Back to Tang Dynasty to be Emperor

On the second day after Wang visited Li Tai and returned to the mansion, Wang began to perform other duties of advising the doctor, gave Li Shimin a few targeted suggestions, and was praised by Li Shimin, and at the same time he also gained Li Shimin's trust and support. favor.

And Hou Junji also visited Han Wangfu on this day, which surprised Li Ke a lot.Who is Hou Junji?The military representative of the Guanlong Group, the son of a wealthy family, besides Li Jing, Li Ji, Li Daozong and Li Xiaogong, beside Li Shimin, the most capable generals.Now that he came to visit me suddenly, how could I not be surprised?He didn't have much contact with Hou Junji, and Hou Junji also showed that he didn't like him very much.Therefore, Li Ke has assigned him to Li Chengqian or Li Tai's side from the beginning to the end, and never thought about having any contact with him.However, what is the purpose of his sudden visit today?Li Ke really didn't know, he was very puzzled.He thought as he walked, and after thinking this way, not long after, people had already arrived at Juyi Hall.

Hou Junji is the old man of Li Shimin's Qin Palace, and he is very familiar with the former Qin Palace and the current Han Palace.So, sitting in Juyi Hall, he looked very calm, like a prodigal son who left home and returned to his hometown.Seeing Li Ke walking in, he got up and saluted, "The last general Hou Junji has seen His Highness."

Li Ke supported Hou Junji before he saluted him, and said with a smile, "Duke Lu does not need to be too polite." Then, he waved his hand and said, "Please sit down."

After Hou Junji sat down following Li Ke's voice, Li Ke began to look at him carefully.I saw that he has a strong figure and a strong physique. Although he is not yet 40 years old, his face has already had a few wrinkles due to years of fighting abroad, but he still cannot hide the fact that he has been trained in the sand field for a long time. The sturdy state.

When Li Ke was watching Hou Junji, Hou Junji was also watching him.The Li Ke in front of him was gentle and elegant, not at all like the arrogant and withdrawn prince he often saw before.But now he is showing such modesty and kindness, which makes Hou Junji truly feel the huge change in Li Ke's temperament after being assassinated for the first time.

After Li Ke was assassinated, he had no contact with him again. Even after learning about his talent from his daughter yesterday, and some of his actions after the assassination, he still doubted that Li Ke would have such a big change.Now looking at his performance in front of him, he is calm and calm beyond his years. Such a city, such a scheming, finally verified his guess.After he was assassinated, his temperament changed, and he concealed himself like this, it was really not as simple as wanting to be a prince.If it wasn't for his daughter's narration and his understanding of him because he had been in the Qin Palace for a long time, he would have really been deceived by his actions.Thinking of this, Hou Junji was determined, knowing that his guess was correct.And only in this way is Li Ke worth fighting for.

Seeing that Hou Junji was also staring at him, Li Ke quickly withdrew his gaze, "Duke Lu can visit the palace, the palace of the Han Dynasty is really full of splendor." In his heart, he had excluded Hou Junji from the ranks of generals he could subdue , so I have always repulsed him in my heart.Therefore, when Hou Junji visited him suddenly, he didn't know how to talk to Hou Junji, he just said some polite words symbolically, and he didn't ask him why he came to Han Palace.

The purpose of Hou Junji's trip is to determine whether Li Ke is hiding his strength and intending to be in the East Palace as he thought.The second is to have a conversation with him, so as to make Li Ke feel good about him and then gain his trust.Therefore, when he spoke, he appeared very polite, without the ruthlessness of a family, nor the roughness of a soldier.The two talked quite happily.

"What are you talking about, Your Highness, the general has been busy with business for several days, and he is not free until today, so I hereby come to visit His Highness." Hou Junji laughed.

"Thank you Lu Guogong for your concern. This king is very honored; I also want to ask the general about the art of war and the way to arrange troops. It's just that the general is busy with official duties and dare not disturb you." Li Ke also said very modestly.

After all, Li Ke was still young, and he was lacking in speaking, so Hou Junji, an old man, caught him straight when he said a word, "Your Highness, there is no need to worry about it. There is nothing important about the end of the day, and the official duties are not very busy. If your Highness has any questions, you can directly ask the general, and the general will wait for you in the mansion."

Hearing what Hou Junji said, Li Ke regretted endlessly in his heart. He regretted selling himself out too modestly, so he could only smile sarcastically, "I will, I will definitely come to ask for advice."

Hou Junji was happy when he saw that his goal had been achieved, and he even let Li Ke make a set for himself, while Li Ke was very sad, but his face still didn't show it, and the two still chatted without saying a word.

After chatting for a while, it was getting late when Hou Junji met, so he took his leave and left, and Li Ke politely sent him to the door.After Hou Junji left, Li Ke fell into deep thought.

In addition to his status as a member of the Guanlong family, Hou Junji was not only a member of the military general who was good at fighting, but also a capable minister who was proficient in government affairs.According to historical records, Wei Zheng once recommended Hou Junji to Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, let him serve as a servant shooter, and said: "The country's security should not forget the danger, and there must be a general. The guards and horses should appoint Junji to specialize." It can be seen that his talent is not Comparable to general generals.And he himself is more sensitive and eager to learn. In the 12th year of Zhenguan (638), after moving to the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, he found that he had no academic achievements and lacked a lot, so he studied and studied angrily.Later, he achieved "canonical elections, fixed examination courses, becoming a general, participating in government affairs, and having a reputation." This added a glorious stroke to his official career.

But even when Wei Zheng recommended him at that time, Li Shimin still did not appoint him as a servant. He thought that Junji liked to boast and love vanity, so he did not reuse him.In addition, there is another person who has a lot of opinions on Hou Junji, and that person is Li Jing, the Duke of Wei.Tang Taizong asked him to teach Hou Junji the art of war. Later Hou Junji played Taizong, saying that Li Jing would rebel, because Li Jing would not teach every subtlety.Emperor Taizong blamed Li Jing after hearing this, but Li Jing replied: "This monarch is rebellious. Today in Zhongxia'an, the teachings of the ministers are enough to control the four barbarians. Those who seek the best skills of the ministers today will have different ambitions." At this time, Junji has not shown any signs of rebellion, Taizong seems not to believe it.Once, when returning to Shangshu Province, Junji rode a horse and crossed the provincial gate for a few steps without noticing it.Seeing this situation, Li Jing said to people: "Junji doesn't care about people, so he will definitely turn against him." In April of the 17th year of Zhenguan, Hou Junji really rebelled against Prince Chengqian, and was killed after the matter was revealed, which proved that Li Jing's prediction was accurate.But Hou Junji's rebellion proved Li Shimin's ability to recognize people. Hou Junji was really dissatisfied with his reward and position and resented him, so he committed rebellion.However, Li Shimin's most magnanimous point as a king is reflected in the same matter. Not only did he not revoke the portrait of Hou Junji in Lingyan Pavilion, but he also pardoned his wife and a son's death penalty and exiled him to Lingnan. This military general who has made great military exploits for Datang is a little consolation.

Because of these problems, Li Ke never dared to call Hou Junji's attention, and kept a distance from him.Because this person is a dangerous element, like a time bomb, if you are not careful, it will explode and hurt yourself.However, in today's conversation, I have already personally said that I have the opportunity to ask him about the art of war, and he also said that he will wait in the mansion.It's definitely not good if you don't go, if you go, you will get involved with him again, which makes Li Ke very difficult.

Another three days passed, and the issue of forming a new army, which the court had been discussing for a long time, began to emerge.After discussions with Li Shimin, Changsun Wuji, Feng Deyi, Xiao, Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, Du Ruhui and others, Su Dingfang's bill on forming cavalry was preliminarily determined, and Li Ke's plan for forming heavy cavalry was finally finalized in everyone's discussions .After the determination of the new army plan, the selection of the coach has become one of the issues.

For this candidate, everyone was very cautious during the discussion, and the person recommended was either a famous general in the world, or a veteran general with outstanding military exploits.But in the end only three people were identified, they were Li Jing, Li Jing and Hou Junji.

I heard Li Shimin sighing to everyone in the imperial study, "Li Jing is the best candidate to form a new army, but he is leading the army to defend the Turkic and Tuyuhun borders, and it is difficult to get out in a short time; while Li Ji wants to defend against Liang Dushi. , and have to do the task of sending troops to attack him at any time, so they can't get away from it. If the other generals let them lead the army to fight and charge into battle, they can indeed win. If they are asked to train the new army, it may be very difficult to build a mighty army. It's difficult to be competent. So, Hou Junji is the only one who can hold this position."

"What your majesty said is true, only Hou Junji can take on this position among the generals in power now." Feng Deyi flattered at the right time.

Seeing that everyone except Feng Deyi was silent, Li Shimin immediately asked, "Xuanling, Xuancheng, and Keming, do you have any suggestions and opinions on Hou Junji's appointment as the new army training envoy?"

"Your Majesty, I think Hou Junji can take on the second job." Wei Zheng said briefly.

"The ministers and others also agree that Hou Junji will serve as the military training envoy." After Li Shimin's questioning, everyone replied that Li Jing, Li Ji and Hou Junji were selected by them, and they would not object to any one of them serving as the military training envoy. .

Li Shimin smiled, "Since you all agree, then the issue of forming the new army commander is settled. Also, Su Dingfang's cavalry has a good suggestion, and he is also loyal and brave. Let him serve as the deputy envoy to assist Hou Junji .”

After Li Shimin finished speaking, he took a look at everyone and saw that no one objected, so he asked Zhongshu Sheng to draw up an order.Among the crowd, Changsun Wuji was the only one who didn't speak. Hou Junji, as an old man next to Li Shimin, didn't think it was wrong to hold such an important position. It's just that Su Dingfang, a school lieutenant of the royal family, was suddenly promoted to the deputy envoy of the first army. Just let him think it's worth pondering.However, he has always maintained an attitude with everyone on this matter, because he does not want to make his attitude towards Li Ke too obvious.