First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

...

Looking at Gao Kan with a strict eye, Gao Chong already understood his character, just like Xue Rengui and Pei Xingjian. They lost their parents when they were young and faced life alone early.

And Gao Kan is indeed a late bloomer. On the original trajectory, it was not until the last years of Zhenguan that Gao Kan ushered in his opportunity.

After the destruction of the Eastern Turks in the Tang Dynasty, Jieli Khan died of illness in Chang'an, and was given the title of Guiyi County King. His posthumous title was Huang. He is a khan, known as Yizhu Chebi Khan, that is, Chebi Khan. Due to the situation, Chebi Khan surrendered to the Xueyantuo Khanate.

In the 23rd year of Zhenguan, after the death of Xue Yantuo, Chebi Khan sent his son Shaboluo Teqin to the court to pay tribute. Li Shimin was overjoyed and sent General Yunhui An Diaozhe and General Youtunwei Han Hua to the Turks to welcome him into the court.

However, Chebi Khan didn't want to enter the DPRK, so Han Hua planned to rob Chebi to Chang'an. Unexpectedly, the news leaked, and Chebi Khan directly killed the two Hanhua and rebelled against Tang Dynasty.

At this time, the Tang Dynasty had already surrendered to Siyi and was invincible. Li Shimin was furious when he heard the news, and directly ordered Gao Kan, who was then You Xiaowei Langjun, to lead the army to crusade against the Turks.

This was Gao Kan's first time leading an army. At this time, Gao Kan was nearly forty years old and in his prime.

Gao Kan led the army in a long drive, chased all the way to Jinshan, and captured Chebi Khan alive. This was his battle of fame, and he won the first battle.

Later, Gao Kan quelled the Goguryeo rebellion, defeated the Silla Army, and was promoted to the Protector of Andong because of his meritorious service. His previous Protector of Andong was Xue Rengui.

Later, Gao Kan had a grandson named Gao Shi, who was a representative figure of frontier poetry and served as an official in Huainan and Xichuan.

"Old Tang Book" records: "Since the Tang Dynasty, the best poets have only been suitable."

Gao Kan also had a great-great-grandson, named Gao Gu, who was born as a domestic slave. In the end, he went to the right servant of the procuratorate and became the king of Bohai County.

"Come on, brother Kan, I'll take you to the west courtyard and introduce you to some peers. You can communicate more in the future." Gao Chong got up and introduced Gao Kan to the two apprentices.

At sunset, Gao Junya returned home and began to arrange the banquet.

Gao Chong's family banquet tonight is destined to be very lively, not only Gao Chong's family, but Jiang Baoyi heard that Gao Chong returned to Beijing, so he went home specially to pick up his wife and children after he was off duty.

His nephew, Jiang Ke, was the same age as Gao Yanzhang. He was four years old, and he was not timid. He was very dependent on Gao Chong, his uncle. After seeing Gao Chong, he hung on to Gao Chong and refused to leave.

"This kid is too naughty," Gao Bing covered his mouth and smiled, "I'm afraid of him, Aye, but he just likes to cling to you."

Gao Chong rubbed Jiang Ke's head and laughed, and looked at Jiang Baoyi, "Is it true that you, a straight man, like to kill him?"

Jiang Baoyi twitched, looked at Jiang Ke and said in a deep voice, "I'll beat him if he doesn't listen."

"You can't do this, kid, now is a happy childhood, don't do it every now and then," Gao Chong hugged his nephew distressedly.

Jiang Ke seemed to understand, and kissed Gao Chong.

"But after a few years, when you grow up a little bit, you will have to smoke as much as you want," Gao Chong continued.

Jiang Ke was taken aback, looked at Gao Bing and cried loudly, flailing his hands and feet to stay away from Gao Chong.

Everyone laughed when they saw this.

After introducing the two apprentices during the banquet, Gao Junya was very satisfied and encouraged her for a long time.

Then the west courtyard was divided separately, a study room was set up inside, and the backyard wall was opened to connect the west courtyard with the martial arts field.

Seeing Gao Junya attaching so much importance to it, not only Gao Chong was moved, but the two apprentices were even more grateful.

Needless to say, Pei Xingjian, his father and brother died early, and he was looked down upon by ethnology, but the sensible Pei Xingjian never mentioned it to his sister and brother-in-law. Here, he felt the warmth that he had not seen for a long time.

Rao Shitu Xing has a deep and stable personality, but he is still extremely excited when facing such great love from Mr. Gao.

An hour later, in Gao Junya's study, Gao Chong was pouring tea for his old father. While the candle was flickering, seeing that Gao Junya had grown gray hair on his temples, Gao Chong sighed inwardly.

"Aye, you can leave those unimportant matters in the Zhengshitang to Feng Lun. Take some time to rest and enjoy yourself." Gao Chong actually encouraged the prime minister's father to go to work and fish, because he knew that the old father was the kind Conscientious and loyal character.

Sure enough, Gao Junya opened her eyes and stared at the words, "What kind of bastard talk is this, under the order of the emperor to manage the government, how can you steal and play tricks, you have been calling me a vegetarian for the past few days?"

Gao Chong smiled bitterly, and said directly: "It's not because Aye is too tired."

"However, these days, Feng Lun really lives like a year."

Gao Junya picked up the teacup, and said with emotion slowly: "At first he was very motivated, and he had the potential to sit in the phase for another ten years. Now, in just a few days, he is rapidly aging and old. Looking at him, he is already full of enthusiasm. Nothing, this person, once he loses his heart, time is really numbered."

Gao Chong shook his head and smiled, "It's his own fault. This old man tried to step on two boats and play with others in his hands. He deserved it for being in such a situation."

Speaking of this, Gao Chong looked at his old father and said with some excitement: "When Feng Lun steps down, the prime minister will be Aye."

Unexpectedly, Gao Junya shook her head, "You think too simply."

Gao Chong paused, "Based on your qualifications, Aye, who else can be above you?"

Gao Junya chuckled lightly, as if she didn't care, and said lightly: "All the officials jointly signed "Inviting the Crown Prince to the Throne", and I did not sign it. The Renshou Palace held a pen to award the ribbon, and I was not present. The position of Prime Minister, why should I let me sit?"

After Gao Chong realized it, he just felt a pity in his heart.

My father has worshiped the prime minister since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, and he was only dismissed twice in the middle of the process. Once he was released as the governor of the Yizhou Governor's Mansion, and once he was moved to the Ministry of Officials. The rest of the time has been worshiping the prime minister for a total of seven years, but he has never been the prime minister. seat.

It has to be said that this is a pity, but Gao Chong didn't try to persuade Gao Junya, and he didn't ask why he didn't sign his name and why he didn't go to Renshou Palace, because he knew that this was a difference in political ideas.

In Gao Junya's mind, the one who is loyal to the king is the king of the world.

"Besides, there is no reason in this world for father and son to pay homage to each other at the same time." Seeing Gao Chong's silence, Gao Junya smiled and said, "Youzhi, you have always put your father at ease. I still want to call you Mr. Gao."

Hearing this, Gao Chong quickly waved his hands and laughed, "Aye, don't laugh at me. I don't even dare to think about being a prime minister at the age of 25." In fact, Gao Chong didn't want to be a prime minister prematurely.

Hearing Gao Chong's words, Gao Junya frowned, "What do you think?"

"I want Aye to be the prime minister," Gao Chong said bluntly.

Although Gao Junya did not respond positively to Li Shimin's ascension to the throne, Gao Chong believed that with his old father's reputation for many years and his own ability, if he wanted to fight for it, there must be hope.

"Tell me the reason", Gao Junya was noncommittal, over half a century old, and had been prime minister for many years, the Prime Minister did not have much attraction for him.

The prime minister is just a common name. Up to now, only three high-ranking officials can be called prime ministers. In order, they are Shangshuling, Shangshu Zuopushe, Shangshuyoupushe, Zhongshuling and Shizhong.

Generally speaking, only No.1 can be called the "Prime Minister". Since Li Shimin, no one has served as a minister. Shangshu Zuo Pushe is the prime minister in the conventional sense. .

"After His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he must first use veteran ministers to stabilize the political situation. If Aye does not contest, the position of Prime Minister must be chosen from Xiao Yu, Chen Shuda, Yu Wenshi and these three people.

In terms of seniority and meritorious service, these three people are inferior to Aye, only Aye is Jinyang Yuancong, why are they above Aye?I still need Aye to support the Gao family for a few more years.

What's more, Aye, you are only in your early fifties, and you don't have the will to make progress now, so you are too negative." Gao Chong said indignantly.

Chen Shuda was originally the prefect of Jiang County in the Sui Dynasty. Gao Junya recruited him to surrender by relying on his old friendship.

Xiao Yu was originally the prefect of Hechi in the Sui Dynasty. After Li Yuan entered Guanzhong, he adopted Gao Junya's strategy and sent letters to recruit him.

Yuwen Shiji, originally the former Shaoqing of Honglu Temple in the Sui Dynasty, followed Yu Wenhuaji and was named King of Shu. In the second year of Wude, after Yu Wenhuaji's defeat, Yuwen Shiji went to Li Tang.

Gao Junya, on the other hand, took the initiative to lead the army to vote before Li Yuan raised his troops. He belonged to Jinyang Yuanmou hero, second only to Wei Guogong Pei Ji.

Now Pei Ji follows Li Yuan in Renshou Palace for the elderly, singing and dancing every day, ignoring political affairs.

In terms of seniority and meritorious service, the position of Prime Minister is none other than Gao Junya.

"Boy, you still use the aggressive method against me." Gao Junya chuckled lightly: "Forget it, although I don't know what your specific plan is, since you have this idea, then I will fight."

"Aye's pride", Gao Chong immediately gave a thumbs up and said, "I'll come up when you step down."

Gao Junya, who was twirling her beard, paused when she heard the words, stared and said: "What are you talking about, I will only take the initiative to become an official."

Gao Chong laughed out loud.

Then Gao Junya changed the topic, "However, it's a bit sudden for you to accept apprentices this time, but I really like these two boys."

"Aye, you are also optimistic about them, which means you have a good vision." Gao Chong said with a smile: "As expected of a person who has been a minister of officials, this skill of knowing people is nothing to say."

Gao Junya glanced at Gao Chong, "Are you praising yourself?"

Gao Chong grinned.

Gao Junya continued: "In the future, we should pay attention to it. Xue Rengui and Pei Xingjian's family is in decline, and they have no father or brother, so that's all.

It’s just that Tu Dixing and Luo Jian are descendants of frontier officials, and their fathers have high positions and powers. You recruit a lot of disciples here, so be careful not to provoke criticism.”

"What Ayer said is, I'll be careful".

Gao Chong nodded in response. He had thought about this point carefully, so he should be safe.

"Not everyone can fall into my eyes. Luo Jian is still young, and I don't know what his future will be. But the other three are over ten years old, and their personalities have basically formed. I will give them the best educational resources to practice literature and martial arts. , I believe they will achieve something in the future."

This is also one of the reasons why Gao Chong made up his mind to accept apprentices. Xue Rengui, Pei Xingjian, and Tu Dixing are all over ten years old, their personalities are basically fixed, and they have experienced their own hardships in life.

So Gao Chong is not worried that they will be dismissed. After all, Gao Chong can give them better resources, such as more books and better teachers.

Hearing Gao Chong's words, Gao Junya nodded slowly, and said intentionally or unintentionally: "Our lineage is not happy, it's a good idea for you to have this idea, but the Gao family still has a lot of talents to make, you should pay more attention to it." pay attention to".

"Aye, you mean Gao Kan?" Gao Chong's eyes lit up, and Gao Chong realized it at this time, and said with admiration: "I have to say, Aye, you are really astute. There must be great success."

If you think about it carefully, you will know that there are not one or two orphans of the Gao family in Bohai. Why Gao Junya wants to take Gao Kan back to the house, it must be because of Gao Kan's potential.

Gao Junya was rather surprised, "You think so too?"

Then he went on to say: "When I was released as the governor of Yizhou, I met Gao You, Gao Kan's father on the way. When I saw Gao Kan at that time, I knew that this son was extraordinary."

Gao Chong gave a thumbs up, sincerely admiring, "Aye's knowledge of people is so terrifying."

Gao Junya paused and looked at Gao Chong, "Let's not talk about me first, but your skill of knowing people is well known in the court and the public. Fang Xuanling, Du Keming, Li Yaoshi, Xue Bobao and others, how can you tell me?" One was not recommended by you."

Gao Chong laughed out loud when he heard this, and said with a bit of complacency: "My Gao family still has a great talent, and it will become a great weapon. Does Aye know who it is?"

Gao Junya twisted her beard and thought, "Last winter, I saw your cousin Gao Rui's character is quite resolute, is it him?"

Gao Chong was startled, "Gao Rui? I don't have much contact with him, so I'm not talking about him."

Gao Rui... Gao Chong secretly remembered that he didn't have a deep impression of Gao Rui and Gao Yu's two cousins. After all, he had only met a few times so far, and he didn't have a close friendship. However, seeing his father's evaluation of Gao Rui was quite Gao, immediately became concerned.

Seeing that Gao Chong was not referring to Gao Rui, Gao Junya immediately asked, "It's not Gao Rui, who is that?"

"It's my elder brother Jifu," Gao Chong said affirmatively, "Gao Jifu has the qualifications of a prime minister."

Gao Junya was not surprised, but nodded and said directly: "Since Gao Feng served as the supervisory censor, he has pointed out the evils of the times, is not afraid of the powerful, and has a lot of prestige among the Qing Dynasty, and has accumulated a lot of fame for him. The only thing is his qualifications. Insufficient, after he has survived for a few years, with his ability, it is quite easy to ascend to the throne."

In the troubled times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, Gao Jifu first voted for Geqian, the king of Yan, and then Li Mi, the king of Wei. When he returned to Li and Tang, the Tang Dynasty had already stabilized Guanzhong and left the Central Plains in the east. His experience in the Tang Dynasty was not rich. .

"Since we are talking about the elders, we have to talk about Gao Jian." Gao Junya Nianxu said: "I am also going to tell you about this. When the Hui people worship their ancestors, I will choose Gao Shilian as the head of the family. how do you feel?"

"What?" Gao Chong was taken aback, "Elect Gao Shilian as the Patriarch?"

Gao Chong has never had any contact with the Gao family in Xiu County, Bohai. In the past, it was Gao Junya who contacted the family, but this is normal. After all, the family has not yet been separated. The head of Gao Bin's branch is Gao Junya. At the same time, he is also the elder of the Bohai Gao clan.

Gao Junya nodded slightly, and sighed: "Patriarch Ming Ren's health is deteriorating, so we must elect the Patriarch as soon as possible.

Gao Shilian and I are both clan elders, regardless of age, seniority, or official position, he and I are the most suitable people to succeed the Patriarch.

But our branch... I believe you have probably heard that before your uncle made his fortune, the Bohai Gao family did not agree with our branch, not to mention that I have no intention of being the head of the family, and Gao Shilian is the uncle of the Crown Princess , and he is a close friend of the crown prince, it would be perfect for him to be the head of the family."

Gao Chong rubbed his head, "I don't really care about these things, it's good for you to come forward, Aye, but what you said is reasonable, Gao Shilian will be reused in the future, I guess after the crown prince ascends the throne, the four ministers will definitely have a place for Gao Shilian."

"This is nature", Gao Junya also agrees.