"Grand Marshal, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, Lord Qi, is here!"
The bodyguard beside Qi Jiguang said respectfully.
Qi Jiguang was stunned for a moment, but then he understood. This was the envoy sent by Daming. He quickly stood up and said, "Let's go and welcome Lord Qi!" As he said this, he quickly walked outside.
"Oh, Lord Qi, this lowly official greets Lord Qi!" Qi Jiguang quickly bowed and cupped his fists when he saw Qi He.
Qi He was stunned. Looking at the smiling Qi Jiguang, he quickly returned the greeting and said, "Master Qi Jiguang is too courteous. This lowly official is not worthy of this title. It should be this lowly official!" As he said this, Qi He smiled and bowed to Qi Jiguang.
According to the official ranks, Qi Jiguang was the Commander of the Capital Barracks and the Junior Protector of the Crown Prince. The Commander of the Five Armies Commandery was a Rank 1 title.
However, military officials were three ranks lower than civil officials. Qi He was the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, so he deserved to be called a lowly official.
However, Qi He knew that this rule was useless in front of Qi Jiguang.
Qi Jiguang was originally Zhang Juzheng's trusted subordinate. There were not many people who dared to make things difficult for him. However, this was not a big deal. Ever since Zhang Juzheng died, Qi Jiguang's market value had risen. The Emperor trusted him very much.
After this great victory, Qi Jiguang's reputation would definitely be unparalleled!
In addition, Qi He had just been saved. It would not be good for him to take this title again.
Qi Jiguang knew how to conduct himself. He skipped over this matter and said to Qi He with a smile, "Assistant Minister Qi, this time, Assistant Minister Qi went deep into the enemy's camp as an envoy. You alone led the enemy and led the army to this great victory. You deserve the most credit!"
"I'll write a memorial to the Emperor when I get back. I'll definitely report Lord Qi's achievements to the Emperor. I won't let Lord Qi's achievements go unnoticed."
Qi He was grinning from ear to ear. This was a great victory. They had killed ten thousand enemies and captured Hwang Tae-gil's son, Talic. Who wouldn't want credit for such a great victory?
A civil official with meritorious military service would be incredible!
Not to mention anything else, he, as an assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, would be able to display his military exploits with confidence.
With the current situation in the imperial court, the position of the six ministers was as stable as Mount Tai. It was not easy to be promoted to a minister.
Qi He did not have the ability to get rid of a Minister. Moreover, even if he got rid of him, it was uncertain who would take over.
With this battle merit, things would be different. It wouldn't be very likely for him to be appointed as a governor, but it wouldn't be a problem for him to be appointed as an inspector.
A vassal state was also half a territory. An Inspector-General was a real high-ranking official of a territory.
After serving two terms, he would be promoted to Governor-General. That would be considered as having reached the top of the Outer Realms.
If he went back, he would be the Minister of the Six Ministries.
Although it seemed like he had taken a detour, he did not actually take a detour!
This was also a shortcut for most civil officials.
They would get a nominal position in the capital, but it had to be of a high rank. Then, they would seek for a real position outside the capital. It didn't matter even if the position was slightly lower than their rank.
After serving a few terms outside the capital, they would be transferred back to the capital. That way, they would be able to secure a real position.
He had long heard that Qi Jiguang knew how to conduct himself, but he didn't expect Qi Jiguang to be so good at it.
Qi He knew that this matter could be described in any way. He could say that he had helped to annihilate the enemy. Maybe he could even praise him.
However, Qi Jiguang didn't want to do that. Instead, he said that he had lured the enemy in and that he was brave and resourceful.
This was amazing. He had made a great contribution. Maybe he could even be recorded in the history books!
Thinking of the evaluation of his descendants, that he had lured the enemy in and was a lone hero, Qi He couldn't stop smiling. His smile almost reached his stomach.
Qi Jiguang looked at Qi He's excited expression and tried to hide it. Then, he flattered him again. He almost said that Qi He was the biggest hero this time.
Qi He smiled even more happily. His eyes couldn't be seen.
However, Qi He wasn't stupid. Everyone supported him. Since Qi Jiguang had thrown him a peach, he naturally had to return the favor.
"Qi Shaobao has made a great contribution this time. He planned the strategy and made the appropriate arrangements. He has worked hard and made great contributions.
When I go back, I will write to the imperial court and report Qi Shaobao's contributions to the emperor. "Qi He smiled and flattered Qi Jiguang.
Li Dong stood behind Qi He and Qi Jiguang with a gloomy face.
He realized that he didn't recognize Qi He anymore. After being together for so long, he didn't realize that Qi He had this side to him.
He looked at Grand Marshal Qi again. This was different from what he had imagined!
He was far from it.
As for Qi He's contributions and how he lured the enemy in, it was all nonsense.
Qi He ran so fast that he almost lost his pants. How could he have the courage to lure the enemy in?
When he heard Qi He flatter Qi Jiguang and that he wanted to write to Qi Jiguang, Li Dong immediately understood. These two had a tacit understanding!
Li Dong felt that he had learned something. Was this the reason why he couldn't get promoted?
After the pleasantries, Qi He introduced Li Dong to Qi Jiguang.
"Thousand Households Li is also a rare general talent. He has made a great contribution this time!" Qi Jiguang said to Li Dong with a smile. His eyes were full of admiration.
If it was said that Qi Jiguang was fawning over Qi He, then Qi Jiguang was truly admiring Li Dong.
Li Dong had learned his lesson this time. He smiled and said, "Qi Shaobao is too kind."
"Along the way, Assistant Minister Qi was fearless in the face of danger. He faced the Wala cavalry. Although he is a civil official, he dared to draw his sword and fight. He even killed the Wala cavalry with his own hands. He is truly a Daming civil official. I truly admire Official Qi."
"At Bansheng City, Official Qi faced the army of Hwang Tae-gil. He was also unyielding and did not tarnish the reputation of the court. He is truly a scholar."
When Qi He heard Li Dong's words, he turned to look at Li Dong with a bright smile.
When Li Dong finished speaking, Qi He also smiled and praised Li Dong. He said that he was calm in the face of danger and fought bravely.
For a time, there was endless laughter. The three of them were very satisfied with their flattery.
Datong City.
Ma Lu stood on the city wall and looked to the north worriedly. His face was filled with worry.
The forty-year-old Ma Lu was a typical Guanzhong man. He was tall and well-built. He had a large face, a wide mouth, and a square nose. Standing on the city wall in armor, he looked very majestic.
Beside him was a young general with a solemn expression.
In terms of appearance, this young man looked very similar to Ma Lu. It was obvious at a glance that he was his junior.
"Father, you've been standing here watching for so long. Go and rest!"
Ma Jin looked at his father and said worriedly, "With your son here watching, nothing will happen."
Ma Lu glanced at his son and said with a bitter smile, "If there is no news from the front, I will not be at ease!"
Hearing his father's words, Ma Jin said angrily, "The court is really too much. They let Qi Jiguang take people out of the fortress and don't let anyone follow them.
What can those young master soldiers in the capital do? Aren't they just messing around? "
"Once we lose, Walla will invade. At that time, the flames of war will reignite at the border."
Ma Lu glanced at his son and chided, "Don't talk nonsense. The imperial court has its own plans for doing this. It is not your place to make irresponsible remarks here. Learn from your younger brother. Look, your younger brother is much steadier."
He had a few younger brothers, but Ma Jin knew that his father was talking about his third brother, Ma Gui.
"Third brother is always thinking about war and becoming a marquis immediately. He is always thinking about leaving the fortress, but this war is not that easy to fight."
Ma Jin muttered and retorted, "People will die in war. If Qi Jiguang is defeated, he will just be creating trouble for us."
Ma Lu was about to continue scolding his son when a soldier quickly walked over and bowed. "Commander, Eunuch Chang is here."
Eunuch Chang, the imperial stables eunuch Zhang Cheng, and Qi Jiguang had left the fortress. He had not followed them and had been wandering around Datong for the past few days.
Unfortunately, he had the title of army supervisor, so no one dared to do anything to him. Ma Lu had a headache dealing with him.
Although Zhang Cheng had not caused any trouble, who knew when he would go crazy!
"Invite him in!" Ma Lu warned his son with his eyes before turning to welcome Zhang Cheng.
Walking up to the top of the city wall, Zhang Cheng looked at Ma Lu and said with a smile, "Commander Ma, I hope I am not disturbing you!" He cupped his hands at Ma Lu.
"This lowly official pays his respects to Eunuch Chang!"
Ma Lu hurriedly bowed and said, "If Eunuch Chang has anything to say, just send someone to inform this lowly official. The wind at the top of the city wall is cold. Eunuch Chang should take care of himself and not catch a cold."
Zhang Cheng smiled and waved his hand. "My body is still very strong. I won't fall from the wind."
The two of them exchanged a few pleasantries before Zhang Cheng said with a smile, "Commander Ma, are you worried about Qi Shaobao?"
Ma Lu was stunned for a moment before nodding. "It is bitter cold outside the fortress. Qi Shaobao has been gone for seven days. It would be a lie to say that I am not worried.
If he were to encounter the Wala people, he would be in danger! "
Glancing at Ma Lu, Zhang Cheng said with a smile, "Does Commander Ma not trust Qi Shaobao?"
"Qi Shaobao has made outstanding contributions and is one of the best generals in Daming. How could this lowly official not trust Qi Shaobao?"
Ma Lu hurriedly denied. "It is just that the situation outside the fortress is complicated. Sanniangzi and Hwang Tae-gil are fighting fiercely. Who knows when war will break out in this town."
Glancing at Ma Gui, Zhang Cheng felt that this Ma Lu was quite interesting.
After coming to Datong, Zhang Cheng realized that the soldiers here did not really want to fight. After the years of peace, they also wanted to live a comfortable life.
Thinking about it, who would want to fight for no reason? Fighting would kill people.
As a result, they were dissatisfied with the court's instigation of Sanniangzi and Hwang Tae-gil.
In particular, the civil officials were the most dissatisfied. Some of them had already submitted memorials to the court.
However, Zhang Cheng knew the attitude of the Imperial Majesty. The memorials of these people were destined to sink into the sea.
This time, the Imperial Majesty had sent Qi Jiguang north to Datong in order to stir up trouble. At the same time, it was to establish his authority.
The border army had been strong and prosperous these years and had become a little arrogant.
If they did not show something, the border army would not be able to escape.
In fact, this was what Zhu Yijun was worried about. Ever since Wanli, Daming's border army had expanded towards the military towns.
This was not a good thing for Zhu Yijun. He was still thinking of reforming the military system!
If Qi Jiguang could fight a beautiful battle when he left the fortress, it would establish his authority and tell the border army, "Don't make a fuss and be obedient. My camp in the capital is very good at fighting."