Xiao Ruxun still had some special feelings for Lugou Bridge.
In another space and time, 339 years later, a short exchange of fire took place here, officially sounding the horn of a race's rebirth from the ashes.
The things carried by this bridge were really too heavy.
And now, she was in another space and time. Xiao Ruxun rode on a horse and stepped onto this bridge. In front of her was the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, who had voluntarily lowered himself to lead the horse for her. Behind her were her powerful comrades who had just achieved unparalleled feats.
What was even more amazing was that many of these comrades, starting from himself, were the heroes who had beaten that bold and arrogant country in Korea and Japan a few years ago. Together with them, he had destroyed that country's ambition and defeated that country's arrogance.
Now, walking on this bridge, the feelings in Xiao Ruxun's heart could only be described as profound.
It was probably also Shen Yicheng's order, or simply the Emperor's request. Xiao Daheng, as the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, was to personally lead Xiao Ruxun's horse and lead him across Lugou Bridge to the camp prepared for the meritorious soldiers on the north bank of Yongding River. The rest of the troops were to rest on the south bank and withdraw together after the prisoner offering ceremony at the Meridian Gate.
Xiao Ruxun declined for a long time, but he did not decline this matter. Xiao Daheng directly said that this was the Emperor's intention and asked Xiao Ruxun not to make things difficult for him, so Xiao Ruxun obeyed.
An official like the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War led his horse. This kind of honor was already something that all the generals in the Daming dared not even think about.
The most glorious time for scholars was when they were in the top three of the imperial examinations. There was a segment where they praised officials on the imperial street. The top three would be led by three civil officials, who would lead them through a street and enjoy the cheers and praises of the people.
It was like a dream, a dream so wonderful that they did not want to wake up from. Even many officials who were in the top three would miss that wonderful feeling when they had just passed the imperial examinations.
The ups and downs of the officialdom were full of dangers. If one was not careful, one could be decapitated. How could it be as comfortable as a sweet dream?
Xiao Ruxun also felt that wonderful feeling at this moment.
People chased after power and fame, and this was all they did.
On the north bank of the Yongding River, the imperial court had already sent people to renovate a military camp that had originally been set up here. It would serve as a camp for the meritorious soldiers who would participate in the ceremony of offering prisoners of war at the Meridian Gate. However, it was obvious that not all of the 10,000 people would participate in the ceremony. They could only select the most outstanding batch, which numbered about 1,000 people.
Only these one thousand people could truly reach the Meridian Gate and present themselves as captives, and see the existence of the Emperor with their own eyes.
As for the other 9,000 people, they could enjoy the same treatment, eat the same food, and even receive additional rewards. It was just that they could not personally participate in the captive offering ceremony, which was a rather regrettable thing.
The imperial court had prepared hot meals and hot water for the soldiers who had traveled a long way to eat. They could also take a hot bath to wash off their fatigue and change into new clothes. Then, they could prepare to participate in the ceremony of offering prisoners of war at noon the next day.
What Xiao Ruxun and the others did not know was that the cabinet and the six ministries had also gone through a series of arguments over the treatment of these soldiers. Because the expenses were not small, even after Shen Yicheng had absolute control over the affairs, there was still a huge internal dispute over the expenses.
Some people thought that almost 100,000 taels of silver was already a lot. Not to mention that there was still the reward for the three armies later on. That was all shiny silver. How could it be spent without hundreds of thousands of taels of silver? Would it be enough to satisfy those big-headed soldiers? In the end, they actually wanted them to eat meat!
Some people thought that if the soldiers returned after fighting hard for half a year without even a single meal of meat, it would show how cold the imperial court was. Wouldn't it dampen the morale of the army? Once the morale of the army was lost, how much shock would it bring to the imperial court?
More importantly, what would Xiao Ruxun think? What would he think if he saw that the imperial court didn't even give meat to the soldiers? Even if you don't think about the soldiers, you should think about Xiao Ruxun, right? He was going to be Duke Qin soon!
The opponents were arguing — Where was the silver? Where did the silver come from?
The supporters were also arguing — We confiscated so much silver. Can't you just take out hundreds of thousands of taels of silver?
The opponents were furious — Why didn't you take it out? Don't think that we don't know how much you've eaten!
The supporters were also furious — It's as if you haven't eaten anything, right? Are your stomachs going to burst?!
The two sides were about to fight. Shen Yicheng pounded the table and showed his dominance.
"Shut up! What time is it? Still tossing and turning, still quarreling? This is an urgent matter! If you can't even do this, what will His Majesty think? What will he think?! "
It was the first time that Shen Yicheng was so angry. Many people were scared and didn't dare to say a word.
However, there was still one person who didn't admit defeat. He said in a low voice, "Why don't we just ask His Majesty to take out some internal funds? His Majesty has at least a few million taels of silver!"
Shen Yicheng immediately glared at that guy.
"You, submit a report to His Majesty and ask His Majesty to reward the three armies! I'll do it right away! "
The man immediately shrunk his head and didn't say anything.
Shen Yicheng sighed heavily.
"The country is in a difficult situation. I know that everyone is having a hard time. But the more difficult it is, the more we have to work together to get through it! Each of you take out 10,000 taels of silver from the previous batch. "
This time, he was going to die. Shen Yicheng's words immediately caused a strong reaction.
"What do you mean, Minister?"
"How can we, the officials, be asked to pay for a national celebration?"
"It's not like there's no silver in the national treasury!"
"Why should we give our silver to those bastards?"
The officials and subordinates all started to complain about Shen Yicheng.
Until Shen Yicheng slammed the table and said, "It's fine if you don't pay, but take off your official robes and hats. Hand in your resignation tomorrow morning and leave. Otherwise, don't blame me, Shen Yicheng, for turning against you!"
Shen Yicheng glanced at everyone he could see with his sinister eyes.
Everyone remembered how Shen Yicheng had successfully turned the tables and killed Shen Li and Yu Jideng. Then, he continued to support his own people. They immediately fell silent out of fear and didn't dare to say anything. But it was really a little difficult to ask them to pay.
Daming, it was easy for the civil officials to swallow money, but it was difficult for them to pay. Everyone in the officialdom knew that.
Asking them to pay was like asking for their lives.
At this moment, they needed an example to occupy the moral high ground and threaten the rest of the people.
So, Shi Xing stood up, took out 10,000 taels of silver notes, and put them in front of Shen Yicheng.
"Shi Xing, Minister of War, donates 10,000 taels of silver to help the imperial court hold this ceremony!"
Song Yingchang sighed and also took out 10,000 taels of silver notes.
"Song Yingchang, Minister of Penalty, donates 10,000 taels of silver to help the imperial court hold this ceremony."
Then, Zhao Shiqing and Xiao Daheng followed closely and each took out 10,000 taels of silver. The people above had set an example. If the people below didn't follow, they might be put in a difficult position.
No matter how unwilling they were, they still had to pay.
As long as there's life, there's hope. They still had money to keep their official positions.
But when they saw 10,000 taels of silver leaving their hands, their hearts ached as if a piece of flesh had been torn off. It was so painful that they twitched and bled!
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