On the morning of the 14th of May, just after dawn, Shi Xing got up early. After washing up, he changed into his official robes with his wife's help.
"Tomorrow is the prisoner offering ceremony. I might come back late today. If you're tired, go to bed first. Don't wait for me."
Shi Xing said to his wife.
Madam Shi was a typical lady who didn't care much about the outside world. She only cared about the food and clothing of her husband, the children's food and clothing, and their studies. She didn't care about anything else.
Naturally, Madam Shi didn't know much about the explosive news in the capital. However, she knew that the imperial court was going to hold a prisoner offering ceremony. This was not the first time Shi Xing had mentioned it to her.
She also knew that this matter had a lot to do with Shi Xing becoming a cabinet assistant.
Shi Xing had been looking forward to it and didn't hesitate to get up early to prepare.
"Yes, Master, take care of yourself. Don't tire yourself out."
Madam Shi said gently and virtuously.
Shi Xing nodded and didn't say anything else. Madam Shi also went out to prepare breakfast for Shi Xing. Shi Xing tidied up his appearance and stepped out of the bedroom. He bumped into a servant.
"Master, there's someone outside with a letter. He says it's from Xiao Zhennan. He asks Master to give Xiao Zhennan a reply as soon as possible."
Shi Xing was stunned.
"Where's the letter?"
The servant handed it to him.
Shi Xing quickly opened the letter.
The content was simple. It said that Xiao Ruxun hoped that Daming would use the momentum of this victory to attack the Northern Barbarians and restore the dominance that Daming had over the Northern Barbarians during the Hongwu and Yongle periods. He also wanted to train the cavalry and reduce the expenditure on the nine sides. He wanted to use more resources to attack instead of repairing the Great Wall.
The letter also mentioned that the Ministry of War's Left Assistant Minister Xiao Daheng was noncommittal about Shi Xing's opinion and was evading the topic. It was clear that he did not intend to agree with Shi Xing. Xiao Ruxun wanted to ask Shi Xing if he had the same opinion.
After reading the letter, Shi Xing was stunned for a while, then shook his head and smiled bitterly.
He really admired Xiao Ruxun. Although the reason why he chose Xiao Ruxun at first was because of the emperor's request, he later admired Xiao Ruxun's ability to lead and train troops more and more. Several major battles, big and small, had fully proved that Xiao Ruxun was a rare and outstanding general.
If such a good general was born in Hongwu … no, Yongle period, he would probably be put in an important position. Unfortunately, in this period, how could Shen Yicheng allow such a large-scale change in national policy?
Shen Yicheng wanted power and stability, not variables. Shi Xing was very clear about this. Shen Yicheng had directly stated that he hoped Daming would settle down and not cause any more trouble. Now that the Northern Barbarians had finally been defeated, how could Shen Yicheng allow Xiao Ruxun to start another war?
There was no need to even think about it.
This letter was probably not only the intention of Xiao Ruxun alone, but it was also the intention of those generals who had made great contributions to the army. They wanted to know what the Imperial Court thought of appointing them.
After tasting such a wonderful feeling, these generals would probably have more ideas.
And all of this was what Shen Yicheng didn't want to see.
Shi Xing himself might not want to see this. After all, he was also a civil official, suppressing the generals was one of his duties.
But there was no doubt that when the generals made great contributions, he, as the Minister of Defense, would naturally benefit. Shen Yicheng promised him to enter the Cabinet, not without the contributions of the generals. His position would also rise accordingly. Even after entering the Cabinet in the future, his position would need to continue to be promoted by his former subordinates.
This was especially so for Xiao Ruxun. Xiao Ruxun, whom he had promoted single-handedly, was seen by many officials as Xiao Ruxun's backer in the court. And he had indeed spoken up for Xiao Ruxun many times, even though it was of no use.
In this way, he was also dissatisfied.
He needed to make use of the rising prestige of the generals to promote him into the Cabinet. More importantly, he needed this prestige so that he wouldn't become a marginal Cabinet Elder, like Zhao Zhigao, who didn't have any real power. He needed a base and a faction that could support him.
The Ministry of War, which had been in operation for many years, was the best base. And there was no doubt that Xiao Ruxun was seen as a member of his faction.
Xiao Ruxun's question must have a part of the reason behind it.
However, now that Shen Yicheng had brought down Shen Li and Yu Jideng with his great prestige, even the Imperial Censorate didn't say anything, let alone Shi Xing.
Shi Xing smiled bitterly. He went to his study and quickly wrote a reply to Xiao Ruxun. He asked the messenger to pass it to Xiao Ruxun, and then he left home.
At the same time, another letter was sent from Song Yingchang's residence.
At the end of the morning, Xiao Ruxun received the reply from Shi Xing and Song Yingchang in the barracks. After reading it, Xiao Ruxun quietly burned the letter and quietly ate his breakfast. After breakfast, Xiao Ruxun led the major generals to prepare to welcome the ceremonial emissary sent by the Ministry of Rites.
After a whole day of arduous rehearsals, the group of soldiers who had never come into contact with the standard etiquette finally grasped the whole process. Xiao Ruxun had participated in the entire process, but it had been a long time and he had forgotten most of it.
After a day of hard work, the thousands of soldiers were exhausted. However, it was a symbol of glory, so it didn't matter if they were a little tired.
After dinner, when Xiao Ruxun and Wang Hui were discussing some details for the next day, Li Rusong came to Xiao Ruxun's tent.
"Governor, I have something to say to you."
Li Rusong looked a little hesitant, completely different from his usual careless and boorish appearance.
"What's wrong?"
Xiao Ruxun asked.
"I … I think that my father is old and lives alone in the bitter cold of Liaodong. I am very worried. Therefore, after the ceremony, no matter what position the imperial court will give to me, I think that the position of the Liaodong Army Commander is enough, so that I can take good care of my father."
Li Rusong stated his purpose for coming here.
Wang Hui looked at Li Rusong in surprise.
Xiao Ruxun, on the other hand, took a deep breath as if she understood.
"Okay, no problem. I can help you explain to Shi Butang, and you can lead the troops back to Liaodong to continue to guard Liaodong."
Li Rusong didn't expect that Xiao Ruxun would agree without asking a few more words, so he was a little surprised.
But soon he came to his senses.
"Thank you for your understanding. Governor, there is one more thing that I have to say."
"Please go ahead."
"The capital is not a place where you can stay for a long time. Governor Xiao should go back to Myanmar."
Li Rusong slowly opened his mouth and said, "This is what my father told this general at Zijing Pass. Governor, please reconsider."
Xiao Ruxun didn't hesitate and nodded, "I see. Thank you for your kindness. After this farewell, I don't know when we can meet again. I hope you take care of your health and don't take risks, so that we can meet again in the future."
Li Rusong was stunned for a moment.
Then he cupped his hands, "I understand. I thank you, Governor."
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