First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 499

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Seeing Wang Junkuo's indifferent attitude, Li Yuan was stunned.

"Wang Junkuo, you...".After reacting, Li Yuan was sullen.

At this time, Cao Canjun Wang Lishe tugged at the corner of Li Yuan's clothes and shook his head as a signal. Li Yuan snorted coldly and stopped looking at Wang Junkuo.

Little did he know that Wang Junkuo's thoughts changed abruptly along the way. After careful analysis, he had already decided to reluctantly give up planning the counter-insurgency.

Now that Gao Chong has come to Ji County and mobilized soldiers from various prefectures for drills, Ji County has successfully attracted the attention of the prefectures, if he continues to take risks to instigate Li Yuan to rebel, it is very likely that he will be involved.

Wang Junkuo still remembered his identity, he was ordered by Li Shimin to check and balance Li Yuan, and Gao Chong was also Li Shimin's confidant, so he had to stay away from Li Yuan to avoid misunderstanding.

Wang Junkuo wants Li Shimin to see: Your Highness, I am very active in completing the tasks you have given me. I have already controlled the military power in Youzhou and successfully checked and balanced Li Yuan. I, Wang Junkuo, are so loyal.

"Your Majesty, you have finally left the city." Facing Li Yuan, Cui Dunli also had a bad face, "I don't know the order of the next official...".

Li Yuan's expression changed, and he didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Seeing this, Wang Lishe hurriedly explained, "Forgive me, Cui Sheren. Your Majesty has been ill for the past few days, but he is better today. He will receive the order after returning to the city."

Cui Dunli was noncommittal, just smiled meaningfully.

Not long after, a valiant thousand-man guard set off a cloud of smoke and dust, with two hundred cavalry in front and eight hundred infantry in the back, guarding Gao Chong who was sitting on horseback in front, very majestic.

When he was about ten steps away, Gao Chong got off his horse and said, "Gao Chong has seen the king, and it's been a long time since he's seen, and the king's demeanor is still the same."

Li Yuan forced himself to smile, and greeted him, saying: "Yuzhi, after leaving Jinzhou, you have lost a lot of energy."

Gao Chong paused, patted his stomach and shook his head with a smile: "The emperor's life is in his body, running around, that means he can't eat well or sleep well."

"Jun Kuo, put on."

Gao Chong looked at Wang Cui and the two, and said with a loud smile: "See you in Ji County, thousands of miles away, let's have a good get-together."

"That's natural." Wang Junkuo took Gao Chong's hand familiarly, "After your letter yesterday, I'm ready to drink three hundred cups today."

When Li Yuan heard this, his eyes widened immediately, and his heart was full of suspicion.

Everyone entered the city immediately, and when Gao Chong was talking about the old days with Cui Dunli, Wang Junkuo walked to Li Yuan's side calmly, "Don't worry, my lord, everything is as usual, keep a distance, and don't make Gao Chong suspicious."

Li Yuan's heart was shocked when he heard this, he nodded very moved and said: "This king already knew that Jun Kuo would definitely help me."

It turns out that Jun Kuo was wrongly blamed just now, and this king feels really sorry.

The corners of Wang Junkuo's mouth turned up, he nodded slightly, then stepped back a few steps, and immediately distanced himself from Li Yuan, secretly despising in his heart: You are an idiot.

Li Yuan was completely limped by Wang Junkuo.

In the Governor's Mansion, after each seated, Gao Chong pretended not to know, and asked with a look of astonishment: "Your Majesty, it's been a few days, why haven't you announced the decree yet?"

Li Yuan paused for a while, seeing Wang Lishe winking wildly, he coughed a few times, "I want to teach you that this king has been infected with cold for half a month, and he feels better today."

"Oh, the climate in this northern land is indeed changeable, your majesty must take care of your health."Gao Chong said with great concern.

Then the topic changed, "But after the Xuanzhi decree is installed, you can go back to Beijing with him. It will be so comfortable to work in Beijing, and the climate in Guanzhong is much more comfortable than this north."

Li Yuan secretly complained: This king really doesn't want to go back to Beijing.

"The emperor's order must not be delayed," Gao Chong said solemnly: "It's better to receive the order first, and then we will have a banquet. In this way, we can show the respect in the heart of the king."

"That's right," Cui Dunli didn't look at Li Yuan's reaction, and waved his hand directly, and the Huangmen behind him immediately stepped forward with a tray.

Li Yuan was at a loss, looked at Wang Junkuo, but Wang Junkuo got up quickly, straightened his clothes, and looked like he was listening respectfully.

Li Yuan was stunned, and then looked at Wang Lishe, Wang Lishe was also stunned, seeing Gao Chong and Cui Dunli staring straight at them, their aura was overwhelming, Wang Lishe could only imitate, stand up and listen respectfully.

"My lord, please," Gao Chong came behind Li Yuan and stretched out his hand to greet him.

Li Yuan's complexion was cloudy and he clenched his fists tightly. He could already see that Gao Chong was forcing him to accept the order.

If he did not accept the order, he could find excuses to delay, but once he received the order, he had to return to Beijing, otherwise he would be defying the order.

"My lord, please." Seeing Li Yuan's hesitation, Gao Chong emphasized again in a deep voice.

Li Yuan took a deep look at Gao Chong, his eyes filled with aggrieved eyes, but Gao Chong's eyes were firm and unmoved, Li Yuan could only nod slowly in desperation, his heart was full of resentment, he knew it was difficult to turn over.

The government soldiers of Youyan Zhuzhou had already been mobilized, and there was no hope of raising troops. Now that Gao Chong forced him to accept the order, he had no choice but to obey.

Seeing Li Yuan bowing his body to express the order, Cui Dunli felt relieved, and quickly read out the order, to the effect that he called Li Yuan, the governor of Youzhou, to return to court, pay homage to Tai Changqing, hold the mausoleum temple group worship, and rank among the nine ministers.

Li Yuan's face was ashen.

In the following banquet, Li Yuan felt like he was chewing on wax when facing the delicacies and delicacies.

Everyone knew the inside story, so they didn't take it seriously, Gao Chong cared about drinking and mingling with Cui Dunli, Wang Junkuo and others, while Li Yuan was surrounded by only one soldier, Cao Junjun, Wang Lishe, who was serving him, it was so desolate.

"My lord, this is the end of the matter, there is no other way."

Wang Lishe stepped forward to fill a glass of wine for Li Yuan, and sighed close to him: "It's better to lower your posture and go back to Beijing to be a noble king first, as for the others...let's talk about it later."

Li Yuan nodded in despair.

At this time, Wang Junkuo approached with a glass of wine.

"Your Majesty, congratulations on assuming the new position. Taichang Qing is one of the nine ministers. He is extremely noble. It is difficult for someone with high morals and prestige to be competent. Since the saint and the crown prince let the king take charge of Taichang Temple, it means that the king is in the heart of the emperor."

Li Yuan raised his head and stared blankly at Wang Junkuo.

Wang Junkuo turned his head to see Gao Chong and Cui Dunli having a drink, and immediately leaned over and said in a low voice, "Because of the current situation, it's irresistible. Your Majesty should keep a useful body, and wait for the changes in the future...".

"Jun Kuo", Gao Chong's bluffing shouts sounded from behind, as if he was [-]% drunk.

"Come on, let me tell you about this military exercise. I mobilized the sixteen prefectures of Youyan by myself, and more than 30 military forces. This winter, the Turks must not be aggressive, otherwise, otherwise Where is the prince, you and I are not good at dealing with each other."

Li Yuan's complexion suddenly changed when he heard this, he lowered his head and drank his wine, giving up his extravagant hopes.

Wang Junkuo laughed loudly, "That's natural, you are so bold, just look at it, I, Youzhou, will never hold back."

After a reception banquet with different thoughts, Gao Chong returned to the post house, and before he had time to wash up, Cui Dunli immediately visited him.

"Yuzhi, the king of Lujiang must have had a different heart before!"

Cui Dunli said very firmly, "There is also Wang Junkuo, who also has bad intentions. He tried to deceive me into the city several times, but I only obeyed your orders and did not leave the military residence. Wang Junkuo was very angry about this."

Gao Chong shook his head and smiled indifferently, and comforted him: "Be safe and relieved. You also said that you may have disagreed before, but now you accept the order obediently. If this matter is over, I will take him back to Beijing."

"But..." Cui Dunli suddenly became anxious.

Knowing that he had a different intention, just let him off like this?

"There's nothing wrong with it," Gao Chong suddenly withdrew his smile, and said in a earnest and earnest way: "The current Tang Dynasty is in harmony, everyone is united in one mind, everything is waiting to be done, and it is flourishing. Isn't that great?"

"You, you are deceiving yourself and others." Cui Dunli took a breath, a little in disbelief, "Aren't you afraid that this paper won't hold fire?"

"Fire?" Gao Chong said with a sneer, "It's just the fire of a firefly, the prince has the confidence to envelop him, no, he should be extinguished."

"Prince..." Hearing the word "Prince", Cui Dunli suddenly realized, and slapped his head, "I am stupid. The crown prince has become the crown prince, and a thousand wastes are waiting to be done. The first priority should be to maintain stability."

Gao Chong nodded appreciatively.

"It is precisely this principle, no matter whether he has a different intention or not, how could the crown prince not be able to restrain Li Yuan.

As the saying goes, those who are good fighters have no great achievements, and those who are good at doctors have no brilliant reputation, we will kill that unfinished ambition in the bud, and this is the purpose of our coming to Youzhou."

Those who are really good at fighting tend to avoid wars. In other words, for example: General Zhang guarded the border and was in chaos all the year round, annihilating a total of [-] invading enemies; When a war breaks out, after a comprehensive comparison, who is more powerful, there is no doubt that it is General Li.

Another example: states A and B also face a large river, which will flood during the rainy season.

The governor of Jiazhou, who personally led the people to rescue and rescue the disaster after the flood, made great contributions in fighting the flood, and the emperor was promoted to rank, so he became famous all over the world;
The governor of Yizhou consolidated the dams and dredged the river before the rainy season came. As a result, after the flood came, because he was well prepared and survived the disaster safely, it did not have a major impact, so the governor of Yizhou became unknown.

Really good doctors often don't have a great reputation, which is quite a bit like a master among the people.

In ancient times, the Bian Que family practiced medicine for generations. King Wen of Wei asked Bian Que: "The three brothers in your family are all good at medicine. Who is the best at medicine?"

Bian Que replied: "The eldest brother has the best medical skills, the second brother is the second, and I am the worst."

King Wen of Wei didn't understand what he meant, Bian Que explained: "The eldest brother cured the disease before the onset of the disease, and the patient didn't know it was sick, so the eldest brother killed the disease at birth.

When the second brother's illness first appeared, he only took one dose of medicine to cure the disease, so many people thought that the second brother was only treating minor illnesses.

And I will only treat patients who are terminally ill. At this time, the patients have already suffered from pain. Seeing my painstaking treatment, they think that my medical skills are the most brilliant, and this is the reason why I am famous all over the world.”

Control after the event is not as good as control during the event, and control during the event is not as good as control before the event.

Cui Dunli pondered for a long time, and just got up and bowed deeply to Gao Chong, "I have learned a lot from listening to you, Cui Dunli has been taught."

"No way", Gao Chong waved his hands and said with a smile: "You have fought wits and courage, and completed the assignment perfectly. After returning to Beijing, you will definitely be appreciated by the crown prince, and you will be able to expand your Cui family's second wife, just around the corner."

Cui Dunli was shocked, "Ambassador Gao knows my wish?"

"You and I are two in-laws, why don't I understand?" Gao Chong said bluntly: "Why are you so unreasonable, just call me by name."

Cui Dunli was deeply moved.

"What do you plan to return to Beijing?" Gao Chong asked.

"It's best to leave tomorrow," Cui Dunli replied after a little thought.

Gao Chong was stunned, then nodded, "It's better to return to Beijing earlier to return to his life, but it's not appropriate to delay the declaration of labor for a long time. I'll bring it up on the spot tomorrow. It's better for Li Yuan to return to Beijing sooner rather than later, and things will change later." .

Gao Chong will not let Li Yuan stay in Youzhou for a long time, lest he cause any trouble secretly.

This is exactly what Cui Dunli meant in his heart. Logically, he shouldn't have delayed for so long when he came out to announce the decree.

"I'll send you off tomorrow," Gao Chong patted Cui Dunli's shoulder and said with a smile, his words seemed to have made a decision. As for Li Yuan's opinion, that's not important.

Tomorrow he has to go, or if he doesn't go, he has to go.

Obviously Cui Dunli was four years older than him, but Cui Dunli was always like a junior in front of Gao Chong.

After sending Cui Dunli out, feeling the howling north wind, biting cold, Gao Chong shivered, and said, "The climate in Youzhou really changes as soon as it is said."

"As expected of a place of bitter cold", Cui Dunli nodded in agreement, wrapped his collar tightly, and said, "Let's go back."

Gao Chong looked at Cui Dunli's leaving back, and his heart was also relieved.

To be honest, he was taking risks today, which is why he asked Liu Hongji for a thousand soldiers as guards, otherwise he would not dare to go deep into Youzhou.

If forcing Li Yuan to take the order today fails, and Li Yuan directly joins Wang Junkuo to conspire against him, then Gao Chong will fall into a trap of his own accord.

Fortunately, the orders from Daxingtai, Eastern Shaanxi Province were strong, and the soldiers from the Youyan states acted quickly, frightening Wang Junkuo and Li Yuan, and a farce-like rebellion was killed in the cradle. I believe that as long as Wang Junkuo is not crazy , he will not be greedy for profit at this time.

"Lang Jun, it's snowing", Kaohsiung suddenly said behind him: "Go back to the house, be careful of the wind and cold."

Gao Chong stretched out his hand to take a look. The north wind was rustling and snowflakes were fluttering.

There are many emotions in my heart, the change of Xuanwumen is gone, and the rebellion of the king of Lujiang is gone... a peaceful, full of positive energy, how wonderful.

The next day, in the Governor's Mansion of Youzhou, Li Yuan stood up against the table and stared at Cui Dunli with wide eyes, "What did you say, you will leave at noon?"

"Exactly, it's not in accordance with the etiquette for your majesty to delay for a few days. Now that the decree has been received, how long do you want to delay?"

Cui Dunli advocated integrity and integrity, and he was extremely resentful towards Li Yuan who had two hearts, so naturally he would not give him face.

Li Yuan gritted his teeth, looked at Gao Chong, "Youzhi, tell me, is this too hasty?"

"Are you in a hurry?" Gao Chong was taken aback, and then said directly: "Don't be in a hurry, An Shangke has been here for a while, and if he doesn't return to Beijing to return to his life, what's the point of it?"

"But this king of the Dudu's Mansion in Nuo Da has to tidy up, and it must be too late to set off at noon," Li Yuan shouted.

"No problem", Gao Chong disagreed, "Your Majesty will go back to the capital with An, don't keep the sage and the crown prince waiting for a long time, just leave your confidant butler to clean up. I think Hu Cao and Wang Lishe are very good, he It is your wife and uncle who is loyal to you."

"Leave Wang Lishe behind?" Li Yuan turned pale immediately, and then he became wise in a hurry, and said directly: "But, this king, cough cough, is unwell and has not recovered yet."

"Then you should go back sooner." Gao Chong said with wide eyes in surprise, "It's already snowing in Youzhou, and the weather is getting colder and colder. If you stay any longer, you will get sicker and go back to Guanzhong earlier. , the climate is pleasant, and it is more conducive to the king's recuperation."

Li Yuan was dumbfounded again, and looked at Wang Junkuo in a daze.

Wang Junkuo really couldn't stand it anymore, and was about to speak, when he patted him on the shoulder abruptly, scaring him into a jolt.

"Jun Kuo, don't you think so? If the delay continues, the prince should be anxious."

"Prince..." Wang Junkuo paused, then nodded embarrassingly, "Yes, yes, don't keep the prince waiting."

Li Yuan wanted to cry but had no tears.

Poor former governor of Youzhou, this is his home field, but no one in the field speaks out for him.

"This journey is thousands of miles away, so I will let Lu Yuanzhi, the commanding army of Wuyang, escort you." Gao Chong said thoughtfully: "I will definitely ensure that the king arrives in Chang'an safely. Lu Yuanzhi, the king's safety will be entrusted to you. Are you confident?" ?”

Lu Yuanzhi was taken aback for a moment, and then said solemnly: "Yes."

Li Yuan completely gave up.

(End of this chapter)