Naturally, she was extremely reluctant. How could she bear it? Her long - held aspiration had always been to lead troops into battles. Even in the panic of the previous day, there was still a little thrill in her heart. She had finally become a marshal. But now that the war was over, she seemed to have no more use for her talents.
Seeing the reluctant look on Su Wan'er's face, the national teacher naturally knew what was on her mind. "Marshal, rest assured. The soldiers have all told me. Thanks to your extraordinary bravery in this war. Even though you are retiring now that the country is peaceful and the people are in good order, your fame will always be passed down in the Su family's army."
"Marshal, national teacher. You two got up so early and are already discussing state affairs here. Your dedication really makes me feel ashamed, Your Majesty." Since Li Yuesheng was thinking like this, naturally Si Junlin couldn't sleep either. But early in the morning, he saw his national teacher and marshal, the two most important ministers, one civil and one military, standing here seriously discussing state affairs. There were even words like "peace and prosperity of the country" in their conversation. This really made him, the newly - enthroned king, extremely gratified. It was like a wonderful dream. Now even the Southern Border had been recovered. Wouldn't all the surrounding small countries become vassal states? There would be no more border troubles in the future. Such a good thing was like a dream for a newly - enthroned emperor like him. This morning, he even deliberately pinched his own arm and felt the pain, which made him believe it was real.
"Greetings to Your Majesty." The three of them bowed in unison.
"Please rise quickly, please rise quickly."
"Your Majesty. My daughter is getting married today, and it may take one more day. But Your Majesty had earlier issued an imperial edict allowing my daughter to marry into the Southern Border as a princess of the Jin Kingdom for the sake of peace. I'm afraid Your Majesty doesn't remember it now." Naturally, neither of them remembered this matter now. For Xiao Jiu's sake, it could only be handled like this. Moreover, there were no very strict edict - following rituals in the military camp. It couldn't be considered as him falsely transmitting the imperial edict.
"Marry for peace? The national teacher only has this one daughter, right? Did I really issue such an edict? But the national teacher has served the Jin Kingdom diligently for half a lifetime. Now that he can finally enjoy family happiness, how could he bear to marry his only daughter to the Southern Border?" The former emperor always showed concern for the old and meritorious officials. And when Si Junlin was the crown prince, he had been instilled with such ideas. Only by showing concern for the old and meritorious officials could the hearts of the court officials not be chilled. So at this moment, he naturally had to think carefully to avoid chilling the heart of the national teacher, a veteran of two dynasties.
"Your Majesty, I must admit that I'm also reluctant. But Your Majesty must know that I'm also from the Southern Border. When Xiao Jiu was a child, she was disobedient and ran to the Southern Border by herself. Now she has privately become engaged to the great elder of the Southern Border. I really have no way to stop her." The great elder looked like an old father who had been abandoned by his unfilial daughter. He really looked like those families in the folk where the daughter secretly met a man and got engaged, which made her parents sad. If it weren't for the fact that His Majesty had already changed his familiar smiling face into a serious one, Qing Cao would probably have burst out laughing. The great elder really told lies without batting an eyelid. He had only just recognized his savior a few days ago and now pretended to be her father. He even told the story so pitifully. It was really "pitiful".
"Oh, I see. Then I won't ask any more questions."
"Yes... But I have a request for Your Majesty today. Please be a witness with the marshal. In about an hour, the great elder should arrive. At that time, please go with me to be a witness."
This could also fulfill Xiao Jiu's wish. Otherwise, it would really be difficult for this little girl to leave without saying goodbye to the marshal.
"Of course. Since it's a marriage for peace, how about conferring her the title of princess? With the national teacher's status, it's only natural for his daughter to be a princess. Now she's going to marry for the country to stabilize the newly - recovered Southern Border. This is a great achievement. How could there be no promotion? I was really confused before. Someone, bring me a writing brush and ink."
Si Junlin waved his pen and immediately drafted an imperial edict, conferring Long Xiaojiu the title of princess. Although the conditions in the military camp were simple, she must be married in the name of a princess. And since the national teacher had made great contributions to stabilizing the situation between the two countries, he would be promoted to the title of Duke of Zhenguo.
"In this way, it's more justifiable." Su Wan'er also thought it was very reasonable and thus admired this wise king even more.
Su Wan'er's memory still stayed at the time when her father and brother taught her to be loyal to the king and the country every day. Although her father and brother might not be very familiar with this newly - enthroned emperor, the tradition of loyalty to the king in the Su family for generations had naturally filled her ears with good words about how wise and brave Si Junlin was. After such beautification, Si Junlin was still like a great hero in her heart.
"Speaking of rewards, the marshal has made great contributions to the recovery of the Southern Border this time. When we get to the capital, we must reward you well." Looking at this valiant female general, Si Junlin couldn't help but sigh that the Jin Kingdom was really a place full of talents.
Qing Cao, standing on the side, was really not used to seeing the two of them being so polite. They had been husband and wife for half a year and had fought side by side for several months. But now they seemed to have forgotten all the feelings between them. It really felt awkward to her as an onlooker.
"Your Majesty, I don't ask for any rewards. The family motto of the Su family is to serve the country and be loyal to the king. If I were to be rewarded with money and other things, it would go against the teachings of my father and brother for many years. How about...?" Su Wan'er was very nervous. After thinking for a while, she decided to speak up. As a woman, if she wanted to join the army, she had to fight for it herself. Otherwise, even though the former emperor had early on conferred the title of female general on her, she had still been idle at home for many years. Now, although she had inexplicably become a marshal, when they got to the capital, she would inevitably be removed from her position by those old officials.
"How about asking Your Majesty for a favor and allowing me to continue to train in the army? Although I was appointed in a critical moment, I did win the war after all. Naturally, I also know that the position of marshal cannot be easily given to a little woman like me unless it's absolutely necessary. How about I continue to be a general under my brother?"
A glint flashed in Si Junlin's eyes. Su'er's words inexplicably intoxicated him. This valiant female general... Was he really amnesiac? Why couldn't he remember at all how he had fought side by side with her during this personal expedition?
Although the marshal who had won the war was undoubtedly extremely capable, looking at Su'er's fair and delicate features, if she continued to stay in the army, even he felt a bit reluctant.
Si Junlin was just about to speak. He couldn't go against the will of the meritorious official. But the national teacher interrupted.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is not appropriate. The two generals of the Su family in the capital have almost recovered from their injuries. And now that the Southern Border has been recovered, the Jin Kingdom will surely enjoy peace in the future. There is no shortage of generals in the army. Moreover..." The national teacher looked at Su Wan'er, and Su Wan'er immediately had a bad feeling. This old man seemed to be a congenial person during the past few days, but now he suddenly became so rigid. Could it be that she, as a woman, would never be able to go to the battlefield for the rest of her life?