The slow reaction of the Western Turkic King Zhang made Li Po feel a little incredible.
The Eastern and Western Turks have hated each other and have been enemies for decades. It was only ten years ago that Shegui Khan led his army to the east.
It can be said that both sides suffered losses in that battle. Due to the war in the late Sui Dynasty and the two southern expeditions of Shibi Khan, the East and West Turks, which had greatly increased their power, were irreversibly weakened.
When Tong Yehu Khan succeeded to the throne, the Western Turks also engaged in internal strife.
Over the years, everyone has been able to treat each other calmly and rationally, mostly because they are scarred and need a quiet environment to lick their wounds.
After more than ten years, some people clenched their swords and guns again, preparing to attack the opponent.
As the most direct threat to the Western Turks, the Turkic Royal Court, Tongyehu Khan and his ministers were unprepared? It is a bit unreasonable...
The Tang Dynasty had already noticed the changes in the Turkic royal court in the sixth year of Yuan Zhen. Of course, this was indispensable because of the factors that the Tang Dynasty had been secretly adding to the situation.
For example, when the two countries met for alliance in the fourth year of Yuanzhen, Li Po discussed the situation in the Western Regions with Ashina Yang Huan and slightly expressed the Tang Dynasty's position.
Just like when he joked that he suggested that Ashina Yang Huan move the royal court back to the foot of the Holy Mountain of Turks, it is a matter of fact. Whether or not the Turks will listen depends on the Turks themselves. Anyway, I have said it.
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In any case, Li Bi had a brief discussion with the important ministers in the court and gave some suggestions. The final decision rested with the emperor himself.
It was undoubtedly a matter of great importance to the country and the East and West Turks. Li Bi and his court officials could not decide on their own, so a letter came to the bank of the Yellow River.
Both Xiao Yu and Wen Yanbo advocated holding back the Western Turk envoys and letting them stay in Chang'an until autumn.
Needless to say, what they value most is the credibility of Datang, and they feel that Datang should adopt a more secure neutral stance when the situation is not clear.
Maintain the superficial friendship with the Western Turks. After all, the two families also signed an alliance back then.
Fan Wenjin, who had just taken office recently, had a different opinion. He believed that the Western Turkic envoys came to Chang'an and that the emperor was on his way to make an alliance with the Turkic Khan. The Western Turkic envoys were not fools.
At this time, they should be very clear about what the alliance between the Tang Dynasty and the Turkic royal court means.
In order to avoid leaking the news, it is better to kill the envoy immediately. Anyway, the matter has reached this point, so why bother with the Western Turks?
Could it be that if the envoy returned to Western Turks alive, he could still make Tong Yehu Khan grateful?
From listening to it, you can clearly feel that this is a debate between a real villain and a hypocrite. Should you be a villain or a hypocrite?
Li Po couldn't help scolding his mother in his heart, these bastards, want to see my jokes?
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Of course, there is nothing to hesitate. Tongyehu Khan will soon become a regime in exile. If he is as smart as Chuluo Khan, he will not be caught.
According to the current situation, he basically has no chance to fight back. The outcome of most wars is often determined before the war.
The strategic situation of the Western Turks is very serious. They are at war with the Persians in the west and are about to be attacked by their compatriots in the east.
The Tang Dynasty was generally ready to send troops to the Western Regions. The final choice was whether to stand aside or send troops out of Yumen. This was not good news for the Western Turkic king.
With enemies on all sides, all the people and people lost, no danger to defend, and the right time and place, there is not much room to stand on. From a strategic point of view, there is not much suspense.
As for whether the Western Turks can create a miracle, it's hard to say.
If Western Turks want to create a miracle, they need to do three things.
To repel the Persian invasion in the west, of course, a decisive victory must be achieved.
In the northeast, defeating the Western Expeditionary Army of the Turkic Royal Court must have been an extremely brutal battle, requiring the Western Turks to do their best to cope with it.
At the same time, the Western Turks also need to stabilize their internal affairs. Whether it is the kings of the Western Regions or the subordinate tribes of the Turks, whether they can stand with you at the critical moment is also one of the important factors that affect victory or defeat.
If the final winner is indeed the Western Turks, then what they will face may be the Tang army that breaks out of Yumen Pass...
It cannot be said that the Western Turks have no chance. War is often a field where miracles can be created, but Tong Yehu Khan... Although he did not see him, Li Po felt that the man did not have the qualities to create miracles.
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Li Po had already made a decision in his mind, but that night he also summoned Fang Xuanling, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Samurai Tong, the minister of the household ministry, Hou Junji, the general of the Zuo Yiwei, and Pei Xingyan, the general of the Youyiwei, to the camp for discussion.
Fang Xuanling, an unlucky man, has recently been involved in the imperial examination scandal. He previously presided over the reduction of redundant officials and has been impeached frequently in the past two years.
It's just that this person is very talented, he is a person who knows what to do, and he has a high emotional intelligence and is well versed in the way of being an official. He is quite prestigious among the officials of the three provinces and six ministries.
Originally, Fang Xuanling was not on the list of retinue. Yan Shigu should have followed him. Yan Shigu was a regular attendant of Sanqi and knew Li Po's preferences. Whether he was a counselor in government affairs or a secretary,
become.
But before leaving, he finally changed his name to Fang Qiao. Naturally, Li Po wanted to help this guy out of a desire to protect him, so that he wouldn't have to face the turmoil that might have been launched against him.
Of course, this may be unnecessary. With Fang Xuanling's ability, she should be able to handle such a small scene by herself.
Before he even looked at it, the eucalyptus had been checked on his head. He took the opportunity to report to the government after a few days and defended himself a few words.
Li Po asked him, do you think it was the manager of your house who made his own decision, or was there someone who wanted to set up a trap?
The answer is, I am involved in it, so how can I dare to speak nonsense to avoid suspicion? Besides, when Your Majesty saw me coming, he never said a word to incriminate me. It is obvious that he knows what I am like. In this case, what does he have to worry about?
What about?
These were not the exact words, but that was the general meaning. With a few words and his actual actions over the past few days, he directly built up the trust between the monarch and his ministers.
The meaning is also very clear: the king does not doubt his ministers, and the ministers do not doubt the king. If the king and his ministers are in harmony with each other, they will die without regrets.
Look at this emotional intelligence, Li Po couldn't help but give this guy a thumbs up in his heart. Fang Qiao wasn't being petty, he was walking the high road.
Such people are rare in all dynasties. If used well, they can be trusted with state affairs and trusted with confidence.
Moreover, Fang Xuanling may not be the most outstanding figure in the early Tang Dynasty, because at the time of the founding of the People's Republic of China, there must have been many heroes, and no one can dominate. It can only be said that each has his or her own merits.
It's just the combination of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, but it is talked about by people. Li Po naturally knows it, Li Jing, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Cen Wenwen, Wei Zheng, Xu Shiji and others, or even Hou Junji, Chu Suiliang
Others are all included in this list. When you appoint them, you don't have to worry about not having enough talent. You just need to prevent them from getting into trouble.
These are all famous figures in the early Tang Dynasty. With a little support, they can achieve great things and it will be very worry-free.
Moreover, it can be used by old, middle-aged and young people, so it can be used for many years, so there is no need to worry about talent generation.
But what makes Li Po most proud is not this. It is mediocre behavior to follow the gourd and draw the scoop. After Li Po became the emperor, he naturally had to follow his own path.
In terms of talents, people such as Wen Yanbo, Wang Ze, Yu Chikai brothers, Fan Wenjin, Zhang Lun, Yu Wenhuo, Chen Yuan, etc. were all unknown people in another time and space.
No matter what happens now, I am still not able to stand alone under his rule. Compared with those before me, I am not far behind.
And these people are his most reliable confidants.
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A torch was lit in the tent, and in the flickering light of the fire, Li Po looked at his ministers with tired faces and said directly without any nonsense: "Chang'an urgent report, the Western Turkic Commander Yehu Khan has sent an envoy to Chang'an.
The East and West Turks are now at war with each other, and there is only one battle left. The reason why Tong Yehu Khan sent his envoys to the Tang Dynasty, I think you and others can understand.
How do you think I should reply to him?
After walking such a long way, everyone is tired, so just talk freely so that you can go back and rest early."
The camp became quiet, and Li Po was not in a hurry. He drank the prepared tea and waited for his ministers to speak.
The first person to speak was the Minister of Hubu, Samurai Yu. As the Minister of Hubu, he must have looked at the problem from the perspective of the Ministry of Hubu. "Now that the matter has come to this point, in my opinion, it is better to take advantage of the situation and ask the Western Turk King for more."
Wealth.
Test the national strength of the Western Turks, and if they agree happily, it means that the national strength is still strong, so they can inform the Turkic royal court and ask them to be more careful.
If we are still bargaining with the Tang Dynasty at this time, I feel that the Western Turks will not have anything to worry about."
This point of view is quite new. Li Po nodded in approval. How about saying that one person is short-term and everyone is wise? Three cobblers are the equal of Zhuge Liang. The ancients do not deceive me.
Well, well, Lao Wu, a businessman, is finally looking good as an official, but the idea he came up with is still a bit unpopular.
Hou Junji was very energetic. After hearing this, he immediately retorted rudely: "When the Western Turkic envoys entered the Tang Dynasty, how could they be allowed to go back?
I thought it would be better to kill him and give his head to the Khan to strengthen his determination to conquer the west."
Li Po looked at Hou Junji, who had a sallow complexion, and smiled. Hou Junji's suggestions were also in line with his wishes.
Hou Junji, who had just been promoted to General Zuo Yiwei this year, was recommended by General Zuo Yiwei Zhang Lun. He had not yet received the credit for his mission to Tibet, so Hou Junji was promoted smoothly.
.
Hou Junji was considered a rising star in the past. When he led his army to surrender to the Tang Dynasty, Li Po met him once, but he never paid much attention to him after that.
Otherwise, gold will shine wherever it goes. When this man was in Liangzhou, he helped General Pang Yu of Zuojianmen defeat 200,000 Tuyuhun people.
Later, I don't know how I got together with Cheng Dashu. Cheng Dashu would take this guy with him wherever he went... It didn't sound right to him.