"This subject proposes that Great General Tongluo Great General Abusi assume the post of Qixi Protector-General! Great General has worked hard and rendered great service, and his strength is not one bit inferior to Fomonlința's. This subject believes that with him, Qixi will forever be safe and sound. "
Imperial Censor Hao sternly said as he stepped out of the ranks.
"Buzz!"
Great General Tongluo had been coldly watching from the sidelines, but Imperial Censor Hao's words were like a bolt from the blue, and his entire face paled. He had been listening to the argument between the King of Song and King Qi, but he had never imagined that the flames of war would burn him.
"Your Majesty, no!"
Albus knelt on the floor with a thud and lowered his head.
"Ever since His Majesty became Protector-General, the Tongluo clan has always stood guard at His Majesty's side. Abusi is willing to stand guard at His Majesty's side and never leave. This lowly subject appreciates Imperial Censor Hao's kind intentions! "
As he spoke, Abusi's face paled.
Although the position of Qixi Protector-General was extremely prestigious and lofty, it had already become the target of public criticism. Countless ambitious people were vying for this position. Even members of the imperial family like the King of Song and King Qi were involved. For Imperial Censor Hao to recommend him at this time was no different from throwing him over a fire rack to roast.
Moreover, although the Protector-General was a high position, how could it compare to the emperor's personal attendant? Fomonlința had spent so much effort to sneak into the capital and get close to the emperor. Was he going to do the exact opposite and run all the way to Qixi?
Imperial Censor Hao had interrupted the King of Song and King Qi to recommend Great General Abusi, but Abusi was still unwilling. The atmosphere in the hall instantly became lively, and everyone began to feel restless.
"Your Majesty, this subject recommends Protector-General Xianyu Zhongtong …"
At this moment, Yang Zhao suddenly stepped forward, a stern expression on his face. But before he could finish, he was interrupted.
"Lord Yang, are you joking? Xianyu Zhongtong was already the Protector-General of the southwest. Was that not enough? Did he still want him to hold multiple posts? Based on this line of thought, can I also recommend Andong Protector-General Zhang Shougui, Beiting Protector-General An Sishun, and Anxi Great General Gao Xianzhi? "
Assistant Minister Liu Shao of the Ministry of Personnel said with a cold expression as he stood beside a huge coiling dragon pillar.
"Hmph, how could Xianyu Zhongtong be like the other Protector-Generals? In the southwest, the Mengshe Zhao Empire had completely submitted, while the Ouzan Empire's Ngari Royal Faction had also completely collapsed. For at least a few decades, they would not be able to make a comeback. The entire southwest was currently at peace. Could the Andong Protectorate achieve this? Could the Beiting Protectorate do it? So why can't Xianyu Zhongtong do it? "
Yang Zhao held his head high and said confidently,
"In addition, Xianyu Zhongtong was originally a Protector-General, so assuming the post of Qixi Protector-General is a surefire and easy task. Your Majesty, please consider it!"
The crowd in the hall coldly sneered as they watched. Everyone understood what Yang Zhao was thinking. This was clearly the southwest branch trying to encroach on the northwest and expand its own power.
"Your Majesty, this subject proposes that Duke of Guo Chai Zhiyi and Duke of Tan confer Zhiru!"
While Yang Zhao and Liu Shao were still arguing, another voice came from another seat in the hall. Minister of Revenue Zhou Jing gripped his tablet and suddenly spoke.
"The ancestors of the Duke of Guo and Duke of Tan were both founding ministers of their countries. Their ancestors followed Emperor Gaozong and Emperor Taizong in conquering the world, and they are loyal and devoted to the Tang dynasty. Moreover, both of them are clans of ministers and generals, and the art of war and martial arts have been passed down from generation to generation. With them as Qixi Protector-General, Your Majesty will have nothing to worry about. "
The hall fell silent at Zhou Jing's words. Even Yang Zhao, who was eager to expand his influence, shut his mouth, a look of apprehension in his eyes.
Founding Dukes!
The appearance of these three words in any place would assuredly lead to a thorny problem, and all the parties involved would be filled with apprehension. The reason was very simple. In the Tang dynasty, founding dukes did not refer to just one or two clans, but a group of ancient and powerful factions. They had been operating since the founding of the Tang dynasty, and they had a long history and flourishing roots. They had taken root in the Tang dynasty and were inextricably linked to the imperial household.
Although these founding dukes were slowly declining, no longer able to live up to the glory of their ancestors, no one in the Tang dynasty dared to look down on them.
Zhou Jing had recommended the Duke of Guo, Chai Zhiyi, and the Duke of Tan, Feng Zhiru. No one would believe that he didn't have someone backing him. What everyone found very difficult to grasp was whether Zhou Jing had the intentions of just one or two clans or the entire group of founding dukes of the Tang dynasty behind him. But no matter which one it was, it signified a massive change. The group of founding dukes that had been silent for so long was slowly beginning to emerge, hoping to once more exert their power in the military, and the position of Qixi Protector-General was an excellent opportunity.
When it came to this faction, everyone felt that it was a thorny problem.
Half the court instantly fell silent. Many of the officials who had wanted to use this chance to recommend their trusted aides hesitated, wanting to speak up, but they were also filled with apprehension.
"Your Majesty, this subject recommends the Wolf Smoke General Zhang Zhengbei!"
It was also at this moment that everyone suddenly heard an abrupt voice. Hearing this voice, Minister Zhou Jing of the Ministry of Personnel was furious. The Feng family and the Chai family were both deep-rooted forces in the court. He had been preparing for this court discussion for a long time. He didn't expect that someone would interfere at this time and interrupt him.
"Bastard! I'd like to see just who it is that wants to oppose the Feng Clan and Chai Clan at this time … "
Zhou Jing fiercely turned his head, hatefully glaring at the speaker. With just a glance, Zhou Jing was instantly struck dumb.
Zhao Kuang!
Zhou Jing originally thought that the person who dared to mention the Feng family and the Chai family in front of him and dared to oppose him like this would at least be a minister or assistant minister of one of the six ministries, or at least a secondary second-rank official, or even a secondary first-rank official. However, he never expected that it would be a secondary third-rank official. Zhao Kuang was only a minor minister in the Bureau of Military Personnel, two ranks below him.
But this was not the most important point. Although Zhao Kuang was a minor official, everyone in the court knew of the person behind him.
The First Prince!
As this thought flashed through Zhou Jing's mind, his face paled.
Could it be that the First Prince also wants to interfere with this Qixi Protector-General position?!
It was also at this moment that Zhou Jing suddenly remembered that the Wolf Smoke General that Zhao Kuang had mentioned was rumored to have submitted to the First Prince and become one of the generals under the First Prince's banner. It was just that the Royal Court had never had any evidence. Moreover, the First Prince and Zhang Zhengbei had never interacted with each other, and there was no evidence of a close relationship between the two, so no one had taken it seriously.
But now, everything was different. If Zhao Kuang's words were truly the First Prince's, then this matter had become a thorny problem. Although the Feng Clan and Chai Clan represented the most ancient and deep-rooted factions of the Tang dynasty, the First Prince was the candidate for the future Tang Emperor, the successor to the Holy Emperor. To oppose the future Holy Emperor for the sake of a Qixi Protector-General was extremely unwise.
"This is troublesome!"
Zhou Jing's brow instantly creased. It was clear that the situation had taken a turn for the worse, one that he had never expected. And if Zhou Jing could think of something, the other officials could also clearly think of it. Even the King of Song and King Qi, these two Imperial Princes of the Tang dynasty, couldn't help but frown.
"What is Ying 'er trying to do?"
The King of Song's brow creased in thought. He heard Zhao Kuang's voice continue.
"… Zhang Zhengbei has guarded the border fortress for seven or eight years, always taking the initiative in Beiting. In a year, he has repelled seventy or eighty Turkic assaults, both big and small. In addition, he has been very active in providing reinforcements to the other fortresses. Under his watch, the Turks are extremely apprehensive, and even now, they do not dare to take a single step forward. Moreover, in the crusade launched by Beiting Protector-General An Sishun last year, Zhang Zhengbei also made great contributions, killing the most soldiers of the Western Turkic Khaganate and capturing the most. He is an active supporter of war against the Western Turks. This lowly subject believes that if Zhang Zhengbei is chosen as Qixi Protector-General, he will be able to resist the Ouzan and the Western Turks to the east, stabilizing the situation in Qixi. "
"Hmph, Zhao Kuang, are you lying through your teeth? Just what kind of position is Qixi Protector-General? Is it something that just anyone can replace? Could it be that anyone with some achievements in the frontier fortress could become Protector-General? Do you think that the Great Generals of the Western Turkic Khaganate are just decorations? If Zhang Zhengbei is so formidable, why doesn't he attack the Western Turkic Khaganate's tent? If the Western Turkic Khaganate advances westward and Qixi is lost, can you bear the responsibility? Is a war between a frontier fortress and a war between Great Generals the same? This is child's play! "
At this moment, an impolite voice rang out. Not far from Zhao Kuang, a minor third-rank official of the Bureau of Revenue, Ye Zhun, had suddenly stepped forward. Ye Zhun was around thirty-six or thirty-seven, with a fair complexion and long and narrow eyes. Not just in age, but also in standing, he was the same as Zhao Kuang.
"Your Majesty, this subject wishes to impeach Zhao Kuang for dereliction of duty! For Zhao Kuang to recommend a puny frontier general for such an important position as Qixi Protector-General, he truly harbors malicious intentions. This lowly subject believes that he should be killed! "
The words' should be killed 'immediately caused the atmosphere in the imperial court to become extremely tense. A normal court discussion about the Qixi Protector-General candidate was instantly filled with smoke, its flavor completely changing.
"Ye Zhun, what nonsense are you spouting? Zhang Zhengbei is proficient in the Hu language and has many Hu generals under his command. In terms of controlling the Hu, he has a unique advantage. With him as Qixi Protector-General, the masses will naturally be convinced and the Hu will be united. Isn't this wonderful? It's you, Ye Zhun, who are spouting nonsense. Your Majesty, this subject wishes to impeach Ye Zhun for disturbing the court and showing no respect for the sovereign. Your Majesty, please punish him! "
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