First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 623 Kang Sheoli Tingfeng

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In the next few days, Kang Sheoli became very popular in Chang'an City. The high-ranking officials in the court rushed to make friends with Kang Sheoli out of unknown motives.

Kang Sheoli went to banquets every day and was busy socializing. He had good wine and delicious food and was accompanied by beautiful people, so he was very happy.

Kang Sheoli also enjoyed this and showed great goodwill to the officials of the Tang Dynasty. If there was a banquet, he would definitely attend the appointment, and he would be very polite and courteous like a Han Chinese.

After Li Shimin heard about Kang Sheoli's actions in Chang'an, he immediately summoned Xue Yuanjing and held a secret discussion for a long time.

"Ananda, there is something I need you to do personally." After Xue Yuanjing left, Li Shimin thought for a moment, then turned to Zhang Ananda, who was standing silently behind him, and said.

"Your Majesty, please give me your instructions." Zhang Ananda responded with an expressionless face and bowed.

"Bring Kang Sheo Li secretly," Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "Don't let anyone know Kang Sheo Li's whereabouts."

When Zhang Anan heard this, he bowed and agreed.

Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction, "Go ahead."

Seeing Zhang Ananda turn and leave, Li Shimin fell into deep thought again.

Half an hour later, Zhang Anan returned to the back hall and saw a man wearing a large cloak and a bamboo hat behind him. He was very inconspicuous at night and could not tell his specific figure at all.

"Your Majesty, Kang Zhuguo is here," Zhang Ananda bowed and said.

The man took off his bamboo hat with a confused look on his face. It was Kang Sheoli. When he saw Li Shimin, he immediately bowed: "Meet His Majesty the Emperor."

Li Shimin nodded and smiled, waving his hand to signal Zhang Anan to guard the palace door.

Zhang Ananda came to the door of the palace and looked around. There was no one there. He had already transferred the patrolling guards here. No maids or servants were allowed to approach the Ganlu Palace. There were also people snoring loudly in Kang Sheoli's dormitory. , no one else knew that Kang Sheoli came to Manlu Hall tonight.

"Zhu Guo, are you confused?" Li Shimin personally stood down and poured tea for Kang Sheoli.

Kang Sheoli was flattered and hurriedly bowed and thanked him, "Yes, His Majesty the Emperor summoned his ministers late at night. What is his order?"

"What orders?" Li Shimin waved his hand and smiled boldly, "I heard that Zhu Guo is the prince of Kangguo?"

Kang Sheoli looked sad when he heard this and nodded, "I am the one who lost his country."

Li Shimin sighed and patted Kang Sheoli's shoulder, which was a silent comfort.

"What does Zhu Guo think of the Tang Dynasty? What does he think of Chang'an?" Li Shimin returned to his seat and said with a warm smile.

"The Tang Dynasty is like the sun in the morning, rising slowly and getting stronger and stronger." Kang Sheoli said with reverence after hearing this: "Chang'an is like the land of heaven, prosperous and prosperous."

When Li Shimin heard this, he immediately twisted his beard and laughed, and looked at Kang Sheoli with a very satisfied look.

"Zhuguo, there is no third person in the palace, so I will make it clear to you that I am determined to build the Tang Dynasty into a unique prosperous dynasty and a powerful empire that can reach far beyond the Qin and Han Dynasties. The Western Region is in my grand plan for hegemony. One day, I will When we open up the Western Region, we will help you restore your country, how about it?"

Kang Sheoli was dumbfounded when he heard this. He finally regained his composure and said with fear, "Thank you, His Majesty the Emperor for your kindness. But Kang Sheoli is now a minister of the Turkic Khanate. I'm afraid...".

Seeing Kang Sheoli's hesitant words, Li Shimin interrupted him directly. He leaned forward slightly and stared at Kang Sheoli with a pair of tiger eyes, which was very powerful. "Zhu Guo thinks, do you still have Turks at that time?"

Kang Sheoli's throat rolled, "The Turkic Khanate controls the strings...".

"Deceiving yourself and others," Li Shimin sneered, "Zhu Guoqian is a smart man, do you think this kind of words can still be a deterrent?"

"Doubi is violent, greedy and innocent. The Xue Yantuo, Tongluo, and Tiele tribes in Mobei have rebelled. The Khitan, Xi tribe, and Heishui Mohe in the east have also separated from the Turks. Civil strife has broken out in the Turks. This is a sign of the country's subjugation. , what do Zhuguo think?"

Kang Sheoli lowered his head and eyebrows, but did not refute.

As the prince of the subjugated king, Kang Sheoli has been traveling among various forces for many years. His temperament and knowledge are not narrow-minded. He had already accepted the rewards of the Tang Dynasty when the Tang Dynasty was founded, and he has a good impression of the Tang Dynasty.

Seeing the current civil strife in the Turks, Kang Sheoli also had some concerns in his heart. He had no foundation in the Turks, and Jieli Khan did not trust him, a barbarian from the Western Regions. It was not clear how loyal he was to the Turks.

This is why after Kang Sheoli entered the court, his attitude was ambiguous, and he showed a different kind of goodwill to the emperors and ministers of the Tang Dynasty. This goodwill was also sensed by the emperors and ministers of the Tang Dynasty, which led to tonight's secret meeting.

"Kang Sheoli listens to the seal," Li Shimin said in a deep voice when he saw Kang Sheoli's face was gloomy and uncertain.

Kang Sheo paused for a moment, and then stood up to listen.

"Confess Kang Sheoli as General of the Right Guard, and elevate him to the rank of Marquis of Kangju County." Li Shimin said slowly, "I hereby promise that by opening up the Western Region, I will help the Kang family to restore the country. At that time, I will be promoted to the king, and you will be free to do so." When in power, Datang will never interfere."

Kang Sheoli was completely stunned. He finally came to his senses and hurriedly crawled to the ground. "Those who have subjugated their country will be forced to do whatever they want if they regain their country."

Li Shimin laughed loudly and felt extremely comfortable. He stood down and helped Kang Sheoli, "You know what happened today, I know it, God knows it, and the earth knows it. Afterwards, Zhu Guo just needs to keep it in his heart. Don't talk to outsiders. Zhu Guo understands?" "

"I understand." Kang Sheoli nodded solemnly, but also completely ignored it, and said bluntly: "Today I accept the canonization by His Majesty the Emperor. Kang Sheoli's heart belongs to the Tang Dynasty."

Li Shimin was so satisfied that he actually sat next to Kang Sheoli and poured tea for Kang Sheoli again, "I heard that your master is in Dingxiang now?"

Kang Sheoli took the tea with respectful hands and said bluntly without hesitation: "Exactly, my son Kang Sumi is now Kuoke under Tuoshe Ashinao Yushe, leading the army stationed in Dingxiang."

After saying that, Kang Sheao paused and continued: "Actually, he is the person who monitors Yang Sui."

Li Shimin nodded thoughtfully and said with a smile: "Very good, I will communicate with you more when I have time."

Kang Sheo Li immediately said seriously: "Your Majesty, don't worry, Kang's family is of the same mind. Wherever Kang Sheo Li's sword is pointed, Kang's sword will be swung."

"Okay, very good", Li Shimin laughed heartily, "It's getting late, Zhu Guo should go back and rest early. There may be someone hosting a banquet tomorrow, and Zhu Guo will go to the banquet."
Kang Sheoli was so smart that he immediately agreed.

Kang Sheoli then dressed up again and followed Zhang Ananda out of the palace.

"I'm here, Chief Superintendent. Please don't refuse me your kindness." After returning to the back door of the house, Kang Sheoli took out a money bag from his arms and gave it directly to Zhang Anan.

Zhang Anan smiled bitterly and said: "If it were someone else, I would definitely reprimand him. Today I should make friends with the hero Zhu Guo. There will be no next time."

"Okay, the eunuch looks good, Kang Sheoli is happy," Kang Sheoli said with a very happy smile.

Zhang Anan was in charge of the chamberlain. As the general manager of the harem, he held a high position and was Li Shimin's absolute confidant. Therefore, Kang Sheoli was very satisfied after hearing Zhang Anan's words.

Zhang Ananda took a deep look at Kang Sheoli and said, "The saint values ​​Zhuguo so much, Zhuguo must seize the opportunity."

"This is natural," Kang Sheoli said sternly, "I have admired the Tang Dynasty for a long time. Today, I am very grateful that my wish has been fulfilled. If the country can be restored, it will not be a problem to remove this head."

Zhang Ananda nodded and said, "Zhu Guo should rest early and bury some things in his heart for the time being." "Farewell to the eunuch," Kang Sheoli bowed in a very respectful manner.

"Not worthy of the magistrate's gift," Zhang Ananda said with a deep laugh. The two looked at each other, and Zhang Ananda turned around and disappeared into the darkness.

In the Manna Hall, Zhang Ananda took out his money bag, weighed it, and said with a smile: "The weight is not light."

"Keep it," Li Shimin curled his lips and said with a smile, "He won't feel at ease if you don't keep it."

"It's not a waste of words." Then Li Shimin sighed, which echoed in the hall.

It's late at night and everything is silent, but there are always many sleepless people in the world.

Tonight, Kang Sheoli from the Western Regions is one, and the governor of Jiaozhou in Lingnan is also one.

Jiaozhou, the seat of Songping County, is not a large city. If it were in the Central Plains, such a small city would be inconspicuous.

But in Jiaozhou, Songping County is a first-class city, because Songping City has been the seat of Jiaozhou for hundreds of years.

During the Southern Dynasties, Jiaozhou was called Jiaozhi County, and its administrative location was Songping. Songping was once upgraded to Songping County, but in the former Sui Dynasty, it was restored to Songping County.

In the fourth year of Wude, Lingnan surrendered, and Songping County was changed to Songzhou. In the sixth year of Wude, because Songzhou also existed in the Central Plains, it was renamed Southern Songzhou.

After Li Shimin came to the throne, he reformed the administrative divisions, and Southern Song Prefecture was included in it. Southern Song Prefecture was directly abolished and still belonged to Jiaozhou. The administration of Jiaozhou Prefecture was moved to Songping County, and Li Shou, the Duke of Sui'an County, was still the governor of Jiaozhou.

According to Li Shou's original intention, he definitely didn't want to come to this barbaric place like Jiaozhou, but his lineage was very declining among the royal family. However, as the person in charge of the Dingzhou governor's office of the Li Tang royal family, if he didn't know how to praise him, Disobeying the will is definitely asking for trouble, so Li Shou had no choice but to obey.

But after arriving in Jiaozhou, Li Shou quickly discovered the fun. In Jiaozhou, the sky is high and the emperor is far away, and he is not restricted. In Jiaozhou, which is a big country, his identity as the governor and royal family member is the most respected. In Jiaozhou, the sky is big and the earth is big. He is the biggest , Li Shou soon became "reluctant to miss Chang'an".

Although Chang'an City was prosperous, it was too restrictive. Just kicking someone could be a high-ranking official. As a descendant of the declining clan, Li Shou felt very uncomfortable.

Moreover, Jiaozhou belongs to Jisizhou County and does not need to pay taxes. In other words, it is Li Shou who has the final say as to how much money the Jiaozhou government has.

From then on, Li Shou was immersed in the world of entertainment and wine, unable to extricate himself.

Until one day, many refugees poured into Songping City. The county magistrate did not dare to hide it and immediately reported it to Li Shou.

Li Shou was also panicked and thought there was a rebellion under his rule. However, upon closer inspection, he found that all these refugees came from barbarians in the southwest.

Although Li Shou had done nothing and had no responsibilities, as a member of the royal family, he naturally had a sense of arrogance and disdain for barbarians.

I am a descendant of the sage Laozi, and a descendant of Emperor Yi Zuguang of the Tang Dynasty. I am a mere southwestern barbarian, but no more than a barbarian. How dare you disturb Jiaozhou, which I am guarding.

Li Shou immediately sent envoys to the source of the turmoil - Zhenla Kingdom.

As the saying goes, what follows leads to imitation. The people who follow Li Shou may not be capable, but Li Shou's overbearing arrogance is really the essence.

The so-called envoy sent by Li Shou to pay homage to Sima in Jiaozhou was named Li Azhong. He was originally just a descendant of Dingzhou Governor Fang's lineage. According to his seniority, he was Li Shou's younger brother. However, he relied on his birthplace and Li Shou's talent for promotion. To be the Sima Prefecture means that Jiaozhou is remote. If it were in the Central Plains, it would be difficult for Li Azhong to be a small official.

Li Azhong received this errand, and when he saw Li Shou's angry look, he knew what to do.

As a result, Li Azhong also set out angrily.

Zhenla Kingdom, Yishana City.

In the palace, Ishnavarman did not dare to be arrogant and stepped down from the throne to salute Li Azhong.

Hearing the awkward words, Li Azhong frowned and cursed: "You are chattering like a bird, can you find someone who can speak Mandarin?"

Irinavarman's face flashed with anger when he heard this, but he did not dare to show it. As the southwestern Yi royal family, they can speak Chinese, but they are not very proficient in it and their speech is very difficult to pronounce. Li Azhong speaks authentic Mandarin, he I can understand it too.

Ishnavarman glanced at the Chenla officials, mumbled something, and then came out a short official with gray beard and hair.

"Please forgive me, noble man from the kingdom. My king just showed respect to you and asked for your name," the short old minister said with his hands in hand.

Li Azhong raised his eyebrows and said, "Respect? Tell him that I am a descendant of the royal family of the Tang Dynasty. My ancestor is Emperor Yi Zuguang of the Tang Dynasty, and the current Sima Li Azhong of Jiaozhou."

The old man was also shocked when he heard this, and Irinavarman also looked surprised, and then he started chirping again.

"Li Sima, my king expresses respect for you. Why do you come to the Kingdom of Zhenla?" The old minister paid his respects again.

Li Azhong showed no etiquette at all and just sat aside. When he saw a shell of Xuyu on the table, he picked it up and drank it. After hearing the old minister's words, Li Azhong pointed at him and smiled: " This old man also knows how to chew on words."

The old minister's mouth twitched when he heard this, but he was not angry at Li Azhong's rudeness, "My Han name is Ronnie, and I once traveled to Lingnan."

"That's no wonder." Li Azhong wiped the corner of his mouth and said bluntly: "Tell this barbarian chief why he raised troops for no reason, causing chaos in the southwest and refugees pouring into Jiaozhou. This matter makes my governor very unhappy. You must give an explanation." .

Ishnavarman clenched his fists, but did not dare to get angry. He suppressed his anger and spat at the veteran Roni.

"I, my king said that this is a state matter of Zhenla, why do you want to interfere?"

"Bold", Li Azhong fully learned the essence of Li Shou, being unreasonable, arrogant and unruly, and immediately kicked the desk over.

"You are fighting on your own, so why are you driving the refugees to Jiaozhou? Isn't this an attempt to frame my governor for injustice?"

"Those refugees had no food or clothing in Jiaozhou, how much trouble they caused, and now they are telling me that they don't want to do anything to me? You barbarians are so unreasonable."

"I'm telling you that my governor has summoned his troops. If you don't give me an explanation, the heavenly soldiers of the Tang Dynasty will come and crush your little barbaric country."

Ishnavarman's eyes sparkled with anger, and the veins in his hands hidden in his sleeves were exposed.

At this time, Roni jabbered for a while to persuade him, and Ishnavarman managed to hold back his anger, jabbering again.

"My king asked, what explanation do you need, noble man?"

“First, refugees are prohibited from escaping into Jiaozhou. How can it be so easy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
Second, lose money."

Ishnavarman's eyes widened with surprise on his face.

"It is necessary to ban refugees from crossing the border." Ronnie was also a little unsure. "It's just about paying money. Where do you start talking about this?"

"Hey, you old man, you are careless again." Li Azhong raised his eyes, "You refugees in Jiaozhou are now eating and drinking from my governor, and you have wasted so much of my governor's precious time, and you don't plan to express your gratitude? "

Ishanavarman sneered when he heard this, but he was just asking for money. If he didn't dare to fall out with the powerful Tang Dynasty, he would have chopped this scoundrel into pieces long ago.

(End of this chapter)