Fortunate Young Gentleman

The Shuhu and Jiagu tribes were secretly supported by Chen and Chu two years ago in order to contain the Wanyan tribe.

If Chen and Chu hadn't secretly funded them, Shuhu and Jiagu tribe would have been annexed by Wanyan tribe two years ago.

Chen Chu originally thought that this clever plan could curb the expansion of the Wanyan tribe and keep the border stable for at least more than ten years. However, the Wanyan tribe was so powerful that it only took two years to complete the unification of the tribe.

With their internal worries gone, their energy can naturally be focused on the two countries Chen and Chu.

A Wanyan tribe is strong enough. If coupled with the imminent invasion of the Western Region, even if Chen Guo has made sufficient preparations in the northwest, the officials of the Ministry of War who learned the news were still uneasy.

Tang Ning was well aware of the situation in the grassland and knew that the Wanyan tribe would be unified sooner or later. However, the time for their unification was earlier than he expected.

He is not worried about Chen Guo. Chen Huang intends to make the northwest land into an iron barrel and throw out a lot of money. Now that he is rich and wealthy, and he is not stingy with money at all, the poor ghosts on the grassland will be unable to beat him for a while. Come in.

Tang Ning was worried about Xiao Jue. The north was much more dangerous than the west. After Wanyan's unification, the soldiers in the north would face the Sushen people who were twisted into a rope, and the danger would be doubled.

In order to build a heavy cavalry, Emperor Chen has selected all the elites of the Sixteenth Guards and is now training them in weight-bearing and riding skills. In addition, he has also summoned all the blacksmiths in the Gyeonggi region to work day and night to build a heavy cavalry. Equipped with armor, even so, it will take at least half a year for this team to take to the battlefield.

Without this heavy cavalry team, it would be even more difficult for them to face the prairie people's cavalry.

From the moment this piece of information was sent to the capital, the war began.

After Zhou Shilang finished sighing, he looked at Tang Ning and said, "Master Tang, His Royal Highness Prince Duan and several other adults have been waiting for a long time. Let's go there quickly."

Today, Tang Ning came to the Ministry of War to discuss matters related to the military examination. Tang Ning followed Zhou Shilang to a certain government office. King Duan Huai and others had already arrived.

In addition, there were several generals from the Sixteenth Guards, Sun Qian, the right servant of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and other faces that were familiar to Tang Ning.

Tang Ning and Zhou Shilang sat down in the middle, and Prince Duan sat at the front. He looked at everyone and said, "Now that Master Tang and Master Zhou have arrived, I will start."

He stood up and said, "Everyone must already know the latest news from the front line."

"The Wanyan tribe has annexed the Jiagu tribe and the Shuhu tribe half a month ago, unifying the Sushen tribes. The north has been our enemy in the Central Plains since ancient times. After they stabilize their internal affairs, it will be a matter of time before they attack the Chen Kingdom." King Duan With a sullen face, he said: "The battle between Chen State and the grassland is inevitable. The purpose of this military exercise is to send enough generals to the front. My father has entrusted this important task to me. I hope to cooperate with you all." , finish this errand..."

Tang Ning has never had a head-to-head confrontation with King Duan, but from his previous performance in the court and his words today, it can be seen that King Duan is indeed somewhat more capable than the previous King Kang.

It's no wonder that Emperor Chen likes him more. If King Duan ascends the throne, he may not do much, but he won't make any big mistakes either.

King Duan made an impassioned speech, then looked at everyone and said: "There are still a few days until the martial arts competition begins. If you have any suggestions, you might as well speak up..."

Sun Qian, the right minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, thought for a while and said: "Back to Your Highness, although His Highness King Huai once suggested that Your Majesty should be lenient on the origin of those who participate in military examinations, the time for this rule to be implemented is limited, and preparations near the capital are still tense, and there are many more The state capital has not received any news. I believe that supplementary registration should be made for state capitals outside the capital. This way, it will be fair..."

Speaking of this matter, King Duan felt a little depressed.

It was clearly him who proposed the expansion of martial arts examinations. King Huai just suggested relaxing the origins of those who participated in the martial arts examinations. However, as the news spread, people did not mention his contribution. Instead, they all praised King Huai for his poor family background, which made him feel very sad. feel bad.

Sun Qian's suggestion made sense. After thinking about it, he nodded and said, "The younger brother of King Huai is responsible for this matter. Please arrange for someone to inform him."

King Huai nodded, indicating that he understood.

Tangning sat lazily on the chair and listened quietly to everyone's speeches.

King Duan proposed the expansion of martial arts, but it was King Huai who really played a role in promoting this matter.

Compared with the civil examination, the reason why the military examination has not been taken seriously for so many years is because the military examination is originally a supplementary election.

The good positions in the army have long been taken by the children of generals and nobles, leaving not many children of poor families.

When there are vacancies in the army, it will be the turn of these martial arts scholars, and the number of people selected in each military election ranges from dozens to only a dozen...

King Huai's move gave most of Chen Guo's poor disciples more opportunities for promotion.

The so-called poor are rich in literature and martial arts. Ordinary poor people cannot even afford to read books, let alone practice martial arts. But children from poor families are different. These people's families have rich conditions. They can learn riding and archery, and they can also afford tutors. What they lack is just a person. Chance.

Now that King Huai has given them this opportunity, these people will naturally be grateful to King Huai.

Although they are not powerful people, they represent a large part of the gentry and landlords in Chen State, and the energy of these people cannot be underestimated.

Everyone spoke one after another, adding a lot of details to the martial arts examination. After a certain general of the Sixteen Guards sat down, Prince Duan looked at Minister Zhou, who stood up and said, "What the adults said is right. What they want to say is what I want to say."

Prince Huai looked up at Minister Zhou, then lowered his head again.

Prince Duan looked away from him, suddenly looked at Tang Ning, and asked with a smile, "Lord Tang is resourceful. I wonder what you think about this?"

Tang Ning was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect Prince Duan to take the initiative to smile at him.

Everyone in the room also had a slightly different look on their faces. They had long known the relationship between Prince Duan, the Tang family, and Tang Ning. Prince Duan relied on the Tang family, and Tang Ning and the Tang family were incompatible. Prince Duan's initiative to show goodwill to Tang Ning was a bit confusing to them.

Tang Ning was stunned for a moment, then he said, "Minister Zhou is right, what the adults said is very good, I have nothing to add."

Prince Huai, who had been distracted with his head down, looked up at Tang Ning, his face was stunned.

Tang Ning said nothing, Prince Duan nodded, but did not force it, but looked at Prince Huai and asked, "What about my brother?"

Prince Huai thought for a while and said, "I think what Minister Zhou and Lord Tang said is right..."

Prince Duan was not surprised by Prince Huai's reaction, but was somewhat accustomed to it.

He has always been like this, only agreeing with others, and it is the same in front of his father. Because of this, he has never regarded him as a real opponent.

A prince without his own opinion cannot become an emperor.

He smiled, looked at everyone, and said, "Since everyone has nothing to say, let's stop here today. It's fate to work with you all. I will host a banquet in my mansion tonight. Please show me your kindness..."

"Of course."

"It's my honor."

...

Prince Duan has already stepped into the East Palace. No one dares not to give him this face. Everyone agreed. Prince Duan looked at Tang Ning, the only one who didn't say anything, and asked with a smile, "Where is Lord Tang?"

Everyone looked at Tang Ning, then at Prince Duan. It was almost certain that Prince Duan wanted to win over Tang Ning.

Come to think of it, although the two had a grudge in the past, Prince Duan's position as the crown prince will be decided. When he becomes the emperor in the future, Tang Ning will become his subject. How can a subject have a grudge with the emperor?

Prince Duan's move was to take a step back. As long as Tang Ning takes another step forward, this grudge can be resolved, and future disasters can be eliminated.

If he doesn't give face to Prince Duan now, wouldn't he be giving face to the future emperor? How could Prince Duan tolerate him then?

Tang Ning looked at Prince Duan, smiled, and said, "No, I have an appointment with my wife to practice martial arts tonight."

The smile on Prince Duan's face froze. Minister Zhou saw that things were not going well, pulled Tang Ning's sleeve, and whispered, "Practicing martial arts is so tiring, Lord Tang, why don't you go to His Highness's residence with me, drink fine wine, and enjoy singing and dancing, wouldn't it be fun?"

"I'm a little tired..." Tang Ning looked at Minister Zhou, shook his head, and said, "But I still like practicing martial arts."

Tang Ning walked out of the room, waved to everyone, and said, "My wife will blame me if I go back late. Everyone, see you later."

Prince Duan stood there, watching Tang Ning's figure disappear, his face completely darkened.