First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 621: Transfer Ao Yushe to the north
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Originally, Jieli Khan heard that Zhao Deyan had taken away the Tang envoy Lu Kuan and escorted him to a tent alone. He was very likely to have evil intentions. However, Jieli Khan now not only reuses Zhao Deyan, but also takes strict precautions against him.

To be precise, Jieli Khan had no absolute trust in anyone, not even his relatives, let alone Zhao Deyan, a Han Chinese from the Central Plains.

So Jieli Khan stopped reporting and broke into the big tent directly, just to find out what was going on. As soon as he walked to the door of the big tent, he heard Lu Kuan's hysterical cursing. Jieli Khan was also extremely surprised.

It turned out that Zhi Lifa actually planned to persuade the Tang envoy to surrender. If he thought about it carefully, if he could really persuade the Tang envoy to surrender, it would be a huge blow to the Tang court. The envoy even surrendered to the Turks, which shows the power of the Turkic Khanate.

After Lu Kuan was escorted away, Jieli Khan looked at Zhao Deyan and looked him up and down, "Is Qi Lifa planning to go out?"

"It's a coincidence." Zhao Deyan smiled loudly, stepped forward to pour tea for Jieli Khan, and said with a smile: "I was about to see the Khan, but the Khan came to see me, which saved me a trip."

Tea in the Central Plains is very popular on the grasslands, because cattle and sheep are eaten on the grasslands. Tea can effectively remove the fishy smell of meat, and can also help digestion, relieve fatigue, etc. As early as the Han Dynasty, the Huns were a large-scale In exchange for tea leaves from the Central Plains, tea leaves are now an indispensable and important material on the grasslands.

Jieli Khan picked up the tea cup, drank it all in one gulp like a cow chewing peonies, and then looked at Zhao Deyan.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Deyan raised his hands and said, "I heard that the little Khan Tuli returned in defeat?"

When Jieli Khan heard this, his face darkened and he nodded muffledly.

"Then the tribes in the east rebelled one after another?" Zhao Deyan continued to ask.

With a bang, Jieli Khan felt irritated and his eyes were full of anger. He slammed the teacup on the desk and said, "Speak out if you have something to say."

Zhao Deyan nodded and smiled: "I may be able to relieve Khan's worries."

Jieli Khan was moody, and his cloudy eyes suddenly shone brightly when he heard this. "Speak quickly," he had originally intended to ask Zhao Deyan for advice, and now that Zhao Deyan took the initiative, it was in line with his wishes.

"I still stick to the previous strategy. To deal with this kind of rebellion, the Khan must not use the elite of the royal court."

Zhao Deyan said slowly: "As long as Khan maintains his own strength and maintains his strength, it is the key to secure his position as the overlord of the grassland. In short, as long as Khan still has an elite division, this grassland will not be in chaos. , Yinshan Royal Court will always be the existence they look up to."

Jieli Khan nodded and said, "This is what I mean. If I don't have the elites in my hands, those ambitious things will have nothing to fear."

"That's exactly the truth." Zhao Deyan twisted his beard and smiled, "Secondly, as the controller of the Turkic Khanate, the Khan has a territory of thousands of miles. If there is a rebellion anywhere, the Khan needs to stand on his horse and carry a sword. Then the Khan Where is the prestige?”

Jieli Khan nodded again, he felt that Zhao Deyan really spoke to his heart.

Seeing this, Zhao Deyi's eyes were filled with smiles, and he continued: "Since the Khan is the lord of all nations, he should drive all his ministries as the vanguard. Those who do not follow will be rebellious officials and traitors. Khan, do you think so or not?"

"This is natural." Jieli Khan leaned back and said proudly: "The Turkic Khanate has millions of people who control strings. Who dares to disobey?"

After his heart was fully satisfied, Jieli Khan also reacted, frowned and asked: "It's just that there is chaos in Mobei and the east now, and the troops and horses have been lost. Do you have any clever ideas to stabilize it when Lifa comes?"

"Drive the tiger to devour the wolf!" Zhao Deyan said, twirling his beard with great wisdom.

"The wolves are those rebellious officials and traitors," Jieli Khan frowned in thought, "Where is the tiger?"

"Shuofang!" Zhao Deyan said categorically: "Shuofang, the capital of the Liang division, is protected by the Khan, has hundreds of thousands of troops, and has lived in Shuofang for a long time. Now is the time to repay the Khan's great kindness. In addition, I heard that the Turkic Khanate is expanding to the south. He is the son of Chuluo Khan, he is brave and good at fighting, and he rules over the tribes in the south, and he also has strong troops and horses."

At this point, Zhao Deyan leaned closer and said in a low voice: "I'm sorry to say, these two soldiers and horses are not direct descendants of the Khan."

"Humph", Jieli Khan raised his eyebrows upon hearing this, "Are you sowing discord?"

Zhao Deyan did not panic at all, and said bluntly: "I have never seen Liang Shidu, let alone the expansion to the south. Just because I am deeply favored by the Khan, I hereby propose a plan. What is sowing discord?"

Jieli Khan's eyes were as sharp as a wolf, staring at Zhao Deyan. Zhao Deyan did not dodge, he just straightened his body and stared at each other intently.

Jieli Khan let out a low and hoarse laugh, which seemed sinister and strange, "Don't say such words again in the future."

Zhao Deyan nodded in agreement, and when he lowered his head, something strange flashed in his eyes.

"But..." Jieli Khan continued: "It's really time for Oyushe to get active. After living in Shuofang for so many years, I'm afraid he will soon forget that he is a descendant of the grassland."

Zhao Deyan lowered his head and lowered his eyebrows and did not answer any more words. Sometimes, you just need to click and stop, and going too far is not enough.

"Master Liang will not touch him even if he is there." Jieli Khan was not in a daze, stroking his chin covered with gray stubble, "The Tang State has long been eyeing Shuofang, the meat in the cauldron. If Master Liang If they are all transferred away, Shuofang may not be safe."

"Khan is still considerate," Zhao Deyan said in compliment.

"Qi Lifa, you Central Plains scribes are good at internal affairs, but we are still not as good at fighting as we prairie warriors. From now on, you should not pay attention to the war, and help me wholeheartedly to improve the internal affairs of the Khan. The tax and interest calculation is very good. In recent months, Wang The court is much richer, and I will give you another hundred cattle and sheep as a reward."

Jieli Khan was like an old wild wolf, leaning slightly, looking at Zhao Deyi and saying slowly, with great power. Zhao Deyan couldn't hold back this momentum, so he lay down on the ground and thanked him.

Jieli Khan laughed when he saw this, his voice was hoarse, as sharp as a knife, then he stood up, patted Zhao Deyan on the shoulder and turned to leave.

After all, he is the overlord of the grassland who controls millions of people. Zhao Deyan looked at Jieli Khan's back with fear in his eyes.

Jieli Khan walked to the door of the tent, suddenly stopped, and Zhao Deyan hurriedly lowered his head.

"Qi Lifa, I heard that your old master was buried in Hebei?" Jieli Khan turned around and asked.

Zhao Deyan felt a sting in his heart, nodded in pain, and said with full of resentment: "Li Yuan of the Pseudo-Tang Dynasty killed my lord in Chang'an. The righteous people of Hebei couldn't bear the soul of King Xia returning to a foreign land, so they risked their lives to snatch the body of King Xia and buried him in his hometown in Hebei. ".

Jieli Khan nodded thoughtfully, "After winter, I will personally lead the army into Hebei. You will come with me. You will be allowed to worship your old master. I will also confer Dou Jiande as the Khan of the Southern Kingdom." .Zhao Deyan was startled, and then he fell to the ground and thanked him with great joy, "I am grateful to the Khan for his great kindness, and I dare not die in service."

Jieli Khan left with satisfaction.

After confirming that no one was outside the tent, Zhao Deyan immediately stood up and straightened his clothes. His face was solemn and his eyes were filled with murderous intent. However, he did not dare to speak out and could only curse in his heart: "The thief chief wants to plunder Hebei. If I follow him, From now on, under Jiuquan, how can I see the King of Xia again with face? I will never be able to teach him what he wishes..."

It's just that Zhao Deyan was very thoughtful and thought about it carefully: If the old traitor Jieli fails to invade south, he will definitely suspect me and I will die by then.

Zhao Deyan frowned and sat in the tent until dark, without realizing it, a bold plan gradually formed in his mind.

Jieli Khan got on his horse, turned around and took a deep look at Zhao Deyan's big tent, and then went straight back to the golden tent. His weathered face was expressionless, making it impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry, or what he was thinking.

"Here comes someone." In the golden tent, Jieli Khan thought for a long time and finally made up his mind.

"Khan", the guard outside the tent bowed in agreement.

"Send an order to Shuo Fang and order Ao Yushe to lead his troops northward and meet at the royal court within five days," Jieli Khan ordered in a deep voice.

The personal guard took the order and left.

In the royal court, there were not many dignitaries and it was impossible to hide secrets. Not long after, Ashina Simo and others who were drinking in the tent heard the news.

Tuli Little Khan looked at Ashina Sheer with a surprised look on his face, "It seems that your two brothers are going to join forces this time."

Ashina Sheer also looked excited, "I haven't seen my brother for many years since he went south. It would be great if I could join the army in the northern expedition this time."

"Khan just ordered Oyushe to go north. Brother, why do you think She'er will also go north?" Ashina asked with a frown.

The little Khan Tuli glanced at Ashina's association rate with a look of disdain on his face and said, "use your brain."

Ashina Simo said slowly from the side: "Firstly, Aoyushe went north to regain Mobei. To be more precise, it was to avenge She'er. Secondly, Aoyushe had been in the south for a long time and didn't know Mobei. The situation is not suitable for the climate and terrain of Mobei, so we need help. Look at the royal court, is there anyone more suitable than She'er?"

Ashina frowned and thought, it seemed that this was true, so she could only scratch her head and said: "In just this moment, you thought so far-reaching?"

The three of them took a look at the surprised and confused Ashina Kushiro, and shook their heads and ignored him. Ashina Kushiro was furious, clenched his fists, and cursed in his heart: If you all think I am stupid, sooner or later I will do something earth-shattering. big event.

According to the historical trajectory, Ashina's association was indeed successful later. He falsely accused his brother Tuli Khan of treason. As a result, the matter was exposed. Not only did he not inherit his brother's title as he wished, but he was despised by everyone. Then in After several years of confusion in Chang'an, more than [-] soldiers stormed into Jiucheng Palace, assassinated Li Shimin, and then... was beheaded in public.

"I heard that Ao Yushe got along very well with Master Liang in the south. They had good wine and delicious food every day, lived in a palace, and rode in a carriage. I don't know what it has become now." Tuli Little Khan smiled softly. , all pointed out with a smile.

Ashina Sheer looked a little embarrassed when he heard this, but he was already in his twenties, and he was considered to be a top class among the Turkic royal family in terms of intelligence and emotional intelligence. He immediately raised his glass and said with a smile: "Brother's responsibilities must also be under great pressure. Wait. After my brother returns to the royal court, all brothers will be closer to each other."

After hearing Ashina Sher's words, Ashina Simo also raised his glass and smiled: "No matter what, we are all descendants of Ili Khan, and we should get closer to each other."

Ashina She'er laughed loudly and echoed, and Ashina She'er also laughed and said: "Brother Oyushe has been living happily in the south for many years. I will definitely ask him to come up with something good when the time comes."

The little Khan Tuli was very angry when he heard this. He glared at this idiot brother fiercely. He looked at Ashina Sheer, looked at his brother, and then looked at my brother. He was so angry when comparing each other to each other. Dead man, I'm here to suppress Oyu She and stabilize the position of the little Khan. You idiot, you know how to stare at other people's things, which makes me angry. I immediately drank the glass and drank it, with a smile, "Two That’s what the younger brother said.”

"They are three younger brothers," Ashina shouted loudly, "what I said is correct."

"Shut up," Tuli Khan finally couldn't bear it anymore and scolded him with a glare.

Ashina had no choice but to lower his head and vent his dissatisfaction on the leg of lamb in front of him. He felt that his brother always looked down on him.

"Come, have a drink." Tuli Little Khan raised his glasses to Ashina Simo and the two. "In a few days, we will see Brother Oyushe. Then I will bring out ten jars of Central Plains wine. Once drunk, we will rest." ".

Ashina She'er was very happy, and immediately showed off to the little Khan Tuli and raised his glasses frequently, but Ashina She'er was the only one who was unhappy.

Ashina Oyushe, the former Great Khan of the Turkic Khanate, the eldest son of Chuluo Khan, and the brother of Ashina Sheer's compatriot.

As the eldest son of Chuluo Khan, he was also the first candidate to succeed the Great Khan after Chuluo Khan died of illness. However, in accordance with the custom of a Turkic brother marrying his wife after his death, Jieli Khan married the former Sui Dynasty Princess Yicheng.

In the 19th year of the reign of Emperor Kaimin of the Sui Dynasty, Princess Anyi, the wife of the Turkic Qimin Khan, died of illness. Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty chose a clan daughter and named Princess Yicheng to marry Qimin Khan. After the death of Qimin Khan, according to custom, Yi Princess Cheng married three brothers, Shibi Khan, Chuluo Khan and Jieli Khan.

Princess Yicheng was a diehard loyalist of the Sui Dynasty. She had always hated Li Tang and promoted the Turks to be hostile to Li Tang. After the death of Chuluo Khan, Princess Yicheng married Jieli Khan and became the fourth Kehe Dun. Dun is the official wife of Khan, equivalent to the queen of the Central Plains Dynasty.

When Chuluo Khan died, his eldest son Aoyushe was still young and timid. In order to retaliate against Li Tang, Princess Yicheng was worried that the Turks were weak. At the same time, she was also favored by Jieli Khan, so she supported Ashina. Bi succeeded to the position of Great Khan, namely Jieli Khan.

After Jieli Khan succeeded to the throne, in order to stabilize his rule, he reused all the sons of his eldest brother Shibi Khan and his second brother Chuluo Khan.

The eldest son of Shibi Khan, Ashina Shibobi, was granted the title of Little Khan of Tuli, taking charge of the Khitan, Xi and other tribes in the east. The second son, Ashina Yugu, was granted the title of northern extension, and the fiefdom was in Mobei.

The eldest son of Chuluo Khan, Ashina Aoyushe, was granted the title of extension to the south. The fiefdom was in Shuofang, and he supervised the capital of Liang in Shuofang. The second son, Ashina Sheer, was granted the title of extension to the north. He was also in Mobei and followed. Ashina wanted to set up a valley to rule the Tongluo and Tiele tribes together.

This is the enfeoffment of the Turkic royal family by Jieli Khan, but now, the partial enfeoffment is too big to be eliminated. Not to mention the rebellion in Mobei, the small Khan of Tuli in the east also violated the law. Of course, now that the east is also abolished, then Only the south remains.

To the south, Ashinaoyu, who was established in the south, had been stationed in Shuofang and Yunzhong for many years, and rarely returned to the grassland. There was also the nominal princess of the Turkic Khanate, Koga Dunyicheng, who also lived in the clouds and never returned to the grassland.

Jieli Khan was also vaguely dissatisfied with Ashina Oyushe. Now he was taking advantage of the opportunity to suppress the rebellion and mobilized to go north to quell the rebellion. This was also a plan to kill two birds with one stone.

For Tuli Little Khan, Ashinao Yushe, as the eldest son of Chuluo Khan, was his biggest competitor. If Tuli Little Khan had not had some tricks back then, the position of this little Khan would probably have been lost. Let Oyushe take it away.

(End of this chapter)