The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 262 Undercurrent
Fang Guan and Diwu Qi were previously considered Li Heng's men. No matter what they think now, they have inextricable ties with Li Heng. These ties involve interests and cannot be cut off just because they want to.

Li Longji first used the Du family to deepen the rift between Li Heng and Li Ying, and then demoted Li Heng's people to use them to restrain Li Ying.

This is also the reason why Li Heng has to be cautious.

Li Heng pondered for a while and said, "Look at it from another angle. This is a good idea. If Qixi is truly united, the court will be worried."

Yang Yuhuan nodded and said with a smile: "Sometimes the words of the enemy are more credible than those of one's own people. The key is how to make the enemy say what they should say. These things are complicated, so you can think about it, my dear."

Li Ying smiled back, and the two started chatting about other things.

……

Changan.

Lai Zhen brought the royal family of the Tuyuhun tribe of Molichuan and Li Heng's memorial to meet Li Longji.

Li Longji was very happy and said, "In less than half a year, Shibalang not only defeated the Tubo attacks in Guazhou and Shazhou, but also captured the Tuyuhun royal family alive. He is so brave and good at fighting. He is really a great general who protects the country of the Tang Dynasty!"

Li Linfu refuted as usual, saying: "Your Highness Prince Shou is indeed brave, but this matter was not reported in advance, which is against the law."

Li Longji said: "Since Tubo is actively looting, do we have to report it before we can defend against it? Guazhou and Shazhou are so far away from Chang'an. If we report it before we defend against it, the city will have been captured by Tubo before the report reaches Chang'an."

Li Linfu said, "What I mean is that His Royal Highness Prince Shou did not report the attack on Molichuan before, and he acted so hastily. I'm afraid... he has ulterior motives."

"I'm afraid?" Li Longji smiled meaningfully. "As the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, how can the right prime minister speak based on speculation? Does the right prime minister have any evidence?"

Li Linfu said: "No, no."

Li Longji glanced at Li Linfu and said nothing more. He turned to Lai Zhen and immediately approved Li Heng's request for merit on behalf of the soldiers. In addition, he specially awarded Lai Zhen 500 pieces of silk.

Lai Zhen thanked Li Longji and praised him, saying: "Thanks to the grace of the saint, everything went smoothly this time. The only problem was that the Yumen Army delayed its arrival after receiving the order."

"Oh?" Li Longji frowned and said, "Isn't it Guo Qianli who is in charge of the Yumen Army?"

Lai Zhen said: "Your Excellency, that is right."

Li Longji nodded and said, "It seems that he dislikes the bitter cold of the frontier. In this case, let's relieve him of his post as the General of the Left Jinwu Guard and let him serve as the governor of Yichun County. What do you think, Right Prime Minister?"

Li Linfu said: "The saint is wise."

Li Longji said: "Shiba Lang has made many military achievements, and I have nothing to reward him. How about this, I will reward him with a special reward. When he fights on the border in the future, he can fight first and report later. In this way, he will not violate the law when he goes to the border in the future."

In fact, by the time the Jiedushi system of the Tang Dynasty had developed to the point where many border wars were fought first and reported later, but in name, this was not allowed. After all, this would be tantamount to publicly acknowledging the Jiedushi's right to send troops on their own.

Therefore, when Li Linfu heard this, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this is probably inappropriate. Military affairs are a matter of great importance to a country and should be deployed uniformly by the court. Moreover, if the power to dispatch troops is delegated to His Royal Highness Prince Shou, what if His Royal Highness Prince Shou takes the initiative to provoke neighboring countries in order to gain merit? Wouldn't that be bad?"

Li Longji said: "I only allowed Shibalang to fight first and report later, and did not ask him to take the initiative to provoke. If he makes a mistake, I will not cover it up no matter how I hold him accountable."

Li Linfu said: "It is better to prevent it in advance than to mend the fence after the sheep have been lost."

Upon hearing this, Li Longji looked up at Li Linfu, and after a long while, he said, "The right prime minister's political views have always been to expand the border."

In addition to being greedy for pleasure, Li Longji was also ambitious and eager to establish eternal merit. Li Heng was like his arm for expanding territory. Wherever this arm pointed, it would be successful.

Now, he is already sixty years old and he doesn't know how long he can live, so he urgently hopes to use Li Heng to accomplish his grand ambitions while he is still alive and while ensuring his own status.

Li Linfu was stunned.

At the beginning, one of the reasons why Li Longji used Li Linfu was because Li Linfu catered to his intention of expanding the border.

The Tang Dynasty had a vast territory. If it wanted to expand borders and fight wars, it had to give the military governors greater autonomy. If it continued to tighten their power, it would only be able to maintain the status quo.

This issue is fundamental to national policy and goes beyond the scope of ordinary political struggles.

Li Linfu was silent for a while, and said, "I am overthinking. Your Highness Prince Shou is both virtuous and talented. He can act according to the law and will definitely not deliberately violate it. However, in order to avoid gossip from others, the Saint can send a military supervisor to supervise. If there is an emergency at that time, it will be easier to explain it afterwards."

"That's a good idea." Li Longji thought for a moment, then turned to Gao Lishi and asked, "Who do you recommend?"

Gao Lishi said, "The emissary Bian Lingcheng is more familiar with Qixi, and I recommend him to go."

Li Longji turned to Li Linfu and asked, "What do you think, Right Prime Minister?"

Li Linfu said: "The saint is wise."

"Let's do it this way." Li Longji said, smiling unconsciously and feeling proud.

In the past, Li Linfu and Li Heng were not on good terms, and Li Linfu basically obeyed Li Longji's order to "separate". But now, Li Longji could clearly feel that Li Linfu was being too hasty in dealing with Li Heng, and Li Linfu really had hostility towards Li Heng.

Because Li Heng not only confronted Li Linfu again and again, but also took away power from Li Linfu.

Li Longji thought for a while, asked Lai Zhen to leave first, and then said to Li Linfu: "Yang Zhao went to Qixi because he was recommended by the right prime minister, right? He was imprisoned before he even got to Qixi. Could it be that the right prime minister made a mistake?"

Li Linfu was stunned and complained in his heart: "Isn't this also what you meant, Saint?"

Li Linfu complained in his heart, and explained at the same time: "Yang Zhao was imprisoned because of someone's scheme, and..."

"Is there any evidence?" Li Longji interrupted.

Li Linfu said: "Liangzhou is still investigating."

"Then find out the truth first and then explain." Li Longji spoke harshly, but his tone was gentle, and he did not mean to blame Li Linfu.

Li Longji paused and then asked, "How is the progress of the peace talks between Liu Lang and Nanzhao?"

Li Linfu said: "It is still under negotiation. Geluofeng requested that the Tang Dynasty grant Yaozhou and western Yunnan to Nanzhao, which is not in line with the interests of the Tang Dynasty."

After Li Lin's defeat, Yaozhou and western Yunnan were actually controlled by Nanzhao. Nanzhao's demand was to obtain recognition from the Tang Dynasty for the land it actually controlled and to obtain "legal" approval.

Although the Tang Dynasty was badly defeated, it was still prosperous. Such a request was tantamount to ceding territory in exchange for peace, which the Tang Dynasty could not tolerate.

Peace talks are the common pursuit of both sides, but their interests are different, so the situation is deadlocked for a while.

Li Longji understood the problem, but he had no intention of thinking deeply about it. He just felt that if it weren't for the waste Li Lin, the Tang Dynasty would not have fallen to this point.

Li Longji turned to ask Gao Lishi, who was standing beside him, "What has Li Lin been doing recently?"

Gao Lishi replied: "I have banquets with a group of scholars every day."

Li Longji said: "Why? Does he still feel that he has been wronged? Is he drowning his sorrows in alcohol? He does not reflect on his own mistakes and has no ambition to make progress! Send someone to tell him what I mean."

"Yes." Gao Lishi accepted the order.

Li Longji asked Li Linfu again, "What is the situation in Longyou?"

Li Linfu replied: "General Wang Zhongsi wants to march to Jishi and Mohuanchuan, but if he wants to use troops in Longyou, he needs food and grass support from Jiannan. But now Songzhou is occupied by Tubo, and the road between Jiannan and Longyou is cut off by Tubo, so he can't use troops."

Li Linfu's words also implied another meaning.

If Longyou wants to use troops, it needs to cooperate with Jiannan Songzhou. Songzhou has been occupied by Tubo, so it can only take Songzhou first.

However, if Jiannan wants to take Songzhou, it must eliminate the hidden dangers of Nanzhao, otherwise it will be easy to be attacked from both sides. Therefore, the best route is to negotiate with Nanzhao first, stabilize Nanzhao, then take back Songzhou, open up the road between Jiannan and Longyou, and finally send troops from Longyou to Tubo.

The root of the problem is the peace talks with Nanzhao.

Li Longji understood what Li Linfu meant. For a moment, he really wanted to transfer Li Heng to Jiannan and let Li Heng deal with the matter with Nanzhao quickly.

However, he finally held back because Jiannan was too close to Chang'an.

Li Longji pondered for a moment and said, "This matter concerns Jiannan and Longyou. Let Liu Lang and Wang Zhongsi work together to draw up a plan and submit it."

After saying that, he stood up and left, heading towards the Pear Garden.

"Yes." Li Linfu replied respectfully and watched Li Longji leave before returning in disappointment.

Li Linfu returned to his mansion and started to make tea by himself. The maids and servants beside him wanted to help, but were glared back by Li Linfu.

Because brewing tea helps Li Linfu think.

Ji Wen and the dusty Luo Xishi looked at Li Linfu silently. When Li Linfu brewed some tea and handed it to them, they could not help but ask in unison: "Right Prime Minister, what's bothering you?"

Li Linfu shook his head and motioned for the two to drink tea first.

The two men picked up the teacups and took a sip. As the tea entered their mouths, Li Linfu suddenly asked, "Do you think His Royal Highness Shou Wang still has a chance to become the crown prince?"

When they heard this, they were choked at the same time.

Ji Wen coughed for a while and replied, "Does the Right Prime Minister mean to support Prince Shou as the crown prince again?"

Li Linfu shook his head and said, "Given the current status of the Shou prince, if I help him, I will be courting death. Moreover, even if I can really help the Shou prince ascend to the throne, given his temperament, he will not use me because of my merits in following the emperor."

Ji Wen asked, "What does the Right Prime Minister mean?"

Li Linfu said: "A prince who cannot be the crown prince cannot fight for the imperial power, he can only fight for the power of prime minister."

Ji Wen nodded and said, "The Right Prime Minister is right. Things change. In the past, Yang Shenjin followed the Crown Prince first and then the Right Prime Minister. Now that Wei Jian has been removed, he has started to act dishonestly again."

Ji Wen's words were an example to illustrate that there are no eternal enemies or eternal friends, only eternal interests. This means that although Li Heng and Li Linfu were good friends before, they have now become enemies.

"That's right." Li Linfu agreed with Ji Wen's words and said, "Yang Shenjin is a remnant of the previous dynasty. His mind has always been wicked. Let's tolerate him for a while. If he can't turn back from his wrong path, then we can deal with him."

The reason why Li Linfu said that Yang Shenjin was a remnant of the previous dynasty was because Yang Shenjin was the great-great-grandson of Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty.

Most dynasties would kill all the direct descendants of the previous emperor, but the Tang Dynasty was all-inclusive. It employed all of them, whether they were direct descendants of Yang Guang or surrendered generals from surrounding enemy countries, and even made use of them.

Li Linfu paused, then turned to Luo Xishi and asked, "Was Wei Jian killed?"

"Kill him." Luo Xishi answered affirmatively.

Li Linfu nodded and said, "Send people to Jiangnan to round up Wei Jian's followers. Don't let any of them go."

"Yes." Luo Xishi happily accepted the order.

As long as people were sent to round up Wei Jian's followers, they could take the opportunity to arrest people, extort money, and plunder people's property.

This is a good time to make a fortune.

Luo Xishi thought for a moment and sighed, "It's a pity that some people were exiled to Qixi, and Du Youlin's family also went to Qixi, otherwise we should be able to find some evidence of the crime."

Li Linfu asked, "From what you said, you want to search in Qixi?"

"Your subordinate...your subordinate dare not." Luo Xishi said hurriedly.

Li Linfu said, "Yang Zhao is not a stupid man. He almost didn't make it to Qixi with Prince Shou. If you go alone and die on the way, I won't be surprised."

Luo Xishi did not refute, and said: "I dare not go to Qixi, but I can go to Yichun."

The current prefect of Yichun is the former left prime minister Li Shizhi.

Li Shizhi initially thought that he could get away with it by taking a sinecure, but how could Li Linfu let him go so easily?

Li Linfu thought for a moment and said, "Then you should go to Yichun. After all, Li Shizhi was once the left prime minister, so we should not neglect him."

"I understand." Luo Xixie replied.

……

The next day, many troops were dispatched from Chang'an.

Luo Xishi led the team all the way to Yichun.

Li Shizhi, the current governor of Yichun, had just heard the news of Wei Jian's death, and then learned that Luo Xishi was on his way to Yichun.

These two pieces of news were like a bolt from the blue to Li Shizhi, and he looked as pale as death.

He was silent for a long time, ordered his servants to bring the fine wine he had collected for many years, poured five full cups, and then burned incense and prayed.

Then he poured the five cups of wine onto the ground as a tribute to the five dead people.

These five people are Zhang Jiuling, He Zhizhang, Wei Jian, Pei Dunfu and Li Yong.

Li Shizhi toasted while muttering something.

After toasting five people, he drank five glasses himself, and then he started crying loudly.

After crying for a long time, he composed a poem: "I was dismissed from my post to avoid being a wise man, and I am a happy saint holding a cup."

After composing the poem, he started laughing again.

After laughing for a while, he took out the poison and poured it into the wine jar.

"It seems that Qixi is a good place to take refuge. I only hope that my death can keep my family safe."

After Li Shizhi finished speaking, he picked up a whole jar of wine and drank it all in one gulp.

In a trance, Li Shizhi recalled his life.

In the 24th year of Kaiyuan, Li Longji ordered him to control Gushui and Luoshui. He successfully built three major dams. Li Longji was very happy and engraved a stone to record his achievements. He also asked Yongwang Li Lin to write the inscription and ordered Crown Prince Li Ying to write the title of the stele...

Back then, he was so glorious and Li Longji was so wise and powerful.

But now, everything has changed and people have changed.

Li Shizhi thought of this and began to twitch constantly, muttering: "I have loved drinking all my life. I can drink a bucket of wine without getting drunk. I can have a feast at night and handle official business as usual the next day. Today... a jar of wine..."

He died before he could finish his words.

(End of this chapter)