Li Yue pumped her fists and pounded her fists, "While talking about important affairs of the government, why did my husband go on to prepare a room for Xiao Wu?"
While dodging, Zhang Yang cleared his throat, "This is not a conflict."
The little bear wandered out of the house. He looked up at the playful couple, turned towards Xiao Wu, and lay down at Xiao Wu's feet.
Unable to dodge, he still received a few punches.
We were talking about the situation in Tubo, and then we were talking about preparing a room for Xiao Wu.
Li Yue angrily returned to her room holding several books of her own.
When Aunt Wang came back, she said that her residence in Lishan had been tidied up.
The weather today is not good. The sky is full of dark clouds and the cold wind is still blowing. It looks like it will snow again.
It is best to build a house on a sunny day. If you build a house on a snowy day, the mud on the lake will easily dry out and crack after being frozen.
Thinking about the arrangements for his new home, Zhang Yang decided to go see Lu Dongzan first when he left home. This man set fire to the post house. Even if the court didn't come to ask about it, he couldn't ignore it.
The streets are no longer as lively as they were on New Year’s Eve. It’s time to spend the middle of winter and make preparations for the coming year’s livelihood, such as eating more and sleeping more at this time.
At a time when daily activities are scarce, everyone is living the four seasons of the year according to the rhythm of winter storage, autumn harvest, spring planting, and summer growth.
Zhang Yang walked to the entrance of the Diplomatic Academy.
Xu Jingzong greeted him with a smile, "Zhang Shangshu, it's the New Year, why do you have time to come to the Foreign Affairs Academy?"
First, he looked at the people in the Diplomatic Academy who were still busy. Zhang Yang put his hands in his hands and said, "Where is Lu Dongzan?"
Xu Jingzong replied: "He is being held in the dungeon of the Punishment Department. The Punishment Department often comes to ask what to do with him."
"I'm still serving in the Foreign Affairs Council during this Chinese New Year. Thank you for your hard work."
"I can't say it's hard work. Everyone is diligent in doing things. Moreover, our Diplomatic Academy gives us a lot of money, so everyone is willing to do things."
"How much money does our etiquette department have?"
Xu Jingzong was thinking about it in his mind, and after a while he said: "After discounting the silver cakes, there are still about 30,000 guan, which is enough for our Ministry of Rites for one year. As long as the silver mines from Japan can be delivered next year, we don't have to worry in one or two years."
In fact, there are still a lot of copper coins accumulated in Lishan. In the Tang Dynasty, the hard currency was silver cakes.
The copper coins you have on hand must be saved, and the silver cake must also be ensured to flow in.
It would be a waste to have so many silver mines in Japan.
A gust of cold wind blew by, and snow began to fall in the sky again.
Zhang Yang put his hands in his hands and whispered: "Take me to see Lu Dongzan."
"Come with me, the official."
Follow Xu Jingzong all the way to the Ministry of Justice, walk along Zhuque Street, and pass the Zhuque Gate to the Ministry of Justice.
Now there are only a few officials sitting lazily at the entrance of the criminal department.
Xu Jingzong stepped forward with a smile on his face and said, "Guys, the Minister of Rites wants to see Lu Dongzan."
Seeing Xu Jingzong coming, everyone welcomed him and took him to the Criminal Department.
The main officials of the Ministry of Justice are all celebrating the New Year, and only a few or two minor officials are watching here.
I also admire Xu Jingzong's social skills. This guy can be friends with anyone, and his popularity is unreasonable.
Zhang Yang even suspected that as long as Xu Jingzong wanted to, he might be able to get along with the eunuchs in the palace and become life-or-death friends.
As we walked into the dungeon of the Criminal Department, there was a strong musty smell.
Most of the dungeons in the Criminal Department were empty, and a group of Tibetans were locked up in a corner of these empty cells.
At this moment Lu Dongzan was sitting cross-legged among them.
Zhang Yang said with a smile: "It's just a new year, I didn't expect Brother Lu to end up like this."
Lu Dongzan opened his eyes and sighed: "With you in the Ministry of Etiquette, we have already prepared."
First, I looked at the surrounding environment. The air quality here was very poor, but it was cleaned very well.
Zhang Yang frowned and pondered for a while, "Since Tubo and Tang Dynasty will have a battle sooner or later, isn't Brother Lu prepared to go back alive?"
"You have no idea how determined we are in Tibet. In the words of you Central Plains people, as long as Zanpu's great cause can be achieved, it doesn't matter if the foreign minister dies."
"Death can be lighter than a feather, or heavier than Mount Tai." Zhang Yang interrupted: "You want to say it is this."
Lu Dongzan nodded slowly.
This Tibetan prime minister had read books from the Central Plains, but it seemed that he had not read many.
The Tubo people who followed Lu Dongzan looked at the Tang officials in front of them. They were silent and did not speak.
Zhang Yang smiled indifferently, "You set fire to the post house because you wanted Songtsen Gampo to know about your situation in Chang'an?"
Lu Dongzan closed his eyes and did not answer.
Zhang Yang added: "I know that this time is likely to be an opportunity for the Tang Dynasty and Tibet to go to war. Songtsen Gampo will definitely lead troops to attack the pass in order to save you. I am right."
The other party still didn't reply.
Zhang Yang lectured again: "How many troops and horses will Tibet prepare?"
"No need to say more, we will wait for the military report on the battle situation in the dungeon." Lu Dongzan whispered.
Turning to look at Xu Jingzong, Zhang Yang said curiously: "Old Xu."
Xu Jingzong took a step forward and said, "My official is here."
"What is the crime of setting fire to the official post in Chang'an City?"
"The punishment will be determined according to the situation. The most severe one will be sent to hard labor for ten years, and the least severe one will be fined and imprisoned. Judging from the situation of the Tibetan Prime Minister's arson, even if he has to be fined to get rid of the problem, he will have to pay a lot of money."
Zhang Yang nodded slightly and said, "Detain all the treasures brought by Tubo this time. He is the prime minister of Tubo and it is not good to deal with them at will. We will listen to Songtsan Gampo's wishes."
Xu Jingzong smiled and nodded, "I understand, I will submit the memorial to His Majesty after the court begins, and we will discuss how to deal with it."
Looking at Lu Dongzan, he still looks confident. This guy feels good about himself as always.
Zhang Yang nodded and said, "Don't worry, our Ministry of Rites will write a letter about what happened to you in Chang'an City and ask it to be handed over to Songtsan Gampo. You don't have to worry about finding ways to spread it."
This time Lu Dongzan finally opened his eyes and looked directly at Zhang Yang.
"We have so many heroes in the Tang Dynasty. As for how many soldiers and horses you have in Tubo, we actually don't care. Our goal has never been victory or defeat. I want more than you expected. You are the Prime Minister of Tubo.
Smart person, but you are not the only smart person in this world."
"We in the Central Plains have the virtue of being humble and eager to learn. This is what you need to learn, instead of thinking that you already understand the Central Plains people after reading a few volumes of books on the Central Plains."
This time Lu Dongzan finally stood up. He stepped forward and the two of them stood across the cell door. "I, Lu Dongzan, can meet an opponent like you in this life. I am very happy. If you are not the Minister of the Tang Dynasty, I am not the Minister of the Tang Dynasty."
Prime Minister of Tubo, maybe we can become close friends."
Zhang Yang said with emotion: "You must not underestimate the determination and perseverance of the people of the Central Plains. Since ancient times, we have the spirit of lying on fire and tasting courage. Three thousand Vietnamese troops can devour Wu. We also have the determination to burn the cauldron and sink the boat. A hundred and two Qin passes will eventually belong to Chu."
Before leaving, Zhang Yang turned around and said to him again: "Also, the fact that Zhang Dashu can reach the logic point shows that your Tubo plateau is not invincible. Once our people adapt, your geographical advantage will be gone."
, we have been understanding Tubo, but you only have a one-sided understanding of the Central Plains. The most likely failure of a smart person is arrogance."
Zhang Yang took Xu Jingzong away, leaving Lu Dongzan standing there.
He sat down again and considered these words. The plateau of Tubo was not invincible. The most important downfall of a smart person was arrogance.
The more he thought about Lu Dongzan, the more panicked he became. Zhang Yang had never said these words before.
"I want to get out!" Lu Dongzan suddenly grabbed the cell door and shouted.
The shout echoed in the dungeon, but no one paid attention to him anymore.
In the palace, Li Shimin walked all the way from Xuanwu Gate to Lizheng Hall, hearing the eunuch's report.
"Trying to be brave, three thousand Yuejia can swallow Wu. If the cauldron sinks the boat, one hundred and two Qin Pass will eventually belong to Chu!" Li Shimin thought about these words, and he suddenly laughed, "It is a good saying that three thousand Yuejia can swallow Wu, and this is what a hero should be like.
"
The eunuch whispered: "These are the words Zhang Yang said to Lu Dongzan in the dungeon."
Thinking about Zhang Yang again, he is a person who always pays every penny in everything he does, so when words like this come out of his mouth, there is always something missing.
This should be the ambition that only young generals have.
Li Shimin shook his head and sighed, then walked to the Li Zheng Palace and saw several palace maids counting beans, each one rubbing their eyes and reciting the numbers silently.
They put the counted beans into a jar and continued counting.
Li Shimin said in surprise: "What are you doing?"
These maids quickly stood up and saluted.
Li Tai quickly explained: "Father, this is a task assigned by the teacher, saying that the son is required to count ten thousand beans."
"Ten thousand? How long does it take to count?"
Seeing her father's troubled expression, Li Lizhi said at the side, "Teacher's questions are always clever and easy to solve. How can I keep counting like this?"
Li Shimin asked with a smile: "Oh? How do you think Li Zhi should count them clearly?"
Li Lizhi turned her head and said, "My daughter hasn't thought of it yet."
Walking into the palace, Li Shimin listened to the queen's words and realized that in order to count the beans, the slaves had asked the palace maids to take turns counting the beans day and night. So far, they have counted three thousand beans.
"Isn't Zhang Yang's question trying to make things difficult for young slaves?"
Empress Changsun smiled and said: "I thought I was a child slave and wanted to make it easy. There must be a more clever way to solve this problem, but he didn't think of it."
"Qing Que has been following Zhang Yang for so long, why not let him ask."
"That's fine."
Queen Changsun asked the palace maid to inform Qingque.
Heading west from Chang'an City, you pass by the Hexi Corridor. From time to time, you can see groups of soldiers and horses of the Tang Dynasty in the Hexi Corridor.
All the way west from the Hexi Corridor, there is a lone army in the north of Tubo resting on the plateau.
This place is the junction between Tubo and the Western Regions. Further to the west is a stretch of glaciers and endless snow-capped mountains.
Su Dingfang and Li Daoyan led a troop of three hundred soldiers and horses from the desert all the way south across the glacier, and now they saw a patch of undulating greenery in front of them.
There are no mountains or tall trees here, it seems like it is on the horizon.
Looking up, it feels like the clouds are so low.
Su Dingfang told Li Daoyan: "The Western Regions began to be connected during the time of Xiaowu. They were originally thirty-six kingdoms, and were later divided into more than fifty. They are all to the west of the Xiongnu and south of Wusun. There are big mountains in the north and south, and a river in the center. It is said that this is
It’s this big mountain.”
It has been almost a year since he left Chang'an City. Li Daoyan's beard is very long and his figure is getting thinner. His eyes are still bloodshot. He is staring at the water in the pot. "Why did it take so long to cook like this? It's really as the Ministry of Rites said."
The food is not cooked properly."
Su Dingfang took a sip of gentle water and said, "What do the Tubo people eat?"
The guide from the Western Regions who came with this army took out a piece of milk residue and listened to his story as if the Tubo people were eating this thing.
Li Daoyan didn't like this kind of food very much. It simply tasted like spoiled food.
In fact, as early as three months ago, the Western Region was almost pacified. The king of Suiye surrendered voluntarily, and the other small countries also took out their treasures to show their submission.
In order to thank Zhang Yang for his advice, the two handed all the treasures to Gao Chang.
As for the barbarian Ashinadur, he is still dominating the Western Regions.
It was easy for Su Dingfang and Li Daoyan to capture the four towns of Anxi. Their city walls were short and broken, and their soldiers were poorly trained. They were like paper lakes. Not to mention that the soldiers and horses of the Tang Dynasty had not yet taken action. They were beaten by the Gaochang people.
Flushing stool is like loose sand.
This is simply a unilateral conquest. Gaochang's soldiers and horses were quite reasonable and did not enter the battlefield to kill. Ashinadur's soldiers and horses were much more barbaric. These Turks were just like the group of people who only looted in the past. After so many years,
They still haven't changed.
Gaochang's troops advanced and retreated in an orderly manner and were well trained, not inferior to the officers and soldiers of the Tang Dynasty Guards.
After being out for so long and walking such a long way, I have seen a wider world.
"How are you? Are you out of breath now?" Su Dingfang asked in a low voice.
The soldier nodded, "I'm much better now. I won't be out of breath even after running for a while."
It takes most people a month to adapt to the plateau.
Don't rush up to the Tubo Plateau. You have to rest for a few days after walking a certain distance. Once you get used to it, you can set off again. The dozens of miles ahead of you are very difficult.
Everyone was resting when they suddenly saw a group of dozens of soldiers and horses rushing towards them.
Su Dingfang stood up and pulled out the horizontal sword: "Didn't you say that there are no people in this area for ten miles? Where are the soldiers and horses?"
Li Daoyan also drew his sword and looked at the people coming from a distance.
The opponent's horse showed no intention of stopping.
When they were about to arrive, Su Dingfang held a knife in one hand and slashed the horse's belly horizontally, causing the horse to neigh and blood splashed into the sky.
As the leading war horse fell into a pool of blood, and looking at the man who fell to the ground, Su Dingfang stepped on the man's chest and held a bloody knife to the man's neck.
The person catching up from behind quickly pulled the reins and stopped.
"Su Lie is so skilled!" Li Daoyan called to the thousands of other soldiers and surrounded the dozens of people on war horses.
Su Dingfang was surprised by the other person's face and took off the cloth wrapped around his head. He had a big nose, blue eyes, and yellow hair.
"Persian?"
The guide from the Western Regions on the side explained: "They are not Persians, they wear cannibal clothes."
Li Daoyan gestured to the other party to dismount.
The big food in front of him said unintelligible words and got off his horse. Among them was a very luxuriously dressed man with a gold chain hanging around his neck. He took off his coat and exposed his bronze arms, signaling that he wanted to fight.