Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 565 I am also satisfied

Chang'an Palace City.

Zhang Jianzhi walked into the gate of the Secretariat with brisk steps, and after being passed around, he met Chen Qingsi who was handling official business.

Facing his most trusted student, Chen Qingsi asked casually, "The army is about to return, how can General Meng have the time to come here?"

Chen Qingsi is now in power, and his closest people have naturally been promoted accordingly. Among them, Zhang Jianzhi is the most capable and stable one. He can complete the various tasks assigned by Chen Qingsi excellently and is recognized as a prime minister. He used to work in the Dali Temple, but now he has been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue by Chen Qingsi, serving as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, in charge of the money bag of the Tang Dynasty.

Zhang Jianzhi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, made the greatest contribution in supplying various military pay and supplies to the Western Regions.

Before Zhang Jianzhi could enjoy the leisure time after the war, Chen Qingsi gave him another task, to welcome the victorious army of Li Ji, Pei Xingjian and others.

Chen Qingsi's respect for soldiers is deep-rooted. Perhaps the soldiers of this era are very different from the "soldiers" in his mind in terms of military discipline and thinking, but when the country needs them, they resolutely appear at the forefront of the battlefield and exchange their lives for the beautiful mountains and rivers we have today.

Therefore, even if the imperial court was in financial difficulty, the soldiers' due treatment and respect must first be met.

Of course, there was another purpose for entrusting such a task to Zhang Jianzhi.

Now that Chen Qingsi is in this position, he has to be responsible for his family and the world.

Now his people are spread across various key positions, and any orders he issues are effectively implemented. However, this is also bound to make some people dissatisfied, especially the old prince's party, Li Hong's close ministers, who have suffered the greatest losses...especially now that Li Hong is in poor health and is often bedridden.

As long as Li Hong was around, they still had a little hope. But once Li Hong was gone, no matter who his successor was, their greatest reliance, their status as "close ministers in the palace," would be gone, and they would have even less hope.

These people did some small things in private, and Chen Qingsi actually saw them all.

It was just a group of mice thinking about how to bring down the tiger, and Chen Qingsi didn't bother to pay attention to them. Of course, there was another reason. Li Hong was a benevolent ruler. Although he had the little thoughts of an emperor, he had no ill intentions, so he had to save his face.

Looking at the entire Tang Dynasty, Chen Qingsi still has people he is wary of.

Li Ji, a founding hero of the Tang Dynasty and a veteran minister of four dynasties, his connections in the military and his background in the government should not be underestimated.

It was with the help of this old fox that Li Zhi overthrew the arrogant Changsun Wuji and the regent Chu Suiliang.

Therefore, it was expected that those close ministers in the palace would definitely use Li Ji as a life-saving straw.

Letting Zhang Jianzhi be responsible for the reception was also a preparation for this.

Chen Qingsi had a good impression of Li Ji, the old fox. They had a good personal relationship, and the old fox even wanted to entrust Li Jingye to him. However, the political situation was unpredictable, and the current situation was completely different from that time. No one could guess what Li Ji was thinking.

Chen Qingsi must make full preparations.

Zhang Jianzhi also knew that welcoming the triumphant army was a serious matter and focused most of his attention on it. It was not until today, when he received a piece of news, that he rushed to the Secretariat to report to Chen Qingsi.

"Sir, the Ministry of Rites just sent a message saying that Li Sikong's old illness relapsed when he was in Longzhou. He can't move and has to stay there to recuperate."

Zhang Jianzhi spoke in a serious tone.

Chen Qingsi laughed. This old fox was making it clear that he was too old to get involved in the affairs of the government. But when one is in the martial arts world, one cannot help oneself. The Li family was blessed by him, and they had a large family and a large business, with many students and former officials. Being in this position, it was impossible for him to completely avoid it, so he simply did not come back.

After thinking for a while, Chen Qingsi said, "Li Sikong is already quite old. He has fought hard for several years in the harsh environment of the Western Regions and has made great contributions to the country. Yuanzhi, go find the imperial physician Liu Shenwei and ask him to go to Longzhou to visit Sikong on my behalf."

As Chen Qingsi's chief secretary, Yao Chong immediately took the order and left.

Chen Qingsi then said to Zhang Jianzhi: "Li Sikong is ill and cannot attend the prisoner presentation ceremony. The scale and pomp cannot be reduced. Everything should remain the same so that the triumphant heroes can receive the treatment and respect they deserve."

Zhang Jianzhi accepted the order and said, "Yes!"

Chen Qingsi thought about it, and then went to see Li Hong, who was dozing in the backyard, with the news that Li Ji was seriously ill.

Li Hong was in poor health. He had always been a sickly person, and the interference of Empress Wu and Li Yifu dealt a severe blow to his body and mind. He was worse than before, and got worse day by day.

Upon learning that Li Ji was ill, Li Hong asked a few questions with concern, but stopped asking when he learned that his life was not in danger.

Chen Qingsi said: "Li Sikong defeated the Arabs and made the name of our Tang Dynasty famous throughout the world. His contribution is so great that no one can compare to him. How should I reward him? Please tell me, Your Majesty."

Li Hong said weakly, "Incomparable? I don't agree. Li Sikong's good command in the Western Regions was indeed the reason for the victory. But without you coordinating the overall situation and dispatching special forces to cross the sea to attack the rear of the Arab Empire, how could we have won today? Not to mention the merits of pacifying Tubo and stabilizing the country? Only you deserve the title of 'great merit'."

Chen Qingsi hurriedly said: "I am a commoner, but I was highly valued by the late emperor and have the status I have today. I dare not take credit for it." Li Zhi was not a benevolent ruler, but for him, Chen Qingsi, he deserved the utmost honor and favor.

Li Hong smiled and continued, "Since the founding of our dynasty, the highest title for a minister has been Duke. However, up to now, you and Li Yinggong have only been Dukes for their achievements, which is hard to convince the world. I will set a precedent and confer the title of Duke to you and Yinggong as Princes to meet the expectations of the world."

Chen Qingsi's face changed slightly and he was about to speak.

Li Hong said: "Don't persuade me, I have thought about this matter for a long time and I have made up my mind."

Chen Qingsi thought for a moment and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"In addition..." Li Hong took a few deep breaths, and then said, "I have something else to say to you, sir."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Li Hong narrowed his eyes and looked into the distance, saying, "My health is getting worse day by day. I have no children. Some people have suggested that we make Prince Pei the crown prince. I have also considered this for a long time, and I also think that the country cannot be without a crown prince, and it is reasonable to do so. However, although Prince Pei is kind and intelligent at present, he is still young after all. It is still unknown what his character will be in the future and whether he can be the ruler of a country. The foundation of the Tang Dynasty cannot be broken in my hands. If Prince Pei is unjust in the future, you can take it yourself."

Surprisingly, Chen Qingsi did not refuse, but smiled happily and said, "I obey your order."

This actually surprised Li Hong a little. He didn't know how to respond for a moment and looked at Chen Qingsi in front of him with some embarrassment.

Chen Qingsi met Li Hong's gaze and said, "If your majesty is in good health, you will definitely be a virtuous ruler."

Li Hong knew that his thoughts were seen through by the man in front of him, and he also laughed: "I am satisfied to receive such praise from you, sir."

(End of this chapter)