In the fourth year of Wuxing's reign, 500,000 grassland coalition troops entered the border pass and stopped at Yumen Pass, unable to advance even an inch.
When the news spread back to the Heluo land in Guanzhong, it immediately caused an uproar.
No one expected that the Wu border army would be so powerful. With only tens of thousands of soldiers and horses scattered in dozens of cities, they could stop the attack of 500,000 grassland coalition forces.
For a time, Li Jing, the general of the Wu army who was personally stationed at Yumen Pass, became famous and was praised by the officials and the people as a contemporary famous general. He was in the limelight for a while.
You must know that at this time, it was not enough time since the Sui Emperor Yang Guang was besieged by 300,000 Turkic troops in Yanmen County in the eleventh year of Daye.
Thinking back to that year, 300,000 Turkic cavalry attacked like a wave. In one month, they attacked thirty-six frontier fortresses and blocked Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty on the line of the Great Wall in Yanmen County. This was a sharp front.
No matter whether there is something fishy in it or not, the strength of the Turkic cavalry is universally recognized as the most powerful army in the Eastern world.
Unexpectedly, the grassland coalition army, which also had 300,000 elite Turkic soldiers as its backbone, stopped outside Yumen Pass and returned in vain after several battles. This result is incredible.
Many people and forces who wanted to see Emperor Wu's Thunder Tiger joke were disappointed. Many secretly cursed the grassland coalition forces as trash. This time, I am afraid that not only will they not be able to affect Emperor Wu's reputation, but they will also add to his reputation. It's simply
There is no reason for this.
The origins of frontline general Li Jing were also easily known by the major forces. Why did such a talented man with great military skills not have much reputation before?
The world of Shuanglong in the Tang Dynasty is different from the official history. Li Jing did not rely on the name of his relative Han Qinhu, but had an early connection with the Yue King Yang Su, and he was famous at a young age.
No one expected that there would be such a commander-level general hidden in Du Fuwei's Jianghuai Army.
I'm afraid Du Fuwei is so regretful that his intestines are turning green at this time?
Just when the powerful forces of the family were secretly depressed, Emperor Wu Leihu suddenly summoned the heads of the powerful families, including Li Yuan, Dugu Feng, and Yuwen Shang to discuss important matters.
The three frustrated nobles were confused, but when Emperor Wu called him, they didn't dare not go.
The current Wu Empire is no longer dominated by aristocratic families. Although the aristocratic families are still powerful, anyone with a discerning eye can see that officials from Jiangdong are quickly seizing their power and territory.
If it had been during the Sui Dynasty, the three major clans would have killed many people. The majesty of the family clans cannot be violated, not even the emperor!
It's a pity that they are all losers now. The situation of the Dugu Clan is better, but the situation is limited. The power of the Dugu Clan in the court is not as good as before. This is the result of the Dugu Clan's collusion with Emperor Wu early on.
As for the Li clan and the Yuwen clan, they were serious losers.
The strength in his hands is still strong, but unfortunately his voice in the court has shrunk to the extreme.
The three families all know in their hearts that if things continue like this, in a few decades the power of the three families will completely decline from the top. This is not a result that the three families want to see.
It's just that Emperor Wu was powerful, even more powerful than Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty Yang Jian. The main reason was that he didn't have to rely on powerful families. His control over the world was so strong that it was almost hard for them to breathe.
They did not think that Emperor Wu would settle the matter. Otherwise, during the war and hostility, wouldn't it have been better to just take advantage of the situation and destroy the Li clan and the Yuwen clan?
It is difficult for the Dugu family to support such a huge situation.
Since Emperor Wu allowed the power of the three great clans to be well preserved, he obviously would not play the trick of settling accounts after the end, and there should be other arrangements.
The three of them arrived at the side hall of the palace, but there were already several "acquaintances" sitting inside.
Former Jianghuai Army leader Du Fuwei and second leader Fu Gongyou, former Poyang Gang leader Lin Shihong, former Baling Gang deputy gang leader Xiao Xi, former Hebei Rebel leader Dou Jiande, and Yingyang faction duo Liang Shidu and Liu Wuzhou, former East
They all guarded Wang Shichong, and even Li Mi, the former leader of Wagang Village, came and surrendered as a general.
Seeing the arrival of the heads of the three great clans, the heroes who were staring at each other in the side hall were even more confused as to what Emperor Wu was thinking.
Could it be that he was successful in the frontier war and wanted to show off in front of losers like them?
Emperor Wu would definitely not be so superficial, but they really couldn't think of any other reasons.
The atmosphere in the side hall was dull, but it did not become lively just because the three gate lords appeared.
There are all heroes present, and even though their forces may have been large or small, they are all dominant. Naturally, they will not feel inferior to others, especially when there are losers here.
Just when the atmosphere was awkward and a little depressing, Lei Hu walked in from outside the palace, ignored the dull atmosphere, and said with a smile: "Everyone has been waiting for a long time!"
"Greetings to Your Majesty!"
In the side hall, all the defeated heroes stood up to salute. This was a sign of respect for the victors, and also a token of gratitude to Emperor Wu for his mercy.
It has never been heard that losers who compete for the world can survive like them, and live a good life, and are not treated too harshly.
This was remarkable, and they were deeply moved by Emperor Wu's broad-mindedness.
"Everyone, please sit down and let's not talk nonsense!"
Lei Hu waved his hand, motioning for the frustrated heroes present to sit down, and straight to the point: "I summoned you all this time for your future arrangements!"
As soon as these words came out, all the heroes present cheered up. They had been waiting for this day for a long time.
"You are all momentary heroes. You have all had the experience of dominating one party before. It is unrealistic to ask you to be honest and peaceful!"
Lei Hu's words frightened all the frustrated heroes present, and it was a bit heartbreaking.
Seeing that everyone's expressions changed drastically and they wanted to explain, Lei Hu waved his hand to stop him and said: "Young people don't tell secrets. Since I am willing to save your lives, I will naturally not ask you to look good for such a small thing!"
You didn't tell me earlier!
All the frustrated heroes present secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and their originally tense minds suddenly relaxed.
"The grassland coalition forces are invading. Regardless of their ferocity, they will definitely be defeated this time!"
Lei Hu didn't take it seriously and said calmly: "Your way out is at the end of the grassland and the Western Region thousands of miles away!"
The originally relaxed minds of the frustrated heroes present were tense again, their faces were all ugly, and the atmosphere was even more depressing. Emperor Wu's words definitely had bad intentions.
Their way out is at the end of the grassland, and is there another land in the Western Region thousands of miles away?
Is it possible that Emperor Wu wanted to exile them all there?
Is it too harsh?
Even though all the heroes present failed, they couldn't help but feel resentful. The eyes they looked at Emperor Wu were full of anger and unwillingness.
Dugu Feng's face was extremely ugly. If he had known that Emperor Wu was such a person who wanted to burn bridges by crossing rivers, he would not have joined forces with Emperor Wu when he was killed.
Relying on the status of being in the same camp, he bit the bullet and said: "Does your Majesty want to exile us?"
As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the side hall suddenly became tense. Everyone's eyes were focused on Emperor Wu, wanting an explanation.
"Master Dugu is overthinking, and I have no intention of teasing you!"
Lei Hu waved his hand and said with a smile: "When the grassland coalition is defeated, I will allow you to conquer the Western Region of Mobei. Dawu needs you to build a strong defense line at the farthest border!"
The frustrated heroes in the side hall were completely confused. They didn't know what Emperor Wu meant by his words.
"To put it bluntly, I want you to establish a vassal state outside the borders that Wu can control!"
Lei Hu smiled leisurely and said: "Otherwise, why would I leave you alive? How about keeping you in captivity?"
boom!
All the frustrated heroes in the side hall exploded. They were all stunned and didn't know what to say. Their mouths were wide open with shock on their faces and they couldn't recover for a long time.
Create a vassal state and establish a country!
Fortunately, Emperor Wu could figure it out, but their hearts were burning.
As Emperor Wu said before, they have already tasted the taste of power, so how can they really be willing to be a rich man or one who is kept under surveillance?
Especially the three powerful clans. Their power is so strong that they will not be willing to be suppressed by Emperor Wu all the time. If they are really weakened to a certain extent, there will inevitably be a rebellion to determine the outcome.
As long as Emperor Wu is in power, all fools know what the final outcome will be.
For the three great clans, as long as they remain in Dawu, their future outcome is doomed.
But things are different now. Emperor Wu gave another way: to enfeoff Fan and establish the country!
Although they need to travel to the distant Mobei and the Western Regions, they are able to take charge of their own affairs. It is estimated that life will be more difficult than in Dawu, but they can't help but be able to take charge of their own country and become the leaders of a feudal country recognized by Dawu.
The conditions given are not unfavorable.
However, even though I was very moved in my heart, I couldn't agree directly. It showed that I was too eager and out of style.
However, Lei Hu saw through the thoughts of the frustrated heroes present at a glance and said angrily: "Don't play those vain things, let's talk about the Li family. Among the sons under the Li clan leader, who is the simple master?"
Li Yuan's face turned slightly red and he wanted to say something, but thinking of the noisy sons at home, he didn't know what to say.
There were no fools present, and they had heard about the fights among Li Yuan's sons.
"I'm not being alarmist. The main reason is that Li Clan does not have enough resources to arrange for your sons. In the end, there may be a bloody conflict. Li Er has the support of Buddhists!"
Lei Hu smiled and said: "With the strength of the Li clan, it should not be difficult to destroy a few small countries in the Western Region and establish several vassal states spanning thousands of miles. When the time comes, it will not be difficult to enfeoff your careless sons.
Saved a lot of trouble!”
Without waiting for Li Yuan to express his position, he stated his position directly and said with a smile: "I just happened to divert the restless people in Buddhism away. Out of sight, out of mind!"
Li Yuan smiled bitterly. He had already promised in his heart but he didn't want to show it too much. None of the frustrated heroes present were willing to give up such an opportunity...