gnovel Chapter 68 Qin Mu's move was too ruthless!
Chapter 68 Qin Mu's move was too ruthless!
The Zhenbei Prince's Mansion covers a vast area, with pavilions, towers, and flying eaves. Although it is not as magnificent as the imperial palace, it is still very impressive and exudes the unique grandeur and solemnity of the northern border.
The group passed through three gates and walked through a winding corridor. Along the way, they saw well-trained guards and respectfully bowing servants.
And the rigor and order that permeates every corner of a military family.
Qin Mu walked slowly, looking around as he went, his eyes occasionally flashing with admiration.
"As expected of the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion."
He suddenly spoke, his voice filled with emotion:
"Every brick, every tile, every blade of grass, every tree exudes the atmosphere of the battlefield. No wonder Prince Xu was able to lead three thousand iron cavalry to rise to power and establish such a formidable reputation. Like father, like son, Minister Xu has surpassed his master."
This statement, while seemingly complimentary, is actually derogatory.
On the surface, it was praising the Xu family's achievements, but in reality, it was a reminder to Xu Longxiang.
Everything you have is thanks to your father; you are merely an heir.
How could Xu Longxiang not understand the implied meaning?
He felt a chill run down his spine, but maintained a humble smile on his face.
"Your Majesty flatters me. My father was loyal to the emperor and loved his country throughout his life. Even on his deathbed, he still remembered Your Majesty's kindness. I am dull-witted and, although I inherited a title, I am far inferior to my father. I can only do my best to guard the northern border to repay the kindness of the late emperor and Your Majesty."
That was a flawless reply.
By both bringing up the deceased Xu Xiao to demonstrate the Xu family's loyalty to the royal family and by adopting a humble stance, placing themselves in the position of "ministers who maintain the status quo," they avoided Qin Mu's sharp edge.
Qin Mu smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and continued on his way.
Soon, the group arrived at the main hall of the Prince's Mansion, "Zhenyue Hall".
This is where Xu Xiao held meetings and met important guests during his lifetime, and it is also where Xu Longxiang handles military affairs and meets with his staff now.
The interior furnishings are simple and solemn, with a portrait of Xu Xiao hanging in the center and the spoils of war of the successive Zhenbei Kings on both sides.
There were banners of the Northern Mang King, barbarian bone ornaments, and blood-stained armor...
The most eye-catching thing is the huge horse-slaying sword "Po Jun" on the north wall.
The blade was dark black, and the edge gleamed coldly. Even when it hung there quietly, it still exuded a strong aura of killing intent.
Qin Mu walked into the hall, his gaze first falling on the knife.
He slowly stepped forward, paused in front of the knife, looked up at it for a moment, and then suddenly reached out and gently brushed his fingertips across the cold blade.
This seemingly casual action sent a jolt through Xu Longxiang's heart!
"Po Jun" is Xu Xiao's sword, a symbol of the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, and the embodiment of the spirit of the Northern Army.
Qin Mu's action, seemingly just an act of appreciation, was in fact... a silent provocation and demonstration.
He was telling everyone.
Even Xu Xiao's sword, I can touch at will.
Xu Longxiang clenched his fist again, but his face remained calm.
Qin Mu withdrew his hand, turned to look at Xu Longxiang, and smiled slightly:
"A fine blade. Its murderous aura is palpable; it has drunk countless lives. Truly worthy of being the sword of the late Prince Xu. Has Minister Xu ever wielded this blade?"
Xu Longxiang bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, this knife is a keepsake from my father. I dare not use it without permission, but only offer it as a tribute to comfort my father's spirit in heaven."
"What a pity."
Qin Mu shook his head. "Such a divine weapon, to be left to gather dust here, wouldn't that be a waste? A sword, after all, is meant to drink blood. Just like a person, after all, is meant to do something."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the furnishings in the hall, and said meaningfully:
"Minister Xu is stationed at the northern border, commanding 300,000 elite troops. His responsibilities are immense. This blade... should also be stained with blood."
These words were a blatant hint and a test.
Alarm bells rang in Xu Longxiang's mind!
His Majesty is giving him a warning!
Remind him that he holds significant military power and should remain law-abiding and not harbor any improper thoughts!
He took a deep breath and bowed again:
"Your Majesty's admonition is correct. The 300,000 soldiers in the Northern Frontier are all subjects of Great Qin, and all are loyal to Your Majesty. Although I am not talented, I know the meaning of loyalty and righteousness. Defending the land and protecting the people, resisting foreign aggression, is my duty. As for anything else..."
He raised his head, looked directly at Qin Mu, his eyes frank and open:
"This is neither what I desire nor what I can do."
That's a well-said statement.
This demonstrated his loyalty, absolved him of ambition, and positioned him as a "minister who maintains the status quo," perfectly responding to Qin Mu's probing.
Qin Mu gave him a deep look, then suddenly smiled:
"Minister Xu is indeed a man of great wisdom and righteousness. With you here, the northern border is safe and sound, and I am very pleased."
He walked to the head seat and sat down.
That was where Xu Longxiang usually sat.
This action once again caused the atmosphere in the hall to freeze.
A cold glint flashed in Xu Longxiang's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and stood to the side with his hands at his sides.
Qin Mu seemed completely unaware that he had taken the host's seat, and raised his hand to indicate:
"Please sit down, everyone. Xu Aiqing, you sit down too."
Xu Longxiang then sat down at the lower end of the table, with his five advisors standing behind him.
Concubines Jiang Qingxue, Su Wanqing, and Lu Wanning sat beside Qin Mu, each with a different expression.
Jiang Qingxue kept her eyes lowered, not daring to look at Xu Longxiang. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, revealing her inner tension.
Su Wanqing sat demurely, her gaze calmly surveying the furnishings in the hall, as if she were truly just admiring them.
Lu Wanning was somewhat timid, occasionally stealing a glance before quickly lowering her head to fidget with her sash.
A palace maid served hot tea.
Qin Mu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and suddenly asked:
"Minister Xu, I've heard that there have been unusual movements in the Northern Barbarian lands recently. Is this true?"
Now, let's get down to business.
Xu Longxiang's heart tightened, and he said in a deep voice:
"Your Majesty, this is indeed the case. Half a month ago, a small group of Northern Mang cavalry probed the area around Eagle's Beak Cliff but were repelled by the garrison. I have ordered Xu Pojun to lead 5,000 cavalry to reinforce the defenses and to strengthen border patrols. The situation is currently under control."
Qin Mu nodded:
"Minister Xu handled the situation well. The Northern Barbarians harbor treacherous ambitions and their desire to destroy us remains undiminished; we must remain vigilant at all times. However…"
He paused, put down his teacup, and looked at Xu Longxiang:
"The 300,000 troops in the North have been guarding the border year-round, and their service has been arduous and meritorious. I am thinking, should some of them be rotated back to the interior for rest and recuperation, so that soldiers from other places can also have the opportunity to come to the North for training?"
Rotation!
Xu Longxiang's heart skipped a beat!
This is an attempt to seize his military power!
The reason why the 300,000-strong army in the North only obeyed the orders of the Xu family was not only because of the Xu family's years of management, but more importantly because most of these soldiers were locals from the North or veterans who had followed the Xu family for many years.
Their interests were tied to those of the Xu family, and they shared both honor and disgrace, which is why they formed a unified Northern Army.
If a large-scale rotation were to occur, with troops from the North being transferred to the interior and troops from the interior being transferred to the North...
The Xu family's control over the Northern Army will be greatly reduced!
Qin Mu's move was ruthless!
Xu Longxiang forced himself to calm down, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said:
"Your Majesty is compassionate towards the soldiers. On behalf of the 300,000 men of the Northern Frontier, I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness. However..."
He paused, a troubled look on his face:
"The northern border is bitterly cold and the environment is harsh. Our soldiers from the interior will likely find it difficult to adapt. Moreover, the Northern Mang cavalry are swift and swift, and their fighting style is very different from that of the interior. New soldiers will need time to familiarize themselves with their tactics. If the Northern Mang launches a large-scale attack during this period, we may suffer losses."
That makes perfect sense.
They expressed their gratitude, subtly raised the difficulties, and even brought up the important issue of "border security."
Qin Mu smiled after hearing this:
"Minister Xu's considerations are thorough. I was too hasty. How about this: let's discuss the rotation policy in a more measured way. Let's start with a small-scale pilot program, sending 5,000 northern troops back to the interior for rest and reorganization, and then sending another 5,000 interior troops to the north for training. What do you think?"
Five thousand...
This number is neither too big nor too small.
It expressed the determination to "rotate" without crossing Xu Longxiang's bottom line, giving him room to maneuver.
Xu Longxiang knew that this was already the biggest concession His Majesty had made.
If he refuses again, he'll be ungrateful and have something to hide.
"Your Majesty is wise," Xu Longxiang said, bowing. "I will make the arrangements immediately, and a pilot rotation will be conducted on a chosen date."
Qin Mu nodded in satisfaction:
"Thank you for your trouble, Minister Xu."
He paused, then changed the subject:
"By the way, there is another matter on my northern tour."
Xu Longxiang's heart tightened:
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"Qingxue's background."
Qin Mu looked at Jiang Qingxue beside him with gentle eyes, "She said that she grew up in the Northern Border since childhood, but she doesn't know who her parents are. She only remembers living in a restaurant called Tingxuelou when she was a child. The manager's surname was Chen, and he took good care of her."
He looked at Xu Longxiang:
"Minister Xu, you found Qingxue in the Northern Border back then. Have you ever heard of this Listening Snow Pavilion? Have you ever met Manager Chen?"
coming!
finally come!
Xu Longxiang's heart pounded, but his face remained calm:
"Your Majesty, I did indeed find Consort Xue in the Northern Border back then. As for Tingxue Tower... there are many restaurants in the Northern Border, but I have never heard of one with that name. Perhaps... Consort Xue has misremembered the name?"
He threw the question back at him.
Qin Mu gave him a deep look, then suddenly smiled:
"Perhaps. But since we're here, we should go and see. Minister Xu, could you send someone to take me to visit the various cities in the Northern Territory tomorrow? I'd like to see what kind of land and water the Northern Territory is that could nurture a beauty like Qingxue."
He paused, then added:
"Of course, it would be even better if we could find Qingxue's relatives. I will certainly reward them handsomely."
Xu Longxiang bowed:
"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. Tomorrow, I will personally guide Your Majesty."
"No need for that," Qin Mu waved his hand. "Minister Xu is busy with military affairs, how could I trouble him? Just send someone familiar with the northern border to guide us."
He looked behind Xu Longxiang:
"This... must be Mr. Fan Li? I've heard that Mr. Fan is a renowned strategist in the Northern Frontier, possessing an encyclopedic knowledge of its customs and traditions. How about Mr. Fan guides me?"
Fan Li!
Xu Longxiang's heart sank!
His Majesty's specific request for Fan Li to lead the way was no coincidence!
Fan Li was his most important advisor, and he knew too many secrets!
If Fan Li were to stay by His Majesty's side, what if he said something wrong or revealed some flaw...?
But can he refuse?
No.
His Majesty's words are imperial edicts.
Fan Li stepped forward and bowed, saying:
"It is my honor to guide Your Majesty."
Qin Mu nodded in satisfaction:
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Fan."
He stood up and stretched his limbs:
"I'm a bit tired from today's journey. Minister Xu, are the guest rooms ready?"
Xu Longxiang quickly said:
"It's all prepared. Your Majesty, please follow me."
Xu Longxiang personally led the way, taking Qin Mu and his party to the "Tingtao Garden" on the east side of the Prince's Mansion.
This is the best guest courtyard in the Prince's Mansion, with a tranquil environment and luxurious furnishings, in no way inferior to the Imperial Palace.
Qin Mu walked into the courtyard, looked around, and nodded:
"Excellent. Minister Xu is very thoughtful."
He turned to look at Xu Longxiang and suddenly said:
"Minister Xu, I wish to host a banquet at the Prince's residence tonight to entertain the civil and military officials of the Northern Frontier. Go and arrange for all officials of the third rank and above to be invited; I wish to meet them."
A banquet was held for officials from the Northern Border!
Xu Longxiang felt a chill run down his spine once again!
His Majesty is... going to give a direct reprimand to the civil and military officials of the Northern Frontier and assert his imperial power!
"Your subject... obeys the decree." He bowed and replied.
Qin Mu waved his hand:
"Go ahead and get busy. I need to rest."
Xu Longxiang then took his leave and left Tingtao Garden with his five advisors.
As soon as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, his face darkened instantly.