The concubine is extremely cautious

Chapter 268 If you want to succeed, you must first consider people’s hearts

Xue Zheng quickly analyzed the current situation in his mind.

If he proposed the generals of Xue's party, those who had just firmly opposed Tang Yuan would also turn around and firmly oppose his proposal.

The neutral minister is concerned about the concentration of military power in one person's hands. If the northwest and southwest are connected, the risk is too great. But if the southwest and southeast are connected, the risk is even greater.

From the very beginning, Xue Zheng was very clear that it was impossible for a general from the Xue Party to become the commander-in-chief of the southwest.

Only by proposing a neutral general can we convince the people.

From the perspective of seniority and familiarity with the southwest, choosing one of the four generals in the southwest is the safest choice.

Ning Wanyin mentioned Yu Song, and correspondingly, he could mention Dongchuan Hou.

Dongchuanhou has more experience than Yusong, and his connections in the court are more extensive than Yusong, who is born in a commoner family. If he proposes Dongchuanhou, he will definitely get a lot of support, enough to compete with the candidate proposed by Ning Wanyin.

He could also show favor to Marquis Dongchuan and win over the Dong family.

Although the Dong family used to follow the Cen family and oppose the Xue family, enemies can also change camps, and wise birds choose trees to roost in.

Xue Zheng was not suitable to mention a candidate like Yu Song, as this would make the nobles who followed him feel disheartened.

As a representative of the noble forces, it is his position to safeguard the interests of the nobles and exclude generals of commoner origin.

Therefore, the most suitable candidate proposed by Xue Zheng at the moment is Marquis of Dongchuan.

Some talents are not recommended, not because we are blind and cannot see your talent.

Rather, the candidates they recommend are closely related to their interests.

But Xue Zheng was silent for a moment and did not propose the Marquis of Dongchuan.

why?

Because Marquis Dongchuan is not up to the standard!

In the last battle in the southwest, before Your Majesty arrived, the Marquis of Dongchuan led the southwest army and was defeated by Daliang.

The Marquis of Dongchuan is an acceptable general.

If he were to take charge of the overall situation, Xue Zheng was worried that he would lose again and again.

At that time, Marquis Dongchuan would be primarily responsible for the defeat in the southwest, and Xue Zheng, who recommended him to be the commander-in-chief, would also have to write a letter to apologize.

If Ning Wanyin used the excuse that Marquis Dongchuan was not worthy of being appointed and replaced him with Marquis Tang Yuan or Marquis Changping as the commander-in-chief, it would be even more inconvenient for him to object.

Xue Zheng's main goal is to prevent the Tang family from getting involved in the military power in the southwest...

Now the goal has been achieved.

As for the person Ning Wanyin chose...

If she is unable to shoulder the responsibility of the southwest, it is because the Empress Dowager has made the wrong choice of person, and it will affect Ning Wanyin.

If she can really afford it, then it can only be considered that Ning Wanyin is lucky.

Furthermore, would the Marquis of Dongchuan be willing to accept Yu Song as the commander? He felt that he could wait and see about this matter.

"The Empress Dowager is wise." Xue Zheng then respectfully expressed his agreement.

The two heads of civil and military affairs both expressed their agreement, and other court officials followed suit.

So, after the morning court session, an imperial edict was issued in the name of the emperor.

The imperial edict: Appoint the loyal and powerful general Yu Song as the commander-in-chief of the southwest war, and all generals shall obey the order. Also send Tang Yuan and Shi Fang to dispatch troops to provide assistance.

……

After breakfast.

Ning Wanyin took Helian Xi's hand and returned to Qianxin Palace.

Xiao Guizi led the palace maids to prepare breakfast.

"Mother, can General Yusong win?" Helian Xi asked with concern.

This was the first time he had heard of this name. He was also very worried about the war situation in the southwest...

"I don't know." Ning Wanyin shook her head slightly. "The war has just begun. No one can predict the final outcome."

There are too many factors that affect the battle.

Before the dust settles, the only thing you can do is to continuously increase your chances of winning.

"What if we lose...will a lot of people die..." Helian Xi's childish face was full of worry.

Ning Wanyin looked at him seriously. "So, Xi'er, you must remember that as a ruler, you must think twice before taking every step. Because your decision concerns the lives of countless people, you must be cautious."

"Xier remembered it!" Helian Xi nodded seriously.

For the young new king, the first impression the throne gave him was a heavy responsibility.

After breakfast.

Ning Wanyin summoned Han Xun and asked:

"Does the Qilin Guard have anyone available in the southwest?"

The captain of Qilin Guard is the military supervisor in the southwest military camp. There are many people, but Ning Wanyin will have to ask the person in charge of Qilin Guard as to who to use specifically.

"Commander-in-chief Bai Yi is the chief of the Southwest Supervisory Office of Qilin Guard. He is loyal and reliable." Han Xun thought for a moment and recommended.

Ning Wanyin nodded slightly, "Send a message to him, keep an eye on the generals in the southwest. If anyone delays the opportunity to fight, deceives his superiors and subordinates, or pretends to obey but actually disobeys, regardless of his official position, the Qilin Guard will arrest him directly!"

Of course no one would dare to disobey military orders.

However, they may appear to obey, but actually deliberately make many mistakes and then put the blame on the improper command.

Ning Wanyin had seen many such tactics when she was still in the Earl's Mansion.

Officials in the imperial court were also well aware of this.

For example, some policies were originally good, but when they were implemented, they deliberately caused several deaths...

In the end, it turned out that the government had bad policies and forced the people to death.

If you want to accomplish something, you must first consider people’s hearts.

If Yu Song becomes the commander-in-chief, will the generals in the southwest be happy to obey him?

In order to prevent someone from ruining her war plans for the position of commander, she had to be on guard against them.

This also gives Yu Song a reassurance.

Let him know that the court supports him and he can feel free to do what he wants.

"Yes." Han Xun accepted the order.

The Qilin Guard is the emperor's personal guard. In the past, they were only loyal to the previous emperor, but now they are only loyal to the empress dowager and the young emperor.

All Qilin Guards obeyed the Queen Mother's orders.

……

Southwest, border.

Yu Song received the imperial edict and was very grateful for the court's trust.

Especially after meeting Bai Yi of Qilin Guard, he was even more grateful to the Queen Mother for her kindness.

As a general, you should never be afraid to sacrifice your life for your country or your king.

He was afraid that his enthusiasm would lead to his failure because of his own people's non-cooperation, and the court would hold him accountable.

Now that he has the cooperation of the Qilin Guards, he can bear less blame.

After receiving the appointment.

Yu Song then ordered the troops to defend the city.

For half a month, Daliang was attacked frequently, but Dayan took advantage of the city wall and only defended without attacking.

Southwest border, Dong family.

"Dad, Yu Song is like a coward, he doesn't dare to fight back. Daliang is very arrogant now! I heard that there are many criticisms about him in the capital, many people are saying that he is not capable enough and dare not fight Daliang." Dong Wei, the eldest son of Dongchuan Marquis, said happily:

"If this continues, the court will have to change its commander without you having to do anything!"

In the first battle when Daliang invaded the border, the defenders of Dayan had some victories and some defeats, and currently two cities have been captured by Daliang.

After Yu Song took charge of the army, he had been on the passive defensive and did not dispatch troops to retake the two cities.

So some people in the court were dissatisfied with him.

"That's all nonsense from people who don't understand military affairs. It would be safest for him to keep his troops in place." Marquis Dongchuan frowned.

He was a little surprised that Yu Song could remain so calm.

Now reinforcements are on the way from the northwest and southeast.

Waiting for the three armies to converge, concentrating forces and then launching a counterattack, this is the correct way to use troops.

If Yu Song counterattacks at this time, that would be considered as being greedy and reckless!

A commander who has just assumed power is often eager to prove himself with a great victory, but Yu Song is very patient. Even though there are many criticisms against him from the outside, he still goes his own way and just stands firm and remains unmoved.

"Dad, do you mean that the position of the Southwest Commander can never be replaced? How is this possible? In terms of seniority and prestige, he is no match for you! Ning Wanyin deliberately suppressed our Dong family to prevent the Third Prince from posing a threat to her son in the future! That's why she let a peasant ride on our heads!" Dong Wei said angrily.

As the legitimate son of a marquis, he has a natural sense of superiority.

There have been constant wars in the west in recent years, and there have been countless generals like Yu Song. He looks at these people like looking at fireworks, which are dazzling but fleeting.

Only families like them who have inherited the title, stationed in the southwest for generations and lived and died with the country, can be evergreen trees!

At the beginning, Xiao Yunjing was also very unconvinced, let alone Yu Song.

In his mind, the reason why Xiao Yunjing in the past and Yu Song now could stand in this position was not because they were so powerful, but because those in power were unwilling to use the Dong family.

Marquis Dongchuan was also very dissatisfied with Ning Wanyin's choice of Yu Song as the commander-in-chief.

He just needed a chance.

If Yu Song is greedy for merit and acts rashly, and suffers a crushing defeat, then he will have the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

"Tang Yuan is about to arrive in the southwest. Arrange someone to remind Yu Song that Tang Yuan is Ning Wanyin's cousin. If the ministers had not objected, the Ning family would have used him as the commander." A trace of sinister calculation flashed in Dongchuan Hou's eyes:

"If he can achieve a great victory before Tang Yuan arrives in the southwest, he can secure his position as commander-in-chief. Otherwise, it will be hard to say who will get the credit for the military achievement."

"Ning specially sent her cousin here. Did he really come to help him? Let him figure it out himself."

Marquis Dongchuan didn't believe that Ning was willing to support an unknown general and let his cousin assist him.

He guessed that when Tang Yuan arrived, all the credit for the battle would be attributed to Tang Yuan in various ways. And if they lost, the one who would take the blame would be Yu Song.

If Yu Song doesn't want to be a stepping stone for others, then he should have a fight before Tang Yuan arrives.

And this is the opportunity for Dongchuan Hou and others.