From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 672

On the fourth day of February, the morning court session.

The main topic of discussion at this morning court session was probably to summarize the Northern War and reward the meritorious service.

So Zhou Yuan got up early and put on the Duke's dragon robe, making it very formal.

After Cai Ni fixed Zhou Yuan's collar, she stepped back a few steps and couldn't help but admire: "Young Master is so handsome. Wearing this dress, I'm afraid there is no girl who won't be attracted to you."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Are you attracted?"

"Of course."

Cai Ni's face was full of charm, and she almost fell beside Zhou Yuan, whispering, "Young Master, Sister Qu Ling said that she wanted to choreograph a dance with me, the kind where the clothes are getting less and less as you dance."

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath and gritted his teeth and said, "Don't mess with her. Qu Ling is too bold."

Cai Ni said, "But Cai Ni also likes that. I like to see the young master obsessed with us."

Her voice was thready.

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but sigh. This house was like a den of dragons and tigers. If you don't pay attention, you will be hurt. You must leave quickly.

He resisted the temptation, got on the carriage, and went all the way to the palace.

The hall was already full of people. As Zhou Yuan walked in, the voices of conversation disappeared instantly.

"Meet the Duke of Wei..."

"It's true that clothes make the man. The Duke of Wei looks so majestic in his python robe."

"My Lord, you look so energetic today."

Some officials have already flattered him, and this group of people happened to be the ones who disliked him the most at the beginning.

They have no stance, only flattery.

Now that Zhou Yuan has made great contributions, he is destined to be named a first-class duke and become the most important person in the court. Naturally, he has to follow him.

Zhou Yuan just nodded, then walked to the front of the team and stood there. He looked to the side and saw Yang Guozhong also slightly gestured to him.

"Your Majesty has arrived!"

As the female official's voice sounded, Xiaozhuang held Empress Zhaojing's hand and came to the dragon platform.

Empress Zhaojing sat high on the dragon throne, overlooking the area below.

The ministers below saluted and said in unison: "Your Majesty."

"My dear ministers, please stand up."

Empress Zhaojing said: "Mr. Yang, let's summarize and start."

She didn't call him by his name directly, but "Mr. Yang", which proved that she was in a very good mood.

Yang Guozhong said loudly: "Last August, bad news came from the grassland. Wen Tieli's 70,000 troops were wiped out, and 80,000 Mongolian cavalry came to our Hetao."

"Duke Weiguo was ordered to go to war and defended Datong Town. He led the Five Army Camps, Northwest Army, and Xuanfu Army to march north to Mongolia. He wiped out the Mongolian cavalry at Sayinshanda, went north all the way, destroyed major Mongolian cities, flattened the grassland, and sealed the wolf's lair."

"Huang Taiji took advantage of the opportunity and attacked Shenjing. Duke Zhenguo led the soldiers of the Three Thousand Camps, the Shenji Camp, and the Five City Military Command to defend Shenjing."

"Huang Taiji was defeated and fled eastward. He was besieged by our Great Jin's 290,000 troops. He escaped through the sea warships, but he was also seriously injured."

"So far, the North has been settled. This is the most glorious victory of our Great Jin in many years."

Many ministers talked about it, looking happy. Although they didn't know the details, they knew the general news. It was still exciting to hear it at this moment.

Empress Zhaojing said: "Yes, this is the most glorious victory of our Great Jin in many years, and it has washed away the shame of decades of unfavorable foreign wars."

"Duke Weiguo dared to take responsibility in times of crisis, was both wise and brave, devoted and devoted, used his troops like a god, flattened the grassland, sealed the wolf's lair, and made great contributions to the world."

"Therefore, he was granted the title of first-class Duke Weiguo, and was granted the red-lettered iron certificate and the golden medal of immunity from death. He was appointed as the Grand Marshal of the Great Jin Army, controlling the troops of the world and continuing to lead the Great Jin to revitalization."

Zhou Yuan bowed and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I will continue the ambition of the Duke Zhenguo and protect the Great Jin."

Empress Zhaojing said: "Wang Xiong, Shi Yi, Liu Fang and other generals of the Beijing camp blocked the Mongolians and fought the cavalry. They made great contributions and were all awarded the title of first-class earl."

"Tianjin cannot be leaderless. I sent Liu Fang to Tianjin, served as the governor, guarding the country's borders and ports. "

"The post of the Grand Commander of the Five Military Camps will be taken over by Shi Yi."

"Wang Xiong went to Shandong and served as the Jiedushi. The former Shandong Jiedushi Wu Dingzhong was the governor of Jizhou. He is experienced and will surely be able to quickly revitalize Jizhou and continue to defend the Eastern Tartars."

Yang Guozhong immediately stood up and said anxiously: "Your Majesty, you must not do this. Although Wang Xiong and Shi Yi have made great contributions, their experience and qualifications are not enough. They can be conferred the title of first-class earl, but they cannot hold such an important position."

Deng Bochi also hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the generals from the Five Military Camps are indeed outstanding, but they are not yet able to take on such important responsibilities, and it is not conducive to the way of weighing the pros and cons."

Empress Zhaojing did not speak, but looked at Zhou Yuan and whispered: "What do you think, Duke Weiguo?"

Zhou Yuan said lightly: "Yang and Deng are against it, they must have the right person in mind, please give us your advice. "

Yang Guozhong and Deng Bochi were livid, but they couldn't find anyone who could take on the important task, and they couldn't say anything for a while.

Zhou Yuan said: "It's true that the Eastern Tartars are seriously injured, but Huang Taiji is a man of great talent and good at governing the country. After he came to power, he took a series of measures to strengthen the national strength, and the effect was very good. "

"It's only a matter of time before the Jurchens make a comeback. The defense of Tianjin and Jizhou is still the top priority of the border defense of the Great Jin Dynasty."

"Your Majesty must have made such an arrangement after careful consideration, how can you question it."

"Are you going to start party disputes again when you see that the Northern Expedition is settled and the court is stable?"

As soon as these words came out, Yang Guozhong and Deng Bochi's faces changed immediately.

Empress Zhaojing said: "Forget it, let's arrange it this way. If the effect is not good, we will adjust it again. "

In addition, the morning court also discussed some other matters, which Zhou Yuan was not very interested in. He waited until the morning court ended before he became more energetic.

He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, regarding the defense construction of the northeast, I have something to report."

Empress Zhaojing frowned, and then said, "Come to the imperial study of Ziwei Palace."

"Yes."

This time, it was not Xiaozhuang who led the way, but two female officials who brought Zhou Yuan to the familiar Ziwei Palace.

Empress Zhaojing was still wearing a dragon robe, and she had no time to change. She sat on the chair and smiled, "Junior brother, how did you know I prepared a lunch for you?"

Zhou Yuan said, "I didn't get the welcome party the day before yesterday, but I should have a meal with my senior sister today."

Empress Zhaojing blinked and said, "I also prepared a pot of good wine for you, but I was reluctant to drink it, so I used it to reward you this time. "

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Since you are so generous, should I release the forty-three female guards of the Inner Court?"

Empress Zhaojing's face suddenly stiffened, and she trembled and said, "You, what did you say?"

Zhou Yuan said, "Sister, don't pretend to be confused. I have told you the exact number of people. What else can you pretend to be?"

Empress Zhaojing's face turned pale.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Don't worry. After all, they are all the confidants of the big world. How could I kill them? As long as you say a word, I promise to send them back intact."

Empress Zhaojing was so angry that she threw the memorial on the desk at him and shouted, "Asshole! Your divine bird has spread to Shenjing! You are trying to usurp the throne!"

Zhou Yuan spread his hands and said, "Sister, you know, I am not interested in your position. Otherwise, I can seize power while Huang Taiji attacks Shenjing. "

This sentence obviously made Empress Zhaojing feel much better. She lowered her head and whispered: "Well... you let them all go... Senior Sister will apologize to you."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "Senior Sister, do you really think that if they go to Jizhou, Pang Lixing can lead troops to Beijing to defend the king? To be honest, the tens of thousands of newly recruited Jizhou troops are not enough to fill the gaps in the five military camps. Why bother?"

Empress Zhaojing said angrily: "You are only allowed to commit crimes, but I am not allowed to struggle. If you want me to accept it, you must allow me to use some means."

Zhou Yuan said: "Of course, I just advise you not to waste your energy. In addition... if you are caught by me once, you will be punished."

"Punishment?"

Empress Zhaojing laughed angrily: "You want an emperor to accept punishment? "

She raised her eyebrows, wearing a dragon robe and a hair crown, and had a noble temperament.

So Zhou Yuan strode to her side and pressed her on the table.

He laughed softly: "If you do something wrong, you must be punished.

"You..."

Empress Zhaojing widened her eyes, almost unable to believe what was happening in front of her.

In Ziwei Palace, the empress's aggrieved cry came.

And a moment later, Xiaozhuang and Zhuang Xuansu looked at each other, feeling a little strange, and finally decided to rush in to take a look.

So, they saw a shocking scene.

Empress Zhaojing's dragon robe was messy, lying on the table, crying.

"Get out!"

Being seen in such an embarrassing scene, Empress Zhaojing shouted angrily: "Don't come in!"

Xiaozhuang and Zhuang Xuansu were startled, and hurriedly ran out, and closed the door.