"I heard he is the Marquis of the Tang Dynasty. He is so handsome."
"Miss, I finally found a good home -"
As soon as Li Mu came to the door of Zhangjiaji, many people gathered around him. Li Mu didn't know anyone and didn't dare to offend anyone. Who knows if the old lady he met was Zhang Tianai's aunt? What if he said that wrongly?
Still have to be beaten.
"Xian son-in-law, you are finally here. Come on, come on, let's go into the house and talk."
Zhang Xun diligently helped Li Mu off his horse and said to the crowd of spectators: "Everyone, listen to me, today my son-in-law comes to propose marriage. There will be a flowing banquet for everyone. Eat well and drink well, and you will not come home until you are drunk."
Everyone shouted and were very happy, including the girl in the family who was not married. Seeing that Li Chongyi was tall and tall, with satisfaction in his eyes, he wished he could just tuck his girl into his bed. He lived in the northwest.
People are used to admiring heroes, and Li Chongyi's image is undoubtedly that of a great hero.
Li Mu gave Li Chongyi a self-seeking look and followed Zhang Xun into the house.
Zhang Xun seemed very happy today. Firstly, Li Mu came to propose marriage, and his daughter had a home. Secondly, since Li Mu was here, it meant that his promise would be fulfilled. After so many years of planning, there was finally a result. How could he not
Are you happy?
A banquet had been prepared in the room. Zhang Xun enthusiastically pulled Li Mu to sit down and said, "Sit down quickly, dear son-in-law. I knew you were coming. I asked Tian Ai a long time ago what you like to eat, and I specially prepared it for you——
"
"Father-in-law," Li Mu interrupted Zhang Xun and said, "No need to be polite, let's get down to business first. Father-in-law, King Gaochang's affairs may have to change a bit."
"What do you mean?" Zhang Xun's expression suddenly turned cold. He stared into Li Mu's eyes and said, "Do you want to regret it?"
"No, I don't want to regret it." Li Mu took a deep breath and said, "It's just a little different from what my father-in-law thought. This is also the most appropriate approach that I can think of in the past few days that is acceptable to all parties. Otherwise, even if
I promised my father-in-law to assist him in becoming the king of Gaochang, but my father-in-law's throne is not secure either."
Zhang Xun snorted: "I told you, I don't want stability!"
"But I want my father-in-law to be safe." Li Mu said seriously, lowering his voice, "I also want to leave an escape route for myself, just in case something happens in the future."
"Huh?" Zhang Xun looked at Li Mu and frowned, as if he was trying to tell whether Li Mu's words were true or false.
Li Mu's words are naturally false. Even if he leaves a retreat for himself, it will be to the south or to the sea. The retreat that he can escape one day will definitely not be in the hinterland of the land. But he must say this, because it is the only way.
Only Zhang Xun will believe him, and Zhang Xun will definitely believe him. For a conspirator, if he uses himself to save others, he will feel that if he is Li Mu, he will definitely leave a way out.
"Let's talk about it first."
"Father-in-law, you have already guessed that the Tang Dynasty will follow the example of the Han Dynasty and operate the Silk Road. But the Tang Dynasty does not yet have such strength. The reason is obvious. The Tang Dynasty has gone through several battles and has not yet recovered. Furthermore, there are many people in the Western Regions.
The Western Turks, Tuyuhun, and Xue Yantuo in the north are all near the Silk Road, and the Tang Dynasty does not yet have the strength to make them surrender."
"So, in the next ten or even twenty years, when Datang deals with these countries, they will have to use non-war means. When countries give up the method of war to resolve disputes, many things need to be discussed.
, it’s like doing business. Father-in-law, what do you think is the most important condition for doing business?”
"Money?" Zhang Xun made a random guess and said with a bitter smile: "I really don't know much about business, and I'm not as good as you."
"My father-in-law is wrong. The most important thing in business is not money. It's equality. You and I can talk together, so that we can make a long-term deal. Otherwise, it's just a one-time deal and it will never last."
Zhang Xun frowned and said: "But countries have strengths and weaknesses. For example, huge countries like Tang Dynasty and Western Turks. How can they be equal to small countries like Qiuci Yanqi?"
"This is what I want my father-in-law to do." Li Mu said seriously: "A small country may not be significant. But what if my father-in-law connected all the small countries on the Silk Road?" As he said that, Li Mu picked up a chopstick and lightly
He gently broke the chopsticks and broke them. He took a few more pairs and stacked them together, indicating to Zhang Xun: "Father-in-law, a chopstick can be broken at will, but a pair of chopsticks is not so easy. For this reason, father-in-law can
clear?"
"Even if Your Majesty is dissatisfied with your father-in-law in the future, when he wants to touch you, he will also consider how the countries, large and small, along the entire Silk Road will view the Tang Dynasty. Those in high positions will plan the overall situation, and he will definitely
You won't lose a big deal for a small sum. The closer your father-in-law connects the small countries on this road, the more stable you will be. My son-in-law says this, does your father-in-law understand?"
Zhang Xun was silent and did not respond. After a while, he laughed and said: "A good son-in-law is really an important minister of the Tang Dynasty."
"Oh?" Li Mu pretended to be confused and said blankly: "My son-in-law is thinking about his father-in-law, so why is he involved with a loyal minister of the Tang Dynasty? Isn't this irrelevant?"
"You are smart, so don't treat others as fools." Zhang Xun said displeased: "You know that I have been working hard in the Western Regions for many years, and my eyes are all over the countries in the Western Regions. You clearly want to use me to help the Tang Dynasty open up trade in the Western Regions.
Lu, a calculation is just a calculation, why are you pretending?"
Seeing that he had been discovered, Li Mu stopped pretending and said, "What my father-in-law said was a bit hurtful? You said that I plotted against you, okay, I admit it, it is true, but who is my plot for? No.
Is it also so that you can sit on the throne? If you were not my father-in-law, I should have betrayed my faith at this time, directly led the army to attack, and killed all the old and young people in Zhangjiazhai. I think, no matter how capable your swarm is,
You can’t stop the 50,000 Tang Dynasty cavalry, right?”
Seeing what Zhang Xun was about to say, Li Mu added, "You know, I can do it."
Zhang Xun snorted and said: "If you were not my son-in-law, I would not help you!" Although he was not convinced, he believed what Li Mu said. When he killed people in Gaochang, he had no human feelings at all.
"So, father-in-law, we are a family, let's not talk about who is plotting against whom. This is good for you, good for me, and also an explanation for His Majesty. Do you think it is okay or not? Please tell me."
Zhang Xun said angrily: "Can I still say no now? You have already made plans. If I don't agree, if you really lead troops to attack, wouldn't it mean that thousands of people in my Zhangjiazhai will be dead?"
Li Mu smiled and said: "Father-in-law, my son-in-law just said that. If you don't agree, I won't do it. After all, I have to recognize my wife. But if you don't agree, my son-in-law will have to be in more trouble. First
It’s too troublesome to let you sit here for a few days, King Gaochang, and then think of ways to get you down. It’s great to say this, and everyone will be happy.”
Li Mu poured a glass of wine for Zhang Xun, and Zhang Xun drank it and said: "Don't say it so nicely. I can take a step back, but you have to tell me, what should I do about this matter?"
"Father-in-law, listen to me."
Li Mu came close to Zhang Xun's ear and muttered for a while. The more Zhang Xun listened, the brighter his eyes became. After listening, he gave Li Mu a glass of wine. Weng and his son-in-law looked at each other and laughed.
…
Li Mu stayed in Zhangjiaji for three days and then returned to Dingxiang to prepare for the "Dingxiang Alliance" a few days later. On the second day of his visit to Zhangjiaji, Li Ji and Hou Junji let go
Ni Shou returned to Camel Valley. Although Li Mu repeatedly said that Ni Shou would not break his promise, Li Ji still led his troops to station outside the valley. However, the news that came later dispelled Li Ji's worries. After Ni Shou returned,
At the west entrance of Camel Valley, I met with the leaders of the Western Turkic tribes, and was recognized by most people. However, there were also a small number of people who were loyal to Siyehu and did not recognize Nishu's status as khan. However, because the number was too small,
It didn't work out. Nishe allowed them to leave but didn't force them.
In this way, Nishu took over about 80% of the power left by Siyehu, and held a ceremony to succeed the Khan King in Camel Valley, and became the Great Khan of the Western Turks. Since the Eastern Turks had been destroyed, the 'Western Turks' were
The word "West" was cancelled, and he proclaimed himself the Great Khan of the Turkic Khanate. At the same time, he sent an envoy to the Tang army camp to formally request for canonization. In the memorial, Li Shimin was called Tian Khan, and he called himself Dulu Khan of the Turkic Khanate.
Very thoughtful and respectful.
At this point, Li Ji finally felt relieved and sent a battalion to escort the Turkic envoys to the Hajj. At the same time, flying pigeons sent messages back to Chang'an to make preparations. The surrender of the Western Turks was of great significance to the Tang Dynasty.
, this is the guarantee that the Tang Dynasty can recuperate. If the Western Turks are not in chaos, Tuyuhun, Tubo, Goguryeo, etc. will not dare to act recklessly, because they know that without the restraint of the Western Turks, they are no match for the Tang Dynasty.
After the dust settled, Hou Junji was ready to return to the court, just waiting for the imperial court to send the order. After all, leading the army outside would be a waste every day. And if there is no war, leading the army outside itself would arouse suspicion.
Hou Junji also wanted to go back early, lest someone in the court take the opportunity to attack him.
Although he did not make any great achievements when he led the army on this expedition, fortunately, he did not bear any responsibility. Although Ju Wentai died in his hands, it was nothing compared to what Li Mu did later on.
Moreover, Hou Junji talked to Li Mu and got Li Mu's tacit approval. After he returned to the court, he would describe everything as Li Mu's plan, so that no matter the merit or fault, all the blame would be on Li Mu alone.
I just waited for today. Logically speaking, the imperial court should have received the reply to Fei Ge's letter long ago, but it was later than expected.
Two days late.
There were two notes in the reply, one was for Li Ji, asking him to assist Li Mu and follow Li Mu's arrangements in everything.
The other note is more interesting. It was for Hou Junji. Li Shimin strictly ordered Hou Junji to bring Li Mu back to Chang'an. He also specifically made it clear that there was no need to hide it from Li Ji and Li Mu, but they could speak frankly.
What does this mean?
Li Ji and Hou Junji were both high-ranking generals. They had experienced ups and downs, but they had never seen such a strange thing.
If you look at the order given to Li Ji, Your Majesty trusts Li Mu very much. Hou Junji had already reported all the details to Li Shimin. In other words, Li Shimin already knew that Li Mu destroyed Gaochang and killed thousands of people.
He also wanted his father-in-law to be the king of Gaochang. But under such circumstances, Li Shimin still handed over the power to him. This level of trust far exceeded a king's trust in his ministers, even if the prince came in person
, it is impossible for Li Shimin to give him such great authority.
But if you look at the order given to Hou Junji, it's a different story. Although Li Shimin didn't specify it, his meaning was very obvious. Hou Junji's mission was to escort Li Mu back to Chang'an at all costs.
Your Majesty, is he going to take action against Li Mu?
But if Your Majesty is dissatisfied with him, why did you give him the authority? If you give him the authority to acknowledge Li Mu's actions, he is a meritorious minister. Could it be that His Majesty wants to kill the meritorious minister?
The two of them were puzzled. At this time, Li Mu returned to Dingxiang. Hou Junji and Li Ji did not hide anything, and showed both notes to Li Mu. After Li Mu read it, he did not
After explaining something, he just smiled, then returned the note to the two generals, and asked Li Siwen to prepare for the alliance ceremony. It was as if this incident had never happened at all.
…
It is definitely a big event for the Tang Dynasty and the Turks to become brotherly countries. It is a big event for the Tang Dynasty and the Turks, as well as for the small countries in the Western Regions, even Tuyuhun, Tubo, Xueyantuo, Goguryeo, etc. It is also a big event for Tuyuhun.
, for big countries like Tubo, the alliance between the Turks and the Tang Dynasty not only left them no chance to spy on the Tang Dynasty, but they were also likely to lose large areas of their territory due to the alliance between the Tang Dynasty and the Turks.
As for Qiuci, Yanqi, Ruoqiang, Loulan, Qiemo, Xiaowan, Ronglu, Mi, Qule, Pishan, Xiye, Puli, Yinai, Shache, Shule, Weitou, Wensu,
For small countries such as Yuli, Gumo, Beilu, Wutanzi, Beilu Houguo, Shanhuan, and Pulei, without the control of the Tang Dynasty, they are likely to be annexed by the Western Turks.
Therefore, the Tang Dynasty is going to hold an alliance with the Turks in Dingxiang, and all the forces are very concerned about it. As the saying goes, what you hear is false, and what you see is true. You can't take what you hear and hear it seriously. Naturally, you have to see it with your own eyes and inquire about it.
What's going on? After hearing that the alliance was imminent, both Datang and Turks received inquiries from envoys from many small countries. The words may be different, but the meaning is the same. They all want to ask if they can come to the scene.
Watch the ceremony.
The alliance ceremony was prepared by the Tang Dynasty, so Nishi naturally had to send someone over to inquire. Li Mu accepted the request without hesitation.
, engraved on the stele that witnessed this event, for future generations to commemorate.
After receiving this answer, various countries became more active. Li Siwen made a statistics and finally confirmed that there were thirty-two countries that could come to watch the ceremony. The total number of countries in the Western Region, large and small, was only more than forty, which equals
It is said that more than 80% of the countries in the Western Region, except those that are too far away, have sent envoys.
And Zhang Xun was not idle either. All the details under his hands were activated, and he contacted various countries through various relationships. A big network woven by the cooperation of the father-in-law and his son-in-law unknowingly caught everyone.