"Emperor Tang, now the Tang Dynasty is the largest country of the human race, and it is also the leader of all the countries in the southern continent, but the throne is vacant. I am afraid it is not a long-term solution-"
Datang Pass, the Chinese Army Commander, Li Shimin, Li Zhi, Qin Qiong, Xu Maogong, Cheng Yaojin and others were present.
At this time, the Zhongjun Tent, where there is still the smell of a handsome tent, has long been arranged into a living room.
Li Shimin sat in the middle, with Jin King Li Zhi as the leader on his right, accompanied by Qin, Xu, and Cheng in turn.
On the left, Erlang Shen Yang Jian sat in the first place, followed closely by Yan Chixia and Sun Simiao.
On such an occasion, Qin Huaiyu and Luo Tong did not have seats, but they stood on both sides, offering tea and water to everyone from time to time.
The one who spoke just now was none other than Erlang Shen Yang Jian, and only he could say such words.
"Haha, Erlang Zhenjun is really quick to say. The position of the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty is obviously reserved for Pheasant Nu, but now is not a good time for him to take over."
Although everyone here already knew it, when Li Shimin said clearly for the first time that Li Zhihui would be the future leader of the Tang Dynasty, there was still a small commotion in the Chinese military tent.
"After being reminded by Pheasant Nu, I learned that the Emperor's journey to the west to obtain Buddhist scriptures was related to the great development of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty and even in the entire southern continent."
"I think the involvement behind this matter is bigger, but my Li family has always claimed to be the descendants of the Taoist founder. Alas, the more I think about this matter, the more I feel that my actions back then were too hasty."
"However, now that the journey to the west has begun, there is no turning back. Although I, the emperor, have abdicated, I must wait for Tang Yudi and his entourage to return to Chang'an before this matter can be considered over."
It turns out that Li Shimin has not appointed a new emperor for a long time. Is this the reason?
After hearing this, Yang Jian shook his head.
"Tang Emperor, I'm sorry to say this bluntly, but what you just said is reasonable, but I'm afraid you haven't noticed the real crisis hidden in the dark yet?"
Yang Jian used "you wait", which included everyone in the military tent except him.
"Second brother, if you have anything to say, feel free to tell me in person. The people in this account are all loyal and good people of the Tang Dynasty. They are people who followed my father into ecstasy and died. No matter how big the crisis is, there will always be a way to resolve it." Seeing that Yang Jian was hesitant to speak, Li Zhi interjected from the opposite side.
He understood his quasi-brother-in-law very well. Since he had used the word "crisis", he would have had a great impact on the Tang Dynasty, even greater than Buddhism's Eastward Advance.
Li Zhi said this, and there is nothing wrong with it.
In the Chinese army tent at this time, Li Shimin, needless to say, Qin Qiong had been a die-hard loyalist of Li Zhi for a long time. Although Cheng Yaojin had not seen each other often, his two sons had been sent to the "Prince Jin's Mansion" many years ago.
Isn’t it obvious?
Yan Chixia and Sun Simiao, to achieve what they have achieved today, are equally inseparable from Li Zhi, and they have long been tied to Li Zhi's chariot.
As for Qin Huaiyu and Luo Tong, who were standing by, their feelings for Li Zhi were probably even hotter than those of the older generation, and they were even half-disciples of Li Zhi.
Among the Chinese army, the only exception is Xu Maogong. This man has always been known for his resourcefulness and can be called the number one "strategist" in the Tang Dynasty.
Because they have been stationed in northern Xinjiang all year round, Li Zhi met once when he was very young. Now that he is almost thirty years old, there is no intersection between the two.
Previously, Li Shimin asked Xu Maogong to change his surname back to "Xu", and he placed this huge favor on his son Li Zhi. Xu Maogong had already developed a strong affection for Li Zhi in his heart.
Now, seeing what Erlang Zhenjun has to say must be of great importance.
Li Zhi's words, "The people in this tent are all loyal men of the Tang Dynasty, people who followed my father into ecstasy and died" immediately made Xu Maogong completely "zhi".
Yang Jian winked at Li Zhi, and Li Zhi understood. The two secretly joined forces to set up a barrier in the Chinese military tent, completely isolating it from the outside world.
Yang Jian relied on his absolute cultivation and familiarity with many formations, but Li Zhi was very simple. He only relied on the twelfth-grade Pure World White Lotus within the sea of consciousness.
"You are all ministers of the Tang Dynasty, so you naturally understand that human emperors cannot enjoy immortality. Therefore, for a long time in the past, mortal emperors have not been able to complete the 'foundation building'."
"For example, His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty unexpectedly gained five hundred years of cultivation and broke through to the 'Transcending Tribulation' stage in one fell swoop. He must be removed from the throne, otherwise his life will be in danger."
"If Jiulang is allowed to succeed as the emperor, I think the resistance he will encounter will be extremely strong... I am also half of the human race, but I have witnessed the curtain call of the last 'Human Emperor' of the human race..."
Yang Jian's words completely silenced the Chinese army tent.
Anyone dared to talk about this topic. Even Tang Emperor Li Shimin just sat there, his face uncertain, his eyes moving rapidly, no one knew what he was thinking.
……
Yang Jian took the lead to leave the Tang Army Pass in northern Xinjiang, but Li Shimin and others had to stay for a few days.
Such a large battle lasted for more than half a year, using three to four hundred thousand troops, and directly lost at least 150,000 troops.
The war is over, post-war matters must be arranged properly, right?
Fortunately, whether it is Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, Li Shimin or Xu Maogong, they have all been in the army for many years. They need experience and power. Dealing with these things is tedious and takes time. p>
The two brothers of the Cheng family, Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang, finally returned from the "Anbei Protector's Mansion".
When he went there, he led hundreds of thousands of troops. When he came back, it was just the two of them, and they also brought back three war horses that Li Zhi and others had stored in the "Anbei Protector's Mansion".
Lao Cheng was seriously injured before. Although he was rescued by Sun Simiao, his vitality was also severely damaged. It was imperative to return to Beijing to rest.
Therefore, Lao Cheng kept his two sons.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
In Lao Cheng's words, his life was bought with the lives of countless brothers in the army. Now that he is leaving, it must be done by his sons, Lao Cheng.
After Li Shimin discussed with Li Zhi, they agreed to Cheng Yaojin's request, and Li Zhi even passed on the "Ti Jue" and "Heart Dao" to the two brothers.
As for whether the two of them are talented enough, or how far they can reach in the end, it is not something Li Zhi can control.
"Yojin, I heard that your horse 'Big Belly Grasshopper Red' is no longer here. It has been an old friend for many years. I can understand your sad mood."
"This 'Sa Lu Zi' is no longer an ordinary horse, so I gave it to Yao Jin. I hope it can replace your old friend and continue to see the demeanor of the 'Devil King' in the past."
Li Shimin's current level of cultivation no longer requires him to ride a war horse. Even though "Sa Lu Zi" has completed foundation building, it still cannot meet Li Shimin's requirements.
As soon as he heard that Cheng Yaojin's "Big Belly Grasshopper Red" was gone, Li Shimin thought of his own war horse and simply presented the horse to the public today as an affirmation of Lao Cheng's guarding the border for so many years.
Now that Cheng Yaojin is leaving, there is no need for Xu Maogong to stay at the forefront.
The biggest opponents in the Northern Territory of the Tang Dynasty were the Turks who had just been destroyed. Qin Huaiyu and Luo Tong each led 20,000 Tang cavalry and chased them for three hundred miles.
The Turks were killed so miserably that they cried for father and mother, all wishing that their parents had lost two legs.
Not only the more than 40,000 scattered soldiers, but also several logistic support tribes following the Turkic army.
Qin Huaiyu and Luo Tong would not be polite to them. They charged and killed again and made countless gains.
According to incomplete statistics, in the two days of their assault, more than 13,000 Turks were directly killed, and more than 18,000 prisoners were taken.
According to Li Zhi's request, these prisoners were neither killed nor engaged in frivolous things like offering prisoners, but were all incorporated into the "reeducation through labor team".
In the northern Xinjiang of the Tang Dynasty, there were only a few pass fortresses and not even a decent city.
Li Zhi, a later generation, naturally knew that this place could be used to build a city. It would be a shame if so many strong laborers were not used. He had lived in the world of "infrastructure mania" for so many years.
The powerful enemy in the north has been eliminated. It is just a normal garrison. Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang are enough.
However, Xu Maogong did not stay away. Instead, he was appointed as the guardian of the new "Anbei Protectorate", but he had the power to control the Cheng family brothers.
In other words, even though Xu Maogong left the frontier, he was still the highest military officer in northern Xinjiang, and Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang only replaced the original Cheng and Xu to exercise the responsibility of leading troops to garrison.
"Your Majesty, please give this city a name——"
The site for building the city was chosen slightly south between the two largest passes in northern Xinjiang.
The distance between the two passes is only about three hundred miles, and even to the location of the "Anbei Protectorate", it is not more than five hundred miles away.
This city not only serves as a transit point for the rear to support the front line, but also arranges a lot of industries for many disabled and homeless military personnel.
There is less arable land, but large tracts of pasture are divided around the city. Among the 18,000 Turks captured, there are more than 3,000 women and children. They are naturally the best herders.
Qin Huaiyu and Luo Tong plundered the Turkic people's logistics tribes, and naturally gained a lot. Li Shimin spent all of them on the construction of the new city with a stroke of his pen.
Cattle, sheep and supplies will all be rewarded to those Tang generals who are willing to stay in the new city according to their respective military merits.
"Since this is my last military achievement, why not call it 'Zhenguan City', so that future generations will always remember the prosperous age of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty. This is my reign name, and I personally guard this place.
——"
Li Shimin is indeed a master of political showmanship. Even when he builds a city in northern Xinjiang, he has to talk a lot about it.
However, left and right are just the names of a city. Now there is not even a shadow, and no one cares about the quality of the name.
As Li Shimin said, naming it "Zhenguan" can at least reflect the importance that His Majesty the Emperor attaches to it. If the enemy really hits here one day, it may have unexpected effects.
……
Everything in northern Xinjiang has been arranged well, and even the first batch of rewards shipped from Chang'an has arrived. The person leading the team this time is actually Wu King Li Ke.
"I have paid my respects to my father. I have not been to the capital for so many years. I... I am guilty -"
As soon as he entered the Zhongjun tent, Li Ke fell to his knees on the ground, walked forward on his knees, and crawled to the front of Li Shimin's handsome desk, crying.
Li Shimin can be said to have mixed feelings about himself, the third prince.
Li Shimin had many women, as well as many sons and daughters, but the ones he doted on were the ones born to Empress Changsun.
This Li Ke is an exception. His status is a bit special. His mother is a princess of the former Sui Dynasty, and his grandfather is naturally the Sui Yang Emperor Yang Guang who had mixed success and failure, and was far more ruined than praised.
With such an identity, Li Ke is destined to have no fate with Dabao, but this boy has revealed a capable spirit since he was a child.
He is also born with divine power, and his cultivation is different from ordinary people. In terms of personal comprehensive strength, he can definitely be ranked at the forefront of his brothers.
Li Ke's appearance, Li Ke's temperament, and Li Ke's decisive style are the most similar to Li Shimin among the brothers.
Therefore, Li Shimin unconsciously praised him, "English fruit is like me"!
It's a pity that a prince who is destined to miss the great treasure may be okay if he is mediocre, but his performance has been too outstanding since he was a child, which has aroused the fear of many people.
The Guanlong family naturally wanted to stand on the side of Empress Changsun being the direct descendant, but many veterans left over from the former Sui Dynasty still had unrealistic fantasies about Li Ke.
Coupled with Li Shimin's own "lessons from the past", Li Ke has maintained a certain number of fans and possibilities over the years, until he met Li Zhi in Mount Emei.
Li Ke had "ideas" in his mind and was targeted by Li Chengqian, Li Tai and others, so he simply found various reasons to hide in his fiefdom and never return to Chang'an.
This is why for more than ten years, he only sent handwritten letters to Chang'an every time, but never showed up in person.
Li Shimin and Li Ke, father and son, had not seen each other for more than ten years. Seeing the third child who had grown a beard before Shuai's case, Li Shimin unconsciously glanced at Li Zhi next to him.
Now there are only three of them, father and son, in this big tent. Even Qin Huaiyu and Luo Tong hid out wisely.
I just didn’t dare to stay away, so I stayed outside the Chinese military tent.
"Third brother, please get up quickly. I have already made it clear to my father about your difficulties. Let the past go by."
"Now that my father has reached the realm of 'celestial immortal', he is a real immortal. How can an immortal argue with you? Hahaha——"
Li Shimin didn't say anything, but Li Zhi stood up from his seat, came to Li Ke half-jokingly, and personally helped him up from the ground.
Li Ke was still thinking about waiting for his father's edict. Unfortunately, even though he had "natural power", he was not as powerful as Li Zhi now.m
"Ke'er, I heard that Pheasant Nu said that you would go to Chang'an to attend Pheasant Nu's wedding. I am very happy about this. 'Brothers working together can break gold.'"
"Now that I see you, Cheng Qian, and Pheasant Nu, you can get along like this, even if I close my eyes, I can rest assured that I am the country of the Tang Dynasty."
Li Shimin was an extremely strong person at heart. During the thirty years of the Zhenguan Dynasty, he worked hard to govern and finally made the Tang Dynasty the most powerful country in the entire southern continent.
Li Shimin did this not only for his own ambition, but also to let his father Li Yuan and millions of people in the Tang Dynasty see that he, Li Shimin, was the real person destined by destiny.
Unfortunately, deep in Li Shimin's heart, his eldest brother Li Jiancheng and his third brother Li Yuanji who died tragically that year are the eternal pain in his heart.
Li Shimin even felt that it was a "failure" on his part as a human being.
Cultivating one's moral character, harmonizing the family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world are incompatible with those of one's eldest brother and third brother. How can one begin to talk about "harmonizing the family"?
At this point, Li Shimin admired Li Zhi very much.
In fact, Li Shimin didn't even think about it, what is the gap between Li Zhi and his brothers now? He can convince people with "power".
Li Zhi could make those people unable to resist at all with just a move of his hands. How many dimensions does this mean to lower the level of attack?
"After I arrived in Beijing, I learned that my father and the pheasant slaves had come to Northern Xinjiang. It happened that the crown prince's brother and the prime minister had already raised the first batch of rewards, so I volunteered to come here. I was so reckless that I even asked my father to come.
The emperor punishes."
Li Ke, who had been pulled up from the ground by Li Zhi, knelt down again when he said these words.
No matter what his considerations were, a vassal king returned to Beijing privately without receiving an edict, and now he has come to northern Xinjiang. If this was done by the imperial censor, it would definitely be enough for Li Ke to drink.<
/p>
"Haha, what's so reckless about you? I heard that my father and brother were in danger, and I came all the way here regardless of the danger. Do I still have to punish you? Get up quickly——"
Li Shimin's words determined the nature of Li Ke's trip to northern Xinjiang.
At this point, the estrangement between Li Ke and Li Shimin for many years has been completely resolved.
As for what Li Ke would do to Li Zhi, Li Shimin was not worried at all. He was even secretly glad that he had not encountered such a strong competitor as Li Zhi.
Of course, he will not block Li Zhi's way. Li Shimin can't remember which year it started. If Li Zhi wants to sit in his position, Li Shimin will give it up without hesitation.
Just like now, he is the legitimate "Taiwan Emperor", isn't he still the father of these boys?
Among all the civil and military ministers in the army and in the DPRK, can any of them still refuse to obey his orders?
Li Shimin finally figured it out. As long as father and son are united, the key is that they are strong enough. What is the difference between an emperor and an emperor?
In particular, he thought of what Yang Jian said. He witnessed the curtain call of the last "Human Emperor" of the human race.
Yes, compared with the "Human Emperor", what is an ordinary human emperor?
"Ke'er, since you want to come out and serve, I really have something to entrust you with. We are going to build a 'Zhenguan City' in northern Xinjiang, and we have ordered the Ministry of Industry to recruit skilled craftsmen."
"However, I value this city very seriously. Without a trustworthy person in charge, I always feel a little uneasy in my heart."
"You're here just in time. I think you can stay here for three to five years. When the 'Zhenguan City' is built, how about you return to Beijing? It's just a wedding of the pheasant slave, I'm afraid you won't be able to attend..."<
/p>
It's bitterly cold in northern Xinjiang, so it's always inappropriate to send civil servants here, unless those senior civil servants in the court who have practiced cultivation can ask the military commander to supervise this matter. It seems a little uneasy.
Xu Maogong is a very suitable candidate. Unfortunately, seeing how Li Zhi and Xu Maogong have been discussing the situation for several days, they may be planning to make some big move in the "Anbei Protectorate".
Just at this time, Li Ke came to the door.
There is absolutely no problem in terms of ability, and Li Ke has the status of a prince. Now it seems that there is no need to doubt his loyalty to "Datang". This is simply falling from the sky.
"It is my duty as a minister to take care of my father's worries! But please rest assured, father, within five years, a world-famous 'Zhenguan City' will surely stand in the northern border of the Tang Dynasty."
"As for the pheasant slave's wedding, it seems that I really won't be able to attend. However, all the gifts prepared by Er Chen have been placed with Si Zi. I will not be able to go there by then, and the ceremony will always come." p>
It is strange to say that Li Chengqian, Li Tai and Li Ke did not deal with the children of Empress Changsun, but Li Zhi had a good impression of Li Ke. The Si son, Li Mingda, was irresistible to all the royal brothers and sisters.
Exists.
"Haha, I would like to thank Third Brother! Third Brother is born with supernatural powers and is now in the late stage of 'Nascent Soul'. It's just that you'd better not continue to practice your Buddhist skills."
"There is a set of exercises here called 'Physical Techniques', and there is also a set of spear techniques called 'Bloodlust'. Third brother can practice them together. Maybe in the future we, the Tang Dynasty, will also have a 'Northland Spear King'
What?"
Li Zhi was naturally very generous towards Li Ke, who had "surrendered" to him. Besides, this was his third brother, so how could he allow him to continue practicing Buddhist techniques?
"This... this is too precious, little brother, I..."
Feeling the two additional sets of exercises in his mind, Li Ke could feel their extraordinaryness even though he didn't understand them for a while.
Compared with the "six-character maxim" that Mu Zha gave him back then, it seems to be more powerful.
"Ke'er, even though you are my elder brother, you still have to listen to Pheasant Slave when it comes to cultivation. Pheasant Slave is destined to do great things. You are brothers, so you must help me more."
"The techniques that Chengqian is practicing now were also given by Pheasant Nu. He only hopes that you will all become stronger and be able to protect yourself better if something happens in the future!"
There are some words that Li Zhi himself cannot say, but as a father, Li Shimin should point them out on the spot.
"Father, I understand that the pheasant slave is the sun of our Tang Dynasty. I am willing to be the stars guarding him. I must work hard to practice so that I can do my best for our Tang Dynasty!"
Many things are so simple. Once you figure it out, everything will go smoothly. If you are still trying to find a way out, it will cause a lot of trouble.
For example, the Wei King Li Tai who is still in Chang'an City.
In Li Zhi's view, although Li Tai is several years older than him, he is more like a child who has not grown up.
It may also be that I have read too many books. Growing up, I have been surrounded by either some flattering people or some people who are good at writing.
Li Tai lived such an unrealistic life that he developed such a paranoid character.
As for Li Tai, Li Zhi would not touch him, let alone hurt him. Fortunately, Li Tai could still listen to his mother's eldest grandson Wugu's words.
Then let him slowly learn to grow up in his own world.
……
"Father, how do you plan to deal with this person?"
In the Chinese army's tent, Li Shimin and Li Zhi, father and son, were left, but Li Ke took office.
In order to make things easier for him in recent years, Li Shimin even named Li Ke "King of Liang", but did not remove his original title and fiefdom of "King of Wu". This is the salary of the Shishuang King!
He was even appointed as the first city lord of "Zhenguan City" and ordered that when "Zhenguan City" was completed, a monument could be erected to commemorate it.
This is a real opportunity to leave a name in history. Whenever future generations come to this "Zhenguan City" and see the inscription erected, they will naturally think of Li Ke first.
Both Li Zhi and Li Ke understood that this was their father's disguised way of compensating their third prince, and it was also a form of encouragement and appreciation.
Li Ke expressed his gratitude and personally led 20,000 Tang Dynasty cavalry, escorting 18,000 unarmed Turkic prisoners, and rushed to the place where "Zhenguan City" was built.
The drawings of "Zhenguan City" were provided by Li Zhi.
Unlike other cities in the Tang Dynasty, this "Zhenguan City" will probably exist as a border city for a long time.
Defense, production, and commerce are the themes of this "Zhenguan City". Of course, life, education, entertainment and other projects have also been considered by Li Zhi.
But that will have to wait until the second phase. Without enough population and long-term stability, it is difficult for a city to truly develop.
In the Chinese army tent, the Turkic Khan Ashina was pushed in by Qin Huaiyu. With Li Zhi here, he was not even tied with a rope.
"You are the Turkic Khan? I heard that you are a member of the 'Xuanxian'. Now that you have been defeated and captured, what else do you have to say?"
Li Shimin sat in the middle of the room, looking at the Turkic Khan standing in front of him without kneeling, he always felt that this man looked familiar?
Li Shimin had a lot of dealings with the Turks. He had been interacting with the Turks since he was a teenager. During this period, there were fights, mutual use and cooperation.
The Tang Dynasty was a truly eclectic dynasty. If nothing else, many of the generals in the dynasty were foreigners.
For example, Ashina Sheer of the Turkic ethnic group was a Turkic aristocrat. After returning to the Tang Dynasty in the ninth year of Zhenguan, he made great military achievements.
Not only that, he was loyal to the Tang Dynasty and Li Shimin. In another time and space, after Li Shimin passed away, Ashina Sheer even requested to be buried as a sacrifice but was rejected, and was finally buried with Zhaoling after his death.
Li Shimin even once had a confidante, a princess of the Ashina clan, and the "concubine" he married into the palace, Ashina Yan.
Unfortunately, the Tang Dynasty and the Turks were ultimately at war with each other. Even with Ashinayan's marriage, it only brought about a few years of short-lived peace.
In the end, after the Turks were defeated and the Khan was captured, Ashinayan also chose to "commit suicide" to end her short and miserable life.
Seeing that the Turkic Khan in front of him also had the surname Ashina, Li Shimin unconsciously remembered the past again.
After all, she was also one of his confidante. Although the form of their wedding was a "marriage", the relationship between the two was genuine.
They even had a child once.
Unfortunately, unless you are not the person involved, who can really understand the hatred between family and country?
"Hmph, Li Shimin, if you dare, kill me. Anyway, my father, my mother, and all my brothers and sisters will all die in your hands."
"Today, if I die in your hands again, it can be regarded as a reunion of the whole family. It has been thirty years, my father, my son is useless, I can't kill Li Shimin, I can't avenge you -"
This Turkic Khan Ashina suddenly cried bitterly and fell to his knees. The direction in which he was worshiping was clearly the southeast?
"Am I your enemy? Judging from your age, you can't be more than forty years old, right? You are a Turk... No, you are not a Turk, you are from the Tang Dynasty?——"
At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, people of all ethnic groups were mixed, and even the royal family of Li and Tang could not be regarded as pure Han people.
The Turkic Khan Ashina was familiar with him. In addition to speaking fluent Guanzhong dialect, Li Shimin could clearly see his appearance when he was close.
No matter how you look at it, they don’t look like they belong to the Turkic Ashina clan?
But, why is it still so familiar?
"Hahaha, Li Shimin, you said I'm a Turk? That's right. My name is Ashina, and I belong to the Ashina clan, a Turkic aristocracy."
"Hahaha, ridiculous, really ridiculous! Since I am destined to die today, I might as well tell you the truth, I am not a Turk, but a real person from the Tang Dynasty."
"Li Shimin, you used despicable means to steal the Tang Dynasty that belonged to my father, killed us and the three emperor uncles and their family, and forced the emperor to abdicate."
"It's been thirty years, doesn't your conscience still hurt?——"
At this time, Ashina's cockroach suddenly rose up and rushed towards Li Shimin...