Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 311 Hypothetical Decision (Two in One)

Chimalo and Chimalo remained silent.

Dayan Mangbuzhi first broke the silence and said: "The Tang Dynasty's military campaigns in the south and north in recent years have consumed a lot of money. Originally, Da Lun had intended to use this to make peace with the Tang Dynasty for mutual benefit. Judging from the attitude of the Tang Dynasty these days, Look, this matter is probably not going to happen. Tang Ting is very guarded against us, and there are indeed some people who consider people's livelihood and have always wanted to promote reconciliation. The opposition is still in the majority, so we can't have too much hope in this matter."

"The next step is to exchange prisoners and corpses first. After dealing with these trivial matters, we will return to Tubo. You can take advantage of these days to look around, play for a while, and buy some delicious food and fun to go back to."

Chimaluo nodded silently and said: "I must redeem my eldest brother's head!"

After Zan Xiruoduobu was beheaded by Su Dingfang, his head was wrapped in antiseptic lime and brought to Chang'an to be sacrificed as a prisoner.

As for the body of Zan Xiruoduobu, it was taken back by the Tibetans during the surprise attack that day.

The battle situation that night was so urgent that there was no time to take care of Zanshiruoduobu's body. That is to say, Zansiruoduobu's head was useful, so Su Ding just took it to defeat the enemy, otherwise he would not even take the head.

In Tibetan culture, if the head is separated from the body, the soul will be divided and will never rest in peace.

For some reason, Dayan Mangbu's mission here was to exchange the heads of prisoners.

Dayan Mangbuzhi said: "There are not many twists and turns in this matter. We also have the body of Liang Jianfang. He was a veteran who followed the emperor of the Tang Dynasty in battles during the Zhenguan period. The Tang Dynasty emphasized that the dead are the most important, and everyone is dead. , what’s the use of keeping the head to them?”

Chimaluo said: "That's good. Vice-Lun should rest early. I'm going back to the house first!"

Chimaluo stood up, bowed and left.

The moment Chimalo turned around, Dayan Mangbozhi looked at her back with a complicated expression. At the moment her body disappeared outside the house, he said in a low voice: "If I am the one who dies, then I should be the one who dies." How nice."

Chen Qingsi had an insight into the crisis in the temple. He didn't like to meddle in other people's affairs, and rarely spoke to avoid getting involved unnecessarily.

If there is no court meeting, it is the Ministry of War and the Chen Residence. If there is a court meeting, it is the palace, the Ministry of War, and the Chen Residence. Life is relaxed and comfortable.

"Shilang Chen!"

Zhang Ming, the director of the Department of War, held an official document in his hand and presented it with both hands, saying: "This is the exchange condition proposed by Tubo. Please take a look."

Chen Qingsi put down what she was doing, reached out to take it, looked at it casually, and said, "This should be decided by Jiang Shangshu. Let me review it. Will I overstep my authority?"

Zhang Ming said hurriedly: "It was Jiang Shangshu who ordered me to send the official document to Mr. Shangshu for his review. Shangshu said that the minister is careful and considerate, and he wants to hear your opinion."

Chen Qingsi nodded, thought of the reason, and smiled calmly.

Chen Qingsi had no intention of doing anything wrong. He knew that his position as a minister would not change in the short term. In just two or three years, he was promoted from a county magistrate to a minister, which was already a great favor.

Especially at his age, it can be said that there are very few people, at least within this dynasty, he is the only one.

Since there is no chance to be promoted to minister, he will not covet what he cannot get.

Jiang Ke, the Minister of War, did not have outstanding administrative abilities. He rose to the position by relying on military merit. His ancestor was Tianshui Jiang Wei, and his father, Jiang Baoyi, served as General Zuowuwei. After being a general, he was not good at political battles.

With such a boss, Chen Qingsi was secretly enjoying herself, so how could she target him?

I have great respect for him and can't find any fault with him.

Chen Qingsi also knew that Jiang Ke didn't like him. Not to mention him, any boss would not like a subordinate who could directly talk to the boss, was powerful, could not be controlled, and was protected by a big boss.

Chen Qingsi respected him, but she didn't stand out in front of him and just focused on doing her own thing.

Jiang Ke sent someone to consult this time, but Chen Qingsi did not hide it. He looked at it seriously and said: "Tubo is still very sincere in this regard, and the conditions given are very generous..."

He made an estimate, wrote a series of numbers on the official document with a red pen, and said: "There is no problem in exchanging the head of Zan Xiruoduobu for the body of General Liang Jianfang. As for the prisoners of war, this is the bottom line, let the Ministry of Rites go Talk, the more the better, but not less than this number. If they negotiate less than this number, we won’t recognize it.”

He said and handed the official document to Zhang Ming.

Zhang Ming took it and took a look, with a subtle expression of approval.

As the head of the Ministry of War, he has worked in the Ministry of War for many years. He has climbed up from the grassroots level and has developed a lot of skills. Compared with Jiang Ke, who was promoted due to military merit, his ability is actually stronger.

Jiang Ke also gave an answer before, which in his opinion was a bit conservative.

The number given by Chen Qingsi is very suitable.

Zhang Ming handed the official document to Jiang Ke.

Jiang Ke looked at the results given by Chen Qingsi and was startled, and said, "What do you think?"

Zhang Ming couldn't speak for a while. Unlike Chen Qingsi, he didn't have the emperor's backing.

Jiang Ke said: "Just put it bluntly, I don't blame you."

Zhang Ming said: "Shilang Chen is more appropriate."

Jiang Ke scratched his head, not surprised.

Jiang Ke didn't like Chen Qingsi, and Chen Qingsi didn't hang around in front of him. He was happy to do so.

We are all in the same military department, and each has his own way of doing things.

But as time went by, Jiang Ke realized something was wrong. Chen Qingsi's administrative level was extremely high, and he could easily handle the work of the Ministry of War, and he did it efficiently and well.

In comparison, my ability as a minister in handling affairs is obviously much inferior.

As a result, the official documents of the Ministry of War are somewhat distinct.

The people in the Council Hall received the official documents from the Ministry of War and could tell at a glance which ones were handled by Chen Qingsi and which ones were handled by Jiang Ke.

After learning about this situation, Jiang Ke chose to give up: he couldn't compete, and he couldn't wear small shoes. Instead of competing with him, it was better to use his ability honestly to avoid losing face in the council hall.

Jiang Ke said helplessly: "Then follow Shilang Chen's suggestion!"

Chen Qingsi was somewhat lost in thought.

Ever since Chimaluo visited him, Chen Qingsi has been thinking about an issue that he couldn't figure out. Why did Chimaluo, the future queen of Tubo, appear in the Tang Dynasty and among the Tibetan envoys?

Judging from the other party's behavior, it was to find a way out for Tubo, and to let himself, one of the emperor's trusted ministers, know Tubo Zamp's attitude. While he wanted to use the Gar family to expand their territory, he also wanted to With the help of the Tang Dynasty, help them get rid of powerful officials so that they can monopolize power.

This is indeed justified and reasonable.

Chimaluo is the future Queen of Tubo, and the Meru clan is the most powerful clan in Tubo.

Their alliance, the joining of powerful forces, will naturally make them unwilling to succumb to the Gar family.

Chimaluo's purpose of coming to Chang'an is also reasonable, but even if it is reasonable, it is the biggest unreasonable.

It’s just that the power of Tubo is in the hands of Galdongzan...

It was impossible for Gal Dongzan not to know about the relationship between Tubo Zampu and the Melu family. Since he knew, why would he let her appear in the mission? Let her, a member of the Tubo Zanpu clan, have the opportunity to go to Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, to seek help?

Until today, the name Zanshirudobu appeared in Chen Qingsi's mind, and he thought of a possibility.

All this is led by Gal Dongzan, who is reshuffling the layout...

Chen Qingsi didn't know whether Gal Dongzan had any ambitions, nor did she want to know.

But one thing is certain, if Tubo wants to fight against the Tang Dynasty, it must unite all its forces in one place to have a chance of success.

In other words, the Gar family must control all the rights of Tubo, and the hegemony system must not be withdrawn.

Once the power is divided into two kings and kings, conflicts will inevitably arise between the two, making it impossible to enforce one of them and unable to fight against the powerful Tang court.

Chen Qingsi's thoughts were spinning rapidly. He stood up unconsciously and walked back and forth. What happened in reality and what happened in history were repeatedly confirmed in his mind.

Except for Songtsen Gampo who climbed out of the coffin, no one could shake Galdongtsen's power.

But Galdongzan is old now, and he may die at any time.

In this way, the Gal family's hegemony system will be shaken by his death, and Tubo will fall into internal strife and completely lose the capital to compete with the Tang Dynasty.

Galdongzan is one of the most outstanding strategists of this era, and it is impossible for him not to see through this.

Historically, he had a backup plan. Mangsong Mangtsen wanted to seize power, so he appointed his cronies to replace Galdongtsen's position.

As a result, Galdongzan's eldest son, Zanshirudobu, gained the support of the public at this time and became a major commentator in Tubo, while Mangsong Mangzan's close associate became a deputy commentator, the kind who died soon after taking office. .

The power of Tubo continued to be in the hands of the Gar family.

Chen Qingsi clasped his hands together and said to himself in a voice that could only be heard by himself: "Zan Xiruoduobu was the backup left by Gal Dongzan for himself. He let his eldest son with political talent take over his position. And this son, Lun Qin Ling, who was more talented in military affairs, opened up and expanded the territory of Tubo. Now because of his appearance and Su Dingfang's super battle, he praised Xi Ruoduobu for his death... History has proved that Lun Qin Ling's military was outstanding. , but was completely controlled by Chi Maluo politically."

"The Qin Mausoleum is of no political use..."

"Without Zan Siruoduobu, the Gar family will not be able to suppress the Tubo Zanpu clan in the future."

"He needs to reorganize his layout. While strengthening the power of the Gar family, he needs to weaken the power of the Zanpu family..."

"Chimalo is not married to Mangsong Mangzan yet. Once Chimalo becomes the Queen of Tubo, then Mangsongmangzan will not only get Chimalo, a hero among women who is better than countless men, but also the wife of Wu Lu. Full support."

"With Zanxiruoduobu here, Galdongzan is not afraid. Now that Zanxiruoduobu is dead, Galdongzan may not dare to let Mangsongmangzan and Chimaluo take the two Melu family behind her. The forces are tied together..."

"Gal Dongzan has no reason to object to the union of Mangsong Manzan and Trimalo. As the noblest Shang clan in Tubo, he is born to marry into the Zanpu bloodline. This is something that is unanimously recognized by the entire Tubo aristocracy."

"So Chimaluo appeared in Chang'an. As long as she can't go back and something happens to her, the marriage will naturally fall through."

The light in Chen Qingsi's eyes is getting brighter and brighter...

He suddenly stopped. All these were his speculations and lacked any supporting evidence.

Without certain basis, no matter how true the hypothesis is, it is still a hypothesis.

"Snapped!"

Chen Qingsi punched his right palm with his left fist and said: "Yes, if what I expected is correct, there will definitely be changes in Galdongzan. It is difficult to find a replacement like Zanxi Ruoduobu, and even if he is found, it will not be possible." If Duobu is recognized by Tubo like that, he will definitely strengthen his control over Tubo and have different arrangements. As long as he can find out that Tubo has different arrangements, it will prove that his calculations are correct."

Chen Qingsi sorted out her words, strode out of the Ministry of War, and went to meet the Holy Spirit.

If Tubo can be controlled in advance and Tubo falls into Zanpu and internal strife in advance, Datang will have one less powerful enemy. It can freely attack the Three Kingdoms of Haidong and the Western Regions, and even compete with the rising Great Food. .

It's really boring to fight Tubo, a rogue who sits on a high mountain and is half-invincible.

Just when Chen Qingsi was about to meet the saint, the emperor, the greatest dramatist in the Tang Dynasty, had already started his performance.

As the lord of the Tang Dynasty, the king of a country, and the future emperor, he burst into tears in front of Xu Jingzong, Xu Yushi, and a group of historians who recorded daily life records.

"My family is unfortunate, and there are constant bad things among my relatives. Princess Gaoyang shares the same spirit with me, and we are all flesh and blood of my father. However, she conspired against Fang Yiai... It turns out that my uncle Wuji also intends to rebel. Such a close relative, as a member of the Tang Dynasty, I How can the emperor have the face to face the people of the world?"

Xu Jingzong strode out with a righteous look on his face and said loudly: "Your Majesty, how can you combine these two things into one? Fang Yi loves a bratty brat and is a fool. He conspired with the woman to make the world laugh, how can it be accomplished? ? Changsun Wuji was different. He conspired with the late emperor to conquer the world, and everyone in the civil and military dynasties obeyed his abilities. He had been in the position of assistant for thirty years, and his disciples and former officials were all over the government and the public. I was afraid that Changsun Wuji would know that the matter was exposed, so I raised my arms and shouted , committed evil in advance. At that time, the ancestral temple and the state may be harmed. I ask your majesty to make an immediate decision, search immediately, break up the family and capture him."

Li Zhi cried even more sadly: "Wuji is my uncle! He is my biological uncle... My father's last wish before his death was to keep his grandson Wuji. I... Wuwuwu, I... Wuwuwu, I How can I bear to convict my uncle? How will future generations of historians view me!"

His tears were rolling down like those who didn't need money.

Xu Jingzong still looked upright and said: "In the past, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty was also the emperor of the Han Dynasty. Bo Zhao was also the uncle of the emperor. He had the merit of serving the dragon and was no different from Changsun Wuji. However, Bo Zhao was extravagant and indulged in lawlessness. Arrangement His cronies interfered in the affairs of the government, and even went so far as to kill court ministers. Emperor Wen killed them in tears for the sake of the people of the world, but he gained a good reputation."

"Jin Wuji forgot the late emperor's great kindness and virtue, abandoned your majesty's closest relatives, listened to evil spirits, and became disobedient, with the intention of ruining lives. If he is ten times more sinful than Bo Zhao, how can your majesty enforce the law impartially?"

Xu Jingzong spoke loudly and resonantly every word: "I should not stop hearing this, but I will be disturbed by it. There is no time for such a big event to happen. If there is less delay, things may change."

"His Majesty!"

"For the sake of the common people in the world, and for the sake of the country and the country, please make an early decision!"

(End of this chapter)