The Great Tang General

As for the candidates for the two protectorates, Li Xuan was prepared to change his way of employing people.

There are tribes of all sizes scattered across the prairie, and there are many conflicts between tribes.

Prince Yehu was made Jingwen Khan by Li Xuan, but he would never return to the grassland.

The Grand Protector-General actually took over the political affairs of the Hanhai Protectorate and the Grassland Protectorate.

Li Xuan was afraid that ordinary civil servants would not be able to intimidate the newly tamed grassland tribes.

Prepare to transfer two generals to civil servants.

The first person Li Xuan thought of was Duan Xueshi, who was both civil and military.

He was Li Xuan's designated next Minister of War.

However, Duan Xueshi had outstanding military achievements and was a rare general in the Tang Dynasty, with a rank equivalent to the first rank.

The Grand Protector General was only of the second rank, one level higher than the Governor.

However, Li Xuan believed that Duan Xueshi could understand his intentions.

Duan Xueshi's military rank will be retained, but he will no longer have military power.

Duan Xueshi was appointed as the Grand Protector of the richest Hanhai Protectorate, and was granted the title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi.

The original governor of Qinghai was succeeded by Yuchi Sheng.

In addition, Li Xuan was transferred to Hedong Governor Li Guangchen to take charge of the Grassland Protectorate.

Li Guangchen was also proficient in literary affairs and could be appointed as the Protector General of the grassland.

Li Feiyuanli, deputy governor of Lingwu, replaced Li Guangchen as governor of Hedong.

The original Beiting Governor's Office was stationed in the Hanhai Protectorate.

The Shanyu City was used as the base.

The defense of Tianshan Province will be replaced by the Dunhuang Army.

After expanding the territory, there is no need to increase the number of troops.

The original Lingwu Military Governor's Office was stationed in Tiankhan City and was responsible for the garrison of the Grassland Protectorate.

In addition, part of the Taiyuan army will be stationed in Julunpo and Yinglie City.

Help the Lingwu Army share the pressure.

At this point, the pattern of the Ten Protectorates of the Tang Dynasty was formed.

Completely surround the Tang Dynasty.

It also determined that the Tang Dynasty would develop southwards in the future.

There is the sea waiting for the Tang Dynasty.

In mid-November, Li Sheng began to lead light cavalry to march towards Beihai.

Conquer those places that do not submit to the Tang Dynasty.

Li Xuan arranged everything on the grassland.

The troops also began to return to the capital.

He couldn't possibly wait for Duan Xueshi and Li Guangchen to take office.

However, Li Xuan would leave behind 10,000 Tian Ce Guards, led by Che Guangqian, and dispatch 10,000 Shen Ce Guards from Bai Tinghai, led by Hun Yu.

They were stationed respectively to the west of Yu Dujun Mountain and in Shanyu City to stabilize the overall situation.

The Dunhuang army will also wait until next autumn to retreat.

After all the redeployments were completed, Pei Ying led the imperial guards back to Chang'an.

Zhang Xing and a dozen military officials and civil servants stayed in Shanyu City to handle subsequent government affairs and arrange for the captives to build the city.

The gold, silver and jewelry presented by the Shanyu City and the chieftains of various tribes were transported to Chang'an in carts, and the family of Crown Prince Yehu and a group of Uighur nobles were also sent to Chang'an.

The Uighur Khanate existed only in name and could no longer mobilize any tribe.

Li Xuan led the remaining Tiance Guards and went south to Baiting Sea.

At Bai Tinghai, he led the Shen Ce Guards, the Feilong Imperial Guards, and the Longwu Army south to Wuwei.

In Gansu area, heavy snow falls in winter.

After Li Xuan rested in Liangzhou City for more than ten days, the weather warmed up and the snow melted. He bid farewell to the people who had lined the streets to see him off and set off back to Chang'an.

He did not continue his patrol westward.

News came from Chang'an that Li Longji was running out of energy and might die at any time.

Li Xuan thought about it and decided to go back.

He also learned that the Secretary General Wang Wei was bedridden, so he asked Li Xuan to resign from the position.

A great talent of his generation, also reached old age.

This suddenly made Li Xuan think that Li Bai and Wang Wei died one after another.

Li Xuan spent the New Year of this year in Xinquan Army.

On the second day of the New Year, we continued on our journey.

At the end of the month, we finally arrived in Chang'an.

This time, the emperor personally led the army to fight, which took nearly a year.

The emperor returned to Chang'an and the whole country celebrated.

Li Xuan ordered his ministers not to welcome him. Except for a part of the troops outside the city, he led the civil and military officials and the imperial guards on the expedition and entered through the Mingde Gate.

The cement road on Zhuque Street has been completed.

The cement road in the city is like a wide silver-grey dragon, extending flat and straight towards the Suzaku Gate of the imperial city.

There are pedestrian paths on both sides, a horse path and a car path in the middle. Peonies are planted beside them.

In addition, there are sidewalks for people to travel at regular intervals.

"Meet the Supreme One!"

"Congratulations to the Supreme for his triumphant return..."

When Li Xuan entered the city, the people stood on both sides and bowed to him.

The news of the war had already reached Chang'an.

The Supreme Emperor personally led the army to establish two large protectorates on the grassland to expand the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

Every Tang person feels proud of it.

Under the propaganda of the imperial court, more and more people have the concept of the country in their hearts.

They firmly believe that the stronger the country is, the better their lives will be.

Li Xuan, unprecedented in his career, brought faith to the country.

From common people to scholars, more and more people choose to contribute their strength.

Li Xuan waved his hand to signal the people on both sides not to be polite. Amid the cheers of the crowd, Li Xuan entered the Suzaku Gate and the Taiji Palace.

Li Xuan had just arrived at the harem to see his wife and children, and before he could even sit down, a female official came in and reported to him, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is critically ill!"

If it weren't for this matter, no one would dare to disturb Li Xuan.

"I will change my clothes and go immediately."

Li Xuan understood that it was not easy for Li Longji to hold on until he returned from the expedition.

I guess she couldn't bear it any longer after learning the news that he had returned to Chang'an.

Since Li Longji was named the Holy, Wen, Shen and Martial Emperor by him, it was reasonable for him to go and take a look.

After changing clothes, Li Xuan took Pei Lingxi from the Jiacheng of Taiji Palace to Xingqing Palace.

Outside the Yuelong Palace, Li Longji's children and grandchildren all arrived.

Many princesses were sobbing and very sad.

Some princes and princesses were worried that after Li Longji's death, Li Xuan would not remember their old friendship and they would lose their titles.

"The Supreme One has arrived..."

"The Queen has arrived..."

The voice of the master of ceremonies came from outside the hall. The princes and princesses quickly put away their expressions and greeted him in front of the hall.

"Greetings to the Supreme..."

"Meet the Queen..."

"No need to be polite!"

Led by the female official, Li Xuan went straight into the inner hall.

In fact, Li Xuan was also quite surprised. He thought that Li Longji would die of illness when he went on the expedition.

He was also thinking of letting Li Shizhi take care of Li Longji's funeral.

I didn't expect Li Longji to lie in bed for such a long time again.

When he saw Li Longji again, he looked haggard and extremely weak.

From his expression, it was clear that he was in pain somewhere.

There was a deadness about him, and it seemed difficult to open his eyelids.

The imperial physician said that Li Longji had liver problems, and Li Xuan felt that he was very similar to cancer in later generations.

Non-severe pain.

But I couldn't fall asleep for a while.

"The Supreme Emperor..."

Li Xuan came to the bedside and called out softly to Li Longji.

Li Longji's eyelids trembled and opened slightly.

"Qi Lang just left, why is he back again?"

Li Longji spoke intermittently.

He spent nearly a year in a daze.

He basically just lay in bed and slept, and could only be fed some rice porridge.

A year may seem very long to ordinary people, but to Li Longji, he didn't even notice the passage of time.

He suffers from illness every day.

"I have defeated the Huihe and returned home."

Li Xuan replied to Li Longji.

"Qilang has won another battle. Where is my map? Let me see it..."

At this moment, Li Longji thought that he was still the emperor ruling the world, and Li Xuan was still the governor under his command.

After every major war, he ordered the Yu tribe to revise the map to see the territory under his rule. "Come here, bring the map."

Li Xuan didn't care and asked someone to get a map.

After a while, the eunuch came into the hall with a map and presented it with both hands.

During this period, Li Longji half closed his eyes and did not say a word.

“This is a map of the country.”

Li Xuan approached Li Longji and slowly opened the map.

Although this map is an old version, after opening it, one can see that the Tang Dynasty has a vast territory.

Li Longji couldn't see clearly at this time.

I can't even tell where Chang'an is!
The pain ravaged his body all the time.

When Li Xuan entered Yuelong Palace, Li Longji groaned and wailed.

When the imperial physician examined him, he shook his head, indicating that Li Longji could no longer hold on.

“Where to explore?”

Li Longji slowly said these four words again.

Li Xuan pointed to the location of the Uighur royal court on the map.

"As long as this map exists, the Tang Dynasty will last for thousands of years and will never decline."

Li Longji tried his best to recall the time when he was full of vigor and vitality.

Martial arts performances at Mount Li, the Kaiyuan era, inspection tours of the Eastern Capital, and Fengshan at Mount Tai...

He was immersed in his own world and always felt that something was wrong.

A woman in colorful feathered clothes came into his mind.

Enjoy the gifts given to him by God, and obtain both the country and the beauties.

From then on, there was music and revelry every day.

He never left Chang'an again, and visited Xingqing Palace, Daming Palace and Huaqing Palace in turn for pleasure.

If you continue like this for ten thousand years, you will become a god in heaven.

Their ears were covered, their eyes were blindfolded, the people who were in dire straits had long forgotten!
It seemed like the sound of horse hooves again, shattering the music in the illusion.

The world was filled with a murderous atmosphere.

Li Xuan, wearing a dragon robe and riding a Ferghana horse, came into his sight.

At this moment, Li Longji remembered that he was no longer the emperor.

After having this thought, Li Longji's eyes became clear.

Rise and fall are determined by man, not by God.

He finally realized his mistake.

It was his arrogance and debauchery that caused suffering to the people of the world.

Tianbao's national strength reached its peak because of the existence of Li Qilang.

This is the key to success or failure!
"Qilang, if they haven't made any mistakes, don't kill them..."

Li Longji raised his hand slightly, pointed at his children and pleaded with Li Xuan.

This was his last wish.

Perhaps before he died, he could ask Yang Yuhuan to come and see him, but he didn't have the face to see Yang Yuhuan again.

"I will."

Li Xuan replied to Li Longji.

As long as Li Longji's descendants don't make trouble, Li Xuan won't make things difficult for them.

After Li Longji died, Li Xuan could let them move out of Xingqing Palace and return to their respective homes.

It was the sixth year of Qianyuan, and Li Xuan's power was consolidated.

No one will support Li Longji's direct descendants anymore.

It is impossible to succeed.

By eliminating low status and turning it into a good person, Li Xuan gained unprecedented prestige among the people.

The situation where imperial power does not extend to the countryside no longer exists.

From the elderly in their seventies to the little children, everyone knows Li Qilang.

It became a trend for children to recite Li Qilang's poems.

Although the poems of Li Bai and Wang Wei were widely circulated, they were nothing compared to Li Xuan, who was blessed by destiny.

Li Xuan's "Journey to the West" has been serialized.

By writing novels that appeal to both the elite and the masses, Li Xuan's influence among the people was increased.

"The country is in your hands, so why don't I..."

Li Longji didn't have the energy to say anything extra. His current state was that of a last breath. After saying this, Li Longji felt sleepy and slowly closed his eyes...

Death is like a lamp going out.

Li Longji has survived until now, perhaps he still wants to see Li Xuan again.

The man who took away his kingdom conquered him at the last moment of his life!

"Imperial doctor!"

Li Xuan asked the imperial physician to come up and see if he could be saved.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the late emperor has passed away!"

The imperial physician took Li Xuan's pulse and replied.

"Woooo..."

The imperial physician's words ignited the Yuelong Palace.

Li Longji's children burst into tears.

Gao Lishi threw himself down in front of Li Longji's bed. He was truly heartbroken and in tears.

Those who hear it are sad and those who hear it cry.

"The Tang Dynasty's Black Dragon Flag in Chang'an has been lowered by half. Notice to all civil and military officials that tomorrow we will hold a grand meeting of officials above the ninth rank in the capital to discuss the funeral of the retired emperor. And tell the people!"

Li Xuan instructed Wei Yingwu.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Wei Yingwu took the order and left.

"Gao Weng..."

Li Xuan planned to let Gao Lishi take care of Li Longji's body, and he would discuss the state funeral.

All the work including the mausoleum and the selection of posthumous title must be completed.

"Pfft..."

Unexpectedly, as soon as Li Xuan called out Gao Lishi, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Your Majesty, I am accompanying the Emperor..."

After Gao Lishi said this, he fell directly in front of the couch.

As Li Longji's most loyal servant, Gao Lishi was unable to accept the reality of Li Longji's death and became extremely angry.

He is about the same age as Li Longji, both of whom are approaching death.

During the year that Li Longji had been bedridden, Gao Lishi had lost his appetite and had no desire to sleep at night, and his health had long since deteriorated.

Gao Lishi suddenly fell down, causing Li Longji's children to stop crying.

The imperial physicians stepped forward immediately and found that Gao Lishi was already dying and there was no way he could be saved, so they reported this to Li Xuan.

"Ugh!"

Li Xuan sighed, turned around and left with Pei Lingxi.

th.

At that time, Gao Lishi will be allowed to be buried with Li Longji in his mausoleum.

It was almost dusk when Li Longji passed away.

In Chang'an, where there was no curfew, the news quickly spread to every corner and spread outside the city.

After all, he was the emperor who ruled the Tang Dynasty for nearly fifty years.

Especially in Chang'an, the old people had complaints against Li Longji, but at the moment of Li Longji's death, they felt an inexplicable emotion.

Only young people don't care. They haven't experienced the Kaiyuan heyday.

They only knew that they had lived a hard life in the past because Li Longji favored Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong and others and indulged the Yang family.

The Qianyuan prosperous era created by Li Xuan allowed them to see the prosperity of the country and the wisdom and bravery of the Supreme Emperor.

The civil and military officials all had different expressions.

Li Longji's death will make the court more stable.

Everyone knows that Li Longji had a good end.

Li Xuan did not use extraordinary means to deal with Li Longji.

Those who are blindly loyal to Li Longji will completely give up.

One emperor and one courtier.

Li Longji is history, and their mission is to assist Li Xuan and complete the second five-year plan formulated by Li Xuan.

The next day, early morning court session in Taiji Hall.

"As soon as I returned to Chang'an yesterday, I learned that the late emperor was critically ill. Seeing the late emperor suffering from illness, my heart aches. After entrusting me with something, the late emperor passed away suddenly. Heaven and earth mourn together..."

"The Minister of Commerce also served as the funeral envoy, building a mausoleum for the late emperor and handling funeral affairs..."

As soon as the court opened, Li Xuan narrated the news of Li Longji's death to all civil and military officials, showing extreme grief, and appointed Liu Shan as the funeral envoy.

He would secretly instruct Liu Shan to keep the construction of the mausoleum simple.

Li Longji's life was full of both praise and criticism. It would not be appropriate for Li Xuan to build a mausoleum for Li Longji on the scale of Zhaoling.

Although it is a state funeral, it should still be kept low-key.

What is worrying Li Xuan now is Li Longji's temple name and posthumous title.

Is it the same as in history, or a new choice?

(End of this chapter)