At first, when the two received the imperial edict, they were very happy, but they soon realized that they might not be able to leave Chang'an. Before meeting Li Xiang, they had met once and both wanted to talk to Li Xiang.
This was the first time that Li Xiang hosted a banquet at the General Tiance's Mansion, and this first time was reserved for the two generals on the left and right of the General Tiance's Mansion.
"From now on, these two side houses will be your offices. Are you used to them?"
The food was not ready yet, so Li Xiang took the two of them to have a look. In front of the General Tiance's Mansion was the special office, and behind it was Li Xiang's palace.
Li Xiang's face was full of interest at the moment, but looking at the two generals, there was no interest on their faces, but rather a bit of bitterness. All they had received earlier was happiness, but now all they thought about was sadness.
"Why are you two so sad? I wonder how many people in the entire empire would like to be the left and right generals. Now that these two positions have been given to you, it's enough to show my deep love for you. You two should be happy, why are you still so sad? Have I treated you unfairly in any way?"
Li Xiang asked knowingly, saying that these two were the people he trusted the most, so they would never leave the capital. If he handed the responsibility over to one person alone, Li Xiang was worried that one person would dominate.
"Your Highness, please stop joking. You said it's normal for General Niu to stay here. After all, he likes life in the capital. But I'm different. I've always followed Your Highness in his battles all over the world. The army is about to march south. I feel uncomfortable being asked to stay in the capital as a general."
Su Dingfang said with a bitter face that he really had not stayed in the capital for a long time, and he followed Li Xiang wherever he went. Now that Li Xiang had Huo Qubing by his side, he also knew that this person was here to replace him, but he felt a little unwilling in his heart.
"Who wants to stay in the capital? Can you please speak more clearly? Your Highness didn't give me an order at that time. If he had, I would have been willing to follow Your Highness to conquer the world. How am I any less than you?"
Niu Jinda was unhappy when he heard this. He said, "I am also a powerful general outside, but I just haven't had the chance to show it. If there really is a chance, let's fight for three hundred rounds. Who knows who will beat whom down."
"you……"
Just as the two were about to start arguing, Manager Xia came out and told the three that the meal was ready. They were going to have a mutton hotpot at Changsun Pingting's place, but here they didn't need to be so elaborate. The roasted whole lamb was already prepared, plus four cold dishes and three jars of wine. This was the standard meal for three people.
"Come on, let's finish this bowl first. It's been a long time since the three of us have had a drink together. All the servants have gone downstairs today, so if you have anything to say, just talk about it in depth."
Li Xiang picked up the big bowl, and the two of them clinked their bowls together unwillingly, then drank three bowls of wine. Li Xiang also felt very refreshed. He picked up a knife and cut a piece of roasted lamb, dipped it in chili powder and put it into his stomach. It was so delicious.
At this moment, the two of them also have the right to cut the meat with a knife in front of Li Xiang. You must know that the ruling class is afraid that the people below will harm them. Often when they give a banquet, the meat is already cut, and they will never allow their subordinates to cut the meat while eating.
But Li Xiang trusts these two people more. If he doesn't even trust them, then Li Xiang would be a failure as a lord. Even the people closest to you want to kill you, then there is no need for you to live. You have to find a place to review yourself and see what you have done in your daily life.
"Since Your Highness has said so, then I, Old Niu, have to drool first. This guy has followed you to fight outside for such a long time, and I have been staying in Chang'an the whole time. I have never said that I am unhappy. Now I would rather not have this general in the Tiance General's Mansion. I am also willing to lead troops to fight outside."
Niu Jinda was such an upright person that even Su Dingfang wouldn't dare to say he didn't want this general. After all, this general was very popular now. Have you seen Li Jing and Cheng Yaojin now? In the future, when Li Xiang ascended the throne and became emperor, they would definitely be in this position as well. They would almost represent the military gods of the entire Tang Dynasty. So the fact that he said he didn't want this general was enough to show Niu Jinda's uprightness.
"Although I followed His Highness outside for a long time, I was mostly a guard general. I didn't lead the soldiers into battle, except for one or two times back then."
Speaking of this matter, Su Dingfang felt aggrieved. All the civil and military generals in the court felt that Su Dingfang was having too much fun outside. After all, he went wherever Li Xiang went in recent years, and basically all of them were on the front line of the war.
But the question is, did Su Dingfang really lead troops independently? Most of the time, he was guarding Li Xiang. Only a small amount of time, when Li Xiang really couldn't find anyone, would he be asked to lead his men to the battlefield. Those opportunities were pitifully rare and far from what you think.
Li Xiang was eating meat and drinking wine beside him, listening to the complaints of these two confidants. In order to follow Li Xiang south, these two people used all the necessary and unnecessary means. In the end, the friendship on the battlefield of the past was brought out. If they really wanted to perform a big drama, they would have to be given a leading role.
"You two have finished speaking, right? If you're done, it's my turn."
Half an incense stick of time had passed, and Li Xiang was almost full, but he hadn't finished the second bowl of wine yet. Just listening to you two talking here made his mouth taste dry, so he finished this bowl of wine before speaking.
Seeing that both of them nodded, Li Xiang had to start his ideological work.
"I know what you two mean. No one wants to stay in Chang'an City, but I want to ask you two, besides you two, who else do you think I can keep in Chang'an City? As long as you can find a third person, I will agree to let you both follow me into the battlefield and give you the positions of commander and deputy commander."
These two people have been following Li Xiang for a long time, and Li Xiang naturally knows their personalities. He shut these two guys up with just one sentence. Can you find a more suitable third person?
