Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 411 Refined Egoist

Boom!

Spring thunder rolls and lightning cuts across the sky. A bolt of lightning struck a big tree on Lishan Mountain where Huaqing Palace is located, and immediately ignited a mountain fire! In an instant, the fire was like a true "mountain fire starting a prairie fire" and was unstoppable.

The eunuchs, maids, and soldiers in the Huaqing Palace were all mobilized to put out the fire. The fire burned for three days and nights before it stopped. Almost half of the Huaqing Palace was burned to white ground, and a huge hillside was burned to black charcoal.

Many people were burned or smoked to death while putting out the fire. It was really extremely miserable.

"God's punishment" is so serious, it doesn't seem like a good sign, and it makes people daydream about it. As the owner of Huaqing Palace, Brother Ji certainly felt that irresistible fear.

When he was in Cuiwei Palace, Brother Ji was not worried at all because the fire point was quite far away from the palace. But this time it was different. The starting point of the mountain fire was just a little north of Ji Ge's palace, only a few dozen feet away!

If he had reacted slower, if Brother Ji had been in the palace at that time, he might have been burned to death by the wildfire in an instant.

What's more, when Cuiwei Palace was in danger, Brother Ji knew that the arson was man-made. He believes that he is a "Mushou on behalf of Heaven". With God's support, Brother Ji is not afraid of anything.

But this time it was obviously different.

Considering that Fang Chongyong's 3,000 Silver Spear Xiaojie Army had already proven in the Western Regions that they were invincible and capable of fighting. So Brother Ji immediately rejected Zhang Jun's proposal.

Brother Ji pretended to be distressed and asked, but in fact he was completely indifferent to his son-in-law! In fact, he had even forgotten what Zhang Ji looked like.

"Hui Sage, Zhang Jun's younger brother and consort Zhang Ji went to the Western Regions to replace Fang Chongyong as the Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador. As a result, he was attacked by bandits at the Shiguo Posthouse. The only guerrilla general in the entire mission, Liu Xixian, escaped because of his strong martial arts skills, and then wrote Feng Zou came back to report this matter, but he is still in Zhezhi City."

"Zhang Qing's family, is there any misunderstanding here? Fang Guozhong's doing this is not good for himself!
If I want to replace him as the Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador, I can't do it just by killing a minister. I just put my words here, and he will still change if it is time to change. "

Zhang Jun knelt on the ground and begged, literally bursting into tears. Even if the beast sees it, it can't help but feel soft.

Besides, even if they were killed, why leave anyone alive? Wouldn't it be perfect to die without any evidence? "

The dead cannot be resurrected, and the dead will not bring any benefits. All dramas are performed for the living.

Whether this matter is true or not, it cannot be accomplished by Fang Chongyong alone. At least within the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army, a broad consensus has been formed. Otherwise, who would do this job at the risk of killing three tribes?

Fang Chongyong did this simply to disgust the Zhang family and to embarrass the court, and it was of no benefit to himself.

For Ji Ge, the truth of the facts is not important. What is important is the thoughts of the person involved and the thoughts of the emperor.

"I have so many soldiers and horses in the Stone Kingdom, but there are still bandits?"

Or looking at it from another angle, this is no longer the intention of Fang Chongyong alone, but the intention of a group of his men. This group has even expanded to include grassroots soldiers.

The domestic defense of the Stone Kingdom was too lax. It is enough to show that Fang Chongyong was not in Shiguo at that time, and neither was the main force of the Tang army.

However, Brother Ji had just returned to Chang'an, and his buttocks were not even hot in the Xingqing Palace. Zhang Jun, the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, came to cry and asked Brother Ji to seek justice for him. He captured Fang Chongyong, the ambassador of the Western Region Economic Strategy, and several of his cronies, including He Changqi, Che Guangqian, Wang Nannan, Feng Changqing, etc., to Chang'an and sent them away. Dali Temple was tried.

Even if he was arrested and brought back to Chang'an for trial, you, Tamad, are not afraid of the wind blowing your tongue! I'm really not afraid of the Qiu Ba people raising their arms and calling for rebellion!
Brother Ji knew the tricks of conspiracy. Although his face remained calm, in his heart he sneered at Zhang Jun's proposal.

Because handling Fang Chongyong for this "little matter" would embarrass the three thousand soldiers of the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army. This army will be transferred back to Chang'an soon to be used as the core backbone of the garrison of Xingqing Palace.

If there is a mutiny in the army, what will happen to the emperor himself? Even if everyone in Zhang Jun's clan is killed by then, how much of the situation can be saved?
Can a human head grow back after being chopped off?
Brother Ji has a clear idea of ​​the pros and cons.

There was once a rebellion by the Zhengduhu (equivalent to the Jiedushi) in the Beiting Protectorate. The commotion was much greater than the current one. They were all simple and crude, and they started to rise up. I really have never seen anyone do Fang Chongyong's fancy tricks. Qiu Ba and others all like to cut down with a knife to finish the job.

Even if Zhang Ji is killed, the court will still replace him with someone else as the new Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador.

Ji Ge didn't ask about government affairs in Xingqing Palace and didn't know what was going on. When he saw Zhang Jun kneeling in front of him and crying, he thought he was hallucinating!
"Hercules, what is Zhang Shangshu talking about?"

Otherwise, other forces west of Congling, even the Great Cannibal, would not dare to face the Tang Dynasty like this!
However, the problem is that Fang Chongyong has the courage and ability to kill Zhang Jie and others, but he does not have the courage to disobey the imperial edict, let alone rebel, and no one will follow him in rebellion!

Brother Ji couldn't understand the motive.

This time the wildfire was not only very close, but also a "natural punishment", which made Brother Ji feel guilty.

Brother Ji asked in a low voice to Gao Lishi beside him. He had left all the government affairs to Gao Lishi, and he was completely blind.

However, Brother Ji is none other than an elderly, top-notch refined egotist.

If there was a different emperor, he might be soft-hearted, so he would find a way down the stairs, send out an imperial edict, and ask Fang Chongyong to come back and confront him with Xini.

Hearing Gao Lishi's explanation, Ji Ge nodded slightly, it was indeed true.

From the perspective of Ji Ge, the only thing he thinks about is whether this matter is good for him. Rather than whether it is good for the country, the court, or other people.

He believed that this might be some kind of warning from God to him, but he didn't know what it was yet.

"Sage, we, the Tang Dynasty, are like gods among the countries in the Western Regions, and the envoys we send are like angels. Who has the courage to burn down the post house and kill the envoys?
Only Fang Zhong is brave enough to do this, and only he can do it! Saint, if things continue like this, he will definitely rebel! "

Since there is no motive for killing, the most that can be done is "neglect of duty" and a fine of three drinks.

They were just consorts, and the princes and princesses of the Tang Dynasty were just that, let alone consorts!
What a damn prince-in-law!
After weighing it in his mind, Brother Ji still felt that the tens of thousands of Anxi Expeditionary Force and the thousands of elite Silver Spear Xiaojie Army soldiers were more important. The prince-in-law doesn't even have a division. If he can't fight, just stand aside and cool off!
With his shrewd and strategic brain, Brother Ji instantly judged the current situation:

Anyway, no matter what, we can't stay in Huaqing Palace, we have to find another place.

“Sage, Liu Xisiam complained in the memorial that the Anxi Expeditionary Force was heading out to conquer Mulu, the home of the Great Cannibal.

Gao Lishi explained the matter concisely.

Therefore, Zhang Ji's death was in vain. After giving Fang Chongyong a beating, that's all.

What benefit does Fang Zhong gain by killing Zhang Jie bravely?

Or simply dismiss him directly. Anyway, the Western Region Economic and Strategic Ambassador is not a permanent position.

Brother Ji looked puzzled, because it looked like Fang Chongyong had done this. Only a person of his status dares to do it!

The mission also has guards, so it is not completely without defense force. It is completely unimaginable to accomplish this without more than a hundred elite soldiers.

As a last resort, Ji Ge had no choice but to order Cui Qianyou to lead a group of divine soldiers to escort him back to Chang'an Xingqing Palace. And on the grounds that Huaqing Palace needed repairs, all the eunuchs and maids were removed.

"Nonsense! You are the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, don't you know how to make false accusations and seize the throne? How dare you say such irresponsible words? Do you really think that the court belongs to your family?"

Brother Ji slapped the table hatefully, pointed at Zhang Jun and cursed: "Zhang Qing's family, if anyone has any physical evidence, take it out quickly! If you don't have anything, Fang Guozhong still has the censor hanging on his body. You can slander the title of doctor at will!"

"Sage, as long as he returns to Chang'an, I am willing to confront him face to face! I will definitely catch his flaws! Please be careful, saint!"

Zhang Jun knelt on the ground unwillingly and said, almost gnashing his teeth!
"That's enough! I don't want to hear your noise anymore! The imperial court will give Zhang an explanation for this matter. Subject to the imperial documents, you can retire!"

Brother Ji waved his hand impatiently, signaling Gao Lishi to see off the guests.

"Zhang Shangshu, please."

Gao Lishi stepped forward and helped Zhang Jun, who was kneeling on the ground, up.

"Wei Chen, please retire..."

Zhang Jun did not dare to look at the already furious Brother Ji, so he had to follow Gao Lishi and was "sent" out of Xingqing Palace.

When Gao Lishi came back, he found Brother Ji sitting in front of the desk in the imperial study room, looking confused.

"Lishi, who do you think did this?" Brother Ji couldn't help but ask, looking directly at Gao Lishi. The latter was shocked, then bowed and said: "The saint already has the answer in his heart, why should I show my shame?"

"Yes, it can't be anyone other than Fang Guozhong."

Brother Ji sighed, but didn't say there was anything wrong with this matter.

Seeing that the emperor seemed to have no intention of punishing Fang Chongyong, Gao Lishi suggested:
"Sage, it was not your original intention for Zhang Ji to take over as the Economic and Strategic Ambassador to the Western Regions. It was forced upon you by the ministers and ministers of the imperial court, so you reluctantly accepted the post.

The saint only needs to send another imperial edict to the Hezhong Protectorate and replace it with someone who is reliable and has nothing to do with Zhang Jun and the others.

If Fang Chongyong returns to Chang'an with the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army, it means that he has no intention of disobeying the saint. It was Zhang Jie who acted improperly and offended those Qiu Ba gang, and it is his own fault.

If Fang Chongyong shirks and refuses to return, then...even if he is Fang Quanzhong's son, he will not be able to stay. "

Gao Lishi suggested cautiously.

His meaning was very clear. What Zhang Jun thought was not important. What was important was what Fang Chongyong would do in the future. If Fang Chongyong led his troops back to Chang'an, accepted the content of the imperial edict, handed over his duties, and followed Brother Ji's arrangements, then Zhang Ji's death would have been in vain.

What happened in the past did not cause any substantial damage, so let him go.

Because the strategic goal of Ji Ge's personnel adjustment has basically been achieved.

But if Fang Chongyong is unwilling to come back and accept the order, then there must be something different, and then the court will be in big trouble!
Not sending troops to quell the rebellion will not be enough to calm the situation. At that time, Zhang Jun said everything was fine, he just wanted to throw dirty water on Fang Chongyong.

How could Brother Ji force Fang Chongyong to rebel when there was no proof that he had any rebellious intentions?
And they even brought the Silver Spear Xiaojie Army to fight back!

Gao Lishi cursed Zhang Jun in his heart for reading stupidly! He was completely thinking about the problem from his own point of view, and he was not willing to think from the emperor's point of view.

He was kicked out of Xingqing Palace and suffered a humiliation, which was his own fault.

"The dignified Minister of Justice is not as knowledgeable as General Gao. What kind of rubbish are there in the court now!

It’s not as far away as Genu! "

Brother Ji couldn't help but sigh with emotion. It must be said that Gao Lishi hit his mark.

Fang Zhongyong was transferred away just because he was too powerful and rushed too hard. He already had the ability to make a big splash with a single shout.

This has gone away from Brother Ji's original intention of letting him go to the Western Regions.

Performing too well will also disrupt Brother Ji's layout.

As for who will take over in the future, the core is to let Wang Zhongsi, Fang Chongyong's father-in-law, take charge.

And let a discerning eunuch and a conciliatory central minister be kept under the watchful eye of the local magistrates and not fight in the inner circle. As for who this eunuch and this scholar are, Brother Ji doesn't care.

He knew the little thoughts of Zhang Jun and his gang, but he didn't bother to find out.

Zhang Ji was already a high-ranking official in the central government, and he was still a prince-in-law, but he was one step behind the prime minister.

This time he went out to work because he wanted to have the qualifications of a "big official in the border areas". With this qualification, Zhang Jie returned to Chang'an again, and it was almost certain that he could serve as prime minister. This was the standard gameplay of the famous "general and prime minister" game rules in the Tang Dynasty.

Zhang Jie's accidental death seemed like a trivial matter on the surface, but in fact it directly interrupted the energy storage tank of Zhang Jun and his gang, directly killing a heavyweight central minister who was almost certain to become the prime minister in the future!

Zhang Jun came to Xingqing Palace just now, not just to complain about his brother's injustice, but also for a more profound political purpose: to recommend the people he wanted to recommend to occupy the official position vacated by Zhang Ji!
As a result, he was sent away by Brother Ji before he even finished the first step of "gaining sympathy". There is no way to come up with the follow-up routine at all! It’s a dumb loss!
In Ji Ge's view, these central court officials were not worthy of carrying Li Linfu's shoes. As soon as they open their mouths, they can see through the heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys of these people!
"Anything else happening recently?"

Brother Ji asked with a tired look on his face. He was really fed up with ministers like Zhang Jun.

"Returning to the saint, there is indeed one more thing, that is, Youzhou Jiedushi Huangfu Weiming wrote a letter, hoping to return to Chang'an to become the prime minister.

The slave felt it was inappropriate and did not intend to respond to this memorial, so he did not report it to dampen the saint's interest. "

Gao Lishi handed a memorial to Ji Ge and said.

“Let him continue to stay in Youzhou.

Wang Zhongsi is Fang Guozhong's father-in-law, and Fang Quanzhong is his father. There are old tribes of these people in Hexi and Longyou.

If there are no checks and balances, even if the Fang family and his son have no objections, and Wang Zhongsi is loyal to me, what about their succession? What about the local generals?
Who can guarantee that there will be no problems with them?

I need a stone to hold down the west. "

Brother Ji sighed and said.

The Huangfu family has a rich heritage. Before Brother Ji himself became emperor, there was a princess who was Huangfu Weiming's sister, but she had passed away a long time ago.

The current layout of the Tang Dynasty is that the southeast is not worth mentioning, and a pole is used to carry the east and west ends in the north.

The Jiannan and Lingnan towns in the south have large areas for young soldiers to manage, and their influence is far less than that of the northern border towns.

Biandan refers to the two towns of Hedong and Shuofang, so to speak, the east and west ends. On one side are the two towns of Hexi and Longyou plus the entire Western Region, and on the other side are the two towns of Youzhou and Pinglu.

It is obvious that the power of the northwest is greater than that of the northeast, and Ji Ge needs Huangfu Weiming to control the overall situation.

If he returns to Chang'an as prime minister, who will control the border towns?
Brother Ji couldn't find anyone close to him for a while, and he couldn't deal with anyone in Longyou, Hexi.

The border troops are not just military envoys! There will be many Jiangmen families who are rooted in the local area and are attached to the tribes around the city of Tang Dynasty. They all have their own interests, and sometimes they will kidnap and coerce Jiedushi.

Brother Ji didn't place his hopes on anyone. Of course, he didn't believe that someone could incite the border troops to rebel.

This balance is very delicate and cannot be easily tossed.

The same idea was used to transfer Fang Chongyong back to Chang'an and entrust him with important tasks, quickly promote Wang Zhongsi's confidants, but not promote Wang Zhongsi himself, diluting his power. And the rejection of Huangfu Weiming's memorial hoping to become a prime minister were all based on this idea.

In a game of intrigue, the balance must not be messed up!
"Sage, if that's the case, what should we do about Zhang Ji? Sage, please tell me the genealogy, and I will make arrangements."

Gao Lishi asked in a low voice.

“Let’s wait until Fang Guozhong comes back.

By the way, if I don’t reward you for my great achievements, I’m sure many people will criticize me.

This time when Fang Guozhong returns to Chang'an, I will give him the title of king to show my favor. Just like the princes of Zhang Jianzhi and others during the Zhongzong period.

What kind of title do you think is good? "

Brother Ji touched the long beard on his chin and asked with a smile.

He has always been very interested in this strategy of winning people's hearts by giving him a name without spending any money!
"Sage, Fang Guozhong pacified the Western Regions and promoted the prestige of the Tang Dynasty. Why not give him the title of King Pingxi, or King Pingxi for short.

If there is no such title, create one. "

Gao Lishi had an idea flash in his mind and almost blurted it out.

"King Pingxi...not bad!"

Brother Ji nodded slightly, noncommittal.

(End of this chapter)