A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Emperor Yuan Cong

Chapter 555: It’s hard to be crowned emperor because of great achievements.

During dinner, the prince came to pay his respects.

Li Shimin was very happy today, and asked Cheng Qian to stay and have dinner with him, "Your teacher won a great victory in Youzhou."

"My son also heard that the teacher killed more than [-] Turks in Youzhou day and night."

"Your news is out of date. The latest news is that Wu Huaiyu has defeated the Turks, and Jieli has fled. In the battle of Yehuling, Wu Huaiyu used more than [-] soldiers from Youzhou to defeat more than [-] soldiers of Jieli, and killed [-] soldiers. Yu, more than [-] prisoners, Xieli's golden wolf banner and golden wolf tent, did not come and take them away."

Prince Chengqian couldn't help being surprised, "Teacher is mighty."

Empress Changsun held the Ninth Prince Li Zhi in her arms and felt very warm seeing the two of them happy.

"Teacher, is he okay?"

"He's fine, it's just giving me a headache."

"what?"

"I don't even know how to reward you for making such a great contribution."

Previously, Wu Huaiyu had a good news coming to Beijing, and the emperor added him to a hundred households. The Youzhou Governor's Mansion was also promoted to the Upper Governor's Mansion, and Wu Huaiyu became the fifth Great Governor of the Tang Dynasty.

But now that the war is over, the meritorious service has been too great.

Chengqian stood up, "Your Majesty, I believe that the imperial court should reward Wu Shaobao for his great achievements. If he has meritorious service, he will be rewarded, and if he is wrong, he will be punished. If the reward and punishment are unclear, how will the imperial court employ people in the future?

Moreover, this battle was not only done by Wu Shaobao alone, but also won by more than [-] soldiers in Youzhou in a bloody battle. If the commander who commanded this battle did not reward him, how would the [-] soldiers below be rewarded? "

Li Shimin was very pleased to hear this and waved him to sit down.

"The prince has grown up,"

"Indeed, if meritorious service is not rewarded, it will chill the hearts of the heroes, and it will also chill the hearts of tens of thousands of frontier soldiers in Youzhou." He looked at the prince, "I will test you, if you are asked to reward Wu Huaiyu, what will you do?" Reward him?"

Chengqian didn't even think about it, so he got up and replied, "Wu Shaobao's merits should be recognized as a general, and he can be called back to worship the prime minister."

"His merit is indeed enough to pay homage to the Prime Minister again, but he has been away for less than a year, and I have already arranged that next year's Northern Expedition, Wu Huaiyu will be the leader of the East Road. He has fought so well this time, so he will be even less worthy of him next year."

Chengqian thought for a while, "My son feels that since the sage has already made arrangements, it is indeed not appropriate to disrupt it, but he still has to be rewarded heavily. Since it is not suitable to return to the pilgrimage immediately, it is better to grant the country's surname and be included in the Zongzheng membership, so that Shaobao Become my Great Tang royal clan."

Giving the country's surname as a property, this was what Li Yuan liked to do at the beginning of the founding of the Tang Dynasty, and even bestowed princes on some separatist forces.

Such as Du Fuwei, Luo Yi, Xu Shiji, Liu Jizhen, Hu Dayen, Gao Kaidao, etc., not only bestowed the surname of the country but also made them princes.

However, although these people are included in the Zongzheng genus and the royal family, in fact, few of them have ended well. Even now, only one Li Ji is still there, and he has always been relatively low-key and loyal.

The rest are dead.

Even in the early years, the two kings Li Gui and Li Xiaochang were not originally from Li Yuan's family, but in order to win the world, they were also enshrined as kings, but they were all cut off by Li Yuan and his son in the end.

So now Prince Cheng Qian proposed that Wu Huaiyu could be given a national surname and official family registration. Li Shimin felt that it was not appropriate. It didn't sound like a reward, but like a talisman.

It's unlucky to hear it, but to Wu Huaiyu, it will make people think wildly.

After all, at the beginning of the founding of the country, in order to win people's hearts and win the world as soon as possible, Li Yuan promised all kinds of rewards, and even gave his surname to be the king.

But once the world is stable, Li Yuan can't wait to start to clean up those kings with surnames, such as Du Fuwei, the king of Jianghuai, who gave the country the surname Li and named Wu Wang. His subordinate Fu Gong Er rebelled and said that he died suddenly, but everyone knew that he was poisoned to death.

Even after death, he was implicated and convicted, and his son was not a slave.

Gao Kaidao, Liu Jizhen, Luo Yi, and Li Changxiao all conspired against each other one after another. After all, they knew that the emperor would do something sooner or later and were forced to do so.

Because of this, Li Shimin no longer plays with surnames. If he wants to play, he bestows them on the leaders of Fanhu.
He had just granted the surname of the country to King Xi who could be saved, and was granted the surname of Loufan County, Khitan Commander Sun Aocao bestowed the surname of Yongle County, Khitan Khan Dahe Mohui bestowed the surname of Guishun County,
Which of the serious meritorious ministers of the Tang Dynasty is willing to accept the surname given to the country as a vassal?
Originally, Lie Zong was granted the country's surname as his official affiliation. Although he wanted to change his surname, it was a great honor in this era, but Li Yuan insisted on messing with this good thing.

Li Shimin was also quite helpless. Things that were good at first were worthless in his hands.

Empress Changsun said to the prince, "It is not appropriate for the imperial court to bestow national surnames on honorable ministers. The prince can think of other rewards."

"Then give Yiguo Duke Dan Shu an iron certificate, which can forgive him from death. This is also respecting the old scriptures and bestowing special kindness. It is also the court's highest honor for him to award Wu Shaobao with the award of avoiding death." The prince suggested.

When Li Shimin heard this, his expression became even weirder.

He was once one of the 17 Taiyuan Yuanmou meritorious officials appointed by the Supreme Emperor Li Yuan.

However, it was also the Supreme Emperor Li Yuan himself who ruined this iron coupon full of honor, because he did not keep his word.

Liu Wenjing obtained the iron certificate of the alchemy book, shot by the right servant, but was still directly killed by Li Yuan, the iron certificate was useless,

Even Li Shimin himself had an iron coupon to avoid two deaths, and he was almost killed by Li Yuan.

So that thing, no one believes it now.

When Li Shimin conferred the title of meritorious officials in Zhenguan 48, he also considered giving these meritorious officials iron certificates of alchemy and rewards for avoiding death.
Gold and silver are used on the iron coupons to fill in the words on the inlaid coupons, showing the solemn oath of the emperor and the honorable ministers and the great achievements of the honorable ministers.

Danshu iron deed, gold plaque and stone chamber, Tibetan ancestral temple.

Half of it is kept in the ancestral temple of the inner government, and half is rewarded for the collection of meritorious officials.

But Li Yuan didn't believe what he said, and no one believed the Dan Shu Iron Coupon.

Li Shimin didn't bother to get the iron coupons,

The crown prince proposed to give iron coupons to Wu Huaiyu, which made Li Shimin quite embarrassed. In fact, Li Shimin thought that some special meritorious ministers should be given iron coupons, and he believed that he could keep his promise.
However, the Taishanghuang made a bad start, and now the iron coupon has no credit.

Giving an iron coupon, on the contrary, makes people feel like giving a death talisman.

On the contrary, Empress Changsun understood her husband's intentions, and said with a smile, "I haven't had an example of rewarding ministers with iron coupons in the Zhenguan Dynasty.
The concubine thought that Wu Shaobao should be rewarded for his merits, but it is not appropriate to give the country's surname to the clan, and to give the iron certificate of the pill book. "

"Then add another hundred households, and pass the Qianqian Zhenshi thousand households?"

"Your Majesty might as well be more generous." Empress Changsun suggested.

Li Shimin thought for a while, Wu Huaiyu now has [-] households, and his next level is [-] households. There are only three people, Hou Junji, Zhang Gongjin, and Liu Shili. Now because Luo Yi was implicated and Shiyi was cut off, there were only two people left.

One thousand households and one level above that, there are twelve hundred households. They are Changsun Shunde, Chai Shao, Luo Yi and Li Xiaogong. Among the four people before, there are two county kings and a consort, and the eldest Sun Shunde is the queen's uncle. , is also a confidant of the Supreme Emperor, and has a good relationship with Li Shimin.

Now Luo Yi rebelled and was expelled.

"Then simply let Wu Huaiyu replace Luo Yi's original position, the real food has a thousand or two hundred households, and mention the number of sealed households, let Yousi pick the fiefdoms in Hedong and Hebei, and try to pick as many households as possible. Four Ding up."

"In addition, give Wu Huaiyu all the property that Luo Yi confiscated before."

"This imperial edict will be drafted by you, the crown prince, and then handed over to Zhongshuling Wen Yanbo,"

Cheng Qian got up to answer, he really took a pen and paper, and sketched out the edict on the spot. He had learned the format of the edict, and it looked pretty good, and even some of the allusions he used were quite appropriate.
Li Shimin and the queen watched, and the more they watched, the more they appreciated it. They felt that the prince was quite rebellious a while ago, but now he seems to be more and more sensible.

"very good,"

"You can send it to Zhongshu Province to Wen Xiang in a while."

The atmosphere of the next dinner was very happy, and Li Shimin was very satisfied with the prince.

After the meal, Chengqian was also happy and went directly to the door to deliver the decree.

Wen Yanbo paid his respects and received the order.

He retouched and processed it himself, and then had someone send it to his door.

"Thousands and two hundred households have been sealed off, what rank is this among the sealed heroes?"

"A dozen or so names?"

"Seventh," said Cui Dunli, a member of Zhongshushe, "Duke Yi replaced Luo Yi. He was still above Xiaogong, Prince of Hejian County, and below Changsun Shunde and Consort Chai."

It turned out that Pei Ji, the [-] households in the first tier, had already been confiscated due to crimes.

And Wang Junkuo of the second group of [-] households was also deprived of his title and Shiyi due to rebellion. Du Ruhui died of illness. One of them, Du Jiate decreed to inherit half.

And Yuchi Gong also had a household of [-], but now he has deprived him of his official titles, food and towns, and is serving in Shuofang's army in white clothes.

So now the real merit list, before Wu Huaiyu, is the eldest grandson Wuji, Qin Qiong, Fang Xuanling of [-] households, and the eldest grandson Shunde and Chai Shao of [-] households.
If Yu Chigong is not counted, Wu Huaiyu should be sixth.

But everyone also knows that Yuchi Laohei, in fact, will restore his official title and food town sooner or later, so Wu Huaiyu is No.7 by default.

From the last place on the sealed list to the seventh place now.

This is really a meteoric rise.

A group of officials from Zhongshu Province sat there with great emotion,
"Is it really that exaggerated when you say the battle of Yehuling?"

Cui Dunli sighed, "In the battle of Yehuling, Lord Yi sealed the real seal twice, one time for a hundred households, one time for three hundred households, a total of four hundred households, and he also specially asked for four Dings for each household." The above, if there is no such shocking military exploits, how can it deserve such a reward?

The teacher of Yi Guogong, Yongkang Gong Li Yaoshi, pacified the southeast half of the Tang Dynasty, and now it is only four hundred households.

How many other founding generals, even if they were granted titles as dukes, didn't even make it to the ranking list. "

There are countless meritorious officers and soldiers who contributed to the founding of the country, but there are only 48 positions on the list of actual meritorious officials in Zhenguan.

"Is Cui Sheren here?"

While talking, a person came outside.

"One is Cui Dunli.

"I am in charge of the Ministry of Officials. This is a transfer order personally issued by His Majesty to Cui Sheren. Congratulations to Cui Sheren. From now on, you have been promoted to be the Minister of the Ministry of War."

Cui Dunli accepted the transfer order, said a few words of thanks, and went to collect another gift.

A group of colleagues from the province came to congratulate Cui Dunli. Although Zhongshusheren is known as the Prime Minister, he is only at the top of the fifth rank, and the Minister of the Ministry of War is at the bottom of the fourth rank, and he has been promoted several levels in a row.

Cui Dunli thanked everyone, "I will invite everyone to drink later, and I will go to the Ministry of War to meet Li Shangshu first."

"go quickly,"

Cui Dunli didn't bother to go up to the Ministry of Officials to pay the money to lead the prosecution, and went directly to the Ministry of War to meet Li Jing, Minister of the Ministry of War.

Li Jing said bluntly, "It was His Majesty who personally transferred you to the Ministry of War as a servant, and he has given you a task. You should immediately lead the team to Youzhou and go with the officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs to verify the details of the Battle of Yehuling, the generals of Youzhou." , and the meritorious deeds of the soldiers, especially all heads must be counted and confirmed one by one,

After approval and confirmation, truthfully report to the imperial court,
Then you go to the Turkic tribes to appease the tribes on behalf of the imperial court, and finally go to Dingxiang to meet Jieli Khan, on behalf of the Tang court and His Majesty the emperor, to proclaim the crime to Jieli, and ask him why he violated the Weiqiao White Horse The alliance, sent troops to invade the frontiers of the Tang Dynasty,

Let him make sure to give me Datang an explanation! "

Cui Dunli felt a little overwhelmed after hearing this task, whether it was going to Youzhou to verify the leader and military merits, or going to appease the various Turkic ministries, or asking Xieli why he broke his oath, it was not a good job.

But since the emperor appreciates him so much and promotes him several levels in a row, no matter how hard it is, he has to go this way, and he has to get things done.

Li Jing reminded him, "Many people in the imperial court are somewhat skeptical about the outcome of the Battle of Yehuling. You must check and understand this trip. You must not let the soldiers sweat and bleed, but they will cry again in the end!"

Cui Dunli immediately understood that this minister of the Ministry of War was obviously partial to his student Wu Huaiyu, this has not been investigated yet, but the tone must be set first.

"Please don't worry, Chief Sima. I will definitely investigate thoroughly during this trip. It will be absolutely fair and just."

"Very well, I believe in your character. The focus of your trip should be on the Turks, especially when you go to various Turkic ministries. You must keep in touch with them. The Chinese New Year will be soon, and next autumn and winter will be our university. When Tang goes all out in the Northern Expedition to fight back against the Turks, you are going to take the lead in this trip."

Cui Dunli looked serious, "Your official understands."

Although Li Jing made it clear, Cui Dunli still believed in his heart that when he arrived in Youzhou, he must investigate clearly. No matter how much Wu Huaiyu was appreciated by the emperor, no matter how much he was favored by Li Jing, as long as his record was worthy, he would not make false reports. Exaggerations must be identified and reported.

"Zhonglang will lead Pang Xiaotai with [-] cavalry. He will be responsible for your safety and security during this trip, and he will also be your deputy envoy."

When Cui Dunli heard this name, he couldn't help but frown. In fact, this Nanman was quite famous in Chang'an. Everyone knew that this guy was called Master Wu Huaiyu, and he even openly claimed to be Mr. Pang, Wu Huaiyu's lackey. He was simply shameless.

Now that Li Jing arranged for this person to be his deputy, did he intentionally prevent him from verifying the actual military achievements of the Battle of Yehuling?
(End of this chapter)