People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 864 Chang'an, Face to Saint, Empress Wu
In Chang'an, outside the Mingde Gate, countless people were waiting to line up to enter the capital, and the central road was empty.

The loud sound of horse hoofbeats suddenly sounded in the west, and immediately almost all the people turned their heads to look at the official road on the west side.

Dozens of war horses came quickly from a distance and finally arrived under Chang'an.

The knights were all dressed in black, with long swords hanging on their waists, and their expressions were stern, with a murderous look on their faces.

Before the city gate guard could be alerted, everyone got off their horses and walked into the Zuo Tu Road where the officials on the left walked. The leader handed over a token.

The city gate guard took one look at it and immediately returned it. At the same time, he cautiously raised his hands and said, "I have seen the King of Nanchang."

"You're welcome." Li Xuan nodded slightly, then led a group of people into Chang'an City, straight into Zhuque Street, and walked slowly towards the palace.

When Li Xuan and others disappeared from sight, the city gate guard glanced towards the top of the city.

The next moment, flags were waving on the top of the city, and the watchtowers in the distance quickly captured it. In a very short time, the news that King Nanchang had returned to Chang'an reached the palace.

At the same time, under the city gate, countless eyes saw Li Xuan's return, and the news quickly spread back to the owners of the houses.

……

"Long time no see, Zhuque Street is still so lively and bustling, as if the war in the west has not affected this place at all."

Li Xuan slowed down his horse, looked sideways at Di Renjie, and asked in a low voice: "Brother Huaiying, are you okay?"

"It's okay." Di Renjie calmed down a little, then looked at Li Xuan with a wry smile and said, "I traveled from Taozhou to Chang'an in two days. Your Majesty is really in a hurry to come back!"

Di Renjie met Li Xuan in Taozhou. Since Tongren was captured, the threat in Hezhou has been greatly reduced. In addition, several lurking Guang soldiers were also found and killed by Di Renjie one by one. He continued there again. There wasn't much going on. This time I happened to be back in Beijing with Li Xuan.

After Li Xuan left the Chabuqia Valley, he did not go to Shanzhou and Lanzhou when he returned to Chang'an, but to Kuozhou, Hezhou, and Taozhou.

He even exchanged some matters about his colleagues with Yu Ze at the mouth of the Longwu River. When he returned to Hezhou, he met Yuanming, the governor of Hezhou, and paid a visit to Li Xian before returning to Beijing.

"The night is long and I have many dreams. Come back soon and good morning." Li Xuan shook her head slightly, and most of the worry in her eyes had dissipated.

What Li Xuan is really worried about is not just the storm in Chang'an, but also the safety issues along the way.

He had offended many people in Chang'an. If someone really mobilized thousands of soldiers to intercept and kill him on the official road, even he would hate the northwest.

If he were more sophisticated and looked like a bandit intercepting him, and someone in Chang'an tried to cover it up, even if Li Xuan was resurrected, it would be difficult to find out the problem.

Someone will definitely do this kind of thing.

Li Xuan is not unfounded because if he encounters such an opportunity, he will not let it go.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Your Majesty is wise and wise. This impeachment will definitely not have any impact on Your Majesty." Di Renjie saw the impeachment of Li Xuan very clearly. He even asked Lu Yuanfang about this matter. The origin of the imperial censor who impeached Li Xuan.

This Shi Yushi did not come from a wealthy family, but came from a poor family in Shu. He did not have much involvement with Li Xuan. He did not move around much with his colleagues on weekdays. He had been the Shi Yushi for many years and had not impeached any important ministers. This time Even Lu Yuanfang was surprised when he heard that he was impeaching Li Xuan.

"It's not a bad thing to go back to Chang'an. The little girl was born and I haven't come home to see you yet." Li Xuan's face flashed with warmth, and then she said softly: "It's just that this time in the war in Qinghai, I can't help. ”

Di Renjie's expression suddenly became serious. He knew that Li Xuan had made many achievements on the front line this time. He could be said to be a young general like Wang Xiaojie and Hei Te Changzhi. In particular, Li Xuan was good at winning by surprise, especially Lun Qinling's tactics.

This time, Li Xuan was suddenly recalled to Chang'an. I am afraid that the most proud thing is about Qinling.

Di Renjie nodded solemnly and said in a deep voice: "If the censor just neglected his duty this time, it would be fine. But if it is a false accusation, my lord, don't worry. I will definitely ask your majesty to punish you severely."

It is not easy to be a censor. If you make a wrong accusation, you will naturally be punished internally. In serious cases, you will be charged with dereliction of duty.

What's more serious, framed and false accusations with ulterior motives, once proven, will immediately lead to a crime of exile for three thousand miles.

Even Li Xuan's matter was involved in the Northwest War. Once it was found that Tibet was involved, it would be possible to confiscate the family and exterminate the clan.

While they were talking, Li Xuan and Di Renjie had already arrived outside the Zhuque Gate.

Di Renjie stood in front of the Suzaku Gate, cupped his hands to Li Xuan and said, "Your Majesty is going to meet the Holy Spirit, and I have to go back to Dali Temple first. If there is any news from Your Majesty, please inform Huaiying."

"Brother Huaiying is interested, so let's say goodbye for now." Li Xuan returned the gift, then packed up her clothes and headed to the Daming Palace.

……

Inside the Danfeng Gate, Li Xuan followed a chambermaid in green and walked towards the Zichen Palace.

The Qianniuwei who originally came back with him have all returned to Zuo Qianniuwei Yamen to report on their duties.

This time, Li Xuan was accused by the censor of having evil intentions. They, the Qianniu Guards who had been following Li Xuan, naturally had to be questioned.In front of the Zichen Hall, a crimson-robed official walked out with a clear face and a familiar appearance.

Zhou Guogong, Wu Chengsi.

Li Xuan bowed to Wu Chengsi with a solemn expression, and Wu Chengsi returned the bow.

The two of them didn't say much. Wu Chengsi walked out, while Li Xuan entered the Zichen Palace under the guidance of the chamberlain.

Li Zhi wore a bright yellow dragon robe and a black double-dragon winged crown. He was sitting behind the imperial case. Empress Wu, who was wearing a black phoenix robe with gold threads, was sitting next to her.

Li Xuan stood in the hall, then solemnly raised his hands, bowed, and finally knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, the King of Nanchang County, the Captain of the Qingchao, the General Councilor, the Shaoqing of Honglu Temple, and the right guard General Xuan of the Inspection School, pay homage to your Majesty , Your Majesty may live a long life and pay homage to the Queen of Heaven. May the Queen of Heaven be blessed and safe."

"Nanchang Wang Pingshen." Li Zhi raised his hand slightly and stood up looking at Li Xuan who was thanking him.

Li Xuan, who has not been seen for half a year, has returned from a long battle on the Qinghai Plateau. His skin is much darker and his expression is quite dusty.

Li Zhi nodded slightly and sighed: "King Nanchang has worked hard this time. Isn't it a lot tiring for you to return to Chang'an in such a hurry?"

"Everything is my responsibility." Li Xuan bowed sincerely.

"Yes!" Li Zhi nodded slightly, and his eyes fell on the side of the imperial case. On it were placed all the memorials that Li Xuan sent back after she went to the northwest. Li Zhi looked at Li Xuan and said softly: "Tell me in detail, How many things did you encounter during this trip to the northwest?"

"Here!" Li Xuan was in a daze, but still said, "After I arrive in Taozhou..."

With one word, Li Xuan arrived at Taozhou, lured and killed three thousand Tubo cavalry, went to Hezhou, eradicated the Tubo secret stakes, and reached an alliance with the Yuan family. The Guang army suddenly attacked, and then headed to Hezhou. Repair the grain road, fight with Tubo Qingdong Protector Wu Xizha in Longwu Village, capture the colleagues, then break through the Longyang Gorge, transport grain to the Qabqia Valley, defeat the Qinling water attack strategy, the cavalry counterattack, and finally This is the victory of Qingnan Basin.

He was ordered to capture the city of Fuqi, planning to cause internal strife in Tuyuhun, and ordered Su Hegui to commit suicide. He selected [-] elites, relocated the people, ambushed the fake light army, seized the long sword with a golden handle, and exchanged ideas with Murong Nuobo to manage the city of Fuqi. The Jade Buddha returned to the central army to build the city, and the southwest star fell.

After Li Xuan finished speaking, she stood respectfully on one side, thinking over and over again in her mind, not knowing what else to say that should be said.

Li Zhi digested what Li Xuan said. Almost all of these things were mentioned in Li Xuan's memorial, but the importance involved was difficult to see clearly.

Only by asking directly can we truly feel Li Xuan's different attitude towards everything. .

After a while, Li Zhi finally spoke: "So, according to you, Murong's ability to manage the city is extremely poor."

"Yes." Li Xuan held up his hands and said affirmatively: "To govern a city, you either have experience, ideas, or motivation, but the Murong family seems to have nothing. They only think that as long as they return to Fuqi City, the people will be at home. , everything comes naturally, but in fact, before I returned to the capital, the people of Fuqi City lived a very difficult life, and some people even secretly escaped from Fuqi City to Qugou New City."

Li Zhi nodded slightly subconsciously, then turned sideways to look at Empress Wu, and asked softly: "Meiniang, what do you think?"

Empress Wu's expression became serious, and then she whispered: "Since Murong's ability is insufficient, our court should naturally help more... Now that Fuqi City has been captured, a new city should be built in Hubei, Qinghai, to facilitate the reception of Shanzhou's people. Grain and grass, reduce transshipment consumption.”

Li Xuan quickly lowered his head and realized that he was not the only one who could see the benefits of Fu Qicheng. Empress Wu could do the same.

"Yes!" Li Zhi nodded thoughtfully, and then said: "Then send a message to Murong Nuohebo, asking him to select people and locations first. I will hand over the first appointment of the new city governor to the Tuguhun people."

If you want to take it first, you must first take it.

Soldiers first and then soldiers.

The emperor's methods became more and more like spring breeze and rain. Once the people of Tuyuhun accepted more information from the Tang Dynasty, how many people would be willing to be loyal to Tuyuhun.

In this way, if Tuyuhun wanted to get rid of Datang's control, he would either have to completely fall out with Datang, or he could increase his strategic depth.

In this case, they have to attack the Qingxi Basin.

Dayan Mangjiebo was leading the Tuyuhun Qingxi army to fight against the Shasu and Ganliang armies. As long as Murong Nuohebo moved westward, he would immediately relieve the pressure on Shasu and Ganliang.

However, although Empress Wu and the Emperor had good ideas, all these operations were temporarily put aside with the arrival of winter.

Especially winter in Qingxi comes much earlier than in Chang'an.

Li Zhi looked back at Li Xuan and asked in a deep voice: "Tell me about Qugou New City. When do you think it will be fully completed?"

"The city will be built at least until spring next year when the flowers bloom." Li Xuan cut the city construction time by more than half with one sentence, and then he continued: "Everything depends on the regulations for the construction of the city wall. These are the matters of the Ministry of Works. It’s okay for me to build a few houses, but it’s far from enough to build a city.”

Li Xuan quietly gave up the construction of the city, and he also gave up the leadership of Qugou New City.

"After the new city is established, have you thought carefully about whether it will be incorporated into Shanzhou, Kuozhou, or a new state will be established?" Li Zhi asked the crucial and fatal question again.

Empress Wu also looked at Li Xuan seriously at the same time, waiting for his answer.

(End of this chapter)