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Chapter 1361: Stingy Li Longji
Although the Uighur regime in the northern border has been eliminated, Suning did not stop the mercenaries' offensive and they continued to march towards the land of white clouds and black soil. The Khitan and Mohe tribes there were the real threat.

At the same time, the Tang army was building cities, schools and military camps in the lands it occupied, and children of school age in these places would be arranged to study in schools.

Although Suning already has the powerful smart chip, it is impossible for it to rely entirely on the chip. After all, education is the most important thing.

In fact, when Suning led his army to attack the Uighur territory, the envoy of the Queen of Luoyang had already arrived in Kucha City, and Suning's expedition was intended to avoid the envoy of Luoyang in advance.

The Luoyang envoy, who had sought an audience in vain, naturally came to Su Wuming and said, "Mr. Su, I am a special envoy sent by Her Majesty the Empress of Luoyang. Please have your Grand Protector come out to receive the order."

"Hmph! Ridiculous! How can a fake emperor who is a monkey in human clothing have the courage to come and announce the decree?" However, Su Wuming believed that the empress of Luoyang was a monkey in human clothing, because it was Princess Taiping's ambition that made the fate of the Tang Dynasty unpredictable.

Su Wuming's attitude naturally made the Luoyang envoy furious. He looked like he might even go to war. "How dare you! Su Wuming, do you think I'm giving you face? How dare you, a commoner with no official status, insult the empress?"

"That's right! I, Su Wuming, do not hold any official position in the Anxi Protectorate, but as long as I'm here, you won't be able to see our Grand Protector, and the Grand Protector will not have anything to do with rebels like you."

"You...Su Wuming, I hope you and your Grand Protector will not regret it."

"Hmph! Please leave our Anxi Protectorate immediately, or I will truly be unable to resist arresting you and escorting you to Chang'an to be dealt with by His Majesty."

"Okay! You've got guts! We'll see."

Then the furious Luoyang envoy Liao Kai left the city of Qiuci, and then left the Anxi Protectorate without stopping, heading straight for the neighboring Beiting Protectorate.

At the same time, Su Wuming also informed Su Ning about the Luoyang envoy's matter, but he didn't know that Su Ning had already known about it.

Then Su Wuming wrote a memorial to Chang'an in the name of Suning, and told Li Longji about Luoyang sending special envoys everywhere to win over the hearts of the people. Naturally, he also expressed the attitude of Anxi Protectorate and Suning.

Tang Xuanzong Li Longji was naturally very pleased when he received the memorial from the Anxi Protectorate. This might be one of the few good news recently. "Li Shi, I was right about Su Ning. The Anxi Protectorate actually sent out the Luoyang envoy."

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Wuwei is still loyal to Your Majesty and naturally will not have anything to do with Luoyang." The eunuch Gao Lishi on the side was naturally very happy. This meant that his investment in Suning would definitely not be wasted.

"Alas! If all the ministers in the world were as loyal and devoted to their country as the Marquis of Wuwei, there would be no chance for my aunt to run around in Luoyang."

"Your Majesty, that's why you should use your trusted confidants. Anyone with ulterior motives should not be given important positions."

"How easy is that! Everyone has their own selfish desires. The nobles in the court are secretly watching. I even suspect that some officials have secretly contacted Luoyang. Even Yao Chong, whom I appointed after ascending the throne, has chosen to remain silent. Therefore, it is truly extremely difficult to eliminate those who are disloyal."

"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry! The Marquis of Wuwei's offensive against the Huihe people has been quite successful. This is also a warning to Luoyang and those who are disloyal. You only need to slowly cultivate your own confidants."

"Li Shi, you are right! The Marquis of Wuwei is indeed a pillar that I rely on. However, the Uighurs have a good relationship with the Tang Dynasty. It was with the Uighurs' assistance that the Tang Dynasty eliminated the Xueyantuo tribe. A large-scale attack on the Uighurs now is not a good option."

Gao Lishi naturally knew that Emperor Xuanzong Li Longji had a problem with Suning's behavior, so he quickly defended Suning indirectly, "Your Majesty, according to Marquis Wuwei, the Uighur Khan Guli Peiluo disrespected Your Majesty. This attack on the Uighurs is to teach them a lesson for their disloyalty."

"Well, that's good! But you have to issue an order to the Marquis of Wuwei, teach the Uighurs a lesson and then return to the Anxi Protectorate immediately." Li Longji looked at Gao Lishi meaningfully before giving the order.

"Yes! Your Majesty."

In fact, Li Longji was indeed very satisfied with Suning's attitude towards Luoyang. Naturally, he also knew that the Queen of Luoyang had conferred the title of Prince on Suning, which made Li Longji reveal a sneer.

However, Li Longji understood that it would be impossible to award noble titles easily, so he did not plan to compete with the people in Luoyang to reward his ministers. In addition, Suning did not have much contribution to the Anxi Protectorate, so he only gave Suning a larger mansion and a large amount of land in Chang'an. Of course, he also selected some young palace maids from the palace.

Moreover, Li Longji thought that giving such a generous reward to Suning this time was already very generous, but he didn't know that Suning had already destroyed the Uighur regime at lightning speed, and the mercenaries of the Anxi Protectorate had just set off for Chang'an with the victory report.

……

After arranging the trivial matters on the northern border grasslands, Suning did not continue to lead his troops to capture cities and territories himself, but instead handed it over to his fearless mercenaries.

Then Suning returned to Qiuci City with the main force and the princes and nobles of the Uighurs. Of course, it would be more convenient to return directly to Chang'an from Gulong City to present the captives, but Suning decided to take a detour and return to Qiuci City first. After all, the people under the rule of the Anxi Protectorate also needed an explanation from Suning.

Sure enough, when Suning's army returned triumphantly, the entire Qiuci City and Anxi Protectorate went crazy. All the people spontaneously came to the streets to watch, not only to welcome the triumphant mercenaries from the expedition, but also to see the Uighur captives in the prison cars.

Su Wuming, who was welcoming Su Ning and the army outside the city gate, was also surprised. "Grand Protector, I didn't expect the battle to go so smoothly this time? It's been less than half a year since you led the army to the battle."

"This time we caught the Huihe completely off guard, otherwise it would never have been so smooth."

Then Su Wuming brought up the incident of driving away the Luoyang envoy last time, "Grand Protector, last time I drove away the Luoyang envoy on my own initiative, and then reported it to Chang'an in your name."

"Well done! This Marquis really does not plan to have any dealings with Luoyang." However, Suning did not care at all, otherwise he would not have attacked the Huihe so quickly.

"Grand Protector, His Majesty has already granted you a mansion in Chang'an. This mansion was formerly the residence of Zhang Jianzhi, a senior official of the Empress. He has also granted you one hundred mu of land in Lantian County and ten palace maids."

Although he felt that Emperor Xuanzong Li Longji was too stingy, Su Ning appeared very happy on the surface. "It seems that Your Majesty is thoughtful! The previous mansion can no longer accommodate us. Now we can save the trouble of buying a new house."

"Grand Protector, when will we go to the capital to present our captives?"

"No rush! Let's wait until the victory news reaches Chang'an. The army also needs to rest in Qiuci City. Besides, the Uighur royal family is under your charge."

"Yes! Grand Protector."

Then, Suning returned directly to his Grand Protectorate. The next activity, naturally, was to reminisce with his wives and concubines. Suning, who had always been on active duty, was unusually absurd this time, specifically summoning all his wives and concubines to serve him. This allowed Suning to vent his excessive desires. After this absurd night, Pei Xijun, somewhat helplessly enjoying it all, took the seat next to Suning, "My Lord, I heard that His Majesty has given you ten more maids in Chang'an?"

"Well, I heard it from Su Wuming when I came back. It is said that the house left by Zhang Jianzhi was given to me." Su Ning naturally understood that Pei Xijun was jealous again, but mentioned another thing in an indifferent tone.

As expected, Su Ning's words successfully changed the subject for Pei Xijun, because Li Longji's behavior was truly intriguing. "Hey! I don't know what your majesty's purpose is in doing this. You know, Zhang Jianzhi was also considered a hero in the Shenlong coup, but he was ultimately sentenced to death by the retired emperor. Do you think your majesty is warning us again?"

"You're worrying too much! Zhang Jianzhi was a prominent minister during the reign of the Heavenly Empress, so his residence in Chang'an is naturally extravagant. Besides, Your Majesty is currently worried about the people in Luoyang, so he probably won't be too concerned about the Anxi Protectorate at the moment."

"My Lord, you must not be careless! My father sent me a letter a while ago. He heard from his former colleagues that His Majesty and the court are very opposed to your invasion of the Uighurs. Some officials even said that you don't take the court seriously at all."

"Humph! My father-in-law is now just a small Sima in Nanzhou. His former colleagues have long since stayed away. They only let my father-in-law know about it on purpose."

"Ah! Perhaps you are right. Now that the Uighurs have been destroyed, I believe Your Majesty will no longer be angry."

Su Ning knew that Li Longji had been really angry recently, so he planned to have all the nations come to pay homage to him to tease him. Perhaps Li Longji would give him a big surprise. "Well, this time I plan to contact the small countries like Nanzhao and have them come together with the Uighur royal family to meet Your Majesty. Then we can recreate the all-powerful homage during the reign of Emperor Taizong."

"Ah? Will small countries like Nanzhao agree?" As expected, Pei Xijun was stunned by Su Ning's idea.

"Yes! If they don't want to follow in the footsteps of the Uighurs, they will definitely be content to be a vassal state."

"..."

In fact, what Suning said was not wrong at all. This time, the Anxi Protectorate eliminated the Uighurs at lightning speed, which naturally scared Tubo, Nanzhao and other countries.

You must know that the current Uighurs have perfectly inherited the power left by the Xueyantuo. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are the undisputed overlords of the northern border. The fact that the Anxi Protectorate was able to eliminate the Uighurs so quickly naturally made them panic.

What Suning never expected was that the first person to come and beg for mercy was Tubo, and this time it was the Living Buddha from Tubo.

A kind-looking lama bowed respectfully to Suning and said, "The Living Buddha of Tubo, Pandita, pays homage to the Grand Protector of the Anxi Protectorate of the Tang Dynasty."

"Master Pandita, please take a seat! No wonder I heard the magpie calling outside the window so early this morning. It turns out that there will be distinguished guests welcoming us today." Suning politely invited the other party to sit down.

Su Ning would not be deceived by the other party's kind eyes. You know, the lamas on the Tibetan side like to play with human skin drums and skull instruments, and the conditions for making these instruments are also very harsh. Therefore, the other party's kind eyes hide the greed and viciousness of human nature.

"Thank you for your kindness, Grand Protector! I am overwhelmed." The old lama was very surprised by Su Ning's attitude, and couldn't help but look a little nervous.

"Why has Master Pandita come here this time?"

"Grand Protector, I heard there's some misunderstanding between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo. I came here to act as a go-between. After all, neither Tubo nor the Tang Dynasty wants to see lives destroyed due to misunderstandings."

"Master Pandita, in fact, the emperors of the Tang Dynasty have always treated Tubo very well. Otherwise, Emperor Taizong would not have married Princess Wencheng to the Tibetan king. However, Tubo has always harassed the territory and border people of the Tang Dynasty. So there is no such misunderstanding as you mentioned."

"This……"

"Master Pandita, today I can clearly tell you that the next target of the Anxi Protectorate is Tubo. This time, we must completely eliminate this destabilizing factor."

"Grand Protector, killing too much will shorten your lifespan. Aren't you worried about the Buddha's punishment?"

"Haha, as the Buddhists say, if I don't go to hell, who will? Sacrificing myself in exchange for peace between the people of Tang and Tubo is worth it!"

"..."

"Of course! Actually, I personally still have great respect for your Tibetan Buddhism and am willing to cooperate more with you."

"Oh? I wonder what the Grand Protector means?" Sure enough, the great lama Pandita understood the implicit meaning of Suning's words.

"This duke and the Tang Dynasty can promote Tibetan Buddhism in Tubo. All of Tubo will become a true Buddhist nation, but the living Buddhas of Tubo must accept the appointment and enthronement of the emperor of the Central Plains. Furthermore, the unity of Tubo and the Central Plains must be enshrined in religious doctrine. Furthermore, all cruel practices within Tibetan Buddhism in Tubo must be abolished. The lives of Tubo people must not be arbitrarily harmed. The so-called royal power must not exist within Tubo. The tax burden of Tubo will be the responsibility of your temples. The Tang Dynasty will only be responsible for garrisoning troops and maintaining public security in the Tubo court."

"What?" The great lama Pandita who was in charge of this matter couldn't help but breathe quickly. He didn't expect that Suning must have been targeting their Tibetan Buddhism for a long time.

"Master Pandita, I am very sincere and I hope you will not disappoint me."

"..." Pandita naturally understood how sincere Suning's promise was, and that these promises were what Tibetan Buddhism pursued, so he didn't think about it for long before clasping his hands together and saying, "Great Protector, you are indeed a person with a connection to the Buddha. The Buddha will surely bless you."

"Haha, Master! Next, let's discuss some details. As long as our Tang army is here, we can guarantee your sect's interests in Tubo."

"good."

Then, with the cooperation of this great lama Pandita and the entire Tibetan Buddhism, the Tibetan royal family was unable to resist the mercenaries of the Tang Dynasty, and soon the Tibetan royal family became a thing of the past.

However, it was impossible for Suning to completely trust this great lama Pandita, and he did not carry out any massacre of the Tubo royal family. Instead, he planned to bring him to Chang'an to please Li Longji. Naturally, he could also guard against Pandita and his gang becoming too powerful in the future.

……

(End of this chapter)