But what Li Ke didn't expect was that he actually met an unexpected person here, Li Shiji.
"General Li, why are you here?" Li Ke was a little curious.
"I am newly appointed as the Protector of Dongyi Protectorate and will control the military affairs and local defense of Youzhou and other places." Li Shiji said with a smile.
Li Ke was stunned for a moment, it was different from history. At this period in history, Li Shiji was still in Chang'an and did not come to Youzhou, and the Dongyi Protectorate was established earlier than in history.
The reason why Li Shimin appointed Li Shiji here was probably to stand in front of Li Ke. In other words, Li Shimin knew very well that the Dongyi Protectorate (Youzhou, Hebei, Liaoning and other places) was related to Li Ke's next strategy, especially for Li Ke. Goguryeo strategy, so a reliable person is needed.
"Yes, I feel relieved that you are here. I just have something to arrange for you." Li Ke said.
"Your Highness, just ask." Li Shiji said directly. He knew very well that Li Shimin asked him to come here just to listen to Li Ke's arrangements.
Li Shiji served as the Protector of Dongyi Protectorate, which solved Li Ke's problem. After giving Li Shiji a secret explanation, Li Ke set off back to Chang'an.
It's been nearly a year since he left. Speaking of which, he still misses his father. He hasn't been angry with him for a long time. He really misses him.
And it is estimated that after returning home, Concubine Yang will have to cry again.
And Xiao Sizi and the others must have grown up, and they are yelling at the third brother to bring them delicious food.
In early February of the 21st year of the Tang Dynasty, the King of Qin that Li Ke was riding entered the Weihe Wharf again. This time it did not enter the Cao Canal, but docked at the Weihe Wharf, because the current Weihe Wharf has also undergone a full year of expansion. Tang Evernight City required a large amount of building materials, so the Weihe Wharf also began to expand with concrete.
However, this King of Qin is not the King of Qin that Li Ke rode on the sea, but the King of Qin specially developed by Yu Wenlin for Li Ke. The King of Qin for inland navigation coexists with sails and oars. It can travel faster against the current, and the bottom of the boat is not as good as that of a sea-going ship. It's sharp, but not as flat as a flat-bottomed boat.
The difference from last time is that this time Li Shimin came to the Weihe Wharf in person to greet Li Ke. Not only Li Shimin, but also all the court officials were pulled over by Li Shimin. The reason was naturally because Li Ke added new people to Datang this year. Traveling through so much land is naturally different from returning from Xizhou before.
When he got off the boat and saw Li Shimin, Li Ke was a little touched. After all, it was his father, so it would be okay even if he didn't come to pick him up.
"My son has met my father." Li Ke saluted Li Shimin seriously, and Chang Le and others who followed Li Ke naturally also saluted Li Shimin.
"Without courtesy, you did a good job this time." Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand.
"Hey, dad, you miss me so much." After Li Ke stood up straight, the ministers were originally going to salute Li Ke and Changle, but before the ministers could salute, Li Ke walked over directly, and then He gave Li Shimin a big hug.
Li Ke's actions made Li Shimin stunned for a moment. After being stunned, Li Shimin felt a little emotional, this kid has finally grown up. He also hugged Li Ke with his backhand, patted him on the back, and then said: "Okay, okay, you are such an adult, how do you behave?"
"Hehe, dad, I see what you said, even if I am eighty years old, I am still a child in your eyes." Li Ke said with a smile.
"Your father won't live that long." Li Shimin said with a smile, "Come and meet everyone. Your Highness, Prince Qin, is here to pick you up when he returns to Chang'an."
"I have met His Highness King Qin and His Highness Princess Changle." All the ministers saluted one after another.
"No gifts for everyone, thank you for your hard work this year." Li Ke and Chang Le also returned gifts to everyone.
Li Tai, Li You, and Li Min are all here. Because they are over fourteen years old, they all need to go to court, so they naturally come to pick up Li Ke.
"I've met Third Brother." The three of them were also very happy.
"Excuse me, where is brother?" Li Ke looked around and it seemed that Li Chengqian was not there.
As soon as Li Ke's words came out, everyone had a strange expression. Only Li Shimin said without changing his expression: "Oh, your reforms in Lingnan Road are very important. As a prince, it is very important to understand these reforms. This relationship The future direction of the Tang Dynasty, so your eldest brother set out for Lingnan Road about five days ago."
"He will help you keep an eye on all the reforms and subsequent developments of Lingnan Road there, and ensure that it runs according to your plan. According to time, he should leave the Yangtze River and reach the sea by now."
Li Shimin's righteous words.
Li Ke, on the other hand, suddenly widened his eyes, and a "?" slowly appeared on his head.
So, I’m back and my eldest brother is gone? ! And he drove off at the same time as me? Are you sure there is no problem here?
"Oh, by the way, your eldest brother told me before he left that he didn't have a place to live when he went there. You must have prepared a place to live when you went there. He will live at your place. There is no need to prepare a separate manor. Save money for the Tang treasury." Li Shimin added.
Li Ke: "..."
This... problem is not a problem, but why do I always feel that there is something wrong with it?
Brother, don’t you like your third brother? You didn't even see me for a moment and then left?
"Did my eldest brother go by himself?" Li Ke paused and asked.
"Oh no, the whole family has gone. It will take at least a year. It's definitely impossible to go alone. Didn't you say that you should read thousands of books instead of traveling thousands of miles? By the way, let Li Xiang follow you and take a look. The knowledge is quite good." Li Shimin said.
Li Ke: "..."
"Third brother, um, are there any other places that need someone to keep an eye on? I can help you keep an eye on them. I can't handle the government affairs of the Tang Dynasty, but I can help you keep an eye on the local government affairs. I should be fine." Li Tai thought for a moment, then came closer and spoke cautiously.
Li Ke glanced at him sideways. His hair was still short, and it seemed that he didn't want to have long hair. Li Ke said lightly: "Forget it about government affairs, but I see why you haven't completely lost weight with your figure. ? After I come back, the Sixteenth Guards of Chang'an will start military training immediately, and I will set up a special brigade in the urban management department. You can train with the special brigade for five months. "
"What does the special brigade do?" Li Tai was stunned for a moment.
"They are those who perform special tasks, such as latent missions. They pretend to be ordinary people and go to various wine shops, brothels and other places in Chang'an City to gather information." Li Ke said without changing his expression.
"Okay, third brother, I will go when you start." Li Tai's eyes lit up immediately.
"Well, don't worry, you definitely can't run away." Li Ke nodded.
