A few days later, the confidants sent by Huang Hao came back.
At this time, Li Shimin was sitting in the imperial garden pavilion watching Zhang Yan dance her sword.
The day before yesterday, the two made a bet to guess what color clothes the queen would wear. Zhang Yan lost and the sword dance was the bet.
"Your Majesty, news from Wenshan County has returned."
Huang Hao stood next to Li Shimin and leaned over and said with a slight disappointment.
Li Shiming stopped Zhang Yan and said calmly:
"From what I heard from Huang Aiqing, it seems that Wenshan County is not very optimistic either."
Li Shimin knew it well, not to mention that he was used to it after hearing too much bad news about counterinsurgency.
Huang Hao reported the news brought by his confidants to Li Shimin in detail.
It turned out that Ma Cheng did have the support of the Qiang and Hu tribes, but after traveling to the mountains and wilderness, the barbarians took up positions in the mountains and placed traps in the mountains and forests, making it difficult for the counter-rebellion army to move forward.
The Qiang and Hu people are mostly good at fighting in the field on horseback, but they lose their advantage once they enter the mountains.
Seeing that the matter could not be accomplished, Ma Cheng prepared to send someone to report back, but Huang Hao's confidant arrived first.
At present, Ma Chengye has returned secretly, leaving only Liu Lin on standby in the Wenshan Army.
Li Shimin saw that it was still early and ordered Huang Hao: "First go and invite Huo Ge, and then prepare to go on patrol incognito."
Huang Hao accepted the order and was about to retreat when Li Shimin added: "You will also go on this patrol. Then you will have to accompany me to find the 'great sage' you say can educate all peoples." !”
Huang Hao was overjoyed after hearing this. His Majesty regarded him as a close minister. It seemed that as long as he served loyally, his Majesty would really promote him.
Thinking of this, Huang Hao happily accepted the order and left.
Li Shimin took Huo Ge, Zhang Shao, Mi Wei, Huang Hao, Zhang Yan and others disguised as merchants and went straight to the last Jinxiu Inn.
The reason why Li Shimin wanted to meet Zhao Tong and others secretly was actually because he was afraid of losing face. After all, they were all his cronies who were promoted by him. They were "annihilated" when they first appeared. This was a face that Li Shimin could not afford to lose.
When we arrived at the Jinxiu Inn, we followed the same procedure as last time, except this time there were only three people in the private room: Zhao Tong, Guan Tong, and Ma Cheng.
Li Shimin was most concerned about the army, so as soon as everyone sat down, Li Shimin took the lead and said:
"No need for small talk. Ma Cheng, please tell me first, the general situation of Wenshan's soldiers in Shu except the Qiang and Hu reinforcements."
Everyone also knew that they were direct descendants of whom His Majesty had high hopes, and countering the rebellion was the first step in promoting and training them, so they all cherished this opportunity.
I saw Ma Cheng taking out an animal skin with a simple topographic map on it.
"Your Majesty, please take a look."
Ma Cheng pointed to a narrow road between two mountains on the map and said:
"Across this road to the north is where the barbarian rebels are, and our army is stationed in the south of the mountain.
Before entering the mountain, soldiers could give orders and prohibitions, but when they reached the mountain pass, the local county soldiers began to fight timidly, especially low-ranking junior high schools such as corps commanders and chiefs, who complained the most.
At this time, the barbarian soldiers who had been forced to move to the north of Yizhou by the prime minister began to communicate with the enemies in the mountains in barbarian languages.
I heard from Qiang and Hu soldiers who were proficient in barbarian language that they hoped that the local general would come forward to negotiate before they could negotiate the terms of surrender. "
Li Shimin nodded and turned to ask Guan Tong.
Guan Tong also looked angry and helpless, and said bitterly:
"The nobles in Shu have gone too far to bully others! Your Majesty, we are mostly local soldiers from Yizhou, and there are few barbarians.
However, when we took out His Majesty's holy orders and asked for soldiers and horses, the officers of these noble families were all obedient on the surface, but secretly ordered the soldiers to disobey.
To me, the soldiers don't look like they are cowards, but they look like they are cowards! "
Li Shimin still nodded, and finally looked at Zhao Tong.
Zhao Tong was much calmer and said calmly:
"My second brother Zhao Guang and I have been in Jiangzhou for a long time, and my father once guarded one side as the governor of Jiangzhou. Normally, his reputation should be enough to convince the soldiers.
The result is similar to the situation encountered by the nephew of the Guan family, but the ranks of the local nobles in Yizhou who serve as middle and low-level officers will be very war-weary and timid. From my perspective, they also seem to be afraid of power. "
"It's really too much of a deception! Let me see, all Yizhou officials, regardless of whether they are civil or military, will be dismissed or killed!"
Guan Tong said angrily.
Li Shimin was not in a hurry, smiled lightly, and comforted several people:
"Everything is difficult at the beginning. Since all of you here have pointed the finger at the Yizhou gentry, let's just prescribe the right medicine and discuss a solution."
After all, they were all young, and it was clear that the Yizhou nobles were deliberately sabotaging it.
Li Shimin didn't even think about blaming a few people, and his words were more comforting and encouraging.
"It just so happens that I want to make a secret visit to the streets of Chengdu today to find a great sage recommended to me by Huang Hao. Why don't we go together? If you have a suitable candidate, you can also recommend it to me."
Zhao Tong and the other three people thought that His Majesty would have to scold him a few times, but they didn't expect that the failure of suppressing the rebellion was dismissed in one sentence. They were all grateful and worked harder.
A group of people came to Dacheng Street in Chengdu, which is the center of Shuhan and is naturally bustling and lively.
Huang Hao knew very well that the people traveling with him were all direct descendants of His Majesty, and they all held the title of "descendants of elders", so he behaved extremely diligently and courteously along the way.
Everyone also knew that Huang Hao was a eunuch promoted by the late emperor and had been following His Majesty since he was a child. Moreover, His Majesty had not shied away from having a secret meeting today, so they were all friendly and tolerant towards Huang Hao.
Seeing this harmonious scene, Li Shimin felt relieved.
When they arrived at a square in the center of the big city, everyone saw a high platform in the center of the square not far away that was surrounded by people.
Li Shimin was puzzled and asked the people around him.
Mi Wei's family was once a wealthy businessman, and scenes like this were not uncommon when he followed his father in business.
So she changed places with Zhang Yan beside Li Shimin and whispered:
"In this case, it's probably a hermit in the mountains who came down to pray for the people and preach."
When Li Shimin heard the words "mountain hermit" and "preaching", his heart trembled, and he subconsciously thought of himself in the previous life.
In my previous life, my martial arts skills had almost reached the point where I had no desires or desires, so I thought about finding a way to live forever.
Unexpectedly, many outsiders and experts persuaded themselves to take the elixir known as the "Elixir of Immortality" for the sake of temporary wealth and glory. In the end, their wish for immortality was not fulfilled, and instead they were tortured to death by dysentery early.
The more Li Shimin thought about it, the angrier he became. He snorted coldly and said, "Humph! These hermits in the mountains and masters of Taoism are just talking words. In my opinion, they are not worth mentioning!"
Everyone was shocked when they saw His Majesty's performance.
In the hearts of everyone, the late Emperor and His Majesty were both pious people and had no objection to these outsiders.
Why is Your Majesty so angry?
At this time, no one could see through His Majesty's thoughts, so they could only remain silent and wait for His Majesty's instructions.
Zhang Yan didn't care about that much, she was just curious about why everyone who was talking and laughing suddenly fell silent.
"Adou...ah no, brother, why are you so angry all of a sudden? Who provoked you? Tell me, I will make that person's ass bloom!"
Li Shimin was so amused by Zhang Yan's words that he couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.
"You! But sometimes it's good to have less worries."
Everyone saw that His Majesty had returned to normal, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhang Yan also heard what Mi Wei said just now, so she became curious about "sermons".
"Brother Young Master, how about we squeeze into the front row and listen to the hermit's sermon?"
Huang Hao also said at this time: "Sir, the great sage recommended by the servant seems to be a Taoist in the mountains. Maybe he is the person on the stage?"
Although Li Shimin had a grudge against these outsiders, after all, it happened in the previous life, and he didn't want to spoil everyone's interest. Moreover, he didn't want to miss the "great sage" in Huang Hao's mouth, so he agreed.
So Huo Ge and Mi Wei opened the way, Ma Cheng and Zhao Tong were on the left and right, Guan Tong and Zhang Shao were behind, and Li Shimin, Zhang Yan and Huang Hao were surrounded in the middle. A group of people formed a group and squeezed into the crowd of spectators.
As soon as they got closer, Zhang Shao could see the origins of the people on the stage before they could stand still.
So he shouted in His Majesty's ear: "Sir, this man has a great background, and you have met this man before, but you were still a young man at that time, so you may not remember him."
Li Shimin suddenly became interested and asked with raised eyebrows: "When you say that, it seems familiar to me, but I really can't remember it. What is the name of this hermit?"
Zhang Shao saw that His Majesty was interested, so he continued to introduce in his ear: "This person's common name is Fan Ji, and his courtesy name is Wuwei. He also has a special identity - Xiaoyao Gong, the master of Changsheng Temple."
Seeing that His Majesty was surprised, but seemed to be seeing Fan Ji for the first time, Zhang Shao was a little incredulous at first, then he thought for a while and then suddenly realized.
"Perhaps Your Majesty was too playful back then and forgot all about this great talent that the late Emperor desired..."
Zhang Shao thought of this, shook his head helplessly, and continued:
"Sir, this Immortality Temple was expanded and given a name by His Majesty when he succeeded to the throne. As for the name 'Xiaoyao Gong', it was given by the late Emperor during his time."
Huang Hao suddenly said at this time: "Master, the person I mentioned earlier should be this 'Xiaoyao Gong'."
Hearing this, Li Shimin couldn't help but smile. He never thought that the great sage he came out of the palace to look for was actually an old acquaintance...
"Well, when you say that, I'm really impressed. But after all, such powerful hermits are not common. You still need to introduce a few things about their abilities and virtues."
Zhang Shao saw that His Majesty was interested in getting acquainted, so he promptly reminded:
"Sir, there are so many people here and it's noisy. Why don't we go across to the restaurant and have a drink. By the way, we'll invite Mr. Xiaoyao to come and see him after he finishes his announcement."
Li Shimin thought for a moment and then agreed.
"Brother Huang, please go to the back of the stage to send the invitation in your true identity. We will wait for you in the private room of the restaurant."
When Huang Hao heard His Majesty call him "Brother Huang", he felt happy and nodded excitedly in agreement, then squeezed out of the crowd and walked to the back of the stage.
Li Shimin and others also squeezed out of the crowd and walked towards the opposite restaurant.
