The Cold Door Hero

Summary

Two days after the court's rewards, Li Yan Qing, Dong Ping, and Yao Ping Zhong received high honors for their defense of the capital, each being granted the title of duke. While the rewards sparked excitement among officials, some suspected political maneuvering, particularly regarding Li Yan Qing's position. The military expressed outrage, with Wang Gui leading a protest against the perceived injustice of the titles awarded. Li Yan Qing defended the collective efforts of the soldiers and promised to advocate for their interests. Afterward, Li Yan Qing visited the Privy Council, where he learned about the ongoing debate over dismantling the military office of the defense commander. He felt secure as opposition existed within the Political Hall, preventing immediate changes. Discussions also revolved around defense plans for the southern bank of the Yellow River, which faced financial resistance. Although the court was reluctant to allocate resources, a recruitment plan for 200,000 new soldiers was approved, with Dong Ping and Yao Ping Zhong in command of training. Li Yan Qing felt sidelined by these developments and noted that he and Gao Shen would soon have limited roles in the evolving military strategy.

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