Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 520 Leaving town
When Xue Bai received Pu Gu Huai En's surrender letter, which was sent 500 miles in advance, his first reaction was "Is this guy pretending to surrender?"

If Puguo Huai'en deliberately relaxed his vigilance and suddenly led his troops to attack when his attention turned to Shi Siming, the consequences would naturally be disastrous.

Later, more detailed information was delivered, saying that Pugu Huai'en had offered the head of Shi Siming's envoy and was willing to go to Chang'an in person to plead guilty. Xue Bai still did not completely let down his guard and sent out scouts to confirm that Pugu Huai'en was not going to lead his elite troops to attack Chang'an in the name of pleading guilty.

"Li Mi is still quite capable." Xue Bai couldn't help but admire him.

This was accomplished because Li Mi wrote several letters to mobilize the generals of the Shuofang Army and the mother of Pugu Huai'en. This shows that if you want to succeed, you have to be thick-skinned enough, and when you meet a talented person, you should show the enthusiasm of visiting him three times.

A few days later, Pugu Huai'en brought his son to Chang'an.

Li Cong met him in person in the Daming Palace. When he heard that dozens of people from Pugu Huai'en's family had died fighting for the Tang Dynasty, he couldn't help but sneer at Li Heng and his son for forcing such a loyal minister to rebel.

He is different. He has a broad mind and since he has married Pugu Huai'en, he will naturally win him over.

Soon, the tall figure knelt down in the hall and said, "I, your humble servant Gu Huai'en, kowtow to Your Majesty!"

"My dear, there is no need to do this. Get up quickly."

To show his respect, Li Cong personally stepped forward to support him. But when Pugu Huai'en raised his head, his eyes fell on his scarred face, and he was stunned, staring at him intently.

"Cough cough."

After a while, the eunuch Dou Wenyang, who was standing by, saw that Pugu Huai'en was so rude and spoke up to remind him.

Unexpectedly, Pugu Huai'en was still watching there.

"My dear Pugu," Li Cong said, "When I was young, I was hunting and was injured by a wild beast."

"I was wondering why the emperor didn't appoint the saint as the crown prince earlier." Pugu Huai'en finally reacted and said loudly, "I have been in the north for a long time and have not heard of this matter. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Li Cong did not take it as an offense, but smiled, though a little embarrassed, and planned to talk about his children's marriage next.

suddenly.

"I have something to say that I cannot help but speak it out!" Pugu Huai'en's rough face became stern and murderous.

Li Cong was startled, sat down on the imperial couch again, and asked, "What's the matter?"

Pugu Huai'en looked at the civil and military officials standing on both sides, raised his hand and pointed at Xue Bai, and said: "In the beginning, the reason why I dared to rebel against Your Majesty was because Your Majesty appointed him as the Prince of Yong and the General of the Army of the World. This important position can only be held by the princes of the emperor. Although he is the son of Prince Ying, his life experience has been a mystery for many years, and he should not hold such power. What does he think of Your Majesty by acting like this? Is he trying to use the emperor to control the princes?"

This was something Li Heng had discussed with his ministers when he was in Fengxiang, but he never said a word about it after he surrendered. Instead, Pugu Huai'en took it seriously and insisted on making it clear.

Puguo Huai'en completely forgot that it was this kind of character that could not tolerate any sand in his eyes that led to his break with Li Heng. He only wanted to explain that he was not wrong at that time.

Upon hearing this, Li Cong agreed with what was said, and even felt a little secretly happy, but at the same time he felt a little embarrassed. He couldn't admit in front of everyone that he was Xue Bai's puppet, so he said seriously: "Okay, you believed the rumors by mistake, I know everything, and I don't blame you."

Avoiding the topic, he looked at the people brought by Pugu Huai'en and was about to ask Pugu Zhen.

"I thank your majesty for your kindness." Pugu Huai'en was very grateful for the forgiveness. He immediately opened his heart to the emperor and offered good advice, saying, "I am willing to fight to the death for your majesty!"

"it is good……"

"Now that your majesty has stabilized the country, you should dismiss Prince Yong from his post as the military commander of the country and dispel the doubts of the people of the world. As for Shi Siming's rebellion, you only need me to lead the troops to help General Guo Jie, and we will surely put it down!"

Although Li Cong wanted to do it, he knew that he simply did not have the ability to do so.

He was also wondering how Pugu Huai'en dared to say such a thing in public? After all, this surrender was planned by Xue Bai.

So he turned to look at Xue Bai, but saw that Xue Bai didn't react much, as if he didn't hear such harsh words. He even looked like he wanted to see how he would deal with it.

Li Cong's heart trembled, thinking that Pugu Huai'en might be testing him on behalf of Xue Bai.

"My dear Pugu, if you don't know, then I will remind you!" Li Cong raised his voice and said solemnly: "When the country was in danger, it was Prince Yong who assisted me, defended Chang'an, and saved the people from danger. I know how to use people, so I don't need you to say more!"

He had just said a harsh word when he saw the displeasure on Pugu Huai'en's face and quickly spoke to appease him.

"I also know that you are loyal..."

After much difficulty, the matter of Puguzhen marrying Princess Ningguo was finally successfully negotiated, and a banquet was then held.

~~
"I didn't expect Pugu Huai'en to be so ungrateful. We should try to win him over."

During the banquet, Wang took the rare opportunity to have a few words with Xue Bai in a low voice. At the end, he said, "If this man is hopeless, I will get rid of him and never let him return to Shuofang."

"It's okay." Xue Bai said, "I'm just a little stubborn."

"some?"

Wang Nanhai glanced at Pugu Huai'en again and thought that before he succeeded in recruiting him, he had never thought that this man had such a bad temper.

Xue Bai was more aware of the process of appeasement, and his eyes were mostly on the young general named "Hun Yu". Unfortunately, Hun Yu's eyes were mostly looking at the emperor with admiration.

Under the dazzling light brought by the imperial power, the difference in personal charm between Li Cong and Xue Bai is not great enough to influence a young man at the border, for the time being.

The news that the Shuofang Army had been exposed to had not said anything good about Xue Bai, so they were naturally loyal to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

It was rare for the king to feel that kind of emotion, and he couldn't help but get annoyed, and whispered: "This time, Prince Yong recruited the Shuofang Army and became the power of the saint again."

"You can't say that. We are all soldiers of the Tang Dynasty."

Xue Bai, on the other hand, was more open-minded. He thought that as long as they were soldiers from the Tang Dynasty, they would become his own soldiers sooner or later, so there was no need to rush.

The two entered the hall and took their seats.

This time, Xue Bai's position was moved back a bit compared to when he was in the court meeting, and was placed behind Li Cong's brothers and sons.

If we calculate it by seniority, it makes sense, but one can vaguely feel that Li Cong was already eager to reduce his power before the rebellion was completely suppressed.

In order to reassure the Shuofang army commanders, Li Longji was also present at the banquet, accompanied by Jiang Caiping and Fan Nu. In addition, perhaps to embarrass Li Heng and Li Chu, Li Cong also specially summoned them.

"Prince Zhong, Prince Yu, you were confused for a moment and caused my beloved Pu Gu to suffer injustice. Please make amends with a glass of wine."

Li Cong still looked like a good guy, maintaining harmony in the Tang Dynasty court. Soon after the banquet started, he laughed out loud and made this request.

Everyone was defeated by him, surrendered at his banquet, and listened to his laughter and chatter, but he was broad-minded and did not blame them for their crimes, allowing them to live out the rest of their lives in peace.

This made him feel like Emperor Taizong asking Jie Li Khan to dance at the imperial banquet, and he felt elated.

"I obey your order." Li Heng and Li Chu knew what Li Cong wanted, so they stood up with their wine glasses in hand, and said with a guilty look on their faces, "I persecuted a good general and almost ruined the Tang Dynasty."

Pugu Huai'en benefited greatly from it.

In fact, he didn't care so much about wealth or not, but he cared about right and wrong. Now he had proved that he was right and was very satisfied.

"I now know that the sage was a wise ruler, but it was the loyal king who deceived me at that time."

Li Heng was in a very bad mood. He responded awkwardly twice, hid behind the table, sat down, and rolled up a Hu pancake to eat, just as cowardly as he had been many years ago.

Li Cong was very proud and said, "Prince Yong, you and your beloved Pu Gu should drink a cup together."

Pugu Huai'en then drank a cup with Xue Bai. He was respected by Li Cong and could not help but start to manage things again. He said, "Why don't you ask to be relieved of your post as the Grand Marshal of the Army? This shows that you are defending the country out of loyalty, not with the intention of usurping the throne."

Li Heng sat there eating the cake and couldn't help but say "good" in his heart.

He had long been fed up with Pugu Huai'en's barbarity and stubbornness, and relying on his loyalty and bravery, he began to dictate things to him, as if he were one of eight hundred relatives interfering in his affairs in the name of doing good for him.

He was also depressed when Puguo Huai'en was forced to rebel. Now he wants Li Cong and Xue Bai to have a taste of the same pain.

At this time, Xue Bai had many options for answering. Generally speaking, he should frown and shout, "The rebels are approaching, and the country is in danger. What is your intention in saying this? Do you want to rebel?!"

This kind of threat can deter others, but it cannot deter Pugu Huai'en.

In addition, Xue Bai was strong and resolute in his heart, and he did not need to show himself through intimidation. He just smiled and said, "There will be a day when the world will be peaceful and everyone will take off their armor and return to the fields."

Pugu Huai'en was stunned, feeling like he had punched nothing.

Xue Bai really didn't take it as an offense. Once Pu Gu Huai En entered the capital, it was impossible for him to be in charge of the army for the time being, and he could not threaten Xue Bai at all. And Xue Bai believed that time would prove everything, so he could face these hostility and dissatisfaction with a peaceful attitude...

It was dusk, and the setting sun shone in through the palace gate. Inside the palace, the people in power in the Tang Dynasty raised their glasses again.

On the other side of the red walls, before the palace gates were locked, a knight hurriedly delivered a message, disrupting the banquet.

"His Majesty!"

The eunuch who reported the news called "Your Majesty" and wanted to hand it over with the news in his hand, but soon he was met with Xue Bai's sharp look, so he had to hand the battle report to Xue Bai first.

Usually these battle reports are sent to the imperial city first, but today they are sent because Xue Bai, Yan Zhenqing, Wang Nande and others are in the palace. It is the first time that Li Cong has seen such a fresh battle report, and he can't help but ask curiously: "What's the matter?"

Xue Bai looked calm and did not answer. He just said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. It's just a small matter. The officials can handle it."

"Well, let's leave it to the Secretariat." Li Cong pretended to be dignified, "The banquet will continue."

Xue Bai then took his leave with a group of officials with real jobs, leaving the nobles and idlers to continue the banquet.

~~
"Fortunately, we managed to pacify Pugu Huai'en in time."

Yan Zhenqing put down the battle report and sighed like this.

The latest news is that the Eastern Route Army among Shi Siming's various rebel forces, namely Zhou Zhi's troops, crossed the Yellow River at Huliang Ferry. The Tang army, led by Henan Jiedushi and successor to King Wu Li Zhi, led their troops to intercept them, defeated them badly, and retreated to Yanzhou.

"Yes, if it was later, Pugu Huai'en might not have made up his mind to surrender so quickly after hearing the news."

Xue Bai looked at the map and placed a military chess piece in the Jining area of ​​Shandong.

He knew that Shi Siming wanted to take Luoyang directly, so the focus of defense had always been on the area from Bianzhou to Luoyang. Now that the rebels had broken through from further east, he regretted not replacing Li Zhi earlier.

"Li Zhi must be trying to retain his strength."

Wang Nandai said: "The rebels have crossed the Yellow River, and Zhang Xun is attacked from both sides. The pressure on defense is even greater."

"yes……"

The lights in the yamen were on, and various defense plans and food allocations were being readjusted.

By dawn, a lot of information was delivered.

Yan Gaoqing, who stayed in the Eastern Capital, reported that the people in Kaifeng and Luoyang were in a panic because of the defeat at Huliangdu, and many people had fled in the cold winter. Zhou He, the newly appointed magistrate of Yanshi County, had abandoned the city and fled without seeing the rebels. He was captured by the officers and soldiers, and Yan Gaoqing beheaded him in public. In Xue Bai's view, the biggest problem at the moment was not whether the rebels could be defeated, but that once Luoyang was lost again, the confidence of the people in the world would be gone, which would bring a series of subsequent problems.

In this battle, the first thing to defend is confidence and the people’s expectations of the Tang Dynasty.

~~
Xue Bai thought about it for a long time, went to see Li Mi again and asked a question.

"I plan to go to Luoyang in person. What do you think, Brother Changyuan?"

Li Mi was surprised and thought about it. He did not answer immediately, but asked: "Why do you think so?"

Xue Bai said: "I have considered leading the army in person to eliminate the rebellion with lightning speed and avoid any worries, but there are some obstacles."

There was more than just some resistance. Xue Bai had not discussed this matter with Yan Zhenqing, but he knew that Yan Zhenqing would definitely not agree.

Li Mi was also very uneasy after hearing this.

In fact, some of Xue Bai's plans had already been revealed at this time.

Xue Bai once served as the lieutenant of Yanshi County. He distributed land equally between the Yi River and the Luo River and exempted it from taxes. In addition, he once entered the city and captured An Lushan without destroying Luoyang. It can be said that he was quite popular in the Eastern Capital.

The base of the Li Tang royal family was in Chang'an. So, once Xue Bai welcomed the emperor to Luoyang... that's what Wu Zetian did back then.

"Impossible." Li Mi said, "Only Guanzhong is safe and secure, the imperial carriage cannot be moved lightly."

"Yes." Xue Bai said, "But the people in Luoyang are uneasy, so I want to go to Luoyang. What do you think?"

Li Mi knew that Xue Bai's move would be beneficial to the war. He had defended Chang'an and garrisoned Luoyang twice before. Naturally, he could let the soldiers and civilians in Luoyang know that the court would not give up its determination to the Eastern Capital.

But once the rebellion is put down in this way, Xue Bai's achievements will surpass his master.

If Xue Bai stayed in Chang'an, the credit and prestige for suppressing the rebellion would go to Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi. In the future, the emperor only needed to win over these two people to control Xue Bai. It would be different if he went to Luoyang. After some operations, he only needed to cut off the grain transport in Chang'an and could easily kidnap the emperor...

"inappropriate."

Li Mi shook his head and said calmly, "Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi are both famous generals of the time. They have their own strategies to defeat the enemy. Your interference will only do more harm than good. Yan Gaoqing and Zhang Xun are also famous ministers of the time. They will defend the city and resist the enemy. It won't make much difference whether you are there or not."

Xue Bai laughed at himself and said, "Isn't that right?"

Li Mi looked at him with curiosity and asked with a hint of ridicule, "Aren't you afraid that you will lose your authority if you leave Chang'an?"

"Power cannot be gained by guarding these palaces." Xue Bai sighed, "I don't have any power. I just protect some people and am popular with them. That's all. Therefore, I dare not let them down."

Li Mi was stunned, thinking he was joking, and changed the subject, saying: "If you want to solve the urgent problem, you should urge Li Zhi to do his best to fight the enemy..."

The two discussed Li Zhi's affairs for a while, and then Xue Bai left.

Li Mi sat alone, thinking, wondering whether he had persuaded Xue Bai not to go to Luoyang.

He was very worried that Li Cong would agree to this because he thought that Xue Bai's departure from Chang'an would help him to develop his power. That would be too short-sighted.

After An Lushan's rebellion, the court's control over the various provinces of the country had been greatly weakened. Even if Li Cong took advantage of Xue Bai's absence to control most of the court officials, what was the point if he couldn't mobilize the army to suppress the rebellion? It could be said that he was putting the cart before the horse.

Thinking of this, Li Mi really wanted to remind the emperor.

Unfortunately, he was imprisoned in this Taoist temple and all he could do was practice.

~~
Two days later, the battle report finally reached Li Cong in detail. He was deeply worried, fearing that Xue Bai was going to use the maneuver to attack Li Zhi.

"Earlier at the imperial banquet, Pugu Huai'en proposed to lead troops to suppress the rebellion." Li Cong said, "I think he is loyal, but unfortunately, Li Qian is unwilling to give him military power. In the final analysis, he is still suspicious of the general."

"I think General Pugu can be used by the Saint." Dou Wenyang whispered, "If he can take charge of the Imperial Guards, he may be able to eliminate traitors for the Saint in the future."

"Is it that easy?"

Dou Wenyang looked thoughtful and said, "I have heard some rumors recently. Cui Youfu, the attendant of the emperor, has submitted a petition to the emperor, asking him to send Prince Yong to the Eastern Capital to stabilize the people's hearts."

"Oh?"

Li Cong was immediately interested in the matter and asked, "Cui Youfu? It seems that he is a loyal minister?"

"This man is from the Bo Ling Cui family, and is the son of the Secretary of the Central Secretariat Cui Mian. He passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi," Dou Wenyang said. "I checked and found that Cui Youfu and Prince Yong were appointed at the same time, one as the lieutenant of Shou'an County and the other as the lieutenant of Yanshi County. Now the two are worlds apart, and he has said many disrespectful things to Prince Yong in private."

"So he asked Li Qian to leave Luoyang out of selfish motives?"

"I think it is out of loyalty, loyalty to the Tang Dynasty."

Li Cong's eyes showed thoughtfulness.

Dou Wenyang said: "Officials have been suffering from the Yong King for a long time, saying that 'the channels for speech are closed now, as Li Linfu is in power'. I have even heard that the Yong King wants to employ Li Linfu's son Li Xiu, and the officials are angry but dare not speak out. If he is sent to the Eastern Capital, the Saint will accept the advice of the officials. Then he can let Pu Gu Huai En lead the army to protect the Saint, and the Saint can rest assured."

"Makes sense."

Li Cong nodded repeatedly, and was particularly moved by the word "let go" used by Dou Wenyang.

Only by sending Xue Bai out of the capital would he have the opportunity to take power...Emperor Xian of Han could never send Cao Cao out of Xuchang.

"But, how could he agree?"

Dou Wenyang said: "Cui Youfu is willing to die for your majesty. He plans to invite all officials to make suggestions at the court meeting and use his momentum to force Prince Yong to go to Luoyang."

"Yes."

Li Cong suddenly gained momentum.

Since the chaotic times, he has guarded Chang'an, driven out the rebel army, and pacified Prince Zhong. The next step is to pacify Hebei and eliminate powerful ministers. This can be said to be a sign of a wise ruler.

Unexpectedly, just two days later, Li Cong received good news.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Dou Wenyang hurried to the imperial couch, overjoyed, and kowtowed, saying, "I have fulfilled my mission and accomplished it!"

"What was accomplished?"

"Let Prince Yong agree to go to Luoyang!"

"Really?"

Li Cong sat up immediately, his movements as light as a young man who was often disciplined and suddenly heard that his strict father was leaving home. He was eager to take control of the court immediately.

"I dare not speak nonsense." Dou Wenyang said, "Prince Yong only asks Your Majesty to allow him full authority to suppress the rebellion, to dispatch generals and food supplies at his convenience, and to promise to swear an oath to march east soon."

Hearing this, Li Cong hesitated for a moment.

Although it was impossible to dispatch generals and food supplies, these powers were originally in Xue Bai's hands, but Xue Bai actually did it through the Zhongshumen. And after Chang'an was recovered, many voices in the court urged Xue Bai to return the power.

If he agreed now, it would mean that Xue Bai was given the right to take power again.

"What do you think we should do if he doesn't delay and doesn't put down the rebellion?" Li Cong asked. He was worried that Xue Bai would not put down the rebellion in order to avoid handing over power.

Dou Wenyang said: "In this case, how can Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi tolerate him?"

Li Cong still hesitated.

Dou Wenyang could understand the saint's worries, and if possible, he also wanted to take back the military power for the saint. But the facts were there, if the saint gave it, the power was in Xue Bai's hands; if the saint didn't give it, the power was still in Xue Bai's hands.

"If the Saint has any concerns, I think... maybe we can send another military supervisor to Prince Yong to contact Guo Ziyi, Li Guangbi and others."

As soon as this idea came out, Li Cong's mentality changed, from feeling that he was losing to feeling that he was making a profit, and he asked, "Who should we send?"

Now he has no shortage of trusted eunuchs around him, and Bai Zhongzhen immediately stood up and said, "I am willing to die for your majesty!"

"it is good!"

Li Cong was very moved to see that he finally had a useful strategy and a useful person.

Since ancient times, one must employ people first to accomplish things, and it was worth it that he carefully cultivated these right-hand men.

~~
"Military supervisor?"

Xue Bai found Dou Wenyang's idea a little funny.

When they were defending Chang'an and fighting against Li Heng, Li Cong had always followed his will and had never put forward such conditions. Now, Shi Siming had not yet reached Tongguan, and the situation did not seem so urgent, so he naturally wanted to test the waters.

Although Xue Bai had a way to counter Li Cong, the most important thing at the moment was to quell the rebellion. It was unnecessary to waste time on having an eunuch to supervise the army.

"I will obey the imperial edict." Xue Bai accepted the order and said, "I would like to nominate a few more generals of the Shuofang Army. Is that possible?"

It was a give and take, and this was another condition of exchange, so Li Cong had no choice but to agree.

Finally, before the winter month passed, the emperor held a farewell party in the eastern suburbs of Chang'an, and King Yong swore an oath to lead his troops to the east.

"Let's go!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three drum beats were given and the army set out.

Hun Yu changed into a brand new military robe and sat astride a tall horse. Looking up, he saw the flag of King Yong not far from him.

He knew that he was favored by the King of Yong, and the King of Yong wanted to win him over. This was not difficult to guess, a general like him who became famous at a young age, was proficient in riding and shooting, and had extraordinary martial arts, and had made great contributions in recruiting Pugu Huai'en to surrender, would certainly be favored.

But there are many people who appreciate him, but few who know his ambitions.

He was determined to make great achievements for the Tang Dynasty, to be listed in the Lingyan Pavilion, and to become a loyal minister and general who would go down in history. Of course, that meant being loyal to the saint. Now that the country was already established, Prince Yong was plotting to usurp the throne, which he was very opposed to anyway.

Moreover, he is a man who cannot be corrupted by wealth and honor, cannot be moved by poverty and humbleness, and cannot be bent by power and might. He will definitely not be bewitched!

Sure enough, when the team arrived at Tongguan, Xue Bai came to talk to Hun Yu, pretending to be chatting casually, but in fact trying to win him over.

After just a few words, Hun Yu immediately expressed his attitude.

Xue Bai seemed to find it funny and asked, "Climbing the Lingyan Pavilion... But did you know that the first group of people painted on the Lingyan Pavilion were also traitors?"

(End of this chapter)