The army was sent back to various prefectures on the road, leaving only the 5,000 men led by Hou Junji who were originally stationed in the capital and Li Mu's battalion of 800 soldiers, for a total of about 6,000 men. This is not a lot.
, and it stretches for miles as far as the eye can see. Li Mu was lying in his special carriage, soundly asleep. Last night he played dice with Su Dingfang and others. For ten cents a handful, he won eighteen coins and defeated a group of soldiers.
Youzi almost cried when he won. Finally, Li Mu got bored and divided all the money he won, and rewarded him with another fifty coins. He didn't fall asleep exhausted until dawn.
"Report! Report to the Marquis. Your Majesty ordered all the officials to go out ten miles from the city to greet you. Congratulations to the Marquis for opening up new territories and returning in triumph!"
"Ah." Li Mu yawned, stuck his head out, and said, "Your Majesty is so kind to me, and I am so grateful. Can you keep everything simple? I want to go home first."
"..." The person who sent the message was stunned. The general returned in triumph, and hundreds of officials greeted him. What an honor it is, and some people don't want it? But thinking about the gossip news that has spread throughout Chang'an City recently, it's not surprising.
After bowing and saluting, Pegasus went back to report.
The army continued to move forward slowly, and after a while, another person came on flying horse: "Report! Lord Marquis, Your Majesty has a message: You are not allowed to mess around. I and the envoys from other countries are waiting for you at the gate of the city. How can you do it without seeing anyone?"
I know that you want to see the madam, so I helped you get you to the palace early in the morning, and I am talking to the queen. If you want to see you, hurry up!"
"Master Marquis, that's what your Majesty said."
Li Mu came out again and said lazily: "I thank your Majesty for your kindness. Your Majesty is your Majesty, and you are so considerate. Tell your Majesty for me, just say, I am so grateful, so hurry up and go."
Pulling his head back, Li Mu fell on the pillow, his expression gloomy.
Li Shimin's thoughts are not difficult to guess at all. He is now giving enough face to prevent the world from finding fault with him, so that he can stage a scene of "killing Ma Su with tears". The strategy is very crude, but
It's very useful. How many heroes have died due to this trick throughout the ages? Too many to count.
Now that his wife and children have been taken into the palace, he can't run away even if he wants to. In fact, the reason why Li Mu played dice all night yesterday was because he was waiting for Dugujiu. Chang'an is only a day's journey away, and Dugujiu will definitely come if nothing happens.
I rushed to meet you at high speed, but if he didn't come, it meant something was wrong.
I just didn't expect that Li Shimin would do such a great job.
Li Mu clicked his tongue, feeling a little uncomfortable. But he also knew that he was not qualified to blame Li Shimin. The junior he trusted had cheated on the girl he liked. No one could bear this double sense of betrayal. What's more,
He is still the emperor, so revenge is normal.
"Brother, are we still leaving?"
Li Chongyi's voice came from outside the car, and Li Mu sighed: "What should we do if we don't leave? You didn't hear it. The whole family has been taken to the palace, and there are 5,000 garrison guards nearby. There are only 800 of us.
, not necessarily one-minded, running away is impossible, let’s go, take one step at a time, there will be a big scar on your head——"
"..."
Li Chongyi was silent for a while and then said: "Brother, I will accompany you to death."
"Bah!" Li Mu stuck his head out and cursed: "I'm not dead yet? How do you know that I will die?"
Li Chongyi looked at him. Although he said nothing, his expression seemed to say: "Brother, can you still live?"
"It's not that easy to kill me. Do you think your eldest brother is giving it to you for free? In the past year or so of running the business, there are many places where your eldest brother and I are indispensable. Your Majesty thinks it is possible, but whether it is possible or not, only I know -
—I tell you that you don’t understand either, so don’t cause more trouble. Send the order, speed up, and get to the city before noon. Don’t keep your majesty and the princes waiting for a long time.”
"Yes." Li Chongyi rode his horse forward and sent the order.
…
Ten Mile Pavilion in the west of the city.
The so-called "hundred officials greet each other" naturally does not really have a hundred officials. It refers to the main officials of the three provinces and six ministries. Chang'an County and Wannian County each sent officers to organize the people and beat gongs and drums. These were already the generals of the Tang Dynasty.
This is the highest courtesy. When Li Mu came to Chang'an City, Li Ji had not received such courtesy. It was not until Li Jing's army returned to the city that he was worthy of such courtesy.
An unwritten rule is that if you want to receive such courtesy, you must "open up territory and expand territory." Although Li Mu solved the crisis in the Western Turks this time, he did not actually open up territory and expand territory. As a rule,
, could not afford such courtesy, but Li Shimin gave such courtesy, which was actually a bit excessive. However, there was no rule saying that such courtesy could not be given, so the censors did not make a big fuss.
In fact, the target of Yushitai is no longer Li Mu. After this period of fermentation, the matter between Li Mu and Wang Ou can be said to be known to everyone. Li Mu has long been regarded as a dead person by the scholars.
He is wasting his words, which is no longer a wise move, and only adds to the reputation of adding insult to injury.
In the pavilion, the big bosses from the three provinces and six ministries were drinking tea and chatting. In Fang Xuanling's hand, there were two imperial edicts. One of the two edicts was for Li Mu and the other was for Li Chongyi. They all
Already knowing the content of the decree, it can be said that it is a majestic holy grace. If these two decrees are effective, Li Mu's rank will surpass some of them. Think of an eighteen-year-old boy who spent just over a year.
In just a short period of time, they have caught up to or even surpassed their achievements in half a lifetime, which is very ironic. But now no one feels envious. They all know in their hearts that Li Mu's good days are numbered.
The various transfers made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Industry in recent days have already indicated that His Majesty is going to take action against Li Mu. Thinking of Li Mu's upcoming end, everyone can't help but feel a little cold. No matter how powerful a minister is, what's the use? Li Mu
He is such an arrogant and domineering person, as if no one can control him, but once he confronts the imperial power, he is like a window paper, which will be broken with just a push.
"Coming."
Changsun Wuji's sharp eyes saw the flag that had just appeared on the horizon, and he said aloud. When he said this, everyone also looked up, and the government officials on both sides quickly asked the people to start playing, and suddenly the area around Shiliting became very lively.
Li Mu had already put on his clothes and was sitting in the carriage. When he arrived, the carriage was ready. Li Mu Shi got out of the carriage. Everyone was about to talk to him, but when they saw his clothes, they choked on their words.
Go back - Lushan Lunjin, is this guy comparing himself to Zhuge Kongming?
Li Mu shook his feather fan lightly, looked at everyone with a smile on his face, and said: "Masters, when I was leaving, the spring was cold and cold, and I never thought of saying goodbye. It was already spring and the flowers were blooming. This time, I had a narrow escape from death, and I almost came back.
If I don’t come, don’t you miss me? I miss you so much!”
After saying that, he threw the feather fan away, opened his arms, and hugged Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and others who were walking in front. They were all embarrassed, whether they were struggling or not.
Now Li Mu is like a virus, Li Shimin is going to attack him, who wants to be "very close" to him.
"Master Marquis, please don't get too excited. There are two decrees from His Majesty. How about you let me read out the decree?"
Fang Xuanling spoke out to relieve the siege, and Li Mu let go, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Li Mu, has received the order to express my gratitude."
"Zhi said: Xu Xian showed virtue, the past king's decree, Jingshan and Nian Gong, and the country's Yi training. Zhuluhou Li Mu was suddenly attacked by an incident, but he remained calm in the face of danger. He was determined to be strong in gold and stone, swore to the mountains and rivers, and actually allowed the court to discuss. To avoid the people.
In the flames of war, he saved the people of Li from danger... The Jin Dynasty made Li Mu, Marquis of Zhulu, the Duke of Luoyang County, the general of Huaihua, and added the title of 'guard army'. I hope you will continue to work hard and live up to my expectations."
After reading out the edict, Fang Xuanling handed the imperial edict to Li Mu and said with a smile: "Congratulations to the Duke of Luoyang County. Luoyang is the accompanying capital. The Duke of Luoyang County is actually the first among the county officials. Your Majesty has given you Luoyang as a fiefdom. It is really great."
Thank you very much.”
Li Mu hurriedly faced the direction of Chang'an, and said with tears of gratitude: "Your Majesty has given you such a favor, how dare you be a Mu? It's just that this Luoyang County Duke is really difficult to pronounce, and it is easy to read one word. Mu should keep up his efforts and strive for the title.
Each word."
Everyone listened and all slandered in their hearts. One word? How dare you say it! One word, that is the Duke! The eighteen-year-old Duke? Unless the emperor has water in his head, no matter how great his achievements are
, it was impossible for him to be granted the title. This time, when he was granted the title of County Duke, Wei Zheng almost hit the wall. It was Li Shimin who insisted on granting the title. If he had been granted the title casually, the Duke of the Tang Dynasty would be too worthless.
Fang Xuanling pretended not to hear, took out another imperial edict and said, "Where is Li Chongyi?"
He actually saw Li Chongyi, and he couldn't miss it. Li Chongyi was two feet tall and stood out in the crowd. But there was such a process for announcing the edict, so he had to ask.
Li Chongyi looked at Li Mu, and Li Mu pulled him over and said: "Silly man, your Majesty has a decree for you, why aren't you happy? Come on, come on, let's see what official position your Majesty has given you."
"Your Majesty Li Chongyi accepted the order."
"Zhi said: I have heard praises for being virtuous and rewarding talents. Li Chongyi, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, destroyed his country with five hundred pinglin. His bravery was so brave that I have never heard of it. The Jinyi Guards are really overqualified for their use, so I am now named 'Annan Bo'
, General Zhongwu, guarding the southern border to stabilize the country."
Fang Xuanling handed the imperial edict to Li Chongyi and said with a smile: "General Zhongwu is the fourth rank. Your Majesty will treat you well. Will Annanbo accept the edict quickly?"
"Earl, it's okay. You are one level higher than Chongyi. You can show off when you see him in the future. Take it now." Li Mu also said, but Li Chongyi still had no intention of taking it. He pursed his lips and said,
Said: "Can I not accept the order?"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked! Fang Xuanling had seen the world. He received the imperial edict himself, watched others receive the imperial edict, and read out the imperial edict no less than a hundred times in total. This was the first time he saw someone saying the edict.
I don't want it anymore. He looked at Li Chongyi, a little speechless, and asked curiously: "Why didn't I understand what An Nanbo meant? Do you not want to accept the order? How can this be done? Disobeying the imperial order is a crime of beheading.
ah!"
"Isn't it okay if I don't want to be an official? I just want to stay with my eldest brother and don't want to guard southern Xinjiang."
Li Mu raised his foot and said, "You can stay with me forever? What's wrong with guarding southern Xinjiang? Emperor Tiangao...that, I mean, how great. You defeated it yourself and stationed it yourself."
, right? Stop talking nonsense and pick it up quickly."
Li Chongyi's stubborn temper grew, and he put his hands behind his back but refused to take them.
Fang Xuanling had never dealt with this situation before. He looked at Changsun Wuji, who shook his head gently. Fang Xuanling had no choice but to scare him: "Uncle Annan, if you don't answer, I can only ask the guards to
Got you arrested."
"Catch me, catch me, I don't want to leave my big brother!"
"You bastard!" Li Mu jumped up and slapped Li Chongyi on the head, snatched the imperial edict from Fang Xuanling, and said: "Fang Xuanling is accommodating, and I will do the same. If I accept it, it is equivalent to him accepting it."
Don’t worry, I’m here to persuade him.”
"That's all we have to do." Fang Xuanling didn't say anything, and he didn't want to cause trouble. After the imperial edict was announced, he was worried that Li Mu would stir up trouble again, so he quickly changed the subject and said: "Your Majesty and the envoys from other countries have been waiting for a long time. Luoyang County
Sir, shall we go back to the city?"
"Yes, yes, return to the city, return to the city."
Li Mu threw the imperial edict into the carriage, had two horses brought over, and he and Li Chongyi rode on the horses. The six ministries from the three provinces also got on their carriages, and the group speeded up and headed straight for the gate of Chang'an.
The ten-mile journey was over in a blink of an eye. Li Shimin stood at the gate of the city and saw Li Mu coming from a distance, feeling mixed in his heart.
Contrary to what everyone thought, although Li Shimin made some preparations, until now, he has not made a final decision on whether to kill Li Mu or not. After the initial anger, he gradually calmed down. It's not that he didn't understand Wang Ou's heart
There had never been him. Li Shimin accepted the fact that Wang Ou married Cui Yuzheng back then, and it was not that he could not accept her remarrying. It was just that this person was Li Mu, which made him angry.
There is a balance in people's hearts. The things Li Mu has done for Datang and for him were placed on the balance one by one after he calmed down. Compared with his anger, they are actually not much different.
Li Shimin wanted to kill Li Mu out of personal anger. But he also knew that Li Mu would definitely do a lot for the Tang Dynasty while he was alive. The fantastic ideas in his head could bring him surprises every time. If
Killing Li Mu will bring everything back to its original state. The powerful family that has just been suppressed will make a comeback, and they will become even more difficult and troublesome after absorbing Li Mu's methods.
After thinking about it, he didn't want to kill Li Mu. But if he was not punished, Li Shimin would always feel uncomfortable. Now that he saw Li Mu, his anger rose again. If there were not so many envoys in front of him, he would really want to
Li Mu was tied up, beaten with a whip, and asked why he could do such unworthy things!
With all kinds of thoughts in his head, Li Mu had already arrived. Seeing Li Shimin, Li Mu also had mixed feelings in his heart. It was undeniable that Li Shimin was kind to him, and what he did was indeed very unscrupulous from Li Shimin's point of view.
When they were far away, Li Mu turned over and dismounted. He stood still, looked at Li Shimin, took a few deep breaths, and then plucked up the courage to come over.
At this moment, something unexpected happened.
I saw one person emerge from among the envoys, shouting urgently: "Thousands of people in Gaochang have died in vain at the hands of this thief, please let His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty make the decision!"