This time, Li Yuan did not let the ministers read the letter, but only informed Yuan Junzhang of sending his son Yuan Xiaozheng to the capital for an audience... Obviously, this was Yuan Junzhang's intention to defect to the Tang Dynasty, and he was also imposing conditions.
Although it was a bit surprising, after all, Yuan Junzhang had just captured Mayi more than half a month ago, but the prime ministers such as Pei Ji, Chen Shuda, Yang Gongren and others inquired carefully and all had an accepting attitude towards Yuan Junzhang.
This is natural. If Yuan Junzhang proposed Yunzhou as an investment, everyone might not dare... Yunzhou is too close to the Turkic base camp, and it is easy to anger Jieli Khan, but Mayi is not far from Yanmen Pass, and it is The most important stronghold of the Turks in attacking Hedong.
Which side Ma Yi is on, I dare not say that it means the initiative in the war, but at least it means the location of the battlefield... Li Tang has already unified the world and is preparing to recuperate, so he naturally hopes to push the front to the west of Yanmen Pass.
Under the guidance of the palace servants, Yuan Xiaozheng entered the palace tremblingly and fell at Li Yuan's feet.
Li Yuan frowned and took a closer look. He was short in stature and quite wealthy. His eyes were dull and his body was trembling slightly. His appearance was not very good... Hey, I have wronged Huairen to accept such a disciple for the sake of national affairs.
Yuan Xiaozheng went through the etiquette procedures just taught by the officials of the Ministry of Etiquette. Li Yuan smiled and asked the palace servants to bring a stool over for him to sit down. He gently asked about various matters in Yunzhou and Shuozhou, and also talked about Yuan Xiaozheng's Grandfather Yuan Kan.
Li Yuan served in Hedong several times in the previous dynasty. He served as the governor of Qizhou, the consolation ambassador to Hedong in Shanxi, and the stay in Taiyuan. He once joined forces with Wang Rengong, the governor of Mayi County, to fight against the Turks. As acting governor, Yuan Kan allocated grain and grass and had a relationship with Li Yuan. A piece of incense and passion.
Wang Rengong was the unlucky guy who was killed by Liu Wuzhou.
Yuan Xiaozheng burst into tears with gratitude... He thought that Master Li was right, the Emperor of Tang Dynasty was kind and should be the master of the world.
But in fact, everyone in the palace knew that Yuan Xiaozheng himself had no weight, and everyone only valued Yuan Junzhang, who occupied Mayi.
After a lot of comfort, Li Yuan started to show off again.
"If you surrender, you will be given the title of Duke, a settlement of 500 households, iron coupons, and the governor of Shuozhou to guard Mayi." Li Yuan solemnly said: "I will give you four thousand pieces of silk."
Yuan Xiaozheng stood up and prostrated, and kowtowed three times neatly... Such conditions were beyond his father's expectations. In addition to the title, food, and iron coupons, he could also control the troops to stay in Mayi... Although the last one was Yuan Xiaozheng. He didn't agree with his father's point of view, but he also knew that this was what his father looked forward to most.
"The common people came from Mayi and brought several fine horses with them. One of them was all white, without a trace of color. It was an extraordinary horse that could travel thousands of miles a day. It was even rarer to have a docile temperament." Yuan Xiaozheng was a little slurred because of his excitement, " Master Li gave me a jade lion named Zhaoye, and I would like to enshrine it in the Holy One."
Li Yuan was stunned at first, then smiled and nodded. This scene was probably not arranged by Li Shan, but Yuan Xiaozheng's improvisation. It can be seen that Huairen was right... Regardless of Yuan Junzhang, Yuan Xiaozheng's personality is not that of his father.
Hearing the name "Master Li", Li Yuan, Li Shimin, Pei Ji, and Pei Shiju were all insiders. Chen Shuda, the provincial servant under the sect, asked curiously: "Who is Master Li?"
Pei Ji smiled and explained: "Although Huairen has not yet been crowned, who knows that his literary talent is world-class and he is naturally qualified to accept disciples."
"It's Huairen." Chen Shuda smiled and looked at Yuan Xiaozheng, "It's good luck. Huairen's talent is rare in the world."
Li Jiancheng didn't know the inside story. After looking at Pei Ji, he smiled and asked, "When did Xiaozheng become a disciple of Huairen?"
"A few months ago, I... passed through Dai County and met Master Li by chance." Yuan Xiaozheng explained a few words hesitantly, and then he cheered up, "The residence where Master Li lives is very simple. The commoner sighed, and Master Li immediately Take a swipe of hair and write the "Inscription on the Humble Room"..."
If Cui Xin had been present, he would have turned pale and cursed... Li Shan, didn't you say this was written for my daughter? !
As Yuan Xiaozheng recited, the hall gradually became silent, and Chen Shuda said with emotion: "Huairen went to Dai County and worked hard to achieve this masterpiece..."
"There are great scholars who talk and laugh, but there are no idle people who come and go. You can tune the plain qin and read the golden scriptures..." Xiao Yu, the right servant of Shangshu Province who seldom spoke, sighed: "This article can be compared with "The Theory of Love and Lotus", and it can be said that they complement each other. "
Everyone nodded in agreement, and even Pei Shiju had to pinch his nose and nod slightly.
Everyone is not stupid. Although there are rumors that Li Shan likes to block things and does business, Yuan Xiaozheng came to Beijing on behalf of his father. Everyone can see clearly that everything Li Shan did was approved by His Majesty, and he used various methods to weaken Li Shan. The enemy strengthens oneself, and the article "Inscription on the Humble Room" fully describes his aspirations.
Yuan Xiaozheng, who had been in fear since entering Beijing, gradually calmed down. No matter how stupid he was, he could still realize the importance of his cheap teacher among Li Tang's senior officials.
Li Yuan tasted it for a long time and said with a smile: "I heard that Shi Wen intends to revise the "Selected Works", don't forget to include these two articles in it."
The text at that time was written by Xiao Yu. He raised his head and said: "If such an article is not included, the "Selected Works" will be stolen."
Xiao Yu's great-grandfather was Xiao Tong, the prince of Nanliang. This man left his name in history because of his extensive collection of essays, diligent writing, and presiding over the compilation of "Selected Works"... This is the famous "Selected Works of Zhaoming" in history.
Speaking of Li Shan, the atmosphere in the palace became harmonious. Yang Gongren and Chen Shuda, who were very kind to Li Shan, asked about the current situation of Dai County. Yuan Xiaozheng praised the prosperity of Bei City. Li Shan granted land and houses, which calmed the people and attracted people.
Pei Shiju watched this scene indifferently. He had clearly seen Li Shan's plans in Dai County these days. He used trade routes to explore the military situation, hooked up with Yuan Junzhang, and used wealth to gather people and grant land to settle down. It was easy for Yuan Junzhang to unknowingly decline in power, and he had no choice but to send his son to the court.
Pei Shiju has experienced many major events in his life, but this is the first time he has seen such a spring breeze and a new approach... In fact, this is normal. Travelers often use the business perspective as their entry point.
But the more Pei Shiju thought about it, the more frightened he became. He regretted his action that day. Not only was he unable to settle down his family, but he was also likely to lose his security in the later years... It can be said that the origin of Li Dewu's abandonment of his wife and children and his repeated attacks is no longer important. Now it's a head-to-head confrontation between Pei Shiju and Li Shan.
Without removing Li Shan, Pei Shiju felt that not only his descendants, but also himself might not be able to die in peace.
As mentioned above, Pei Shiju waited silently until Yuan Xiaozheng was sent out, and Li Yuan asked about recruiting Yuan Junzhang.
Everyone's eyes fell on Pei Shiju. Among the people in the palace, only Pei Shiju had been to the grassland many times and had dealt with people who had left the Turks. There were also Gaochang, Tuguhun, Tiele...
"Yuan Junzhang was once a vassal of the Turks. Now he has sent his son to the court with the intention of surrendering. He also guards the fortress of Mayi to prevent the Turks from attacking." Pei Shiju narrowed his eyes slightly and said slowly: "Imitate the previous dynasty. Regarding old matters, Your Majesty may send some of his ministers to appease him."
It makes sense for the ministers to appease him as a sign of grandeur. Li Shimin, the only one in the palace who knew the inside story, slightly curled his lips, because he didn't want Li Shan to take this responsibility.
Li Yuan was also a little hesitant. Yuan Junzhang came to vote largely because of Li Shan, and Li Shan's plan was at the cost of slandering himself... But now the credit has been neglected. This is not the way of a king and his ministers.
What's more, even Pingyang wouldn't agree if he didn't say how much he appreciated him.
At this time, Pei Shiju added softly: "If your Majesty chooses another official, it may be possible to do both."
Li Yuan nodded slightly, thought about it for a while, and then said after a while: "Send a member of the Zhongshushe, and on behalf of the county magistrate Li Huairen, to go to Mayi with silk, silk and iron coupons to appease Yuan Junzhang."
On the one hand, Li Shan was considered, and on the other hand, although Zhongshu Sheren was not in a high position, he was a close minister of the emperor.
After a pause, Li Yuan looked at Yang Gongren, "Who should I send...is there anyone who can be selected?"
Seeing the smile on Li Yuan's face, Yang Gongren held back his laughter and handed over his hand, "Cui Xin from Zhongshushe comes from a prominent family. He is outstanding and qualified for the job."
Low laughter sounded in the hall, and Li Jiancheng gave his father an admiring look... The story of Li Shan and Miss Cui has long been heard in the streets, but the two have not yet been engaged.
With this step, Cui Xin could use the slope to get off the donkey. Li Yuan was deliberately showing favor to Li Shan.
