yang came, as if they were still the "good brothers" they were before.

"Since Ziyang is here, why don't you come in and sit down? It's cold outside. If the guests are frozen, outsiders will think that my house is not hosting well." Maybe it was because he stood there for a long time, but Niu Jizong came in person with a smile on his face. He came to the door and said, "Come in, everyone is here now, the only one missing is you."

"I've met Lord Shangshu!" Zhou Yang's address made Niu Jizong's expression stiffen, because he used to call him "Uncle Niu" - he could say and do whatever he wanted wherever he sat. Now he is in charge of Shenji Camp, If you look at the entire Zhou Dynasty military, it is enough to rank among the top five. There is no need to stay down and play small in formal occasions. "It was the general who was delayed."

"Just come." Niu Jizong nodded with a complicated expression and turned back to the living room.

"I've seen my mentor and my lords." After entering the door, Zhou Yang swept a little, and the two main seats in the middle were empty. It used to be the seat of the second Duke Ning Rong. Can be free, "The last general was a little distracted just now, I apologize first."

"It's great that Ziyang can come." Regardless of the complicated expressions of others, Chen Ruiwen stood up and greeted him with a smile, then pointed to the last empty seat and said, "Since you are here, please sit down and talk."

"Thank you, teacher, for your guidance." Zhou Yang bowed and sat down without hesitation. The expressions of the others became more complicated, but he didn't respond, because except for the seven people in the middle, most of the others had no real power, let alone At the highest level, the title of Thousand Households, Deputy Thousand Households, or even Hundred Households is actually lacking for the younger generation.

Niu Jizong looked at the situation in the living room and sighed helplessly. He felt a bit like a "hero in his twilight years". The twelve "Four Kings and Eight Dukes" who founded the Zhou Dynasty back then, now do not mention the Four Kings, but the Eight Dukes. After getting into this situation, Ningrong's second house was completely abolished. Only two of the other six houses still had military power. Without the support from below, how could he, the Minister of War and Liu Fang's Minister of War, rely on him to hold on?
"Okay, since everyone is here, I will say a few words." No matter how many sighs he feels in his heart, Niu Jizong, as the head of the family, cannot neglect, "Although this year has been eventful, at least everyone is still here, and we have a rising star like Ziyang. , I actually feel a bit like 'the waves behind you in the Yangtze River push the waves ahead', it's true that time makes people grow old."

"I regret not listening to Ziyang's words back then, which led to today's disaster." Chen Ruiwen lowered his head with a bitter look on his face. After all, he did give someone a lot of benefits and listened to a lot of suggestions, but at the critical moment One wrong move at any time, and the result is that everything will be lost. "Although we are still together today, I don't know what will happen next year."

"Teacher's words are serious!" Zhou Yang sighed, stood up and bowed politely.

What followed was a meaningless conversation, with people from each family following along to either praise or express a few words of emotion. It was not long before the tea was served. Niu Jizong answered the conversation in time and arranged for everyone to have a banquet. He himself took the lead. The seven of them returned to the inner study, obviously having something to discuss.

"Since Ziyang is here, you must have guessed what I mean." As soon as he entered the study, Niu Jizong sent away all the servants, leaving only Niu Ben to serve tea and water, and then asked impatiently, "These days, you are almost every two days." Tian will stay in the palace for a day, but what is there to say? Every family has suffered heavy losses this time. If we let it go, the end will be unpredictable." "Ziyang, it's not that your uncles are relying on their old age to support their old age. No matter what you say, You are a military commander. Without everyone's help, no matter how capable you are, will you really be able to do something like 'one-armed sky'?" Chen Ruiwen said in an elder tone, "I know, I did feel sorry for you at the beginning, but everyone different from you”

"Teacher, this is what the disciples don't understand. Although Wu Xun retired with the country, can you really not see what happened to those Wu Xuns in Qianming?" Zhou Yang said speechlessly, "Is there anything in the world?" Wealth has no real power, or even lack of real power like Ning Rong's second mansion, so what kind of military honors are they?
In the beginning, the disciple was able to contact and follow His Highness Yongchang and His Highness, thanks to the introduction of all brothers, but at the critical moment, you all came together like this. Even Brother Qiu knows that "wealth and wealth are found in danger", even if you don't I don't want to go too deep, so I can help the head office in private, right?But even the brothers didn’t show up, isn’t it.”

"What's the use of talking about this now?" Ma Shang, the governor, was obviously impatient and interrupted him directly, "Just tell me, can you help me?"

"Ziyang, don't be angry, Lao Ma, after all." Chen Ruiwen quickly smoothed things over.

"Teacher, to put it bluntly, even if the disciple now applies to resign from the Shenji Camp, do you think His Highness and the Queen will give the Duke of Qi another chance?" Chen Ruiwen's expression stiffened with Zhou Yang's words, "Everyone My uncle has also been an official for many years, but he can't stand up at the critical moment. Do you really don't know what the consequences will be?

My nephew here has a saying for all uncles to refer to, "Loyalty is not absolute, it is absolutely disloyal." To be honest, the empress empress originally planned to remove her from office, remove her title, and confiscate her home. This was my nephew's repeated decision. Persuasion, and citing the merits of the ancestors of each family, was finally considered as persuading them to go back.

Nowadays, although every family has suffered, the Spyker left by the ancestors is still there. Even if it is two or three generations, it can still rise again. Among the families that the Twelve Marquises raised, Xie Jing’s name is not even worth mentioning. , although Jiang Zining was only demoted, he might not have another chance in the future, Qi Jianhui and Qiu Liang had defected to him early, and now they have benefited. "

"I'm sorry!" Chen Ruiwen stood up bitterly, picked up the wine glass, drank it down in one gulp, and walked out of the study. Ma Shang followed closely behind. The two families now have no real needs, and there will be no chance for them to grow in power for at least ten years. , today is also the last time the two of them participate in the Wu Xun core meeting. From now on, they can only "enjoy wealth and wealth" like Ning Rong's second mansion.

"Don't worry, two brothers. If you need any help in the future, please don't be polite." Even though only their backs were left, Niu Jizong stood up quickly and said, but the two of them were just stunned, not even their heads. Go back and continue to leave—just like the Ningrong Second House, which one has any real contact these days?

Seeing the miserable look between the two of them, the study suddenly became silent, and no one spoke for a long time.

"Brother Zhou, I heard that." After a while, Niu Ben took the opportunity to refill the water and said to Zhou Yang, "Has your marriage been decided? Seriously?"

"With the grace of the Supreme Emperor, I have given His Highness Yongjing as my wife." Zhou Yang had no intention of hiding this, as it would be announced sooner or later, "The marriage has not been decided yet, but according to general rules, it will only be around the middle of next year. "

"Two princesses!" Niu Jizong looked at Zhou Yang with a wry smile and said, "Just think that I am old and impudent. The prince has a prosperous heir, but he only got two golden branches and jade leaves. Now they have entered Ziyang Courtyard. If I guessed That’s right, the one from the Huang family was your work?”

Zhou Yang smiled faintly and didn't answer. Some things actually didn't matter, but he couldn't recognize them. These were two different things.

"Okay, now that it's like this, I don't have anything to say." Niu Jizong was not surprised. He wouldn't admit it if it were him. This was not his purpose anyway. "Ziyang is young after all. The palace asked you to go first." Taking charge of the 'Quanzhi Shenji Battalion Military' is just to protect you. In a few years, you will have made great achievements, and as you get older, you will be able to bear the burden of being a general soldier."

"Brother Niu and I are here. After all, we are in the Ministry of War. I have also seen the official documents you gave to the two boys in Daye a few days ago." Liu Fang then said, "It's not that it's hard for you, but this arrangement is not It's as simple as you thought. Now that the matter has been settled, someone will be sent to your house before the seal is sealed. I have never seen those two boys. When they come, plus a few of your men, don't forget Go to the Ministry of War and go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to register."

"Uncle Liu, don't worry, little nephew, don't worry." Zhou Yang stood up with a smile and cupped his hands. The five commanders, Quan Zhi, XX guards and military personnel (who could not be directly promoted to commander) were all his younger brothers. Now he also Now that we have a circle and a foundation, "From now on, my two uncles will need to take more care of the military matters."

Niu Jizong and Liu Fang nodded with satisfaction, stood up at the same time as Hou Xiaokang and Shi Guangzhu to return the gift, and officially recognized the "new boss" in front of them!
(End of this chapter)