The Tang Dynasty was an exciting and magnificent era, and it was a rare shining point in Chinese history.
However, that doesn't mean it's perfect.
It will still make mistakes, it will still decline, and its rulers and ministers will still make mistakes.
In real history, after the destruction of Goguryeo, the emperors and ministers of the Tang Dynasty did not pay enough attention to the eastern peninsula and did not manage it carefully. Instead, they quickly shifted the strategic focus to Tubo. This was a huge mistake made by the Tang Dynasty.
Of course, there are various objective reasons for this error.
For example, Li Zhi's physical condition was already in poor condition at that time. For example, the war consumed a huge amount of national power, and Tubo continued to provoke at the border.
These reasons also forced the emperors and ministers of the Tang Dynasty to shift their strategic focus. The newly conquered peninsula was really difficult to take into account.
Now that the Tang Dynasty has Li Qinzai, everything is different.
Some things must be nipped in the bud as early as possible.
Li Qinzai's expression was gloomy and uncertain, and Song Sen looked at him in confusion.
For Song Sen, the peninsula was too far away.
He didn't know why County Duke Li looked so solemn after hearing that the Silla Kingdom was giving gifts in Chang'an.
"Mr. Li, cough, if you have nothing to do, I'll lower you to the official position...please take your leave first?" Song Sen said cautiously.
Li Qinzai said absently: "Thank you for your hard work, Old Song. Don't leave in a hurry. Let's stay for a meal..."
Song Sen said in surprise: "Mr. Li, are you crazy? This is the first time that you have taken the initiative to stay as an official to have a meal. I am so scared!"
Li Qinzai finally came to his senses: "Huh? Did I take the initiative to keep you? No, you heard wrong. It's getting late and everyone is busy, so I won't keep you..."
Before he finished speaking, Song Sen dashed towards the front hall and said: "Master Li is a guest, how dare I refuse. I've heard for a long time that your delicacies are the best in Chang'an. I'm in a good mood today! Thank you very much." Li County Duke Kang is generous."
Li Qinzai opened his mouth. It's unclear whether this guy's skills have improved after he was promoted to an official, but his face has indeed become thicker and thicker.
Can't you hear what kind words mean? Humanity is too sophisticated to feed the dog...
And he still came to the door empty-handed.
Of course, Li Qinzai is not stingy to that extent. Song Sen is an old friend and has helped him a lot, so he doesn't mind letting him have a meal.
The delicacies of the Duke's Mansion were well-deserved. Song Sen devoured them voraciously and made a squeaking sound during the meal. Just hearing the sound made him have an appetite. No pig had ever felt so happy eating swill. It was a great honor.
Even if it's a meal, it's a meal. Song Sen's etiquette is still very measured. Knowing that this is the Duke's Mansion, it is a huge honor for him, a sixth-grade official, to have a meal without touching a drop of wine.
With class here, Song Sen knew that he was not qualified to drink freely in the Duke's Mansion. That was not something an official of his level could do.
After eating four bowls of rice, Song Sen was finally full. He quickly put down the bowl and bowed to Li Qinzai with difficulty with his round belly.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Li, for being able to have a meal at Mr. Ying's house. Xiaguan will have bragging rights for the rest of his life. The delicacies of your house will make Xiaguan unforgettable in his life."
Li Qinzai stared blankly at the mess of cups and plates on the low table opposite him, and sighed: "I can see that you really don't care about anything. When I went to Bingzhou for disaster relief, those refugees were nothing more than that..."
Song Sen smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm sorry for being rude, but your house's delicacies are so delicious that I just let go and ate to my heart's content."
"You can't eat my food for free, right?"
Song Sen was stunned and said with a wry smile: "No wonder Mr. Li is so generous today. He is waiting for me here. What is Mr. Li's order?"
"It's a small matter. I don't want to embarrass you. Send two smart subordinates to spread the news that the envoys of the Silla Kingdom bribed my courtiers, especially Liu Rengui."
"Liu Rengui?"
Li Qin laughed: "Although that old guy Liu Rengui has a bad habit of being aloof, I have to say that his eyes are really accurate. He knows that Baekje cannot invite outsiders. There is no sand in his eyes. He will know How to do it."
Song Sen puzzled and said: "Your Majesty has great favor and trust in Duke Li. If Duke Li insists that the Tang Dynasty should not abandon Baekje after the destruction of Goguryeo, why doesn't he directly advise your majesty instead of relying on Liu Rengui's help?"
Li Qinzai said leisurely: "There are people who are willing to charge into the battle, why should I take the risk? You just need to help me reveal this news to Liu Rengui in a casual way,"
Song Sen smiled easily: "This can pay for the official's meal? It's too easy."
"I find that you are really honest and honest sometimes, hehe, Chenghui, I'll pay you for the meal, thank you."
…………
Song Sen's meal was indeed not in vain, and he worked very efficiently after eating.
In one day, news from the government and the public in Chang'an was flying all over the sky.
Originally, the hot news in Chang'an City recently was the congratulations from envoys from various countries. For the subjects of the Tang Dynasty, this was a very embarrassing thing. The people in the court were full of joy and talked about it, and the national pride was unprecedentedly high.
However, the next day, a piece of news from Chang'an City finally cooled down this sense of pride.
The envoys of the Silla Kingdom were restless after entering the capital and dared to openly bribe the Tang Dynasty court officials. About twenty courtiers were bribed, all of whom were high-ranking officials in the court. This act of disobedience to the Silla Kingdom should be punished.
Rumors abound, and people in the court and public have different opinions. Those who have good intentions will naturally be curious.
Silla was a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty. The country was barren and relied on the sea for its livelihood. However, the king was willing to pay such a price to bribe the officials of the Tang Dynasty. What did they want?
Could it be that the leader of the Silla Kingdom was anxious for public justice and voluntarily used up his family wealth to help the poor in Tang Dynasty?
People haven’t reached that state yet.
So there were rumors of a sequel.
The reason why Silla paid such a huge price to bribe Tang court officials was because they wanted the bribed officials to initiate a court meeting and suggested that after the destruction of Goguryeo, the imperial court should hand over the land of the former Baekje to Silla.
Public opinion in Chang'an City suddenly became boiling.
Originally, people talked a lot about national affairs, but they didn't have enough knowledge.
People have different opinions on whether Baekje should be abandoned or retained.
However, the Silla envoys secretly gave gifts to courtiers, which made people suspicious.
Without great benefits, you would pay such a high price for no reason, just to persuade Datang to withdraw its troops from Baekje?
You Silla gained benefits by occupying Baekje, but conversely, did Tang Dynasty suffer a big loss?
This is not kind. Why should I give you Silla the land that I, the great Tang Dynasty athlete, conquered? When the Tang-Luo coalition attacked Baekje, you, Silla, were only responsible for logistics and transportation. It was my Tang soldiers who were charging forward.
Now that Baekje has been destroyed, you Silla want to come and pick the fruits.
The crowd was agitated and angry.
These rumors spread and disrupted the overall plan of the Silla envoys.
