Chapter 137: Take over and Military power
Sure enough, when the emperor heard the name of the candidate he preferred, which is Meng Shi of Guo Gongfu, from the mouth of Prime Minister Lin and Prime Minister You. He immediately nodded his head and said: Meng Shi is quite good.
But, as for what he specifically meant for good, only the benevolent person can see what benevolence truly is.
And with this, the general has been decided. But, when the imperial decree was received by the Guo Gongfu. The whole family got dumbfounded. Because they cant believe what they just heard.
Do they want to participate in war? Do they want to take over an army?
Uh
It seems they are not interested to go on the battlefield. After all, their family is famous for being scholars. They dont know how to manage soldiers. They dont know how to win a war.
It will be their first time to participate in the war, but their family was chosen to lead? Will things be alright?
But, as for why Guo Gongfu has military influence, despite the eldest son take the scholar route. The answer is very simple.
That year, Old Guo Gong take over an army and brought those soldiers in the highest prestige. But, those achievements of him only made the previous emperor fear him. So, in order to keep his whole family safe, Old Guo Gongfu who is Lin Chujius grandfather, resigned from his military position as a bargaining chip.
But, thats not all, because in order to completely dispel the previous emperors doubt. Old Guo Gong didnt teach his three sons about war. He only educate them to be scholars. Old Guo Gong didnt ask for any reward in his achievements aside from his familys safety.
In addition to that, Old Guo Gong didnt let his two daughters married into the imperial family. However, his eldest daughter who is Lin Chujius mother, unexpectedly married a man who came from a very poor family. But that man later on become the West Prime Minister.
As for his second daughter, Old Guo Gong also didnt let this daughter of him married into the imperial family. However, this second daughter become a big joke because she also married Prime Minister Lin Xiang after her older sister died. So, it can be said that Old Guo Gong still didnt married off his daughter from a prestige family.
In the past, the power and influence of Guo Gongfu in the country was overthrown. However, although they lost their power and influence, they still had wealth that can provide their family for hundred years, so they survived.
In the same year, a few families with the same power as Guo Gongfu in the country later on committed mistake, but none of them survived.
So, in order to win the current emperors trust, Old Guo Gong teach his three sons an absolute scholastic skills. Guo Gongfu might have a history of good fighting skills in the war, but those talents have already been wasted.
Therefore, Guo Gongfu couldnt help but get dumbfounded when the emperor pick the eldest son to lead an army. So, they think that the emperor just made a mistake.
Dont say that only other members of Guo Gongfu couldnt understand it. Because even Meng Laofuren who was holding the imperial edict couldnt understand. She didnt understand the eunuchs report. As if her brain completely turn blank.
After the eunuch has declared his purpose and left. Meng Shi walked back with the crowd to the hall. But this time, he felt like he was dreaming. He felt like he was floating in the sky. Everything in front of him was blurry
Meng Shi havent recover his mind, but his wife said with full of joy: The heavens have eyes. He let the emperor to see Laoyes talent. This is really great. Mother, Laoye, lets go to the ancestral hall and report this good news to our ancestors. Im sure they will be very happy for Laoye.
They just felt it was strange earlier, so they dont know why the eldest sons wife had said that. But of course, Meng Laofuren will not agree.
Meng Laofuren sneered but didnt look at his eldest sons wife. Her eyes fell to her second and third son: Er Ye, San Ye, do you think so too?
These three are Meng Laofurens biological sons. They quarrel most of the time during the peaceful days, but they always unite if its about the honor of their family. So this time, these three sons will definitely unite to protect each other.
Seeing that their eldest brother was chosen by the emperor. The two of them was, of course, felt happy. They were so happy to the point that they wanted to rush over to the ancestral hall and report this to their father, but
After seeing Meng Laofurens stern face, they dispel that idea and carefully asked: Mother, are you not happy for eldest brother?
Happy? What is there to be happy? Meng Laofuren sometimes regretted why she didnt teach her three sons about shrewd ideas to be smart enough and not be exploited by the emperor.
Mother, are you saying that this mission wont be good for eldest brother? Meng Erye and Meng Sanye suddenly asked with full of worries. The other family members mind got awaken too when they heard her words. Meng Shis wife knitted her eyebrows and also helpless asked: Mother, is there a hidden intention behind this mission?
Meng Laofurens three sons formulated a different kind of bad ideas. Which is good, because it shows, that they are very obedient to this old lady and they always listen to her words.
Because if not, Meng Laofuren wouldnt dare to say in front of Xiao Tianyao that entire Guo Gongfu will support Lin Chujiu.
Meng Laofuren knew that her three sons are not fools. Its just, she raised them very simple. They cant see things clearly, so she always needs to wake them up.
Meng Laofuren gently sighed, then said: Eldest son, you have never led an army before. Never been on the battlefield. But, the emperor appoints you to be a general, appoint you to lead 500 000 soldiers to defeat the Northern Countrys army. Dont you find it strange?
Of course, its strange, because if not, the entire family wont be shocked. The eldest son will set off to the war as the general. So, isnt that too much of a promotion?
After listening to the old lady, Meng Shis little pride immediately subside. So, he quite depressingly said: This son also find it strange. I also cannot believe that the imperial edict is true. Im not as good as father. So, how can I afford to take such heavy responsibility.
This is true. Meng Shi felt happy when the emperor chooses him, but he also feels pressured.
He will lead those 500,000 soldiers in the borders. Which means those 500 000 soldiers lives are in his hands. Just by thinking about it, he felt it was too heavy. So, he really cannot afford to do it!
Mother felt relieved if you really think so. Meng Laofuren truly felt relieved. Because she was so afraid earlier that her eldest son might get excited and insist to lead the army.
After all, not many people cant stand the temptation of glory.
So Mother, you mean to say, eldest brother wont accept this mission? Meng Erye asked when he gets the clue.
Meng Sanye was a little sad, so he muttered: But, the imperial edict has already been given to us. We cant change it.
Meng Shis wife immediately opens her mouth, in fear of sudden change in this big opportunity. After all, its impossible for her husband to get such power, so he might as well take this opportunity: Brother-in-law, the emperor sent us an imperial edict. So,there is no mistake. Laoye can take this mission. The emperor himself believe in Laoye, so what is there to worry? Like father like son, right? Laoye is the son of Old Master Gou Gong. How can he be worse?
The more Meng Shis wife opens her mouth. The more she felt it was real. But, before she could feel happy, she heard Meng Laofurens angry voice: Daughter-in-law, shut up!