The mountain calls for gratitude, and the emperor's grace is mighty.

The crown prince Shaobao, Doctor Guanglu, sounds very powerful, especially the "prince Shaobao", when I hear it, it is the kind of powerful minister who covers the sky with one hand, arrogant and domineering, and can't die well, just waiting for the image of Ao Bai who is eliminated by the little emperor and the little eunuch one day.

However, those who really understand the official system of the imperial court know that the two official positions are actually fictitious.

Whether it is the prince Shaobao or the doctor Guanglu, they are all false titles, without any real power, at most they can stand in a few positions when they are in a court meeting, and when they travel with a full guard of honor, there are two more plaques to show their identity, oh, by the way, Yulu may add a few more stones every year.

A holy decree can explain many things, and even speculate on the will of heaven.

From this holy decree, Gu Qing clearly judged that no matter how great his military exploits were, Li Longji, who was far away in Chang'an, would have no more face, and it would be impossible for him to be promoted to his knighthood again.

Originally, Li Longji was reluctant to give the title of Marquis of Qingcheng County, and it is said that the total annihilation of 20,000 Tubo troops has already made a great contribution, but Li Longji is only willing to give two false titles, but he is not willing to be promoted to the title, probably out of a kind of precautionary psychology against the commander of the border army.

Now Li Longji has realized that the authority granted to An Lushan is too heavy, so he is jealous, and it is impossible for him to hold out a second An Lushan. However, the merit of destroying the enemy cannot be unrewarded, otherwise it will be difficult to convince the people of the government and the opposition, and it is the most suitable choice to give two false titles.

The crown prince Shaobao and Dr. Guanglu are both second-class, and their official positions are considered to have risen very high. At the age of twenty, he was awarded the second rank, and others could not say that Li Longji was wrong, but would feel that Gu Qing was extremely favored and had a great future, and Li Longji was able to easily deal with Gu Qing's great achievement.

After the holy decree was recited, Gu Qing got up and respectfully accepted the holy decree with both hands.

Chang Zhong Li Siye and other generals stepped forward one after another, congratulating Gu Qing on his promotion to Shaobao, although it is only two false titles, but they are still real second-grade official positions, especially the prince Shaobao, which is a very high honor.

After thanking the generals, Gu Qing looked at Liu Hongbo and Gao Lang and said, "Are the two generals ordered to send additional troops to Anxi, or will they serve under the Anxi army from now on?" ”

Liu Hongbo clenched his fists and said: "Your Majesty's will, the two will be placed under the command of the Anxi Army, and the last general is willing to make new contributions with the Hou Ye." ”

Gao Lang also hugged his fists and said: "I am willing to make new contributions with the Hou Ye." ”

Gu Qing frowned, and said, "Today's Anxi Jiedu envoy is still Gao Xianzhi's commander, and I am also a general under Gao Jieshuai, what do you do with me?" ”

Liu Hongbo smiled, but changed his words in time: "Yes, the last general is willing to make new contributions with Gao Jieshuai." ”

Gu Qing smacked his lips, these two people didn't improve Xianzhi from beginning to end from the time they led the army to the front of the Yuanmen, until they finished reciting the holy decree, judging from their attitudes, they regarded Gu Qing as the lord of Anxi.

Was it their careless mistake, or was it deliberate? They are from Chang'an, does their attitude also represent Li Longji's thoughts?

Looking at the dense army of 20,000 behind him, standing quietly in the desert outside the camp, the cavalry accounted for about a quarter of the 20,000 army, and the rest were infantry. This time, the military department of the imperial court was given a normal configuration, but the infantry seemed to be complete, with halberds, bows, arrows, spears, hooks, sickles, etc., standard wartime configurations.

As for the appearance of the army, Gu Qing carefully observed for a long time and found that they were still slightly inferior to the more than 10,000 left guard soldiers under his command, and the queue looked a little loose.

Thinking about the reason, Gu Qing was stunned.

The 10,000 Left Guard soldiers and 5,000 Khotanese troops he brought from Chang'an lost thousands of dollars in the fight against Tibet, but the soldiers insisted on practicing every day in accordance with the new training method he created, and the daily drills all had rankings and heavy rewards, and the soldiers practiced desperately in order to get heavy rewards, and the physical fitness that they had survived in the past two months was naturally much stronger than the 20,000 soldiers in front of them.

"Okay, the herald immediately expands the camp, builds the barracks, and lets the soldiers settle down first, and Chang Zhong goes to buy meat, buy more, the soldiers are tired from a long distance, and they will have a good meal today, which can be regarded as a pick-up for everyone." Gu Qing commanded.

Liu Hongbo and Gao Lang hugged their fists and thanked them.

Entering the marshal's tent and chatting with the two generals for a while, when Gu Qing asked about the rewards of other generals, Liu Hongbo told Gu Qing that His Majesty had sent to Chang'an to ask for merit list, and all those who should be promoted should be approved, and there were quite a few people on the merit roster this time, from Chang Zhong, who launched a frontal charge and took the lead, to Shen Tian, the first merit in this battle, and the marksman who played an extremely important role, etc., all have rewards, and the military department will soon have a reward order.

When Gu Qing asked about the reward given to Gao Xianzhi by the Son of Heaven, Liu Hongbo hesitated for a moment, saying that the Son of Heaven only sealed Gao Xianzhi and nothing else.

Gu Qing's expression was a little strange.

This is interesting, strictly speaking, Gu Qing is just a general under Gao Xianzhi, he was named the prince and the young guard, but he only gave Gao Xianzhi a "special entry", although it is a false title, but no matter how you look at it, Gu Qing is the protagonist this time, and Gao Xianzhi's genuine festival makes it painless.

It seems that Li Longji's dissatisfaction with Gao Xianzhi still exists, especially when Gao Xianzhi and Gu Qing discussed the division of troops during the fight against Tubo this time, as a result, Gu Qing's division of the battle was the most prominent, Gao Xianzhi's side was only to annihilate more than 10,000 troops of Tubo, and his military exploits were not as good as Gu Qing, as a famous general, Gao Xianzhi's performance this time was actually not bad, but it was a little inferior to Gu Qing.

disappointed Li Longji again and again, Gao Xianzhi was probably destined to be transferred back to Chang'an.

"Why did the cavalry only give such a little? It's only 5,000 people, is it rationed by the military department? Gu Qing asked dissatisfiedly.

This time, Gu Qing tasted the sweetness of cavalry, and thousands of people charged in formation, which was simply unstoppable, and was almost invincible in the plains.

Liu Hongbo smiled bitterly and said: "It is rationed by the military department, and the Tang Dynasty Wangshi has always been in such a proportion, and our war horses are limited after all." ”

Gu Qing shook his head: "What you said is not right, war horses are indeed limited, but good steel is applied to the blade, where is the blade in Datang?" Of course, it is the Anxi Protectorate, but we have to face strong enemies such as the Western Regions and the Great Food of Tibet, and it is in the open area of the desert, how can we show it if there are too few cavalry? ”

Gao Lang also smiled bitterly: "Master Hou, the last general and General Liu are just generals who obey the orders of the military department, and we want whatever the military department gives, and it is useless for you to tell the last general about this." ”

Gu Qing sighed and said, "Where is the grain and grass?" How much grain and grass did the 20,000 soldiers and horses bring? ”

"I only brought a large army for a month, and the court behind it will gradually replenish it."

"What about the weapons and arrows?"

"It's also according to the usual practice, Master Hou, the military department is not so generous, barely enough for the army."

Gu Qing said disdainfully: "That's because you don't know how to ask for it, do you know how many things I brought with me when I led my troops from Chang'an?" For a team of 10,000 people, I brought 15,000 horses, as well as grain, grass and weapons, all of which are twice the number of the army, and you generals only have troops in their eyes, but they don't know how important logistics are......"

Liu Hongbo smiled bitterly: "That's the face of the Hou Ye in Chang'an, the last general doesn't have the face of the Hou Ye, even if he asks for the military department, people will not take care of the last general." ”

Gu Qing sighed: "That's it, let's settle down first, I'll handle the things of war horses, grain, grass and weapons, Anxi has added so many people, how can you do it if you don't give enough things?" I don't even want to lose my face in order to earn some benefits for the soldiers, and now there are 20,000 more, alas......"

I couldn't help but touch my face, which was smooth and elastic as always.

Gu Qing said with a sad face: "I don't know if my face can be sold for a good price......

Now Gu Qing feels more and more the importance of logistics, when he fought with Tubo, if he hadn't broken his fortune and sacrificed his face, he had to pull out 15,000 war horses from Yang Guozhong's mouth, as well as weapons twice as large as the army, that battle really didn't know whether it was a victory or a defeat, and with sufficient logistics, Gu Qing had the confidence to calmly arrange an ambush.

So this time Gu Qing still made up his mind, he had to pick something out of Chang'an, and the emperor couldn't send hungry soldiers, no food, no weapons, no war horses, how to be loyal to the monarch and serve the country?

Counting on his fingers, now in the camp outside Qiuzi City, Gu Qing can directly command more than 30,000 troops, and these 20,000 troops are under his command.

Li Longji's plan to replace Gu Qing with Gao Xianzhi has basically been realized today, Gao Xianzhi's status in Anxi is becoming more and more marginalized, and what is lacking now is only a legitimate identity, Gu Qing estimates that in the near future, Li Longji will also give him this identity.

Why do you rest assured that the western defense line of the Tang Dynasty will be handed over to Gu Qing, a young man in his twenties, naturally the results of Gu Qing's command of the Anxi army last time to completely annihilate the enemy from Tubo gave Li Longji full confidence, and the price of the hard work and sacrifice of that battle has now come to the time when he can share the dividends.

…………

Seeing that Liu Hongbo and Gao Lang looked tired, the hardships of the long journey were revealed on their faces.

Gu Qing asked the two of them to go to the camp tent to rest first, and tomorrow they will hold a banquet in Qiuzi City to catch the wind for the two generals.

After the two retreated, Gu Qing called Han Jie.

"Find a personal guard and go back to Chang'an quickly and do something for me." Gu Qing commanded.

"What is Master Hou going to do?"

"Go back to my house first, I will repair a letter with the housekeeper and the two merchant brothers, let them prepare generous gifts, and leave Chang'an these days, those two goods should have made a lot of money, let them take five thousand yuan, and also, Your Majesty rewarded me with a hundred taels of gold, and I will also take it out, and then see if there are any treasures such as pearls, corals, rhinoceros horns and other treasures in my storehouse, and take them out to give away."

Han Jie was surprised: "Master Hou's handwriting is not small, who do you want to give it to?" ”

"Yang Guozhong." Gu Qing said with a distressed face.

"Why did you send him?"

"Because Yang Guozhong told me that the twelfth concubine of his family is so beautiful that he is willing to give me a teacher and help me break the boy's body, this generous gift is the bride price I gave." Gu Qing said without thinking.

Han Jie's eyes were wide open, and his mouth opened into an O-shape, looking like he was about to be shattered.

"Hou ...... Master Hou, isn't it a bit expensive? ”

This time it was Gu Qing's turn to be shattered: "Do you believe it?" ”

"Honestly, I don't believe it."

Gu Qing was so relieved that the IQ of the guards around him had just developed into what he wanted, if he was too high, he would have low self-esteem, if he was too low, he would look like a mentally retarded, and his leader was like the chairman of the Disabled Persons' Federation......

"I will give Yang Guozhong a letter of repair, pat the right minister's fart, and ask him to get me some war horse food, grass and weapons by the way, the Tang Dynasty is prosperous, not bad for this thing."

…………

The news that Gu Qing was named the crown prince and the young protector soon spread all over Qiuzi City, and the officials and the people were shocked.

The twenty-year-old prince Shaobao, who is unique since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, is eclectic in promoting talents today.

However, after the officials and people of Qiuzi City were shocked, they still quite agreed with Gu Qing's decision to be crowned the crown prince and young protection. It was Gu Qing, the deputy envoy of Jiedu, who decisively ordered to go out of the city to meet the enemy, set up an ambush dozens of miles away from the city, and completely annihilated the Tubo army, so that Qiuci City was saved from the poison of war, and the officials and people of the city were spared a military disaster.

Not to mention anything else, just talking about this credit, the officials and people of Qiuzi City are grateful to Gu Qing all their lives, and in their eyes, it is not an exaggeration for the Tang Dynasty to give Gu Qing a big official.

People who have never crossed paths with war do not understand what heroes mean to them.

Gu Qing, who was promoted, did not make a public announcement, and after settling the 20,000 soldiers from Chang'an, Gu Qing immediately entered the city and entered the Jiedu Embassy, and found Gao Xianzhi in the backyard.

Gao Xianzhi is now like an otaku and stays at home, and when Gu Qing found him, he was squatting in the garden in the backyard, carefully tending to a few flowers and plants.

Gu Qing stepped forward lightly, smiled in a low voice, and said: "Gao Jie Shuai is so leisurely, this handle looks quite sophisticated, but the flowers and plants are delicate, you apply a little too much fertilizer, the flowers and plants can't digest them, but they are devastating." ”

Gao Xianzhi looked up and saw that it was Gu Qing, so he threw away the shovel, got up and clapped his hands, and said with a smile: "Why does Gu Hou Ye have the leisure to see me today?" ”

Gu Qing said with a smile: "The last general is very idle every day, wandering around and not knowing how to pass the time, today I remembered that Gao Jieshuai has not shown up for a long time, so I came to see you." ”

Gao Xianzhi sighed: "Master Hou has a heart, I know why you came." The grace of the Son of Heaven, the emperor's grace is vast, and the Hou Yeguan is promoted to Shaobao, it is the time when the scenery is infinite, but at this time, he came to see a person who fell out of favor and surrendered his grace, which is really rare. ”

Gao Xianzhi looked very decadent, his hair was a little gray, his clothes were wrapped in a mess, and a pair of worn clogs on his feet were tapping, looking like an ordinary old farmer who was in a state of exhaustion.

Gu Qing sighed: "Jie Shuai, time is also fate, how can things in the world be as people wish." The marshal has been in Anxi for many years, and the merits and faults are at ease in the hearts of the people, and the last general is just picking up the teeth of the marshal, and the greatest contribution to Anxi over the years is still none other than the marshal. ”

Gao Xianzhi smiled bitterly: "After all, it has been exhausted by the big waves, and the merits are the business of future generations, what does it have to do with me." ”

Turning his head to look at Gu Qing, Gao Xianzhi said in a deep voice: "I have seen everything you have done in Qiuzi City these days, I have to say, you are better than me in governing the city or leading the army and commanding, Your Majesty has a good eye for talents, and it is not unreasonable to send you to Anxi to replace me, I am convinced." ”

Gu Qing said with a smile: "The marshal is falsely praised, it may be okay to govern the city, I definitely can't compare with the marshal in leading the army, this time I just picked up a bargain, if I went to guard the Yanqi when I divided the army, the marshal guarded the turtle, and the person who His Majesty rewarded today is the marshal." That's why I just said that everything is a time and a fate. ”

Gao Xianzhi squeezed out a reluctant smile.

Everyone knew that these words were just useless comfort, and what determined Gao Xianzhi's fate was not the victory or defeat of a battle and the results of the battle, but the dissatisfaction accumulated by the Son of Heaven over the years, as well as the irreparable mistakes he made in the general direction of Anxi's strategic decision-making.

Gao Xianzhi sighed: "Hou Ye is only in his twenties, he has been crowned the prince and has a young guarantee, the future is unlimited, the Anxi Protectorate will be the land of Hou Ye's Tengda, I hope Hou Ye cherishes it, although I have made a lot of big mistakes over the years, but the soldiers of the Anxi Army under my command are all elite and fierce soldiers, Hou Ye is so young to hold the Anxi Army, I don't know how many outstanding feats will be made for the Tang Dynasty in the future, compared with Hou Ye, I am really old, and it is time to return home." ”

Gu Qing was stunned and looked at him puzzled.

Gao Xianzhi smiled bitterly: "I have gone to Chang'an today, please Zhishi, begging bones, by the beginning of spring next year, there may be results, Anxi's matter, from now on please Hou Ye." ”

Gu Qing's mood suddenly became a little gloomy.

According to his original plan, he really wanted to get rid of Gao Xianzhi, because the military power was too sensitive, and Gu Qing didn't want someone to justifiably hinder his decision, but when Gao Xianzhi really decided to leave the Anxi Protectorate, he had a sad feeling of the death of a rabbit and a fox.

Today's Gao Xianzhi is not tomorrow's self.

Under the suspicious and stupid monarch, it is difficult for loyal ministers and famous generals to have a good home, and now Gu Qing is walking at the point that Li Longji expects every step of the way, so his favor is undiminished, and the saint is still long.

However, if one day Gu Qing took a step that Li Longji was not satisfied with, what would Li Longji do to him?

Gao Xianzhi's loss of power was not wronged, because he was indeed wrong. But it can't prove how wise Li Longji is, there is no right or wrong in the eyes of the emperor, Gao Xianzhi's biggest mistake is that Li Longji was treated as an outcast after weighing the pros and cons.

"Why should the marshal be like this, according to what we said at the beginning, I will govern the army and the city, and the marshal is still the commander of the three armies during the war, the last time I fought against Tibet, isn't your cooperation with me very tacit?" Gu Qing sighed.

Gao Xianzhi smiled: "Hou Ye, don't say kind words, spread the words out, in fact, you also wish I had gotten out of Anxi earlier, right?" You and I are both people who have been in charge of military power, and we know that military power is the most taboo thing to fight for, if it wasn't for my jealousy in the last fight against Tibet, if it wasn't for the Hou Ye to take care of the overall situation, we really make trouble, the outcome is unpredictable, one mountain does not allow two tigers, you and I must go one between one. ”

Gu Qing sighed: "If you and I have to go between one, it is better to let me go back to Chang'an, the bitter cold and barbaric land of Anxi, I am not used to staying for a long time......"

Gao Xianzhi raised his eyebrows: "Is what Master Hou said true?" ”

Gu Qing's eyelids jumped: "Of course it's a lie, how can I leave, even if I agree, Your Majesty won't agree." ”

Gao Xianzhi snorted heavily: "Hypocrisy! ”