Li Siwen knelt on the ground with his head bowed, not daring to raise his head. He was already prepared to face the storm. He lost the city this time. No matter what, he had a responsibility that he couldn't shirk. He had already done his best along the way.
He built up his mind and felt at peace at this time. No matter how Li Ji blamed him, he could accept it.
"Erlang..." Li Ji called out, and Li Siwen lowered his head and said, "Father, the son is unworthy. He has disgraced his father's face and disgraced the family lintel. The son has nothing to say or defend himself. The father beats and scolds him."
, my son has suffered, and I can only ask for one thing." Li Siwen mustered up the courage, slowly raised his head, looked directly into Li Ji's eyes, and said: "I just ask my father to allow me to stay, Dingxiang City has turned into a
It's a scorched earth, and I want to stay and rebuild. Even if I don't become a county magistrate, I just want to be a small official. Father, please let me stay."
Li Ji looked at Li Siwen's eyes and was infected by the determination in his eyes. He stood up and walked over to help him up and said, "Erlang, you don't have to blame yourself too much. This is also a father's fault."
Li Siwen was shocked and said repeatedly: "What's wrong with my father? It's all the son's fault. The son has no talent, no resourcefulness, and made a mess. What does it have to do with the father!"
Li Ji waved his hand and motioned for Li Siwen to sit on the chair next to him. Li Siwen sat down cautiously and heard Li Ji say: "It's not that you have no talent, and as a father, I have never cultivated your talent in this area. I originally thought,
I have two sons. One is civil and one is military. Your brother is going to inherit the title. I am a military general, so I want to train your brother to be a martial artist, so I named him Zhen, which means to frighten the three armies. But I don’t want your brother to be weak.
, I don’t like martial arts, but love literature. I read and write poems all day long. And you, I originally wanted you to learn literature, so I named you Si Wen, but you just can’t read books and fight in the street every day. Slowly, I want you to learn literature.
Your thoughts about joining the imperial court and becoming an official have faded away. I just want you to be a rich man, and I never mentioned this career to you. Now that I think about it, it is all my father's fault."
Li Siwen was even more frightened. He knelt on the ground and said, "It's all children who are unworthy. My father is not at fault. Please don't say this. Otherwise, the children will be embarrassed."
Li Ji sighed and said: "That's all, the past is over, and there is no use in talking about it now. I sent you a letter that day because I thought that after receiving the letter, you would immediately flee with the people in the city. I didn't expect that my son is still a capable person.
It was a bloody battle." Li Ji said with a smile: "This incident greatly exceeded my father's expectations, but I am also very pleased. My son is not afraid of danger and dares to face the enemy, which really impressed me."
Li Siwen lowered his head and said, "Father, please don't praise me. Now that I think about it, my son is breaking out in cold sweat. Li Mu's words are still ringing in his ears. My son was selfish, and just to preserve his integrity as a loyal minister, he almost lost the lives of the people in the city. I feel extremely ashamed."
"
"This is a pertinent statement." Li Ji helped Li Siwen up again and said, "But it is not easy for you to have such determination. You are right, integrity is the most important thing for a minister. But for a general, integrity is the most important thing.
, as a commander, you have to think more. There is nothing wrong with you holding on to the city, but you have to think clearly about the purpose of holding on. If you are a barrier for the Chinese army, you must defend even if you know that it cannot be defended. This is related to the overall situation. But this time the decision
In the battle of Xiangcheng, we have no soldiers, and the enemy has thousands of people. The art of war is clear, and we should not pursue the poor bandits. It is just a group of poor bandits. Fighting with our lives is not worth it. However, the matter is special, and you guard this day like a fool.
It seems from time to time that it has been of great use, and it can be regarded as a meritorious service. You have also arranged the affairs of Empress Xiao and Yang Zhengdao very well."
"What's the big use?" Li Siwen asked in confusion: "What's the use?"
"A treasure house was discovered in Dingxiang City. It was used by Jie Li Zang to plunder the treasures from the Central Plains over the years. It has just been roughly finished. It contains about 200,000 silver coins, jewelry, calligraphy and paintings. If you don't keep this day, these treasures will be gone.
Already?"
"Two hundred thousand guan!" Li Siwen was so shocked that he couldn't close his jaw. This is more than 200,000 guan. It's not certain whether His Majesty's internal funds are that much. This profit is really a money grab.
Li Ji also sighed: "Yeah, I didn't expect to have such a large sum of money. Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, the people have been overwhelmed by the continuous wars. With this money, most of the cost of sending troops this time has been covered."
, the common people can also pay less taxes and have some time to breathe."
Li Siwen suddenly remembered the matter of the imperial seal and hurriedly asked. Li Ji immediately became cautious and asked, "You also know at this time?"
"Ah?" Li Siwen was a little confused and said, "Of course I know. Li Mu told me that Princess Yicheng returned this time, firstly for Yang Zhengdao, and secondly to pass on the national jade seal. Is he wrong?
"
Li Ji looked at him and asked, "Besides you two, who else knows?"
"Dad, how can we talk about such an important matter everywhere? Don't worry, only we two know."
Li Ji breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It's fine if only you two know about it. This is a serious matter, so the fewer people know about it, the better. Li Mu guessed it right, Princess Yicheng came here to pass on the imperial seal, and he has already killed Yicheng
Princess, I got the imperial seal."
"Great!" Li Siwen was overjoyed and said: "Back then, the emperor issued a decree that anyone who finds the jade seal handed down from the country will be made a marquis regardless of the source. So, does Li Mu want to be made a marquis?"
"What nonsense!" Li Ji glared at Li Siwen and said, "Those are the words of the Supreme Emperor back then. Now sitting in the court is His Majesty. There will definitely be rewards, but what they will be depends on how His Majesty decides.
, you can also talk nonsense about this kind of thing?"
"I know I'm wrong, I know I'm wrong." Li Siwen said quickly, but the joy on his face could not be concealed. He was really happy for Li Mu.
Li Ji looked at his son's silly look and felt helpless and a little envious. The emotions of his youth were always so simple and touching. After a few years and more experience, people's hearts will become much colder.
He is no longer what he was when he was a teenager.
"Erlang, let me ask you, this Li Mu...is he really just an ordinary citizen of Mayi County as you said in your letter?"
"Ah! There is one thing that I haven't even had time to tell my father. Li Mu's father was a halberd commander in our Tang Dynasty army. He died in battle not long after he was born. There is nothing else."
"Oh." Li Ji nodded and said, "Okay, you go down and rest, and I'll meet the other people who came with you."
"Father, please tell me a little more. Apart from me and Li Mu, the other six people are also righteous men. Please give me a reward without hesitation!"
"I have my own arrangements, you can go down."
"Thank you father!"
Li Siwen got the guarantee and went out diligently. Li Ji did not doubt what Li Siwen said, but he was thinking in his heart, how could a young man from an ordinary background have such great abilities? Is it really what Yuan Tiangang said?
Is there anyone in this world who possesses wisdom?