Fu Tang

"Disappeared?" Li Congjia didn't respond for a moment, and after repeating it, he asked again: "You mean they are all missing? No one is under surveillance?"

The Minister of Honglu Temple has already started to tremble. This is already a major diplomatic incident. Of course, what Minister Honglu Temple is worried about is not the life and death of these people. What he is worried about is that these people can leave without anyone noticing. Sneak into other places without anyone noticing?

If Datang leaked some secrets because of this, or the lives of some officials were threatened...then...

The minister of Honglu Temple almost didn't dare to think about it, and the others in Honglu Temple didn't think about it for a long time. They were just reflexively afraid of taking responsibility, and then decided to look for it first and don't just go to plead guilty. Did you find it?

The Minister of Honglu Temple scolded those officials on the spot, because there was no trace of them disappearing, basically it can be concluded that these people were not taken away by others, and should have left by themselves.

After all, the number of missions is not small. If you really want to kidnap them all at once, it is almost impossible not to alarm Honglu Temple.

Li Congjia was also a little confused for a while, he had never encountered such a situation.

Seeing his silence, Shi Xueting standing next to him had no choice but to stand up and said, "Have you asked the Ministry of Criminal Justice to look at it?"

Li Congjia nodded quickly when he came back to his senses, and Honglu Temple Minister hurriedly said: "Not yet, but the scene has been protected."

The awareness of protecting the scene was emphasized by Li Congjia to the Ministry of Criminal Justice. At the beginning, many people did not have this awareness, but now many people have this awareness, especially officials.

Li Congjia replied: "Well, first let the Criminal Department go to the scene to see."

The Minister of Honglu Temple got the order and ran out immediately. He knew very well in his heart that if it can be confirmed that this matter has nothing to do with Honglu Temple, then they will not be punished too much.

Of course, it is impossible that it has nothing to do with Honglu Temple. After all, it disappeared from the post house. However, the Privy Council also has poor supervision. The most important thing is that the soldiers there are all from Tiance Mansion!

After the minister of Honglu Temple left, Li Congjia turned to look at Shi Xueting and asked, "You said... did the Kara Khanate get any news?"

Shi Xueting immediately reacted: "You mean that they knew that Khotan had surrendered to us, so they decided to evacuate early?"

Li Congjia nodded: "Yes, after all, on the surface, we did not agree to the request of the Kara Khanate, but took Khotan by ourselves. The Kara Khanate must be dissatisfied, and maybe they are ready to attack Datang, so these envoys stay in This place can only be used by us to sacrifice the flag."

Shi Xueting said: "I hope they fled back to Kara Khanate."

Li Congjia chuckled: "If they want to go undercover in Datang, it depends on whether they have that ability."

Li Congjia came over at any rate, and he attaches great importance to the secrecy of the big country's heavy weapons. These days, scholars have some skills and can't wait to yell all over the world. opportunity.

Because the real high technology is in the hands of craftsmen, of course these craftsmen also know how to read, but they are not mere readers. They know the importance, so it is impossible to tell them.

Even if Li Congjia enters these places, he has to go through multiple inspections. Of course, there was no such thing before. Since someone pretended to be Shi Xuehe last time, Li Congjia was worried that someone would pretend to be him, so the method of checking his identity was stricter.

This time the Xingbu was very fast. After all, there were too many places involved. The Xingbu Shangshu led the team directly to the posthouse.

Li Congjia was critiquing papers in the palace while waiting for the news, Shi Xueting sat next to him and smiled slightly, he had gained a lot of experience over the years, and he didn't panic when encountering things, after all, panic is useless.

It took only half a day for the Ministry of Criminal Justice to conclude that the mission of the Kara Khanate left by itself.

Li Congjia had just finished approving the papers when the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice came. He put down the ink pen and asked, "How did you decide?"

The Secretary of the Ministry of Justice cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the site is well protected, there are no traces of fighting, and other people living around the mission did not hear any strange sounds."

Li Congjia asked, "Well, is it possible that someone incapacitated them?"

Minister of the Ministry of Justice shook his head and said: "Basically, this can also be ruled out. Because it is a mission from another country, the entry and exit system of the post house has become very strict recently. Yesterday, no strangers were allowed to sneak into the post house. As for food, the post house Everyone else in the restaurant eats the same thing as them, and there is nothing wrong with other people."

Li Congjia didn't get entangled in this issue, but just asked: "Then have you found out how they left?"

The Secretary of the Ministry of Justice hesitated for a moment and said, "We haven't found any definite evidence for the time being, but just suspect...they hid in the night incense barrel and went out."

Li Congjia was startled: "What?"

The Secretary of the Ministry of Justice said: "Yexiang was poured one more time in the posthouse yesterday. This is only our preliminary judgment, and there are other possibilities that cannot be ruled out."

Li Congjia was a little thankful that he hadn't eaten before the meal time, otherwise he would either be unable to eat or feel nauseated.

"What are the other possibilities?" Li Congjia pondered for a while before asking. He felt that there would probably be no answer that could break through the lower limit.

"It could have also come from an underground drain."

Li Congjia took a deep breath and said, "Forget it, it doesn't matter how you left, as long as you didn't get kidnapped, all states and counties are ordered to step up investigations, and anyone without a household registration will be turned over to the government!"

Although he didn't think these missions would take any important things away, Li Congjia was very suspicious of them being so sneaky.

After all, even if the Kara Khanate wants to put on an unending posture with Datang, it can wait for the mission to return first.

Li Congjia always felt that there was something tricky about it, could it be that Long Shisan did something else?

However, it is useless for him to guess more here. The departure of the Kara Khanate mission caused a lot of waves that day, but no one mentioned it after that, as if the mission had never been here, even Even the Ministry of Criminal Justice did not continue to trace how they left.

After all, Datang needs to do a lot of things now. The key point is how to receive Khotan. It is not enough for the other party to write a letter of surrender. At least the imperial court must send people to verify the various situations there, as well as various files. To sort it out, I will bring it to Datang for sorting out later.

The Ministry of Rituals also has to prepare all kinds of supporting facilities in full swing - Yuchi Sula is crowned king, then all his clothes will be prepared by the court, and the functions of the officials under Yuchi Sura will basically remain the same except for the adjustment of their titles. In the future, Datang will definitely send ministers there gradually. After all, if they are all from Khotan, Datang will have no actual jurisdiction over this land.

Shi Xueting watched Li Congjia read the papers presented below bit by bit, and couldn't help asking: "If the Tang Dynasty sends officials there, Yuchi Sula may be worried that he will be excluded."

Li Congjia said without even raising his head: "It's a matter of time, Yuchi Sula... seems to be a little younger than me, if nothing happens, he can live for a long time. There is no king or prince who can really control his fiefdom in Tang Dynasty." This is the case, and so is the king of the county, now it is necessary to do this in order to stabilize Khotan, sooner or later I will give him another place to stay, and those officials in Khotan will try their best to move to other places."

"Where do you want to move? Let them become magistrates. They don't know enough about Tang Dynasty, so I'm afraid it won't work?"

Li Congjia laughed and said: "What are you afraid of, let them come to the center, the center is so concerned about the noble officials, it is really impossible to let some officials to study the history of Khotan, after all, it is considered the territory of the Tang Dynasty, and there must be local chronicles. "

After hearing this, Shi Xueting didn't worry about this question any more, he just asked: "What about the general?"

Li Congjia raised his eyebrows and asked, "Is this what you wanted to ask at first? Who told you to ask? Uncle Emperor? Brother? Or Old Zhao?"

Shi Xueting shook his head: "No, not at all. To be honest, when they are in their position, they don't care how the generals in Khotan are arranged. They are all concerned by some lower-level officers."

Everyone knows that it is impossible for Khotan's generals to lead Khotan's soldiers, otherwise it would be meaningless for Tang to control Khotan's military power. place, a little bit of tempering, and those who are not suitable will be eliminated.

However, Khotan's military system is relatively complete, and there are many officers. These people will definitely occupy some of the original positions in Datang. If they are occupied by them, the original officers may be better, but the soldiers below will worry about themselves. Promotions take a year or two.

A soldier’s service time is only so long. If he can’t be promoted, he can only retire and go back to work as a farmer or do some other work. Soldiers in the Tang Dynasty are treated very well. There is a risk factor in fighting, but it is not very high. After all, the weapons are advanced. No one wants to leave the military under the circumstances.

Li Congjia thought of this almost after Shi Xueting said this, he thought for a while and said: "These officers... Well, let them go to Suzhou first, it is not far from Khotan."

"Where are you going?" Shi Xueting was a little surprised.

Li Congjia said with a serious face: "Learn cultural knowledge."

"What?" Shi Xueting was a little surprised, but after thinking about it, he laughed: "It is indeed necessary to learn, after all, the situation in Datang and Khotan is different, the army structure is also different, they need to be familiar with, and the language is also different, Hmm, that's a good idea."

Even if he is a fast learner, it may take a year or so. This time is enough for Datang to understand these people thoroughly, and he probably has an idea of ​​how to arrange them.

Li Congjia sighed: "I was worried about not enough people before, but now I worry about too many people."

While helping him sort out the case, Shi Xueting said: "Now I am also worried about not having enough people. What we need are ordinary people, not officials. Of course, there is still a shortage of capable officials, but this... is rare."

Li Congjia raised his head and asked without continuing the topic: "By the way, how many invitations from the Tubo tribe have you received at Honglu Temple this time?"

Shi Xueting said: "It is said that there are twenty of them. It can be said that all the influential tribes in Tubo will come."

"You spread the matter about the glazed Buddha statue?" Li Congjia was a little surprised. In the past, there were not so many tribes who came to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty.

Shi Xueting shook his head: "No, but according to the feedback from Tubo, the current situation of Tubo is becoming more and more tense. They have experienced several wars before, and many tribes have been injured to varying degrees. They have been in a truce for a while. , Now that the big tribes are almost recuperating, it is estimated that they may have to raise troops again in a short time."

Li Congjia asked: "So they came to ask Datang for help?"

Shi Xueting said with a smile: "There must be this purpose, but even if they can't find help and they bring some worthless souvenirs, Datang will not treat them badly, there must be valuable things in return, so they don't lose .”

Li Congjia was helpless: "Hey, we are also very poor now, why do we have to slap our swollen face to pretend to be fat?"

Shi Xueting comforted him and said: "The cabinet thinks that Shangguo should have the aura of Shangguo, so let them go."

Li Congjia just complained, and soon he turned back and asked: "So, even if we don't intervene, they will still mess up?"

Shi Xueting said: "If that's the case, even if there is chaos, it may not be the situation we want to see. If we follow the original plan, at least we can grasp a little bit of the initiative."

Li Congjia nodded, and he didn't intend to give up on this plan. Anyway, it would be better to make Tubo more chaotic.

What surprised him was that Tubo seemed to be more anxious than Datang.

Previously, Yang Ye had ceased fighting because Dali had colluded with the Tubo tribe, and he wanted to get definite evidence to kill that tribe. Later, after Li Congjia gave him the order and told him that the court had already taken corresponding measures, Yang Ye took a long time ago. A bunch of wolf cubs went straight to Yangjubaa.

Takasaki Zhe originally thought that Yang Ye was afraid of the Tubo tribe and was about to unite with Tubo to launch a counterattack, but he was driven out of Yangjubaa City in embarrassment.

He was in a bad mood after losing his capital, but it didn't matter, at least he still had other countries he had conquered to go to. Maybe he fooled around the neighboring countries and swallowed those small countries for today.

As a result, Yang Ye was in hot pursuit. Wherever Takasaki Zhe led his soldiers, they chased him. In the end, Takasaki Zhe had to surrender, and was bound by Yang Ye with a bundle of hemp ropes and returned to Chang'an.

The demise of Dali brought Datang a vaster land than before. For this reason, Li Congjia even wondered why Takasaki did not bring down the Queen's Kingdom and the Angkor Dynasty together.

Of course, this can only be thought about. It is estimated that Zoro Takasaki knows in his heart that he can't do it.

Yang Ye's victory and return is definitely good news for Datang. Since ancient times, no one is unhappy when the country expands its territory, especially those whose families work in Lingnan. Before, they had to worry about when Dali would Calling and hurting the family, now that Dali belongs to Datang, what are you worried about?

For this reason, Li Congjia specially prepared a welcome ceremony, and by the way, promoted Yang Ye's official position. Of course, other officers also had their own promotions.

As a result, just after awarding their own army here, the tribute applications from various tribes in Tubo came again. Their reason before was to congratulate the New Year. At the end of the year, all tribes should come to the Tang Dynasty to pay tribute. A consensus has been formed, or it is a rule. is also correct.

But this time the Tubo tribe actually broke this rule, the reason was to congratulate Datang on his victory.

Li Congjia looked at those applications and couldn't help laughing: "I can see that they are really anxious. There is still half a year left, and they can't wait."

In the past, when the Tang Dynasty won a battle, at most they sent a letter of credence. Congratulations to the Tang Dynasty. There is nothing substantial. This time they actually have to pay tribute directly. Still at peace.

Shi Xueting asked: "Is the plan going to be advanced?"

"It doesn't matter. Anyway, the things are ready and the candidates are almost selected. What else is there to worry about?" Li Congjia swiped a pen, and came whenever he wanted, anyway, he would come sooner or later.

Shi Xueting stroked his chin and said: "If it's not possible, burn a few more statues, and then I will send someone to secretly send them to other tribes as well. I'm not afraid that Tubo will not be chaotic."

Li Congjia felt a little regretful: "Hey, how much less money will I make if I send it secretly."

Shi Xueting analyzed: "That's not right. Rare things are more expensive. If those tribes know that there is only one thing, the price may be higher. If they know that there are other things, the price will naturally go up." not going."

Li Congjia: What you said seems to make sense.

Anyway, the celebration that had been held once before would have to be held again after the Tubo ministries arrived. The Ministry of Rites felt annoyed by this. Li Congjia felt that it was a waste of money, but Yang Ye was quite proud. What's more, he also wanted to show Tubo his muscles. After all, Tubo almost intervened in the war between him and Takasaki Zoro, and Yang Ye wanted to beat them a long time ago.

This time the Tubo envoys entered Beijing was not comparable to the previous missions of Khotan and Kara Khanate. This wave of people, the extra Tubo people in Chang'an are simply the most in many years.

Fortunately, Honglu Temple had already estimated the number of people before, and prepared all the posthouses in advance, otherwise so many people came, it might not be possible to let them go.

With these aliens, Chang'an is very lively every day. Although these people come to Chang'an, although they don't bring much, they will ask the court for rewards, but they also buy a lot of things in Chang'an.

Li Congjia took the opportunity to ask Arong to send the invitations for the auction to the Tibetans. This time the auction was mainly for the auction of various glass products. Oh, people still used to call them colored glass nowadays.

Most of the invitations were sent to Tubo people, and a small part was sent to some merchants, especially those from abroad who came to Datang to buy goods. The officials hardly received it. Because of this, many officials protested, even the cabinet protested. We arrived at Li Congjia's place.

"Your Majesty, it's not okay for the firm to favor one another so favorably than another."

After discussing the political affairs, Zhao Pu jokingly said, anyway, it was a harmless joke. He was the youngest official in the cabinet, and he had a good relationship with Li Congjia, so it was more suitable for him.

Li Congjia said helplessly: "That thing is for slaughtering Tibetans and businessmen. Why are you following along? It's not like you don't know that glass products are nothing new. After this auction, I will start promoting all kinds of glass." Products, when the time comes, what they buy back at a high price will be worthless, why are you joining in the fun?"

Zhao Pu laughed and said, "Of course we know this truth, but the way of auction is still very novel. Everyone wants to open their eyes."

Li Congjia said helplessly: "Okay, I'll tell Arong when I get back, but remember, if you can't help but buy something at the auction house and find out that you've lost money later, don't even try to ask the business to make up for it."

Naturally, everyone will not think there is any problem with this point. Since Li Congjia has already reminded him, if he still buys it, it will be his own fault?

Li Congjia didn't want the officials to go, but on the day of the auction, he and Shi Xueting went very low-key. Naturally, they had special treatment and could enter the box. As for the missions, they could only squeeze in the hall.

It has to be said that Arong Jiang's entire auction venue is very luxuriously furnished, at least in the eyes of Li Congjia and Shi Xueting who are used to seeing good things, they think it is very good.

In the eyes of those envoys and merchants, this place is simply paradise on earth!

After all, there is no other place where transparent glass can be used as a lampshade like here!And all the lamps use transparent glass lampshades!

What a solid capital this is, the envoys and merchants feel that their eyes are going to be dazzled.

According to what Li Congjia said, Ah Rong specially trained a more professional auctioneer. The reason why he said it was more professional was because there was no such profession as an auctioneer these days, and this auctioneer was still a bit far from Li Congjia's requirements.

The auction house didn't sell Buddha statues right away, but auctioned some exquisite glass products bit by bit. These things were crudely made in Li Congjia's eyes, but in the eyes of those people nowadays, they were all rare treasures.

The auction venue was very lively, and Li Congjia reckoned the money he had earned, and he was also very happy, almost elated.

However, when the auction came to the end and the two Buddha statues were displayed, the atmosphere of the entire venue was heightened.

At that time, a Tubo envoy stood up and angrily accused the business of putting up the Buddha statue for auction, and planned to rush up to snatch it, but was blocked by the soldiers of Tiance Mansion.

Li Congjia had thought that this might happen a long time ago, so he sent soldiers directly to maintain law and order. Anyway, if these people make a lot of noise, no one can get these two Buddha statues.

Just when he was watching with great interest, Shi Xueting suddenly leaned into his ear and said: "The envoy of Kara Khanate seems to have left, look below."

Li Congjia:? ? ? ? ? ?