Fang Jun rushed to the East Palace. There was already a chamberlain waiting at the door, so he led Fang Jun directly into the Li Zheng Hall without any need for communication.
In the hall, Xiao Yu, Li Daozong, Ma Zhou, Cen Wenwen and others were all present, as if there was a political affairs hall meeting...
When Fang Jun entered the room, he first bowed to the ground to Prince Li Chengqian who was in the middle, and then bowed his hands to everyone.
Afterwards, Cui Dunli, who was standing in the palace, bowed and saluted him: "I have seen the minister."
When Fang Jun saw that Cui Dunli's originally fair and plump face had become dark and thin, and his eyes were bloodshot, he knew that these days must have been difficult, so he nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "It's good to come back.
"
Then he sat down on a chair nearby.
Cui Dunli felt a warm current in his heart. This brief greeting clearly showed Fang Jun's concern. Compared with others who couldn't wait to know about Tuyuhun's situation, Fang Jun's attitude was obviously more warm.
His words gave him the urge to "die for a confidant"...
People are all emotional. Even if they understand that in the face of national crisis, personal life and death, honor and disgrace have long been ignored, who can really be as ruthless as a machine?
A simple greeting and care is enough to touch your heart and make you feel warm.
Li Chengqian was not a cold-blooded person. Seeing Cui Dunli's haggard face, he said warmly: "You don't have to stand, Mr. Cui. Let's sit down and talk."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Cui Dunli thanked him and sat on the last chair.
Fang Jun took a sip of tea and asked: "To delay it for so long without any news coming back?"
Before going on the mission, this mission was considered very dangerous, because if Tuyuhun decided to rebel, he would probably kill the envoys of the Tang Dynasty and completely break his face. Therefore, Cui Dunli did not return for many days, and there was no news from him.
Fang Jun even thought that he was killed by Tuyuhun to sacrifice the flag...
However, now they have to return to Chang'an in full, which is a bit illogical.
Since Tuyuhun didn't kill Cui Dunli, why couldn't the news spread about him?
Cui Dunli said respectfully: "The lower official arrived at Tuyuhun Yazhang with a national martial arts. He met Tuyuhun King Fushun and asked him why he was evil-minded and wanted to rebel now that the whole clan was attached to him. At first, Fushun made many excuses, denied them in every possible way, and flatly denied them.
.Later, Kaixiaguan unexpectedly saw Tibetan soldiers around his tent. He became suspicious, so he broke into a tent and saw the Tibetan Prime Minister Lu Dongzan."
Everyone in the hall immediately looked serious.
Tuyuhun's tens of thousands of fine cavalry have already put Chang'an in danger. If it is true that he colluded with Tubo behind the scenes, the two countries do not even need to join forces. Tubo only needs to send an army to support Tuyuhun to cross the Qilian Mountains and attack the counties in Hexi. It will be difficult for the Tang Dynasty to hold on.
.
Facing the powerful troops of both countries at the same time, Fang Jun's 20,000 right-hand guards had no chance of winning...
Cui Dunli continued: "...After Fushun learned about this, he wanted to kill the official and keep it a secret. He probably wanted to completely block the news and make the Tang Dynasty unprepared. However, Lu Dongzan tried his best to dissuade him and ordered the official to be kept secret.
He was preserved and released, so that he could return safely."
Having said this, he himself breathed out a sigh of relief, but there was still lingering fear in his heart.
He was in the enemy camp at that time, with only dozens of soldiers guarding him. It was effortless for Fushun to kill him. Being so close to death, but then escaping, it was hard to avoid feeling emotional.
Xiao Yu was stroking his beard at the side. When he heard this, he praised Fang Jun: "When Erlang came up with the 'highland barley wine', everyone in the government and the public thought it was just nonsense. However, it was later discovered that it was really a clever move.
, without spending a single soldier, they pinned Tubo to the plateau and did not dare to move. It was really a brilliant plan!"
They are all big bosses who have been involved in intrigues and intrigues in the court for decades. Just from Cui Dunli's story, you can understand why Lu Dongzan saved his life.
As Fang Jun had speculated before, Tubo did not dare to go to war with the Tang Dynasty.
"Highland barley wine" has become the lifeblood of Tubo. While it has brought huge profits to the Tubo nobles and powerful people, it has also suffered an unprecedented impact on its internal political structure. The noble powerful people use highland barley wine to greedily grab profits. Who dares to cut off their power?
Whoever has the source of wealth is the one they must overthrow. Under such circumstances, even Songtsen Gampo would not dare to act rashly.
Once Tubo and Datang went to war, the "Eastern Datang Company" would be cut off from trade with Tubo. Barley wine could not be sold and grain could not be transported in. Not only would the interests of those nobles and powerful men be greatly harmed, but they would even suffer from food shortages.
Leading to a sharp decline in strength.
Under such circumstances, all the nobles and powerful people in Tubo turned into "peace advocates". Whoever dared to start a war with the Tang Dynasty would be their enemy!
Therefore, Lu Dongzan could not watch Fu Shun kill Cui Dunli, otherwise he would not be able to clear away the relationship, which would make Datang think that the two countries had formed an alliance.
With the tyranny of the Tang Dynasty, even if His Majesty Li Er was on an expedition to Liaodong at the moment, he would definitely start a war on Tibet immediately and launch retaliatory actions.
How dare Lu Dongzan let that happen?
Tubo could secretly encourage Tuyuhun and even provide some support, but there must not be a shred of evidence on the surface.
Li Daozong glanced at Fang Jun and admired him from the bottom of his heart. Who would have thought that a seemingly nonsense move would have such a far-reaching impact?
It's nothing more than pulling firewood out of the cauldron.
He nodded and said: "In other words, Tubo has scruples and will not participate in Tuyuhun's rebellion."
Although Tuyuhun has not rebelled until now, but since he has the intention to kill the envoys of the Celestial Dynasty, what is the difference between it and rebellion?
It's just a matter of sooner or later. Rebellion is inevitable.
Naturally, it was not good news, and the little hope that the government and the public had originally had was completely dashed, and a war was inevitable.
But if Tubo does not get involved, it would be a blessing among misfortunes.
Otherwise, the outcome would have been doomed before Fang Jun left the Hexi counties...
After Cui Dunli finished describing his experience in detail, Li Chengqian nodded and said: "Cui Shilang has worked hard on this trip, and the court will not treat him poorly for his achievements. However, the current situation is difficult, and I still need capable ministers and officials like Cui Shilang."
Assistant, so go home and rest for a while, then go to the Ministry of War for duty tomorrow. You are not being mean and unkind, the Youtun Guards are about to go on an expedition, and everyone in the Ministry of War is busy, so Cui Shilang has to take on more responsibilities."
Cui Dunli hurriedly stood up and said: "I am deeply favored by the emperor, so I should die to repay my favor. I dare not be praised by His Highness like this."
He knew that the dangers he had gone through were worth it. With Li Chengqian's words, his achievements were certain.
Waiting for Cui Dunli to say goodbye and leave, Li Chengqian looked around at everyone and asked: "Since Tubo will hardly participate in the Tuyuhun rebellion, what chance does the Youtun Guard have to guard the counties in Hexi?"
He was still worried about letting Fang Jun go to Hexi, but the situation was such that Fang Jun would not be promoted unless Fang Jun could do it, and he became increasingly worried.
This was his loyal minister and close friend. If he died in Hexi, wouldn't it be equivalent to losing one of his arms?
Before the others could speak, Fang Jun said decisively: "The counties in Hexi must not be lost! Therefore, regardless of whether Tubo participated in Tuyuhun's rebellion, Hexi is still a place to defend. Even if the blood of the ministers is spilled in Hexi, they will never be cut off by Tuyuhun.
The road from Chang'an to the Western Regions will not allow Guanzhong to face Tuyuhun's army directly!"
No one expected that at the height of the Tang Dynasty, when the whole country was marching to Goguryeo, something like the Tuyuhun rebellion would happen.
However, no matter what, the martial arts of the Tang Dynasty was at its peak at this time, and they had always been the only ones to bully others. How could they allow the barbarian tribe to stir up trouble and make trouble in the heart of the Tang Dynasty?
Fang Jun knew better that only by defeating Tuyuhun and frightening Tubo could the Tang Dynasty develop rapidly, preventing the central government from declining and military power to fall apart like in history. He had to rely on the warlords of the feudal towns to maintain the corrupt situation, and finally became a separatist regime of feudal towns.
disaster.
In the battle of Hexi, only victory is allowed, not defeat.
Li Daozong frowned and said: "Regardless of whether Tubo is involved or not, the battle in Hexi is full of hardships. We must fight the bandits with determination to the death. There is never any luck in the battle formation. If the Youtun Guards are defeated, I will ask for a fight; if I am a minor minister, I will fight."
If the battle is defeated, please His Highness lead the imperial army to supervise the battle! Even if the blood of the children of Guanzhong is stained with the yellow sand and corpses are scattered all over the fields, the land west of Hexi cannot be lost at all!"
He was keenly aware of Li Chengqian's worries about gains and losses.
It is understandable that Fang Junnai is the humerus that the prince relies on, and he does not want him to encounter accidents in Hexi. However, when facing an enemy in a battle, if you always have the mentality of "if you can't beat, run and save yourself", how will you fight this battle? Even if there is no Tibetan enemy.
Participation, Tuyuhun's tens of thousands of elite cavalry is no joke. The enemy is outnumbered and we are outnumbered. The enemy is strong and we are weak. If you don't have the will to die, just surrender and admit defeat.
The prince had never fought in a war, let alone been on the battlefield, so Li Daozong had to guide his luck.
When two armies meet, the brave one wins.
What is "courage"? Treat death as if it were home, and live after death.