In fact, Li Jiangyao already had ideas about these issues, but he still asked humbly: "What do you two think?"
Xie Tanzhi responded: "The three things are not completely independent. On the contrary, they are linked one by one and should be considered together. I believe that the core issue between the court and us is the ownership of military power. The Zhenjiang Army remains unchanged for one day Independence, the emperor and the court cannot rest assured for a day. Under such circumstances, whether it is returning the capital, organizing troops, or attacking the rebels, it is difficult for both sides to work together without any grudges. "
These words revealed the essence of the problem, and both Li Jiangyao and Xu Youchang couldn't help but nodded slightly.
Xu Youchang said: "Actually, there is a reason for the independence of the Suppressing Army. To be honest, I have been influenced by my family since I was a child, and my loyalty to the emperor has long been engraved in my bones. Normally, it is impossible for me to be disobedient to the emperor and the court. However, even I have no emotional ties to Luoyi now. Since its establishment, the Zhenjiang Army has never received any support from Shengtang. Most of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers are descendants of the Western Xinjiang. They fought to quell the rebellion of the vassal state and drive away the Turks. We must unite together to fight against foreign enemies. In this process, the role and influence of the imperial court are minimal. How can you let the middle and lower-level officers and ordinary soldiers recognize it?"
Xie Tanzhi nodded and continued: "Not only do the soldiers not recognize it, but it is also difficult for the people of Western Xinjiang to recognize it. Seven or eight years of time is neither long nor short. The huge trauma of the war has changed many people's lives. Idea. More and more people in the vassal state realize that only the Holy King can protect them and bring hope. It is precisely because of the banner of the Great Protector that people are willing to let their children, husbands, and fathers take up arms. , go to the battlefield and follow us to fight everywhere."
"According to what you two want," Li Jiangyao smiled and said, "We can only reject the imperial court's restraint and embark on the road of separatism?"
Xu Youchang responded seriously: "At present, I'm afraid this can only be the case. It doesn't sound good to the separatist side. It should be an agreement with the court to exchange the Guanzhong area and the imperial capital. We will return to Western Xinjiang and develop independently."
Even people like Xu Youchang, who came from a loyal and loyal family, said the word "independence", which shows what the other officers and soldiers of the Zhenjiang Army thought.
Li Jiangyao's expression looked very calm. He waited for a moment and suddenly asked: "What kind of person do you think I am?"
Xie Tanzhi replied without hesitation: "The Protector-General is brave and wise. He loves his soldiers and his people like his own children. He is a natural leader."
Xu Youchang smiled and said: "We have known each other for more than ten years, and you are the person I admire most."
"Do you think I'm selfish, hypocritical, and like to sing high-key?"
"Never," Xu Youchang and Xie Tanzhi looked at each other and said, "You may be cunning and sometimes quite damaging, but you are definitely not a hypocritical Taoist gentleman."
Li Jiangyao nodded and said with a smile: "That's good. As long as you don't think that I like to sing high-profile, then the rest of my words will be easy to say."
"My friend, Frank, I understand your concerns, and I also understand the thoughts of the soldiers and the people. However, the problem cannot be considered from just one aspect." Li Jiangyao said calmly: "Think about it, we didn't care about life and death, What is the purpose of raising an army to fight against the enemy? So many soldiers follow us, abandoning their homes and careers, and spilling their blood on the battlefield. What is the purpose of it? Is it just to separate one side and establish itself as king? "
"We are here to save the people of Li and prevent the Ghost Desert of Xijiang from splitting from Shengtang! I, Li Jiangyao, and you will always be the Xinjiang Army who defend the land for the people and the country for the country!"
"Because of a suspicious emperor and a few treacherous ministers, we have to give up our ideals and beliefs? Just kidding! Even if we can convince ourselves, can we convince Commander He and General Xu who are under the Nine Springs? Can we? Do you want to convince Lin Feng’s brothers who died in battle?”
Facing Li Jiangyao's questioning, Xu Youchang and Xie Tanzhi couldn't help but look ashamed.
Fundamentally speaking, the top leaders of the Zhenjiang Army are all loyal and resolute people, and serving the country and the people has always been their lifelong pursuit. It was only because of the various previous actions of the imperial court that aroused dissatisfaction and doubt among everyone, so they came up with the idea of returning to Western Xinjiang and being alone.
Xu Youchang sighed: "Jiang Yao, you didn't curse, but you were more cruel. I really feel sorry for my grandfather. The old man could have withdrawn to Xishu and lived a good life, but he defended the imperial capital without hesitation, taking with him The whole family died for the country. I am not as good as grandpa!"
Xie Tanzhi also said: "Dadu Protector, to this day, I still know you the same as I did in Metasequoia City. I have not seen the wrong person, let alone followed the wrong person. What you said just now is right, and it cannot be because of a few times. If a treacherous minister makes trouble, he has lost his faith, and they are not worthy of it!"
Li Jiangyao nodded slightly and said solemnly: "In addition, there is another consideration. If we really return to the armed separatist regime in Western Xinjiang, not only will it not bring peace and tranquility to the people of Western Xinjiang, but it will also trigger endless wars. "
"When you said this, I suddenly felt that it made sense." Xu Youchang agreed: "Perhaps, some people want us to do that. For Shengtang, Xijiang Ghost Desert must not be given up. That means, Sooner or later, the imperial army will regard us as rebels and send troops to conquer us. At that time, whether in the northwest or in the western Xinjiang, the war will be raging and there will never be peace!"
Li Jiangyao smiled and said: "So, we must use more advanced wisdom to deal with that fool emperor and treacherous ministers. The purpose is not for our own power and position, but for the unity and tranquility of the Holy Tang."
"The Great Protector is right!" Xie Tanzhi responded excitedly: "We have defeated Ashina, so what else is there to be afraid of?!"
Xu Youchang looked at Li Jiangyao: "What about the three things I just mentioned?"
Li Jiangyao smiled and said: "In my reply to the court, I not only declined the princess's marriage, but also specifically raised the three issues you mentioned. I have only one way, to take the initiative and ask the Zhenjiang Army to continue marching eastward to defeat the rebels. military!"
Facing the puzzled looks of his two companions, Li Jiangyao explained: "Because we have to fight against the rebels, the establishment of the Xinjiang Army cannot be reduced, but it should also be expanded according to actual needs. In this way, the problem of troop formation will be easily solved. I The plan is to have the Third Army, the Fourth Army, and the Seventh Army return to Western Xinjiang for rest and garrisoning, while the rest of the troops will enter the battlefield in the Central Plains. In this way, the Guanzhong area will be released, and the imperial court can return the capital smoothly. And we will attack Lao Jianhua and Li Kuang, Completely eliminate all rebel forces, and Shengtang will soon usher in the long-lost peace and tranquility."
Having said this, Li Jiangyao smiled mysteriously and said: "Of course, our efforts to quell the rebellion for the imperial court are not in vain. The imperial court must reward us."
"What kind of reward?" Xu Youchang was a little curious.
"I plan to get the imperial court to agree to establish Guimo in Western Xinjiang as an autonomous region."
Xie Tanzhi's eyes lit up and he quickly asked: "Defender, what is an autonomous region? And how should it be run?"
Li Jiangyao combined the concepts of the modern world and introduced: "The so-called autonomous region is not independent from the Shengtang Dynasty. On the contrary, it is under the jurisdiction of the central court, while recognizing the integrity of the Shengtang territory and the unity of sovereignty, it fully Respecting and protecting local ethnic interests and freedom of religious belief is a brand new political governance system.”
Xie Tanzhi asked: "Who will govern such an autonomous region?"
"My idea is to jointly govern the four parties." Li Jiangyao said: "For the governor's office of the autonomous region, one person is sent by the imperial court, one person is sent by the Zhenjiang Army, one person is sent by the Shenhua family, and one person is sent by each vassal country. Representatives from the four parties negotiate and discuss matters. Take into account the interests of Shengtang and Xijiang to the maximum extent possible."
Xie Tanzhi thought about it carefully and stroked his beard: "For the dynasty, the most important thing is the integrity of the territory and the security of the border; for Western Xinjiang, the most important thing is that the people live and work in peace and contentment and live a prosperous and peaceful life. Both of them There is no contradiction between them. Coordinated governance by the four parties can not only ensure that Western Xinjiang will not rebel and split again, but also avoid the situation where the Zhenjiang Protectorate was dominated by one family, and fully take into account the interests of the people. It is wonderful."
Xu Youchang also nodded repeatedly: "That's true. The autonomous region, um, a good idea. But what about our Xinjiang Army? How should we get along with the court in the future?"
"I have thought about it," Li Jiangyao said calmly: "When the rebels are eliminated and the world returns to peace, most of the soldiers of the Zhenjiang Army will disarm and return to their fields and go home to live a peaceful life with their relatives. The remaining troops will be stationed in Western Xinjiang. Follow the court’s orders.”
Xu Youchang was slightly worried: "Jiang Yao, I have to say something inappropriate. I'm afraid you won't leave a good impression in the eyes of that idiot Li Bing. If you leave the protection of the army, I'm afraid..."
Li Jiangyao smiled casually: "What are you afraid of? Are you afraid that I will be harmed by him?"
Xu Youchang hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but said: "Murong Xue wrote to me, saying that Li Bing is quite afraid of you, and for other reasons, he may secretly hate you. We must be on guard."
Li Jiangyao recalled his agreement with Xiahou Ninghan in his mind, and his thoughts suddenly flew to the mysterious cave in Wenbantimu Village, Zili, and said calmly: "I don't think the problem is big. If there is such a day, maybe I will do it early." I'm going to travel around the world, and he may not be able to find me."
Xie Tanzhi looked at Xu Youchang thoughtfully, and winked at the same time: Let's worry about this matter in secret, and don't bother the guardian anymore.
Xu Youchang nodded knowingly and sighed: "Okay, since you know what's in your heart, I won't talk nonsense. Now, let's settle down, rest seriously, train and prepare for war. Once the imperial court agrees to our request to go out, we will go find Lao Jianhua settles the score. Damn, all these troubles are caused by this old bastard, including me and the three thousand brothers from the Pioneer Camp who were wrongly accused."
"Yes," Li Jiangyao replied quietly: "It's time to avenge Teacher He."
