Fu Tang

Li Congjia fell into deep thought while reading the memorandum. Shi Xueting at the side couldn't help but glance at him when he stopped, and after seeing the content of the memorandum, he couldn't help but said: "Duke Qin...does he feel a sense of crisis?"

Li Congjia nodded seriously: "It looks like... yes? But isn't he afraid of being dealt with like this?"

But Shi Xueting said: "He has enough reasons, how can the prince not know about military affairs? In the future, there will be fewer and fewer wars, and the chances for the prince to go to the front line will be less and less, but he is surrounded by a lot of civil servants, Qin Guogong has reason to be prepared for danger in times of peace."

After hearing this, Li Congjia was slightly taken aback: "Huh? You said his sense of crisis... is... afraid that Da Lang doesn't understand military affairs and won't get close to generals?"

Shi Xueting was stunned for a moment: "That's right, what else?"

Li Congjia blinked and didn't speak. He originally thought that Zhao Kuangyin wanted to vent his anger on his daughter, and also reminded the prince not to go too far. The princess's natal family is not something that can be ignored.

But even if he didn't say anything, Shi Xueting quickly reacted, and he said helplessly to Li Congjia: "If it's really for the Crown Princess, the Crown Princess hasn't recovered yet."

The daughter is not in good health yet, and she drags her husband into the battlefield just to vent her anger, isn't she afraid that her daughter will not be able to take care of her health because of her worries?Even the stupid father-in-law is not like this.

It can only be said that in Zhao Kuangyin's eyes at this moment, the prince's tendency is much more important than those trivial battles in the back house.

Li Congjia did not directly approve the memorial, but chose to call Zhao Kuangyin directly to the Xuanzheng Hall and asked, "Why do you suddenly have this idea? The prince leads the army? Isn't it suitable?"

Zhao Kuangyin was a little surprised: "Why did Your Majesty say that?"

Li Congjia coughed lightly and said: "Although the crown prince is familiar with military books, most of them are only on paper, and he has no experience. It may not be suitable for him to lead a soldier alone."

Zhao Kuangyin didn't take it seriously: "I thought your majesty was worried about something. It is said that your majesty didn't even read the book of war. Didn't he lead the army in the same way later? The tiger father has no dogs, not to mention the prince is smart, why is he not suitable?"

Li Congjia was speechless for a while. It wasn't that he hadn't read much at the beginning, but that he had read military books and studied them as ancient prose, and he had never learned how to deploy troops.

And the situation at that time was different from what it is now. At that time, he was really kicked out of the rack. If he didn't fight, he would die. If he was forced to a corner, he would naturally perform supernormally.

Of course, these can't be said directly, so that the dignified Emperor Tang admitted that he was almost beaten like a dog?How can this be done, is he shameless?

So Li Congjia just said: "It was different back then than it is now, not to mention that I had a national teacher by my side at that time."

Li Congjia glanced at Shi Xueting while talking.

It was only then that Zhao Kuangyin suddenly remembered that when Li Congjia started his family, this was the most fierce person around him. It can be said that without Shi Xueting, perhaps there would be no Tang Dynasty today.

However, he still insisted on his point of view, so he could only say: "This time the prince is not going to be in charge, but let him lead the army. The most important thing is to learn."

Of course, it is best to experience life in the army again, not as Zhao Kuangyin said. Compared with literati, most soldiers are straight-hearted. Although they are rough, getting along with these people is very worry-free. A clear stream.

Li Congjia leaned on the back of the chair and knocked on the armrest and said: "There is some truth in what you say, but...it is not suitable for him to lead an army alone, but if he is sent to the army rashly, if the leading general mistakenly thinks that he is It’s also very troublesome to go to supervise the work and not let go of your hands and feet.”

In fact, even if Zhao Kuangyin didn't talk about Li Congjia, he still wanted to turn around and let the prince lead the army. Maybe he would rely heavily on the Ten Commandments of the East Palace in his hand, so he should also take it out to have a look.

After all, the candidates for the Ten Commandments of the Eastern Palace were all those who could not be selected for the Tiance Mansion, but who were better than ordinary soldiers. After so many years, even if they persisted in training, they would probably be useless if they did not see blood for a long time.

Zhao Kuangyin hesitated and said: "It should not be so, the prince has always been sensible."

Li Congjia shook his head and said, "I know the prince is sensible, but the thoughts of the leading generals cannot be ignored."

To put it simply, the prince may not have thought of causing trouble for others, but he couldn't help others think that he was here for trouble.

So he glanced at Shi Xueting and said excitedly: "Why don't I go to the imperial court personally, so that Da Lang can be suppressed and everyone can let go of their hands and feet."

Zhao Kuangyin's legs felt weak when he heard it: "No, no, no, this is not allowed."

He was worried that the cabinet would criticize him when the prince was leading troops, so now let Li Congjia lead the conquest?I'm afraid that the group of old men in the cabinet will directly slap him to death.

Li Congjia raised his eyebrows: "It doesn't work that way, do you really want the prince to exercise?"

Zhao Kuangyin gritted his teeth and said, "It's not that there is no suitable candidate for this one. What do you think of me?"

Li Congjia was stunned for a moment, and then he understood Zhao Kuangyin's ultimate goal.

To put it bluntly, this guy’s hands are itchy again, and he wants to lead troops to fight against the Kara Khanate, but the problem is that generals like him, who are the founders of the country, rarely move now. Li Congjia has also begun to promote young and outstanding people in recent years. After all, war requires experience, and Li Congjia is now preparing the successors of these veterans.

Of course, Zhao Kuangyin guessed that there might be some emperor's mind in it, but this is not something he can say.

So he wanted to come to a curve to save the country, he could not directly apply to lead the army, but pushed the prince out.

Li Congjia was worried that no one would be able to suppress the prince. He had thought about it a long time ago, and he also thought about the rhetoric at that time.

Others can't suppress the prince, but there are two people who can.

One is Li Hongji, the prince's uncle, that's all. The other is Zhao Kuangyin, the prince's father-in-law. They all watched the prince grow up. They may not be afraid of the prince if others dare not speak harshly.

In the end, he never expected that the bunch of rhetoric prepared by Zhao Kuangyin would be of no use. Li Congjia directly proposed to take the imperial conquest, which scared Zhao Kuangyin. Open your mouth.

Li Congjia sneered after hearing this: "Revealed the original shape?"

Zhao Kuangyin: ...

All the royal conquests co-authored are fake, just to deceive him?

Zhao Kuangyin was so angry that he waved his hands away. After all, he is a majestic emperor. Is it really okay to be so childish?

He didn't think it was a big deal for him to be duped. After all, Li Congjia had a criminal record. If another emperor said that the imperial conquest would be taken personally, everyone would take it as a joke. Now that Li Congjia is here, he can really do it.

At that time, everyone did not allow him to personally conquest, but what happened?He sneaked directly to the grassland and wiped out the southwestern frontier of Khitan. Who dares to take his words as a joke.

Li Congjia looked at Zhao Kuangyin who was about to roll his eyes in anger, snorted and said, "I said that there is something wrong with you suddenly publishing such a memorial. I really didn't expect that the dignified Lord Qin would use such a trick."

Zhao Kuangyin showed his original shape when he was forced to be anxious. The Gongjin who had just pretended was fed to the dog, and he raised his head and said, "Let's not talk about each other, shall we?"

Li Congjia waved his hand and said: "Okay, I know this matter well, you go back first, now the preliminary preparations have just started, so there is no rush."

Zhao Kuangyin murmured in his heart that you are not in a hurry, everyone is in a hurry.

As long as there are no generals who do not want to make meritorious service, fighting the Kara Khanate is not much more difficult than fighting Dali. At most, the soldiers of the Kara Khanate resisted a little more tenaciously-no one dares to underestimate the power of religion.

But the more it is like this, the more attractive it is. Difficult to fight does not mean that it cannot be fought. They think that Datang's weapon technology is at least 20 years ahead of the Kara Khanate. Why don't they fight for it?

In fact, how do these people know that Datang is not leading for 20 years, but for hundreds of years.

After Zhao Kuangyin left, Li Congjia rubbed his forehead, and Shi Xueting went over to massage him and asked, "What's the matter? You don't want Duke Qin to go?"

But Li Congjia said: "It's really okay to let him go. After all, it's a national war. It's good to send a powerful veteran to suppress the battle. I'm just worried. If Zhao Kuangyin moves, brother will also move? The two of them are at most There can only be one. For other positions, I want to train the middle-level and grass-roots officers to see if I can select a few good candidates. Li Ping and the others are about to retire. As Minister of the Ministry of War, Ping is already struggling a bit."

Li Congjia had long thought about what the Privy Council would do. Li Ping was considered a figure in the Southern Tang Dynasty, but after all, there were few villains in the land at that time, so he could handle it, including when Li Congjia first started. OK.

But now, Li Ping's shortcomings are fully exposed. His vision was not cultivated when he was young, and his aptitude is limited, and he has not achieved much now. Li Congjia is grateful for Li Ping who took people to the Western Regions when he was in the most difficult time. , formed his original team, so it has not been changed.

But it's almost there, if this continues, Li Ping will be ugly sooner or later, and now Li Ping seems to have the intention to retreat, so whoever gets the position of Minister of the Ministry of War must carefully weigh it.

Li Congjia's idea is to choose a suitable person to take over the Ministry of War through the attack on the Kara Khanate this time. It is not necessary to finish the attack on the Kara Khanate. Whoever thinks it is suitable will take office directly.

But... the candidate for the coach... Li Congjia is really in trouble.

Shi Xueting is very bachelor: "If the king of Shu also wants to go, why not let the two of them compete?"

Li Congjia's nose was almost crooked: "Is there anyone like you?"

These two are important ministers and heroes. Even if Li Congjia made his own decision to persuade the other one in private, it can't be like this. How about being a monkey?

Of course, Shi Xueting was only joking. Seeing Li Congjia's angry appearance, he couldn't help but kissed him and said, "The King of Shu hasn't said anything yet, maybe he doesn't have this idea? Why don't you ask him, Your Majesty."

Li Congjia hesitated: "But... I asked, will he mistakenly think that I intend to let him lead the army? If I don't let him lead the army at that time, then..."

When Shi Xueting thought that this was really the case, he had no choice but to say: "Then let me go."

Shi Xueting's identity is now tacitly understood by everyone. Of course, this identity does not refer to the identity of the national teacher, but another identity. In a sense, he can really represent Li Congjia.

So Li Congjia directly gave Shi Xueting his Tiger Talisman and said, "Take this as evidence."

The tiger talisman is divided into two, and generally only the leading general can take half, and the other half is in the hands of the emperor. Datang stipulates that only two tiger talismans can be dispatched with more than [-] soldiers and horses, and less than [-] can hold half of the tiger talisman.

Li Congjia directly gave Shi Xueting a whole tiger talisman, which was enough for Li Hongji to understand that Shi Xueting's departure had the divine will.

Shi Xueting didn't procrastinate, and after carefully telling Li Congjia to leave a batch of memorials, he forgot to eat, then turned around and went to Shu Palace.

And Li Hongji, king of Shu, was educating his son at this time.

Li Sheng looked at his father in surprise and said, "Father, you mean...you want me to go to the battlefield?"

Li Hongji thought for a while and said, "It's not necessary to go to the battlefield, even if it's just to supervise the logistics, you should go and have a look. Even if you are the son of the king of Shu, you probably won't be able to go to the front line."

Li Sheng hesitated for a moment, he was not afraid but asked: "But... this is a national war, Your Majesty...will you?"

There was also a war in the Tang Dynasty that was sure to win. It is said that many related households were sent in that time, but something went wrong in the middle. Most of those related households were killed or injured. Basically, those who can send related households have some status. When the child in the family died, they would naturally make a fuss.

As a result, his emperor's uncle got angry that time. Many people were unlucky at that time, and Li Sheng was also worried that if he made any mistakes on the battlefield, his father would be implicated.

Of course, the most important thing is, what if you lose your position as the son of the world?

The emperor's son can still be a prince if he can't be an emperor, and the prince's son can't be a son, so what kind of title will depend on his ability and the emperor's mood in the future.

It's not that Li Sheng underestimates himself, he just needs to plan ahead and give Li Hongji a vaccination. If something happens, his father can just stop slapping him. After all, the battlefield changes rapidly, who can guarantee that he will never make mistakes?Li Hongji didn't even dare!

What Li Sheng was worried about was actually what Li Hongji was also worried about. He hesitated for a moment and said, "You don't need to worry, let me find out what His Majesty has said first."

Li Sheng is not in a hurry, he is the future king of Shu after all, because his father has made a lot of contributions, so he is not allowed to be degraded. He just needs to work hard to fight for his son not to be degraded.

Li Hongji was thinking about how to raise this matter with Li Congjia, when he heard that the national teacher came to visit him.

Li Hongji was a little puzzled. In the Tang Dynasty, Shi Xueting, the national teacher, seemed to be a member of another system. He seldom had contact with courtiers like them unless necessary, and it was almost rare to visit them. Instead, courtiers like them occasionally went When the National Teacher's Mansion is looking for the National Teacher, it is usually Li Congjia who is stubborn about something, but the courtiers stand on the opposite side of him and want to persuade him, but what should I do if I can't persuade him?Let the national teacher go.

Generally, as long as Shi Xueting agrees, the persuasion will be successful. If Shi Xueting does not agree, everyone can only give up.

But now that Shi Xueting came to the door on his own initiative... Li Hongji began to mutter in his heart.

Li Hongji didn't hold back because of his high status, and went to the front to welcome Shi Xueting in.

I have to say that no matter when Li Hongji feels a little bit emotional, people who are outsiders may really have a clear mind, otherwise Shi Xueting is a bit old anyway, but he still looks like he is in his 20s, as if the years have not left him. under the trace.

Of course, there is also Li Congjia, who obviously does such a laborious job as the emperor, but he doesn't look old. Instead, it is Li Hongji, who is many years older than Li Congjia, and now he looks like he can be Li Congjia's father!

Li Hongji said politely while feeling emotional in his heart: "When the national teacher comes to the door, the scorpion will shine."

Shi Xueting was a little surprised, and said hastily: "His Royal Highness the King of Shu killed the poor monk."

Li Hongji hesitated for a moment and said: "I'm a rough person, so I just speak up if I have something to say. The National Teacher is here this time, but Your Majesty has something important to say?"

Shi Xueting glanced at him, rough man?If Li Hongji was a rough person, there would be no gentlemen in the world.

Moreover, this straightforward way of speaking can arouse the goodwill of Li Congjia and Shi Xueting. The two of them have seen a lot of smart people, and they don't like listening to those twists and turns.

Moreover, Li Hongji speaks bluntly but not rudely, and can always be just right, which is something that many people can't learn.

Shi Xueting was a little emotional, the Southern Tang prince who was taciturn and not good at words, has also been tempered now.

He said with emotion in his heart: "That's exactly the case. I wonder what His Highness the King of Shu thinks about this attack on the Kara Khanate?"

this one?Such a simple question, why didn't Li Congjia ask him directly?

While wondering in his heart, Li Hongji said: "If we talk about this war, I am still preparing for the Kara Khanate, and it seems that I still want to unite with the Principality of Kievan Rus. It is best to catch them by surprise, so that the battle can be resolved quickly. Maximize the saving of resources such as grain and grass.”

He was telling the truth, not hiding anything, anyway, that's what he thought, and there was nothing he couldn't say.

Shi Xueting nodded and said: "That makes sense." Then he changed the subject and said: "If this is the case, then the requirements for the leading generals may be higher, after all, better adaptability is needed."

Li Hongji felt that he seemed to have touched some clues, but he didn't dare to say it directly, for fear that he would guess wrong,

So he cautiously said: "That's true." Then he didn't say anything, in fact, his own opinion is that it is best for this war to be led by veterans who have experienced many battles, but he is also afraid that Shi Xueting will misunderstand him and recommend himself in disguise. I didn't mean that, so I just kept silent.

But Shi Xueting came here to ask this, and seeing that Li Hongji stopped talking, he asked instead: "Since this is the case, I wonder if Your Highness has any suitable candidates to recommend?"

Li Hongji was more cautious: "Your Majesty has a gap in his chest. There must be a suitable candidate for this matter. Whatever His Majesty says, the Privy Council will do."

Seeing that he was so slick, Shi Xueting couldn't help being very satisfied. The more cautious Li Hongji explained, the stricter his mouth was, and the fact that he came to the door should not be leaked.

Shi Xueting directly lit up the Tiger Talisman and said, "Your Highness the King of Shu, don't worry too much. Your Majesty is just worried that calling you into the palace will attract other people's guesses, so he sent me to ask."

Li Hongji... Li Hongji is a ghost. After all, he is the most senior official in the Privy Council besides the emperor. When sending generals to battle, they would listen to his opinions. What is there to guess?

As for who the leading general is, they can't guess.

However, Li Hongji still showed a dazed look and said: "So that's the case, then let the national teacher ask the question."

While talking, he thought in his heart, Li Congjia sent Shi Xueting must have a mission, but he didn't know what it meant?Could it be that you want to ask some generals about their skills?

But...it's not that Li Hongji looks down on those people, many middle-level generals are really not qualified to lead such a big battle.

When he was guessing, Shi Xueting opened the door with a very simple and rude sentence: "Does Your Highness want to lead the army?"

Li Hongji was stunned: "This...is His Majesty's intention?"

Li Congjia wants him to lead the army?This conflicts with his original intention.

At this time, no matter how great his meritorious service is, it is meaningless. On the contrary, if his son can make meritorious service, he can continue to bless his descendants. Therefore, unlike Zhao Kuangyin, he has no urgent idea of ​​leading troops.

But if Li Congjia really ordered him and he still refused, I'm afraid his son would also be implicated, so Li Hongji was very entangled.

Seeing his expression, Shi Xueting knew what he was thinking, waved his hand directly and said: "No, this is just what I want to ask, Your Majesty has two candidates in mind, and he is a little uncertain for a while, His Highness also knows, Although this battle is a national war, it will not reach the point where you and Qin Guogong will be used."

Li Hongji felt at ease, Shi Xueting had revealed the answer in advance: Li Congjia wanted to choose between him and Zhao Kuangyin.

As long as it is not confirmed that it is him, Li Hongji quickly said: "I am getting older and my energy is getting weaker and weaker. This national war is very important. I am afraid that I have more energy than energy."

Shi Xueting was a little surprised that Li Hongji didn't want to lead troops?

He said slowly: "Your Highness is now in his prime, why should you be discouraged?"

Li Hongji shook his head and said: "I know my own affairs. If I become stronger, it might affect His Majesty's plan. Now I only hope that my children and grandchildren will have a bright future."

This sentence has appeared in the mouths of many parents, but there are different interpretations at different times. At least Shi Xueting understood Li Hongji's meaning in seconds, and he simply said: "Your Majesty will take care of your own children."

Neither of them said a single exact word, but both of them seemed to have received some promise, and they were very satisfied with each other.

Shi Xueting didn't continue to be courteous - if he talked nonsense, he would probably stay here for dinner, so he simply left.

After Shi Xueting left, Li Sheng quietly came over and asked, "Father, the national teacher came to the door suddenly...why?"

Li Hongji didn't answer but said seriously: "The war is about to start, you should work harder these days."

As soon as Li Sheng heard it, he knew that he might not escape his life on the battlefield, so he said lazily, "I see."

It's just that Li Hongji didn't finish the rest of the sentence: "Leave me a grandson before you go."

Li Sheng:? ? ? ? ? ? ?

This means let him get a baby out before going to war?No, even if you have a child, you have to be pregnant for ten months. After the child is born, can he still go to the battlefield?

Li Hongji didn't care about this, anyway, as long as the task is handed down, his son can complete it.

Li Sheng... Li Sheng felt that he probably needed to learn from the crown prince's cousin—after all, his cousin had been married for less than him, and he was pregnant with one wife and one concubine.

After Shi Xueting returned to the palace, he said: "His Royal Highness the King of Shu doesn't seem to want to go, but he wants to let the son of the King of Shu go."

Li Congjia smiled slightly: "I'm starting to plan for my children."

Only Zhao Kuangyin is more unlucky. Most of his sons like reading books more than practicing martial arts. The younger brother is a bit talented, but he also has his own thoughts. Their Zhao family must use their long house as the backbone. The Duke was obtained with military merit, so the heir had better have military merit, even if heirs without an heir should have talent in this area.

Helpless, his eldest son died early, and the current son of Qin Guogong is Zhao Dezhao. Zhao Dezhao is naturally happy and angry. The eldest son of the eldest son can rest after being cultivated.

After Li Congjia knew what Li Hongji was thinking, he had nothing to worry about, and was going to call Zhao Kuangyin to see who he would choose to go to war.

As a result, Zhao Kuangyin directly covered his face and kowtowed to Li Congjia and said, "Your Majesty, let the king of Shu lead the troops in this battle."

Li Congjia was almost laughed out of anger, are you kidding me?When you were not expected to go before, you took the initiative to apply, but now you are allowed to go, but you shrink back, what are you doing?

Li Congjia said angrily: "Stand up, and your two hands, put them down!"

Mr. Mian is still like this, this is disrespect to the emperor, is he too tolerant towards Zhao Kuangyin?After all, in Li Congjia's heart, he always felt that he had robbed Zhao Kuangyin of the emperor's seat.

As a result, after Zhao Kuangyin put down his hand, Li Congjia was shocked instantly: "What's wrong with your face? Was it scratched by a cat?"