In the spring of the third year of the reign of the Han Dynasty, the matter of sending troops to Tibet, which had been delayed for several months, was finally decided. Liu Ling took Liang Guogong Cheng Yihou as the main general, Wei Guogong Zhao Er as the deputy general, and Cheng Yihou's 150,000 troops as the main force.
Jinzhou, Daizhou, Luzhou, Yongzhou and other places mobilized 50,000 troops, and a total of 200,000 troops gathered in Nanchang and headed for the battlefield.
At the end of April, large armies gathered on the Tibetan border.
Dali used all its strength to send 60,000 troops, and sent troops from the south to coordinate with the Han army and invade Tubo territory.
The combat power of the Han army is unparalleled in the world. The powerful Han army once again demonstrated its invincible strength. Starting from the end of April, the Han army marched into Tibet with great success. With sharp artillery fire, heavy crossbows, continuous fire ballistas, etc.
The Tibetan people were frightened by the great weapon, and the Han army fought and won consecutive battles. In just one month, they joined forces with the Dali army, which was advancing hard. The king of Dali personally went out of the camp for thirty miles to greet the Han soldiers, and kowtowed to the north to thank the Han king for his kindness.
It was another June when the grass was growing and the orioles were flying. When the attack on the large palaces in Youzhou was completed, the Han army had already escorted the King of Tibet, his wife, son and other prisoners on the return journey.
"Your Majesty, do you really want to abolish the Oversight Yuan?"
The British Duke Zhao Da, who had been idle at home without any real needs, finally couldn't sit still when he heard that the prince planned to dissolve the Supervisory Yuan. He immediately changed into the official uniform and hurried to the painting garden. After that dinner, Liu Ling
I haven’t seen Zhao Da for almost a year. When I saw him again, I found that Zhao Da’s temples were already white.
"I thought you would be hiding at home."
Liu Ling glanced at Zhao Da casually, her eyes lingering on the white hair on his temples for a moment: "It takes less than one meal to walk from your house to the painting garden."
"I know I'm guilty, but I just... don't have the shame to come see the prince."
Zhao Da said with some fear. The expression on his face was not fake. This year's suppression had worn away a lot of his sharpness and edges. He didn't know whether it was because of the old injury that never healed or because of excitement.
His legs were trembling slightly all the time, which made people feel unbearable. Although Liu Ling did not summon him, he asked Li Dongchangqin to go to the British government several times to nurse Zhao Da's body.
"Sit down. If your legs are not good, don't hold them up."
Liu Ling put down the memorial in his hand, pointed to the chair not far from the desk and said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhao Da did not refuse and sat down on the chair.
"Your Majesty, the courtyard cannot be dismantled."
Zhao Da couldn't help it after all. Liu Ling had interrupted him before. He knew that the prince wanted him to be quiet. Although the fragrant tea brought by the maid was very mellow, and Tingting's steam was rising, the fragrance of the tea was always
It can make people feel relaxed and happy. Zhao Da held the still hot tea cup, but his heart could not calm down for a moment.
"Why?"
Liu Ling did not directly answer Zhao Da's words, but asked instead.
"The courtyard... The courtyard has made countless contributions to the prince. In every battle, the secret spies in the courtyard are at the forefront. To put it bluntly, without the Overwatch Council, it would be difficult for the Han soldiers to achieve victory in every battle.
! There are no less than 30,000 people in the courtyard... there are no less than 30,000 people in the courtyard!"
Liu Ling took a sip of tea and nodded in agreement with Zhao Da's words.
"You are telling the truth. Without the secret spies of the Overwatch Council, the Han Dynasty could not have unified the world so quickly. Without the courtyard, there would indeed be no heroic soldiers of the Han Dynasty that would be invincible in every battle."
He paused and said: "There are no more 30,000 people in the courtyard now. Since last year, civilian positions have been gradually transferred to various ministries, and military personnel have been transferred to the army. Now there are still people in the courtyard who are in the establishment.
There are 7,318 people. Most of these people are spies recruited temporarily by the courtyard, and they all have their own livelihoods."
"But your lord, the world is more peaceful. To abolish the courtyard so quickly will chill the hearts of many people."
This time Zhao Da did not flinch, but looked into Liu Ling's eyes and said: "How important the courtyard is, the prince knows much better than his subordinates. If the courtyard is abolished rashly, I'm afraid many people will feel uncomfortable.
The spies in the courtyard are all over the country, what will they do if the courtyard is gone?"
"The fact that you can ask this means that you know the pros and cons of the Oversight Yuan."
Liu Ling didn't pay attention to the slight disrespect in Zhao Da's tone.
"In wartime, the existence of the Overwatch Council makes it much easier for the army to fight the enemy. As long as the court provides intelligence in battles, the Han army has never lost. You are right, in every battle, rush to the front
They are all secret spies of the Overwatch Council. Without them to gather information first, the war would not go so smoothly. Therefore, the existence of the Overwatch Council at that time was 100% beneficial to me, a big man."
"But there is no war now."
Liu Ling looked at Zhao Da and said: "With the Supervisory Yuan doing nothing, will it be more beneficial or more harmful to stay?"
Liu Ling asked.
Zhao Da opened his mouth: "My subordinates know that the courtyard is no longer of much use. In the future, Tianxia Taiping will use the courtyard less and less. The people in the courtyard will be idle all day long, but their salary will be higher than that of the same level."
The number of officials is three times as high. Although they seem to be in peace now, it won't be long before the civil servants will attack the courtyard in groups. The subordinates all understand this, but the prince should not abolish the entire courtyard, even if... even if it is left
The next small part is fine too!”
He rubbed his sore nose and said: "Leave one place, the responsibility of which is to supervise all officials. This will be of great benefit to the stability of the court in the future. Your Majesty, my subordinates have been away from the courtyard for a year, but they are still here."
Understand the Supervisory Yuan. The imperial court cannot do without the Supervisory Yuan, the subordinates cannot do without the Supervisory Yuan, and the prince cannot do without the Supervisory Yuan!"
"The responsibilities of the Supervisory Yuan have been assigned to the Ministry of Punishment and several yamen in Dali Temple."
Liu Ling said calmly.
"Inspecting all officials?"
He seemed a little angry at Zhao Da for being so stupid and stubborn: "If the courtyard stays, it will be a disaster in the future! There is no one in the courtyard who doesn't know anything, not to mention the officials, even ordinary people, what are they eating tonight? If I want to know,
Just point at a house at random, and it won’t take long for me to know everything clearly. Supervise all the officials! What I’m afraid of is that the people in the yard will do whatever they want with this boundless power!”
He waved his hand to stop Zhao Da from continuing: "I have made it clear. Now shut up and give you a moment to think about whether it is right for you to come to the painting garden today!"
"Subordinate... I really can't bear to part with you!"
Unknowingly, two lines of clear tears fell from the corners of Zhao Da's eyes. This was the first time Liu Ling saw Zhao Da cry. In his memory, the man who stood in front of him was kicked countless times by the prince of the Northern Han Dynasty.
The guy who was pushed to the ground and crushed with no leg bones was as strong as a stone in the toilet, smelly and hard!
But now, Zhao Da has learned to retreat.
"If you don't want to give it up, you can't keep the courtyard after all. Those who can be assigned will be assigned out. In fact, for those who cannot be accepted by the yamen, I will give each person a share of money, at least enough for them to have enough food and clothing."
Half a lifetime. It’s a coincidence that you came here. I will mobilize the troops to surround the courtyard early tomorrow morning. Since you are here, it is you who will do this tomorrow. You have put in a lot of effort and blood and sweat for the big man and the Overwatch Council.
You watched the Overwatch Council grow little by little, so it would be appropriate for you to do the final thing to bring it to an end."
Zhao Da wanted to say something more, but was once again interrupted by Liu Ling: "The enthronement ceremony on the first day of October has basically been prepared. There is still a shortage of an executive officer. According to the grade, it is not high. It is the fourth grade. If you want
When you come back to work, I will reserve this seat for you first. Come to me when you have figured it out, I have a very important seat reserved for you, it is very important."
Liu Ling repeated those three words, "It's very important."
"In my heart, the most important thing is the prince, and this will never change! The second most important thing is the courtyard. I don't know what else can make me feel more important than the Overwatch Council."
Liu Ling smiled: "I will tell you something after the ceremony, but not now."
Zhao Da wanted to persuade Liu Ling again, but Liu Ling stretched out a finger and shook it: "I can postpone it for a day. Tomorrow you go back to the yard to meet those old subordinates, and persuade them for me, and tell them that I
I will not abandon them. With the Overwatch Council gone, I have other things to arrange for them to do."
"Zhao Da."
Liu Ling shouted.
"Your Majesty, please give me your instructions."
Liu Ling rolled her eyes at Zhao Da and said, "After all these years, haven't you ever thought about changing yourself to a name that can be on the stage?"
"name?"
Zhao Da was a little confused.
"Zhao Da, it's too tacky!"
I don't know why Liu Ling suddenly mentioned this: "This was a name your father randomly chose. At that time, you and Zhao Er were still slaves, so it didn't matter if you called him by a random name. But now you and Zhao Er are both slaves."
Your Majesty, don’t you think this name is a bit shabby?”
Zhao Da raised his head and answered Liu Ling's words seriously: "It's tacky, Zhao Da, just like the names of cats and dogs."
"But I am just the prince's dog!"
He bit his lip and there was no doubt: "A loyal dog!" (To be continued)
