Things turned out just as Li Hu had expected, the war could not be stopped.

In the western warm room of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Yongxing sat upright on the dragon throne, staring blankly at the eight hundred li express on the imperial desk.

The cabinet’s chief minister, second chief minister, and Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding walked in quietly. They dared not say a word, but bowed silently and sat down on their respective stools.

Of course, Li Hu’s guess was not entirely correct. It was not that the Shanhaiguan general disobeyed the order, nor that he was unable to command his troops, but that the reinforcements led by Hong Zhou had arrived, and retreating at this time would be a dead end.

If we can’t retreat, we’ll have no choice but to fight on.

Shi Ding sighed in his heart, Niu Jizong died in vain!

Emperor Yongxing spoke: “If we can’t withdraw our troops, then we should fight.”

The first and second cabinet ministers looked at each other, stood up and said, “Money, food and equipment are easy to deal with. They can be transferred out from the warehouse at any time. But where should the reinforcements be drawn from?”

The deputy assistant also stood up and said, “Jizhou Town is the direct barrier of the capital. The troops there cannot be withdrawn on a large scale. The troops from Datong and Xuanfu Towns cannot be moved either. Duke Xiu may need support at any time. The only troops that can be withdrawn from the vicinity of the capital are the Ruishi Battalion.”

Emperor Yongxing hesitated for a moment and said, “Today is Li Hu’s wedding day.”

The Vice Minister said: “We can let Huang Jianjun lead the army to march first, and the Duke of Lu can catch up with the army in a few days.”

The cabinet chief minister said: “At present, only the Duke of Lu can stabilize the situation in Liaodong and solve the problem.”

After hearing what he said, Zhao Tong secretly said “something bad is going to happen” and immediately glanced at Emperor Yongxing. Sure enough, his expression looked a little unhappy.

He sighed in his heart, what a joke. The emperor had been holding back his anger and wanted to find someone to replace Li Hu, but there was no suitable candidate. He was already irritated, and these words were just adding fuel to the fire!
The Prime Minister of the Cabinet: “Since its formation, the Ruishi Battalion has been invincible and victorious in every battle under the leadership of Duke Lu. We will definitely be able to defeat the Jurchen Tartars and stabilize the situation in Liaodong.”

Emperor Yongxing did not speak, but looked at Shi Ding.

Shi Ding seemed to understand something and slowly stood up.

Emperor Yongxing: “My dear minister, you are also a man who knows military affairs. Your ability to march and fight is no worse than that of the Duke of Lu. In fact, in terms of seniority, my dear minister is even higher than that of the Duke of Lu. It’s a pity that you have never had the opportunity to lead troops to war in these years, otherwise you would have been a first-class duke long ago.”

This compliment made Shi Ding very embarrassed. He knew it was not right to respond, nor was it right to not respond, so he had to bow.

The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister were both shocked. Marquis Zhongjing was leading his troops to war. Who would be the commander of the imperial guards? !

Emperor Yongxing said loudly to Shi Ding, “The cabinet should immediately draft an edict. Marquis Zhongjing will serve as the Minister of War and command the Liaodong campaign. Wherever there are military orders, the military and civilians will obey them. In addition to the existing troops in the Liaodong battlefield, Shanhaiguan, Jizhou Town and the Ruishi Camp will all be under the command of Marquis Zhongjing!”

After a pause, he said, “I will give you another 10,000 imperial guards to serve as our own troops.”

Shi Ding was stunned.

The first and second ministers of the cabinet exchanged complicated looks.

Seeing Shi Ding stunned, Emperor Yongxing gave Zhao Tong a look.

Zhao Tong understood and gently reminded: “Marquis Zhongjing, thank you.”

Shi Ding came back to his senses and quickly knelt down, but he looked embarrassed and had no intention of thanking him.

Emperor Yongxing frowned: “What’s wrong?”

Shi Ding: “It’s not a good idea that Duke Lu is the commander of the Sharp Warriors Battalion.”

Emperor Yongxing’s face darkened: “All the military camps of my Dashun are the military camps of the imperial court, not the military camps of any family! Do you understand?”

Shi Ding was startled, realizing that he had said the wrong thing, and hurriedly replied, “Yes.”

Emperor Yongxing: “Louder.”

“Yes!” Shi Ding’s voice was very loud.

Emperor Yongxing’s expression softened: “I am not trying to take away his military power. Besides, I also want him to lead the troops to war, but the situation does not allow it! How can I send an imperial decree to go to war on a happy day? Those who know me think that I value the Duke of Lu, and those who don’t think I am mean and ungrateful. Okay, it’s settled!”

What else could Shi Ding say? He could only kowtow and say, “Your Majesty, I, Shi Ding, thank you for your grace.”

Emperor Yongxing smiled again: “You are a person close to the emperor, and a minister who supports the emperor. When you arrive in Liaodong, fight hard and win honor for me and the emperor!”

Shi Ding responded loudly: “Yes!”

Emperor Yongxing: “Marquis Baoling has gained enough experience. How about letting him be the commander of the Infantry Command Office?”

Shi Ding was overjoyed: “On behalf of my brother, I would like to thank the emperor for his grace!”

Emperor Yongxing also said to the Prime Minister: “Abolish the Five City Military Command and replace it with five patrol camps, which will still be under the jurisdiction of the Infantry Yamen.”

“Yes.” The Prime Minister of the Cabinet answered, but he was shocked in his heart: in this way, almost all the military power in the capital fell into the hands of the Shi brothers.

Just as the deputy minister was about to speak, Emperor Yongxing spoke again: “The post of commander of the imperial guards will be temporarily held by Niu Ben, the son of the Duke of Zhenguo.”

Shi Ding was stunned for a moment, then he replied: “Your Majesty is wise!”

The first and second assistants of the cabinet looked at each other. The art of balance, the art of balancing power, the art of the emperor, but can Niu Ben do it? Emperor Yongxing: “All of you go down.”

“Yes.” The cabinet’s chief minister, deputy chief minister and Shi Ding left with different feelings.

Emperor Yongxing closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

Zhao Tong hesitated for a moment and said softly, “Your Majesty, should we say hello to Duke Lu?”

Emperor Yongxing opened his eyes and said, “Do I need to say hello to him when I mobilize my own troops?”

As soon as Zhao Tong opened his mouth, he was caught off guard by Emperor Yongxing and was stunned.

After a moment of silence, Emperor Yongxing said, “I have no choice. The Beijing Camp is stuck in Mobei, and the troops in Datong and Xuanfu cannot be moved. Only the Ruishi Camp can be mobilized.”

After a pause, he said, “With the Ruishi Battalion here, I feel at ease.”

Zhao Tong sighed silently. They had supported each other all the way to this day, so why did they have to make such a fuss!

“Write a letter to Li Hu and tell him about this. Also, dispatch a battalion of imperial guards to maintain order during the wedding parade.”

Emperor Yongxing was silent for a moment, then said: “Tell Li Hu again that I have not forgotten my promise that day, but the time is not right yet.”

“Yes.” Zhao Tong was curious. What promise?
Today is the day that Li Hu officially marries Lin Daiyu. The weather is fine and the sun is shining brightly. Even the magpies are calling in the big tree in front of the mansion.

The Duke of Lu’s mansion was decorated with red and colorful decorations inside and out. Festive red lanterns were hung all over the street in front of the door, and the trees were decorated with flowers and leaves made of paper silk and damask.

The manager and the servants all changed into festive attire and set off strings of firecrackers on bamboo poles in a lively manner in front of the door.

It was still early and the guests had not arrived yet.

The gate was crowded with people who came to watch the fun. Li San led a few managers and threw handfuls of copper coins covered with red paper into the air, attracting a large group of children to scramble for them. It was very lively.

The entire Duke of Lu’s mansion was completely renovated, with new door gods, couplets, and plaques, and the peach charms were all freshly painted. From the main gate, ceremonial gate, hall, inner hall, inner three gates, inner ceremonial gate, and inner gate to the backyard, all the main gates were open, and on both sides of the steps were tall red candles, ready to be lit after dusk.

Li Hu’s yard was filled with big red lanterns and the trees were tied with big red ribbons, creating an atmosphere of joy.

Li Hu was changing clothes in the warm room suite at this time. On the day before the wedding, the wedding bed could not be slept in, so he squeezed in the warm room suite with Xiangling for the whole night.

He almost didn’t sleep all night. In his previous life, he died before he had the chance to get married. This was also his first time getting married. He was nervous, excited, and looking forward to it.

With the help of Amber and Xiangling, Li Hu changed into the groom’s wedding clothes.

Xiangling smiled and said, “Second Master looks really good today.”

Li Hu raised his eyebrows: “You mean, I don’t look good on weekdays?”

Xiangling looked at him and smiled foolishly.

“What a silly girl.” Li Hu tapped her head.

At this time, Feng’s voice came from outside: “Second Master, the auspicious time has arrived.”

“Got it.” Li Hu strode out.

“Second Master, you haven’t brought your red shawl and hairpin flowers yet.” Amber picked up the red shawl and hairpin flowers on the bed and chased after him.

As the old saying goes, a newlywed is like a minor imperial examination, and wearing red and flowers makes one look like a top scholar.

Wearing a hairpin and a red top, Li Hu asked Hubo to straighten his robe for him and said with a smile, “I’m still a little nervous.”

Amber smiled and covered her mouth. “Second Master is a general who commands thousands of troops. He has seen all kinds of scenes. Why are you afraid of this? Everything has been arranged over there. Don’t worry.”

Li Hu smiled and said, “Let’s go.” He strode out of the yard.

As soon as I walked out of the gate, I saw Wang Daniu walking towards me hurriedly with a letter.

Li Hu stopped.

Wang Daniu: “Marshal, this is a letter from the Imperial Household Department.”

Li Hu took the letter, tore it open and read it, then snorted and thought to himself: It would be better if you split up the Sharp Warriors Battalion!

As he looked at it, he frowned again. Promise? What promise?
Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Li Hu’s mind, and he remembered that the emperor had made a promise to him when he was still the prince, that he would be made king after he ascended the throne!
What does “the time is not yet ripe” mean? Could it be referring to the young prince ascending the throne? That will be soon. I heard that the emperor now has to take two pills every day. I wonder if he can make it to the end of the year?
As for this so-called promise, just listen to it. If you take it seriously, you will lose.

Thinking of this, Li Hu folded the letter and put it into his sleeve, saying to Wang Daniu, “You don’t have to accompany me to pick up the bride. When the officers of the various camps come, tell them to obey the orders of the court and fight well. If they disobey orders, treat the Ruishi Battalion as cannon fodder and ignore them.”

Wang Daniu: “Yes.”

Li Hu strode towards the front yard. (End of this chapter)