Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 144 The strong never complain about the environment

You have to listen carefully to the implication. Judging from Li Longji's attitude, this was clearly not a simple matter of accepting gifts, but involved diplomatic matters. In other words, this matter was actually permitted by the emperor.

Before the ministers understood the situation, they refrained from saying anything further.

The key point is that they didn't have a better reason to refute Li Linfu.

After the emperor left, Li Linfu immediately went to Zhang Shuo and Yuan Qianyao, bowed, and said, “I was acting in accordance with the law. If I had not made everything clear, I fear it would have attracted more criticism. At that time, I would not have been able to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River. I had no choice but to take this measure. If I have offended you in any way, I hope you gentlemen can forgive me.”

His tone was very humble, but he cleverly shifted the blame to Wang Xi.

Because news of Wang Xi accepting gifts had already spread before that invitation was sent.

Everyone naturally assumed that Li Linfu was trying to salvage the situation.

Zhang said nothing, because he knew that Yuan Qianyao was related to the Jiang family by marriage and was Li Linfu's elder. If Yuan Qianyao didn't speak, he couldn't say anything either.

Yuan Qianyao naturally understood, but he simply stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "This is nothing serious, just explain it clearly."

Having said that, he looked at Zhang and asked, "What does Daoji think?"

Zhang simply smiled and nodded.

In his view, Li Linfu was just a clerk; his initial resentment stemmed from the Wang family's lack of ambition.

"Opening up the mountain."

Upon exiting the palace gate, Jiang Jiao hurriedly said to Li Qiao, "My nephew has caused you trouble. I apologize to you."

Li Qiao hurriedly said, "Doctor Jiang, why do you say that? Ge Nu was just cleaning up after my good-for-nothing nephew. I'm thanking him, so how could I blame him?"

He paused, then whispered, "On the other hand, Genu's performance this time was quite impressive!"

Jiang Jiao was secretly pleased, but said aloud, "I'm just afraid he'll get carried away!"

Li Qiao waved his hand and smiled, "With Doctor Jiang here, he will be well supervised."

Jiang Jiao quickly replied, "He's a grown man, how can I keep an eye on him every day?"

Li Qiao laughed and said, "By the way, Shouyi asked me to invite Doctor Jiang and Ge Nu to his house for dinner tonight, mainly to thank Ge Nu for helping Que'er with the aftermath."

Jiang Jiao chuckled and said, "Duke Qi is too kind. Alright, Ge Nu and I will definitely attend the banquet tonight."

Li Qiao said, "Then I'll trouble Doctor Jiang to inform Ge Nu."

"it is good."

After chatting for a while, Li Qiao left.

No sooner had he left than Li Linfu stepped forward and said, "I'm sorry to have worried you, Uncle."

"Brother! Your uncle was right about you!" Jiang Jiao said to Li Linfu with great satisfaction.

Li Linfu was secretly delighted and cupped his hands, saying, "I am entirely under your care, Uncle."

Jiang Jiao smiled and nodded.

He knew that this matter was difficult to handle, but Li Linfu was not implicated by Wang Xi. Instead, he used this opportunity to make a name for himself in the court.

This powerful man never complained about his circumstances. This banquet was originally Li Linfu's idea, but Wang Xi interfered and almost ruined his plans.

However, he also made a name for himself in the court by accepting gifts, and even made an appearance in front of Li Longji, gaining more than he had expected.

Zhang was just about to go home when Li Longji called him back.

"Why did you remain silent just now, my lord?" Li Longji asked Zhang Shuo upon seeing him.

Zhang said, "Your Majesty is worried that you have other plans."

Li Longji chuckled and said, "I couldn't hide it from my husband after all!"

Zhang said, "Your Majesty is foolish and does not understand the purpose of this arrangement."

Li Longji's expression changed, and he said quite seriously: "Our Great Tang has always treated foreign guests with courtesy, but what has been the result? The tribes of the Western Regions are fickle, and the Tibetans are even more hateful, breaking their alliances several times and having no integrity whatsoever."

In the past few years, I have been busy with domestic affairs and have not been able to spare any attention. But now, I do not want to coax them anymore and it is time to give them some deterrence.

This is to let them know that it's not me asking them not to cause trouble, but rather they asking me not to attack them. Since I'm asking for something, I should act like one.

Zhang said cautiously, "However, managing the Western Regions requires a divide-and-conquer approach."

"I know."

Li Longji nodded and said, "But this strategy needs to be changed. It can't be the same as before. Whoever is loyal to me, I will protect them. Whoever is my enemy, I will destroy them."

During Wu Zetian's reign, the Tang Dynasty's ability to manage the Western Regions was weakened due to internal strife. This meant that the Tang Dynasty had to appease them to some extent, as it did not have the resources to protect the small tribes. However, the results were not very good.

However, at this time, Li Longji was in high spirits, and the country's strength was growing day by day. He was able to use his power to protect those small tribes, which meant that they would come to beg him.

Zhang Shuo pondered for a moment and said, "If Your Majesty truly wishes to change your strategy, the first thing you should do is reduce the size of the army."

Li Longji was slightly startled, "Disarmament?"

I was about to wreak havoc on all sides, and you're talking about reducing the army?
Zhang said, “Although there are many border troops, the generals only care about protecting their own troops and using soldiers for personal gain, which makes the soldiers have no fighting power, and their fields are left uncultivated. It is a case of losing more than they gain.”

Since that's the case, why not let those poor and weak soldiers retire to their fields, revise the regulations, and reduce corvée labor? This would increase the country's tax revenue, and then use the increased tax revenue to recruit strong men from all over the country.

Since the reign of Emperor Taizong, our Great Tang Dynasty has always emphasized a strategy of elite troops, meaning that if we don't fight, we won't fight; but if we do fight, we will win. This is why, during the Zhenguan era, the country experienced over a hundred wars, large and small, and conquered more than ten kingdoms, yet the nation actually became more prosperous, unlike the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, who exhausted the country with his military campaigns and plunged it into crisis.

The underlying meaning of these words is to shift from the militia system to a conscription system.

The strength of the Fubing system lay in the equal-field system, but after Wu Zetian's rule, the equal-field system became difficult to maintain, leading to a sharp decline in the combat effectiveness of the Fubing.

Zhang Shuo believed that the Fubing system was merely a name without substance, and that it would be better to let the people go home to farm, ensure food production, not give them too much military training, and then recruit strong men specifically.

Li Longji hesitated, "The four directions are not peaceful right now."

Zhang Shuo immediately replied, "I dare to guarantee with the lives of my entire family that even if our Great Tang reduces its army, no one will dare to offend us."

Li Longji was taken aback, then nodded slightly.

That evening, Li Linfu and Jiang Jiao went to the Wang family to make excuses.

"We really owe a debt to Li Zhongyun this time, otherwise there would have been even more trouble. Come, let me toast Li Zhongyun."

Wang Shouyi raised his glass in a toast to Li Linfu.

Li Linfu hurriedly raised his glass and said, "Not at all, not at all, Duke Qi, you flatter me. This charity banquet was originally my idea, and I was just doing my duty."

After the two finished drinking, Wang Shouyi said to Wang Xi, "It's all your fault, you brat. You're so young, yet you're already learning to accept gifts. If it weren't for your Uncle Li's help this time, you would have been in big trouble."

Wang Xi retorted, "I accepted the gifts for charity, not for my own enjoyment. His Majesty praised them, so how could I have done anything wrong?"

"You dare talk back!"

Wang Shouyi was immediately enraged and was about to unleash the Eighteen Abuses of Children.

"Duke Qi, please calm down, please calm down." Li Linfu hurriedly stopped Wang Shouyi and said, "Que'er meant well, she's not wrong, she's not wrong."

Wang Shouyi then sat down, saying, "If it weren't for your Uncle Li pleading for you, he would have broken your legs."

Wang Xi said, "If you break the child's legs, who will perform then?"

"I think you're really tired of living."

Wang Shouyi was furious, but Li Linfu was terrified. If he were really injured, who would perform? He quickly changed the subject, saying, "Que'er is absolutely right. Now, Que'er, you only need to rehearse the opera well. Don't worry about the rest. Uncle Li will take care of everything for you, just as Uncle Li promised you."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Uncle Li, don't worry. Leave the opera to me, just like Que'er promised you back then."

Li Linfu laughed and said, "Good, good! Come on, let's have a drink, uncle and nephew."

Wang Xi said, "I respect Uncle Li."

Wang Shouyi, standing to the side, was also puzzled. Why did he get angry just looking at this guy, while everyone else liked him, including His Majesty?

That's strange.

At this moment, Li Qiao and Jiang Jiao raised their cups to toast, which made Wang Shouyi have no time to reprimand Wang Xi, and the atmosphere at the banquet was quite good.

After the meal, Wang Shouyi asked Wang Xi to deliver the food to Li Linfu on his behalf, which was actually Li Linfu's request.

Once outside, Li Linfu, who had been slightly tipsy, suddenly perked up and took Wang Xi's hand, saying, "Que'er, there's something I need to ask you."

Wang Xi asked, "What is it?"

Li Linfu said, "It's about where the Tibetan envoy should sit."

Although the seats were assigned based on donations, everyone in the court knew which seat they should sit in, and no one was foolish enough to sit in front of the prime minister.

The key issue is those foreign envoys. They don't care about anything else; they all want to be closer to the emperor. But Tibet managed to get the second seat.

Wang Xi said, "Could we arrange for them to sit by the door?"

Li Linfu asked, "Sit by the door?" Wang Xi nodded and said, "Uncle Li knows that I have a grudge against that Tibetan."

Li Linfu said awkwardly, "This involves diplomacy, so we can't act recklessly like this."

He paused, then cautiously asked, "Is Your Majesty aware of the conflict you had with the Tibetan envoy?"

Wang Xi said, "I know! But His Majesty still praised me for not disgracing our Han people."

Li Linfu asked again, "Really?"

Wang Xi nodded.

Li Linfu nodded slightly, "Placing them at the entrance is not feasible. Uncle Li, arranging them at the back is a way to vent Que'er's anger."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "That's fine then, thank you very much, Uncle Li."

Li Linfu chuckled and said, "If Que'er has any requests, Uncle Li will definitely be able to help you handle them properly."

Wang Xi thought to himself, "Damn it, you really know how to talk. You clearly want something from me, but you make it sound like I'm the one begging you. Damn it!"

In fact, Li Linfu already had a good idea of ​​the seating arrangements for each country; he was very good at this kind of thing. However, he was a little unsure about the seat for Tibet.

It's not really about the gift.

Because he knew that Wang Xi had a conflict with the Tibetan prince, but the emperor then entrusted the matter to Wang Xi.

Li Linfu believed there must be a reason for this.

He didn't care about Tibet or anything like that; he only cared about the emperor's thoughts.

After some probing, his guess was confirmed, and he knew how to make arrangements.

After gaining Li Longji's approval, Li Linfu immediately became incredibly popular, and no one regarded him as someone who was just working for Wang Xi anymore.

Whether they were foreign guests or high-ranking officials, they all had to deal with him.

Wang Xi was perfectly clear-headed. When he planned to use Li Linfu, he knew he couldn't stop Li Linfu. The key point was that this was also where he wanted to use Li Linfu.

Therefore, he only focused on the banquet's content and intensified rehearsals at the academy, because they not only had to attend the charity banquet, but also a singing competition afterwards, making the schedule very tight.

Sifang Pavilion

West Wing.

When the Turkic envoy, Dunshan, returned to the house, he saw a handsome young man sitting inside. He couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Why didn't Mi'er go out to play?"

The handsome young man rested his chin on his hand and said dejectedly, "I wanted to go and take a look at that nameless academy, but they wouldn't let me in."

Dunshan frowned and said, "Didn't you tell them that you are my Turkic prince?"

The boy shook his head and said, "But forget it. The students from that nameless academy are all very powerful. I don't want to get beaten up."

Dunshan laughed and said, "But it's different. If you want to go, I'll help you make the arrangements."

"That won't be necessary."

The boy suddenly asked, "By the way, Uncle Dunshan, what were you doing just now?"

Dunshan said, "I went to meet with the Tibetan envoy."

The young man asked, "Again, the Tibetans?"

Dunshan smiled and said, "Mi'er, you don't know this, but the purpose of the Tibetan envoys coming to Chang'an this time is not the Tang Dynasty, but us."

The boy asked in surprise, "Really?"

Dunshan nodded and said, "A few months ago, the Tibetans attacked Little Bolu, but were defeated by the Tang army that came to their aid. Judging from the recent attitude of the Tang Dynasty, it seems that the relationship with Tibet will be difficult to ease."

The Tibetan Empire also harbors great ambitions, having long coveted the Four Garrisons of Anxi; hence, they wish to form a marriage alliance with us.

The boy asked, "Did Uncle Dunshan reject him?"

Dunshan shook his head and said, "No."

"Why?"

The boy asked curiously, "Does Father Khan have no intention of forming a marriage alliance with Tibet?"

Dunshan said, "However, the Tang emperor has never agreed to a marriage alliance with us, and the Khan is very dissatisfied with this. After all, the Tang has already formed marriage alliances with tribes such as the Khitan, but it refuses to form one with us."

The boy's blue eyes shifted slightly as he said, "So, Uncle Dunshan wants to use this to force the Tang Dynasty to agree to our marriage alliance?"

Dun Shan smiled and nodded, saying, "Mi'er is indeed clever and quick-witted."

Before we knew it, it was already Lunar New Year's Eve.

An unnamed academy.

There were more than thirty people standing on the playground, all their eyes fixed on Tao Mo at the front of the line.

They have to perform in the palace tomorrow. Since the procedures for entering the palace are very complicated, if they go tomorrow, it might delay the performance. Therefore, they have to enter the palace today and also familiarize themselves with the venue.

"I am unwell and cannot accompany you. When we arrive at the palace, you must listen to your teacher and not cause any trouble."

Tao Mo spoke earnestly.

"The student will certainly keep in mind the teacher's instructions."

The students all said in unison.

Tao Mo then looked at Hongxiu and said, "Hongniangzi, I'm counting on you for tomorrow."

Hongxiu nodded slightly and said, "This is Hongxiu's duty."

Tao Mo nodded slightly and said, "If there are no other problems, you may set off."

"Student, take your leave."

The students bowed again and then turned and walked towards the gate.

Tao Mo watched them leave and sighed deeply, "It's the New Year, and we still have to do homework. It's so hard. It seems like we'll never finish all this homework!"

With her sleeves swaying down, she staggered toward the back hall.

As Wang Xi and his group stepped out of the courtyard, they saw carriages parked on the street in front of the gate, each surrounded by palace guards.

Xue Jun and his men were not afraid. Some of these guards were their father's subordinates, and they quickly climbed into the car.

Hongxiu stood by the roadside, her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly furrowed. She had finally managed to leave the brothel, but now she had to return to the palace. Naturally, she felt melancholy.

At this moment, Wang Xi walked over and whispered, "Teacher, don't worry. I'm familiar with the palace. Just follow me."

Hongxiu paused slightly, turned her head to look at Wang Xi, and nodded with a smile.

Wang Xi immediately said, "Then let's get in the car quickly."

"Ah."

Hongxiu nodded, then suddenly realized something was wrong. "What are you doing?"

Wang Xi said, "I'll ride with the teacher, so the teacher won't be scared."

Hongxiu rolled her eyes slightly. "This is a trip to the palace. How can you ride in the same carriage as your teacher?"

"All right!"

Wang Xi said, "Then, teacher, if you encounter a problem, just call out to the students loudly."

Hongxiu smiled and nodded.

The former nameless academy.

"Manager Bai, Miss Bai, aren't you going back?"

As the old winemaker Jiang Cheng wiped his hands with a white cloth, he asked Bai Siyong and her father.

Bai Siyong glanced at her daughter first, then smiled and said, "You go back first, let's look around again and see if we've missed anything."

Jiang Cheng nodded and said, "Alright, I'll head back now."

"Take care, Master Jiang."

After Jiang Cheng left, Bai Siyong said to Bai Ningsu, "Su'er, it's not a big deal if it's just half a day."

Bai Ningsu replied, "The New Year means family reunion, so I just want to make this wine as soon as possible, earn a million coins, and bring my mother home."

A hint of sadness flashed in Bai Siyong's eyes, and she nodded slightly.

(End of this chapter)