Back to the prosperous Tang Dynasty to be the emperor

Chapter 224 Pre-arrangement
On the seventh day of November in the first year of Xianheng, the news of the first battle of Tuyuhun reached Luoyang. Emperor Gaozong was overjoyed by it. He issued an edict to amnesty the world, rewarded the soldiers with meritorious service, changed Zhou Wang Li Xian to be the King of England, and sealed [-] households. He was allowed to marry Zhao Qiong, the daughter of Luoyang Shaoyin Zhao Mingquan, as the main concubine, and married Chi Mingyue, the daughter of the King of Khotan, as the side concubine. The Ministry of Rites will prepare relevant matters for Li Xianrong's return.

At the imperial edict, Yao Wangshu, the censor, said in the first book: The British king commanded the Western Regions as a prince, which is different from the system, and now he is married to the princess of Khotan, which is even more inappropriate. For the sake of the country, he should be called back The capital is appropriate.As soon as this chapter came up, the government and the public were shocked, and many people spoke, some praised or refuted, and the opinions were different, and the debate was fierce. The emperor could not decide. He asked about it to Empress Wu, and he said to him: "Xian'er's achievements are so high that others are jealous. You should caress him." It is a good strategy to return to Beijing for a little adjustment. The emperor thought about it and thought it was good, so he issued an imperial edict ordering Li Jin to act as the governor of the Anxi Capital Protectorate, command all the soldiers and horses, conquer the towns of Anxi within a limited time, and call Li Xian to bring Khotan The queen returned home.

Blocked by mountains and blocked by heavy snow, even if the imperial decree was delivered, it still could not break through the natural restrictions. When this edict reached Li Xian's hands, it was already the ninth day of February in the second year of Xianheng, even though it had been passed several months ago The secret channel in his hand knew the origin and content of the imperial decree, but Li Xian was still a little annoyed when he received the imperial decree all at once. However, there is no shortage of Li Xian's confidantes. Of course, the gang of Beimen scholars under Empress Wu also made troubles among them. Obviously, no one side is willing to see Li Xian bring Anxi and Liang and Lan Zhuzhou together. In the palm of his hand, this kind of behavior of patronizing party struggles but disregarding the overall situation of the country really made Li Xian very depressed. Even though he had predicted this situation before going out for the expedition, Li Xian still couldn't let it go.

The imperial decree is the imperial decree, no matter how much dissatisfaction there is, Li Xian will not dare to disobey the decree. Fortunately, with a few months of deployment, Anxi's situation can basically be guaranteed to be worry-free - Anxi Si In the town, except for the most remote Shule, which is controlled by the remnants of Tubo, the other three towns have been recovered by the Tang army. Considering the current strength of the Tang army in Anxi, it is not difficult to deal with the [-] Tubo remnants in Shule. The deployment of Li Xian has already been properly arranged, and taking Shule is just a matter of chance. Moreover, although the peace negotiations with Gar Qinling are still in the middle of the mushroom, the Tang army has the absolute initiative. Concentrating on offense and defense, I am not afraid of how big waves Gar Qinling can make. Of course, with Li Xian's departure, Gar Qinling may take a breath of relief, and it is very likely that he will take the opportunity to do something. These small actions, however, do not affect the overall situation. The only thing that Li Xian regrets is that he cannot further tighten the necks of the Tubo people. It's not about attacking Tuyuhun. In fact, as far as Li Jinxing's ability is concerned, unless he has an absolute superior force, otherwise, he will definitely not be the opponent of Gar Qinling. Defense is no problem. If he attacks, he may have to repeat the example of Xue Rengui It's gone the wrong way.

On the first day of March in the second year of Xianheng, the commercial road was first established. Li Xian led more than 29 personal guards to protect Princess Mingyue and his party. Liangzhou, arrived at the city of Lanzhou on the third day of April. Lin Mingdu, the governor of Lanzhou, led his officials and common people to meet him at Wuli in the outskirts, and sent Li Xian and his party to the post station along the road. Before they settled down, the report had arrived—Left Minister Jiang Ke He vomited blood and died on the night of March [-], and Pei Xingjian succeeded him.Jiang Ye, who came back to Beijing with Li Xian, heard that he was crying and fainted. Li Xian was also very sad, so he asked people to set up a mourning hall at the post station to pay homage to him. He personally guarded the spirit and stayed up all night. The two called to the wing room to discuss matters.

"Your Highness, Jiang Gong's death is the loss of the country. However, the deceased is long gone. Your Highness must not be too sad. If there is a loss, it will be beautiful. Today, it is too early. Why don't you take a nap and wait for the afternoon. Would you like to listen to His Highness's instructions again?" Lin Mingdu accompanied Li Xian to guard the coffin all night, but there were so many people in the mourning hall, Lin Mingdu really couldn't find a chance to persuade Li Xian, seeing that Li Xian was exhausted at this time, he was busy and cautious He said a word of persuasion.

"I don't get in the way. Mr. Jiang is the pillar of the country. Yu Gu has an old friend. He has passed away, so he should be the younger generation by himself. There is no need for Ming Gong to persuade him." It was all thanks to Jiang Keyi's help. For this veteran who has guarded the frontiers of the Tang Dynasty for more than [-] years, Li Xian admired and was grateful from the bottom of his heart. He would not listen to Lin Mingdu's advice, so he shook his head, and replied calmly but resolutely. Immediately, he stopped talking about this matter, but looked at Ling Zhong, who was standing by the side, and pondered After a while, he said, "Ling Zhong, have you followed Gu for more than six years?"

"Returning to Your Highness, it will be seven years before today."

Ling Zhong didn't understand what Li Xian's purpose was for asking this question, he couldn't help being taken aback, and then hurriedly answered.

"Well, it's been seven years. That's not too short a time. Speaking of which, besides Lin Hu, you've been by Gu's side the longest. Gu has been reluctant to let you go to work, but it has delayed you." Looking at Ling Zhong Li Xian had a lot of emotion in his heart on that slightly aged face, so he said apologetically.

"Your Highness, being able to follow Your Highness in the end is a blessing that has been cultivated in three lifetimes. How dare you have the slightest resentment. The General is willing to follow His Highness to the death. Please don't chase the General away."

Hearing Li Xian's words, Ling Zhong couldn't help but panicked a little. He hurriedly touched the ground on one knee, made a big salute, and replied with trembling voice.

"Get up." Seeing Ling Zhong being so emotional, the corners of Li Xian's eyes became slightly moist, took a deep breath, took a step forward, reached out to help Ling Zhong up, and said with a trace of sadness: " It's not that Gu wants to drive you away, it's really limited by the court's law. You have made great contributions this time, and it is inappropriate to stay with Gu according to the law. Today, Gu has two choices for you. One is to enter The sixteen guards are generals, and according to Er's qualifications and military achievements, it is a matter of course to be promoted to general; second, to be sent to other places, you should be an official of the governor, there is no limit to you, but you choose yourself."

"Everything is up to His Highness's orders, and the general will have no objection!"

Ling Chongjiu worked in the Prince's Mansion, so he knew the law well. Hearing what Li Xian said, he knew that it was inevitable for him to leave the Prince's Mansion, but he never wanted to leave Li Xian's lineage. He expressed his attitude without hesitation, and handed over the decision to Li Xian.

"Well, I won't hide it from you. There is a vacancy for the deputy governor of Longzhou. I want you to take this position first. After a year or so, I will try to help you. I don't know what you mean?" Li Xian said happily. Nodding, he didn't hide much, and directly pointed out the official position he had obtained for Ling Zhong.

"The last will obey!"

Ling Zhong didn't have the slightest resistance to Li Xian's decision, and he readily agreed to it.

"It's so good, I can live up to Gu, Gu Jue won't fail me!"

Longzhou is located in a dangerous location, with many and elite soldiers. It is an important military town from Guanzhong to Longyou. Li Xian has long aimed at the military power of this state, but he has been unable to do so. Afterwards, he led his troops to defend Yunwu for seven days and seven nights, and forcibly blocked the siege of the [-] Tubo army. His meritorious service was huge. According to his original rank of Deputy Army of the Royal Palace, he could be promoted to sixteen generals at this time. As for being the deputy governor of Longzhou, it is just a mediocre position. Speaking of it, some people have wronged Ling Zhong's great achievements. However, Ling Zhong is the only trustworthy general around Li Xian who is worthy of this position. Waiting for lack of qualifications, this is the only way to go. Seeing Ling Zhong's extremely straightforward response, Li Xian's heart immediately relaxed, and he gave an affirmative promise with a gentle face.

"I would like to do my best for His Highness!"

Ling Zhong bowed and saluted, and replied generously.

"Well, I can only believe this!" Li Xian nodded with satisfaction, and didn't say anything more about this matter. He looked sideways at Lin Mingdu, who was a little nervous, and said in a deep voice, "Duke Ming also As a hero of the country, he should move in as usual. Gu also has two choices for Ming Gong to choose. First, Gu will marry the daughter of Zhao Mingquan, the Shaoyin of Luoyang Prefecture, as his concubine. If the Duke of Ming wants to, he can do the planning on his behalf. Second, because Zhao Renben, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, as a rule, his position should be replaced by Yan Liben, Minister of the Ministry of Households. Duke Ming's qualifications can be appointed, or he can be alone, I don't know what Duke Ming prefers?"

"Your Majesty, your Majesty will follow His Highness's arrangement without any objection!"

Lin Mingdu had planned to join Li Xian a long time ago. Seeing Li Xian's secrets this time, he didn't shy away from him. He obviously regarded himself as a confidant, and he was very moved. Therefore, even though he really wanted to choose a position in his heart The more honorable post of minister of the Ministry of Industry, but at the end of the day, the decision-making power was left to Li Xian.

"Well, I will try my best alone, and maybe Minggong can be appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Industry."

In fact, Li Xian's previous words have already hinted very clearly, that is, he hopes that Lin Mingdu will take up the post of Shao Yin of Luoyang Prefecture, probably because Li Xian knows very well that the future political center will be in Luoyang, not Chang'an. Someone who can control part of the authority of Luoyang Mansion is obviously beneficial to Li Xian's strategic planning. Obviously, Lin Mingdu, who has been involved in local government affairs for a long time, is the most suitable candidate, but at this time, Lin Mingdu's eyes clearly showed reluctance In other words, Li Xian is not willing to force it. After all, there are still a few candidates in Li Xian's hands who can be the Shaoyin of Luoyang Mansion, and Lin Mingdu is not far behind. After pondering for a while, he smiled and gave answer.

"Your Majesty respectfully obeys His Highness's order!"

Lin Mingdu's whole mind was to be transferred to the court, even if he was downgraded to Lang Zhongling, he was willing to be promoted to be a minister of the Ministry of Industry, so there was no reason why he would not be happy, so he hurriedly bowed to the end and thanked him, between words The choking sound was clearly audible.

"Ming Gong doesn't need to be like this, please get up, I have to leave early in the morning, please trouble Ming Gong to send someone to the ferry to deliver a letter." Now that the matter has been decided, Li Xian didn't want to be verbose, so he issued the order to evict the guest tactfully.

"His Royal Highness has worked hard all the way, Hu will not stay for a few more days, and let the official do his best as a landlord."

Hearing that Li Xian was in such a hurry, Lin Mingdu couldn't help being taken aback, and hurriedly tried to persuade him.

"Minggong, let's go and get busy."

Li Xian didn't explain the reason, but just waved his hand to signal Lin Mingdu to go, but he himself frowned slightly and fell into deep thought...

(End of this chapter)