The fox minister in the late Tang Dynasty

Chapter 367
In front of the official road lined up with hundreds of soldiers and horses, the lone knight turned over and bowed down from the middle on foot, and Zhongzheng's voice echoed in the road.

"The old minister Li Siyuan paid a visit to King Jin—"

The wind blew the flag, Li Cunxu, who was wearing armor under the canopy, pursed his lips, and Shi Jiantang looked at the King Jin with some hesitation, and opened his mouth slightly to say something, but was interrupted by Li Cunxu raising his hand, he urged the horses to leave After walking out, he also stopped his horseshoe in a few steps, turned over and went down. He has managed Jindi and Youzhou for many years, how could he not move forward at this time?
"Brother Yi, get up, you and my brothers don't need to be so polite." Li Cunxu smiled, strode over to hold his arched hands, and looked at Li Cunshen, Yan Bao, and Shi Jingtang behind him with a smile The three of them said, "It's a great joy to meet brothers for many years. I have prepared a family banquet in the palace alone, and they all follow me back to the mansion. If you don't get drunk, you won't return—"

"King Jin!"

After Li Siyuan straightened up and took a few steps, he suddenly interjected. When Li Cunxu, who was going to hold the rein, turned around and asked what was going on, Li Siyuan looked at Taiyuan in the distance, and the simple outline in his memory.

He was silent for a moment: "Chen, I want to go to the foster father's tomb to pay homage to his old man."

One moment the king of Jin invited him to a banquet, but the next moment he was euphemistically prevaricating and going to pay homage to Li Keyong. Shi Jiantang's face changed slightly, but Li Cunxu's expression remained unchanged. Come."

Turning over on horseback, the guards opened the way ahead, Li Siyuan glanced at Shi Jingtang, turned over and sat on the horse, and urged the horse to follow.

Li Keyong was buried in the northwest of Taiyuan. The large-scale mausoleum was originally surrounded by villages, but now they have been moved away, leaving only the hilly cemetery standing on the field, which is particularly eye-catching.

Passing through the archway carved by Baiyan, a straight stone step extends from top to bottom. Li Siyuan got off his horse and followed Li Cunxu across the stone tablet all the way up.

When we reached the middle position, we saw Li Ke's tombstone and the altar for enshrining.There are special guards here, knowing that King Jin is coming, they have already prepared joss sticks and handed them to the two respectfully.

"Father! Siyuan is back to see you."

Looking at the inscriptions in both Turkic and Chinese languages ​​on the stone tablet, Li Siyuan felt a little sentimental in his heart after all. The green smoke of long incense was inserted into the incense burner, he knelt down on the ground, and knocked off the stone bricks firmly on his forehead.

Li Cunxu had already passed the feeling of sadness. He inserted a stick of incense, then kowtowed his head three times, and said in a low voice: "Brother Yi came back this time, why? Gu actually doesn't believe the rumors outside."

"Brother came back, not to fight for power with you, King Jin can rest assured." Li Siyuan raised his forehead and replied softly.On the way back, he had already thought up his speech. Instead of concealing it and making people suspicious, he might as well express his position generously, which would make people look up to him instead.

After saying this, he got up and patted the dust off his robe, and bowed respectfully to Li Cunxu who was also up.

"Prince Jin, I have come back after a lot of hardships. In fact, I also heard about the changes in Khitan in the north. When I return to Taiyuan, I want to fight the enemy side by side with King Jin!"

For the Khitan change, the news from the Northland is naturally clearer than that from the Central Plains. Li Cunxu knew about it, but Yelu Abaoji and Li Keyong became brothers.

Having personally been in charge of Taiyuan for many years, Li Cunxu would not be so stupid as to blindly believe in it. In Youzhou, Hebei, and even Zhuozhou and other places, he has gone to Xinyanjia to monitor the movements of Khitan soldiers and horses, so that he can report to him at any time.

At this time, the words were spoken by Li Siyuan, but the ears were different.

"Brother Yi said that he didn't mean to fight for it, but later he will intervene in Taiyuan's military affairs, so how can I trust you." Li Cunxu's eyes are serious, sharp like a sword, and both of them are tall and tall, facing each other tightly Stare at each other.

Li Siyuan shook his head: "I'm just worried that my adoptive father's foundation will be ruined by others."

"Then you dare to swear that you will not be greedy for any power in Taiyuan?!"

"Hehe, swear?" Li Siyuan looked at him with his hands behind his back, his voice was bold and suddenly raised: "If I was greedy for power, why would I go back to Taiyuan like this!"

The wind blew over, and the robes fluttered gently.

"I fought with my adoptive father in the north and south, and I suffered a lot of wounds. I was born and died with the generals of the Shatuo army to achieve today's foundation. From defeat to victory, I fought with my life!" Li Siyuan clenched his hands behind his back He clenched his fist, his eyes were sincere and solemn, and his eyes were slightly wet, "If Khitan went south to take Youzhou, Hebei, Yunzhou and Yanmen, that would be trampling on his adoptive father! How could Li Siyuan just sit in Chang'an like that? Watch!"

Li Cunxu looked into his eyes, and didn't have much impression of this righteous brother, but during the years when his father was lying in bed, he often mentioned him.

The military and government are quite capable, and they are extraordinary talents.

It's a pity that he was deeply trapped in the enemy's camp and was imprisoned for ten years without seeing him. Now that he came back suddenly, he naturally didn't believe that it was the sudden kindness of King Yong in Chang'an. It's a complicated mood.

"Brother Yi is really not for it."

"The struggle for power is a small matter, let the battle of Khitan's founding a state, and the disaster will be our side of the Han land!" Li Siyuan pursed his lips, raised his hand to press Li Cunxu's shoulder, and sank hard: "We are waiting for you. Sha Tuo, after all, you have settled down here and established your business. You can be regarded as half of the Han people. How can you let Khitan ride on our heads? You are so hesitant. The previous sentence: No Promise!"

When Li Keyong was still there, he only used Khitan, and he was just like a brother.If he encounters a situation like today, with his temperament, he will not compromise and tolerate.

What's more, at this time, Khitan is a country with powerful soldiers, invincible in all directions, and a large population and army. If the opponent is allowed to maintain this kind of military strength for a long time, how can there be good results here?

It's not a good thing to have a tough, ferocious neighbor who is always watching your house.

Li Cunxu has managed the Jin land for many years, and his political vision is not short-sighted. Before Li Siyuan said this, he had already considered how to act if the Khitan took him, and he had a secret plan in his mind.

"I understand what Brother Yi said. But if we want to go to war with the Khitan, I am afraid that I have more heart than strength. Compared with the Khitan." Li Cunxu turned his head and looked at the generals standing in a row below, "Zhu Youzhen in the south, I am not alone Don't worry about him. If there is a stalemate with Khitan, this person will definitely send troops to attack my rear, I dare not take such a risk!"

"At least do it."

Li Siyuan squeezed his arm tightly, "You and my brother, you should have a clear conscience. To fight Khitan, I am willing to be the vanguard for my brother!"

What else did Li Cunxu want to say, but the figure on the opposite side bowed down, seeing the firm and candid expression of his brother-in-law, he gritted his teeth, the little guard in his heart finally loosened.

Soon after worshiping Li Keyong again, the group returned to Taiyuan, held a banquet in the palace, and entertained officials of all sizes in the city. At the same time, they also announced that they would worship Li Siyuan as the Taibao of the school and the governor of the Anguo Army.

Half a month later, on April 21, the signs of mobilization of Khitan soldiers and horses became more and more obvious. The tribal armies had completed their assembly, and the emperor's leather chamber army had also been integrated and spread to Youzhou. Some trembled slightly.

Khitan Emperor Yelu Abaoji led an army of 20, numbering 50, and sent troops to the south, heading towards Zhuolu in Xinzhou.

The fastest war horse in the army galloped out of Youzhou and headed for Zhuolu. While the news and military orders it carried were dispersed in different layers, it also galloped southwest at the fastest speed. , rushed into Taiyuan.

At the same time, the lurking scouts of the Yong army got the news and rushed towards Chang'an frantically. It was already the end of April when they arrived at this bustling giant city. palace.
(End of this chapter)