First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 504 The Studious Tuli

...

In the northwest of Youzhou, the Little Khan Yazhang is more than [-] miles outside Jimen.

A Turkic young man with a high nose bridge and gorgeous clothes sat on the main seat, tried his best to keep a straight face, and tried his best to maintain the so-called majesty. This man was the Turkic Khan Ashina Shibobi.

Looking at the two men standing proudly in the tent, Tuli Khan asked in a deep voice: "You really have no intention of invading the grassland?" He must show these two Han people the power of his little Khan.

Seeing the young man pretending to be deep, Wang Shen felt amused, but looked at Tuli with his hands behind his back, and replied with a smile: "It's natural."

In terms of demeanor and majesty, Wang Shen, who was born in a family, is far better than Tuli, a Turkic royal family who has been aggrieved all the year round.

Seeing that Wang Shen was unmoved, Tuli couldn't help feeling discouraged, and asked directly: "So what do you want Chen Bing to do at the Jimen Pass?"

"Ask the crime", Wang Shen restrained his smile and said in a deep voice.

If he was facing Jieli Khan, Wang Shen would not dare to be so rampant if he had a hundred courage, but facing Tuli, a doormat, Wang Shen straightened his back and was full of confidence.

"What?" Tuli sullenly said, "You are so courageous, I have millions of Turkic soldiers, who do you dare to blame?"

"Naturally, I blame the Khitan, Mohe, Xi and other tribes." Wang Shen raised his head and chest, and said in a deep voice: "The tribes in the east headed by these three tribes have been invading south all the year round and plundering huge amounts of property from our people. , Sweeping Liuhe, how can these Xu Xiao tribes be allowed to run rampant?"

For some reason, Tuli felt relieved for no reason when he heard Wang Shen say that the Khitan and other tribes were blamed.

Tuli had heard that these small tribes liked to plunder at the border, but he couldn't stop it. After all, if these small tribes didn't plunder, he wouldn't be able to raise taxes.

But soon Tuli grasped the key point of Wang Shen's words, and frowned suddenly.

"Don't exaggerate, it's just a few stones of food and grass, why do you have huge wealth, don't blackmail here, if you dare to go out, I, the Turkic Khan, will definitely march eastward, and none of you will be able to return."

Seeing Tuli's fierce threats here, Wang Shen laughed loudly, his words were full of sarcasm.

"Little Khan, don't deceive yourself and others. If the official's prediction is correct, once Jieli Khan knows the situation here, then the little Khan will probably be punished, and then he will order you to send troops to fight, right? How could he? Because of the Khitan and other ministries, the teachers and the masses were mobilized."

Tu Li's face turned pale, and suddenly his expression changed. He knew his third uncle's temperament well, after all, there had been precedents for such a thing.

When he raised taxes last winter, there were tribal riots and refusal to pay taxes. Tuli reported it to Xieli and asked Xieli to send troops to suppress it.

Unexpectedly, not only did Jieli not send troops, but he also scolded Tuli, which can probably be condensed into one sentence: You can't discipline your own subordinates, how dare you ask me for help?

Seeing Tuli's expression of joy and anger, Wang Shen was even more contemptuous, with a feeling of elation, I dare not jump too much in front of Jieli Khan, I might as well handle it casually when dealing with a young man like you.

"Little Khan Tuli deserves to be a nobleman of the royal family. With hundreds of thousands of hu grains and tens of thousands of people, it is only a few shi of grain with you?"

Wang Shen sarcastically said: "This time I gathered 16 troops from the [-] prefectures of Youyan at Jimen Pass to accuse the Khitan and other tribes. I will return that sentence to Little Khan. If the Khitan and other tribes dare to commit another crime this year My boundaries will teach him whether to return or not."

Tuli couldn't sit still immediately when he heard the words, and asked in amazement: "Hundreds of thousands of grains? Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"

"Huh", Wang Shen snorted coldly, as if he was unwilling to mention it, and his expression was extremely displeased, "The warehouses are all empty, how can it be faked."

Tuli's face is cloudy and uncertain, hundreds of thousands of hu grains, but those tribes only turn in how much to me every year.

Last year, cattle and sheep were requisitioned, and everyone with me cried poor and sold miserably here. It turns out that such a huge amount of property was plundered in the Tang Kingdom secretly, it is really hateful.

Thinking of the happy life of those small tribal chiefs, surrounded by beauties, and piled up with food, Tu Li felt a hatred in his heart.

Tuli's face gradually became ferocious, it was envy, jealousy and hatred, seeing the disrespectful Wang Shen still smiling with his hands behind his back, with a refined demeanor, he felt even more unhappy, and shouted at the table: "You are so courageous, even if you blame Khitan , how dare you offend Ben Khan, and really think that I dare not kill you?"

"Little Khan, have you heard the story of the man's wrath?" Wang Shen didn't care, but raised his eyebrows and asked.

"'The wrath of the emperor lays down millions of corpses, and the wrath of commoners bleeds for five steps'", Tuli said proudly: "It comes from "Warring States Policy", how can I not know."

"Little Khan is very knowledgeable," Wang Shen nodded and praised.

Tuli's face turned dark, do I need you to test my knowledge?

Tuli has been weak since he was a child, and he likes Sinology. Although he can't say he is proficient in scriptures, he is also proficient in writing and ink. This is one of the reasons why he is not accepted by other Turkic tribes.

"Little Khan, please look at this strong man."

Wang Shen sideways introduced Wang Yun, who was standing beside him, with a calm demeanor, "This is Wang Yun, my brother from the official family, known as the Great Swordsman of the River East. , within this account, who can be the enemy?"

Tu Li's face suddenly changed, and he shrank back unconsciously. Several guards on the left and right stood in front of him as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

Seeing this, Wang Shen even laughed out loud, "My official purpose of this mission is to inform the little Khan that this military exercise will only indict the Khitan and other ministries, and he will definitely not be good at using weapons. The little Khan can rest assured." ".

Tuli took a deep breath, and then he took a serious look at Wang Yun. Before, he just regarded him as a lowly bodyguard and didn't pay attention to it. Now that he looked carefully, he was really a god descended from the earth, so majestic.

"This... General Wang, what is his official position?" Tu Li asked hesitantly, he was always timid, and he was really afraid of blood spattering five steps away.

"White body", Wang Yun's mouth twitched, and hummed back.

He used to lead the army from the fourth-rank military government. After Li Jiancheng was deposed, he hid.

"Such a majestic warrior is actually white?" Tu Li asked with staring eyes.

Wang Shen twisted his beard again and laughed, "I have heard for a long time that the little Khan is interested in learning from the Han family. I wonder if he has ever been to the Central Plains?"

"Never", Tuli paused, Turkic and Central Plains are enemies, he dare not go.

"The vast land of the Central Plains is full of outstanding people. There are countless warriors like Wang Yun in the Central Plains. Don't be surprised," Wang Shen said slowly.

Anyway, he is a direct descendant of the Wang family, and the official worships the governor, so it is not wrong to be humble on behalf of this partial clan brother.

Tu Li was stunned, he successfully bluffed Wang Shen, and his subsequent attitude was very kind.

"Ben Khan never ordered the Khitan and other tribes to go south to plunder, and the men and horses of the headquarters where the Yazhang is located never went south. This can be ascertained."

In Tuli's words, he was already subconsciously inferior, "After all, they are my subordinates. If Tang Jun is allowed to question the crime, what is the prestige of this Khan? Wang Shijun can go back first, suspend the war, and everything will be handled by this Khan." .

Wang Shen was overjoyed, but his face was still heavy, "If winter comes this year, and you still go south to plunder, what should you do?"

"Ben Han was born in a noble family, and he is familiar with the books of sages, so how could he act like a robber?" Tu Li frowned, and said: "I will restrain my subordinates, and I will definitely not disturb the border people."

Wang Shen couldn't laugh or cry when he heard this. The little Khan was really cute, and he immediately praised him: "I have heard that the little Khan is gentle and gentle, and he is quite a gentleman. When I see him today, I am honest."

"That's natural." Tu Li tried his best to maintain his demeanor, and said with a smile: "I heard that Wang Shijun was from the Wang family in Taiyuan, which is a famous family.

I don't know what classics kings and emperors govern?Ben Khan only knows a thing or two about "The Doctrine of the Mean", and I ask Wang Shijun to give me some advice."

Wang Shen paused, a mere barbarian dared to talk about classics and classics, pretending to know a little about "The Doctrine of the Mean", I think you little khan is really mediocre.

However, due to the important tasks of the military exercise, Wang Shen had no choice but to hold back his disdain, and talked and laughed happily about the classics with Tuli.

Although Wang Shen, who was born in a family, cannot be said to be well-educated, his knowledge is at least higher than that of ordinary officials. When he talks about the scriptures, he is eloquent and eloquent.

Wang Shen had no choice but to comfort himself, thinking that he was only teaching the barbarians. After all, saints also pay attention to teaching without discrimination.

But for Tuli, it was like listening to the melodious sounds of the sky, and he was mesmerized. The Han masters he usually invited were not at the level of Wang Shen.

One upholds the idea of ​​enlightenment, and the other yearns for the learning of the Han family. Unknowingly, after an afternoon, Tuli is the disciple's gift, and respectfully addresses Wang Shen as Mr. Wang Shen.

As night fell, Tuli ordered people to prepare a banquet, during which they showed great respect to Wang Shen.

Wang Shen was very useful. When he was intoxicated, "Sir, how about staying in Turkic?" Tuli looked at Wang Shen expectantly and said, "As long as you stay, I am willing to seal you...".

"Shut up", Wang Shen suddenly woke up, and instantly sobered up, stood up and shouted: "How dare you insult me ​​like this?"

Tu Li was stunned, and hurriedly apologized, "Don't be upset, sir, I won't mention this matter again."

Wang Shen sat down angrily, he wanted to reprimand: How can my famous family bow down to Cao barbarians... But after he sobered up from the drink, he reacted, now don't provoke Tuli, everything should be based on military exercises.

"It's great that the little Khan wants to learn from the sages and sages," Wang Shen said after calming down, "However, the Turkic people are mostly violent people, such as the Khitan, Mohe, Xi and other tribes. , Such behavior is no different from animals, and I ask the little Khan to strictly control it, so that it will corrupt the little Khan's benevolent heart."

Tuli nodded in response, "Don't worry, sir, not all Turkic people are such scum, and Ben Khan will definitely check himself."

The banquet ended in a peaceful atmosphere.

The next day, Wang Shen bid farewell to the reluctant Tuli and returned to Jimen Pass.

Wang Shen gained a lot from this mission. Not only did he confirm that Tuli is cowardly and dislikes using soldiers, but he also aroused Tuli's desire to learn. Wang Shen knew what this meant. His heart is towards the Central Plains, which is definitely a great achievement for Datang.

Outside Jimen Pass, Wang Shen was a little hesitant. Should he tell Gao Chong about this kind of harvest? If after the military exercise is over, after Gao Chong returns to Beijing, he returns to Yanzhou, and then slowly divides the Turks through Turks. Great credit, but if it is reported to Gao Chong, most of the credit will be shared.

"Your Majesty, Ambassador Gao is waiting ahead," Wang Yun beside him reminded Wang Shen when he saw Wang Shen frowning and thinking.

Wang Shen raised his head and saw Gao Chong and others waiting outside the closed door. Wang Shen's heart was touched immediately, and he turned his head and asked Wang Yun, "What's your impression of Gao You?"

"Smart and open-minded, the pillar of the country", Wang Yun thought for a while and said: "Anyway, that's what the fourth brother Wang told me, telling me to listen to Ambassador Gao's words."

"Wang Si?" Wang Shen paused, "Wang Yao?"

"Yes," Wang Yun continued, "because that's what Uncle Shujie told Fourth Brother Wang."

"What Uncle Jie said?" Wang Shen was stunned, then nodded slowly, "Since he gave me this opportunity, whether it's because of the Wang family or others, I accept his favor" and immediately strode towards Gao Chong.

Wang Gui, named Shujie, is the person in charge of Taiyuan Wang's family in Chang'an. Yao, Wang Shen and other royal children.

"Looking at Wang Shijun's happy face, everything must be going well for this trip?" Gao Chong stepped forward to greet him with a smile.

As for Wang Shen, Gao Chong only knew that he was on good terms with Li Yuan, he didn't know that Wang Shen had agreed to Li Yuan's army, but Gao Chong did not underestimate Wang Shen's talent.

"Reporting to the ambassador, it's a good thing that the next official did not disgrace his life," Wang Shen crossed his hands in worship.

"Come on, let's go to the Military Capital Mansion together for a detailed discussion." Gao Chong grabbed Wang Shen's hand and headed for the Military Capital Mansion five miles in front of Jimen Pass.

Wang Shen had a strange expression on his face, while Wang Yun scratched his head and said, "I thought Ambassador Gao was here to welcome us."

Wang Shen glared at him fiercely, and hurriedly followed the footsteps of Gao Chong and the others.

Jingzhou, Anding City, in Zhao's study.

Zhao Cihao and his son stared at a follower who had just entered the door, it was Xiao Wu who was beside Zhao Chiman earlier.

"How?" Zhao Chiman couldn't suppress his excitement. For the first time, he felt that he was involved in a big event, and he was very excited. "Whose family is it?"

Xiao Wu looked at Zhao Cihao timidly, and said tremblingly, "I saw... I saw those two little ladies entering through the back door of the Governor's Mansion."

"Inspector's Mansion?" Zhao Cihao scolded with staring eyes: "Can you see clearly? If you talk nonsense, the family law will serve you."

"See clearly, definitely see clearly," Xiao Wu said hastily.

Zhao Cihao closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then took out a finger-sized silver barley from his sleeve and threw it to Xiao Wu, saying in a deep voice, "Forget what happened today, if you dare to say a word, your whole family will die." .

Xiao Wu's face turned pale when he heard the words, A Lang, who has always been gentle, was so ruthless, he was quick-witted and immediately knew the seriousness of the problem, and quickly kowtowed on the ground, "I know, A Lang don't worry."

Xiao Wu was a servant of the Zhao family, even if Zhao Cihao beat him to death, it would be nothing more than paying a small fine.

After Xiao Wu retreated, Zhao Chiman came back to his senses, "Aye, what are you doing to scare Xiao Wu, he won't talk nonsense."

"What do you know?" Zhao Cihao reprimanded, "This is a serious matter, if you are not careful, our whole family will be in danger."

Seeing Zhao Cihao's sad face, Zhao Chiman said directly: "Aye, why are you worried? If King Yan wants to rebel, you can report him directly, go tell the Anding Commander, and arrest him directly."

Zhao Cihao gave a wry smile, "Anding Commander...do you know who he is?"

"Who?" Zhao Chiman was taken aback, "The commander of the military mansion, the former hussar general, don't all the stable mansion soldiers belong to the statistician."

"An Ding Commander Tang Wanren, don't make Tang Wanyi all Li Yi's former troops", Zhao Cihao said in a deep voice, "If you go to Anding Commander, you will be looking for your own death."

"The old department...Anding's commanding army turned out to be the man of King Yan", Zhao Chiman was very surprised.

(End of this chapter)