Fu Tang

Regarding Shi Xueting's new hobby, Li Congjia has nothing to say for a while, because he is sure that this guy is just teasing him.

Of course, soon Shi Xueting didn't even bother to tease him. The continuous news from Tubo left Shi Xueting at his wits end. The most important thing was not only the news from Tubo, but also the news from the Kara Khanate. There is also the investigation of the Principality of Kievan Rus, the secret net of Datang has not been laid so far before, and it is not easy now.

When Li Congjia saw that Shi Xueting was so busy that he lost weight, his heart ached. When he gave him some news and was about to go back to work, he took his hand and said, "Why are you so busy recently?"

When Shi Xueting used to pester him often, he was worried about his kidney deficiency, but now he is suddenly busy and sees no one all day long, and he feels a little deserted.

Shi Xueting came over and kissed Li Congjia's forehead and said, "Kievan Rus Principality is a bit far away, and the ministry is discussing how to arrange it recently."

Li Congjia suddenly lost his temper, dragged him over and pressed him on the chair, and said, "No, take a good rest today, how thin are you?"

Shi Xueting touched his face unconsciously, and then felt quite funny, he did lose some weight, but it wasn't that exaggerated.

"Don't worry, I know what to do."

Li Congjia shook his head and said, "This is the end of this matter."

Shi Xueting looked at him in surprise: "What?"

Li Congjia said calmly: "I said that the infiltration of Kievan Rus Principality ends here."

Shi Xueting's face was serious: "What happened?"

Li Congjia seldom gives up halfway when doing things. After all, he usually thinks twice before doing things. As long as there are no major problems in what he started, he will not stop. This is probably the first time that he himself said that he would stop what he was doing.

Li Congjia shook his head: "Nothing else happened, I just think it's not worthwhile."

He stretched out his index finger against Shi Xueting's mouth, preventing the other party from wanting to speak, and continued: "Over 6000 miles, no matter what you want to do, you will have to pay a huge price, and it may not be successful. Even if it succeeds, the deadline may have passed by the time the news arrives, at most it is just to let us know what is going on in Kievan Rus, there is no need for it.”

Shi Xueting stared at him for a long while, then took Li Congjia's hand and asked, "Three Buddhas are not too close to us, and it's across the sea, so it's even more inconvenient to come and go. You didn't back down at that time."

Li Congjia said bluntly: "That's because you weren't so busy at the time."

Shi Xueting was a little moved and also a little helpless: "It really doesn't matter."

But Li Congjia said seriously: "But I feel distressed."

Shi Xueting hugged him into his arms, laughed at himself and said, "But that's all I can do for you now."

Li Congjia was startled when he heard this, and turned his head to look at Shi Xueting seriously for a long while. At that moment, he felt that he probably understood the feeling that Shi Xueting had been hiding all along.

Back then when Li Congjia did not proclaim himself emperor, or even entered the Central Plains, Shi Xueting was his right-hand man and an indispensable presence in the court.

However, as Li Congjia's career became bigger and bigger, and there were more and more capable people around him, Shi Xueting's identity was a little embarrassing, so he started to retreat again and again.

In the end, because of Li Congjia's selfishness, he became the national teacher. If Li Congjia hadn't set up an intelligence department, it is estimated that he really only had the role of a mascot, maybe he couldn't even be a mascot.

Shi Xueting had also carefully analyzed it before, and he felt that if it wasn't for his special relationship with Li Congjia, he might have wiped out everyone long ago, and the new generation of courtiers in the court might not even know who Shi Xueting was.

Of course Li Congjia is a nostalgic person, and he will not ignore his original contributions, but Shi Xueting is always unwilling in his heart, he hopes to be the most special one around Li Congjia, whether it is in love or business.

So he was very concerned about the intelligence department, and he never refused Li Congjia's request.

Li Congjia turned his head and hugged Shi Xueting and said seriously: "Did I not say that? Now I just hope that you can stay with me in peace, and we will travel around the world together in the future."

Shi Xueting hugged him silently, Li Congjia could only hold his face and said: "There is a good saying, behind every successful man there must be an outstanding man, you are the outstanding man behind me, And no one can ignore the role of the Intelligence Department, you don't have to push yourself so hard."

Shi Xueting was a little surprised: "Who said that?"

Li Congjia was at a loss for words and had to say, "Is what I said still okay?"

Shi Xueting smiled and did not answer. Li Congjia knew at a glance that Shi Xueting might not be able to turn around this muscle. This was the first time in his life. Li Congjia began to think about whether he had done something wrong.

It's not that Shi Xueting hasn't had the opportunity to go out these years, and even has many opportunities to lead troops. However, because of Li Congjia's own worries, he always asks Shi Xueting to come back when the situation turns bad. He can only feel at ease when he sees someone.

It's just that Shi Xueting was imperceptibly restrained, so that he could only be trapped in Chang'an, with all his talents but unable to display them.

Li Congjia thought calmly for a while, then gritted his teeth and asked, "Are you leaving Chang'an?"

Seeing Li Congjia's expression, Shi Xueting knew what Li Congjia was thinking, and had to say, "Don't think about it, I just want to help you."

Li Congjia didn't speak, and said after a long while: "Recently, the situation in Tubo is a bit chaotic. I've always wanted to send people there to investigate the situation, but I haven't found a suitable person. If you want, why don't you just go and have a look?" , select some special forces, and if things go wrong, you are allowed to act cheaply."

Shi Xueting had no choice but to explain again: "Don't make wild guesses, I'm really fine, well, it's my fault, I've been too busy recently to neglect you."

While talking, he picked up Li Congjia and walked into the inner room. Li Congjia was taken aback by him, and couldn't help but patted him on the shoulder and said, "Let's talk about business, what are you doing?!"

Shi Xueting replied briefly and forcefully: "Fuck you!"

Li Congjia: ...

Facts have proved that even if you lose some weight, it does not mean that Master Guoshi is weak. At least it is no problem to clean up Li Congjia.

This torment reached the middle of the night on the moon. Li Congjia let Shi Xueting clean up his body in a half-dream and half-awake state, and then said in a low voice: "I was not joking just now, and it was not because of anything else. I thought about it before." This question is just... I have been reluctant to let you go out. "

Shi Xueting went back to bed and hugged him and said, "What? Don't worry about me?"

Li Congjia found a comfortable place and nestled in Shi Xueting's arms and said, "Of course not, I just... can't bear to see you for so long. The problem of Tubo may not be solved overnight. No one in the past could say that you will be here again." How long do you stay there, and the weather there is not good, and the living conditions are even worse, I am also reluctant to let you suffer."

Shi Xueting looked at the stars outside the window and smiled for a long time: "We used to sleep in the open in the Gobi when we were suffering, why have we become so delicate now? Don't worry, there will be no problem, not to mention that I am not short of money. The climate and living environment on the plateau are indeed ordinary, but that is for ordinary people.”

The life of the leaders of the Tubo tribe is no worse than that of the princes and princes of the Tang Dynasty. After all, there are always privileged classes no matter where they are.

Li Congjia looked up at Shi Xueting slightly and asked, "Then when do you plan to go?"

Shi Xueting asked: "Where is the Principality of Kievan Rus really going to give up?"

Li Congjia nodded: "At least until the transportation is convenient, don't put people there. It's too far away, and living in a foreign country all the year round can't fully guarantee their loyalty."

People's hearts are always the most fickle. Even if you choose to send a brainwashed child there, it is difficult to guarantee what the child will become there. There are too many variables. Li Congjia does not want to take risks. Anyway, there are so many surrounding countries to clean up. He For a while, he will not be interested in provoking the Principality of Kievan Rus.

And the most important thing is to provoke the Principality of Kievan Rus. According to Li Congjia's temper, if he does not turn it into a federal country, he will definitely not give up. At that time, it will definitely attract the attention of the Eastern Roman Empire.

The Eastern Roman Empire actually has a very famous name - the Byzantine Empire.

This is a huge empire with a long history, and Li Congjia does not want to conflict with this country if it is not a last resort.

Seeing that Li Congjia seemed very determined, Shi Xueting said, "Well, it just so happens that everything is still in the planning stage, so there is no pity to stop, Tubo... what kind of result do you want?"

Shi Xueting's words are really confident. Most people in the past probably just sent information. It's great to mediate with the small tribe. How could it be possible to have the confidence to influence the situation in Tubo?

However, Shi Xueting dared to think so, and dared to do so.

Li Congjia didn't seem to have any doubts about him, and after thinking about it for a while, he said, "It's best to let them continue the civil strife, the more chaos the better."

Continued civil strife means that the number of people in Tubo will further decrease sharply, which will be beneficial to the Tang Dynasty's conquest of Tubo in the future.

Shi Xueting responded, and Li Congjia thought for a while and added: "If it's really not possible, it's better to let someone who is not so powerful unify Tibet."

This requirement is actually not very simple. People who are not strong have certain flaws. It is naturally more difficult to unify Tubo, but it is not without hope. After all, many founding emperors in history also had luck.

Shi Xueting thought for a while and said: "So the Tang Dynasty still focuses on conquest of Tubo?"

He felt a little strange, Li Congjia even let Funan go, and didn't insist on conquering it, so why was he so obsessed with Tubo?Funan's geographical location and climate are much better than those of Tubo, or...Although Li Congjia says he doesn't plan to do anything to Kievan Rus Principality, in fact he still has such thoughts?

Li Congjia nodded and closed his eyes and said: "Although the climate in Tubo is not good, the geographical location is good. The most important thing is that Tubo has natural barriers. If they want to launch an attack, they just come down from the mountain. It’s not on the plains, but it’s not an obstacle to them, they must hold Tubo in their hands.”

Shi Xueting thinks it makes sense, but it's a bit far-fetched. However, as long as Li Congjia wants it, he will try his best to take Tubo down even if he tries his best!

Shi Xueting didn't take long to prepare. Li Congjia was the one who worried about his luggage. At first he packed some, but after Li Congjia saw it, he said one thing was missing, another one was missing that, and in the end he even listed it. a list.

Originally, Shi Xueting didn't care about it, so he asked Li Congjia to help him prepare, and he chose some people who could be used. After all, going to Tibet was a secret mission, and it was a covert mission, so he couldn't bring a large force there, but if necessary It may still be necessary to do it when it is time, which means that those selected must have extremely strong individual combat capabilities.

When Shi Xueting was selecting candidates, Li Congjia said directly: "Just choose the best one, don't worry about anything else, whoever troubles you, I will trouble anyone."

Shi Xueting couldn't laugh or cry at once, anyone with a discerning eye would know that there must be important things to do in his selection of candidates, who would dare to embarrass him if he doesn't have eyes?

As a result, after he finished selecting people and saw the list Li Congjia made for him, he was almost scared to death. If there were more guards for these things, he would be able to catch up with the prince to travel!

Shi Xueting had no choice but to say: "You are afraid that the Tibetans will not know that I have passed, right?"

Li Congjia was very entangled. After finishing the list, he also found that there were too many of these things. If he wanted to reduce some, he always felt that any one would be useful. He couldn't help but muttered: "The supplies there are too poor. I don't worry about meat, but vegetables and fruits. It's not bad for your body."

Shi Xueting had no choice but to say: "It's not all there, I just need to bring more money."

Li Congjia turned his head and looked like you don't like me: "Vegetables and fruits in Tubo are exclusively for nobles. Ordinary people may not be able to buy them if they have money. You are new here, how can you buy them?"

Shi Xueting said calmly: "The intelligence department already has a certain foundation there, so you don't have to worry too much."

Li Congjia was still worried, but he didn't force Shi Xueting to continue to follow the preparations on the list, but said: "Let's prepare first, but don't worry, the weather is cold now, and they probably have to wake up for the winter in the Tubo plateau. The unification will only be discussed after the beginning of spring, and they are making various preparations now, let’s go next year.”

Shi Xueting did not object, he also wanted to celebrate the New Year with Li Congjia.

Shi Xueting suddenly remembered something: "Is the prince going to get married next year?"

Li Congjia nodded: "It's scheduled for the tenth day of October. Time flies so fast. I was so small back then, but now I've grown up."

Li Congjia had a strange expression while speaking, to be honest, Li Zhongyu was still a child in his eyes.

Shi Xueting smiled slightly: "That's it, then I have to work hard and try to prepare a big gift for the prince."

But Li Congjia said: "It's fine if you come back safely. Monks don't stick to customary etiquette."

Shi Xueting laughed suddenly, but he still secretly decided in his heart that it is best to solve the Tubo matter directly, so as not to let Li Congjia worry about it.

Although it's the New Year, it's the same thing, so I don't have much expectations. The only thing I can look forward to is that the New Year's holiday will be long, and Li Congjia can hang out with Shi Xueting to his heart's content without worrying about being disturbed.

I don't know if it's about to part, Li Congjia simply followed Shi Xueting to the Lishan Mountain to soak in the hot springs. The two of them lived every day like a drunken dream, and there was a lingering taste of death. If it hadn't been for so many years. There are many prescriptions to nourish the body, and Li Congjia feels that he probably has to confess to Lishan.

It happened to be raining lightly on the day Shi Xueting left, and it hadn't rained much in the Tang Dynasty since the beginning of spring, which made Li Congjia very worried that this year would be a big one.

In the end, Pan Pan finally arrived, but it was not the right time, which made it difficult for Li Congjia to send Shi Xueting off.

In front of Danfeng Gate, Shi Xueting looked at Li Congjia who was rather reluctant to leave, and couldn't help reaching out to touch his face. He was very impulsive to kiss Li Congjia, but after all, it was in the public, although there was no one else. Officials, but there are always guards on guard.

Shi Xueting said in a low voice: "I will definitely come back before the prince gets married."

But that's at least half a year away!

However, Li Congjia refrained from saying this, and just responded: "Well, be careful along the way, remember to send more messages... Forget it, just watch it, just don't cut off the message."

Li Congjia thought that if Shi Xueting contacted him frequently, he might be easily targeted by others, so he had to change his words halfway.

Shi Xueting finally couldn't help but hugged Li Congjia, bit the other's neck when everyone was not paying attention, and said in a low voice, "Wait for me to come back."

Li Congjia held back and didn't shout out, hummed, Shi Xueting let go of him and said nothing more, turned around and got on his horse to leave.

Li Congjia stood there watching him until he could no longer see the backs of those people, then he sighed and turned back to the palace.

After going back, I always felt a little empty. Although Shi Xueting was not always by his side when he was in Chang'an, Li Congjia knew that he could always see each other at that time, but now...he couldn't help but sighed again.

When Li Zhongyu came to study with Li Congjia, he found that the number of times his father sighed soared today, and couldn't help asking: "Father, is it difficult to go up?"

Li Congjia was stunned for a moment, and then realized that his emotions were exposed to the point that even his son could find out, so he could only say: "It's nothing important." Having said that, he suddenly asked: "Has there been any changes in Khitan recently?"

Li Zhongyu nodded and said, "Yes, the Ministry of Intelligence reported that Yeluxian seemed to have frequent contacts with Musa of the Kara Khanate."

Li Congjia sneered: "Seeking skins from tigers."

After he finished speaking, he began to think that Khitan is definitely a serious problem for Datang, and it cannot be underestimated because it is weakened now. There is Shi Xueting in Tubo, and he believes that even if it can't be dealt with, it can be disabled. Khitan... How to deal with them?

Li Zhongyu saw that Li Congjia was lost in thought, and couldn't help feeling a chill in his heart, thinking that someone was going to be unlucky.

When Li Congjia was thinking about how to deal with Khitan, news suddenly came from Honglu Temple that it was Yeluxian who sent someone to send the letter of credence.

Li Congjia was a little surprised. Strictly speaking, just after the New Year, the Khitan sent envoys to deliver tribute, and it hasn't been long since the envoys returned, so why is there another letter of credence?

Yang Xin was holding the letter of credence, with a serious expression on his face. Shi Xueting had always been worried that Yang Xin would not be able to take on the heavy responsibility. However, he had been the Minister of Honglu Temple for a long time, and gradually he seemed to look the same.

Li Congjia asked, "What did the letter of credence say?"

Yang Xin had an unbelievable expression on his face: "Khitan... wants to join the federation."

Li Congjia raised his eyebrows. Since the founding of the Federal State, the Honglu Temple of the Tang Dynasty has often received such requests, but they are usually from some small countries or tribes around them. It is still the first time for a "big country" like Khitan. once.

Thinking of this, he asked again: "What is Khitan's request?"

Yang Xin said: "The credential only says that Khitan wants to join the federation, but they don't want to accept the rule of the federation."

Of course, this is Yang Xin's own summary. Of course, the national certificate does not say it so straightforwardly, but no matter how euphemistic it is, the actual meaning is the same.

After hearing this, Li Congjia sneered. He knew that Ye Luxian would not submit to Datang honestly no matter how humble he was. Now it seemed that he really wanted the benefits that Datang would give to the Allied Powers, but he still didn't want to pay?Where in the world is there such a good thing?

However, Ye Luxian must know that Datang would not agree to such a condition, so... why did he write this letter of credence?Is it testing Datang's bottom line, or is there another plan?

But no matter which aspect it is, Li Congjia intends to use this opportunity to do something.

Li Congjia tapped on the case and said, "Since the Khitan Khan has an idea, why don't we meet with him? This is not a trivial matter, and the location can be chosen at the border."

Everyone was a little surprised. They didn't expect Li Congjia to make such a suggestion, but Li Zhongyu, who was standing next to him as the throne, felt tight: Sure enough, his previous idea came true. His father is going to engage in Khitan. I don't know if I should sympathize with Khitan.

But any country that Li Congjia wanted to build ended up either becoming the territory of the Great Tang or a subordinate state of the Great Tang Federation.

However, Li Zhongyu felt a little excited when he thought that the territory of the Tang Dynasty would expand again, and began to think about what role he could play in this matter. He was about to get married, and getting married basically symbolized adulthood. More opinions.

Now Li Congjia focuses on Tubo and Khitan. It seems that Tubo can't intervene, so Khitan... Li Zhongyu began to think about whether there is a chance.

Unlike the Li family father and son who were preparing to make trouble, Shi Xueting really caused a bloody storm in Tubo.