Li Shimin was particularly happy today and asked Cheng Qian to stay and have dinner with him, "Your teacher won a great victory in Youzhou."
"My son also heard that the teacher killed more than 20,000 Turks in Youzhou in one day and night."
"Your news is out of date. The latest news is that Wu Huaiyu has defeated the Turks, and Jieli fled. In the battle of Yehuling, Wu Huaiyu used more than 30,000 troops in Youzhou to defeat more than 100,000 Jieli troops, and killed 50,000 in formation.
There were more than 10,000 prisoners, and Jieli’s Golden Wolf Band and Golden Wolf Tent were not even able to come and take them away.”
Prince Chengqian could not help but be pleasantly surprised, "Teacher is mighty."
Empress Changsun held the Ninth Prince Li Zhi in her arms and saw how happy they were, and felt very warm.
"Teacher, is he okay?"
"He's fine, he just gives me a headache."
"ah?"
"I don't even know how to reward you for making such a great contribution."
Previously, Wu Huaiyu had received a good news and came to Beijing. The emperor also granted him a hundred households, and the Youzhou Governor's Office was promoted to the Upper Governor's Office. Wu Huaiyu became the fifth governor of the Tang Dynasty.
But now that the war is over, the contribution made is too great.
Cheng Qian stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I think that the court should reward Wu Shaobao for his great achievements. If he has merit, he will be rewarded, and if he fails, he will be punished. If the rewards and punishments are unclear, how will the court employ people in the future?"
Moreover, this battle was not only the result of Wu Shaobao, but also the victory of the more than 30,000 soldiers of Youzhou in a bloody battle. If the commander who directed this battle does not reward him, how will he reward the more than 30,000 soldiers below?"
Li Shimin was very pleased to hear this and waved for him to sit down.
"The prince has grown up,"
"Indeed, not rewarding meritorious service will chill the hearts of the heroes, and even the hearts of tens of thousands of border troops in Youzhou." He looked at the prince, "I will test you. If you are asked to reward Wu Huaiyu, what will you do?
Reward him?"
Cheng Qian didn't even think about it, so he stood up and replied, "Wu Shaobao's merits should make him become the prime minister, and he can be recalled to pay homage to the prime minister."
"His merits are indeed enough to serve as prime minister again, but he has been out for less than a year, and I have already made arrangements for next year's Northern Expedition. Wu Huaiyu will be the main general on the east route. If he fights so well this time, he will be even less available next year."
Cheng Qian thought for a while, "My son felt that since the saint had already made arrangements, it really shouldn't be disrupted, but he still deserves a heavy reward. Since it's not suitable to go back to pay homage to the prime minister right away, it's better to give him a national surname, include him in the clan's official vassal registration, and let Shaobao
Become my royal family member of the Tang Dynasty."
At the beginning of the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan was quite fond of granting surnames and registrations to the country, and he even gave titles to some of the separatist and subordinate forces.
For example, Du Fuwei, Luo Yi, Xu Shiji, Liu Jizhen, Hu D'en, Gao Kaidao, etc. were not only given national surnames but also royal titles.
However, although these people were included in the Zongzong registration and were included in the royal family, in fact, many of them did not end well. Even today, even if Li Ji is still there, he has always been relatively low-key and loyal.
The rest are dead.
Even in the early years, the two kings Li Gui and Li Xiaochang were not Li Yuan's family, but in order to conquer the world, they were granted kingships and vassal status, but in the end they were all beheaded by Li Yuan and his son.
So now that Prince Chengqian proposed that Wu Huaiyu be given a national surname and official family registration, Li Shimin felt that it was not appropriate. It didn't sound like a reward, but rather like a talisman.
It is bad luck when you hear it. If it is given to Wu Huaiyu, it will make people think wildly.
After all, it was still at the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China. In order to win over people's hearts and seize the world as soon as possible, Li Yuan made various promises of rewards and even gave him a surname and the title of king.
But once the world was stable, Li Yuan couldn't wait to deal with those kings with surnames. For example, Du Fuwei, the king of Jianghuai, gave the surname Li to the king of Wu.
When his subordinate Fu Gonger rebelled and launched a rebellion, he was said to have died suddenly, but in fact everyone knew he was poisoned.
Even after his death, he was still implicated and convicted, and his son was not a slave.
And people like Gao Kaidao, Liu Jizhen, Luo Yi, and Li Changxiao also rebelled one after another. In the final analysis, they knew that the emperor would take action sooner or later and were forced to do so.
For this reason, Li Shimin no longer plays the role of giving surnames. If he wants to do it, he still gives it to the leaders of Fan and Hu. For example, the leader of Mohe Tudiji was given the national surname Li and was granted the title of Duke of Sheng. He also just gave the national surname to King Xi Kedu.
Fengloufan County Duke, Khitan Commander Sun Aocao granted the surname to Yongle County Duke, Khitan Khan Dahemohui granted the surname to Guishun County Duke. Which of the serious and meritorious ministers of the Tang Dynasty is willing to accept the surname and nationality list?
Originally, the surname of the country and the official registration of the clans were given. Although it was necessary to change the surname, it was a great honor in this era, but Li Yuan just ruined this good thing.
Li Shimin was also quite helpless. Things that were originally good were worthless in his hands.
Queen Changsun said to the prince from the side, "It is not appropriate for the court to grant surnames to honorable ministers now. The prince can think of other rewards."
"Then I will give Duke Yi an iron certificate of elixir, which will allow him to avoid death. This is also a way of respecting the old scriptures and giving him a special favor. Giving Wu Shaobao an award for avoiding death is also the highest honor given by the court to him." The prince suggested.
When Li Shimin heard this, his expression became even weirder.
He was once one of the seventeen heroes of Taiyuan Yuanmou designated by the Supreme Emperor Li Yuan, and received an iron certificate from the Alchemy Book, and was spared two deaths.
However, it was the Supreme Emperor Li Yuan himself who ruined this Danshang iron coupon, which was full of supreme honor, because he did not keep his word.
Liu Wenjing obtained the Iron Coupon of the Alchemy Book and shot it with his right servant, but was still directly killed by Li Yuan. The iron coupon had no effect.
Even Li Shimin himself had an iron ticket that could save him from two deaths, but he was almost killed by Li Yuan.
So no one believes in that stuff now.
When Li Shimin ennobled the forty-eight meritorious officials of Zhenguan, he also considered giving these meritorious officials iron coupons with elixirs and a reward for avoiding death. The iron coupons were filled with gold and silver to inlay the words on the coupons to show the emperor and the honorary ministers.
the solemn oath of alliance and the illustrious achievements of the honorable ministers,
There are iron deeds written in alchemy, gold plaques in stone chambers, and ancestral temples hidden away.
Half of it was kept in the inner ancestral temple, and the other half was given to meritorious officials for collection.
But Li Yuan didn't keep his word, and no one believed in the iron certificate of the elixir.
Li Shimin didn't bother to go out of his way to get iron coupons.
The prince suggested giving iron certificates to Wu Huaiyu's elixir, which embarrassed Li Shimin. In fact, Li Shimin felt that iron certificates should be given to some ministers who had made special contributions, and he believed that he could keep his promise and say that he would avoid death, and he would definitely avoid death when the time came. But
However, the Supreme Emperor made a bad start, and now the iron bond has no credibility.
Giving iron coupons actually makes people feel like they are giving a reminder.
However, Empress Changsun understood her husband's intention and said with a smile, "In our Zhenguan Dynasty, there is no case of rewarding ministers with iron certificates of elixirs. I thought that Wu Shaobao's merits should be rewarded, but given the surname of the country, the ancestral clan, and the iron certificates of elixirs."
It’s not appropriate, so it’s better to just reward him with some gold, silver, money and silk, and give him some food and real titles.”
"Then we'll add another hundred households, and Tongqian will really eat a thousand households?"
"Your Majesty, why don't you be more generous?" Queen Changsun suggested.
Li Shimin thought for a while, Wu Huaiyu now has 900 households, and the one above him has 1,000 households. There are only three people, Hou Junji, Zhang Gongjin and Liu Shili. These three people all made great contributions during the Xuanwumen palace coup, but Liu Shili
Now because Luo Yi was implicated, the city was cut off, leaving only two people.
The next step up from the 1,000 households is the 1,200 households, including Changsun Shunde, Chai Shao, Luo Yi and Li Xiaogong. Among these four people, there are two county princes and one consort, and Changsun Shunde is the uncle of the queen.
, is also a confidant of the Supreme Emperor, and has a good relationship with Li Shimin.
Now Luo Yi rebelled and was expelled.
"Then simply let Wu Huaiyu replace Luo Yi's original position, and really live in 1,200 households. In addition, mention the number of households that can be closed, and let Yousi choose the land in Hedong and Hebei, and try to pick as many households as possible, at least
Siding up."
"In addition, give all the property confiscated by Luo Yi to Wu Huaiyu."
"This edict granting the title will be drafted by you, the crown prince, and then handed over to Zhongshu Ling Wen Yanbo,"
Cheng Qian stood up and agreed. He took out a pen and paper and scrawled the edict on the spot. He had learned the format of the edict, and it was quite formal. He even used some allusions that were quite appropriate. Li Shimin and the Queen were watching on the side.
The more I read, the more I appreciate it. I feel that the prince was quite rebellious some time ago, but now he seems to be becoming more and more sensible.
"very good,"
"You can send it to Zhongshu Province to Prime Minister Wen later."
The dinner atmosphere that followed was very joyful, and Li Shimin was very satisfied with the prince.
After the meal, Cheng Qian was also very happy and went directly to Menxia Province to convey the decree.
Wen Yanbo paid a visit and received the order.
He polished and processed it himself, and then had it sent to his hometown.
"With the sealing of 1,200 households, where does this rank among the heroes of sealing?"
"About ten names?"
"Seventh," Cui Dunli, a member of Zhongshushe, said, "Gong Yi Guo replaced Luo Yi's position, still above Hejian County Prince Xiaogong, and below Changsun Shunde and Chai Prince Consort."
It turns out that the 1,500 households in the first group, Pei Ji, had already been deprived of their food, fiefdom and real seal due to their crimes.
Wang Junkuo, a member of the second tier of 1,300 households, was also executed for rebellion and was deprived of his title and seat. Du Ruhui died of illness. Although his title was granted and his son was not demoted, the real rule of the seat was that his descendants could only inherit three thirds.
One, the Du family inherited half of it.
And Yuchi Gong also had a household of 1,300, but now he has deprived him of his officials, titles, houses and towns, and he is serving in Shuofang's army in white clothes.
So now the real list of meritorious officials, before Wu Huaiyu, are Wuji, Qin Qiong, and Fang Xuanling, the eldest grandsons of the 1,300 households, and Shunde and Chai Shao, the eldest grandsons of the 1,200 households, excluding Wei Chigong.
In fact, Wu Huaiyu should be sixth.
But everyone also knows that Yuchi Laohei will actually regain his official title and land sooner or later, so Wu Huaiyu is ranked seventh by default.
From the last place on the actual seal list to the seventh place now.
This is really a meteoric rise.
A group of officials from Zhongshu Province sat there and sighed, "Is the Battle of Yehuling really that exaggerated?"
Cui Dunli sighed, "In the battle of Yehuling, Yi Guogong granted the real seal twice, once to 100 households, and once to 300 households, a total of 400 households, and he also specifically asked for four ding per household.
Without such amazing military exploits, how would he be worthy of such a reward?
Duke Yi's teacher, Duke Yongkang, Li Yaoshi, pacified the southeastern half of the Tang Dynasty, but up to now it has only been 400 households with true seals.
There are still many founding generals who, even if they are given the title of Duke, are not even listed on the official list."
There are countless heroes who made great contributions to the founding of the country, but there are only forty-eight positions on the list of actual meritorious officials in Zhenguan.
"Is Mr. Cui here?"
While talking, a person came outside.
"That is Choi Dunli.
"I am in charge of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This is the transfer order issued by Your Majesty to Cui Sheren personally. Congratulations to Cui Sheren. From now on, you are promoted to Minister of War."
Cui Dunli took the transfer order, said a few words of thanks, and went to get a thank you gift.
All colleagues from the provinces came to congratulate Cui Dunli. Although Zhongshu Sheren was known as the Prime Minister, he was only at the fifth rank, while the Minister of War, who was at the lower level of the fourth rank, had been promoted several levels in a row.
Cui Dunli thanked everyone and said, "I'll treat everyone to a drink later. I'll go to the Ministry of War to meet with Li Shangshu first."
"go quickly,"
Cui Dunli didn't bother to go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to pay the money to sue him. He went directly to the Ministry of War to pay a visit to the Minister of War, Li Jing.
Li Jing said bluntly, "His Majesty personally transferred you to the Ministry of War as a minister. He has also given you a task. You will immediately lead a team to Youzhou and go with the officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs to verify the detailed history of the Battle of Yehuling among Youzhou soldiers."
, as well as the meritorious achievements of the soldiers, especially all heads must be counted and confirmed one by one,
After approval and confirmation, report the truth to the imperial court, and then go on a mission to the Turkic tribes to appease the tribes on behalf of the imperial court. Finally, go to Dingxiang to meet Jieli Khan, and on behalf of the Tang Dynasty and His Majesty the Emperor, declare an edict to Jieli to question him.
When I asked him why he violated the Weiqiao White Horse Alliance and sent troops to invade our Tang Dynasty border,
Let him give me an explanation to Datang!"
After Cui Dunli heard about this mission, he felt a little overwhelmed. Whether it was going to Youzhou to verify the head rank and military merit, or sending envoys to various Turkic ministries to appease him, or asking Jieli why he broke his oath, it was not a good job.
But since the emperor appreciated him so much and promoted him to several levels in a row, no matter how hard and troublesome he was, he had to make this trip and get things done.
Li Jing reminded him, "Many people in the imperial court now have some doubts about the results of the Battle of Yehuling. You must verify this on this trip. You must not let the soldiers sweat and bleed, but in the end have to shed tears again!"
Cui Dunli immediately understood that the Minister of War was obviously partial to his student Wu Huaiyu. He had not yet investigated this, but decided to set the tone first.
"Please rest assured, Grand Sima, this official's trip will be thoroughly investigated and will be absolutely fair and impartial."
"Very good, I believe in your character. The focus of your trip should still be on the Turks, especially when you are on a mission to the Turkic ministries. You must keep in touch with them. The Chinese New Year will be here soon, and next autumn and winter will be our big day.
When the Tang Dynasty launched its Northern Expedition to counterattack the Turks, you will take the lead in this trip,"
Cui Dunli said seriously, "I understand."
Although Li Jing made it clear, Cui Dunli still believed in his heart that when he arrived in Youzhou, he must investigate clearly. No matter how much Wu Huaiyu was appreciated by the emperor or favored by Li Jing, as long as his record was satisfactory, he would make false reports.
Any exaggerations must be identified and reported.
"Pang Xiaotai, the commander-in-chief, leads three hundred cavalry. He is responsible for the safety and security of your trip. He is also your deputy envoy."
When Cui Dunli heard this name, he couldn't help but frown. In fact, this Nanman was quite famous in Chang'an. Everyone knew that this guy was called Master Wu Huaiyu. He even openly claimed to be Mr. Pang, Wu Huaiyu's lackey. He was simply shameless.
Now that Li Jing has arranged for this person to be his deputy, does he intend to hinder him from verifying the true military achievements of the Battle of Yehuling? (End of this chapter)
