Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 438

Xu Jingzong was regretting his decision to the point of death. He never expected that at this critical moment, Li Ji, who was always steady, would have such an accident.

This time he was caught...

Xu Jingzong paced back and forth, frowning. As he got older, he felt powerless over many things.

At this point, apart from inheritance, the only thing worth noting is the reputation after death.

Xu Jingzong was most worried about this. In his early years, because of the power in his hands, he acted arbitrarily and recklessly, relying on the emperor's respect and trust, and acted recklessly in the important matter of compiling history.

It was too late to regret at the end, and I could only bite the bullet and cover up everything.

Now that I am extremely powerful, I can cover up everything. However, as long as I die of illness or retire and lose my current power, those things will be difficult to conceal.

When?
Xu Jingzong couldn't imagine...

"As long as I participate in the Fengshan ceremony, I will have an extra layer of political capital. Even if what I did is exposed in the future, I will still have a certain support. Your Majesty attaches so much importance to this Fengshan ceremony, and he will not let it be humiliated."

“We must fight for it no matter what!”

This thought flashed through Xu Jingzong's mind, but as soon as he had this thought, he was worried about gains and losses.

Chen Qingsi was not the only one who understood Li Zhi. Xu Jingzong had his own unique characteristics in becoming the only evergreen prime minister in Li Zhi's reign. He was assigned to Li Shimin when Li Zhi was in his residence, and he knew more about the black-bellied emperor than Chen Qingsi.

If Chen Qingsi could judge it, Xu Jingzong was no exception.

It was just that Li Ji's fall came at a very bad time. Now they were only half a month away from Mount Tai, and there was no chance for him to perform in the entire Fengshan process.

Chen Qingsi's performance in the past month and a half has been too outstanding, and no matter how hard he tries, he can't catch up.

If I do nothing, I will just sit there and watch the opportunity slip away. If I really take the risk, I might anger the Lord...

It's just this dilemma.

Xu Jingzong was in a state of unrest. Suddenly he stopped and a thought came to his mind: had he been tricked by that old fox Li Ji?
Thinking about how Li Jingye had been working under Chen Qingsi these days, and thinking about Li Ji's fall at the critical moment...

Xu Jingzong immediately felt like he was screwed by a dog.

At the same time, Li Zhi was also thinking about who would replace Li Ji.

The selection of people to offer gifts for Fengshan is a matter of great importance. In the current government, there are only five people who are prestigious and qualified for the job. In terms of performance and achievements, Chen Qingsi is far ahead of the rest.

But Li Zhi didn’t really want to choose Chen Qingsi.

Chen Qingsi's achievements, abilities and prestige are beyond doubt, and it is no exaggeration to call him a "national hero".

Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, there has been no one as young as him who has made such great contributions, apart from the fact that he was the father of the King of Qin.

Li Zhi also attached great importance to it and regarded it as one of the key links in entrusting his affairs after his death.

However, as an emperor, Li Zhi sought a balance, and he hoped that Chen Qingsi would become a person like Li Ji, who could be the pillar of the Tang Dynasty, but would not threaten the imperial power and become a person like Zhangsun Wuji.

He did not want to give Chen Qingsi the huge political capital of the Fengshan gift.

This is why Li Zhi still chose Li Ji even though Li Ji and Xu Jingzong both gave their votes to Chen Qingsi.

As a founding hero, Li Ji had made great contributions to the country. He was also loyal to Li Zhi and had no stain on his body, so he was the best choice.

But now...

Li Zhi knew that he could not hastily select someone to bring shame to the Fengshan Ceremony. After careful consideration, the only ones who were truly convincing were Chen Qingsi and Xu Jingzong.

"Lord Xu's qualifications and achievements are certainly sufficient, but his character..."

Li Zhi was biased towards Xu Jingzong in his heart, but even though Xu Jingzong concealed it very well, Li Zhi still knew that Xu Jingzong's character was not much better than Li Yifu's. It's just that Li Yifu didn't know how to hide it, while Xu Jingzong was well versed in this and hid it deeper.

Li Zhi has the Li family's love of ostentation and will not tolerate any stain.

Let’s take a look!

Empress Wu felt mixed emotions as she watched her husband worrying about the selection of the person to be appointed to the throne.

If it weren't for these inexplicable strange events, now would be the best time for her to fight for the title of Fengshan.

But now?
She didn't even dare to mention the sacrifice...

After all, everyone knew that she had gone to the trouble of poisoning Lady Ji Guo in order to be responsible for the sacrifice.

Even though this is a rumor, she is now like raw meat being roasted on the fire.

If she really did something special in terms of Fengshan, wouldn't that confirm public opinion?

Empress Wu didn't care about these things, but she knew that Li Zhi did. Right now, facing this unprecedented grand occasion, if she made any more unreasonable demands, it would only make him unhappy.

Empress Wu had been put in solitary confinement once, and she knew that everything she had was given by her husband. If she caused trouble for him, she would be the only one who would suffer in the end.

Even if Empress Wu had a thousand thoughts in mind, she could only stay aside quietly and not say a word.

The last journey was uneventful.

It was because he was tired, and also because he didn't want to make trouble.

In the last leg of the journey, Li Zhi was already walking the runway for the Fengshan ceremony.

They first went to the home of Zhang Gongyi, a native of Shouzhang. There was nothing special about Zhang Gongyi, except that he had a long life.

Of course, he cannot compare with old immortals like Sun Simiao, but compared with Sun Simiao, Zhang Gongyi is worth citing as an example.

It is true that Sun Simiao was over a hundred years old, but he was alone.

How to praise? Are we encouraging everyone to follow Sun Simiao's example and live a long and secluded life?

There is no need to mention Zhang Gongyi. He was born in the first year of Chengguang in the Northern Qi Dynasty. He lived through four dynasties, namely the Northern Qi Dynasty, Northern Zhou Dynasty, Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty. Up to now, nine generations have lived together in his family with more than 900 people. He is a model of good family management.

Of course Li Zhi had to meet him in person and give him rewards.

Then I went to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius...

This was a special arrangement by Chen Qingsi, mainly to spread Chinese Confucianism to the barbarians in all directions.

Confucianism cannot represent China, but it is the most suitable doctrine to be promoted abroad.

Confucianism’s brainwashing ability is no less than that of Buddhism and Taoism…

Li Zhi offered sacrifices to Confucius with sheep and pigs, and posthumously conferred the title of Grand Master on him.

Then on December 26th, they arrived in Qizhou for final repairs.

That day, Li Zhi was still considering who would be responsible for the second sacrifice, when he suddenly received news that Chen Qingsi wanted to see him.

"Xuan!"

Li Zhi subconsciously sat up straight and met a national hero like Chen Qingsi with the best attitude.

After Chen Qingsi greeted him, he did not take a seat as Li Zhi had arranged. Instead, he said, "Your Majesty! Good news! Yuan Nansheng has agreed to all our conditions and is now rushing here with the chieftains of the Mohe tribes."

Li Zhi couldn't help but put his hands on the table and asked excitedly: "Where are you now?" Chen Qingsi said: "I don't know..."

Yuan Nansheng had already asked the Tang Dynasty for help, but the court did not agree.

Because Yuan Nansheng's main purpose was to borrow troops to suppress the rebellion, to use the Tang Dynasty's hand to eliminate the rebellion. Then he would serve the court and pay tribute every year in return.

This model is indeed useful for some special places, but it was a disaster for Goguryeo.

The imperial court’s goal was very clear: it would never allow the country of Goguryeo to continue to exist.

Yuan Nansheng could surrender, but he could only survive as a subject of the Tang Dynasty, not as the King of Goguryeo.

The imperial court was resolute and Yuan Nansheng was unwilling to compromise, so the two sides failed to reach an agreement.

Just as Li Zhi was on his way to Fengshan, Goguryeo's Yeonnam-geon and Yeonnam-chan suddenly stepped up their attacks on Yeonnam-chan, who was in an uncertain future because of a complete breakdown in negotiations with the court. The northern Lisa, which had supported him, turned against him and surrendered to Yeonnam-geon and Yeonnam-chan, causing Yeonnam-chan's strength to be greatly reduced and his army's morale to be eroded.

After several consecutive battles, Yuan Nansheng ended up in failure.

Faced with a life-and-death situation, Yuan Nansheng contacted Cheng Mingzhen, agreed to the Tang Dynasty's conditions, and promised to go to Mount Tai in person to meet the emperor.

Because both parties are moving, they cannot accurately grasp each other's movements.

"I have arranged for the Ministry of War to contact various post stations and pass on the message, asking them to go straight to Qizhou. They will arrive in two days at most."

Li Zhi still leaned forward and said, "So, can Goguryeo be conquered?"

Chen Qingsi said without hesitation: "The two sides are in serious internal friction, and Goguryeo's strength has been greatly damaged. We have Yuan Nansheng in our hands, so it's no problem to take down Goguryeo."

Li Zhi sat back down with satisfaction.

Ever since he started to feel strange in his body, with tinnitus, blindness, and dizziness from time to time, he had two wishes: one was to become an emperor, and the other was to destroy Goguryeo.

Now his wish of becoming an emperor is about to be fulfilled, and the destruction of Goguryeo is even before his eyes. He is overjoyed and looks very pleased, with a feeling that God has treated me well.

Looking at Chen Qingsi in front of him, Li Zhi remembered that he was just a piece of imperial edict, so he transferred him back to the capital from Baekje, put down all the power in his hands, and said without any regrets: "Lord Li Ying is seriously injured and cannot preside over the final sacrifice. I have thought about it for a long time, and you will take over."

Chen Qingsi pretended to be surprised, and after a moment's silence, he said, "Your Majesty, I am still young and I am afraid of being criticized!"

Since Li Zhi had made up his mind, Chen Qingsi had no choice but to say, "Who dares? Your contributions to the Tang Dynasty are well known to everyone. Who dares to gossip about you?"

Chen Qingsi's power cannot be suppressed by anyone, so it is better to transform it into grace and make him remember my kindness.

"Originally, I thought you were the most suitable and I liked you. But Lord Li Ying is a veteran of three dynasties and a founding noble of the Tang Dynasty. His qualifications, prestige and achievements are all perfect. Everyone recommended him, and I had no reason to refuse. Now he is unable to perform his duties due to injury, which shows that this is God's will."

"It's settled..."

Li Zhi was also very good at telling lies.

Chen Qingsi was filled with gratitude, "Your Majesty values ​​me so much, I will definitely live up to your high expectations."

Li Zhi said: "When Yuan Nansheng arrives in Qizhou, please bring him to see me."

Outside Qizhou City.

Xue Rengui looked at the heroic guards on the city wall and the familiar flag of the Right Army with a smile in his eyes. He wondered where his old friend was now.

Xue Rengui shined in Liaodong in those days and was highly regarded by Li Shimin, who left a compliment: "I am not happy to get Liaodong, but I am happy to get you." Li Shimin promoted Xue Rengui to the rank of General of the Right Army and put him in charge of the most important Xuanwu Gate in the palace.

Xue Rengui had been in Xuanwu Gate for ten years and was familiar with all the generals, officers and sergeants in the army.

In the third year of Xianqing, Xue Rengui was promoted by Li Zhi and followed Cheng Mingzhen to fight against Goguryeo as a deputy general. Since then, he has been active in the northeast battlefield and rarely returns to Beijing. Occasionally, he gets the opportunity to report on his work, but he comes and goes in a hurry, and has no time to meet with old friends.

If I think about it carefully, it has been about six years.

"Rengui!"

With a shout of joy, Xue Rengui saw that it was his former colleague Niu Zhuang. Seeing that he was dressed in a general's uniform, he smiled and said, "You should call him General Niu. Congratulations on your promotion."

A hint of shame appeared on Niu Zhuang's dark face.

He is the grandson of Niu Jinda, a famous general of the founding of the Tang Dynasty. Relying on the outstanding achievements of his ancestors, he does not need to go to the battlefield, but can be promoted just by serving in the army for a few years.

Compared with Xue Rengui, who is now a general who has fought hard through his own strength, he is incomparable.

"Compared to a general like you, it's a far cry."

Niu Zhuang was not being sarcastic; this was what came from his heart.

Strength is paramount in the army. Xue Rengui is the best in martial arts among the three armies, and his archery skills are amazing. He is recognized as the strongest among the right-hand army and is admired by the vast majority of people.

"Let's not talk about that. How are you, brothers? I have military duties now. Brother Niu, please inform my former colleagues. I will host a party tomorrow and we can have a gathering together."

"it is good!"

Niu Zhuang agreed immediately, and then immediately said: "Don't bother with anything else. Minister Chen knows that you have arrived today and has been waiting for a long time."

Xue Rengui was startled and asked, "But that Minister Chen?"

Niu Zhuang said: "There is only one Minister Chen in the six ministries."

Xue Rengui hurriedly notified Yuan Nansheng and the chieftains of the Mohe tribes behind him.

When they heard that they would meet Chen Qingsi, Yuan Nansheng and the chieftains of the Mohe tribes all changed color and began to get dressed.

Why they ended up in such a situation and who was to blame is self-evident.

It is true that the Tang Dynasty was powerful, but in the eyes of Goguryeo and many northeastern tribal leaders, it was not invincible.

At least the once mighty Emperor Taizong of Tang had once suffered defeat at their hands.

Then everything changed. After Chen Qingsi pacified Baekje, their advantages were gradually eliminated and their living space was squeezed step by step.

Without moving a single soldier, the overlord of the Northeast for many years has become a turtle in a jar...

This ability is truly terrifying.

Faced with such an incomparable strong man, Yuan Nansheng and the chieftains of the Mohe tribes had no thought of resisting at all.

Submitting to the strong is their law of survival, even if this strong man is their enemy.

The group followed Xue Rengui with some trepidation and restraint, until they saw a man in a purple robe embroidered with five-chapter patterns leading several people towards them.

The man was not very old, and seemed to be less than 30 years old. He wore a black fu hat, and a golden decorative sword hung on his right waist, and a slender Tang Dynasty horizontal sword on his left waist. He had the bearing and demeanor of a scholar, and the strength of a man.

He must be Chen Qingsi!

Yuan Nansheng lowered his head slightly, secretly looking at the person who overthrew Goguryeo, with a bitter mouth. With such a hero in the Tang Dynasty, how could Goguryeo not perish?
"General Xue!"

Chen Qingsi shouted happily.

Once upon a time, this person was one of his idols.

(End of this chapter)