The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 272 Big move

Chang'an, Xingqing Palace.

Li Longji had just finished clapping for love with a maid, who was serving Li Longji carefully.

Li Longji stroked the maid's smooth arm comfortably and asked, "What's your name?"

The maid replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, my humble name is Mingzhu."

"She really looks like a bright pearl." Li Longji laughed unbridled and asked, "How did you become Mei Fei's maid?"

Mingzhu said truthfully, "I was originally a maid in the mansion of Yang Shenjin, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. I made a mistake and was convicted. I was to be executed by Yang. A man named Shi Jingzhong told Yang that instead of killing me, it would be better to sell me in exchange for ten cows and ten hectares of land. So I was sold to Mei Fei's mansion. Three months ago, Mei Fei came back and saw Xiao Bi, so she brought her to the palace."

"Who is this Shi Jingzhong?" Li Longji asked curiously.

Mingzhu said: "He is a master who knows magic. I once saw him visit Minister Yang at night. He sat in the courtyard and deduced the changes in the stars until midnight before leaving. Not only that, he also exorcised evil spirits for Minister Yang..."

When Li Longji heard this, he turned over and sat up, his expression instantly becoming gloomy.

Mingzhu was startled and didn't dare to continue speaking.

Li Longji was silent for a while, then said to the person outside the door: "Has the memorial from Qixi arrived?"

"Your Majesty, it has just been delivered." Gao Lishi's voice came from outside the door.

Li Longji got up from the bed, opened the door, and said, "Let's go to the Purple Palace."

"Yes." Gao Lishi replied.

……

In the Purple Palace.

After reading Li Heng's report on the peace talks with the Huihe, Li Longji was very happy and praised him repeatedly, saying, "Shiba Lang did a good job. He neither sat back and watched, nor escalated the war with the Huihe."

Li Linfu said: "Your Highness Prince Shou is indeed brave and resourceful, but once the war breaks out, Qixi will no longer have any money left to send to Chang'an."

Li Linfu was still thinking about getting some money back from Qixi, but Li Longji didn't care.

In Li Longji's view, the political and strategic significance of Qixi was far greater than making money directly, and making money was not his concern, Li Linfu would solve it himself.

Therefore, Li Longji nodded and said, "It's good that Shibalang didn't ask for food and money this time. If we still demand too much from him, it will be too difficult for him to be the governor."

"The saint is right." Li Linfu knew Li Longji's intention to expand the territory, and he didn't care about the details. He followed suit and said, "Yang Zhao opened mines and forged weapons in Qixi, and provided strong support for the war on the front line of His Royal Highness Shou. This is also a meritorious service. I want to transfer him back and send him to Jiangnan to manage finances."

Li Linfu's biggest purpose in letting Yang Guozhong go to Qixi was to let Yang Guozhong make money. Now that the war has broken out, the money in Qixi has been "exhausted", and there is no point in keeping Yang Guozhong in Qixi. Therefore, Li Linfu wants to transfer Yang Guozhong back and let Yang Guozhong go to other places to make money.

In addition, Yang Shenjin and Wang Yu, who were responsible for raising money in the court, became increasingly disobedient, and Li Linfu also wanted to train a new team.

Wang Yu, who was standing by, heard that Li Linfu wanted to recommend Yang Guozhong and said, "Your Majesty, Yang Shilang can be in charge of the financial affairs of Jiangnan. Yang Shilang is good at..."

"That's enough." Li Longji interrupted Wang Yu and asked angrily, "Is Yang Shenjin your relative?"

Wang Yu quickly shook his head and said, "No, I just..."

"What deal do you have with him?" Li Longji interrupted Wang Yu again.

Wang Yu said: "I am honest and upright, and I will never have any dealings with others."

Li Longji said: "If that's the case, why are you speaking for Yang Shenjin? In the future, have less contact with him."

"I obey your order." Wang Yu saluted Li Longji. He looked embarrassed but very happy in his heart.

Li Longji turned to Li Linfu and continued, "Yang Zhao is indeed a talent. I will listen to the advice of the right prime minister and transfer Yang Zhao back and let him be the Imperial Censor first." "Yes." Li Linfu replied.

Li Longji said: "Wang Zhongsi assisted Jiannan in retaking Songzhou, and the peace talks with Nanzhao have been basically completed. The next step is to take Shibao City."

Li Linfu said: "General Wang Zhongsi just wrote a letter to the emperor regarding the taking of Shibao City, but he still doesn't want to take it."

Li Longji looked angry and remained silent.

After a long while, Li Longji asked Gao Lishi to find Wang Zhongsi's petition to resign as the governor of Shuofang and Hedong, and wrote two big words on it: "Approved!"

Then, he gave the memorial to Li Linfu and said, "Transfer Xin Yunjing back to Chang'an, An Sishun to Hexi, Fu Menglingcha to Fanyang, and whoever is transferred from Fanyang to Qixi will be recommended by the right prime minister. In addition, Shibalang fought well in the war with the Huihe this time, so let him return to the capital, and I will reward him in person."

"Yes." Li Linfu accepted the order.

……

Li Longji's imperial edict was quickly delivered to Li Heng.

After reading the imperial edict, Yang Yuhuan said, "The court's move this time is so big. This is the prelude to something big happening again."

"Yes." Li Heng thought, "Father is giving General Wang Zhongsi the last chance. If General Wang Zhongsi doesn't attack Shibao City, he will be finished."

Yang Yuhuan asked, "Should I ask my husband to fight again then?"

"That should be it." Li Heng nodded. "Tibet has always been a major concern for the Tang Dynasty. Father wants to make achievements on the Tibetan issue during his lifetime. Anyone who stands in his way will be his enemy."

Yang Yuhuan asked, "Then the Saint will not do what he did before, only letting you take over the Stone Fortress and then withdrawing you halfway, right?"

"Probably not." Li Ying said.

Yang Yuhuan said: "It is a good thing that my husband has made great achievements, but I don't know how long it will take for me to see him again."

Li Heng smiled upon hearing this and said, "It won't take long. If my father really lets me take Shibao City, you can follow me to Hexi or even Longyou."

Yang Yuhuan was startled and asked, "My dear, do you want to stay in Hexi Longyou for a long time?"

"There is no other way but to stay here." Li Heng sighed, "My role exists with Tubo. If I can defeat Tubo this time, my role will come to an end. At that time, I will either make further progress, or..."

Li Heng didn't finish what he said, but Yang Yuhuan understood what Li Heng meant.

She held Li Heng's hand tightly and said, "Your Excellency and I will share happiness, hardship, life and death."

"We will share life and death together." Li Heng held Yang Yuhuan with his backhand and smiled back.

……

By this time, it was already 747 AD, and Li Heng returned to Chang'an again.

As soon as he arrived in Chang'an, Li Heng saw a group of soldiers rampaging in the street, causing chaos and confusion.

Li Heng originally didn't want to get involved, but when he saw that the leader was Ji Wen, he led his men to the middle of the road and blocked the way of the officers and soldiers.

Ji Wen was blocked and wanted to get angry, but when he lifted the curtain of the sedan chair, he was shocked to find that it was Li Heng.

Ji Wen quickly got off the sedan chair, came to Li Ying's horse, saluted, and said, "Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness Prince Shou."

Li Ying asked, "Where is Ji Shicao going?"

(End of this chapter)