The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 299 Encourage
The war lasted from early summer to mid-autumn. Feng Changqing advanced westward to Xiangxiong Gar, Gao Xianzhi captured the three cities of Momen, Moli and Shudun along the way, and together with An Sishun and Li Guangbi attacked from the north and south, captured Fuxi City, and occupied the entire Qinghai Lake area. Ma Lin led his troops into Mohuanchuan and fought all the way to the Yellow River.

In late autumn, the Tang army stopped its offensive and switched to defense. Feng Changqing gradually withdrew from the Zhangzhung area and concentrated on controlling Dabolü. The Longyou army held the city at Qinghai Lake and the northern part of the Yellow River's Nine Bends.

When the battle report from the front was sent to Li Longji, he was very happy and praised Li Heng highly, saying, "With Shibalang here, the western part of the Tang Dynasty will be safe from now on."

Gao Lishi echoed, "Yes, His Royal Highness Prince Shou was able to dispatch troops from four towns at the same time when the imperial court was short of food and grass, and surrounded most of Tubo with a battle line thousands of miles long."

When Li Longji heard Gao Lishi's words, his smile gradually faded.

Li Heng's coordination ability and terrifying fighting style scared Tubo and him too.

Li Longji was silent for a while, and then said, "I originally wanted to let Shibalang manage Helong for a long time, but now it seems that it is not possible. I don't know what his physical condition is like."

Gao Lishi respectfully presented a memorial, saying, "Military Supervisor Bian Lingcheng has just sent an urgent report that His Royal Highness Prince Shou has fallen ill."

"What?" Li Longji was shocked, feeling happy and disappointed at the same time.

The good news was that Li Heng fell ill at the right time, so he could take away Li Heng's power without any trouble. The bad news was that the attack on Tubo might have to be slowed down.

Gao Lishi asked, "Should we summon His Royal Highness Prince Shou back to the capital to recuperate?"

Li Longji said: "I have set up a medical office specifically for him. There is no need to rush him back to the capital. Let him recuperate in Hexi first, and wait for Feng Changqing to escort the former King of Dabolü back to the capital, and then let him come back together."

"Yes." Gao Lishi accepted the order and said, "Prince Shou proposed to set up another army between the northern part of Qinghai Lake and Chiling, change Longju Island in Qinghai Lake into Yinglong City, station troops to defend it, strengthen Shudun City, strengthen the garrison, Baigu City..."

"Let the Right Prime Minister lead the various departments to discuss these first, and then present them to me in the end." Li Longji waved his hand, not interested in listening to these details, and changed the topic: "The Tang Dynasty has won such a great victory. Should we respect the heavens and ancestors and grant amnesty to the world? Let them discuss it together."

"Yes." Gao Lishi accepted the order.

……

In mid-winter, the imperial edict was delivered to Longyou.

The imperial decree only allowed Li Heng to go to Liangzhou to recuperate, and no decision had been made on setting up troops or repairing cities.

When the generals of Helong saw the imperial edict, they couldn't help but look disappointed.

In their opinion, setting up troops and repairing cities was the best thing to do at the moment, but the court was hesitant.

Li Siye said angrily: "If we are as hesitant and indecisive as they are when marching and fighting, I wonder..."

Li Siye didn't finish his words because Zhang Guangsheng walked in, supporting the weak Li Heng.

Li Heng sat down and said, "The border has its own difficulties, and the court has its own difficulties. You all need to understand."

"Yes, I spoke out of turn." Li Siye stepped forward to admit his mistake.

Li Heng waved his hand to indicate that it was okay, and said, "We don't need to set up troops or repair the city. We still have to do what we should do. We will draw 2,000 soldiers from each army and station them in Fushi City and Shudun City respectively. We also order the garrisons of each city not to act without permission, otherwise they will be subject to military law."

"Yes." The generals obeyed the order.

Li Heng said, "I will go to Liangzhou to recuperate for a while. Deputy Envoy Gao will take charge of Longyou's military affairs for the time being."

According to convention, the deputy commander would take charge when the commander-in-chief was absent, but Li Heng deliberately emphasized it, obviously wanting to be a hands-off boss.

Gao Xianzhi hurriedly said, "Your Highness is in Liangzhou. After I sort out the military affairs, I will send them to Liangzhou for Your Highness to decide."

"Okay." Li Heng nodded, arranged some other things, and then left with the help of Zhang Guangsheng.

All the generals saluted Li Heng and watched him leave.

Li Ying returned to the mansion and lay down on the reclining chair. After a while, Yang Yuhuan and Zhang Mujin came in and asked the maids to leave first. Yang Yuhuan helped Li Ying to stand up, and Zhang Mujin brought the medicine over and prepared to feed it to Li Ying.

Li Ying asked, "What kind of medicine is this?"

Zhang Mujin said, "This is a tonic I prepared."

Li Heng nodded and said, "I have been working so hard these past few months that my body has really worn out. My illness is not just an act."

Zhang Mujin fed Li Heng a mouthful of medicine and said, "If other people had your achievements, they would pretend to be fine even if they were sick, fearing that they would not be able to move up to the next level. But your Highness chose to do the opposite. It's really hard to understand."

Hearing this, Li Heng looked at Zhang Mujin and asked, "Why do you think I am like this?"

“Your Highness fled to Anxi in the first place in order to avoid being involved in the fight for the crown prince position. But now the deposed crown prince Li Ying has been dead for many years, and the current crown prince Li Heng does not enjoy the emperor’s favor. Your Highness should…” Zhang Mujin said this, and noticed that Li Heng’s expression was not right, so he did not dare to say anything more.

"What is it?" Li Ying asked.

Zhang Mujin hesitated and said, "Yes..."

Li Heng hesitated for a moment and said, "According to your personality, you wouldn't care about these things. Who taught you to say these words?"

"I... am..." Zhang Mujin hesitated and dared not say anything.

Li Heng stood up and said, "It's Zhang Jun and Zhang Yi, right?"

"I have spoken nonsense. Please punish me, Your Highness!" Zhang Mujin quickly stood up and knelt down.

Zhang Jun and Zhang Yi were both sons of Zhang Shuo and cousins ​​of Zhang Jiuling. Last year, Zhang Jun was promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, while Zhang Yi married Princess Ningqin and was appointed as the Royal Son-in-law of the Emperor. They both considered themselves to be the hope of the Zhang family.

Historically, both of these people surrendered to An Lushan. Now seeing that Li Heng was powerful, they wanted to instigate Li Heng to fight for the throne.

"Sister, what are you doing?" Yang Yuhuan helped Zhang Mujin up. "My husband doesn't mean to blame you."

Then, she turned to Li Heng and said, "My lord, please punish me if you want to. This is my negligence."

Li Heng sighed and said softly, "You know my affairs best. I have always believed in you. No matter what you do, I will not blame you. But if you go astray, we will die together."

"Your Highness..." Zhang Mujin lowered her head, tears streaming down her face.

Li Ying walked over and wiped Zhang Mujin's tears.

Zhang Mujin said, "I have never told anyone about your Highness' affairs. It's just that after I arrived in Longyou, the Zhang family's people have been in frequent contact with me. Zhang Jun and Zhang Yi sent people to hint to me that they are willing to help your Highness seize the position of crown prince."

"Did you promise anything?" Li Ying asked.

Zhang Mujin said, "No, I just said that I am just a Confucian scholar and cannot interfere in government affairs. Besides, Your Highness is devoted to killing enemies and serving the country, and has no desire to fight for power and profit. I told Your Highness today because I was worried... I was worried that Your Highness might need them."

After hearing this, Li Ying glanced at Yang Yuhuan, who nodded at him, indicating that Zhang Mujin had not lied.

Li Ying was relieved, turned around and sat down, and asked Zhang Mujin: "Do you think I need them?"

Zhang Mujin quickly shook her head.

Li Heng said, "Misfortunes are often accompanied by blessings, and blessings are often accompanied by misfortunes. The greater my achievements, the more cautious I must be. If we do anything beyond the rules, we will be killed. You should avoid seeing anyone who holds a position in Chang'an, Luoyang, or even Taiyuan. You would rather offend them. From now on, after I go to Liangzhou, until I return to the capital, I will not see any guests."

"Yes." Yang Yuhuan and Zhang Mujin said in unison.

(End of this chapter)