NOVEL NEXT chapter 9
Chapter 9: A Peculiar Request
Actually, Qin Ji really wanted to seize this opportunity, after all, as a transmigrator, being able to reform a country’s army was a rare opportunity in Qin Ji’s eyes.
But he needed to consider one issue, which was whether Xia Yuxiao wanted him to be in charge of this matter.
Obviously, the result was very clear. The reason why His Majesty the Emperor agreed to this plan was because the reform was being carried out within the army controlled by the Emperor himself, which could enhance the combat effectiveness of the Emperor’s own army. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If Qin Ji insisted on joining in at this time, it would only continue to lower the other party’s goodwill.
He didn’t want to make a wrong decision on such a major issue now.
Moreover, he felt it was unnecessary—let alone that he didn’t intend to compete with her in the first place, even the former Duke of An would probably not compete with her on this matter, because such military reforms needed to be gradually implemented over a long period of time, and as the “Grand Marshal” who held supreme power, he was originally in charge of the country’s military. In other words, whatever these generals wanted to do, they had to get his permission.
Although His Majesty the Emperor would give the other party the green light, at least Qin Ji, as the highest military commander of the country, had no problem getting some intelligence—one could say that military reform could bypass him as the Grand Marshal, but you couldn’t let the country’s military leader be unaware of the direction of military changes, right?
And with this intelligence, Qin Ji could actually tinker with the troops he controlled. Moreover, as a modern person, Qin Ji actually had more advantages than the other party—those military reform attempts, Qin Ji could completely modify and apply them to the troops he currently controlled after obtaining the intelligence.
He did want to be a loyal minister, but his biggest reason for wanting to be a loyal minister was to save his life, so he would retain his advantages while trying to increase His Majesty’s goodwill as much as possible.
This operation, on the contrary, left Xia Yuxiao a bit confused.
“Then, I thank the Grand Marshal for his trust.”
General Bai cupped his hands and saluted, saying.
Qin Ji just smiled and said nothing. General Bai was naturally polite to him, because as a general of the army, General Bai was strictly speaking Qin Ji’s subordinate—although General Bai was older and more experienced than Qin Ji.
“Since the Grand Marshal is so considerate of the country, I am greatly comforted. General Bai, you must not let down the Grand Marshal’s favor.” Xia Yuxiao quickly followed the steps down.
This mutual probing struggle finally ended with both Qin Ji and Xia Yuxiao taking a step back.
Qin Ji’s idea was simple. He just made a concession that would not intensify the conflict between the two sides. After all, he did not want to completely tear his face with the other party now.
After that, the court meeting became much more relaxed. After all, in the entire court meeting, this was the most important and intense issue, and the others were relatively minor.
After the court meeting, a group of ministers left the hall, and a group of Qin Ji’s supporters came up and invited Qin Ji to have lunch with them. Everyone hadn’t eaten much since early morning, and it was almost noon, so it was time to fill their stomachs.
Qin Ji naturally would not refuse such a request. He walked out of the palace with these supporters and sat down in a restaurant in the city famous for its lamb dishes.
In the imperial capital of Tai’an City, this restaurant called “Wufo Zhuang” was famous for its meat dishes. Countless dignitaries would come here to taste the meat dishes. Since Qin Ji was invited today, the officials naturally treated him with the best delicacies. Although they initially said they would only eat a few lamb dishes, the entire table was eventually filled.
Qin Ji dealt with the flattery of these supporters while refusing many officials’ toasts with the excuse of “I can’t drink much, lest I delay state affairs.”
However, at this moment, an old man with white hair walked over.
He was an old minister wearing official robes. From his attire, he was a prefect. Qin Ji recognized him. He had seen this prefect in the court before. It was said that he had risen to this position step by step from the bottom, which was quite capable.
“Lord Qin, this old man knows that you don’t drink. I heard that Miss Qin is ill, so I have a calming and soothing medicine to offer. This medicine was once used in the palace, later flowed into the folk, and gradually lost. This old man knows an old doctor who knows this prescription and collected rare medicinal materials to offer to Lord Qin… If it helps Miss Qin’s illness, Lord Qin must inform this old man, and this old man will do his best.”
At this point, the old man cupped his hands and presented a delicate box. A faint medicinal fragrance wafted from the lacquer box.
Qin Ji was stunned for a moment.
In fact, his sister was not ill, but Qin Ji did not say so to the outside world. He always used hysteria as an excuse… He originally did not intend to accept this medicine.
But when he saw the somewhat humble appearance of the other party… To be honest, it was not easy for such an old man.
Prefect Liu started as a warehouse clerk and worked his way up to the position of prefect with gray hair. Now, this prefect had to be respectful to a junior for a simple reason: Qin Ji’s father was the Duke of Anguo, and he himself was also the Duke of Anguo. That’s how the world works. An old man had to offer gifts and flattery to a young man without even a beard.
Forget it, accept it. After all, the old man’s achievements were enough to make him a minister of the nine ministers, but his background was too low. He still wanted to recommend capable people.
So Qin Ji nodded: “Hmm, thank you, Prefect Liu, for your kindness. I thank you on behalf of my sister.”
“No problem, no problem.”
“Prefect Liu, for your wholehearted assistance, I am deeply grateful. If you need anything, just let me know.”
Qin Ji said, then quickly glanced at the people around him.
Obviously, the people at the table were a bit unhappy with Prefect Liu’s sudden attack. This was normal. After all, in their view, the prefect’s operation was to seize the opportunity to show favor in front of the Duke of Anguo, making it difficult for them to speak…
“This old man…” Prefect Liu looked around, then seemed to make up his mind, bowed, and saluted, “This old man begs Lord Qin to let my unfilial daughter enter the palace and seek a position…”
A brief silence.
“Huh?”
Not only Qin Ji, but even the other ministers were a bit confused by this request.
If it were in the previous emperor’s time, this request would not be a problem. After all, serving the emperor, the harem was one of the key points for many aristocratic families to compete for power.
But… the current emperor is a woman!
PS: Based on some readers’ feedback, certain modifications have been made (without affecting the plot). Thank you all for your corrections.