Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 417: Use people to win
Qinghai Lake is at war again.

This incident did not cause any turmoil in the temple, and it was even felt.

This is also the difference between Chen Qingsi, the Minister of War, and the previous ones.

Chen Qingsi knew Tubo very well and knew that once the other party was internally stable, it would definitely look for opportunities to take action.

It is necessary to make arrangements in advance...

In terms of military strategy, Li Zhi now has unconditional trust in Chen Qingsi's judgment.

Therefore, Li Zhi was not surprised when he learned that Tubo invaded Qinghai Lake again. He just glanced at Chen Qingsi and ignored it.

With Chen Qingsi here, he really doesn't need to worry about the military aspect.

Chen Qingsi was also a little surprised by Tubo's movements. The other party came faster than he expected, which was really embarrassing.

Chen Qingsi knew that Tubo was very powerful in discussing Qinling. Although Xi Junmai was unparalleled and brave, his opponent still had difficulty discussing Qinling, so he immediately suggested that Su Dingfang lead his troops to support.

Li Zhi naturally followed.

Chen Qingsi personally inquired about the logistics of grain and grass supplies. As for military issues, Chen Qingsi has nothing to do here. There is no doubt about Su Dingfang's ability.

Chen Qingsi knew that as long as he did a good job in logistics and allowed the other party to perform normally, he would not be able to get any advantage even if he was talking about Qin Ling.

It would be best if you could kill the opponent like you did with Garzan Shiruo, and it would be over in one fell swoop.

Chen Qingsi arranged the logistics and started thinking wildly.

After handling the affairs of the Ministry of War, Chen Qingsi supervised the affairs of Feng Chan.

Chen Qingsi was more concerned about Feng Chan's situation than the affairs of the Ministry of War. This time he decided on the candidates for the gift, which cut off in advance Empress Wu's way of relying on Feng Chan to enhance her political capital.

Chen Qingsi was somewhat looking forward to Queen Wu's next move.

If Empress Wu was unwilling to fail and secretly tampered with Feng Chan, Chen Qingsi was prepared to charge her with obstructing Feng Chan.

Feng Chan thought that what Li Zhi cared about most at the moment was even more important than the current war. He knew that no matter who it was, he would not be pleased with anyone who hindered Feng Chan.

However, Chen Qingsi didn't notice anything strange. Empress Wu didn't react at all to the decision of the candidate for the gift, as if she didn't care about it at all.

Chen Qingsi understood that it was not that Empress Wu didn't care, but that she was well versed in the art of intrigue.

If you know that you lose, you lose. If you don't admit defeat and want to make an extreme comeback, it is not a wise choice.

Limits mean danger.

Taking risks is not what a mature politician should do.

A truly mature politician should act to avoid risks, not to take risks.

She obviously suffered such a big secret loss, but internally she didn't know what to do, but externally, Queen Wu was still able to keep her composure, which was indeed a remarkable thing.

Chen Qingsi didn't care, he could keep his composure.

Although he was ready to fight Empress Wu, he did not intend to expose her too early. Only by attacking at the critical moment could the best results be achieved.

It depends on who can hide it.

Ever since, Chen Qingsi lived a life of three o'clock and one line of work again.

In addition to necessary social activities, they just deal with the affairs of the Ministry of War and Feng Chan, and then go home to enjoy family happiness.

In addition, Chen Qingsi also arranged something.

"Master! The bad guy is here."

Zhou Kui led Yin Ming into the living room.

"Mr. Chen!"

Yin Ming saluted Chen Qingsi respectfully.

Chen Qingsi politely asked Yin Ming to take his seat and said, "Bad handsome, I have a private matter. I hope bad handsome can help."

Yin Ming immediately said: "Mr. Chen, please speak frankly, but if you have orders, don't dare to disobey."

Yin Ming has actually met Chen Qingsi many times. After all, living in Chang'an, there is always a chance to meet.

But this was the first time Chen Qingsi met Yin Ming.

I still know this person through Zhang Daan and Zhao Chiman, Sima of Yongzhou.

Before Chen Qingsi left Baekje, he specifically told Yin Ming that he was a bad commander in Chang'an and was very famous in all three religions. If there are some things that are difficult to deal with, you can ask him for help.

Yin Ming also received a letter from Zhao Chiman, telling him about his current situation. The letter also asked him to contribute more to Chen Qingsi, which would be of great benefit to him in the future.

Yin Ming was very convinced of Zhao Chiman, and Chen Qingsi's name was well known to everyone. After being summoned by Chen Qingsi, he immediately came in person.

Yin Ming said without hesitation: "Brother Zhao and a certain person are close friends of life and death. He specifically told me that I will just do whatever I ask, sir."

Chen Qingsi said: "Assign a few astute brothers to go to Suzhou to find out detailed information about a person for me. The more detailed information about his likes and dislikes, the better."

Yin Ming said: "This is simple. Inquiring about information is our best skill. As long as you tell the other party's name, I will take care of the rest."

Chen Qingsi said: "The other party's name is Li Derjian, and he is the eldest son of Duke Wei Li Jing. In the past, he was implicated because of his friendship with the former prince Li Chengqian, and now he lives in Suzhou."

Yin Ming agreed directly without asking the reason.

Chen Qingsi glanced at Zhou Kui and said, "I prepared some travel expenses and hard work money to drink for the brothers below."

Zhou Kui handed a large bag of heavy Tongbao in front of Yin Ming.

The coins of the Tang Dynasty had a very large face value, and the amount of this bag of Tongbao was not small.

Yin Ming accepted it calmly, bowed and said, "I would like to thank Mr. Chen on behalf of the brothers."

Chen Qingsi asked Zhou Kui to send Yin Ming out of the mansion.

Zhou Kui then entered and said, "I have someone in my subordinates who can handle such a matter, so why bother asking others?"

At Chen Qingsi's request, Zhou Kui also made acquaintance with some reliable people, who could be used as guards for the writer's house and could also arrange some tasks at critical moments.

Chen Qingsi said: "You don't understand this. Favors come and go, and only through constant exchanges can feelings increase. Our people can be trusted, but their people need to be harmonized. Leave such unimportant things to them, Not only can we feel at ease, but we can also deepen our communication and understand each other, laying the foundation for becoming a real helper in the future.”

After convincing Xiao Miaochen, Chen Qingsi was naturally ready to make a deal with her future father-in-law.

If it was an official marriage, Chen Qingsi wouldn't have to play any tricks.

Although Li Hongqing is Li Jing's granddaughter, Li Derjian's lineage is a sinner. He was supposed to be exiled to Lingnan, but he was exiled to Suzhou because of Li Jing's achievements.

With Chen Qingsi's current status, it is more than enough to marry Li Derjian's daughter.

But Chen Qingsi already has a wife, so she can certainly not wrong Li Hongqing and treat her as an equal wife. But in terms of etiquette and law, and in the eyes of the world, she is still a concubine.

Just like this, he directly brought gifts to his door and proposed marriage, but he couldn't help but get beaten up.

Chen Qingsi felt that in order to deal with her father-in-law, she had to first understand his hobbies, grasp his weak spots, prescribe the right medicine, and put forward reasons that Li Derjian could not refuse.

During this far trip, Chen Qingsi initially wanted his own people to investigate, but thinking about the power of the bad guys in Chang'an, he changed his mind.

At the feet of the Emperor of Chang'an, the bad guys here are a force that cannot be ignored. If you can hold it in hand, it will be of great use. It's just that they don't have regular contact and the relationship is unfamiliar, and if they are rashly asked to do confidential things without a certain understanding between the two parties, there will be inherent distrust.

Chen Qingsi is not afraid of asking for help, but she is afraid of having no one to turn to at critical moments. To maintain a relationship, although there is a sincere feeling that does not involve interests, in the end, interests still come first.

Only by forming a pattern in which everyone is prosperous and everyone suffers, can people be willing to die.

The political power Chen Qingsi now controls can give Yin Ming political protection. As long as he can do things in a down-to-earth manner, it will be beneficial to him.

Zhou Kui also understood and praised: "Master Lang is still thoughtful. Bad people have a lot of power. If they can be used by Master Lang, that would be great."

Chen Qingsi nodded slightly and said: "No matter how good your power is, it is only a relationship of interest and not completely reliable. You should pay more attention and pay more attention to the security of the mansion, and you must recruit more reliable people."

With the promotion of official positions, the service power of the Chen family residence also increased.

In total, there are ninety-six first-grade officials, seventy-two second-grade officials, forty-eight third-grade officials, thirty-two fourth-grade officials, twenty-four fifth-grade officials, fifteen sixth-grade officials, and seventh-grade officials. Four people, three eighth-grade officials, two ninth-grade officials...

Chen Qingsi is now a fourth-grade official, but he also holds a military position. Military attachés in the Tang Dynasty have special treatment in terms of escorts, and have extra marriages, tents, and free escorts.

According to the rules of the Tang Dynasty, the children of high-ranking officials were responsible for these marriage affairs and accounts.

Just like an internship, it is one of the ways for military attaches and nobles to enter the officialdom. But few people are willing to let a group of distinguished young men stand guard.

Under the system, new rules have emerged.

Pay money to redeem yourself.

You can stay in the account if you don't come for the wedding. As long as you pay a high ransom, you can be exempted from this obligation.

This is also a large source of income for military attaches.

The noble disciples do not want to serve as guards, so they naturally need to recruit their own equipment.

Chen Qingsi also plans to take this opportunity to recruit a group of cronies.

Zhou Kui felt the trust and immediately said: "My subordinates must choose carefully and not let Master Lang down."

**********
Luoyang Imperial Palace.

Li Zhi and Empress Wu handled government affairs together.

Li Zhi discarded the memorial in his hand on the table and said: "The prince is kind and I love him very much, but he is a bit benevolent as a woman!"

As he spoke, he threw the memorial in his hand on the table and said, "I'm going out for a walk, the queen can do what she wants."

Empress Wu was used to Li Zhi going out for a walk every once in a while, exercising, and getting up to send her blessings.

Watching Li Zhi leave, Empress Wu had a somewhat uncertain expression on her face. At first she was very happy when she praised Li Hong, but then she said "a woman's kindness" and she couldn't help but panic. She didn't know what made Li Zhi unhappy.

Li Zhi, Empress Wu and most of the officials in the court accompanied them to Luoyang.

But as Chang'an is the capital, there are naturally people left behind.

Prince Li Hong was the obvious choice, and all the officials in the East Palace stayed in Chang'an, forming a small court.

Every once in a while, the prince would transport the official documents he processed in Chang'an to Luoyang.

Because Li Zhi had Empress Wu, he became more and more lazy in political affairs, but he did not fail to review the official documents sent by Li Hong.

Li Hong was not in Luoyang, and Empress Wu could not summon him to inquire about the situation.

After looking outside, Empress Wu hesitated for a while, then bravely came to the imperial case, looked at it carefully, picked up the memorial left by Li Zhi and looked at it carefully.

It turned out to be about the Tubo controversy.

There were always different opinions in the court on how to deal with Tibet.

At this time, the special climate in Tubo had already been discovered by the Tang army, but they did not know the underlying reason and just attributed it to acclimatization.

Chen Qingsi introduced in detail what altitude sickness is in "Tubo Treatise".

For some reason, everyone knows Tubo's advantage on the plateau. Facing a country that is in a cheating position, some people's attitude is to maintain good-neighborly relations.

Since it cannot be fought and overthrown, why spend huge military expenditures to confront it on Qinghai Lake?

Therefore, when Tubo Deputy Prime Minister Dayan Mangbu came to Chang'an to seek peace, many people agreed to accept Tubo's peace proposal, but Li Zhi suppressed it.

During the civil strife in Tubo, the court also had a suggestion to take advantage of this opportunity to sign an alliance with Tubo to avoid another war.

Now Tubo invades Qinghai Lake again, giving those people a chance to speak.

They used this as an excuse to say that instead of passively defending, it was better to use war to promote peace and maintain peace in Qinghai Lake.

Li Hong's memorial was to explain this matter to Li Zhi.

Li Hongrende, if he could really avoid fighting, he would definitely agree.

Empress Wu read it quickly, then carefully placed the memorial in its place, and stepped back gently.

Empress Wu returned to her seat and had no intention of reviewing the memorial in her hand for a while, thinking about what Li Hong had written in the memorial.

But she couldn't understand...

Originally, she was not a college graduate, but her current government affairs abilities were honed through Li Zhi's step-by-step instruction.

In terms of military affairs, Li Zhi himself was half-hearted, let alone Empress Wu?
Empress Wu didn't know what the right thing to say was. She hesitated for a moment, and suddenly something happened in her heart. In military matters, her husband listened to Chen Qingsi the most.

Not as good?

Empress Wu suddenly smiled, and there was an inexplicable chill in her smile.

Chen Qingsi, who was working at the Ministry of War, sneezed inexplicably.

Chen Qingsi couldn't help but mutter: Jingjing must be lonely in school because she keeps sneezing recently and misses her father.

He enjoyed himself for a while and then returned to work.

Just as he was lost in thought, rapid footsteps sounded.

"Good news, good news, good news! Good news from Qinghai Lake!"

"Su Xinggong defeated Tubo, defeated 40,000 enemies, and took 3,500 enemy heads. The Tubo army fled, and the crisis in Qinghai Lake has been resolved..."

This kind of news of a great victory on the front line is an act to enhance the prestige of our country.

The messengers came all the way to spread the word and make the people of the Tang Dynasty happy.

Chen Qingsi suddenly burst into joy when she heard the call in the distance.

The news he got here was still a confrontation.

Tubo's surprise attack on Qinling was not successful, and it was not effective in the face of Xi Junmai's serious garrison.

After retreating, Xi Junmai tried several attacks and suffered some small losses, but did not rush forward and waited for Su Dingfang's reinforcements.

Lun Qinling was not in a hurry to attack, but instead waited for Su Dingfang to gather his strength and encircle the point for reinforcements.

Then the two sides faced off in Qinghai Lake, which lasted for a month. The small-scale battles resulted in victory and defeat for each other.

But I didn't expect that in just a few days, the situation of the battle had completely reversed.

(End of this chapter)