These clowns are nothing to worry about, but these few local lords are a bit of a problem; they're becoming too powerful to be controlled.
Both the Prince of Northern Liang and the Prince of Shu Li Zhengdao, seem to be getting restless. The only one who seems to be doing better is probably the Prince of Min, Li Sanjiang. We must find a way to deal with them.
The most urgent matter now is Lin Yi!
This Prince of Northern Liang wasn't even a feudal lord, yet he dared to seize Ningchuan Commandery from him, and on the grounds that he was the emperor. This greatly displeased him.
He glanced at Ran Zijin in the crowd, and the latter instantly understood.
Now that he has returned to the imperial court, his main task is to target Lin Yi. Since the emperor is paying attention to him, it means he intends to cause trouble for Lin Yi.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, although Lin Yi defeated Tuoba Yu, he has occupied Ningchuan Commandery without cause. This is undoubtedly audacious and an attempt to rebel!"
ah!
Upon hearing this, the courtiers were in an uproar, and they all perked up, knowing that the meeting had finally arrived.
The battle of Ningchuan Commandery is over, and the meritorious officials should be rewarded. But now they are directly accusing Lin Yi and even saying that he intended to rebel. This is definitely a case of discarding a useful tool after it has served its purpose.
However, considering the Emperor's fear of the Prince of Northern Liang, they could only complain about it in their hearts and did not make any immediate statements.
After all, they knew who Ran Zijin represented; this clearly showed the Emperor's dissatisfaction with Lin Yi's occupation of Ningchuan Commandery.
"Your Majesty, Lin Yi has just repelled Tuoba Yu, and we are already accusing him of plotting a rebellion. This is probably..." The Minister of Justice Gongsun Gui, stiffened. If word got out, wouldn't the people's hearts be unsettled? Who would dare to work for the Emperor then?
They just helped you defeat the enemy, and now you want to punish them? Who can stand that?
Another general stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, it is still unknown whether Lin Yi is plotting a rebellion, but his merits are undeniable. According to intelligence, he first killed more than 20,000 enemy soldiers and rescued the people of Ningchuan Commandery."
He then gave all the seized property to the people without taking a single penny, so the people were extremely grateful to him.
He then personally led a large army to attack, chasing Tuoba Yu for more than ten miles. During this time, many people came to join him. When he finally fought Tuoba Yu, his army numbered as many as 150,000.
Finally, near Youning Commandery, he decisively defeated the 100,000-strong army of Tuoba Yu and Tuoba Qingsong.
If we handle it this way...
He didn't say what he was going to say next, but it was enough to leave the ministers speechless and the entire court trembling.
"150,000 troops?"
"The idea that the people would defect to them during the fighting is a complete fantasy."
"And what do you mean by 'defeated Tuoba Yu and Tuoba Qingsong's 100,000-strong army in one fell swoop'? Are you kidding me?!"
"This is outrageous! You're not Lin Yi's spy, are you?!"
Everyone was dumbfounded, shocked by this sudden news. This was complete nonsense; Lin Yi already had 150,000 troops?
Unacceptable.
Li Anlan looked at the person who spoke, but couldn't help but ask, "Minister Hao, is your intelligence accurate?"
He would never believe it if someone else said that.
However, the speaker was Hao Yulin, one of his Imperial Guard commanders, who would never speak nonsense. The key point is that he has a son who serves as the Commandant of Youning Commandery, so there might actually be some news.
Hao Yulin nodded, took out a secret letter from his robes, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, this is intelligence sent by my son, Hao Datong, the Commandant of Youning Commandery, via express courier. He asked me to deliver it to Your Majesty. However, I think it is too absurd, so I am hesitating whether to present it before verifying it."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed drastically. If it was sent from the front lines, then it was almost certainly true.
"My dear minister, you've worked hard. Let me see it; I'm sure your son wouldn't write anything carelessly!"
Li Anlan was gratified. There were still loyal ministers who knew to send him intelligence; otherwise, wouldn't I have been kept in the dark?
Upon opening it, his expression immediately turned strange. This was simply too unbelievable; could it really be just nonsense?
For example, it's normal to start with only 30,000 light cavalry.
All of them were riding white horses, clearly the White Horse Volunteers, this matches up.
Then, as the fighting progressed, Lin Yi suddenly had 100,000 men on his side. Although this was somewhat absurd, it wasn't impossible if Lin Yi had gathered able-bodied men from Ningchuan Commandery.
Then suddenly more than 30,000 people came to join Lin Yi, and then more than 10,000 people appeared on the mountain...
call!
He couldn't help but gasp. If this was fake, it wouldn't be a big problem, but if it was real, it would be a disaster.
What does it mean for Lin Yi to have 150,000 troops? It means that Lin Yi is fully capable of sweeping through Youning Commandery and Great Wasteland Commandery, which is not good news.
If they can establish such strength in Ningchuan Commandery, then our side is in danger.
Unless we send an army of 200,000 or even 300,000, we might not be able to take it down, otherwise we'll just have to suffer in silence.
"Investigate immediately!" He handed the intelligence to Wei Tong and said in a deep voice.
Wei Tong glanced at it, then said with a look of horror, "Your Majesty, this is probably true, because the Great Ning Guard also received similar news, saying that Lin Yi pursued the enemy. The previous intelligence is consistent, but so far, our people are still investigating and have not yet counted their troop strength."
Just as he finished speaking, a guard rushed in, saying that there was some extremely urgent intelligence coming, which immediately made Li Anlan's pupils shrink.
"Pass!"
The newcomer was indeed a member of the Great Ning Guard, holding a piece of intelligence in his hand.
Wei Tong glanced at it, his face turning deathly pale. After hesitating for a moment, he handed it to Li Anlan, whose expression changed drastically after taking a look.
It's actually true!
The intelligence was simple: Xiliang Yi, the Lin Yi of Xiliang, fought a fierce battle against 100,000 Northern Barbarians troops outside Youning Commandery, nearly annihilating them. Only after the arrival of the Barbarian King Tuoba Wanli's army did the battle come to an end!
These few words made Li Anlan's face turn extremely ugly.
The army of 100,000 was almost completely annihilated, which is an extraordinary strength. He is currently dealing with Tuoba Wanli, and if he were to divide his attention to deal with Lin Yi, he would probably not be able to continue.
"Draft an imperial edict!"
After a moment's thought, Li Anlan said in a deep voice.
[ Xiliang Lin Yi, was rewarded for his meritorious service in rescuing Ningchuan Commandery and was enfeoffed as the Prince of Xiliang, with the expectation that he would serve the country and defend against the Northern Barbarians...]
The meaning is simple: I hereby appoint you as the Prince of Xiliang, but your duty is to defend against the Northern Barbarians; the south must not interfere!
Upon the issuance of this imperial edict, the court officials fell silent; the emperor had actually yielded.
The fact that Lin Yi was not held responsible, but instead directly appointed him as the Prince of Xiliang, already says it all.
Grunt!
Everyone gasped in shock. The news of Lin Yi's fifteen armies was actually true; otherwise, the emperor wouldn't have been so wary of him and would have even bestowed upon him the title of Prince of Xiliang.
Good heavens!
It really is two kings from one family.