There is no absolutely powerful person on the grasslands now, and there is no one in charge of the affairs around the little Khan He Luo'u, or there is no one who can challenge Ashinadur.
After finally lifting up a khan, he is still a straw bag.
The Turkic situation needs to be well maintained. Not to mention how to deal with Ashinadur, we also need to deal with Xue Yantuo. This is a mess in Mobei and Monan.
"I plan to make Li Daozong the commander-in-chief of the Hanhaidao March and attack Xue Yantuo together with Li Ji. As long as Xue Yantuo is stabilized and the Turks are frightened, Ashinadur will not dare to act recklessly even if he returns to the grassland."
Zhang Yang bowed and said, "I have something I don't understand."
"you say."
"Did His Majesty feel that Xue Yantuo's use value was gone and wanted to kill him quickly, or did His Majesty want to use this to show the prestige of Tian Khan again?"
"neither."
"The minister still advises not to take the initiative to attack Xue Yantuo at this time."
Sometimes talking with the emperor is like a debate, and the words can pass one level after another. Who knows what the Khan is thinking, there will always be some strange ideas.
Now they are ready to start a war and attack Xue Yantuo who is far away in Mobei.
It sounds scary.
According to Li Shimin's character, he originally formed an alliance with Xue Yantuo to deal with Jie Li because Xue Yantuo was valuable.
And now the Turks, the closest hidden danger to the Tang Dynasty, are already in ruins. It is time to get rid of allies who have no such use value.
Zhang Yang said again: "Unprovoked war is not the main purpose of our Diplomatic Academy, and it is not a good thing for the Tang Dynasty. If there is no legitimate reason for war, it will inevitably be criticized."
"I didn't say we were going to attack now."
"It is not recommended to attack in the past two years." Zhang Yang added.
Li Shimin had a sullen face, "You have to advise me on whoever I want to accept as my concubine in the future."
Zhang Yang saluted and said: "Your Majesty, taking power is not only a way to accept concubines, but this will only increase troubles and intensify the internal fighting between the emperor's relatives. I heard from my wife that there are often maids and eunuchs who die inexplicably in the palace.
, was buried in the garden beside the Ye Pond, and the flowers and plants in that area were particularly dense."
"Huh? I didn't say anything about this. You have seen a lot since you were far away from the clan. Those royal relatives have been fighting among themselves for many years, and there are many things that happened over petty gains."
"Your Majesty, if you don't mind that someone dies in your backyard from time to time, or one or two dead people emerge from the well, it's not easy to deal with the living people crying, making trouble, and hanging themselves in order to seize power."
Seeing that the face of the emperor in front of him was getting worse and worse, Zhang Yang said again: "I still advise your majesty not to expand the number of concubines. If you have no desires, you must be strong. Cultivating a righteous spirit is more important than anything else, just like me."
"I understand your advice."
From time to time, three or two birds flew across the lake. Zhang Yang put his hands on his back and said, "If His Majesty wants to start a war, we can also take the initiative to create conditions."
"Manufacturing conditions?"
"Well, for example, let's find a few people from Xue Yantuo to throw garbage in front of Chengtian Gate. This will give us an excuse to start a war."
The autumn wind is often bleak, and as the Heavenly Khan, I feel that I should not waste more time talking to this boy, thinking that he has something in his stomach that he has not yet vomited out.
Li Shimin could no longer resist the urge to hang his son-in-law in front of Chengtian Gate, "Just because the Xue Yantuo people threw garbage in front of Chengtian Gate, I will send troops to attack them?"
Zhang Yang changed his sitting position, holding the teacup in his hand, enjoying the cool breeze blowing by, "Some things can be big or small. At the most minor level, these three or two Xue Yantuo people are not very discerning, but at the most serious level, it's just that they are not very discerning.
Khan Xue Yantuo sent people to dump garbage at Chengtian Gate, which was insulting to Khan Tian, so it would be logical to send troops."
A trivial matter can be the reason for war between the two countries. Li Shimin shook his head: "Is this the method of your Foreign Affairs Council?"
"It's a last resort, but there is another way. It needs to be considered in the long term."
The string of the paper kite in Xiao Wu's hand was broken. She pointed at the paper kite flying farther and farther away and laughed.
The children's innocence and innocence are all on their faces.
Li Yue covered her mouth and smiled, and she could still hear her aunt's words of persuasion, saying that she could make a few more paper kites.
Zhang Yang saluted Li Shimin, "One more thing. Your Majesty can prepare for the imperial examination next year. Now you have issued a decree to hold the imperial examination next spring."
"Will the imperial examination be held again?"
"Yes, the imperial examination should be held regularly. I think once or twice a year is best."
"I will consider it."
"No need to think about it. I have already considered it for Your Majesty. As long as the imperial examination is held regularly, not just once every few years, it will increase the presence of the imperial examination in the minds of scholars. As long as the imperial examination is held regularly in the court, the influence of the gentry will be
It will become weaker and weaker, which will be of great benefit to the establishment of official schools in the future."
After speaking in one breath, Zhang Yang bowed and saluted, "Your Majesty, this is all for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty."
Li Shimin closed his eyes and let out a long breath, "Do you know how much money it will cost?"
"Didn't the post-Autumn taxes just come in? Has Your Majesty run out of money again?"
"I……"
"It doesn't matter if you don't have money, I can borrow it temporarily."
Li Shimin lifted his belt and said, "No! I can take it out."
Zhang Yang smiled like an energetic young man, "Your Majesty, you're welcome."
What's wrong with raising money? As soon as he heard that money was needed, Li Shimin felt like his heart was cramping, and he felt thirsty. He took a sip of tea and left with the eunuch.
"Your Majesty, the imperial examination has just begun. Are you going to give it up right now?! The imperial examination is not just a show. It is a major undertaking that requires perseverance. Once we give up, the court will rot and stink."
After walking only a few steps, Li Shimin heard the voice behind him, and once again resisted the idea of asking his son-in-law to cut him into pieces, he quickened his pace and left.
He didn't say he agreed or didn't agree. Zhang Yang put his hands in his hands and muttered to himself: "Your Majesty's thoughts are really hard to figure out."
"Huh? Why is Father gone?"
"I heard that your father has been angry recently. Would you like to send him some chrysanthemum tea?"
"There is an imperial medical office in the palace, but most of it is not used."
"Well, my wife is right, let's go home too."
"good."
We must worry about the affairs of the country. His Majesty's words soon reached Zhongshu Province. After everyone came to the conclusion, Fang Xuanling walked into Ganlu Hall and reported: "Your Majesty, after deliberation with Zhongshu Province, the imperial examination can indeed be done.
The more, the better.”
Li Shimin took a sip of chrysanthemum tea and asked, "What will happen to the nobles?"
"Back to Your Majesty, if the imperial court can maintain the imperial examination once a year, it can attract the attention of more scholars. In this way, the influence of the gentry will be weakened, and the scholars will focus on the imperial examination instead of running to serve the gentry.
.”
Li Shimin worriedly said: "Since the last imperial examination, there are still many vacancies in the court."
Fang Xuanling replied: "Three out of ten positions in Chang'an City are vacant, and there are even more vacancies in various prefectures and counties. I think we can open the imperial examination again."
Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "I understand, please step back first."
"I excuse myself."
Fang Xuanling left, and Li Shimin threw the tea bowl heavily to the ground.
The frightened little eunuch and palace maid nearby were both excited.
The old eunuch, on the other hand, was more calm and calm, "Your Majesty, Superintendent Lu of the Imperial Medical Office has told you that Your Majesty should be less angry. He has been getting very angry recently. Only by calming down can the condition be relieved."
Li Shimin's breathing was heavy, "I know."
The old eunuch bowed and asked the young eunuch on the side to clean up.
If Zhang Yang were to speak alone, he would have to think twice.
But even Fang Xuanling said this, which means that this matter is probably correct.
Li Shimin came to the Li Zheng Hall with complicated emotions. The children were taking a nap at the moment. This was a habit developed after going to Lishan Mountain.
Seeing that Your Majesty was coming, Empress Changsun walked outside the palace to greet her, "Your Majesty, the children have already gone to bed."
Li Shimin stood still outside the hall, not wanting to disturb the children who were already asleep.
"How much money does the palace have now?"
Queen Changsun replied: "It's not rich, but it's enough."
I asked the palace maid to bring a newly made rocking chair for His Majesty to sit down.
Li Shimin sat on the rocking chair, closed his eyes and said: "I want to hold the imperial examination again, but the expenses in the court and the palace are so tight. My son-in-law also proposed to hold an imperial examination every year."
After this year's tax revenue came in, it was enough to cover the expenses of the palace. After the clan gave last year's customary money, money was tight again.
Some money was also left to deal with the construction of the Hexi Corridor.
Empress Changsun said again: "Cheng Qian's marriage still needs to be arranged, and it will require a lot of money."
After all, the queen couldn't get any money, let alone the court.
Li Shimin smiled bitterly.
Empress Changsun added: "But Qingque has always been in the palace, and the food for the young slaves and Lizi is sent by Qingque from Lishan. These children have gained a lot of weight."
"Yeah?"
"Yesterday, I had two roasted ducks delivered to me. The children couldn't finish them. I heard that Qingque has been eating vegetable leaves all day long to lose weight, which is also a pain for the children."
Li Shimin snorted coldly: "He has no worries about food and clothing in Lishan."
Empress Changsun smiled helplessly, saying that she would not interfere with the affairs of the court. Even if His Majesty wanted to hold the imperial examination again, and would hold it every year in the future, it would have nothing to do with the harem.
As a queen, I am more concerned that these princesses and princes can grow up safely.
Outside Chang'an City, in a house, a few whispers could be heard from time to time.
"I am a member of your Majesty's family today. I was the heir raised by Li Shentong outside the family. My family was rich and wealthy, and I was a close friend of Li Daoyan..."
A thin man kept chanting.
Li Tai brought Xu Jingzong here all the way from Lishan.
The house is very dilapidated and guarded by three or two guards.
The guard stepped forward and said, "His Royal Highness, King Wei, is ready."
Li Tai stood up and dismounted, took out a copybook from his arms and handed it to Xu Jingzong, "This is the copybook that my brother-in-law placed in the printing shop. It is the original work of Mr. Ouyang Xun."
There was only one copybook, with dozens of characters in regular script and running script written on it. After confirmation, Xu Jingzong put it away.
"This man has been training for two months and he doesn't know how he is doing. Please take a look. I heard that you were quite experienced in training your brother-in-law."
Xu Jingzong nodded and said: "The people who overthrew Gaochang were arranged by lower officials."
Naturally, Li Tai also heard about what happened in Gaochang, and nodded: "Brother-in-law, there are really many talented people in his hands. There are Shangguan Yi, Zhang Xiangxiang, and now you."
"His Royal Highness the King of Wei is joking. The reason why I am here today is just because of Zhang Shangshu's guidance."
Li Tai nodded, "I have already discussed this person's affairs on the road. I hope that Mr. Xu will give me some advice after I meet him."
"Here."
Li Tai motioned for someone to open the door, and there was a thin man at the door.
The man who was originally sitting cross-legged slowly stood up. His expression was a little dazed, and he stepped forward with frivolous steps, "His Royal Highness, King Wei?"
Li Tai did not speak. Xu Jingzong spoke first: "Who are you?"
"I am Yang Lian, the younger brother of Princess Yongfeng of the former Sui clan."
Li Tai whispered to Xu Jingzong: "This is his true identity."
Xu Jingzong still nodded, "Close the door."
After hearing this, Yang Lian closed the door and locked herself in the yard.
After taking King Wei a few steps away, Xu Jingzong whispered: "Is this the person arranged by His Highness King Wei?"
Li Tai nodded, "What do you think?"
Xu Jingzong looked back and saw that the courtyard door was still closed, "If this person can deceive others, he should report another identity when he sees the subordinate. Moreover, this person lacks the arrogance that a clan member should have in his eyes.
, but he looks very much like a person who has been oppressed for many years."
】
"I have been training him for two months, but I didn't expect that he is not worth mentioning in the eyes of Mr. Xu."
Xu Jingzong cupped his hands and said: "His Royal Highness the King of Wei helped Xiaguan get the copybook. Naturally, he will do this to help Xiaguan see him again."
"Okay." Li Tai motioned to his guard to open the door again.
Xu Jingzong walked to the door again and looked at the thin young man, "What's your name?"
"As I just said, I am from the former Sui clan..."
"Shut up!" Xu Jingzong interrupted him immediately, "You are the heir of Tian Khan's clan general Li Shentong who was raised in the outer room. Your name is Li Bin, and you and Li Daoyan are sworn friends."
"Here." Yang Lian wiped the sweat from his forehead and said again: "I am Li Bin, the child raised by the clan general Li Shentong in the outer room. I am a close friend of Li Daoyan."
Xu Jingzong nodded, "I forgot about my original identity. I heard that you are a drunkard and a gambler. This is a good cover. From now on, you will be such a descendant of the clan."
"I understand."
Xu Jingzong said again: "From today on, you don't have to stay here. You use Li Xing's identity to go to Xingzhou first, and you use Li Xing's identity to squander there. As for the expenses, His Highness King Wei will bear all the expenses, but you have to
Remember, once you spill the beans, you will return to your identity as Yang Lian and continue to live a miserable life."
Thinking of his situation, Yang Lian immediately knelt down and said, "No, I won't tell the truth."
Xu Jingzong smiled and nodded, "Then you have to remember, from now on you will be Li Bin. You are uneducated, do not understand poetry, like to gamble, and do not like to associate with people in the clan. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
Xu Jingzong nodded to Li Tai and indicated that he had already given the order.
"Take care of him and clean him up."
"Here."
Li Tai was very puzzled, "Why not just send him to Luoyang?"
Xu Jingzong sighed: "Your Highness, King Wei, it is not easy to deceive the children of aristocratic families. Don't they want to find out all the details of this person? Although they have already said hello to General Li Daoyan, isn't there a flaw in this?