roccoschili Chapter 36 Arrangement
Chapter 36 Arrangement
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"
I believe that emperors, in governing the world, must value human relationships; and in governing a country, they must emphasize education and moral guidance.
Marriage is a fundamental principle of social order and the foundation of royal governance.
It is hereby learned that Li Jinglong, Duke of Cao, inherited the title and honors, possesses outstanding talent and strategic acumen, and has successfully carried on the family's reputation;
Fu, the eldest daughter of Duke Fu Youde of Yingguo, was born into a distinguished family. She was virtuous, kind, gentle, and acted in accordance with the proper conduct of the household.
Both families were pillars of the Ming Dynasty, making significant contributions to the nation. Their families were of equal social standing and were a perfect match.
The Duke of Cao, Li Jinglong, was ordered to marry Fu Wanqing, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Ying, and an auspicious day was chosen for the wedding.
Li Jinglong should strive diligently and faithfully to further enhance the family's virtues; Fu Wanqing should be respectful and cautious in her conduct, and be a good wife and mother.
All wedding ceremonies shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations established during the Hongwu reign, with officials dispatched with imperial credentials to carry out the rites. Gold hairpins and jade pendants shall be bestowed, and ceremonial regalia, drums, and trumpets shall be provided in a generous manner.
This proclamation is hereby issued to the world, so that all may know.
"Your subject, Li Jinglong, kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's grace!"
At the Duke of Cao's mansion, Li Jinglong led the entire Li family in listening to Old Zhu's imperial edict. However, apart from Li Jinglong, the rest of the Li family members were completely stunned!
What's going on?
Didn't you already refuse once, brother? Why are you coming again?
Li Zengzhi and Li Fangying exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with confusion.
After the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree left, Li Zengzhi and Li Fangying immediately approached Li Jinglong and began to ask him questions.
Li Zengzhi asked, full of doubt, "Brother, why did His Majesty bestow the marriage of Sister Fu upon you? Didn't you refuse when Uncle Mu acted as matchmaker for you last time?"
"Yes, brother! How come His Majesty has granted us this marriage, and the bride is from the Fu family?" Li Fangying chimed in.
"You may not know this, but this time His Highness the Crown Prince acted as matchmaker and His Majesty bestowed the marriage upon us. It is a joyous occasion for both the Duke of Cao's and the Duke of Ying's families!" Li Jinglong said casually.
Seeing that the two were still puzzled, he explained, "Last time, when the Marquis of Xiping acted as matchmaker, it was my foolishness. Now that His Majesty has bestowed this marriage upon us, it can be considered as making amends for my mistake!"
"Big brother! Is there something you're having trouble telling us?" Li Fangying, though young, asked with concern.
"Yes! Brother, our Cao State Duke's Mansion and His Majesty are close relatives. Although Sister Fu is gentle and virtuous, isn't she a bit too ambitious?" Li Zengzhi also looked worried.
"You two, shut up!" Li Jinglong rolled his eyes at them, then patiently said, "Wanqing and I grew up together, so we know each other quite well. Besides, is Wanqing any taller than me?"
Li Jinglong's gaze swept over the two of them, and he instructed, "His Majesty's bestowal of this marriage naturally has a deeper consideration behind it, which you will learn about in the future. From now on, never mention the past again, understand?"
"Understood, big brother!"
"I will heed your teachings, elder brother!"
Li Zengzhi and Li Fangying both cupped their hands in greeting.
Not only their own family, but also the entire circle of nobles in the capital were talking about Li Jinglong after the imperial edict of Emperor Zhu's bestowal of marriage was announced.
In the Duke of Wei's mansion, Xu Yungong and Xu Zengshou, both dressed in mourning clothes, were sitting in the main hall, discussing the matter.
"Brother, do you think Li Jiujiang will accept this time?" Xu Zengshou asked with a grin, looking like he was watching a show.
"I don't think so!" The tall Xu Yungong shook his head and analyzed, "Last time it was the Marquis of Xiping who acted as matchmaker, this time it's His Highness the Crown Prince, plus His Majesty's bestowal of a marriage, and the Cao State Duke's mansion is not what it used to be!"
"Yes! Even for the sake of his future career, Li Jiujiang would gladly accept!" Xu Zengshou nodded. "Currently in the army, besides the Duke of Ying, only the Duke of Song is worthy of such a position!"
After Xu Zengshou finished speaking, he shook his head and smiled bitterly. In the past, his family's Duke of Wei's mansion was the most powerful force in the army. Unfortunately, with the death of his father Xu Da, the power of the Duke of Wei's mansion also plummeted.
After all, although there were some old acquaintances in the army, his elder brother had not yet inherited the title and was therefore unable to command troops. Even if he did inherit the title, he would not be able to command the army for the time being.
As a result, mid-level officers who wanted to advance their careers through military merit would naturally no longer seek refuge under the Duke of Wei's household.
"What a pity!" Xu Yungong sighed. "We two brothers won't be able to participate in next year's campaign to conquer Liaodong!"
According to etiquette, Xu Yungong and his brothers should observe three years of mourning. Even if they were to remove the mourning clothes early like Li Jinglong, it would still take at least two years and one month. Now, only one year has passed since Xu Da's death, so there's no way he can make it in time.
"After the Liaodong campaign, I'm afraid there won't be any major battles in the short term!" Xu Zengshou sighed. Although the Ming Dynasty's mortal enemy, the Northern Yuan, has not yet been eliminated, in the future, it will certainly not be like the recovery of Liaodong this time, where an army of 200,000 was dispatched.
Xu Yungong glanced at Xu Zengshou, his gaze gradually hardening: "Although you and I, brothers, will not be able to participate in this final battle to reclaim our lost territory, there are still villains eyeing our Ming Dynasty from all sides."
"In the future, you and I, brothers, will have no shortage of military merits to rely on; moreover, His Majesty will not sit idly by and watch my Duke of Wei's mansion decline!"
Xu Zengshou was also inspired by Xu Yungong's boldness and declared, "Brother is absolutely right! My Xu family will surely remain the most distinguished family in the Ming Dynasty!"
The same scene played out repeatedly in other noble families, including the Duke of Zheng's mansion and the Duke of Shen's mansion.
However, at the Korean government office, when Li Qi told the news to the white-haired Li Shanchang, the latter's eyes, which had been half-closed, suddenly flashed with a sharp light.
"To rise to power is still to rise to power; killing two birds with one stone!"
Li Qi was somewhat puzzled. "Father, you're overthinking it! In my opinion, it's just a normal marriage alliance. Didn't the Duke of Song marry his daughter to the Duke of Zheng before? Perhaps His Majesty is considering that Li Jiujiang is too young and lacks a foothold in the army!"
Li Shanchang didn't get up, but glanced at Li Qi and said calmly, "Do you really think so?"
Li Qi smiled, then suddenly felt that his father was being overly cautious. "Father, how similar is it that Chang Mao was granted a title at a young age, and Li Jiujiang inherited the title at such a young age? Perhaps His Majesty couldn't bear to see the Zheng and Cao Dukes' mansions decline, so he found a military leader for both Chang Mao and Li Jiujiang!"
"Shortsighted!" Li Shanchang scolded Li Qi after hearing his words and seeing the smug look on his face.
"Father!" Li Qi looked at Li Shanchang in confusion.
After Li Shanchang finished speaking, he glanced at Li Qi and then explained, "Why did the Emperor marry Feng Sheng's daughter to Chang Mao? Yu Chun's early death was one reason, but the Emperor might also have had the idea of having Chang Mao share Feng Sheng's military power!"
"Now that Li Wenzhong has died young, Li Jinglong has inherited the title at a young age, and his situation is very similar to that of Chang Mao back then."
Over the years, Fu Youde has fought in numerous battles, rising from a marquis to a duke. Currently, only Feng Sheng and Fu Youde in the army are capable of fighting major battles, and the two of them are also the most powerful figures in the army!
"With some of Feng Sheng's power being taken away by Chang Mao, would the new leader just sit idly by and watch Fu Youde become the only powerful figure in the army?"
"Marriage alliances are only one aspect; maintaining control of the military balance is the true objective of those in power!"
"This... thank you for clearing up my doubts, Father!" Li Qi looked at Li Shanchang with admiration.