Chapter 1374

"If you do not want to force the Marquis of Pingjiang into rebellion, then stop spouting nonsense."

Xie Changling's expression was solemn.

"Regardless of whether you admit it or not, the troops in the hands of the Marquis of Pingjiang are currently the most capable fighting force of the Great Ming. Against the army currently suppressing bandits in the south, do you have any confidence in defeating his troops?"

The crowd fell silent at once.

There were still those who were unconvinced.

"Even if we can't beat him, we can drag him to death. Without the court's supply of grain and fodder, what will he, the Marquis of Pingjiang, use to fight a war?"

Xie Changling sneered; how truly naive. Did they really think that without the court, the Marquis of Pingjiang would be a clever housewife unable to cook without rice?

He said with an indifferent tone: "Without the court's supply of grain and fodder, with so many gentry and powerful clans in the north, would he worry about lacking grain and fodder?"

"He wouldn't dare!" The crowd's expressions changed in unison.

"What is there that he wouldn't dare to do? By sealing the passes, not a single person would be able to escape the Northwest. Everyone, especially the local gentry and wealthy households, is his money and grain. It is enough to supply him for his campaign south. Therefore, if you do not want to force him into rebellion, stop saying things without basis."

Xie Changling's tone was understated.

Precisely because he saw through everything, he strongly advocated for compromise rather than forcing the Marquis of Pingjiang into rebellion. If it can be coordinated, then coordinate; do not act on impulse. Do not use grand principles to nag. Grand principles are worth nothing, except perhaps when impeaching, when educating, or when admonishing the Emperor. To a martial man who holds heavy troops and has a firm will, grand principles are not even as good as toilet paper.

"The Marquis of Pingjiang's family is all in the capital; is he not afraid of the court executing his nine generations?"

Xie Changling laughed again, wondering why they always used the set of threats meant for ordinary people on a martial man holding heavy troops.

He held his forehead and said: "Among the many impeachments, one of them is impeaching the Marquis of Pingjiang for not cultivating private virtue. In the Northwest, every notable gentry and wealthy household must send him gifts and send him women. He has long since sired several little brats, and there are still several more in the bellies of others. Even if you executed his nine generations, he still has a string of children; what is there to fear?"

The crowd was silent!

"What about the two court officials who were killed?"

Xie Changling gave a cold snort, "I already said it was an accident; giving their families a little more pension is better than anything else."

"This thief Chen Guanfu is black-hearted and ruthless. We should strip him of his office!"

"Impossible! Since we must stabilize the Marquis of Pingjiang and not let him rebel, we cannot touch Chen Guanfu."

"This thief Chen Guanfu, how dare he execute court officials. Who gave him the guts?"

"When Chen Guanfu was leading troops in the south, a reputation for being black-hearted and ruthless spread; he killed without blinking. Compared to his old man, he is a wolf. Minister, we must be on guard!"

Xie Changling looked at the starry sky, his thoughts somewhat chaotic, "The most urgent matter right now is how to advance the immigration strategy. It is very clear that the Marquis of Pingjiang intends to reconcile with the court and is willing to flee overseas to lead a region himself. We must not brush aside his good intentions; we should strive to promote this matter and fight for the early implementation of the immigration strategy. Moreover, this also happens to align with His Majesty's wishes."

"Minister Xie's words are reasonable."

"Let's spare this thief Chen Guanfu for now!"

"I hope the Marquis of Pingjiang does not repeat the same mistakes, does not cut himself off from the world, and cooperates well with the court's immigration, unloading all his duties in the Northwest as soon as possible to go overseas and oversee the navy."

The crowd spoke all at once, and when they reached a point of excitement, they drank and sang, feeling quite happy.

Chen Guanlou listened to the suggestion of his eldest sister Chen Xiaolan and sent many gifts to the Prince's heir Song Anxu, most of which were things he had no use for.

After many days, he finally received a return gift from the other party, as well as a reply letter.

It was born!

In the season of spring warmth and flowers blooming, Song Anxu gave birth to a six-jin son, who was especially healthy. It was indeed his genes.

Song Anxu said in the letter that if he had the heart, he should send some gifts for the child. Don't just send them to her. She had everything and didn't need anything. Moreover, she didn't mind one more person doting on the child. She also said that a while ago, her father the Prince looked like he wasn't going to make it, and they had reported it to the Imperial Clan Court, just waiting for him to breathe his last. As it turned out, he came back to life, and his body was getting better day by day.

Chen Guanlou laughed out loud when he saw this.

The Prince of Lu was unwilling to hand over the throne to his daughter; he was struggling and didn't want to die!

He continued reading the letter.

Song Anxu said in the letter that her father the Prince liked the child she gave birth to very much, and it looked like he couldn't wait to skip over her directly and pass the throne to his grandson. She was a bit uncomfortable.

A little brat, just because he had a little bit more, could he replace her?

What kind of joke was that?

She complained vigorously in the letter.

She truly treated Chen Guanlou as a "good girlfriend" to whom she could tell all her secrets!

Chen Guanlou clicked his tongue twice; he only wanted to be the child's father.

He also understood clearly why Song Anxu told him everything; it was because from the very beginning, the two of them were open and honest with each other, speaking plainly, and could say anything.

Therefore, for Song Anxu, he should be the only person to whom she could reveal her true thoughts, without worrying about him backstabbing her, and even less worrying about him spreading rumors.

His mouth was very tight!

This point was well-known.

The letter also included a portrait of the child, which was very realistic—a round, chubby little child who looked very cute.

Chen Guanlou decided to make a few copies of the portrait and send them to his eldest sister Chen Xiaolan.

The ready-made realist painter, his niece's husband Mu Wenxu, was pressed into service.

Mu Wenxu stared at the portrait, "Whose child is this? So cute."

"Mine!"

Chen Guanlou looked smug.

He suddenly felt the joy of raising a child from a distance—no poop or pee, no crying or howling, no little devil, only a round, chubby portrait. How truly cute!

The decision not to get married and not to raise a child himself was indeed correct.

Mu Wenxu opened his mouth wide, "Uncle has a child."

"It was so lively last year; didn't you hear?"

"I heard. I just didn't expect the child to be born so quickly, and he's already grown so big and round."

"What round? That's chubby. You're a physician; do you really not understand that a woman is pregnant for ten months, or are you pretending not to?"

"I understand, I understand. It's just that I rarely see pregnant women for consultations, so I forgot for a moment."

Mu Wenxu felt embarrassed.

Chen Guanlou didn't hold it against him, "Copy the portrait; it must be exactly the same. I'm planning to give it to your mother-in-law for her collection, you understand, right?"

Mu Wenxu indicated that he understood.

Copying—he was too good at that.

Drawing from a model, he would definitely be able to draw it exactly the same. He could even draw human organs exactly the same; a mere portrait was nothing to him.

"Draw it well, and I'll give you a death-row prisoner to practice on for free."

"Can I test medicine?"

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow, looking very disdainful, "Don't push your luck. It's fine for Medical Official Mu to test medicine, but not you. You're still wet behind the ears; you can't handle things reliably. Practicing is fine, but testing medicine—are you even good at dispensing medicine?"

"I am the best at dispensing medicine in my family's medical clinic." Mu Wenxu was very proud. He was the one with the strongest talent for medicine in the younger generation of the Mu family.

"That still won't do. Wait until you're twenty years old." Chen Guanlou refused sternly. When it came to medicine, one should still maintain a serious attitude and not make promises lightly.

"I'll be twenty next year."

"Then we'll talk about it next year!"