Chapter 136: New Military Forces at the Heart of the Country

The news about Wei Yuan's killing of the horse spread quickly.

The nobles who originally planned to go to Zhongyongbo's Mansion to give gifts also stopped for a while.

Wei Yuan has already done everything so well, who would want to bring trouble to himself?

Later.

The Duke's Mansion of Qi.

After Qi Heng learned about Wei Yuan's killing of the horse, he couldn't help but feel depressed, and said to his parents:

"I spent a lot of effort to find such a good horse, and it was worth a lot of money. Uncle Zhongyong killed it just like that."

"The child doesn't understand, what offended him, why does he want to treat the child like this?"

Princess Pingning said in a calm tone: "Don't take everything at face value. If Uncle Zhongyong really hates you, why would he let you go to his house several times?"

"With Bo Zhongyong's strength, it is not difficult to find a good horse, and he has not rejected your kindness."

"It's just that you chose the wrong time to give the gift."

Qi Heng asked in confusion: "The timing is wrong? Uncle Zhongyong just happened to take a rest, why do you say the timing is wrong?"

The Lord of Pingning County said earnestly: "Now there are rumors in the capital that His Majesty intends to form a new army."

"And Uncle Zhongyong is the commander-in-chief of the new army. How many people are staring at the meat and potatoes in his hands?"

"Have you forgotten about the gift given by Uncle Zhongqin the day before yesterday?"

Qi Heng frowned slightly.

The Duke of Qi caressed his beard and said, "Not long ago, Wei Yuan sent someone to bring a painting to my father."

A painting?

Qi Heng seemed to have thought of something.

Princess Pingning spoke again: "Uncle Zhongyong did not reject your kindness and kept the horse. The horse belongs to him. He has the final say whether to kill or hack it."

"He sent people to send paintings and calligraphy to your father. He wanted to express his courtesy and also wanted to distance himself from our Duke of Qi."

"This relationship is related to the formation of a new army. Uncle Zhongyong wants to show it to others. You just happened to hit the tip of the spear. Is this the right time?"

After hearing this, Qi Heng finally understood.

"My child understands what mother means."

"Uncle Zhongyong killed the horse, not because he disliked me, but because of the current situation?"

——

In the Zhou Dynasty, killing a horse was a serious crime.

But that horse refers to war horses and official horses.

Wei Yuan's horse was a gift from others and was bought with money. It is not guilty of killing him.

This matter also reached Zhao Zhen’s ears.

He praised Wei Yuan's approach, and then said to Queen Cao:

"I heard from the Imperial City Secretary that in recent days, many noble and distinguished families have submitted invitations to pay their respects to Uncle Zhongyong's Mansion."

"It's obvious what their intentions are, but I never thought that the Duke of Qi, who was originally going to follow Wen, also wanted to get involved in the new army?"

Empress Cao responded: "Perhaps there are some underachievers from the Duke of Qi's family who want to join the army."

Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Wei Qing did a good job in killing the horse. He not only dispelled the thoughts of those noble families, but also did not have to be impeached by the censors."

"It's just that in this way, Wei Yuan has offended most of the nobles."

How could Wei Yuan not think about this?

However, those powerful men who can really understand the current situation, such as Fu Guogong and An Guogong, will understand his approach.

Moreover, by doing this, some people can rest assured that he will become the future leader of martial arts.

After all, the prerequisite for Wu Xun's interests to be protected from infringement is to ensure that he can always gain the emperor's trust.

Empress Cao said tentatively: "Your Majesty, do you think Wei Yuan intends to be a lonely minister?"

"A lonely minister who is only loyal to the royal family?"

Zhao Zhen said thoughtfully: "If this is true, it will be a good thing for the country."

He knew Wei Yuan's ability, and his record was needless to say.

Just say that "Records of Military Training" is enough to prove how profound Wei Yuan's research on military strategists is.

People like this, no matter how loyal they appear, must be used with caution.

Zhao Kuangyin was very loyal even though he was wearing a yellow robe, but what was the result?

If Wei Yuan is willing to be a lonely minister, then Zhao Zhen doesn't mind and adds more burdens to him.

——

After Wei Yuan's rest, it happened to be the Great Court Meeting.

He participated in government affairs as the right minister of the Ministry of War.

On the way to the Zichen Hall to attend court, he happened to meet Sheng Hong.

The two entered the palace city simultaneously. On the way, Sheng Hong asked in a low voice:

"Brother Yuan, have you heard recently that His Majesty is going to reform the salt tax?"

Wei Yuan nodded, "I heard, what does this have to do with you?"

Sheng Hong looked left and right, and when he saw no one was approaching, he continued:

"It has nothing to do with me, but it may have something to do with Brother Yuan and you guys who are in the army."

Wei Yuan frowned, "What do you mean?"

Sheng Hong said: "You know the finances and taxes of the imperial court in the past few years. Not to mention that it is not enough to make ends meet, but it is almost the same."

"The borders of Guanzhong and Huaixi are either suffering from severe drought or earthquakes, and there are many rebellions in the Lingnan area, making it difficult for the people to live."

"The Battle of Daizhou was a protracted war. With hundreds of thousands of troops, how much food did they need to eat every day? How did the imperial court persist?"

"It was because Mr. Cao, the Minister of War, suggested that more salt banknotes be printed. Merchants spent money to buy salt banknotes. The imperial court got the money and bought grain to support the Daizhou campaign."

"Over and over again, too many salt banknotes are issued, and it is difficult to collect the salt tax!"

It has to be said that Sheng Hong has studied certain matters in the imperial court quite thoroughly.

However, his ability only stops here.

Can keenly discover problems, but can't solve them.

Wei Yuan said indifferently: "It's not just Daizhou that needs grain. You also said that there have been riots in various parts of the country in recent years. We can't put all the responsibility on the soldiers in the front."

"Besides, this method was proposed by the Minister of War. Now that there is a problem, he should be responsible."

"Could it be that because of the lack of food, the battle of Daizhou will not be fought?"

Sheng Hong hurriedly said: "That's not what I mean. I mean, now you want to form a new army. Once the new army is trained, it will definitely not be able to farm. How many civilians will be needed to support it?"

"I am worried that if the establishment of a new army is discussed at the court meeting today, someone will use this to cause trouble for you."

Wei Yuan didn't think of this.

He was about to thank Sheng Hong.

Gu Yankai came over, pulled Wei Yuan aside, and said earnestly:

"You kid, you have made quite a stir recently."

"I have already informed Duke Hanguo and others, asking them not to interfere with the new army for the time being."

"But once the new army is established, we still need to take care of the children of the nobles."

Sheng Hong did not dare to follow him, so he had to go to the front of the Zichen Palace.

Wei Yuan frowned and said, "Even you think that we should use the children of the nobles?"

Gu Yankai said, "It's not a question of whether to use or not, but if you really want to train the new army well, you must use the children of military honors like us."

Wei Yuan was about to ask why.

But the Duke of Korea came over and said to Wei Yuan with a smile:

"Lord Zhongyong, I have read the record of military training you wrote, and it is really wonderful."

"It seems that Lord Zhongyong has a plan for training the new army."

"If you need any help, just ask. My Pan family can still have a say in the various armies."

Hearing this, Wei Yuan roughly understood what Gu Yankai meant.

Don't want to use the sons of nobles?

Okay, then don't think about drawing people from the various armies.

If something goes wrong, don't think that your uncles can say anything for you in front of His Majesty.

Wei Yuan sighed lightly, and then calmly bowed to the Duke of Korea and said:

"Please rest assured, Duke of Korea, if there is anything I need your help, I will definitely ask."

"Establishing a new army is related to the lifeblood of the family and the country, and I will definitely double my efforts."

"By then, I will need your help."

Those who should be offended should be offended.

Those who should not be offended should not be said a single wrong word.

Otherwise, his fate would be the same as Di Qing's.

Except Zhang Fu and Gu Yankai, no military hero supported him.

As a result, when he was excluded by civil officials, no military hero stood up to speak for him.

Otherwise, Di Qing would not have ended up depressed.

The biggest difference between Wei Yuan and Di Qing is that he worshipped Zhang Fu as his teacher.

"Okay, young people, you should have the drive of young people."

"I have a few good seedlings here. I will introduce them to you someday. They may help you to form a new army."

While joking, the Duke of Han intervened in the new army.

Wei Yuan looked unhappy.

Gu Yankai winked at him.

Wei Yuan had to give up.

What he said just now was serious.

The new army really concerns the lifeblood of the country.