Chapter 345

In the Qingming season, the weather in Guangzhou is exceptionally lively. It is cold and hot, jumping back and forth between the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

In the morning, the cold wind is biting, and by the morning, the scorching sun is hanging high.

The changeable weather suffered the group of officials waiting at the city gate.

They all came in winter clothes, and at this time, one by one was sweating profusely from the heat.

No matter how hot, they can only hold it in; under the eyes of everyone, officials must pay attention to their own image.

"Viceroy, the triumphant team will arrive in a while; why don't you go to the back to rest first.

When the team arrives, we will send someone to notify you to come over."

Seeing the official sedan chair of the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang land, Guangzhou Prefect Lu Junyou stepped forward to advise.

Today is the day the Guangdong and Among Guangxi troops return from the front line. To show importance, a group of officials arrived at the city gate early to wait.

As the highest military and political officer in Guangdong and Among Guangxi, the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang naturally appeared last.

He changed into summer clothes before setting off, forming a sharp contrast with the group of officials wearing cotton-padded clothes.

"No need!

The triumphant army is not far from here; it is estimated that they will arrive in about a stick of incense."

Hou Jue of Marquis Wuyang shook his head and refused.

This high-standard welcoming ceremony was all handled by him.

Making such a big move, besides welcoming the triumphant team, is also to appease the hearts of the people.

The White Lotus Sect rebel army made too much noise, seriously impacting the ruling foundation of Great Great Dayu.

Although Guangdong and Among Guangxi were recovered by the imperial court, there are still remnants of the rebel army among the people.

These people are either hiding in the countryside or retreating into the deep mountains to become bandits, all of which are unstable factors.

Relying on military strikes to find these people is by no means something that can be completed overnight.

The best choice is to attack the heart.

Using actual actions to prove the strength of the imperial army and breaking the unrealistic fantasies of these guys will make the local area stable.

It can also beat the gentry and sea merchants of Guangdong and Among Guangxi, letting them know that the world is the world of Great Great Dayu, and it is not their turn to be arrogant.

Time flies, and after a stick of incense, the earth suddenly trembled.

A murderous army appeared in everyone's sight with neat steps.

Riding a tall horse and walking at the forefront of the team, Li Mu waved his hand and ordered when he arrived at the city gate.

"Stop!"

The mighty team stopped in an instant, and the neat and uniform actions shocked the group of officials.

Anyone could see at a glance that this team was a strong army of the time.

"Viceroy, your subordinate has not failed the mission!"

After dismounting, Li Mu performed a bow to the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang.

"Marquis of Marquis Hanshui, you have broken the rebels in Huguang and raised the military prestige of our Guangdong and Among Guangxi; no need for such courtesy."

Hou Jue of Marquis Wuyang returned the salute.

Soon the two entered the mode of reminiscing about the past, ignoring the existence of the rest of the officials.

This scene made the group of civil officials very uncomfortable.

However, if they were unhappy in their hearts, they could only hold it in first.

As Marquises of Great Great Dayu, the status of the two was higher than everyone else present.

In a feudal dynasty with strict hierarchy, the behavior of the two fully complied with the etiquette.

Smart people could see that this was the two of them raising each other's status, intending to suppress everyone.

The reason is very simple: the power overlap between the Viceroy and local officials is very serious.

After the situation in Guangdong and Among Guangxi was stable, civil officials participated in local governance.

The power in the hands of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Administration Commissioner, and Provincial Surveillance Commissioner increased greatly, which to a certain extent weakened the Viceroy's authority.

These acts of seizing power were all carried out under the political game rules.

The power of the group of local officials is clearly stipulated in the Great Great Dayu law, and the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang cannot stop everyone from performing their duties.

However, the status of the Viceroy is ultimately higher.

Not being able to stop officials from exercising power does not mean there is no way to give them small shoes to wear.

This scene before us is a warning.

While reminiscing about the past, the two walked into the city with courtesy, making the group of civil officials feel numb.

Knowing that they were wearing thick cotton-padded clothes, they still held such a walk, which was clearly intended to watch their jokes.

The two big shots moved forward quickly, and the group of officials could only bite the bullet and follow.

"Viceroy, Master Duan fainted."

The news brought by the personal guard made the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang suppress his laughter.

"Master Duan is old and still works for the imperial court; now that he has fainted, this is my lack of concern for my subordinates as a Viceroy!

Hurry up and arrange for someone to treat Master Duan; you must not hurt his body.

In the future, everyone should share more of the affairs in the yamen and don't go to trouble Master Duan."

The seemingly concerned words were actually fatal.

The fainted Master Duan was only in his forties, far from being old.

Giving such a comment in officialdom means that his official career has come to an end.

The "don't trouble" behind it is a direct usurpation of power.

For officials, they are not afraid of heavy burdens, but they are afraid of having nothing to do.

The words of the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang were almost explicitly telling this "Master Duan" to resign and go home to retire.

Having the first unlucky guy made the officials who were physically exhausted and wanted to pretend to faint instantly dispel their previous thoughts.

Watching the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang skillfully kill the chicken to warn the monkey, Li Mu knew that his old superior was no longer the salty fish Commander of the Five Cities Patrol Battalion.

Facts have proved that officialdom really can train people.

……

Viceroy's Mansion.

"Viceroy, it seems that someone is restless during the days I was away?"

Li Mu picked up the teacup and asked with a smile.

The affairs in Guangdong and Among Guangxi naturally could not hide from his eyes.

However, some things have different meanings when said by people of different identities.

"You saw it too.

That's right, those civil officials feel that the war is over and my Viceroy position is redundant.

One by one, they are secretly connecting, wanting to drive me, this Viceroy, away."

Hou Jue of Marquis Wuyang mocked unceremoniously.

The struggle for power has always been cruel.

With him, this Viceroy, suppressing them, the officials below felt uncomfortable doing anything.

The concept of valuing civil officials over military ones has long permeated the bones of many people in the past hundred years.

The meritorious nobility group came out of the mountains to hold power again, and many people were not used to it in their hearts.

Civil officials wanting to join forces to squeeze out the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang is the most normal struggle means in officialdom.

"Since they are so active, give them more tricky government affairs to arrange.

Especially in the newly recovered areas, it is exactly the time when officials are lacking; why not let them go."

Li Mu gave a damaging idea with a straight face.

Hou Jue of Marquis Wuyang holds the positions of Viceroy of Guangdong and Among Guangxi and Viceroy of Jiangnan, and has the right to adjust the officials under his rule in the name of secondment.

The rear must abide by political game rules, but the front line is the law of the jungle.

Rebel remnants don't care about the dignity of the official's status.

If there is an opportunity to attack high-ranking officials, people will only be more excited.

If a few unlucky guys die, everyone will know how to be safe.

"The conditions are not ripe!

Holding the positions of two major Viceroys, I am already very eye-catching in the court.

Censors often impeach me for being dictatorial, and if a large number of officials under my rule die accidentally, it will be even more unclear!

Anyway, I won't be able to do this Viceroy position for long, so I'll just let them toss.

By the way, you came back from the front line so quickly; are you not prepared to go south from Huguang?"

Hearing the words of the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang, Li Mu instantly understood.

It's no wonder that the civil officials below could make a fuss; it turns out it was his Viceroy who did it on purpose.

This kind of discord between superiors and subordinates is exactly what the emperor and the hundred officials in the court want to see most.

Hou Jue of Marquis Wuyang holds too much power; if they were of one mind, everyone would not be able to sleep.

"Viceroy, you know how to avoid suspicion, so your subordinate naturally wants to follow suit.

After Wei's rebellion was pacified, the imperial court occupied an absolute advantage, and the Fu rebels were alone, so destruction is only a matter of time.

Uncle said in the letter that our Li family is not prepared to want the subsequent battle merits.

It just so happens that the Annan people are restless, so I will return to Guangdong and Among Guangxi to sit in town."

Li Mu answered calmly.

Two Marquises in one family is nothing in the early years of the founding of the country; when fighting for the world, the emperor never stingy with rewards.

But as time passed, those prominent founding dukes and marquises had mostly declined.

The current most glorious Jing and Li families could not enter the top three in the early years of the founding of the country.

In the past hundred years, the number of newly born Marquises can be counted on one's fingers.

The two Marquises in one family at this time are already the most eye-catching existence.

"Hmm!

You are still young; taking a step back at this time has a hundred benefits and no harm.

However, conquering Annan still needs to be discussed in the long run.

In recent days, I have collected some information about the opposite side; the Hu family of Annan has been passed down for several generations and has long been deeply rooted.

A few years ago, there was also a bloody purge, solving the stubborn diseases left behind.

The national strength is at its peak, with hundreds of thousands of troops, which is very difficult to deal with.

For a piece of land that has long been lost, taking the risk of sending troops is not worth the loss!"

Hou Jue of Marquis Wuyang advised tactfully.

The more information he collected, the more he felt that the southern expedition was difficult.

In the case that the imperial court cannot provide support, relying solely on the resources in their hands to promote the southern expedition, the benefits and risks are not proportional.

"There is no way; once the great war ends, we will be transferred back to the capital.

The court struggle is more dangerous than on the battlefield; meeting those old foxes of civil officials, I am not an opponent at all.

If I am not careful, I will fall into the enemy's trap.

The best choice is to stay in the border area, slowly boil the qualifications, and gradually dilute the influence."

Li Mu said with feigned grievances.

When the birds are gone, the bow is hidden; when the rabbits are dead, the dogs are cooked.

These historical experience lessons are the sharp blades hanging over the heads of all military generals.

Including the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang himself, he is also worried about his merits being too high to shake the master.

The resurgence of the meritorious nobility group squeezed the interests of the civil official group, and the two sides turning against each other is a matter of time.

In terms of the strength in their hands, the meritorious nobility group is not weak, but to suppress the civil officials, they must obtain the emperor's support.

The problem is that Emperor Emperor Yongning is soft-hearted and easily fooled by others.

In terms of political means, the members of the meritorious nobility faction are generally still much worse.

Several giants did not have illusions from the beginning that they could suppress civil officials in the imperial court.

At most, they rely on the power of great victory to keep the meat snatched from the civil officials.

To complete the goal, they must strengthen the control of military power and retain the ability to overturn the table.

"Forget it!

Since you have made a choice, I won't persuade you anymore.

In the eyes of those old men in the capital, Guangdong and Among Guangxi are still the Lingnan of the past; it is also a good choice for you to stay here.

However, wanting to get the position of Viceroy of Guangdong and Among Guangxi is almost impossible.

If you can take down Annan and serve as Viceroy of Jiaozhi, there is no problem.

It is very difficult to take this step, and it will be even harder to look back!"

Hou Jue of Marquis Wuyang said slowly.

There is competition between the meritorious nobility group and civil officials, and there is also interest competition within the group.

If Li Mu enters the center, he will be the ready-made next-generation leader of the meritorious nobility.

There is no need to fight for it; the meritorious nobility children who followed him in the southern and northern wars will push him up.

The next generation of other top meritorious nobility can only mix behind.

Being able to accept it now does not mean that they can accept it in the future.

Whether it is the Duke of Cheng, the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang, or the Marquis of Zhenyuan, they all have sons.

The top power resources are limited; if someone takes more, someone will take less.

Li Mu does not enter the center, then this cake, everyone can take one more share.

As for whether they can keep it, that is another situation.

"No matter how big the risk is, it is better than being trapped in the capital.

I started with battle merits and fought out today's status, but battle merits are also the biggest flaw.

With the style of those civil officials, sooner or later they will fool His Majesty into letting me take charge of the Liaodong war.

Liaodong is essentially a vassal town; no matter who is sent there, they can't command the troops.

Rather than being passively jumped into the pit, it is better to jump out yourself first.

No matter how bad Annan's conditions are, they can make me live comfortably."

Li Mu's explanation startled the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang into a cold sweat.

Since civil officials can let Li Mu fill the pit, they naturally won't let him go.

As one of the only two great military merit Marquises in decades, his body is also covered with labels of famous generals.

If his nephew's brain was drawn and he listened to the ghost words of civil officials, he would be tragic.

What is more tricky is that Li Mu can retreat because Li Mu is young and has made great battle achievements, and they are blocking the wind and rain in front.

He, the Viceroy of four provinces who is infinitely glorious, has always stood at the forefront.

"It seems that after the war, I also have to be in poor health!"

Hou Jue of Marquis Wuyang said angrily.

"Your situation is different; just continue the previous persona.

While holding great power, take a few more concubines and visit more romantic places.

When there is nothing to do, go to the palace to reminisce with the Empress Dowager and enjoy life."

Li Mu said with a smile.

The biggest advantage of foreign relatives is that they are regarded as "their own people" by the emperor.

Emperor Emperor Yongning is a filial child; as long as the Empress Dowager in the palace is there, no one will be foolish enough to take action against the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang.

Indulging in sensual pleasures, whether the Marquis of Marquis Wuyang can live longer than the Empress Dowager in the palace is an unknown.

……

After attending the celebration banquet and returning to the mansion, Li Mu was full of emotion.

The wealth of military generals is really not easy.

Fighting abroad all year round, going home becomes strange.

"Marquis, you are back!"

Looking at his own wife, Li Mu had a belly full of words, which finally turned into three words:

"Back!"

Fortunately, it is a feudal society; if it were in the previous life, he would have been gone for a small year, and he wouldn't know what would happen in the backyard.

Seeing that Li Mu was not drunk, the clever maid decisively withdrew the hangover soup.

"The servants have prepared hot water; you go wash up first!"

While speaking, Jing Jing Yaqing pushed away Li Mu's hand on her waist.

As a traditional lady of a big family, deeply influenced by Confucian culture, she couldn't stand making such intimate actions in front of everyone.

(End of chapter)