When they arrived at the Gold and Silver Palace, they saw Chen Zhong practicing flying cavalry in the open space in front of the palace.
When Chen Zhong saw His Majesty, he quickly ordered the flying cavalry guards to practice on their own, but he went to meet His Majesty.
"General Chen Zhong, please see your Majesty!"
Li Shimin helped Chen Zhong up and said harmoniously:
"The Yueyong County battle report has arrived. Come and listen to it together. Don't rush into the training."
Chen Zhong heard the words, nodded in agreement, and then followed His Majesty into the lobby of the Gold and Silver Palace.
As soon as he entered the lobby, Li Shimin couldn't wait to ask Huo Ge to report the battle report of Yueju County.
Huo Ge took the order and reported:
"At the beginning of December, Wang Ping and others used the strategy of 'making a sound in the east and attacking in the west' to skillfully cross the Lu River and defeat Li Chengzhi's troops.
In this battle, Guan Tong's formation beheaded a barbarian general. Guan Yue attacked and killed the enemy chief Li Chengzhi on his own, and the remaining barbarians surrendered.
Wang Ping and others have struck while the iron is hot and have surrendered all the barbarians in Yueyong County. They are now waiting for His Majesty's order in Yueyong County. "
Li Shimin was overjoyed when he heard this and said excitedly:
"First, Jiang Boyue defeated the many with a small number and defeated the Puxi ambush.
Later, Ma Cheng and Liu Lin fell into the formation and lowered their strength.
Now the Guan brothers are fighting to kill the enemy chief again.
It seems that the descendants of the elders I want to promote are not weaker than their predecessors.
With such a brave direct lineage, the Northern Expedition will be a success! "
"Xian Shao, please go to Yueyong County right now and order Wang Ping and others to return to Chengdu before the new year to report on their work and receive their rewards.
At the same time, I sent people to recall Wei Yan, Jiang Wei, Chen Dao and other governors. I want to hold an annual meeting on New Year's Eve to celebrate with all the ministers. "
Huo Ge immediately accepted the order after hearing this, and then asked His Majesty:
"Your Majesty, where do you want to summon the officials' sons who have arrived in Chengdu?"
"Since they are all prepared to be sent to be Xiaoyao Gong's disciples, sooner or later they will become the pillars of the country and my confidants.
I think let them come to the Gold and Silver Hall to meet the Holy Spirit. "
Huo Ge received the order and first sent people to inform Wang Ping, Wei Yan and others to return to Chengdu before the new year. Then he personally went to find the officials' children who were waiting for His Majesty's summons in Chengdu.
Not long after, Huo Ge led several officials' children to the Gold and Silver Palace.
Li Shimin was unfamiliar with everyone, so he asked a few people to report their families first.
After several people took turns to report, Li Shimin secretly noted several people in his mind, and from their words and deeds, he had a preliminary understanding of their characters and abilities.
"A few days ago, I asked Qingcheng Mountain Xiaoyao Gong for a convenience, hoping that he would cultivate some talents for me.
Now that there are no major events in the court, I also want to go to Qingcheng Mountain to visit Xiaoyao Gong.
I have summoned you just to take this opportunity to ask you to follow me to Changsheng Temple and worship Xiaoyao Gong. "
Several people couldn't help but rejoice when they heard this. To be favored by His Majesty and recommend him to become a disciple at Xiaoyao Gongchu, it was a great blessing for them.
Not to mention a few people who are selected by the current Holy Emperor to train, Xiaoyao Gongfanji is a person who is looked up to in Shu.
While several people were enjoying themselves, a young man who looked to be fourteen or fifteen years old reacted first and hurriedly thanked His Majesty:
"Luo Mengzi, Luo Xian, Prefect of Guanghan, thank you for your kindness. I will study humbly and live up to your majesty's high expectations!"
When everyone saw Luo Xian thanking him, they just reacted, so the remaining people hurriedly said at the same time:
"Zhang Shao's son Zhang Zun, Wang Ping's son Wang Xun, Zhang Yi's son Zhang Ying, Ma Zhong's son Matthew, Fu Xu's son Fu Qian, Jiang Wan's son Jiang Bin, Zhuge Zhan, thank you for your kindness..."
Li Shimin looked at the young men in front of him and couldn't help but feel happy.
In history, these people either disappeared from the public, or died for the destruction of the Shu Han Dynasty.
In any case, these people are considered "untimely".
If Liu Chan could cultivate and guide these emerging people of Shu Han at that time, and then inject these "fresh blood" into the court of Shu Han.
Promoting and re-employing him may be able to avoid things like "Huang Hao's chaos in government" and "Qiao Zhou's persuasion to surrender" in the future, which can only be experienced by a faint king...
Who said that the talents of the late Shu Han Dynasty were withered.
If Liu Chan is a hero with ambition and means, he can truly control the Shu Han regime firmly in his own hands.
Then after promoting and winning over these loyal and good people, it is really possible for the Shu Han to change his destiny against the will of heaven.
Thinking of this, Li Shimin helped everyone up and encouraged:
"Your fathers are all the pillars of the country. I hope you will emulate your fathers and devote yourself to cultivation with Xiaoyao Gongchu.
Soon, I will implement a new policy in Shuzhong. Once the new policy comes out, there will be a large number of vacant positions.
When you return from your studies, I will definitely promote you to contribute to the country.
Given time, you will be able to excel and become a pillar of the country no less than your fathers! "
After communicating with everyone, Li Shimin set the date to visit Xiaoyao Gong after the morning court on the second day.
After thanking each other again, they went to their temporary resting place in Chengdu City to rest, waiting to go to Qingcheng Mountain with His Majesty tomorrow.
After the morning court the next day, Zhang Yan and Chen Zhong led a hundred flying cavalry guards, accompanied by Huo Ge and Huang Hao. The group followed His Majesty and left the imperial city of Chengdu in a mighty manner.
On the way, Li Shimin took Luo Xian and others who had been summoned yesterday with him, and they walked northwest along the Dujiang River.
Within two days, the group had arrived at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain.
Seeing that they had reached Qingcheng Mountain, Huo Ge rode forward and pointed to a winding mountain road in front of him:
"Your Majesty, among the mountains in front of you, the most majestic green peak is Laojun Peak, where the Xiaoyao Gong Changsheng Temple is located.
We walk north from this mountain road, and we can reach the Temple of Immortality in an hour at most. "
After hearing this, Li Shimin reined up his horse and looked north, but he saw that the place was full of green mountains and green waters. Even in the cold winter of the twelfth lunar month, he never saw a single dead leaf on the mountain.
"Qingcheng Mountain really deserves its reputation. It is evergreen all year round and has a quiet environment. It is a good place for spiritual practice!"
Li Shimin sighed with emotion as he dismounted and led everyone on foot.
They were silent on the road until they reached Laojun Peak. Li Shimin and others saw that there was indeed a Taoist temple at the end of the mountain road.
I saw a plaque above the mountain gate hall at the entrance of the Taoist temple, which read "Eternal Life Temple". The green dragon on the left and the white tiger on the right of the hall door are the door gods.
Everyone entered through the side door and saw the "Tuigong" worshiped in the main hall. Li Shimin first worshiped the "Tuigong" and then went outside the main hall gate.
There is a small passage outside the door, and he is standing quietly beside the door.
When he saw an official arriving on the trail, he cupped his hands and said:
"Layers, please stop. This is the place where Master Xiaoyao Gong cleans up his cultivation. Without my master's instructions, no one will be allowed to enter! I hope all laymen will forgive me."
Hearing this, Zhang Yan couldn't help but said angrily:
"You are so rude! Do you know who is standing in front of you? This person is..."
Li Shimin saw that Zhang Yan was about to reveal his identity to coerce the little Taoist priest, so he quickly stopped Zhang Yan.
"This little Taoist priest, I am an old friend of Xiaoyao Gong. I had an appointment with Xiaoyao Gong before and wanted to visit Xiaoyao Gong.
He also asked the Taoist priest to go into the palace and report to Duke Xiaoyao that the guests from Wudan Mountain had arrived. "
The little Taoist priest was about to argue with Zhang Yan, but he couldn't help but hesitate when he saw the person claiming to be an old friend of Xiaoyao Gong, and he spoke very realistically.
"This layman is quite simple in etiquette. Since he is acquainted with his master, I would like to ask him to wait here and report to his master later."
Li Shimin nodded in agreement, then turned around and entered the palace gate.
"Brother Adou, why did you stop me just now? This little Taoist priest is so indifferent, he doesn't even recognize the dragon robe that Brother Adou is wearing!"
Li Shimin smiled and said:
"He is a little Taoist priest who lives in the mountains. Naturally, he doesn't know much about the things at the bottom of the mountain. Besides, not everyone has seen your brother Adou. My little sister, please don't get angry with that little Taoist priest."
When Zhang Yan heard this, she seemed thoughtful, and then she seemed to have figured out something.
"What Brother Adou said is reasonable. Forget it, I will let the little Taoist priest go just once."
While the two were chatting and laughing, a high-spirited Taoist priest came from the palace gate.
The long step was steady and extremely fast, and he reached His Majesty's side in just an instant.
"I'm a poor Taoist, Fan Ji. I didn't know that Your Majesty was coming in person, but I didn't meet you from afar. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!"
The visitor was none other than Fan Ji. As soon as Fan Ji arrived at His Majesty's side, he clasped his hands together and saluted His Majesty.
When Li Shimin saw Fan Ji, he felt an indescribable feeling of intimacy.
Before Fan Ji could finish the ceremony, Li Shimin took the first step to support Fan Ji and said:
"The two of us are friends, so Mr. Xiaoyao does not need to perform this great ceremony."
When Xiaoyao Gong saw His Majesty coming to help him, he quickly stood up following His Majesty's strength, then he bowed his head and said:
“In this case, then it’s better for me to be respectful than obey my orders!
Your Majesty is here today, but for the purpose of recruiting disciples? "
Fan Ji asked with a smile while leading His Majesty towards the palace.
Li Shimin first smiled knowingly, and then replied:
"Xiaoyao Gong has a good idea. Today I have sent eight young talents to Xiaoyao Gong. I hope Xiaoyao Gong will not have too many..."
Fan Ji looked behind His Majesty, then stroked his beard with his hand and said:
"Your Majesty really knows how to make the best use of everything, sending so many apprentices to this poor Taoist at once.
However, since Pindao has promised your majesty, no matter how many people your majesty sends, Pindao should accept them all. "
The two of them were chatting as they passed through the Ling Palace, the Jade Emperor Palace and the living room of the Qiu Zu Palace.
As soon as he arrived at the door of the living room, Li Shimin suddenly said mysteriously:
"I just remembered something. In addition to seeing off the disciples for Mr. Xiaoyao today, there is another important matter that needs to be discussed with Mr. Xiaoyao. I hope Mr. Xiaoyao will not refuse."
When Fan Ji heard this, a trace of bitterness flashed across his face, and then he said:
"Isn't it possible that Your Majesty has another way of 'making the best use of everything' for poor people?"
