First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

...

Lingnan has been closed to information since ancient times, and it is difficult to communicate with the outside world. Especially in times of war, interested people only need to block the roads to be isolated from the world.

Although Ning Changzhen, the governor of Qinzhou, took the lead in announcing that he would defend himself and break away from the Tang Dynasty, Ning Changzhen was old and weak and had no aggressiveness.

Ning Daoming, the governor of Yuezhou, was ambitious. He sent a letter to Ning Chun, the governor of Nanhe Prefecture, urging Ning Chun to rebel against the Tang Dynasty.

Ning Chun is the scholar with the highest level of education in the Ning family. He once traveled to the Central Plains and was a classmate of Guozijian in Gaochong for several years. He was deeply influenced by Confucianism and believed that he came from the Ning family in Linzi. His ancestors were from the Spring and Autumn Period. Ning Qi, a famous scholar in Qi State, has always regarded himself as a scholar.

Ning Chun is well aware of the power of the Tang Dynasty. Now that the world is unified and people's minds are settled, Ning Daoming's separatist rule of Lingnan is absolutely wishful thinking. Facing Ning Daoming's solicitation, Ning Chun sternly refuses and decides to send troops to crusade.

Ning Chun's father, Ning Xuan, used to be the governor of Dingzhou in Nanliang. It is Ning Mengli's nephew.

Ning Daoming is the son of Ning Mengli's second son, Ning Xuan (a 虤 at the top and a Bei at the bottom). Ning Daoming is Ning Mengli's grandson, so Ning Daoming needs to call him Uncle Ning Chun, even though Ning Chun is younger than him.

Seeing that his uncle Ning Chun was so decisive, Ning Daoming joined forces with Gaozhou Feng Xuan in a rage, and the two attacked Jiangzhou together.

Jiangzhou, this state is very young.

In the fourth year of Wude, Ning Chun served as governor of Yuezhou. He caressed the refugees, guided folk customs to change, and reconciled the contradictions between Han and slang. , the political achievements are very remarkable, and the scumbags in the mountains came out to cultivate, and the people in this place behind gathered more and more.

Because the mountains are high and the roads are far away, it belongs to the three-way zone. For the convenience of management, Ning Chun wrote to the imperial court, requesting to set up prefectures and counties in this newly born gathering place, and send officials to specialize in management.

Li Yuan was overjoyed at this kind of real pioneering and enlightening work. He decreed to cut off the two counties of Fengshan and Cailong in Yuezhou, and led Dongluo County and Gaocheng County. It was established in Fengshan County (now Lingshan, Guangxi).

Ning Chun can be said to be the father of Jiangzhou. Seeing that Ning Daoming and Feng Xuan's coalition forces attacked Jiangzhou, Ning Chun was furious and immediately led troops to help Jiangzhou.

The newly born Jiangzhou was weakly defended. Ning Daoming and others defeated the Jiangzhou defenders in the first battle, captured Jiangzhou, and stationed in Fengshan City.

In Fengshan City, in the former Governor's Mansion, there was a commotion, Ning Daoming sat on the head seat, with a petite woman in his arms.

Ning Daoming picked up the wine glass and drank it down, wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve casually, then grinned and said: "If you want me to say, I shouldn't have belonged to the Central Plains in the first place. If we reversed earlier, we should be happy earlier."

The generals under his command laughed when they heard the words, only to hear Ning Daoming continue to say: "When the time comes, we will seal the road, and no one from the Central Plains will be able to enter. This land in the south of the Lingnan is not letting us be happy. Why should we listen to the constraints of the court?" ".

A black and thin general immediately raised his wine glass and said, "The surname of Lingnan will be Ning by then."

Hearing this, Ning Daoming even looked up to the sky and laughed, very satisfied.

At this time, his eyes turned to a big man with white beard and hair on the left, "Boss Feng, why don't you speak?"

This person is Feng An's elder brother Feng Xuan.

Hearing Ning Daoming's words, Feng Xuan put down his wine glass and looked at Ning Daoming, "Ning Er, you promised me, Feng An will handle it with me, and don't get involved in Gaozhou."

Ning Daoming laughed loudly, nodded and said with a smile: "It's only natural. Those who achieve great things will break their promises. Don't worry, Boss Feng. I will definitely hand over Feng An to you."

After speaking, Ning Daoming raised his glass to invite him, and drank it all in one gulp, a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.

"Tan Dian is attacking Gaoliang City, when will we go there?" Feng Xuan asked again.

"Don't worry, Tan Dian is dealing with your idiots, we have to deal with my Ning family's idiots first."

Ning Daoming's face showed a fierce look, "First solve Ning Chun, then go east, capture Feng An, break Guangzhou, and dominate Lingnan."

Uncle Ning Chun didn't pay attention to his words at all, let alone a trace of respect. As for Qinzhou's uncle Ning Changzhen, Ning Daoming seemed to avoid it intentionally or unintentionally, and didn't mention Ning Changzhen. According to the plan, Ning Chang's true life will not be long, and he will be the next head of the Ning family by then.

The generals immediately became excited when they heard the words.

In Chang'an City, with the five-day warm-up, the enthusiasm of the people in the city is even higher.

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, look toward the court.

Before dawn, Gao Chong got up to wash and wash, and then ate two bowls of sugar cakes vigorously, until his belly was bulging.

Seeing that Gao Junya was also trying his best to stuff the biscuits into his mouth, Gao Chong couldn't help laughing and said: "Aye, if you can't eat more, forget it, stuff two in your sleeves, don't let it break."

Gao Junya rolled his eyes at him, picked up the silk cloth at hand to wipe his mouth, and said angrily: "It's such a grand occasion, when two mustaches roll out of your sleeves, do you think it looks good?"

Gao Chong was stunned, and then he covered his stomach and laughed so hard that he couldn't straighten up.

He didn't expect his father, who was always serious, to give him a cold joke, but he thought about the scene: in the midst of everyone's attention, when the prime minister gave an order to thank him, two mustard cakes rolled out of his sleeve, it would be really embarrassing Lost too much...

It's just that the big court is really tormenting people now, it's only Yin time, and if there are no accidents, the watching and rewarding meritorious officials should last until noon, which will last for three or four hours. If you don't eat enough, you may run out of energy.

The father and son tidied up their clothes, and after leaving the mansion, Gao Chong crossed his hands and said, "Congratulations, Aye, you have been crowned Prime Minister today."

Gao Junya just shook her head, looked at the sky, stars and moon, and sighed: "I'm afraid that if I make a mistake, I will lose all my fighting power."

Gao Chong took it for granted, he had seen too many people leave the stage sadly over the years, even his unswerving support for Li Shimin was trembling.

"Seeing him building a tall building, seeing him entertaining guests, seeing his building collapse...".

Gao Chong imitated the example, and sighed with his hands behind his back: "It's extremely cold at the heights, so walk carefully."

After the words fell, Gao Junya snorted coldly, "What kind of building collapsed, bad luck."

Gao Chong touched the back of his head, grinned and said, "Aye is right, bad luck."

The father and son looked at each other, then boarded their carriages and went straight to Chengtian and the others.

When he came to Zhuque Street, Gao Chong was surprised. He saw that the street was already crowded with people, and the Marquis Wu on both sides of the road were trying their best to maintain order.

The attendants of Gao's mansion closely guarded him. Seeing Gao Chong's astonished expression, Gao Da grinned and said loudly: "I heard that people from Jingji have come here one after another in the past few days, and the restaurants and inns in the city are already full."

"Good guy", Gao Chong said in shock: "I miscalculated, I knew I would open a few inns in advance."

Gao Da was speechless.

Walking along Zhuque Street, entering Zhuque Gate, passing through Honglu Temple and other government offices, and entering Chengtian Gate, there are no crowds of people on both sides to watch, and it is much easier in an instant.

Gao Chong met Changsun Wuji head-on, and this fellow showed two rows of teeth with a happy expression on his face.

Seeing Gao Chong coming, he immediately stepped forward to salute, "Uncle You is being polite."

Gao Chong frowned, and then joked, "Auxiliary machine, are you picking up money?"

Changsun Wuji paused when he heard the words, and said with an undisguised smile: "I haven't announced the good news to my uncle yet, and my nephew is also the first in the evaluation."

Gao Chong was not surprised, he nodded straightly and said: "This is expected, congratulations on the auxiliary machine, and I must make a grand display in the Hero Building for three days later to celebrate it."

Changsun Wuji's face darkened, and the corners of his mouth twitched, "Uncle was joking, why haven't you put it on yet?"

Gao Chong's eyes widened when he heard this, and when he saw Gao Shilian approaching, he stepped forward to salute, "Brother, you are polite, you come to judge, but the auxiliary machine wants me to hold a banquet for him in the Hero Tower, you said it point?"

Gao Shilian immediately glared at Zhangsun Wuji when he heard the words, "Come here, auxiliary machine, what's going on? You want our elders to celebrate for you?"

Changsun Wuji's fat face was flushed, and he hurriedly said, "Uncle, don't get me wrong, I didn't mean that."

In front of Gao Shilian, Changsun Wuji didn't dare to make mistakes, even if he was the uncle of the dynasty, he had to bow his head obediently.

When everyone was laughing, Li Shimin's Luanjia arrived, and everyone rushed to greet him.

Following the schedule of the supervisory censor, the ritual officer was in place.

Inside Chengtianmen, on the square, there are hundreds of civil and military officials.

Outside Chengtian Gate, the streets on the left and right sides of Suzaku Street were crowded with people.

"Three provinces, six ministries, nine temples and sixteen guards, and the six leaders of the East Palace, and the chief officials of the left and right Chunfang, follow me to the tower," Li Shimin ordered directly without procrastinating.

When everyone heard the words, some were delighted, some were envious, but there were only a few dozen people who were qualified to go upstairs.

Gao Chong, as the Minister of Dali Temple, one of the nine ministers, can naturally climb the tower. Under the envious eyes of others, Gao Chong straightens his clothes and prepares to climb the tower in a serious manner, so as to meet the attention of officials and common people.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Zhijie stepped forward and put his arms around Gao Chong's shoulders, winked and said, "Brother You, my old Cheng's legs and feet are suddenly a little out of control, please hold on."

Cheng Zhijie is now officially worshiping the prince Youwei rate, who is in charge of the East Palace Suwei. You Wei rate is one of the six leaders of the East Palace. Cheng Zhijie can also climb the tower.

Gao Chong was a little surprised, then held back his smile and said, "You don't have stage fright, do you?"

"What are you talking about?" Cheng Zhijie stared and said, "My old Cheng, what kind of scene has I never seen before, and still have stage fright?"

But after he finished speaking, Cheng Zhijie shrank his head, and laughed in a low voice: "But the scene outside is really scary, it's so dark and full of people."

Gao Chong knew that this guy was here to make a joke, and Cheng Zhijie ignored the supervisor's stare and continued climbing the stairs with Gao Chong shoulder to shoulder.

When he came to the tower of Chengtian Gate, Gao Chong raised his eyes and let out a breath of cold air.

At this time, the sky was not bright yet, and the lights on Suzaku Street stretched to the horizon.

Chengtian Gate is the palace gate of Taiji Palace, and going south through Honglu Temple, Taichang Temple and other central government offices is Zhuque Gate, and Zhuque Gate is ten miles long to Mingde Gate, the south gate of Chang'an City. This ten-mile long street , is Suzaku Street, commonly known as Tianjie, which is the widest and longest street in the world today.

The tall and majestic building above Chengtian Gate has been the place where the "Outer Dynasty" ceremony has been held since the former Sui Dynasty.

Inside the city gate, the guards on the left and right lined up in a row, and the square outside the gate was surrounded by armored soldiers, and thousands of officials stood in order.

Envoys from all over the world waited here early, and with the sound of golden drums, music and dance, Li Shimin slowly stepped onto the stage.

The timing was just right. After Li Shimin took the stage, it was the fifth watch in the morning. As the first morning drum sounded on the Chengtian Gate, street drums echoed in unison on the streets corresponding to the gates of Chang'an City.

The gate of Chang'an opened slowly to the first sunrise on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month in the eighth year of Wude in the Tang Dynasty.

This is exactly when the nine heavens closed and opened the palace, and all nations dressed up and worshiped the crown.

In fact, Chengtianmen was called Guangyangmen in the former Sui Dynasty. After Li Yuan ascended the throne, it was renamed Shuntianmen.

At the same time, before this year, the message of a new day in Chang'an City was sent by the street patrolling Marquis Wu, called paging, that is, shouting with his voice.

In the early morning, soldiers on the street shuttled back and forth, shouting at the top of their voices. Ma Zhou, the newly appointed censor, felt that this was a waste of manpower, so he suggested setting up street drums, and Chengmen Lang would beat the morning bell and evening drum on time according to the missed time.

Li Shimin opened his arms, facing the rising sun, shining golden light on his body.

Under the guidance of the ceremonial officials, the officials paid homage in unison, and the people outside the city followed suit. For a while, the sound waves soared to the sky, hitting Xiaohan directly.

Feeling the solemnity rushing towards his face, Gao Chong felt excited and his blood was rushing.

After the visit, the ceremonial officer issued an imperial edict.

Li Shimin looked at Gao Chong, and said with a smile: "to listen to the letter today, let Youzhi proclaim the edict first, and if You's voice is hoarse, then Zi Cong will follow."

After a high-pitched meal, he happily went out to take orders.

On the other side, Chen Shuda flutteringly waved his sleeves, respectfully accepting orders.

The two Chen Gao, one old and one young, all have outstanding tolerance and clear and sonorous voices. To put it bluntly, they are good-looking and good-sounding.

Gao Chong stepped forward to receive the decree, cleared his throat slightly, and came to the front of the stage. There are buildings on the left and right, which are good for sound reception. This is the place for speeches and edicts. The city wall has been specially rebuilt here, which has an unexpected sound amplification effect , The wisdom of the ancients should not be underestimated.

Historically, many important ceremonies were held at this location, such as Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty pacified Nanchen Xianpu, Emperor Taizong of Tang conferred Li Zhi as crown prince, Emperor Ruizong of Tang Dynasty became emperor, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty accepted the letter of alliance of Tubo, etc.

As Gao rushed forward, the envoys from all over the world and the people in Gyeonggi who were watching the ceremony clapped and applauded loudly.

Seeing this, Li Shimin laughed with his beard, and smiled to the left and right: "Let the barbarians from all over the world see what I look like in the Celestial Dynasty of the Central Plains."

Gao Chong's face was a little fiery. Although he was not stage frightened, there must be pressure from so many people watching him.

Unfolding the edict, Gao Chong took a deep breath.

"The book says:...".

Just the first two words, everyone's heart trembled.

The Tang Dynasty inherited the Sui Dynasty system, conferring official titles above the third rank; conferring official titles above the fifth rank; conferring official titles below the sixth rank by imperial edict.

This is the beginning of the book, which is really a big deal.

Following the previous paragraph of praising Deze and commending the meritorious deeds, it is time to get to the point.

"...

Shangshu Youpushe, Yan Guogong Gao Junya, can Shangshu Zuopushe, change the title to Zhao Guogong, and Shishi seals [-] households.

Minister of the Minbu, Xiao Yu, Duke of the Song Dynasty, Ke Shangshu's right servant shot, Shi Shi sealed [-] households.

The crown prince You Shuzi, Gao Shilian, the Duke of Yixing County, can serve in the middle, become the Duke of Xu Guogong, and seal [-] households with food.

The Crown Prince You Shuzi, the Marquis of Linzi County, Xuanling, can be entrusted with the imperial edict of Duke Xing, and [-] households will be sealed for food."

Up to this point, all the ministers felt turbulent in their hearts, and at the same time felt that it was justified. The above four people paid homage to the prime minister, which did not surprise anyone.

Among the four, Fang Xuanling is the youngest, but he is nearly fifty years old. He was recommended by Gao Chong and has been with Li Shimin for eight years. During this period, he has never been absent from any of Li Shimin's battles. It is also reasonable to worship the prime minister now.