The military is not like the civil servants. They seem to be at odds with each other, but in fact their relationship is like iron.
It had only been three hours since Qihe left the palace, and basically all the generals and generals who had settled in the capital had received the news.
In the military, those with higher titles and positions are generally those who were killed on the battlefield. After a narrow escape, he naturally attracted many elites around him. In the families of civil servants, the retainers who are good at strategy are famous; in the families of military generals, the retainers with extraordinary martial arts are famous.
Naturally, the civil servants were notified by Honglu Temple. After the generals got the news, they quickly gathered all their scattered generals.
As long as someone has made great achievements on the battlefield, who doesn't have good archery skills? Even the Qianniu Guard "gunners" Li Zhi found for Li Xian may not be ranked among the top ranks among the general's retainers.
While everyone was preparing silently, the autumn hunt did not begin. After more than ten days of exposing the envoys, Li Zhi held the Hajj ceremony.
The pilgrimage ceremony during Li Zhi's period was perhaps the simplest in the Tang Dynasty.
Because no country could compare with the Tang Dynasty, and no country was truly worthy of being guarded by the Tang Dynasty, he abolished the rituals of the Hajj Ceremony, which was similar to the welcome meeting of envoys, and only the reception was left.
However, although only the reception was left, he still paid full respect. From Danfeng Gate to Yanying Hall, both sides of the road were filled with brightly-armored Forbidden soldiers and cavalry, and the reception was not in Yanying Hall. On the flat ground in front of Yanying Hall.
On one side of the military commander's head is a helmet and armor, and even civil servants, some of whom have experienced military service, also wear ceremonial swords.
As the prince, Li Xian naturally has his own set of armor.
Yeah, the golden armor is extremely impressive.
Li Hong's suit was taken to the tomb and buried with him, so the armor that belonged to him was officially started to be made after he entered the East Palace. It wasn't until now that it finally took shape.
Although this set of armor looks particularly dazzling, and the carvings on it show the style of a master, but...
Li Xian made up his mind and wore this thing as a formal suit. If he really wore it on the battlefield, he would definitely despise his longevity. It would be strange if this was not the best hidden arrow absorber.
But he had to admit that the custom-made armor was a pleasure to wear, especially when he took a photo by the pool before going out. Okay, very handsome.
Today's position was different from before. Li Xian deliberately stood on the general's side.
The horn sounded, and the envoys from various countries began to slowly enter the arena.
There is no scene where the emperor meets the envoys on the city gate tower. If they meet like this, it will be a ghost if they can hear each other clearly.
Since we have to meet the envoys at close range, a body search is indispensable anyway.
Different from the usual etiquette of just body-searching, the envoys who came to perform Hajj today were even ordered to change into a set of clothes prepared for them by Honglu Temple before they were allowed to go to Hajj.
After all, unlike later generations, assassination of the highest ranking leaders was an effective method in ancient times.
After passing through the tight military formation formed by the Forbidden Army, some of the envoys from the Shiwei Mohe Land felt their legs weaken when faced with such a battle.
They were considered a barbaric place, and no matter how knowledgeable they were, they only came into contact with the border towns of the Tang Dynasty. As for scenes like the capital city, they only appeared in their dreams.
In comparison, Ashina Tage, Ashina Buzhen, and Ba Lujia performed much calmly, especially Ba Lujia who was the most relaxed.
The strength of the country is the confidence of the envoys. Tibet has grown to the point where it is no longer afraid of the Tang Dynasty.
Zhou Ke, the Minister of Rites, personally presided over the Hajj ceremony.
After seeing that Ba Lujia and others were in place, he shouted at the top of his lungs: "The pilgrimage has begun, all envoys kneel down and worship!"
In the Tang Dynasty, there was no etiquette for kneeling down directly. When courtiers went to court, except for the court meeting where they had to kneel down to express their submission, the highest they could do when meeting the emperor on weekdays was to bow their hands in front of him.
But envoys are different. When they meet the emperor, they must kneel down and worship.
The envoys from Shiwei, Mohe, Xinluo and other countries did not hesitate and immediately knelt down. Ashinatag hesitated for a moment, but chose to kneel down. As for Ashina Buzhen, there is no need to mention it. On the contrary, Ba Lujia remained unmoved.
Seeing that Ba Lujia did not kneel down, Zhou Ke could not help but frown and asked: "Tubo envoy, why don't you kneel down?"
Ba Lujia smiled slightly and said: "In Tubo, there is no such etiquette!"
Everyone knows that this guy is resisting, purely using Tubo etiquette as an excuse.
Cheng Wuting was wearing armor today. He looked different from his usual peaceful appearance. The expression on his face was extremely ferocious. He stood up without hesitation and angrily said: "This is the Tang Dynasty, not Tubo. How can we allow you to act wild?"
Su Qingjie also jumped out and sneered: "Aren't you afraid that your legs are too hard and your neck is too soft? If you are rude again, believe it or not, I will chop you down!"
The momentum of two generals who have actually been on the battlefield is naturally not comparable to that of ordinary people. If someone with a weaker point comes here, I am afraid that his legs will be weak by this time.
However, facing the threats from the two generals, Ba Lujia remained unmoved. The momentum of Cheng Wuting and Su Qingjie was nothing in his eyes.
The envoys who were kneeling on the ground couldn't help but focus their attention on Ba Lujia when they saw how upright he was.
What a ruthless man to challenge today's Tang Dynasty!
After smiling slightly, Ba Lujia cupped his hands and said: "When the two countries have diplomatic relations, the original envoy will not be killed. This is a rule set by the people of the Central Plains. The Central Plains, which has always boasted of being trustworthy, will not regret it."
As soon as Ba Lujia said this, Su Qingjie choked and was speechless.
That's right, this bastard has taken over the identity of an envoy, and Datang really can't do anything about him.
Just when the two generals were unable to dismount, Li Xian, who was standing on the side of the generals, stood up.
Zhou Ke was just about to scold Ba Lujia again, but when he saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince walking out, he immediately shut his mouth.
He wanted to see how the prince would deal with this situation.
Even Li Zhi, who was sitting in the far north, took back his words and looked at the prince with a smile.
Taking a few steps forward, Li Xian put his hand on Cheng Wuting's shoulder armor and said with a smile: "General Cheng, calm down. This is the Hajj ceremony, not a place for you to be angry."
Li Xian's words gave Cheng Wuting a step up, and he got off the slope without hesitation and returned to the team.
He took a few steps forward and put his hand on Su Qingjie's shoulder armor. Li Xian said with a smile: "General Su, it is a rule that the two countries do not cut off the envoys when communicating with each other. This is not allowed to be touched. Therefore, if you don't like him, you will never do it again in the future." I found it on the battlefield, so there is no point in getting angry here and not retreating."
With the prince's order, Su Qingjie simply returned to the team.
Seeing Su Qingjie standing back, Li Xian looked at Ba Lujia.
Ba Lujia, who was standing there, looked at the prince with a smile.
He wanted to know what would happen if the prince jumped out at this time.
Although he is an envoy, he has Tubo's back. He will not kneel down today. At most, he will break up due to disagreements, but he will not suffer any substantial losses.
not to mention....
After all, Ba Lujia still looked down on Li Xian a little. In his opinion, it was impossible for the emperor and prince of the Central Plains to be compared with someone like him who had fought hard in a cold and cold place.
As for the shock experienced at the construction site, that is a different matter.
Seeing the appearance of Ba Lujia cutting meat, Li Xian was not worried.
In fact, he had already thought of a way to deal with it before he came forward.
With a slight cough, Li Xian smiled and said: "Tubo envoy, since you are unwilling to follow the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty's pilgrimage, then go back. The Tang Dynasty will not make it too difficult for you, and will still send guards to escort you out of the country."
After saying that, Li Xianli ignored Ba Lujia, turned around and saluted Li Zhi and said: "I would like to inform my father, the Tibetan envoys are unruly. In my opinion, it is time for Tubo to be beaten. I sincerely ask my father. , troops are sent to Tibet!"
Just this sentence shocked everyone, and some people who didn't react in time opened their mouths.
this....
Is this going to be a fight?
Ba Lujia was also extremely surprised. He did not expect that the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty would actually choose this. Although it was impossible for Tubo to be afraid of the Tang Dynasty in a real fight, now was the time when the two countries were recuperating and recuperating. If it was because of him, If it caused a war between the two countries, he would not have to return to the plateau.
"too...."
As soon as Ba Lujia opened his mouth, he felt a sense of danger coming from both sides of him.
Looking around, he saw the smiling Li Yun and the expressionless Zhou Quan.
Although these two people were wearing the clothes of chamberlains, in Ba Lujia's opinion, these two people were more terrifying than the generals of the Tang Dynasty.
He was sure that if he spoke again, the two of them would attack together, and he would not be able to resist them at all! ''
Just as Balu Jiahan revealed his clothes, Li Zhi, who had been sitting there silently, spoke:
"Tubo has always had some changes over the years. In my opinion, it really needs to be cracked down on. What's more, the soldiers guarding Songzhou and other places have changed several times. It's time for them to adapt to the Tubo people. of fighting."
Many people were shocked when they heard what the saint said, but they calmed down immediately.
Anyone who is not a fool can see that the prince and the saint have no intention of starting a war. They just say this to stimulate the Tibetan envoys.
Although Zhang Lanyue, the Minister of Household Affairs, is more rigid, he does not know how to adapt.
With a slight cough, Zhang Lanyue went out and said: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue will support disaster relief and projects this year. There is not much money and food left. It can supply up to 300,000 troops. The time cannot be too long. How to arrange it, please make your decision." .”
Although there were hints of weakness in Zhang Lanyue's words, to the envoys' ears, they were no different than thunder.
Originally, they thought that even if Datang had the ability to fight, it would at least have to stop the ongoing projects.
But, no need to stop?
Supply an army of 300,000?
You must know that the Tang army was well-equipped and had always defeated more with less in battles.
Three hundred thousand troops....
Is this an offensive logic?
If the Tang army and Tubo went to war normally, it would be a 50-50 split. With an army of 300,000, Tibet would probably be defeated. Even if there is barely a tie, it is almost certain that some areas of Tubo will be captured.
As for Zhang Lanyue's words that "the supply will not last long", in Ba Lujia's opinion, it is purely a modest statement. People from the Central Plains have always been like this when talking. They never tell the whole story and always leave some room.
Once it reaches that situation, Ba Lujia knows very well that not only is it difficult to save himself, but his family may also be overturned. Someone must be responsible for the defeat of the war. At that time, it would be strange if the enemies of the family would let this opportunity pass!
The lesser of two evils, at this moment, Ba Lujia knew that he probably had only one choice.
Sighing secretly in his heart, he took a look at the Tang Dynasty court where there was no quarrel, but a peaceful atmosphere. Ba Lujia...
After all, he chose to kneel down.
He knows very well that his knees are not more important than his family. Under such circumstances, if you should kneel, you have to kneel!
As his knees collided with the ground, Ba Lujia clearly felt that the two terrifying eunuchs had chosen to leave at this time.
Opening his mouth, he could only say loudly: "Please calm down, Your Majesty, the Saint of the Tang Dynasty. The guilty minister was just deluded. Please forgive me, please, and don't affect the friendly relationship between Tubo and the Tang Dynasty!"
Hearing this cry that couldn't be told whether it was heartbreak or something else, Li Xian stood up and looked back at Ba Lujia with contempt.
It is impossible to fight. If we really want to fight, I am afraid that the national treasury will have to levy additional taxes on the whole country. This is not what a prosperous court should be like.
The reason why Ba Lujia was forced like this was to make him recognize the reality clearly.
After all, the Tang Dynasty was still the suzerainty of Tubo. Since you recognized your elders, you shouldn't always make small moves.
Moreover, Li Xian, who has experienced the baptism of history in later generations, feels that the sentence "Dignity is only on the edge of the sword, and truth is only within the range of the cannon" is not extreme at all, and it is the most vivid image showing the fundamentals of a country. Discourse.
Even though it is impossible for the Tang Dynasty to launch a war now, its momentum cannot be weakened.
Now, if Ba Lujia is threatened with war, this guy will immediately wither away.
If he was allowed to continue to be so unruly, who knows if it would cause the Turks and other countries to look down on the Tang Dynasty.
Treating the foreign barbarians in a peaceful manner will only make people feel weak and can be bullied. Being appropriately anxious is definitely beneficial to the Tang Dynasty. After all, times are different, and today is not the relatively peaceful era of later generations.
Seeing Ba Lujia kneeling, Li Xian returned to his position and stood still.
However, in the eyes of all the courtiers and generals, his back looked like five words:
Hidden merit and fame....
Seeing that Ba Lujia gave in and knelt down, Li Zhi couldn't help but snickered, but on the surface, he had no intention of relaxing at all, but said angrily: "You think that just by kneeling down, you will be enough." Will you appease my thunderous wrath?"
Ba Lujia gritted his teeth and sighed: "The guilty minister is well aware that what he said and done just now made His Majesty unhappy. Therefore, I am willing to send you a batch of gifts in my own name, hoping to calm your anger."
Giving gifts?
Li Zhi's eyes lit up. Speaking of which, the money in the inner government has shrunk a lot recently, and he is still relatively short of money.
That being the case....
