The Golden Tooth Department was perfectly accepted by the Tang Dynasty without any effort.
But the cost was still high. Li Zhi ordered the left and right guards to assemble 30,000 soldiers and horses, and the army was mobilized back and forth. The Ministry of Household Affairs had supplied a lot of food, grass, ordnance in the past few days.
However, compared to the benefits Datang received, this expenditure was simply negligible.
The benefit does not lie in how much land was added to the Tang Dynasty, but in the strategic significance of this land to the future of the Tang Dynasty.
The barrier to the south of Tubo was opened, and a buffer zone was lost. If the Tang Dynasty wanted to attack Tubo in the future, the Golden Tooth Department would be an impeccable and perfect place to send troops. From the Golden Tooth Department to the north, one could drive straight into Tubo territory.
Zan Xiruo chose to give the Golden Tooth Department to the Tang Dynasty. From his true heart, it was to eliminate the military disaster that was just around the corner, because Tibet could not afford to fight and could not defeat it.
But in the long run, Tubo lost its Golden Tooth Department, which paved the way for the destruction of the country in the future.
Therefore, if this person is loyal or traitorous, the Tibetan history books will have a final conclusion.
In short, the imperial court handled the return of the Golden Tooth Ministry to the Tang Dynasty in a low-key manner, and not many people knew the news. However, those powerful officials in high positions were very aware of the great significance of the return of the Golden Tooth Ministry to the Tang Dynasty.
On the day Li Zhi agreed to Zan Xiruo's request and took over the Golden Teeth Department, many powerful officials in Chang'an City held banquets for guests. During the banquet, the guests and hosts were very drunk, dancing with the dancers, and laughing happily.
That night, in front of the Duke's mansion, a low-key carriage parked quietly outside the gate.
Li Qinzai wore a cloak, covering his face tightly, and got into the carriage with his head lowered.
The carriage set off, passed along Zhuque Street, and finally stopped outside the gate of Taiji Palace. A eunuch who had been waiting for a long time saw Li Qin getting off the carriage, and the eunuch respectfully led him into the palace.
The Anren Hall was brightly lit, and there were all kinds of music troupes and kabuki performers inside. Li Zhi unexpectedly summoned Taichang Temple to sing and dance.
Except for Li Zhi and Empress Wu, there were no other guests in the palace. Apparently Li Zhi and his wife only invited Li Qinzai tonight.
When Li Qinzai entered the palace and saw such a pomp, he was immediately flattered.
All the singing and dancing in Taichang Temple were brought out. This was to treat a big guest, and the ceremony was very grand, but Li Qinzai had no idea at all.
In theory, the kabuki performers in Taichang Temple are all Li Zhi's women. They sing and dance for them, but they can't touch them or rub them, so what's the use?
After entering the palace, Li Qinzai bowed respectfully.
Li Zhi was obviously in a good mood today. When he saw Li Qinzai coming, he immediately waved and said with a smile: "My hero is here, haha. Jing Chu is coming to the seat soon. You have made great contributions to me today. I don't know how to reward you."
Li Qinzai didn't show any pretense, walked to Li Zhi and sat behind the low table that had been arranged.
The distance between the monarch and his ministers was very close, so close that it was a bit too close. If Liu Rengui, an old man, saw it, he might be accused of "disrespect before the emperor" by Li Qinzai.
Of course, the impeachment returned to impeachment, and when the memorial was in Li Zhi's hands, he just treated Liu Rengui as a fart and threw the memorial into the stove to light a fire.
"Your Majesty, what do you want me to do... Theoretically, I am seriously injured and still lying on the bed dying. Is it too high-profile for Your Majesty to summon me to the palace for a banquet tonight..." Li Qinzai said in embarrassment.
Li Zhi glared at him: "You pretended to be in front of me, have you become addicted to acting recently?"
Then Li Zhi smiled heartily and said: "The alliance letter has been signed, and the golden tooth part has been obtained. Now you appear in front of Zan Xiruo arrogantly. What can he do to you? What are you afraid of? Stop talking nonsense and drink this cup!"
Li Qinzai stared at the wine cup in front of him, the amber wine inside was rippling.
Empress Wu next to her covered her mouth and smiled, saying: "Jingchu just drinks freely. No matter how drunk you are tonight or how much territory you encircle in the palace after being drunk, Your Majesty and I promise not to hold you accountable afterwards."
Li Zhi laughed heartily and beat his chest and feet with laughter, which was ridiculously exaggerated.
Li Qinzai's face froze. He said this bit of black history over and over again. Do you want to hold me accountable for the rest of your life?
Taking a deep breath, Li Qinzai picked up the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.
If you're drunk, you'll be drunk. Anyway, no matter how drunk you are, it's just a matter of soaking in the urine.
Fortunately, he met a broad-minded emperor, and they got along like brothers in private. Li Qinzai didn't worry about being blamed for his drunken behavior.
If it were a narrow-minded emperor, Li Qinzai would not dare to drink more even if he was beaten to death.
After drinking a full cup, Li Qinzai stood up proactively and toasted to the leader.
Li Zhi and Empress Wu drank happily.
The dancing postures of the Taichang Temple dancers in the hall become more and more ethereal and fairy-like. If some dry ice is sprayed on the floor to make the clouds appear, it will look more like the Queen Mother's peach banquet.
After the monarch and his ministers had a few drinks together, Li Zhi picked up the wine cup and offered him a toast. Li Qinzai was so frightened that he stood up and bent over, shouting "Zhisha".
Li Zhi shook his head and said with a smile: "Jingchu, I must respect you for this glass of wine."
"Under your control, I, the Tang Dynasty, actually took over the Golden Teeth Department. I would have never dreamed of it a few years ago, but I didn't expect it to come true today."
Li Qinzai didn't dare to say anything, so he just drank it in silence.
After Li Zhi had finished drinking, he put down his wine cup and sighed, saying: "In the fourth year of Zhenguan, after Emperor Taizong destroyed the Turks, looking at the world, the only powerful enemies of the Tang Dynasty were Goguryeo and Tubo."
"Now that Goguryeo has been destroyed, the Tang Dynasty has taken over the Golden Teeth Division and opened the door to Tubo. As soon as my king recovers his strength and the treasury is full, the last powerful enemy of the Tang Dynasty, Tubo, will fall to the ground."
"Jing Chu knows that I have now accomplished something that even Emperor Taizong could not do, haha..."
Li Zhi laughed heartily, but Li Qinzai frowned slightly. He heard that Li Zhi's laughter seemed to be mixed with other emotions, so he unconsciously looked at Empress Wu who was aside.
Empress Wu's eyes were slightly red. After feeling Li Qinzai's eyes, she pursed her lips and smiled at him, shaking her head slightly.
Li Qinzai suddenly realized that tonight was a venting session.
Li Zhi finally stepped out of Li Shimin's shadow.
Yes, Li Zhi did what Li Shimin failed to do.
When Li Shimin died, the Tang Dynasty had already created the glorious Zhenguan rule, but the significance of the Zhenguan rule was not that the country was rich and the people were strong, but that it laid the foundation for a prosperous age.
In fact, the rule of Zhenguan also left many unresolved issues, such as the two great powers of the East and West, the general population of the world is still relatively poor, the national treasury is not abundant enough, there are many internal and external troubles, etc.
The historical glory of the Tang Dynasty really began with Li Zhi. During the Kaiyuan period of Li Longji, the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty reached its peak, and finally the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty collapsed overnight.
Tonight, Li Zhi's mood was a little high and a little sad.
The gold teeth may seem inconspicuous, but they are of great significance to Li Zhi.
It paved the way for the fall of Tubo, and the last powerful enemy of the Tang Dynasty was about to fall.
Since Li Zhi ascended the throne, a voice has been circulating among the government and the public. Everyone in the world misses Li Shimin, misses the benevolence and magnanimity of Tian Khan, misses the grand occasion of all nations coming to court during the Zhenguan period, misses the late Emperor Taizong's civil and military skills...
…
What does missing mean?
It means that today is not as good as in the past.
Li Zhi has always been criticized and criticized. Others always compare him with Li Shimin. Both father and son are obviously outstanding, but others just feel that Li Zhi is not as good as Li Shimin.
Li Zhi spent more than ten years living in the shadow of his father.
To this day, Goguryeo has been destroyed, the Golden Teeth Division has been conquered, and the fall of Tubo is only a matter of time. Li Zhi finally has a worthy achievement. Compared with Li Shimin's previous achievements, it is not inferior at all, or even as good as
Pass it.
The emperor of the Tang Dynasty was better than his predecessor, and each generation became stronger than the previous generation.
Tonight, let's celebrate with singing, dancing and wine, honoring the darkness behind us and the light of the dome.