The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 214: The Journey of the Prefect of Yanmen

On the first day of April in the second year of Qianning, the imperial edict arrived in Taiyuan.

The imperial edict dismissed the Tiande Army, Datong Army and Zhenwu Army.

Fengzhou, which was under the command of the Tiande Army, was demoted to Jiuyuan County, and was transferred to Beidi County along with the Lisuoxi Shoujiang Castle. This was the smallest vassal state in the country, with less than 3,000 soldiers, so I don't think they would dare to act rashly.

After Li Guochang fled, Wu Shitai, a general of the government, was made the commander of Zhenwu Army. Soon, he was summoned to the court. Shitai refused to obey, and the leader of the Tiele tribe, Qibi Zhang, expelled him. He was given the title of emperor because of his merits. After the Chaos Rebellion, Li Keyong took office in Hedong. Qibi Zhang was expelled by Keyong again because he had attacked him several times. That was the second year of Guangqi. The newly-appointed Yang Fugong sent his party member Wang Bian to take over. Due to the friendship between the two families, Wang Bian served for eight years and was recalled in the Wende Year. Without a replacement, the court and Li Keyong became enemies. After the defeat, Zhenwu was given to Li Keyong as compensation, and his general Shi Shanyou was made the commander.

This time, Zhenwu Army was abolished, and the important town of Yulin under its jurisdiction was transferred to Xinqin County. Zhongshoujiang City, Dongshoujiang City, Shanyu City and the three states of Yun, Shuo and Wei of Datong Army were merged into Hedong Road.

Li Keyong was promoted to Jiedushi of Taiyuan Prefecture, Yun, Wei, Shuo, Fen, Qin, Liao, Lan, Shi, Xin, Dai, Zhongshoujiangcheng, Dongshoujiangcheng, Shanyucheng, and other prefectures, and the Grand Protector of Anbei, and the Marshal of Hedong and Youzhou. He was appointed as Sikong. He was given the title of Heroic Minister of National Defense.

But Li Keyong showed no joy at all.

Everyone has their own bottom line, except for those who don't have it.

Once you enter politics, these bottom lines will become your Achilles' heel.

On the premise of understanding each other's bottom line, attacking, defending, testing, exchanging, bargaining, compromising and utilizing within the scope of mutual tolerance will prevent the conflict of struggle of "each taking what he needs" from evolving into a conflict of life and death; this is the logic of politics.

For example, Li Keyong's Achilles' heel - "I have served two dynasties and received the grace of three generations. I swear in this life that I will never break my integrity. It is not my sincere wish to claim the title of emperor. What does the world think of me? It is not my nature to usurp the throne."

This was his response to Wang Jian's invitation to "take charge of the overall situation" after Emperor Zhaozong was assassinated.

It can be understood as a pretense due to lack of strength.

What about these words? - "The position of a ruler is not permanent, as times change and things change. Just like the clash of tigers at the end of the Zhou Dynasty, the initial establishment of the Wei Dynasty. Sun Quan and his son were not given a prominent position by the Han Dynasty, and Liu Bei rose to power in Zhuo County. He did not owe his family a debt of gratitude for his success, and did not lose his reputation for failure. It is the time to fight for supremacy, so why should we care about the crown and clothes?"

Translation: In this day and age, it is normal to want to be an emperor. It is not that I do not want to be an emperor. Given my situation and status, I will not be ashamed of being an emperor, and I will not be cursed if I lose. However, I have my principles and bottom line.

It can also be seen as hypocritical and noble.

But through these we can see his general character - ambitious and arrogant. Remember. Emotions outweigh rationality. Just like what he said. It's not that he can't become emperor, nor that he hasn't thought about it, but the psychological burden is heavy and he can't overcome it.

He understands the truth, but he just won't change or listen.

His subordinates advised him to improve military discipline: "The management is out of order, and the warehouses are poor. If I enforce the law harshly, the soldiers will flee. Wait until we have enough, and then deal with it."

Let him cultivate his character - "Li Sizhao did not fight well. Angry, he flogged Sizhao and Fu Cunshen." Almost all the generals in Hedong were beaten by him personally.

As a vassal, he was swayed by his likes and dislikes, the love and hate of ordinary people, and the loyalty of the underworld. He was bound by his reputation as a real man. He had too many things to let go of, such as his children, family, friends, grudges, and tribes. He lacked the most basic insidiousness and cunningness of a politician, especially in the late Tang and Five Dynasties. This was the fundamental reason why Li Keyong became more and more unsuccessful. But it was also this character that made Hedong very united. Is it a blessing or a curse?

It was precisely because of this that the sage adopted Liu Situ's suggestion to "praise him highly", formally confirmed and legalized the territories he had annexed, and conferred on him the titles of Three Dukes, Marshal, and Meritorious Official.

This is also the reason why Li Keyong is silent and unhappy now.

Got caught.

I really didn't expect that my son-in-law would see through my heart.

As soon as this imperial edict was issued, Li Keyong was forced into a corner.

Promotion and promotion, as well as showing loyalty, cannot control villains, but they are deadly enough to gentlemen and real men. With the right price and benefits, villains can easily sell and betray their chastity and something like a prostitute, while the latter cannot do it, or it is very difficult.

Meanness is the passport of the mean, and nobility is the epitaph of the noble, that's all.

After suffering such a loss, Li Keyong didn't know what to do for a moment.

Li Miaowei and Li Cunxu followed quietly behind him.

Li Keyong's back was obviously not as straight as before, he was a little hunched, and his steps were limping - he had chronic diseases and depression. From the first year of Guanghua (898, that is, three years later), he always went to war himself, but he always sent generals. He would lock himself in a small dark room at any time, not seeing anyone, and would be locked up for many days.

Li Cunxu almost overtook his father several times, but was stopped by Li Miaowei.

"Father, my brother-in-law treats you so well." Seeing that his father and second sister were silent, Li Cunxu said, "Marshal, only Prince Fenyang and Li Linhuai have held the title. How about I also enter the court? Become a Zhonglang General, just like my father (Li Keyong's second brother, Li Kerang. Entered the court as Jinwu. In the first year of Guangming, he guarded Tongguan, defeated the bandits, and was killed by monks)."

Li Keyong laughed: "Sanlang is just a little boy. He is obsessed with music all day long, and he is also a General of the Central Army..."

Li Cunxu put his hands on his waist and said, "Is it a crime for a gentleman to be well-educated? My son has studied the Spring and Autumn Annals well, and his riding skills are not inferior to my second sister."

"Shameless!" Li Keyong turned his head and spat at Li Cunxu: "I killed two birds with one stone when I was thirteen."

Li Cunxu curled his lips and said, "But my father is eleven years old and doesn't understand music or reading. He is not as good as me."

The one-eyed dragon was so angry that he raised his hand to hit him, but after waving his hand twice, he gave up.

First, I don't want to fight, and second, what I said is also true...

Li Keyong sighed softly in his heart.

Sanlang is extremely intelligent, talented, courageous, lively and open-minded, not inferior to my thoughts. After coming of age, he can have some of his own self-discipline, the tenacity, consideration and caution of a son-in-law, and he should be a material for Jiang Ji (Li Keyong is familiar with Han Shu and Sanguozhi, and often quotes classics in his words and deeds). It's a pity that this stubborn stubbornness will not change after he grows up.

"My lord, do you want to obey the imperial edict?" Li Miaowei asked.

"Miaowei, tell me."

"I agree, son." Li Miaowei replied, "Looking at my brother-in-law's words and deeds, he is affectionate and righteous, he keeps his promises, he is wise and brave and is not trapped by his own desires. He is no longer the foolish man he used to be. The court has been revived in his hands, and the trend of the third revival of the Holy Tang Dynasty has been formed. Although this is human power, it is also God's will. It cannot be violated. Moreover, if he can be King Cheng and King Wen of Jin, then you can also be Yi and Shuai. What's more, my father and I have been suppressing Pang Xun, clearing out the nest of tyrants, correcting the previous emperor, marrying Zhaoyang, and making my brother-in-law the crowned king today. He is really Yi Yin." Li Keyong remained silent.

Seeing this, Li Miaowei followed slowly and continued, "When the Datong army mutinied, Cheng, Kang, and Xue sought only to take advantage of the opportunity to create wealth and fame, not to rebel. The two can be obtained in the vassal state or in the country. If my sister had not married in Chang'an, the emperor would still be suspicious of me, and I would have led troops to protect the vassal state. Now my sister is a respected and virtuous concubine, and she is favored by the emperor, and her brother-in-law treats her equally. Zaiji is also safe and healthy. When she is older and has good qualifications, given the humble family background of the concubine and the strength of our army, my sister will surely be canonized by the two emperors. Before that, you just need to cultivate the way of a minister and provide external assistance. In the future, my brother-in-law will pass away, and Zaiji will ascend to the throne. Who of my family and Taiyuan will not ascend to heaven? Why bother to compete for power? Doing this will only bring you curses for a hundred years and a bleak future."

"I have thought so too." Li Keyong sighed, "Miaowei does not know how treacherous people are. When the court wanted something from me, they almost recommended me as Jin Midi. After the peace was settled, the traitor Zhang Jun and his ilk scolded me as Shi Hu, Murong Chui, and An Shi. It's like a man seeking a woman, all of them are sweet-talking at first, and once they get what they want, they will do two or three good things. The Zhu traitor is still rampant, and the saints look to me. I have strong soldiers and horses, and the saints fear me. Of course, they will obey my thoughts and be tolerant of me. When the world is roughly settled, it is hard to say whether the love will go away. It is like this for a while, not for a lifetime. Besides, with my military strength, would he dare to establish a successor? Even if his grandson ascends the throne, will he trust me as his father-in-law? There have been many internal strife disasters in power struggles since ancient times."

Hearing this, because the sage had betrayed her father, Li Miaowei subconsciously had an impression of her brother-in-law whom she had never met, and regarded him as a cold-blooded man who simply took advantage of her sister.

"How abominable!" Li Miaowei complained in a hateful voice: "Is he planning to throw my sister into the cold palace after she has done her job? Humph, do you think my knife--"

Well, my sister-in-law really looks like my uncle.

"Shut up..." Li Keyong was slightly angry, but then he relaxed again, not wanting to blame her, after all Miaowei was only sixteen. Then he pulled Li Miaowei and Li Cunxu to sit down by the river, and said to himself: "There are many people who go back on their words, are born bad, have hidden intentions, and look at people for favors. The military and the court are no exception. You swear an oath of blood today, but tomorrow, if he sees that you are unable to maintain your position, he may break the agreement or even stab you in the back. Hanzhi and Quanyi 'swore to live together forever', but when he saw Quanyi was weak, he would bully him at every turn. If we don't have the strength, don't blame Wusi for being neglected and not being able to become the crown prince."

"I didn't expect the emperor to be as snobbish as ordinary people, he just hides it deeply." Li Miaowei immediately sneered: "Father, do you still accept the imperial edict?"

Li Keyong hesitated and did not answer.

If he accepted it, he would owe him a favor and have to repay it. To ask him to repay kindness with hatred would be as ridiculous as expecting Li Maozhen and Zhu Wen to repay kindness. He would be branded as a loyal minister and would be increasingly deprived of freedom.

Reason told him that the best option was to follow his son-in-law till the end and be a loyal subject.

What else?

Zhu'er was promoted to the title of Yunzhongzi, and many people in the military office were jealous. Cunxiao was appointed as the defense envoy of Dengzhou, and was used as a catchphrase by Siyuan and Sizhao. Several times when the troops returned from the defense of the king, people often murmured that it would be better to go to the court. People's hearts are changing, at least the Shatuo soldiers are like this. This was inevitable after Wusi married the emperor. The emperor became a relative, and the three Shatuo tribes felt close to him.

Secondly, the imperial court was gradually recovering its vitality. Now, even without relying on him, it could fight Zhu Wen back and forth, and its influence and control over the princes was also increasing day by day. In Hebei, a group of people jumped out when one was attacked, and Chengde also clung to his son-in-law's thigh, so it was not easy to deal with him.

In short, it has become difficult to compete for hegemony and expand.

The result of continuing the merger will only be that one day you will be classified as a member of Chao Zhu by your son-in-law who can no longer tolerate it.

The most important thing is that his health is getting worse and worse, and he has various hidden diseases and strange illnesses, which make it increasingly difficult for him to be a slave.

Not only him.

Zhang Jun, the former governor of Jingyuan, had died of a serious illness. Wang Chongying had been bedridden for several years before he was murdered. Tuoba Sigong was also bedridden at this time. The saint was only 28 years old, and his white hair made the Privy Councilor and Luo Ji cry silently.

It costs too much to keep those arrogant people following you and to keep your seat on the throne.

But they are still okay.

Li Keyong started to charge into battle when he was fifteen years old, when he went to Xuzhou to fight against Pang Xun. After becoming a general of the Datong Army, he went on many expeditions, even though he was not yet twenty years old.

Duan Wenchu's rebellion. Blizzard attacked Zheluping, attacked Kelan's army by surprise, fought Cao Xiang and Li Jun to death in Honggu, fought guerrillas in Xin and Dai, and fled to Tatar.

After that, Huang Ye was defeated in Shidi Valley, Shang Rang was defeated in Liangtianbi, Lin Yan was defeated in Wangchun Palace, and Zelu Square was established. Shang Rang was defeated in Taikang, Huang Ye was defeated in Kaifeng, and Huang Chao was defeated in Fengqiu. Zhu Mei and Li Changfu were fought in Shayuan. Huanghuadui, Tianchang Town...

I can't remember how many battles I fought in more than 20 years, but I vaguely remember that more than 200 arrows were pulled out of my body.

Can you just take the post of Jiedushi of Hedong as I say?
What’s more, my grandson is calling me mom!
The virtuous concubine invited him to the court to see her grandson several times in her letters home, which greatly dampened her uncle's fighting spirit for hegemony.

But Li Keyong was still quite reluctant.

Because he had been hurt, he was suspicious of the saint.

His ambitions were still alive, and there were too many things he couldn't let go of. And he didn't think there was anything wrong. In this era, especially for a warrior like him at the top of the food chain, it would be a lie to say he had no ideas. He wanted to annex Hebei and become a prince. He wanted to be free forever, singing the Chi Le Song, and not be constrained by anyone. If he didn't fight hard and own Hedong, his ideas wouldn't work.

How many chances can we have to fight in our life? If not now, when?
But he could not overcome the guilt towards the emperors Xian, Mu, Wen and Yi. He was afraid of bringing trouble to his family and tribe, being despised by the public, not repaying the favor of his son-in-law, not ignoring the teachings of his ancestors, and rebelling against his will... all kinds of psychological burdens were also weighing on him.

It's really painful!
I understand the principle, so why is it so difficult to make decisions and execute them?

Alas, it is difficult for mortals to know and do.

"Sanlang?" Li Keyong looked at Li Cunxu who was holding his face and looking at the river.

The sister-in-law at the side saw the opportunity quickly. Seeing Li Keyong's tortured expression, she spread her sleeves and guessed in a serious tone: "I know you best. You are not fake. You have been saying nice things in your letters for years. I think you have been bewitched by the saint and have bent your elbows to your husband. We have never met her, so how can we know what kind of person she is! Father's judgment is not professional because he does not know the saint well enough. Let me and Yazike stay in Chang'an for a while. It can be as long as three months or as short as ten days. By the way, earn some food and goods for the soldiers. Humph, brother-in-law will never let me leave empty-handed."

"Pa!" Li Keyong didn't say anything, but smiled and clapped his hands with Li Miaowei.

Li Miaowei stood up, grabbed Li Yazi's shoulders and compared his height with his brother, then shook his head with a hint of disappointment: "What a short guy... Forget it, I'll take Tingyan."

"Second sister!"

Li Keyong turned his head away and stood up, with his back slightly hunched, like Guo Tuotuo planting trees, and walked away in silence.

The brother and sister stopped fighting and quickly followed, one on the left and one on the right. Li Yazi was about to help them, but was kicked away: "I'm not too old to walk yet."

"Idiot!" Li Miaowei cursed and pulled Li Yazi behind him.

Li Yazi was totally confused.

The third master walked slowly into the distance, and the soldiers passing by nodded in greeting.

(End of this chapter)