Qin Qiong's reputation among the people in later generations is very high, but in the current Tang Dynasty, it is only average. It is indeed because of his health that he has been out of the center of power for a long time. Therefore, if it were not for Li Ke, Qin Qiong's status in the Tang Dynasty is actually average. .
It can be seen from the rewards given to him by Li Shimin that the titles of all the twenty-four heroes of Lingyan Pavilion were awarded while they were still alive. In other words, Du Ruhui died of a sudden illness, so there was no reward, but Li Shimin also received the titles a few days after Du Ruhui's death. After the day, Du Ruhuilai was granted the title of Duke.
In history, Qin Qiong was not rewarded when Li Shimin consecrated the ministers in the 11th year of Zhenguan. After Qin Qiong died of illness in the 12th year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin only made Qin Qiong the Duke of Hu in the 13th year of Zhenguan.
Therefore, Qin Qiong was not as important as imagined in the history of the Tang Dynasty, and he was not as famous as he would be in later generations.
Qin Qiong's fame in later generations was entirely due to the popularity of novels such as Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Of course, because of Li Ke's relationship, Qin Qiong was extremely loyal to Li Shimin, so Qin Qiong's status in the Tang Dynasty is also very high now.
"It seems too silly to say this. During your illness these years, I have been thinking about how great it would be if you could help me in court. Look at our group of old brothers, how many of them are reliable? ? Just look at those two bastards Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde. If you don’t make me angry, I’ll be fine." Li Shimin sighed.
"That's true." Qin Qiong was also a little helpless. When he met Cheng Yaojin, the Tang Dynasty had not yet surrendered, so of course he knew what Cheng Yaojin's character was like.
Even though Li Shimin became emperor, Cheng Yaojin still dared to be angry. This man was used to being shameless.
While talking, Chang Lin next to him prepared tea and poured it for the two of them.
"Shu Bao, you are now the Minister of Public Security of the Tang Dynasty and are responsible for the security of all parts of the Tang Dynasty. You have a very heavy task." Li Shimin said seriously.
"Your Majesty's trust makes me panic." Qin Qiong said.
"Okay, let's not talk about this between us. Why are we old brothers talking about this among ourselves? It can be said that we have experienced everything in this life, and we have done everything we should do and shouldn't do."
"To be honest, in my life, Li Shimin, apart from my family, you old brothers have the closest relationship with me. You even have a closer relationship with me than I do with some of my children. Closeness.”
"At our age, what else can we remember? In more than ten years, what else can we remember?" Li Shimin waved his hand and sighed.
"Your Majesty is right." Qin Qiong was silent for a moment and said. He didn't know why Li Shimin said this, but Li Shimin's words really touched Qin Qiong a lot.
During the years when he was ill, Qin Qiong thought about what would happen after his death. He thought more about what Li Shimin said than Li Shimin, because those days were all he could recall.
"So, we old brothers have watched the Tang Dynasty build up little by little, but the Tang Dynasty is changing so fast now, and I feel that sometimes it is beyond our capabilities." Li Shimin nodded.
"Indeed, I can only say that His Highness is a genius." Qin Qiong nodded, feeling quite emotional. He never thought that Datang would become what it is today.
Think about it, it does feel like a dream.
"Although Datang is developing very fast now, and everything is on the right track. The point is that everything in Datang is prospering, but there are also many hidden crises." Li Shimin's expression became serious.
"Just in case, you have to do something for me." Li Shimin looked at Qin Qiong and said.
"Your Majesty, please speak." Qin Qiong's expression also became serious. Since Li Shimin said this, it proves that this matter is very important, otherwise Li Shimin would not come to him personally.
"I will leave you a secret edict. You must send this secret edict to various states in the Tang Dynasty through the internal channels of the Ministry of Security. This secret edict is top secret and can only be opened at the right time. This I will tell you the exact time."
"But before this, be careful if anyone opens it, otherwise it will be the crime of deceiving the emperor." Li Shimin said with a serious face, "The point is, no one else can know about this matter, including ministers, princes, and powerful families. etc."
Upon hearing this, Qin Qiong immediately stood up from his seat, bent down and saluted with a serious face: "I accept the decree!"
"You leave this matter to the person in the Ministry of Security who is responsible for this matter. This imperial edict must be spread to all counties in the Tang Dynasty." Li Shimin looked at Qin Qiong and said.
"Your Majesty, take the order."
"This matter is related to Li Ke, but it is not convenient for Li Ke to do it, so I will do it. You tell the soldiers in charge of this matter that this matter is related to His Highness the King of Qin." Li Shimin looked at Qin Qiong and said.
Qin Qiong nodded, "I understand."
It seems that this matter is really related to a very important life and death issue in the Tang Dynasty, otherwise His Majesty and His Highness would not have made such a move, and their Security Department would be responsible.
"Confidentiality is the most important thing. Don't tell anyone. And you don't tell Li Ke. Just pretend you don't know about it. Do you understand?" Li Shimin looked at him and said, "Do you think this matter is relevant?" question?"
"Your Majesty, I understand. I promise to complete the task. This matter should not be difficult. These soldiers of the Ministry of Public Security usually respect Your Majesty and His Highness from the bottom of their hearts. Now I heard that it concerns Your Majesty. Your Highness, it concerns the Tang Dynasty, and they will fight to the death to protect this news." Qin Qiong nodded seriously.
When Li Shimin heard this, he nodded with satisfaction. If you say so, I'm satisfied. Of course I do.
As for what Qin Qiong said, these soldiers respected His Majesty from the bottom of their hearts. Li Shimin didn't take it seriously at all. He just wanted to listen to what he said. Who did those soldiers care about the most and who paid the most attention to him? Of course he was more caring than anyone else. clear.
"Well, I will send Chang Lin to give it to you when the time comes. Just keep it a secret." Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction.
"Yes! I will live up to His Majesty's trust." Qin Qiong saluted with a serious face.
"Okay, I can rest assured that you will do things. Your character has always been stable, otherwise I would not leave this matter to you. Okay, you can go and do your work now. Try not to let others see it, otherwise I will summon you alone. It's easy to leak information." Li Shimin nodded seriously.
"Yes!" Qin Qiong saluted and left the Xuanzheng Hall.
