"Your Majesty, I have congratulated you, the ceremony has been completed!" Zhao Renben, the servant, knelt down in the center of Hanyuan Hall again, holding a memorial in his hand, which recorded all the details of today's imperial meeting.
On the throne, Li Zhi nodded slightly, and then said: "Xing!"
Zhao Renben stood up immediately, then bowed and retreated among the ministers.
At this time, Taiyue ordered people to ring the Ruibin bell, and the five bells on the left responded, playing the music of Taihe and encouraging people to cheer up.
Dianyi on one side spoke again: "At the end of the dynasty, the saint comes out and holds a banquet for all the ministers in the Tai Chi Palace."
"I respectfully bid farewell to your majesty, long live my emperor!" After all the ministers knelt down, Li Zhi stood up from the throne, and then entered the east wing of the Tai Chi Hall from the imperial chariot, followed by the guards and courtiers.
Happy to stop.
Tongshishe was the first to walk out of the Hanyuan Hall, followed by the ministers from the east and west sides who were at the end, followed by the courtiers with the highest rank, and the courtiers with the highest rank last, exiting the Hanyuan Hall through the gate.
Li Xuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had previously pointed out that the leader of the Tubo Kingdom, Mansong Mangzan, was unwell and even critically ill, the Tubo Ambassador Zabala still refused to admit it.
But officials inside and outside could tell from clues that what Li Xuan said was most likely the truth.
Also aware of this were the envoys of the Turks, Uighurs, Tiele, Khotan, Qiuci, Yanqi, Shule and other countries.
Previously, in the Hanyuan Hall, envoys from more than 40 countries including Silla, Japan, Ryukyu, Annan, Chenla, Java, Uighur, Tiele, Khotan, Qiuci, Yanqi and Shule presented precious auspicious gifts to the Tang emperor. animals, precious gems, rare medicinal materials, spices, etc.
In addition to congratulations, he also took the dispute into his eyes.
In the battle between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo, it was not just the Tang Dynasty and Tubo who mobilized troops. Countries in the Western Regions such as Uighur, Tiele, Khotan, Qiuci, Yanqi, Shule, and Turks would also participate in the war.
Either follow the Tang Dynasty or follow the Tubo.
If after the war begins, the military strength of the countries following Tubo decreases, while the military strength of the countries following Datang increases, then Datang's chances of winning will be greatly increased.
In the main hall, although the emperor only ordered Pei Xingjian, the Minister of War, to inspect the soldiers and prepare to go to Tubo to welcome the parietal bone relic of Nagarjuna Bodhisattva, he did not say how many troops he would mobilize or when he would send the troops. However, as soon as the emperor opened his mouth, the war had begun. Without delay.
None of the officials of the Tang Dynasty opened their mouths to stop him. Everyone could see the meaning of this.
If what Li Xuan said is true, then his words can increase Datang's chances of winning by five points.
…
Li Xuan followed the kings and walked out of Hanyuan Hall. At this time, many people couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.
At this moment, a figure suddenly appeared beside the kings.
Six feet tall, burly, wearing a purple official robe, with serious eyes as sharp as swords, this person was none other than Pei Xingjian, the Minister of War.
The moment the kings around him saw Pei Xingjian clearly, they immediately retreated. Only Li Xuan remained standing.
"Xuan has met Mr. Pei." Li Xuan bowed to Pei Xingjian.
Pei Xingjian returned the courtesy solemnly, and then said: "I wonder if I dare to ask the prince, how many hidden connections does the prince have in Tubo?"
Li Xuan's eyes couldn't help but jump.
Everyone in the hall could relate to the fact that Li Xuan had his own spy in Tubo, but Pei Xingjian's direct question still caught Li Xuan off guard.
Taking a deep breath, Li Xuan said respectfully: "Reporting to Mr. Pei, Xiao Wang doesn't have many hidden connections in Tubo. He just cooperates with the Tubo caravan all the year round, and when he sent people to inspect the capital of Tubo, he paid a little attention to investigate some things. "
"Then are these people still being logical now?" Pei Xingjian directly pointed out the words used to cover up Li Xuan's words.
"Some people are still there, and some people are no longer here." Li Xuan shook her head slightly and said, "Although there are many Han people in Luoxue City, everyone is very eye-catching, especially the closer they get to the Tubo Palace and the senior Tubo officials. People will investigate the details at any time, and if you are not careful, you will die immediately."
"Can the King of Nanchang hand over the list of these people? The Ministry of War needs to determine the life and death of the Tubo King Mansong Mangzan?" Pei Xingjian didn't care about the life or death of Li Xuan's people at all. He had only one purpose, and that was to use Li Xuan's people. The men came to determine the life and death of the Tibetan King.
Li Xuan smiled, looked at Pei Xingjian and said, "Yes, Xiao Wang can hand over the identities of these people to Mr. Pei now, but if you want to make these people obedient, it depends on the methods of the Ministry of War?"
"Huh?" Pei Xingjian immediately heard something behind Li Xuan's words, and his brows immediately furrowed.
Li Xuan shook his head slightly and said sincerely: "Actually, these people are just a cooperative relationship with Xiao Wang. I pay and they give out the information. They exchange the information for money. Trusting each other depends entirely on self-consciousness. Once you break your trust, there will be no contact again. Everyone from the Ministry of War You need to be careful, as some of these people will inevitably be betrayed by Tubo, so you have to judge yourself regardless of your creditworthiness."
Pei Xingjian's brows suddenly furrowed tightly. He couldn't understand Li Xuan's words.
The eyeliner on Li Xuan's hand has two levels: light and dark. He can hand it over to the Ministry of War, but he can just keep the dark eye for himself.
Li Xuan's face was full of sincerity and respect, but her eyes were full of distrust towards Pei Xingjian and everyone in the Ministry of War.
People in the Ministry of War's Staff Department only want results, but they don't care at all how many people die or who will die in the process.
"The King of Nanchang needs to know that this battle is related to the fate of the Tang Dynasty and Tubo. I hope that the prince will do his best to help." Pei Xingjian seriously handed over to Li Xuan.
Li Xuan quickly returned the gift, raised his head to look at Pei Xingjian, and said: "Pei Gong should know that the Tubo envoy's actions today are nothing more than to anger the Tang Dynasty and lure our troops to go deeper. They have already prepared a complete response. Prepare.
Duke Pei should have understood in his heart, even in his mind, that the Tubo people were probably ready to hunt down the undercover agents of the Tang Dynasty. Would Duke Pei still want them to die in vain? "
"If we can know the truth about the life and death of the King of Tubo and fight for the army, everything will be worth it." Pei Xingjian's face was as hard as iron.
"Pei Gong doesn't think about the future, and I have nothing to say." Li Xuan took a deep breath, looked up at Pei Xingjian, and finally said in a deep voice: "I have only one person at the core of logic, and he is completely free to act. , I cannot force it, but if the Ministry of War can make some guarantees, he may cooperate."
After saying that, Li Xuan took out a short note from the sachet at her waist and handed it over directly.
Pei Xingjian was a little confused. He took the note and took a look at it, his expression changed involuntarily.
"Guo regretted it, so he was the son of General Zuo Bao Tao Wei, the deputy general manager of Luosu Road Marching Guo Daifeng."
Li Xuan sighed softly and said: "I'm afraid an ordinary person wouldn't be able to hide in Tubo for so many years. I only found this person by chance... In other words, he found me. What does he want? Mr. Pei should be able to tell at a glance that it contains his contact information in Tubo. As for the details, Mr. Pei can decide on his own."
After Li Xuan finished speaking, he turned around and walked away. Instead, it was Pei Xingjian who looked a little complicated.
Guo Daifeng, former Zuobao Taowei general, deputy general manager of the Luosu Road march, and Jinshi in the second year of Xianqing.
In the first year of Xianheng, during the Battle of Dafeichuan, Guo Daifeng had a rift with his coach Xue Rengui, which caused the army's forwards and logistics to struggle, and subsequently led to the defeat of Datang.
Xue Rengui, Ashina Daozhen and Guo Daifeng were reduced to death and removed from the list.
Nowadays, Xue Rengui has been reinstated as the governor of Daizhou, Ashina Daozhen has been reinstated as the general of Youtun Guard, and only Guo Daifeng's whereabouts are unknown.
Pei Xingjian lowered his head and looked at the note in his hand. The old character on it already explained Guo Daifeng's whereabouts.
At this time, a voice sounded behind Pei Xingjian: "How about keeping the promise?"
Pei Xingjian didn't look back and directly handed over the short note that Li Xuan gave him. The man behind him took the note and frowned tightly: "Regret, is he regretting what his father said, or should he let the big brother know it?" Tang regrets, this person is not trustworthy."
"Your Majesty!" Pei Xingjian finally turned around and looked at the person behind him. This person was none other than Zhongshu Ling Hao Chujun.
Pei Xingjian sighed softly, cupped his hands and said: "The King of Nanchang didn't know the truth about what happened back then, and Guo Daifeng might not tell his son, but there is no doubt that his son's heart is towards the Tang Dynasty after all. As long as he makes a small promise, his son Then you can be used by me, so why be so suspicious."
"How can we have any luck when fighting with a large army? The King of Nanchang must have other chess pieces in his hands..."
"But which one can be as useful as this?" Pei Xingjian suppressed all Hao Chujun's doubts with one sentence.
"If his intentions are really like this, you can imagine how much thought he put into it, and the trust he can reach is far beyond our reach. On the contrary, even if he has been used by Tibet, he must know it. When the time comes to find out the truth about Tubo, we only need to let him return eastward with the letter, and it will not be difficult to determine the truth." It was difficult for Pei Xingjian to give up the benefits of this.
Hao Chujun took a deep breath and said, "That being said, he is the King of Nanchang..."
"Your Majesty, why is this so? This person came here because of us. If we really want the King of Nanchang to vouch for it, I will worry about him acting cautiously." Pei Xingjian shook his head slightly. He wanted to let others do their best, but also let others take responsibility. And he is unwilling to give enough benefits to others. How can things in between be so easy.
Not to mention, even if the King of Nanchang made a mistake in recommending the person, the secret matter will never be brought to the table. Even if he is held accountable, it is nothing more than dismissal from office. But don't forget that the real commander in this battle is Pei Xingjian.
If something really happened, Pei Xingjian would not be able to escape, and his punishment would even be more severe.
Hao Chujun stood on the jade steps and said in a deep voice: "But there is news about this matter, and the King of Nanchang is working together as a consultant."
Pei Xingjian smiled slightly and replied: "Your Majesty, the King of Nanchang, I am afraid that you have already seen this clearly."
…
"There will be more than a good harvest, and the emperor's grace is universal. I will reward all the ministers in front of the palace and dance in Zhaoran." Zhao Renben, the minister, stood on the left side of the imperial steps and solemnly announced the decree.
"Long live my emperor! Long live my emperor!" All the ministers bowed their heads and knelt down in deep worship.
Li Zhi nodded slightly, turned around and glanced at Empress Wu beside him, and the two looked at each other and smiled.
Li Zhi turned around, looked at the ministers, and said: "Everyone, please sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." A loud roar echoed throughout the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The ministers then stood up and sat behind the low table, which was already filled with various fruits and fine wines.
Li Xuan gathered her thoughts and quickly glanced at the left and right sides. On the left was Li Jing, the heir to the throne, and on the right was Li Na, the crown prince of the Han Dynasty.
Opposite is... Pei Yan, the Minister of Punishment, and next to Pei Yan is Li Jingye, the governor of Meizhou.
Li Xuan was slightly stunned, why were these two people sitting together?
(End of chapter)
