For several days, Li Shimin was thinking about how to allocate candidates for counter-rebellion, and the content of the imperial decree could not be finalized.
However, some good news came from the Yizhou faction. First, several named generals from Wang Ping came to express their loyalty to Li Shimin. And promised to support the Northern Expedition and all preparations related to the Northern Expedition.
Secondly, Zhang Biao, son of Zhang Song, and Huang Chong, son of Huang Quan, two new generation leaders of the Yizhou gentry, also secretly expressed their support for His Majesty.
This credibility is still high. After all, both their fathers had advocated supporting the late emperor, and the late emperor also took great care of their family.
Just when Li Shimin was worried about the allocation of counter-rebellion personnel and the issue of Yizhou civil servants, Huo Ge arrived.
When Li Shimin saw Huo Ge coming in the dust, he felt something happened. Then he put down his pen and stood up from the table to meet Huo Ge.
When Huo Ge saw His Majesty coming out to greet him, he bowed his head and said:
"Your Majesty, please stop. I dare not accept your Majesty's courtesy."
Li Shimin took two quick steps, helped Huo Ge up, and said softly:
"You are my arm, you can bear this courtesy! Tell me quickly, what is the important matter that makes you in such a hurry?"
Huo Ge followed His Majesty into the study and reported:
"I learned the news today that Duke Xiaoyao has completed his trip to Chengdu and will be returning home tomorrow morning at the latest."
When Li Shimin heard the news, he couldn't help but feel disappointed, but he quickly adjusted his mood and said harmoniously:
"Since Mr. Xiaoyao wants to return, I should send him off. I just happened to pass on some matters to Ma Cheng and others along the way."
After saying that, he looked at Huang Hao and Zhang Yan, "You two, hurry up and get ready. Today, just a few of us will go out incognito to practice for Xiaoyao Gong on the streets of Chengdu."
Several people were ordered to prepare separately.
"Oh, by the way, Mr. Shao, please bring more rewards and send them to Xiaoyao Gong when the time comes."
After everything was prepared, a few people rushed to the streets of Chengdu, pretending to be sons and daughters of ordinary wealthy families.
When I arrived at Xianyang Gate in the big city of Chengdu, I was stopped by a young man in his mid-twenties.
The young man was more than eight feet long, with a heroic appearance and a strong build.
After seeing a few people, the young man hesitated at first, and then asked:
"Excuse me, may I ask if any of you are nobles from Wudan Mountain?"
Li Shimin and others were shocked! I thought that going on patrol incognito would hide my identity from others, but I didn't expect that a young man would see through it.
The young man was surprised when he saw several people, so he quickly explained:
"I don't mean any harm, I just see a few people who are kind-hearted, and they are quite similar to some of my childhood playmates, so..."
Huo Ge carefully looked at the young man in front of him, suddenly realized, and said excitedly:
"Is your Excellency Chen Zhonghu, the son of Chen Dao, the governor of Yong'an?"
The young man saw that Huo Ge recognized him and said happily:
"Exactly, your Excellency, you are Huo Ge, Huo Shaoxian?"
Huo Ge nodded in agreement.
"Could it be that this wealthy young man next to Shaoxian is..."
Chen Zhong was about to reveal His Majesty's identity, but was interrupted by Huo Ge.
"Be careful! We have something to do today. Why don't you, Brother Chen, take care of your own business first? We'll meet at the Jinxiu Inn ahead later."
Chen Zhong hesitated slightly and said helplessly:
"I'm here to report an important matter on my father's orders. I can wait, but I'm afraid some people won't be able to wait long..."
Li Shimin had been searching for the origin of Chen Zhong in his heart, and found that this person did not seem to exist in the history he knew. However, seeing that he knew Huo Ge, and might even be his childhood playmate, he felt relieved.
There are many unknown people in history. Perhaps Chen Zhong was not very outstanding after Chen arrived, or he may not have been an official, so there is no record in the history books. But Chen Dao does have a son.
But no matter what, isn't this another descendant of a senator? I am in need of such a trustworthy person now, won’t this one come to my doorstep? Moreover, his father still has the "white soldiers" who followed Liu Bei in the past, and they may be able to be used by me again...
Thinking of this, Li Shimin felt relieved and asked:
"I don't know what you mean? You can tell us right now."
After Chen Zhong confirmed that the speaker was his Majesty, he felt relieved and hurriedly said:
"Li Yan, Li Fangzheng has become depressed and ill since the death of the Prime Minister. Now he only has half a life left. My father, thinking of his past achievements and the great importance of the late emperor, asked me to come to Chengdu to report the news and ask your majesty to make a decision."
When everyone heard this, they all showed regret. Li Yan changed his name to Li Ping in the ninth year of Jianxing. Although he competed with Zhuge Cheng, he did many unjust things. But he also served the late emperor and was entrusted by the late emperor. He worked hard without any merit.
Li Shimin thought that Li Yan was one of the representatives of the Dongzhou faction, and that his son Li Feng was often cared for by the prime minister, and could not bear to let him die in shame and anger as a commoner like in history.
So Li Shimin told Chen Zhongdao:
"You just go back and report to your father, ask him to send someone to send Li Yan to Chengdu, and say that His Majesty has made arrangements. In addition, tell your father, say that His Majesty wants to keep you by his side to serve you, and let him stay in Yong'an. No need. I worry about you.”
Finally, Chen Zhong was informed: After the report is completed, he should leave Li Yan alone and return to Chengdu immediately and wait at the Jinxiu Inn.
Chen Zhong took the order and left, while Li Shimin and others took Ma Cheng and others along the way to continue looking for Xiaoyao Gong.
Li Shimin actually came to see Xiaoyao Gong off in person this time, but he actually had another idea.
Except for the descendants of the senators, many loyal ministers in the court are already old, and the successors are either young or have mediocre abilities.
Li Shimin hoped to send some loyal ministers and generals to worship Xiaoyao Gong as his disciples, firstly to strengthen the ability of reserve talents, and secondly, to use the worldly prestige of Xiaoyao Gong's family to gild his fans.
From then on, whenever there were disagreements or fights with the local nobles, they could use these Xiaoyao Gong's disciples to build up momentum for themselves.
After graduating from Xiaoyao Gongchu, these new forces can also add fresh blood to the imperial court, and needless to say there are various benefits.
Li Shimin thought about how to "make the best use of everything" along the way, and unknowingly came to lead Fan Ji to stay.
At this time, Fan Ji had basically packed up and was about to lock the door and leave Chengdu.
"Mr. Xiaoyao, where do you want to go after getting ready and closing your doors?"
When Fan Ji heard His Majesty's voice, he paused for a moment, turned around and answered:
"The poor man didn't know that the noble man was coming, so he missed his welcome from afar. I hope that the noble man will forgive me."
Li Shimin laughed, not blaming anyone, but jokingly said:
"Mr. Xiaoyao, this is what's wrong with you. Since the sermon is over and I want to return to Qingcheng Mountain, why didn't anyone tell me? Is this how Xiaoyao treated his friends during his days?"
Before Fan Ji could answer, Li Shimin winked at Huo Ge, who hurriedly handed over all the rewards he had brought to Xiaoyao Gong.
"This is my farewell gift to Mr. Xiaoyao. I hope that Mr. Xiaoyao will accept it with a smile."
Fan Ji was about to decline, but Li Shimin stepped forward to stop Fan Ji who wanted to push back the reward.
"Mr. Xiaoyao, don't refuse in a hurry. I still have something to worry about, Mr. Xiaoyao. These gifts should all be regarded as rewards."
Seeing His Majesty say this, Fan Ji thought that this "thing" should not be simple.
Your Majesty is trying to make yourself bald!
But then I thought about it, who allowed me to refuse the late emperor and His Majesty's invitation to serve as an official in the court many times in a row, and why I owed such a huge favor...
Thinking of this, Fan Ji helplessly smiled and said:
"Well, thanks to the master, I think highly of Pindao, so Pindao will accept this 'reward'. What is the request of the master? I hope you can tell me clearly."
Seeing Fan Ji agree, Li Shimin felt happy, took Fan Ji's hand and said:
"Actually, it's not that big of a deal. There are a few unsatisfactory young people around me. I hope they can worship Mr. Xiaoyao so that Mr. Xiaoyao can train them for me."
Fan Ji couldn't help but feel dumb after hearing this. His Majesty had so many tricks. I just asked for a "reassurance" from myself a few days ago, and now I want to use my identity and reputation to gild the younger generation...
Li Shimin saw Fan Ji didn't answer, so he smiled evilly and said:
"Since Mr. Xiaoyao accepted the 'remuneration' and didn't refute, then I will take it as Mr. Xiaoyao's acquiescence!"
Fan Ji spread his hands and said helplessly:
"Since the young master has said so, I can only obey my orders. I wonder where the young master is now?"
Seeing that Fan Ji completely agreed, Li Shimin told Fan Ji his thoughts.
The two made an appointment to personally lead everyone to Qingcheng Mountain to meet Li Shimin after he selected the person to be his disciple. After explaining in person and hosting the apprenticeship ceremony, return to Chengdu.
Fan Ji readily agreed and was about to leave, but Li Shimin stopped him.
Fan Ji smiled bitterly and said, "Is it possible, Master, that there is something else that needs my help?"
Li Shimin saw that there was no one around, so he lowered his voice and said:
"I believe Xiaoyao Gonggu is aware of the assassination in the womb a few days ago, including the rumors among the people.
I came here today, and I still have a small question that I would like to hear Mr. Xiaoyao’s opinion on. "
At this time, Fan Ji even regretted giving His Majesty the "reassurance pill" he had given him, but he could not take back what he said, so he had to ask His Majesty what he wanted to ask.
Li Shimin also felt a little embarrassed and said with a smile:
"Actually, it's not that difficult, but now I need to take some measures to prevent the Yizhou princes from secretly causing harm.
It just so happens that Xiaoyao Zhengyi is a master of Yizhou and a hermit of Qing Dynasty. I would like to hear Mr. Xiaoyao’s opinion on this matter. "
Hearing this, Fan Ji smiled and relaxed slightly. Fortunately, what your Majesty asked was not a difficult matter.
"Pindao is a Taoist cultivator in the mountains and believes in the 'Huang Lao's Technique'. Naturally, he hopes that the young master will 'govern by doing nothing' and try to let nature take its course and follow his heart. But the premise of all this is whether the young master has enough control. At present, the young master We should focus on strengthening ourselves and sitting firmly in the court."
Li Shimin nodded, feeling that what Fan Ji said was reasonable.
"Then thank you Duke Xiaoyao for your advice. I will need to think it over again before I make a decision after I go back."
Fan Ji didn't say much, and after making sure that His Majesty had nothing else to do, he hurriedly said goodbye to His Majesty and others.
After sending Xiaoyao Gong away, Li Shimin took Huo Ge, Huang Hao, and Zhang Yan back to the palace after seeing what was going on here.
Ma Cheng and the other three were still on standby at the Jinxiu Inn, and were ready to receive and settle Chen Zhong who had returned from reporting.
