On September 21, Wulitun Camp in the south of Wuchang City finally received an order from the Military Aircraft Division.

The meritorious officers and soldiers who protected the memorial were all rewarded, and the civil and military officials who died in the battle received pensions. The emperor also approved the petition to the three provinces of Sichuan, Hunan, and Shaanxi to assist in the supply of gunpowder, and the petition to Guangdong to purchase 200 foreign cannons to finance the attack. The imperial court responded to Hubei's requests, but looking at the words in the edict: "Han Xiufeng, formerly a counselor of the General Administration Department, was the Shaoqing of Taichang Temple, he will return to Beijing immediately, and he will still have a military aircraft to travel to Beijing for extra travel." Hu Daren and Wang Jiabi , Fang Dashu, Yan Shusen and other screen friends were all stunned.

"Directly conferring the title of Shaoqing of Taichang Temple is neither an agency nor a reward for the title of Shaoqing of Taichang Temple. This is not a release of Taoist priests, but a direct promotion to the fourth rank of the imperial palace. He is too kind to the holy family. ." Jin Guochen exclaimed while watching.

Thinking of the soldiers outside who fought hard for the imperial court, Wang Jiabi felt very uncomfortable. He stared at the edict and muttered: "Although Li Xubin was at the front, it only took twenty-one words to confer Li Xubin. But because Han Xiufeng actually used Thirty-two words, and I didn’t even mention why I was promoted!”

"Now you are ranked among the second rank. Sure enough, Jian is in the emperor's heart. No wonder they don't even look down on Taoist priests." Fang Dashi couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Hu Linyi was just a little surprised. He didn't feel that the court was unfair, let alone jealous.

After all, compared to other officials, especially compared to those Manchu and Mongolian nobles who only know how to make money but can hold high positions, Han Xiufeng at least has military merit and is at least someone who can do things. It is very clear why the secretaries feel unhappy. , firstly because Han Xiufeng is too young, and secondly because he feels that Han Xiufeng is not qualified to be the Young Minister of Taichang Temple due to his background.

He didn't want this to affect the morale of the soldiers, so he sat down and said with a smile: "I am the Councilor of the General Affairs Department. It is normal for me to be promoted from the Councilor of the General Affairs Department to the Junior Fourth Rank Jingtang. If it were not for my birth, I would be directly promoted to the Junior Nine Ministers. It's possible, so no matter where you become an official, it's important to have a smooth promotion process."

"But he has only been a counselor of the General Secretary for a few days!"

"He didn't serve for more than a few days as the Councilor of the General Affairs Department, but he hasn't been idle in the past two years. He supervised the training of the Eastern Sichuan regiment and assisted in the suppression of bandits in Northeast Guizhou. Now he leads the Eastern Sichuan regiment to come to Hubei to help suppress Changmao. Xiang Mao. How come he is not qualified to be promoted compared to those who have only worked through seniority before making any achievements?" Hu Linyi asked back, and then said: "The adults in the Military Aircraft Department thought very carefully. When drafting the order, they only mentioned the people before Han Xiufeng. I don’t mention the reason why I was promoted to an official position because I was worried that our Hubei officers and soldiers would be dissatisfied and it would affect the morale of our Hubei officers and soldiers.”

"If you don't mention why you were promoted, the people below will obey?"

"It's better than writing a letter to help suppress the bandits in Wuchang, Hubei," Hu Linyi paused, then changed the topic: "You only focused on him rising to the second rank, but you didn't care about the last sentence. The emperor actually ordered him to keep the military aircraft Zhang Jing Go on an extra walk, I think it's not as simple as it seems."

Yan Shusen was confused when he heard this and couldn't help asking: "He used to be a small military aircraft. The emperor asked him to continue to work as a small military aircraft after returning to Beijing. What's not easy about this? Anyway, Taichang Temple doesn't have any official duties. It's just for Hanlin officials." Steps into the body.”

Before Hu Linyi could speak, Wang Jiabi raised his head and said: "I don't know something. Although the military aircraft Zhang Jing's rank is low, he is on duty in the central government and is an important official. If there is a slight love affair, the relationship is very important. Therefore, the imperial court's employment and service of the military aircraft Zhang Jing , the regulations are very strict. As early as the fifth year of Jiaqing, Emperor Jiaqing issued an order: "Afterwards, those who are promoted to deputy envoys of the General Affairs Department and Shaoqing of Dali Temple do not have to walk on military aircraft Zhang Jing!"

"He has not been promoted within the department. He is neither the deputy envoy of the General Affairs Department nor the young minister of Dali Temple."

"The young minister of Taichang Temple is also a fourth-rank official. As a rule, he should withdraw from the military aircraft department and is no longer allowed to walk on the military aircraft Zhangjing."

Yan Shusen came to his senses and couldn't help but ask: "He used to be extra, and now he is extra. So the emperor made two exceptions because of him?"

Hu Linyi touched the corner of his mouth and muttered: "Although the extra walk before was an exception, it is not harmful. He has now become the second rank of the Qing Dynasty. The emperor also ordered him to take an extra walk on the military aircraft Zhang Jing. This is not only an exception, but also an exception.

It goes against the ancestral system. Logically speaking, Han Zhankedao should have remonstrated with him. Wen Zhongtang, Peng Zhongtang, Bai Zhongtang and other military ministers would also implore the emperor to think twice. However, the edict is still written clearly, so it is not that simple.

.”

"Master Hu, are you saying that Wen Zhongtang and Peng Zhongtang not only did not object, but instead helped the emperor deal with the censors on the grounds that just 'extra walking' does not violate the rules?"

"Probably, otherwise such a big event would never have been settled so quickly."

"So he is not only in the emperor's heart, but also Wen Zhongtang, Peng Zhongtang and other military ministers think highly of him."

Hu Linyi couldn't figure it out for a while, so he simply asked his personal guards to go to each camp to summon the soldiers on the reward list. After Li Xubin, Han Xiufeng and others arrived, they would place the incense table, bow to the palace, and then announce the decree.

Li Xubin was very happy at first, but when he heard that Han Xiufeng, who had just fought a small battle when he arrived in Hubei, was promoted to the second rank of the Qing Dynasty, he suddenly felt very unhappy.

Hu Daren and Wang Jiabi had a tacit understanding of helping Hu Linyi to comfort him. When he learned that the emperor had already rewarded Han Xiufeng for wearing a yellow mantle, and even promised Han Xiufeng to pass on the reward from heaven, he realized that Hu Linyi had shared the credit well.

.If we don’t give Han Xiufeng and the East Sichuan regiment he led some credit for their training, and just let Han Xiufeng stay in Hubei, God knows how many secrets Han will give to the emperor in a day.

Just when he was glad that Han Xiufeng was about to leave, Hu Linyi was sitting in the handsome tent and inviting Han Xiufeng to drink tea.

"Zhixing, I remember you said when you led the Eastern Sichuan regiment to stay in Hubei for a short time. It can be seen that you knew that the emperor would transfer you back to Beijing, and you knew that you would be entrusted with important tasks. No matter whether you had established a position in Hubei or not,

War exploits." Hu Linyi smiled

Laughing, he continued: "Although the young minister of Taichang Temple is not a junior nine minister, he is still an extremely noble junior fourth-rank Jingtang. But when I announced the decree just now, I saw something was wrong with your expression. There are no outsiders here, can you?

Tell me what happened."

From the moment he heard that Zhang Jingshang, who was still a military aircraft, was on an extra mission, Han Xiufeng realized that the emperor planned to let him continue to be the head shopkeeper of "Houyi Hall". And Wenxiang, the head shopkeeper, did a good job, so why did the emperor change the general at the last minute?

It can be seen that the situation in Guangdong is urgent.

Han Xiufeng even imagined that not only did the emperor hope that he could bring good news like last time when he returned, but Prince Zheng, Prince Yi, Peng Yunzhang, Mu Yin, Du Han and other princes and ministers also hoped that he could bring the same good news as last time.

The provocative foreigners died down.

But this time is different from the last time. The war in Crimea has been over, and England and France have already freed up their hands. They will either not start a war this time, or once they start a war, they will definitely not achieve their goals and will not give up.

The battle is difficult to win.

And, not only the civil and military ministers in the court would not agree, but even the emperor would not be willing to do so.

Seeing Hu Linyi's curious look and thinking that he might lose his reputation if he went to the capital, Han Xiufeng said worriedly: "Because what is supposed to come will eventually come, because this official position is not easy to do."

"What is supposed to come has finally come, brother Zhixing, what kind of riddle are you trying to solve in the fog?" Hu Linyi asked with a smile.

Houyitang keeps a low profile in the capital because it is worried about being targeted by a bunch of corrupt scholars.

Thinking that the feudal official in front of him was not only not pedantic at all, but also unscrupulous in order to achieve his goals. Also thinking that Pan Er, Li Tianbao and other fellow villagers would work under him in the future and would have to rely on his support in the future, Han Xiufeng felt that it was okay to hide it.

He said bluntly: "The foreigners are here. If nothing happens, it will be difficult for Mr. Ye to deliver the two hundred foreign cannons requested by Mr. Ye as scheduled."

Hu Linyi was shocked, stared at him and asked: "Brother, are you saying that foreigners want to provoke?"

"Not just provoking, but planning to start a war with us!" Seeing Hu Linyi's surprised look, Han Xiufeng smiled bitterly and said, "Your Excellency, you must be wondering how Xiufeng, who came from a charitable background, could have become a counselor of the General Affairs Department before.

Extra walking on the military aircraft Zhang Jing under the name Zhang Jing. Now

How can I be the young minister of Taichang Temple, and even continue to fly on the military aircraft Zhangjing? Now Xiufeng can tell the adults, not only because the emperor valued Xiufeng, but also because of Wen Zhongtang, Peng Zhongtang and Su

Lord Shun supported me, but it was because of the errands Xiufeng ran."

"Deal with foreigners?" Hu Linyi asked subconsciously.

"I feel ashamed to say that Xiufeng is deeply favored by the emperor, but not only is he not talented and knowledgeable, but he is also a clever woman who cannot make a living without rice. She can only find out and sort out barbarian information for the advice of the emperor and the ministers of the Military Aircraft Department. To put it bluntly, he is just a scout leader, and he can only make inquiries.

How can we deal with foreigners' news?"

Thinking that his promotion path was a bit unusual, Hu Linyi realized that his words were not false and asked, "But haven't you been in Dingyou in the countryside for the past two years?"

"Xiufeng has been in Dingyou, his hometown, for the past two years, but the small yamen that specializes in investigating and sorting out barbarian affairs was set up by Xiufeng. Those who inquire about barbarian affairs in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Macau, Xiamen, Fujian, Ningbo, Shanghai and other places,

They were also sent out before Xiu Feng returned to his hometown due to a vacancy. In short, this mission was not delayed by Xiu Feng's return to his hometown Ding You."

"So even though you have been in Dingyou in the countryside for the past two years, you have always been well-informed."

"Xiufeng is indeed better informed than adults about news involving barbarian affairs."

The imperial court was in a troubled time, and it could not start a war with foreigners who were more difficult to deal with while suppressing the rebellion. The more Hu Linyi thought about it, the more worried he became, and he suddenly stood up and said: "Wang Dakui!"

"My humble duty is here." The guard standing outside the tent said hurriedly.

"Step back twenty steps and guard the tent. No one is allowed to come near without my official's summons!"

"I humbly obey my orders!"

Hu Linyi still felt uneasy after thinking about it, so he went out to take a look, and then came back and said, "Brother, tell me what's going on in Guangdong now."

The war situation in Liangjiang has taken a turn for the worse. Yunnan, Guizhou, Shandong, and Henan are also not at peace. Now the foreigners are causing trouble again. Han Xiufeng really doesn't know how long the court can last. In his heart, he feels that he should have a good relationship with the frontier official who has a lot of troops in front of him.

Just tell me slowly what you know.

Hu Linyi was frightened when he heard this. He was silent for a while and then said solemnly: "If you think about it, it's not all Ye Mingchen's fault. Does he dare to make the decision? What kind of decision can he make? It's not easy for him either. In any case, he has at least been in the past few years.

Guangdong has been saved, and there is even room for help in helping the two rivers."

"Otherwise, the emperor would not have promoted him to Tiren Pavilion Grand Scholar, knowing that he always lied about barbarism."

Han Xiufeng rubbed his face and sighed softly: "But you can't get over it by being fooled. It's not easy for him to pass this test. If he can't pass this test, Xiufeng will have something to do. If he decides to fight, the emperor will definitely

Xiufeng will be ordered to serve in front of the battle; if he decides to make a peace with the emperor,

Nine times out of ten, Xiufeng will be ordered to follow one of the princes and ministers to talk to foreigners; in short, the fourth-grade Jingtang is not that easy to do. The emperor has given so much to Xiufeng, and Xiufeng should be returned to the emperor. The only thing he is worried about is

They are the brothers who have been with Xiu Feng through life and death in the past few years."

How could Hu Linyi not hear the implication of his words? He stared at him and said seriously and solemnly: "Brother Zhixing, your man Hu will take care of you, but Hu also has something to ask for."

"Your Majesty, your words are serious. If you have anything to do, just give me your instructions."

"If you can't fight with foreigners, don't fight. Hu can't say anything, but I can, so I rely on him for everything!" Seeing Han Xiufeng hesitate to speak, Hu Linyi said again: "Hu knows that once something happens to foreigners,

The civil and military ministers in the DPRK will all unanimously ask for a fight with the foreigners. Anyone who dares to ask for peace will be criticized by thousands of people. But for the sake of the world, what does our honor and disgrace count?"

Han Xiufeng thought to himself that you said it lightly. If it really comes to that point, do you dare to submit a petition for peace? Are you willing to leave eternal infamy even though you know there is no way to save it?

Thinking of this, Han Xiufeng shook his head slightly.

"My brother is not only deeply favored by the emperor, but also a person who has seen the world. Isn't he that pedantic?"

"Xiu Feng is not being pedantic, but he just doesn't want to do something he knows he can't do. To be honest, Xiu Feng has already made up his mind. If he really wants to go that far, Xiu Feng will never ask for peace, nor will he ask for a fight with foreigners.

It's because of the emperor's advice. The emperor asked Tan Xiufeng to follow the emperor's imperial envoy to talk to the foreigners. If the emperor gives way and starts fighting, Xiufeng will follow the imperial envoy who leads the army to fight to the death with the foreigners!"

"With all due respect to Hum, brother, you are not being pedantic, you are being foolishly loyal!"

Han Xiufeng knew very well that he could not be persuaded by the truth, so he said meaningfully: "The reason why Xiufeng plans to take the lead is not only because he is foolish and loyal, but also because he wants to have a good fight."

"What if we lose?"

"If you can win by chance, it will be great. If you lose, then lose. Sometimes losing is not necessarily a bad thing."

How could Hu Linyi fail to hear the implication of Han Xiufeng's words? Because only after being beaten in pain would the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty realize that the Qing Dynasty was no longer a dynasty, and would they truly understand Lin Wenzhong's "learn from the enemy and learn skills to defeat the enemy"

Good intentions, but still

Staring at him closely, he asked: "Have you ever thought that if you really start a fight with the foreigners, not only will you be completely defeated, but you will not only have to agree to the conditions proposed by the foreigners now, but you will even have to cede territory and pay compensation like during the Daoguang Dynasty?"

"I've thought about it, but what's the use of just thinking about it?" Han Xiufeng asked back, and said helplessly: "Now that things have happened, let alone Xiufeng, even if you speak loudly, it's useless."
Chapter completed!