Being granted a title of marquis is a big deal, especially for a descendant of a British prince to be granted a title of marquis, which is like detonating a thunder in the court.
The British Duke's status in the court was special. When Li Jing, the Duke of Wei, was still alive, Li Ji's limelight might have been overshadowed by Li Jing's.
But Li Jing's only advantage was that he was a good fighter. Apart from that, Li Jing was very slow regardless of his political experience or his position before the Xuanwu Gate Incident. No wonder the late Emperor Taizong was quite afraid of him.
The British public Li Ji is different. In terms of military use, he may be slightly inferior to Li Jing, but his comprehensive index is high. Especially Li Ji, who has not shown his talents for many years, knows how to be restrained. He has made great achievements because of his good leadership and command. When it is time to stand in line, There was absolutely no ambiguity, and I stood in the right position firmly and accurately every time.
He usually keeps a low profile, never fights or grabs, but immediately comes forward when the emperor has a problem. Such a treasure, Lao Beibi, will be reused by emperors of all generations, holding it in the palm of their hands and caring for it carefully.
Now there is another Qilin'er from the Li family, who single-handedly brought Tuyuhun into the territory of the Tang Dynasty without relying on his ancestors or his parents, which made the Tang Dynasty's strategic advantage in the Western Regions advance by leaps and bounds.
How could such a family not become the focus of the eyes of the people of Chang'an?
On the second day after Li Qinzai was granted the title of County Marquis, there was an endless stream of guests coming and going from the Duke's Mansion. Almost all the dignitaries from Chang'an City came, and the generals in the army also came to congratulate him.
Some were directed at Li Qinzai, a new member of the dynasty, and some were directed at Li Ji's face.
The scenery of the British government has reached its peak today.
But Li Qinzai was annoyed. It took him a whole day to greet and greet him. The fake smile on his face was gone and his muscles almost twitched. However, the servants still held greeting cards and sent them to him. They were either the prince of this family or the honorary of that family. Gui, the wording in the greeting card seems to have been agreed upon, with the same "regards" and "congratulations".
"Pass word out that I have an old injury from the battle in Tuyuhun. I am lying on the bed convulsing. Please put down your gifts and turn around and leave. Let's leave a good impression on each other." Li Qinzai squatted outside the side hall door, feeling weak. typical.
Cui Jie pinched him hard and said angrily: "The more you live, the sooner you go back. Don't you understand the ways of the world? When guests come to give gifts and congratulate them, how can the host not entertain them?"
Li Qinzai counted on his fingers: "There are about dozens of princes in Chang'an City, one or two hundred county princes, as for county bosses, sub-county men, as well as major aristocratic families, big bosses from three provinces and six ministries... Calculate this way Come down, I will be killed by them today."
"It's such an ugly thing to say. When guests come to your door, you must have basic etiquette. If your husband doesn't receive you, there will be gossip in the court. If everyone says that you are arrogant and pampered, your good reputation will be ruined."
"I am obviously lazy and arrogant..." Li Qinzai yawned and said: "Let's go back to Ganjing Village tomorrow to avoid being greeted by Chang'an City. By the way, we can see if those little bastards have stolen my village. Demolished."
Cui Jie pursed her lips and smiled: "My husband is newly promoted to County Marquis and is enjoying great glory. Don't you plan to enjoy the glory that attracts thousands of people in Chang'an City?"
Li Qinzai shook his head: "Flowers are blooming, and fire is cooking oil. The higher you reach the peak, the more you must know how to restrain yourself, otherwise disaster is not far away."
Cui Jie's eyes were clear: "Husband, you are indeed different from others. If you can maintain such a clear mind even in the most prosperous times, your future will definitely go further than other children of powerful people."
"Nonsense, I have come a long way now, and those dudes will never be able to catch up." Li Qinzai said and yawned again.
We have been overloaded with guests today, so we must take a nap. We are all magistrates, and we cannot live as tired as a dog.
Go to sleep as soon as you say it. As for which distinguished boss will come to congratulate you next time, don't worry. There is also an old Beibi in the house who is like a needle in the sea. If the guests feel that the etiquette is not good enough, they can complain to Li Ji in person and watch him smoke. If I don't smoke you, it will be over.
So Li Qinzai patted his butt and left.
In the side hall, Cui Jie's beautiful eyes were fixed on Li Qinzai's back. Until the back disappeared, she suddenly said to the maid Cong Shuang: "Please come to the front yard to see me, Liu Asi."
Liu Asi arrived very quickly. The young lady called for him, so he did not dare to delay.
Standing in the front yard, Liu Asi held his breath and saluted.
Cui Jie stood up and saluted him, which scared Liu Asi to the point of almost kneeling down.
"Young madam, you must not do this. You will offend the villain."
Cui Jie said seriously: "My husband went on a mission to the northwest and was surrounded many times. Thanks to Liu Duizheng and his superior Qu Paoze who fought tooth and nail to protect my husband, you should accept this gift calmly."
Liu Asi was moved and said: "Protecting the fifth young master is the mission of the villains and lords, and they dare not accept the courtesy of the young lady."
"Most of the more than two hundred tribesmen that my husband brought with me died in the battle. This shows how tragic and dangerous it is for you in the northwest. After my husband returned home yesterday, he discussed with me and decided to provide generous pensions to the tribesmen who died in the battle."
"Their parents, wives and children, the Duke's Palace takes care of their birth, old age, sickness and death, trains their descendants, allocates land to each household, and allocates money every year. In short, regardless of whether they are alive or dead in battle, the Duke's Palace will not let the robes feel cold. .”
Liu Asi's eyes were red, and he clasped his fists gratefully and said: "The fourth generation brothers of Liu Asi who died in the battle thank the fifth young master, young madam, for your great kindness."
Cui Jie shook her head: "My husband and I should thank you for your great kindness in protecting me to the death. Liu Duizheng, my husband is newly promoted to the county marquis, and the ministers of the Duke's Mansion will need to protect your husband more in the future. I ask you all."
"The villain and my brothers are willing to go through fire and water for the Fifth Young Master!"
Cui Jie smiled, and then suddenly said: "My husband is on a mission to the northwest. Is there any dispute with a certain woman?"
Liu Asi was startled, hesitating, looking away and reluctant to speak.
Cui Jie sighed: "Liu Duizheng, you just said that you would go through fire and water, and you forgot about it so quickly? It's just an ordinary little question, isn't it difficult to answer?"
Liu Asi said with a bitter face: "How dare you talk about Fifth Young Master behind his back? If Young Madam wants to know, why don't you ask him personally?"
Cui Jie nodded: "It seems that your husband really has an entanglement with a woman. Liu Duizheng, there are some things between husband and wife that cannot be asked face to face. I can only ask you. Please tell the truth."
Liu Asi did not expect to find himself in such an embarrassing situation, so he smiled bitterly and said: "Young madam, please don't embarrass me..."
Cui Jie said leisurely: "It is impossible to hide what my husband did in the northwest. His entanglement with that woman must have been in full view of the public. Even if you don't tell me, won't I never know?"
Liu Asi suddenly covered his chest in pain and turned pale.
Cui Jie was stunned: "What's wrong with you?"
Liu Asi's cold sweat fell down his temples, and he gritted his teeth and said: "Young madam, this villain may have been injured by an old enemy. In order to protect the fifth young master in the northwest, the villain was hit by an arrow in the chest..."
Cui Jie was silent for a while and sighed: "I am worthy of being treated as a brother by my husband. I don't even blush when I talk nonsense."