Perhaps because there was no one else present, Song Yingchang's words struck deep into Xiao Ruxun's heart.
"I naturally understand, but Duke Song, I is not loyal to the Emperor alone. I is loyal to the entire Daming. I does not only protect the Emperor, but the entire Daming, including all the people of the Daming. All of them are within the scope of I's loyalty. Thus, even if that day comes, I will have a clear conscience."
Song Yingchang's face was cold, and his lips curled into a smile. "If the one sitting here today was a proper civil official, then tomorrow, your skin would be flayed, your tendons pulled out, and your three clans executed!"
"But Duke Song is not a proper civil official, so much so that Duke Song has received even more criticism than I. This is why I would say this, right? Duke Song? "
The corner of Xiao Ruxun's mouth also curled up into a smile.
"You're a good one, Xiao Ruxun! You've seen through this old man, so what else can this old man say? Indeed, just as you said, the situation of a civil marshal is even worse than that of a general. Thus, what do you want to do? Submit to this old man? Hahaha, then forget it. This old man can't even protect himself, so how can I talk about being your backer? If you want a backer, go find an assistant minister of the Cabinet or the Minister of the Six Ministries, especially the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Rites. One is a heavenly official, and the other is the Crown Minister. Who knows how many people want to curry favor with them? What use is there in looking for this old man? "
"At the very least, you can express your views on court politics, while I cannot. Moreover, I will not be staying in the capital for a long time. I intends to go to the southwest."
"The southwest? What do you mean? "
"I does not know what position the Emperor will give I, but at the very least, I know that I will no longer be the Ningxia Army Commander. I will either be transferred to Liaodong, transferred to Ji Town, or I will stay in the capital. I feel that staying in the capital is more likely."
Song Yingchang frowned. "Commander Rong Zheng of the capital?"
Xiao Ruxun nodded. "With I's military merits, he will either be conferred a noble title or be promoted to an official position. There are too few ways to get a promotion, so the possibility of him being conferred a noble title is higher. But I has just become an Earl of Peace, and if he wants to be conferred a noble title again, it will be against the rules. That's why I felt that the imperial court might give I a position in the capital and leave I in the capital. At the same time, it will be convenient to keep an eye on him, and at the same time, if the Mongolians invade south again, he will have another layer of protection.
"So, you want to go to the southwest to quell the rebellion?"
"Mm, if a general like I were to remain in the capital, he would assuredly become a bargaining chip in the struggle for power between the civil officials and the various factions. Even if I isn't willing, he would still be drawn into the fray, and there's a high chance that he would end up as a sacrifice. The best outcome would be to lose his position and retire early. This is something that I can't accept."
After some thought, Song Yingchang felt that given the conduct of the civil officials in the capital, it wasn't impossible for something like Xiao Ruxun's to happen.
"What you say is reasonable. It's not impossible. So, you still want to find a chance to send me out?"
Xiao Ruxun nodded. "Mm, that's right. Only on the battlefield is a general like I the safest. Thus, I needs someone to wave the flag and cheer for I, to support I in sending troops to quell the rebellion. That is the best way out for I. I can't remain in the capital."
Song Yingchang thought for a while and then calmly asked, "Based on what you're saying, Ji Xin, you intend to form an alliance with this old man and not submit to me?"
"Although this general is a general, I can't be a lackey of a sect."
"Fine. Since that's the case, what benefits can this old man obtain? Can you push this old man to the position of Minister of War? If you can do this, this old man will truly change his opinion of you. "
Song Yingchang looked with interest at Xiao Ruxun.
"If I had that kind of ability, the Daming General wouldn't be in such a difficult situation. However, I hopes that Duke Song can retreat in order to advance and not be restricted to the Ministry of War. Moreover, it's not like the Imperial Court doesn't understand Duke Song's situation. Based on His Majesty's current thoughts, if His Majesty intends to keep I in the capital, he will definitely keep Duke Song in the capital as well. However, his position might not be in the Ministry of War, but the Ministry of Works, or even the Ministry of Justice."
"What do you mean?"
"Because Minister of War Shi Xing didn't do anything wrong. If Duke Song replaces him, Duke Song won't be able to stabilize his position. However, if it's the less important Ministry of Works or the Ministry of Justice, it won't be that scary. Thus, Duke Song should use his own resources. Before he returns to the capital and before His Majesty makes a decision, he should hire someone to take up a post in the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Works. He should find a way to stay in the capital and not lead troops."
Xiao Ruxun's words caused Song Yingchang to attach great importance to them.
"You want this old man to take the initiative to transfer to the Ministry of Works or the Ministry of Justice and bide his time?"
Xiao Ruxun nodded.
"Of the Six Ministries, the Ministry of Justice is the lowest and the Ministry of Works the lightest. These two ministries have never been important battlegrounds for the high-ranking officials of the court to fight for power, but in certain special circumstances, these two ministries can play an important role and become the bargaining chips that those in power must obtain!"
Song Yingchang's eyes shone. "You mean …"
"Correct."
The more Song Yingchang thought about it, the more he felt that Xiao Ruxun's words were correct. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that Xiao Ruxun's words were reasonable. This truly was the case. If he rigidly stuck to the Ministry of War, not only would he never be able to wash away the mark of a civil general, he would also be driven out of the capital by those scoundrels. If he found another suitable position, he could retreat in order to advance, and he might be able to make a comeback.
Afterward, no one knew what Song Yingchang and Xiao Ruxun discussed, but in the days that followed, Xiao Ruxun visited Song Yingchang's tent more and more often. As the days passed, the day of the army's departure drew closer. Finally, the time had come. The ships were ready, the army was ready, and the King of Korea led a group of ministers from Seoul to Pusan to send off the Ming Dynasty Army and express his gratitude for Daming's grace of rebirth.
Although there had been all sorts of unpleasant experiences, although there had been all sorts of incidents where Daming's officials had bullied Korean officials, and although there had been incidents where the Ming Dynasty Army had bullied the Korean army, the Ming Dynasty Army had still helped the Koreans eliminate all the Japanese, protecting Korea, and allowing Korea to be restored. If not for Daming's troops, Korea would have ceased to exist.
No one could object to this.
Therefore, Li Zhi sincerely kowtowed in front of Song Yingchang and Xiao Ruxun several times to express his sincere gratitude. Then, Song Yingchang quickly helped him up, indicating that he could not do so.
The ministers under the King of Korea all knelt to express their gratitude to Commissioner Daming and the major generals. With this kneeling, the civil and military officials of Daming could accept it calmly.
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