Fu Tang

The Khitan's strong intervention gave the Northern Zhou also confidence. Just when Li Congjia was hesitating whether to fight the Northern Zhou or the Khitan, there was news that the Northern Zhou paid tens of thousands of taels of gold and silver to the Khitan, countless pearls, gold shells, silk and silk cloth. Ask Khitan to send troops.

Li Jixun felt that the possibility of the Khitan sending troops was still very high. As for whether the Khitan would occupy the magpie's nest... Li Jixun didn't have much spare time to think about it now, and he had no other choice.

Some people may say that they are surrendering anyway, why not surrender to Datang?

But Li Jixun still wants to die. Li Congjia has already attributed the crime of assassinating the Empress Dowager Tang to Bei Zhou. If Bei Zhou loses, can he still live?How could he not avenge the murder of his mother?

If he bowed his head to Khitan, he might be able to be an emperor like Shi Jingtang. Although he has a bad reputation, he still wants to be famous when his life is almost gone?

Li Congjia just wanted to find an excuse to go to war before, and never thought that this excuse might make Li Jixun jump over the wall. However, even if he used other excuses, it didn't mean that Li Jixun would not borrow troops from Khitan.

Shi Xueting originally thought that Li Congjia would be mad when he found out, so he already had a stomach full of comforting words, as long as he could comfort him, but to his surprise, Li Congjia said very flatly: "I know gone."

Shi Xueting looked at him with some surprise, Li Congjia couldn't help but rolled his eyes and said, "What's your expression?"

Shi Xueting asked with a smile: "Not angry?"

Li Congjia shrugged: "There's nothing to be angry about. Since Li Jixun has made such a choice, don't blame me for not being merciful to him."

In fact, Li Jixun was originally a general under Zhao Kuangyin in history. Li Congjia thought that if he was willing to surrender, he would never treat Li Jixun badly, not to mention him, even Shi Shouxin would treat him the same.

The results of it?

Li Jixun turned his head and would rather go to Khitan for help, would rather bow to Khitan than to him, so what else?let's hit!

Shi Xueting still looked at him, and Li Congjia had no choice but to say: "I'm really not angry, and it's also good for him to do so. Khitan will definitely want to take this opportunity to send troops into the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and maybe try to occupy a few cities. In this case, at least He will no longer send troops to harass the border, and we can also avoid two-front warfare. We only need to deal with the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and it is better to fight the Khitans than the Han people. If you are soft, it is not good for your own people. In the future, I will have to worry about the population problem, so it’s fine now, anyway, I won’t be the one who will be scolded after thousands of years.”

Shi Xueting saw that he was open-minded, so he was relieved. He didn't think it was wrong for Li Congjia to be angry, but it was easy to hurt the liver. He still hoped that Li Congjia could be more peaceful.

"You...you don't intend to kill Li Jixun?" Shi Xueting felt a little wrong when he heard it.

Li Congjia wondered: "Why do I have to kill him?"

Shi Xueting felt that there might be some misunderstanding, so he said, "But he didn't instigate the assassination?"

Li Congjia was amused: "What's wrong with you today? We all know this is just an excuse. If Han Lingkun is really involved with Bei Zhou, how could I let him come to Datang as an official?"

However, the hearts of the people are not enough, he is sure that Han Lingkun has nothing to do with Li Jixun, but he ignores Han Lingkun's own ambition and greed.

Shi Xueting said helplessly: "But others don't know, the hatred of killing one's mother is irreconcilable, no matter who thinks that you will not let Li Jixun go."

Li Congjia was stunned for a moment, thought for a while, what the fuck, that's true, he thought he could let Li Jixun go!

After struggling for a while, Li Congjia finally said: "This...in fact, it's not necessary to...kill him, right? You see, Master Yin dug up Li's ancestral grave, and Li Shimin made his daughter a concubine anyway?"

Shi Xueting looked at the idiot's expression: "How can men and women be the same?"

Li Congjia wanted to say something different?But in fact it was really different, he himself was negligent about this matter, and he also admitted it.

Seeing his dejected look, Shi Xueting looked around and found that Chunsheng Taofu and the others were not there, so he leaned over and kissed him on the forehead and said, "Don't think too much, even if you don't make this excuse, he will bow to Khitan Yes, how could such a person with no spine have the courage to face us alone?"

This is true, Li Congjia simply said: "Let's go, go to the Privy Council."

Shi Xueting pondered for a while and said: "I won't go."

Li Congjia was alert immediately: "What's wrong? What happened? Did someone say something about you?"

Shi Xueting laughed suddenly: "You're overthinking again."

Li Congjia... Li Congjia couldn't help but think about it. Shi Xueting's identity was always a little sensitive, and he felt that it seemed appropriate for him to appear anywhere, and it was not appropriate for him to appear anywhere. Li Congjia liked to let him go around with him, but there were always people. He couldn't get used to it, so he was worried that Shi Xueting would get entangled in some rumors, although he felt that Shi Xueting should not be such a person.

Seeing that Li Congjia was silent, Shi Xueting said, "After all, the Privy Council is an important place for military aircraft, so I don't go there often."

Li Congjia said: "Is there anything you can't go? You used to..."

Shi Xueting interrupted him and said: "The past is the past, and the credit of the past can't last a lifetime, and this time it's nothing to do with me, if I want to know, just ask you?"

Li Congjia stared at him for a while, then said helplessly: "Okay, you go, don't mess around with Mr. Xiaolang."

Shi Xueting's face is full of black lines, if he hasn't been dealt with these days, this bastard is going to go to the house to expose the tiles!

When Li Congjia saw Shi Xueting's expression, he laughed like a fool: "I know what you are thinking, but ah, just... think about it."

Shi Xueting glanced at him coolly: "It's only a year, at most three years, I'm patient."

Li Congjia turned his back, and immediately resumed his previous serious appearance and said, "I'm going to the Privy Council. If you need anything, send someone over to call me."

Shi Xueting smiled softly: "Go."

Li Congjia was chilled by his laughter, and ran to the Privy Council as if he was running away. Li Hongji couldn't help joking when he saw his face looking like a survivor: "What's the matter? Is there a dog chasing you behind?"

Li Congjia glanced at Li Hongji, and began to think if betraying Li Hongji would divert Shi Xueting's attention?

Seeing that he seemed to have malicious intentions, Li Hongji quickly said: "The news came today that the Khitan has begun to send troops into the Northern Zhou Dynasty."

After hearing this, Li Congjia's face turned cold: "Hmph, Li Jixun is totally trying to lure wolves into the house, let's go, let's discuss it."

Li Hongji was also very helpless. He had just persuaded Li Congjia not to go head-to-head with Khitan, and to win Bei Zhou first, but in the end he still had to go against Khitan. What's the matter!

Li Congjia sat on the throne and said, "What do you think?"

Li Jingda also sneered and said, "I'm afraid the Northern Zhou Dynasty will change their surname. Li Jixun is a sinner of the Han people! We are a conflict within the Han family, how can we attract foreign enemies?"

Li Congjia said: "He is greedy for life and afraid of death. He is afraid that I will kill him after losing. Hehe, he thought Khitan would spare his life, and he didn't think about who Yelvjing was. How could he let him go?"

Li Jingda just said: "Even if you are a Khitan, you don't have to worry. It depends on whether Yang Ye, the pioneer, can do a good job."

Li Congjia was both worried and at ease about Yang Ye, but he couldn't say it out. He just said: "Khitan is not stable. As far as I know, the Wugu tribe rebelled not once or twice, and the sixteen prefectures of Yanyun are mostly Han people. Their rule is not very stable, think of a way, let's start from here."

Li Ping sighed and said, "It would have been more appropriate to leave this matter to Qilang of the Han family, but it's a pity..."

The Qilang of the Han family mentioned by Li Ping is Han Chou. Originally, Han Chou was the young minister of Honglu Temple, but it is a pity that Han Xizai was killed by Han Lingkun by mistake before. Han Chou is now keeping his filial piety. If there is an internal problem, if you can strike early, maybe Li Congjia will be able to send people to fight on the grassland a year later!

Li Congjia sighed and said, "I'll ask Han Yu about this."

Asking Han Chou, of course, you can't call him into the palace. After all, Han Chou wears a heavy filial piety. Even if Li Congjia doesn't care, Zhou Ehuang may care, and other cabinet ministers may think it's inappropriate.

So Li Congjia did one thing - he went to Han's house for a private visit in a micro-service!

It was also thanks to the concierge of the Han family who knew him, otherwise he would have been kicked out as a libertine.

Li Congjia's arrival shocked the entire Han family. He specially ran to Han Xizai's spiritual tablet and burned a stick of incense. How is it? It looks much clearer, don't be too sad, Han Weng Zai Tian's spirit must not want to see you so sad, let alone you have a big family to take care of."

Mrs. Han was a little nervous. He was mediocre among Han Xizai's sons. He didn't meet Li Congjia very often. At this time, he was encouraged by Li Congjia, and he was very close to the Han family inside and out. Some stammered: "Go back...Go back to Your Highness, at home...everything is fine at home."

Li Congjia smiled slightly and asked, "Where's Han Yu?"

Mrs. Han calmed down a little, knowing that Li Congjia must have something to do with Han Yu, so he quickly asked someone to clean up a quiet room and sent someone to call Han Yu over.

Han Yu was a little surprised at first, but after hearing what Li Congjia said about Khitan, he couldn't help feeling very regretful: "It's a pity that I'm still in Xiaozhong, otherwise I'll go north. Isn't this kind of thing easy?"

Han Chou's words are a bit boastful, but he also has the capital to boast. He is bold and black-handed, with a kind face and a cold heart. Regardless of Li Congjia's current ruler, if he were to switch places with Han Chou, he would really feel inferior to Han Chou, Han Chou He may not be able to do any of the things he did, so he didn't say anything else but said: "Okay, Datang is not the same as the Tang Dynasty back then, there is no need for a dignified family to take risks, if you have Any useful subordinates can be sent there."

Han Chou thought for a while, and then said: "For the matter of Wu Gu, the right person is not in Datang, but there are people in the Sixteen States of Yanyun who can go."

Li Congjia asked with some doubts: "The right person is not in the lobby? Then where is it?"

Han Chou said, "Dang Xiang!"

Li Congjia asked: "They?"

Han Chou said: "Although Wu Gu has rebelled against the Khitan many times, he is also full of vigilance against the Han people. If he sends the Han people there, he may not be able to gain their trust for a while. But Dangxiang is different. Dangxiang used to be with the Khitan Had a conflict, let them help Ugwu, and Ugwu would trust them more easily."

Li Congjia was a little hesitant: "If Ugu and the Dangxiang are combined, then what if the Dangxiang becomes big?"

Han Chou sighed and said, "So it's not easy to plot against Ugu."

Li Congjia then asked: "Then we can only start from the sixteen prefectures of Yanyun. The land of the Han family should also be taken back. Who is the suitable candidate you mentioned earlier?"

Han Chou said, "I'm afraid His Highness won't agree with me if I say it."

Li Congjia was a little puzzled when he heard it. He didn't know who would make Han Yu feel that he would disagree.

Then he laughed and said, "How do you know if I agree or not if you don't tell me?"

Han Chou said: "National teacher!"

Li Congjia was taken aback for a moment: "He? Why him?"

Han Yu said earnestly: "The identity of the national teacher and monk is a good cover, and the people of Yanzhao have been oppressed by Khitan for many years, and there is no way to relieve the depression in their hearts. Buddhism must be spread to the Tao. Among them, it is also good to fan them a little bit. Very easy thing."

Li Congjia instantly understood that this was not to let Shi Xueting go there to develop believers and bring private goods along the way.

It's just... Li Congjia asked: "For this kind of thing, you can find a similar monk or priest to go there. Why do you have to let the national teacher go?"

Han Yu said: "Others may not have this kind of loyalty to Datang, and the loyalty of the national teacher cannot be doubted."

This is true, in this world, even if others betray Li Congjia, Shi Xueting will never betray him, Li Congjia has this confidence in him.

He was a little bit reluctant to let Shi Xueting take this trip, after all, this matter was too dangerous, even if Shi Xueting died outside, he would not be able to justify his name.

Shi Xueting has taken enough risks for him, why is Li Congjia willing to let him take another risk?

Han Yu said: "That's why I said that His Highness might not agree."

Li Congjia sighed, "Let me think about this matter again."

Han Yu comforted: "Your Highness, don't worry. With the current national strength of the Tang Dynasty, even if we don't do this, Khitan may not be our opponent."

Li Congjia shook his head and said, "This at least can minimize our military casualties."

After all, now that the war is starting, Li Congjia's first thought is not winning or losing, but the population issue.

After many years of wars, the population of the Central Plains has dropped sharply, and the total population may only be one-third of that of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Without people, productivity will not be able to keep up, and the country's economy will naturally not develop.

In the simplest case, there are fewer people, fewer people farming, and less food, so there are more people who are hungry, and many families can only have food and clothing, and their resistance to natural and man-made disasters is very low. Such families will not be stable. And the people are the most basic composition of a country, if the people are not living in peace, the country will naturally not be stable.

So Li Congjia was always trying to reduce the number of casualties on his side as much as possible, but this time, he decided to be more selfish, he really didn't want Shi Xueting to take any more risks.

Li Congjia and Han Yu's confrontation did not let Shi Xueting know, Shi Xueting only knew that he went out for a trip, asked him what he did, but he refused to tell, Shi Xueting could only tell this matter first lay down.

Li Congjia was a little surprised that Shi Xueting let him go so easily. He felt that recently Shi Xueting always left early and returned late, and seemed very busy.

But apart from the war with Northern Zhou recently, there were no other major events happening in the court.

What is Shi Xueting busy with?

Facing Li Congjia's inquiry, Shi Xueting hesitated for a moment, but said, "Something is wrong with the intelligence department recently."

Li Congjia was a little nervous immediately: "No? What happened?"

Shi Xueting said, "I suspect there is a problem within the intelligence department."

Li Congjia looked solemn: "What's the problem?"

Shi Xueting didn't answer but instead asked: "Do you feel that everyone is very well informed recently?"

If he didn't say anything, Li Congjia would not have noticed. When he said this, Li Congjia immediately remembered that a few days ago, he went to the Privy Council for a meeting. Before he could say anything, those people seemed to know that Khitan sent troops to the Northern Zhou Dynasty. .

At that time, Li Congjia's attention was all on Khitan, and he didn't feel anything wrong.

Now that Shi Xueting mentioned it, he just thought of how those people knew Khitan's movements so quickly?

Could this be what Shi Xueting said that something went wrong and someone leaked the news?

Seeing Li Congjia's uneasy expression, Shi Xueting said, "It was my negligence before, and I didn't have too many requirements for confidentiality."

Li Congjia shook his head. Shi Xueting said he was negligent, but Li Congjia absolutely did not believe it. How could Shi Xueting not know how important the intelligence department is!

Moreover, Li Congjia also reminded Shi Xueting not to relax the secrecy of the news, and now something can happen, it can only be said that someone has been infiltrated.

Li Congjia was not surprised by this matter, after all, it was information.Everyone knows how important it is. Knowing more information may make you invincible.

As for Shi Xueting's lack of supervision, Li Congjia also didn't believe it. Before, he thought that Shi Xueting was too strict, but he never expected it to be so strict, and someone leaked the news.

Li Congjia asked, "Did someone find it?"

Shi Xueting nodded and said: "Already checked almost everything, but I'm still a little hesitant about how to deal with it after finding out. I'm afraid it's too strict and you can't accept it, and it's too light so that those people don't dare to take risks because of fear."

Li Congjia rolled his eyes after hearing this, and said: "No matter how soft-hearted I am, it depends on the matter. This matter must not be tolerated. It's just why they leaked the news. Is it because I don't give them enough salary, or because their status is not as good as other courtiers?" ?”

Shi Xueting said: "Maybe there are two possibilities. After all, people are greedy, so they need laws to restrain them."

Li Congjia nodded silently, and asked again: "Since you have been able to deal with it, there must be other reasons for mentioning this matter?"

Shi Xueting smiled and said: "Those who know me, Shigemitsu! I just think that people in the intelligence department should not be selected from the outside, but should be trained from the inside."

Li Congjia nodded quickly, he also felt that internal training is better, after all, loyalty is guaranteed.

It's just...he hesitated a little, and asked, "How to train? After all, we don't have any experience."

Shi Xueting said calmly: "There are some methods of cultivating dead soldiers that are very suitable."

Dead man?Li Congjia was taken aback: "Is this too much?"

After all, there is still a difference between a member of the intelligence department and a dead soldier. Strictly speaking, there is no need for such a terrible training method.

Shi Xueting said: "I understand what you mean, and of course I won't be so strict. When the regulations are made, I will give you a look. If you think it is not suitable, we will change it."

Rectifying the Intelligence Department and training the students of the Intelligence Department, these two things are easier said than done.

Among them, the selection of candidates is a very difficult matter. First of all, the airs are not suitable, and the sons of good families are also somewhat inappropriate. The most suitable ones are those orphans. After all, those orphans have no other involvement in the world and can only be loyal to intelligence. Ministry, in order to guarantee their livelihood.

It's just that, the cabinet originally had a lot of complaints about the Ministry of Intelligence, if the members were all orphans with no identity background.

How people from the intelligence department get along with the courtiers has become a problem, especially where is the location of the intelligence department?

After all, this department does not sound like a serious department.

Li Congjia was very open about this, and he said: "People in the intelligence department don't have to have too much contact with the courtiers, which can also prevent the courtiers from bribing them. This department is even a hidden department in the court. Departments can’t make a big splash.”

After hearing this, Shi Xueting understood Li Congjia's thoughts, and had new ideas about the intelligence department's discovery.

So although he didn't appear in front of everyone very much at first, he was still contributing to the construction of Datang.

Seeing how busy he was, Li Congjia naturally couldn't bring up the matter of asking him to go to Khitan.

The result backfired. After going around and going around, Shi Xueting may have to go to Khitan in the end, the difference is that he sends someone to go, or he goes by himself.

In the end, Shi Xueting brought ten people there, but the ten people were scattered, each of them had their own tasks, and they didn't act together.

This is also the first time he has led the intelligence department on a mission after reorganizing the intelligence department.

The reason for this incident was that Yang Ye was defeated by Xiangzhou, and the reason for worshiping soldiers made Li Congjia very angry.