First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 264 Chang'an's imperial decree

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The next day, Li Xiaogong hosted a banquet for the officials of the Kuizhou General Manager's Mansion, and solemnly introduced Gao Chong to everyone on the spot, emphasizing that Gao Chong was the Sima of the General Manager's Mansion specially sent by the Chang'an court.

I don't know if it was a coincidence, after Li Xiaogong's words fell, the guard of the government office rushed to report that the angel from Chang'an had arrived.

This angel is the edict-delivering servant, commonly known as the edict-delivering father-in-law.

Li Xiaogong didn't dare to delay, so he hurriedly got down from his seat and led Kuizhou civil and military officials to greet him at the door, but this imperial decree was issued to Gao Chong, after reading out the decree, he smiled kindly at Gao Chong: "Congratulations, Marquis of Anling up".

Gao Chong grinned, "It's been hard work for the angels to come from afar, please take your seat." Li Xiaogong also extended his hand to invite. Although the status of this edict-delivering servant is humble, this visit represents a sage and should not be neglected.

If it was changed to other prefectures and counties, this servant would definitely have to eat and ask for cards, but the two people in front of him, one is the clan king, and the other is the son-in-law of the emperor, how dare they make mistakes, they are busy and humble, and they are a few positions behind The attitude is very respectful.

When Li Xiaogong returned to his seat in the lobby, he said with a loud smile, "I made a mistake in my introduction just now. This is the governor of Kuizhou, Gao Youzhi, Marquis of Anling." Jin Jue".

All the subordinate officials in the hall laughed loudly when they heard the words, and raised their glasses together to congratulate, Gao Chong hurriedly raised his glass in return.

Gao Chong was at a loss for Li Yuan's sudden addition to the rank. At this time, the first servant on the other side bowed and said, "Your Majesty and the son-in-law don't know anything. Presenting the two puppet kings of Zheng and Xia in the Taimiao, the sages have already rewarded them according to their merits, and the son-in-law accompanied the army in the eastward expedition, and made great achievements in battle, so naturally he should be promoted to a nobleman."

Everyone suddenly realized that this was Li Yuan's achievement before rewarding Gao Chong, but Gao Chong's heart was moved. With his contribution in the pacification of Liu Wuzhou, Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande, etc. It is more than enough for the Duke of the state.

But at this moment, Gao Chong thought that when he was leaving, Li Yuan had told him that he would give him a reward when he returned to Beijing in the next day. Li Yuan couldn't have said this casually. The position of Governor Shi is not all awarded.

After some conversations with the servant, everyone learned about the latest situation in Chang'an. Qin Wang Li Shimin returned to the capital and held a grand prisoner offering ceremony. Today's saints think that all official ranks since ancient times are not commensurate with Qin Wang's meritorious deeds, so he granted them The king of Qin was the general of Tiance, built the Tiance Mansion, and was above the prince and Sangong.

Everyone couldn't help but be amazed at how powerful General Tiance is, but what surprised everyone even more was that Li Yuan set up Daxingtai on the Eastern Shaanxi Road in Luoyang, the eastern capital, and took King Qin as the minister, in charge of all military and political affairs in Eastern Shaanxi, and the chief judge saved trouble.

In layman's terms, it is the Kanto area. Regardless of military affairs, it is under the control of the King of Qin. This is already the peak of the courtiers, and he is the third person in the true sense of the Tang Dynasty. Li Yuan is the monarch, Li Jiancheng is the prince, and Li Shimin It is the extreme of human ministers.

After bidding farewell to the servants, Li Xiaogong announced that Kuizhou was in a state of preparation for war. The purpose is self-evident. The sword pointed at Jingchu. .

On the Kuizhou River, [-] sailors were practicing in full swing, and [-] cavalry on the school field by the bank were full of murderous momentum. Not to mention the neighboring Kaizhou, even Xiao Xian, who was far away in Jiangling, had already heard about it. up.

Kaizhou, Kaixian County, the former governor's mansion has now become Ran Zhaoze's barbarian mansion.

Ran Zhaoze sits high on the throne, quite majestic, different from the roughness of ordinary barbarians. Ran Zhaoze's neatly trimmed beard, and the sharp flashes of eyes from time to time, it can be seen that Ran Zhaoze is absolutely no fool.

In fact, it was true. Although Ran Zhao was a barbarian, he was born in a wealthy family in Kaixian County. He not only learned martial arts, but also learned a collection of classics and history. He could be called a wise general.

"Your Majesty, if Li Xiaogong is going to attack Jingchu, Kuizhou will not have many troops left. This is a godsend opportunity."His general Du Biao said excitedly.

Ran Zhao didn't speak, but the other person shook his head and said, "I'm afraid there may be fraud."

"The second king is just too cautious, starving the timid to death by starving the bold to death, and guarding the land of these two prefectures won't make a difference," Du Biao said with a look of displeasure.

The person who spoke was Ran Zhaoze's younger brother, Ran Zhaoxing. If it was said that Ran Zhao had only read a few poems and books, then Ran Zhaoxing had read a lot of poems and books.

Ran Zhaoxing didn't practice martial arts, he was dressed in a brown round collar, and his appearance was the same as that of a Han Chinese. Unless someone knew him well, outsiders would definitely not think him a barbarian.

Ran Zhaoxing was not angry at Du Biao's rebuttal, and he sighed: "At the beginning, I did not agree to oppose the Tang Dynasty. People such as Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong will be destroyed overnight. If they occupy Bashu and defend it according to danger, they may become one side. The princes, however, Kaizhou has many mountains and little land, and cannot support too many troops, so how can things be done."

Ran Zhaoze's face was as usual when he heard the words, and he was not moved. The second younger brother was cautious by nature, and he never agreed to oppose Tang.

After a long silence, Ran Zhao raised his eyebrows and asked, "Xiao Xian has no chance of success?"

Ran Zhaoxing shook his head and smiled wryly, "Xiao Xian is nothing more than a dead bone in a tomb. Relying on the legacy of his ancestors, he barely started his own business. However, all the kings in Xiaoliang stand side by side, and Xiao Xian is just a puppet."

Seeing Ran Zhaoxing being so pessimistic, General Du Biao was upset, "Second Great King, don't raise the ambitions of others and destroy your own prestige. The brothers in our clan are all brave, how can we be afraid of the Han people?"

"Even with the strength of the whole family, there are only 10 people." Even the clay figurines were a little angry, and Ran Zhaoxing immediately frowned and scolded: "How many states and counties have you been to, and how many states and Han people are there in the world today?" People, not to mention the strength of Guanzhong and Central Plains, as long as the Tang army is free and only Jinzhou and Kuizhou attack, it will be a disaster for our family."

"So what if we come to attack?" Du Biao held back his mouth, "If he can't fight, he runs into the forest. Tang Jun can do nothing to me."

"If you want to escape into the mountains and drink blood, why bother to rebel? Wouldn't it be better to open a discussion field with the Han people here, and each of them can get what they need, so that the clan can live and work in peace and contentment?" Ran Zhaoxing angrily scolded mercilessly.

Ran Zhaoze frowned slightly, and slapped the desk, "Stop arguing, now that we have turned against the Tang Dynasty, the second brother should not shake the morale of the army, General Du, you should send scouts to inquire about the situation in Kuizhou, but if you have any news, come right away report".

Du Biao cheered up and took the order to go.

"Brother, following Xiao Liang will lead to death," Ran Zhaoxing persuaded with a worried face.

(End of this chapter)