Don't be a prince

Glancing at the huge brocade box, Li Chengqian shook his head and gave up the idea of ​​opening it to have a look.

He was not the only one who got the imperial decree, Li Jing and others also received it.When Li Chengqian saw Li Jing, he found that he was holding the imperial decree and didn't know what he was thinking, his eyes were not focused on the imperial decree at all.

It is not Li Jing's style to indulge in glory and cannot extricate himself, so Li Chengqian coughed deliberately.

Hearing the sound of coughing, Li Jing was taken aback. Seeing Li Chengqian, he remembered that it was never necessary for the crown prince to enter his handsome tent.

"I'm back. Your Majesty ordered the entire army to retreat. The army that suppressed Tuyuhun will be replaced by Su Dingfang. Li Daliang will also stay, and the old man will return to Chang'an with His Highness."

Li Jing didn't mean to hide it, so Li Chengqian didn't feel presumptuous to walk over to see what the imperial decree said.

Different from the neat and beautiful standard imperial decree, the font on this imperial decree is flying white, which is obviously written by the emperor himself, and the article is full of flowers and flowers, which almost praises him to the sky.

"No matter how gorgeous the imperial decree is, it can't match the reality that this old man is going to be discharged from the army. After returning to Chang'an this time, this old man will really not care about worldly affairs!"

With a long sigh, he casually picked up the soldier talisman on the table, Li Jing was very sad.After all, he spent most of his life in the army, and now he suddenly retires. Sadness is inevitable.

Don't disturb Li Jing's feelings about his own life. From Li Chengqian's point of view, the old guy still has value, not that he is nothing after leaving the battlefield.

The Chinese army is very busy, and the soldiers who come and go are usually carrying goods.The Tuyuhun people also have many good things, especially gold, silver and white jade, which are admired or loved by almost all races.The court's reward is part of it, and the seized items are distributed to the whole army, which is also part of the soldier's income.

Undoubtedly, after the loot was confiscated, the prince, chief manager, and manager were the first to be selected.But this time, everyone including Li Daliang refused to share the spoils.The record of destroying a country!That title alone is worth enough to them.

As soon as he walked outside the big tent, Li Chengqian was surrounded by a group of soldiers on the grass outside.Now all kinds of trophies seized have piled up in a hill, and Sun Simiao is rummaging through it.

Old Taoists don't even look at things like gold and silver, but once they have spices and medicinal materials, they will arrogantly declare them as their own.For Sun Shenxian, the soldiers all worshiped him very much, and no one dared to object.

After casually wandering around the pile of spoils, a very familiar yet strange smell caught Li Chengqian's attention.

Following the smell, I opened a delicate bag, and immediately saw a black ball inside, which looked like a mud ball.

Picking up one and smelling it, Li Chengqian finally decided what it was, coffee beans!In other words, it is a ball that is kneaded with fat after the coffee beans are crushed.

Damn it, why did I find this thing here?

Sun Simiao also walked over following the smell. Seeing that Li Chengqian had already arrived first, Sun Simiao could only lean over and ask, "What is this? It smells like spices, but it doesn't look like it. Does your Highness know him?"

Li Chengqian nodded, handed the balls in his hand to Sun Simiao and said: "This thing is called coffee balls, which are made from crushed coffee beans and mixed with oil. In terms of pharmacological effects, this thing can refresh the mind. , Regulating the stomach, it should have a very good nourishing effect on wind diseases, but it's a pity, this way of eating is a bit wasteful, and I don't know what it tastes like if I eat it directly."

Li Chengqian just finished speaking here, and Sun Simiao next to him has already thrown the ball into his mouth. As long as it is not poisonous, he dares to try it.

After chewing it a few times, Sun Simiao nodded and said, "It tastes good. Since it is a medicinal material, why don't you give it to the old man. It won't be of much use if you keep it."

Nodding his head, Li Chengqian gave the small bag to Sun Simiao.He was going to ask Murong Shun or Murong Fuyun where Tuyuhun got this thing.It stands to reason that coffee beans are still in Africa, and at most they are distributed to the Arab region, and it is impossible to appear in Tuyuhun!

As for the meatball mixed with oil, Li Chengqian refused to eat it. Back then, coffee was his regular drink, and he had a special liking for coffee. Now in Datang, even though the improved tea is one of the three famous drinks in the world, However, if there is coffee, it can also be used to prevent wind diseases that are likely to occur in the future.

The king of Xiping County, the old Lu Wugandou Khan.

This is Murong Shun's current name. Although he was appointed by Datang and swore to be loyal to Datang, everyone knew that he was just talking quickly at this time.When Tuyuhun becomes stronger again, or when the Tang Dynasty declines, it would be strange if this grandson doesn't become independent immediately.

However, now that Tuyuhun is in a state of disunity, only his integration can bring benefits to Datang.The land of Eastern Turks has not yet been fully integrated into the Tang Dynasty, and the imperial court has no energy to take over Tuyuhun's side.The small number of lands has always been Datang's blemish.To be honest, if it wasn't for Murong Fuyun's jumping too much, it would be impossible for Datang to send troops directly.

Even the King of Xiping County, Khan, Murong Shun did not dare to be rude to the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, he respectfully invited the Crown Prince into his camp, and even gave up his throne.

He didn't mean to be polite to Murong Shun and Li Chengqian, he sat on his throne and asked: "While looking at the spoils, I found a kind of black ball. It stands to reason that this thing has just appeared in the Far West at most. Are you How did you get it?"

Murong Shun was stunned for a while, and then suddenly realized: "You said that black ball, it was brought here by businessmen from the Far West. They said it was a good thing found in the Far West. Murong Fuyun didn't think about it at the beginning. I don’t care, but after eating it a few times, I fell in love with it. I don’t tell anyone about it, and I always entrust the merchants in the west to find this thing for him. Why, Your Highness likes it? If Your Highness likes it, I will continue to send someone to help His Highness looking for."

Seeing Murong Shun acting like a slave, although it's cool, it's still a little disgusting.In addition, he said "Murong Fuyun" every time, which made Li Chengqian even more disgusted.Although it is helpless to bear two bloodlines of the Han Dynasty, it still makes people feel cold when they try their best to disassociate themselves from the ethnic group they belong to.

"No need, Gu himself has a caravan, and he will send someone to look for him. Besides, it is useless to ask for this meatball. Gu hopes to bring the seeds to Datang. Although it is not very suitable to plant in Datang, it is better than nothing. OK!"

After getting up and patting his butt, Li Chengqian left Murong Shun's tent.

For this kind of person who is like a devil translator, it is better to be unreasonable for the sake of the stomach.

Dai Zhou has arrived, Su Dingfang is on his way, Li Daliang stays in Tuyuhun in pain and happiness.Datang would not directly set up government offices in Tuyuhun, but implemented a system similar to Jimizhou. Su Dingfang, Dai Zhou, and Li Daliang were all left by the emperor to Murong Shun's platform.

After finishing packing, Li Chengqian returned to the country under the guard of the army.

It was autumn when I left, and it was spring when I went back.

Passing by the place where Tuyuhun had set fire to it, the pasture here has regrown.Wildfires cannot kill life on this land. After a spring rain, pastures can still grow tenaciously.like...

Like the prairie people.

To completely defeat the prairie people and let them be conquered by Datang from the bottom of their hearts, the only way is to maintain their superiority in force.Arguments such as Ma Fang Nanshan, after being heard by outsiders, will probably laugh out loud. Culture is indeed intrusive, but it is not shit compared to knives.

Li Jing, who was on his way home, often stayed alone in the carriage, even when he was eating, he had to call out several times before coming out.Even standing in the sun, the whole person looks gray.

This is retirement syndrome, and Qin Qiong is also suffering from the same disease. Although he is a war correspondent, the emperor still assigned him a share of credit for this expedition, and he became a special advance just like Li Jing.

The so-called special promotion is similar to the official position of Zhengyipin, but it is just a loose official, and it is just a symbol of status.But being able to be named a special advance is also a kind of affirmation for the two of them.

After crossing Liangzhou and Wucheng, the soldiers and horses who walked all the way scattered all the way, and finally received their pro-leader when they arrived in Shanzhou.

The proficiency rate in Dafeichuan can be described as poor, but morale doesn't mean to be low at all.The Ministry of War gritted its teeth and admitted 6 of the military exploits reported by Li Jing, and it also used 1 when publicizing it to the outside world.Surprisingly, Tubo did not refute at all.Only Lu Dongzan knew that the Tang people still guessed wrong, because more than [-] of them died.Even among the more than [-] people rescued, few survived.

It stands to reason that this is a normal thing for Tubo to break his promise, and everyone understands what is going on, but Songtsan Gampo still sent an envoy with a large number of gifts to replace it!Prime Minister Lu Dongzan apologized to the Tang Dynasty.

After all, it was Lu Dongzan who resisted everything alone.

The imperial decree also has a part in the Monkey King.After this guy got the imperial decree, he simply tied the box to his chest, took it out to have a look at it from time to time, and slept with it in his arms when he slept.

Chapter 326 No wonder....

The downfall of Tuyuhun, as well as Tubo's downfall, all showed that the Tang Dynasty was unparalleled.The Western Turks honestly chose to surrender, and Koryo and other small countries did not dare to jump any more. The world seemed to quiet down in an instant.

Countless literati sang praises to the emperor, and being able to make all the stubborn foreigners bow their heads was a supreme honor for an emperor.

It has always been the tradition of the Central Plains courts to fight internally when there is no foreign enemy, but this time the internal fighting is not a civil and military struggle, but a struggle between the courtiers and the emperor.

Li Jing, as the most prominent figure in the annihilation of Tuyuhun, was naturally the object of competition between the emperor and the ministers, urging Li Jing's imperial edicts one after another, and private letters one after another.

Regarding these private letters, Li Jing did not hide anything, but unfolded them all for Li Chengqian to read.

After reading Changsun Wuji's private letter, Li Chengqian sighed, and smiled wryly at Li Jing: "In my opinion, we'd better find a fallen weed in a mountain ditch as a bandit, so that it's easier to go back and suffer. Now the ministers headed by Fang Xuanling and Father and Emperor are clearly divided, and they are in dispute with each other, even Wei Zheng, Dai Zhou and others have been sent out, so it can be seen that Father and Emperor are imperative to divide the enfeoffment this time."

When both parties have formed a fixed group, the most important thing is the addition of a third party. No matter which side they help, it will not fall well.

Li Jing chuckled: "The old man doesn't care about these things. After the battle of Tuyuhun, the old man is an idler in the mountains. Things above the court can't shake the old man. On the contrary, you, the prince, are the bad choice. It doesn't matter who you help. Wrong. The old man can make an excuse to retire and ignore world affairs, but you, the prince, can't do it!"

Facing Li Jing's ridicule, Li Chengqian could only smile wryly.

Qin Qiong didn't want to talk about these things at first, but seeing that Li Jing and Li Chengqian were in it without any identities, but just watching with their ordinary identities, she couldn't help but came over and said: "To be disrespectful, Your Majesty is really full. The enfeoffment system must be implemented. The reason why Qin Shihuang centralized power was that he was afraid that it would evolve into the pattern of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States again. The former Han Dynasty did not implement Qin Shihuang's strategy, but after the emergence of Wang Mang, he was still almost destroyed. Emperor Guangwu tried his best to give The Han Dynasty lasted for more than 100 years.

After the Han Dynasty, the world was divided into three parts, and the strife was endless, and it never stopped.Now that the Tang Dynasty has once again centralized power, although the emperor's power has expanded to the limit, as long as the emperor's personal cultivation is guaranteed, the court will have no worries, and the family will not be afraid of stealing the state power.This is already very good, do you need to think hard about the way of eternal peace? "

Seeing that the three were chatting enthusiastically, Sun Simiao gave up all the space in the carriage to the three of them, and squatted at the door of the carriage to continue studying his own prescription.

"I'm anxious, my father clearly wants to bring peace to all generations, but he never thought about it. After he laid the foundation for all generations, what will his descendants do? Besides, no one can look at ten thousand years. Qin Shihuang can't do it, and Li Shimin can't even do it." The more you think about solving the problem once and for all, the easier it is to cause problems. This time, I am afraid that the conflict will be stronger than ever. When I return to Chang'an, I will run away no matter what. If you have nothing to do, why don't you leave Chang'an with Gu and play around?"

Hearing this, both Li Jing and Qin Qiong couldn't help showing yearning expressions.Roaming in the Tang Dynasty, if possible, it would be great. However, with their identities, where to go, how long to go, it is no longer casual. If you want to leave Chang'an, you can only stay in Chang'an if your children's foundation is under surveillance. Under the circumstances, it will be approved by the emperor.

Qin Qiong didn't know what to say, but Li Jing nodded happily and said, "That's fine, I just want to sum up my life's experience in leading the army and write a book on the army. It can also relax a lot.”

Hearing that Li Jing wanted to write a military letter, Qin Qiong frowned and said, "I won't stop others from writing a military letter, but if you want to write a military letter, isn't it inappropriate? Will your majesty allow it?"

Li Jing and Li Chengqian looked at each other and laughed at the same time.The same problem, as early as when they first set off, the master and apprentice had already discussed it.

"If it was in the past, it would be absolutely impossible. Let alone writing military books, it would be a serious crime to pass on everything you have learned to outsiders. But it is different now. The appearance of gunpowder weapons has greatly reduced the importance of traditional commanders. When the military force is strong enough, the strategy is just a decoration. Your Majesty should understand this, so he will not prevent the appearance of military books. In other words, your Majesty hopes that my art of war can be spread. In this way, as long as he Hold the gunpowder weapon in your hand tightly, and you can pinch the lifeblood of the military from the source."

After retirement, no matter what, I have to find something for myself to do, otherwise it would be too boring.A long time ago, Li Jing wanted to organize what he had learned into a book, and he thought of the name, which was called "Six Army Mirror".However, when I think of my own experience, I dare not write.Now there is no need to worry, when the skill of the art of war does not play a decisive role in the victory of the war, so what if everyone in the world is familiar with the art of war?

Qin Qiong thought about it for a second, and understood the way to do it. He cupped his hands and said to Li Jing: "Since that's the case, when Duke Wei's Art of War is published, I will definitely buy a few more copies!"

"Haha, the publication of the book belongs to the publication of the book, but Yi Guogong wants to buy it directly. Even if the gunpowder weapon is about to replace the military strategy and martial arts, it will be soon. Weigong's art of war is still the key to the whole world. It is absolutely impossible to pass on the knowledge of the Tang Dynasty casually. I am planning to establish a military branch in the academy to train qualified generals for the Tang Dynasty. What do you two think?"

Li Jing curled his lips: "No wonder you are so appreciative of this old man publishing a book, boy, you are thinking of getting this old man to be a free laborer in the military branch!"

Smart people are not good at this point, you only have to scheme against others, and only when your intentions are exposed, you will be known.

"You guessed it right, but it's too much to talk about free labor. Gu Guarantee Academy will give you enough salary! You should know how useful such an academy can be during the Taiping period."

"That's true. In troubled times, there is no shortage of talents in the world. In Taiping years, it is very difficult to have one or two brave champions, let alone brave and resourceful people. Well, as long as you can persuade the emperor Allowed, the old man will come to your military academy to teach!"

Seeing that Li Jing agreed, Li Chengqian looked at Qin Qiong again.

Qin Qiong smiled wryly and nodded.

After catching two big fish at a time, Li Chengqian suddenly became excited.

Like civil servants, military generals are best trained systematically, so they are more suitable for the military.In the troubled times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, the era when whoever had the most military power would be the general is long gone forever.This can be seen from the few generals who have been reused recently.Whether it is Su Dingfang or Li Daoyan, they are both civil and military.

After passing through Weizhou, Qianshuiyuan, and Qizhou, before the weather became completely hot, he finally returned to Chang'an.

This time, Li Jing's treatment was extravagant. Prime Minister Fang Xuanling personally led hundreds of officials out of the city to welcome him. The cheers continued from outside Chang'an City to the palace.The emperor has an order, today is a feast to celebrate!

Compared with the ostentation of returning home, Li Chengqian cared more about the carriage with the Eastern Palace mark in the distance. It was hard to see who was sitting in the carriage from a distance, but it was probably Su Yuan.

Yaoyao beckoned, and Li Chengqian followed the big team into the palace.Next is the big etiquette. As the prince, he also has to attend. Even if he misses home again, he has to finish the scene work before doing anything else.

In front of the Taiji Hall, the emperor waited in front of the hall gate, sitting on the brocade floor and shouting to the troops below: "The army has gone out to fight, has it ever won?"

Li Jing took the lead and replied, "Wan Sheng!"

"Will the army go out to destroy the enemy?"

"Fu Yun was captured alive, and Tuyu was completely defeated!"

...

Every time he answered a sentence, the team would go up several steps, until they finally reached the gate of the palace like the emperor, and Li Jing knelt down on one knee and handed back the soldier talisman.

Li Shimin, who was fighting wits and bravery with the officials, didn't seem to be much haggard. He stood up and helped Li Jing himself and said: "Ai Qing is still at such an advanced age for the Tang Dynasty. She has contributed a lot to the Tang Dynasty. I am grateful!"

"I wish to die for Datang!" Li Jing said this sentence very clearly.

Letting go of Li Jing's hand, Li Shimin walked up to Qin Qiong and said, "I wonder if Ai Qing's long-cherished wish has been fulfilled?"

Qin Qiong nodded, and said: "Satisfied, I thank Your Majesty for your understanding!"

Supporting Qin Qiong who was about to bow down, Li Shimin turned to look at Li Chengqian again.

"Well done, although you are a prince, it is quite rare to be willing to endure hardships with the soldiers on the way to the army and to go to the battlefield in person. What is even more surprising is that you have captured Murong Fuyun alive, and your personal leadership has also made great achievements in battle. , tell me, how do you want me to reward you?"

I hate this kind of questioning the most, Li Chengqian can only kneel on one knee and say: "It is everyone's duty to share worries for the king and die for the country. Even if the son is a prince, the same is true. Father, the emperor should not say anything about rewards." There is no reward."

"Well said! Get up."

Standing up with the emperor's permission, Li Chengqian obediently followed behind Li Jing, and followed the emperor into the Tai Chi Hall.

Today is the day when the soldiers return from the expedition to celebrate their achievements. On such a day, no one will make everyone feel uncomfortable, even the emperor.

From outside the city, Li Chengqian noticed that the faces of Fang Xuanling and others were not very good-looking.One must know that showing emotions and anger is a necessary skill for court officials, especially for someone like Fang Xuanling, whose face is now undisguised, which only shows that the relationship between the officials and the emperor has reached a level of dire straits.

Changsun Wuji also had a bad face. For some reason, Fang Xuanling took the initiative to give up the seat to Changsun Wuji. Otherwise, the old house leader would be sitting at the table next to the prince.

Every time he came back from an expedition, the emperor would ask the generals about what happened during the expedition. This has become a common practice in the Zhenguan Dynasty.While the emperor was communicating enthusiastically with Li Jing, Qin Qiong and others, Changsun Wuji tapped his cup with chopsticks, attracting Li Chengqian's attention.

"Chengqian, you should know what happened in Chang'an. You are as smart as you, so you don't know how inappropriate your majesty's decision is. I have been fighting with your majesty for so long, and I have negotiated several times to no avail. Now you Now that you’re back, it’s best to persuade the emperor not to be obsessed with it anymore!”

Hearing Changsun Wuji's whispered words, Li Chengqian's head suddenly became dizzy.advise?How to persuade?Everyone in the world, including the emperor, is not easy to pull back once they are on the tip of their horns.Sometimes, even if people realize that what they are doing is wrong, they will continue to make mistakes in the end.Not to mention that the emperor is now blinded by the words "eternal peace", and it is even more difficult to persuade.

"You have caused me a big problem, persuade? How can I persuade you? My nephew, I am the crown prince, and it is unfilial for the son to say that his father has passed. Besides, if I am against the father, I should lead all of you to fight against the father. What is this? What's the difference between this and forcing the palace? When the time comes, if the management is not good, it won't be a conflict of political views, it will bleed, and it will turn into a sea of ​​blood starting from me. Uncle, you should be clear about it!"

Changsun Wuji sighed: "But if we want to break the deadlock now, we have to find someone else to intervene between the officials and the emperor. Chengqian, you must know that no one wants to rebel, everyone just hopes that the emperor will take back his mistakes." It's just an order. Enfeoffing the princes sounds nice, but this kind of behavior is the source of disaster for the Tang Dynasty. Besides, I have been following His Majesty for many years, and now the world is finally stable, but I left Chang'an for Zhaozhou. What's the difference?"

Li Chengqian nodded, the root cause of the disaster is secondary, I am afraid the latter reason is the main one.Otherwise, Changsun Wuji would not jump out to confront the emperor's brother-in-law this time.You must know that the two of them were almost wearing a pair of trousers before, and often the monarch and his ministers sang together, and easily dominated the direction of the court's arguments.

"It's useless to talk too much, uncle. After today's banquet is over, I will leave the East Palace and stay away from it. Staying neutral is my attitude. Anyway, I won't get involved in these matters. Even if you are against the father, the old man , is also your own business!"

After taking a sip of the wine, Li Chengqian averted his gaze.There is no doubt that it is impossible for him to help Changsun Wuji and the others, even if the emperor did do something wrong.

The banquet was very boring, there was not much interaction, and it was more about the interaction between the emperor and the generals.The rest of the courtiers were treated as decorations.When the matter reached this level, it can be said that the emperor had completely confronted the courtiers, and the rest depended on which side could not hold on first.

No one will use the government as a bargaining chip in the struggle, from the courtiers to the emperor, and the two parties will only engage in a series of cold wars like children.

Li Chengqian, who wanted to understand this, had no idea of ​​participating in it.As long as the confrontation does not expand further, the emperor and courtiers can quarrel as much as they like!

As the lobbyist of the ministers, Changsun Wuji obviously wouldn't give up easily, and he talked to him three more times in just one bowl of rice.

Li Chengqian, who couldn't bear it anymore, had no choice but to enter the palace to pay his respects to the queen, and left the banquet.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the banquet, breathing fresh air immediately makes people feel refreshed.

After passing through the Liangyi Gate, two eunuchs followed him. After making excuses to send Zhang Yun away, Li Chengqian took the initiative to walk into the corridor where no one passed by.

Just after entering the tunnel, the two eunuchs knelt down on the ground: "Your Highness, you should be clear about the dispute between Your Majesty and the ministers. The chief supervisor asked the servants to tell you to avoid it if you can, and don't get involved. Your Majesty's heart to entrust the ministers is as firm as a rock, and the voices of the ministers against His Majesty are getting stronger and stronger, and a bad management is a big deal."

Big supervisor?It should be Wang Sheng.

With a light cough, Li Chengqian said: "I'm not stupid, I wouldn't do such a thing like a moth to a flame. Don't talk about this, let's talk about the Imperial Palace and the East Palace. During the time when I was away, did anything happen?" ?”